Texas Music

Crockett grew up poor and got his start busking for tips. He's since played the Hollywood Bowl and been nominated for a Grammy. He talks music and plays songs from his new album, Dollar A Day.

San Antonio native and conjunto legend Flaco Jiménez has died at the age of 86.

On her first record following her divorce, the Texas star navigates her bisexuality, motherhood and the do's and don'ts of dating in your 30s.

This week on Texas Matters—50 years of Asleep at the Wheel. How did Ray Benson become the carrier of the flame for Western Swing? For half a century, Asleep at the Wheel made it on the rocky road that is the music biz.

Country music singer Charley Crockett was born and raised in Texas, grew up in a single-wide trailer with his mom and says his family lineage traces all the way back to the frontiersman Davy Crockett. This Sunday is the music industry's biggest night — the Grammy Awards. And Crockett is up for an award for the first time — Best Americana Album — for his record "$10 Cowboy." For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org Email us at considerthis@npr.org

There is a diversity of styles and musical genres embraced in the book Corazón Abierto: Mexican American Voices in Texas Music. Based on interviews with legendary recording stars and with newcomers who are crafting their own sound, Kathleen Hudson's book documents the musicians' stories.

Roy Orbison was a West Texas boy with an operatic voice. He was drawn to the guitar at age six. His monumental global career successes were matched by extraordinary personal tragedies. Jeff Slate is the co-author of the book The Authorized Roy Orbison.

Musician and film star Kris Kristofferson has died at age 88. His hit songs include "Me and Bobby McGee" and he starred in dozens of films, including A Star Is Born, opposite Barbra Streisand.

In 1973, Willie Nelson held his first 4th of July picnic. There were some problems. The locals said it was "moral pollution" and Nelson was fined $1,000 for violating the Texas Mass Gatherings Act. But that didn’t stop Willie from doing it again and again. Dave Dalton Thomas is the picnic historian and has written a book about this Texas tradition.