September 02, 2024
“Mr. Texas” EP release party launches weekly fundraiser series for Austin musicians’ housing nonprofit
Austin Music Legend Marcia Ball and Pulitzer Prize-Winner Lawrence Wright Headline Benefit for HOME
AUSTIN, TX, September 2, 2024 — The Saxon Pub will host a special event on Monday, September 23, 2024, combining the best of Austin’s musical talent, literary acclaim and community support in a one-night-only performance featuring songs and scenes from "Mr. Texas," a musical in development based on the critically acclaimed novel by local Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright.
This event marks the beginning of a months-long series of weekly fundraisers at the Saxon Pub for Housing Opportunities for Musicians and Entertainers (HOME), an Austin nonprofit providing financial housing assistance for aging musicians in need. The night will showcase performances by the songwriters from "Mr. Texas," including local legend Marcia Ball, Gordon Wright, and Lawrence Wright, along with a number of special guest appearances by local musical luminaries.
Marcia Ball, renowned blues singer, songwriter, and pianist, is not only a featured performer but also a co-founder of HOME, which she started with a group of concerned women to address the housing needs of Austin's aging musicians.
Doors open at 5:00 PM, with the show starting at 6:00 PM. Tickets are priced at an accessible $15, with all proceeds benefiting HOME. In addition to supporting a worthy cause, attendees will receive a download code for the "Mr. Texas" EP and have opportunities to win special signed books and swag from the writers and performers.
The Saxon Pub is located at 1320 S Lamar, Austin, TX 78704. This is a 21 and over event.
February 22, 2024
Sharing my love of Willie on Texas Monthly podcast.
John Spong interviews me for the Texas Monthly podcast, One by Willie. We talk about the time I saw him debut his tune, “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” at the launch of the statue we erected through CASt.
October 28, 2022
Remarks for Joe Ely’s induction to the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame
Wright made these remarks at ACL Hall of Fame 2022. A full recap of the evenings events can be found on ACL’s website.
It’s always been a mystery to me how the Panhandle, which is not known for being an artistic mecca, produced Jimmy Dean, Sonny Curtis, Tanya Tucker, Mac Davis, Delbert McClinton, Gary P. Nunn, Lloyd and Natalie Maines, the Gatlin Brothers, and more to be named later.
Except for the two years Georgia O’Keefe painted watercolors in Canyon, Texas, they’re all musicians.
Joe Ely was born in Amarillo, which is where he first encountered rock and roll, in the form of Jerry Lee Lewis playing piano on a flatbed trailer in a dust storm. The audience covered their noses with bandanas and the wind blew over the microphone but young Joe Ely heard the call.
Keep ReadingOctober 19, 2022
Inducting Joe Ely into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame on Oct 27.
Wright will be inducting renowned Texas musician Joe Ely into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame on October 27.
Man, am I lucky. I get to induct Joe Ely into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame! https://t.co/JA9bjJuhOX
— Lawrence Wright (@lawrence_wright) October 19, 2022