Texas Musicians

By Jeffrey D. Murrah

Taken from information in "Texans Always Move Them"

It would be difficult to find an area of music that has not been influenced by a Texas musician. Musicians from the State have influenced and continue impacting every popular genre of music. Whether ragtime, blues, classical, rock, country or rap, Texas musicians have been major players on the music scene. The mark left by Texas musicians stretches back 50-70 years. The very roots of many popular genres have their roots in Texas.

One of the best ragtime musicians of all time was Scott Joplin. This Texas native was one of the early major influences in this type of music popular in the early 1900’s. As times changed, so did the public tastes in music. Musicians such as Leadbelly, Blind Lemmon Jefferson and Lightnin Hopkins were early leaders in Texas music.Many of Leadbelly's songs were later recorded by other musicians keeping his legacy alive.

When country music became popular, several Texas musicians were formative. Roger Miller, Gene Autry, “Boxcar Willie” Martin, “Tex” Ritter and “Jimmie” Rodgers were among the early pioneers of this type of music. As the music field matured, George Jones, Floyd Tillman, and Willie Nelson began playing popular types of country music country.

From the early days of Rock and Roll music, pioneers continued taking inspiration from Lightnin’ Hopkins and Leadbelly. In Texas, among those early pioneers were Buddy Holley and Roy Orbison. After gaining popularity in in the State, and putting Wink, Texas on the map, Orbison went on to tour England with a new group from Liverpool called the Beatles, which opened for his performances. Lubbock-born, Buddy Holley established himself as a leader in the new area of music with a style and sound that many later tried to copy. Among those early musicians who were part of his band, was the young Waylon Jennings. Jennings went on to make a name for himself in the aftermath of Holley’s tragic death on February 3, 1959. The Big Bopper also died in the same plane crash.

The classical music world was shaken when Van Kliburn won the piano contest that had traditionally been the domain of Russian pianist. People were stunned that a pianist from Texas was able to perform well enough to gain prominence on the world classical stage. Texans dominated classical, country and rock music.

Rock and roll as a genre continued changing. With the changes, Texans were influential once more. Janis Joplin brought a unique style and stood out as one of the first female rock vocalists. Johnny and Edgar Winters also brought a unique sound into the area of rock. They were joined by the group Pantera in being among the heavies in hard rock. In the more mainstream rock and roll, Mike Nesmith was a member of a group known as the Monkees. The Thirteenth Floor Elevators and the Sir Douglas Quintet also hailed from the Lone Star State.

Rock and roll, now known as rock continued attracting talented musicians. ZZ Top sang about unique Texas themes. Texan Don Henly was a member of the group known as the Eagles. After great success, he left the Eagles and continued writing his own music. Steve Miller and his band also made a name for themselves in rock.

It was not only rock that changed its sound. Country music also changed its sounds. When Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker (although a New Yorker, he joined with Willie in developing the Austin Music Scene), and Gary P. Nunn began congregating around Austin, a new type of country emerged. The sound brought a new emphasis on music to Austin, Texas making part of the country sound. Some singers, like Dwight Yoakum and George Strait continued making traditional country songs. Even in the 21st century, Texas native Pat Green is keeping Texas Country music traditions alive.

New sounds were also being pioneered in the State. Selena brought attention to the Tejano music world. Her talent had gained a prominent following prior to a tragic death early in her career. Another new sound was that of rap and hip-hop. Musicians DJ Screw and South Park Mexican were part of this new sound as it began taking shape in Texas.

Texas has influenced many area of music. Its musicians have been leading pioneers and performers in many areas. They have been a dominant force in music for the last half of the twentieth century. Among the musicians from Texas are the following:

• Alvis Wayne
  Barry White

• Blind Lemon Jefferson
• Blind Willie Johnson
• Bobby Horton

• Bob Wills
  Boxcar Willie
  Buddy Holly
  Charlie Christian
  Clifford Antone
  Clifton Chenier
  DJ Screw
  Dobie Gray
  Don Henley
  Dooley Wilson
• Dwight Yoakum
• Edgar Winter
• Ernest Tubb

• Floyd Tillman
  Freddie Fender
  Gatemouth Brown
  Gene Autry
  George Jones
  Hank Thompson
  Jack Teegarden
  Janis Joplin
  Jim Reeves
  Joe Ely
  John Glossop
  Johnny Horton
  Johnny Winter
  Justin Furstenfield of Blue October
  Kris Kristofferson
  Leadbelly
  Lightnin Hopkins
  Lisa Loeb
  Lloyd Maines
  Lydia Mendoza
  Mance Lipscomb
  Marcia Ball
• Martin "Tex" Ritter
• Meat Loaf
  Michael Nesmith
  Michael Nesmith
  Michelle Shocked
  Pantera
  Pinetop Perkins
  Robert Earl Keen
  Roger Miller
  Roy Orbison
  Scott Joplin
  Selena
  Shel Silverstein
  Sly Stone
  Stephen Stills
  Steve Miller
  Stevie Ray Vaughn
  T-Bone Walker
  Tanya Tucker
  The 13th Floor Elevators
  The Big Bopper
  The Dixie Chicks
  The Toadies
  Tim Delaughter
  Townes Van Zandt
• Van Kliburn
• Waylon Jennings

• Willie Nelson
• Woody Guthrie

• ZZ Top