Keen receives Texas State House honor, announces nw album

Keen, who penned "The Road Goes on Forever," announced last year that he would stop touring, although his recording career continues.

The Texas House Resolution, HR102, began:

"WHEREAS, Renowned Texas musician Robert Earl Keen brought 41 years of touring to a triumphant close in 2022, bidding a fond and bittersweet farewell to cheering fans all across the country; and WHEREAS, A Houston native, Mr. Keen first picked up a guitar during his freshman year at Texas A&M University; he began playing around town, and after graduation, he took a day job in Austin, honed his chops, and won the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Songwriting Competition."

The resolution concluded, "RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Robert Earl Keen on his retirement from touring and honor him for his outstanding contributions to Texas music."

Keen was honored in person at the State House. His wife Kathleen, daughter Clara, Porter Garner, chief executive officer and president of The Former Students Association of Texas A & M University, and Dr. Tyler Cooper, president and CEO of the Cooper Aerobics and Cooper Clinic in Dallas, were all escorted to the floor of the Texas House of Representatives and Resolution 102 was read in Keen's honor by Rep. Andrew Murr (R-District 53).

When Keen announced in January 2022 that he would be retiring from touring last September, he also made it clear that only covered touring – not playing, writing or recording.

"Quitting the road doesn't mean I'm dead, and it doesn't mean I'm going to quit producing stuff," he said.

Keen announced he would a new full-length album, "Western Chill,'an accompanying performance video of the entire album, a detailed songbook for people to sing and play along, and an accompanying 92-page, full-color graphic novel.