Western Chill is now available digitally for the first time!

“This is for my fans who have all but begged for me to release Western Chill digitally,” says Keen. “The fans spoke and we listened: you want Western Chill on-the-go so we’re releasing this labor of love, and given that it’s digital, I trust you’ll share it!”

The Western Chill vibe is soulfully laid-back— and packed with enough surprises to keep even the most seasoned fan guessing what’s coming next. The opening title track—an instant Keen classic in the easy-loping vein of “The Front Porch Song,” “Gringo Honeymoon,” and “Feelin’ Good Again”—sets the mood for the whole album, followed by back-to-back original stunners sung and written by fiddle/guitar player Brian Beken (“Waves”) and bassist Bill Whitbeck (“Bluelight”). If variety is the spice of life, Western Chill is the Silk Road to chill with more contributions heard from Beken and Whitbeck as well as compositions by the rest of the band. This has all been documented here because true to the “featuring” tag on the album cover, this really is a REK Band affair.

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Tracklist

Western Chill

Written by Robert Earl Keen

It’s easy to be somebody, but it’s hard to disappear
Let’s face it everybody, Sometimes you just want to be by yourself
That’s when I slip off in the evening, with some ice cold beer
Just me, myself and I, and nobody else

You see I have this little cabin, it’s only built for one Perfectly situated, on the western side of the hill
I sit back with my cold beer, and I watch the setting sun
All the starts start popping out and the world is clean and still…

Western Chill
It’s what I’ve been needing Western Chill
In the cool part of the evening
It’s my own configuration from my imagination
Western Chill

Sometimes I go down to the river and I take off all of my clothes -( oh no! )
I think about that movie where the prisoners meet the sirens
Now I don’t want to be that guy (not that guy!) they turned into a toad
But if I met a siren, I’d be inclined to try one

Western Chill
Under the stars of Orion
Western Chill
Just me and my pretty Siren
It’s my favorite destination, to soothe my frustration
The best darn vacation in all of creation
Western Chill
Ooo - Ahh Western Chill
Ooo - Ahh
Western Chill

Blue Light

Written by Bill Whitbeck

Janie pulls her boots on
Looks around the motel room
Picks up a 57 Gibson
Adios to Houston, look out now

500 miles on the highway today
How the hell is Lubbock such a long ways away
She’s gonna make it, she’s got a show to play
Girls’ got plenty of dues and bills to pay

Another night another town
You set ‘em up and you knock ‘em down
That old road can drive you crazy, Janie’s gonna be alright
She’s playing tonight at the Bluelight
Janie calls up Susan
Susan says “ Yeah, I got a couch you can crash on”
After the show we can hang out
Migas in the morning before you head out
Migas in the morning

Another night another town
You set ‘em up and you knock ‘em down
That old road can drive you crazy, Janie’s gonna be alright
She’s playing tonight at the Bluelight

That old road can drive you crazy
She’s playing tonight at the Bluelight

Jaine pulls her boots on…

Waves

Written by Brian Beken

You can hear the cars drive by,
It’s getting dark outside
Bet the tars not dry on the new road
Fiddle with the TV set,
And haven’t realized it yet
But I’d guess that you could bet,
I’ll be here alone

And it almost feels like
Waves crashing
And it almost feels like
Waves crashing

I don’t really say a lot
And never gave it too much thought
How many times I bought, what you’re selling me
And plenty times I’ve come around,
To something a lot like this sound
It’s just that further down,
I can hear the street

And it almost sounds like
waves crashing
And it almost sounds like
waves crashing
And it almost sounds like
waves crashing
Yeah, it almost sounds like
waves crashing

Hello Stranger

Instrumental Composed by Kym Warner

The City

Written by Brian Beken

Well I’ve always noticed you
Long before you ever knew
Said you like what I do
Well I’d like to sit down and have one or two

And the blood is a moving
Through my veins like before
There’s no way anything can keep me
From coming back here so much more

What brings you to the city
I haven’t seen you before
It’s such a shame, such a pity
That I’m going, but I’ll be back for sure
And the blood is a moving
Through my veins like before
There’s no way anything can keep me
From coming back here so much more

And the blood is a moving
Through my veins like before
There’s no way anything can keep me
From coming back here so much more

And the blood is a moving
Through my veins like before
There’s no way anything can keep me
From coming back here so much more

Ooooo Ooooo Ooooo Ooooo

Let's Valet

Written by Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, and Taylor Lee Titus

You look so good in diamonds
So royal, so radiant
Old Mr Moon is shining
On Cupid’s Bay

We’ve been so busy lately
No time to run and play
They have our table ready
Let’s Valet

Let’s Valet
In silk and sequins
Me Oui, Mademoiselle Step right this way
Let’s Valet
Feel the difference
Aww, sweetness, Let’s Valet

We’ll order Razzle Dazzle
We’ll share some what the hey
Our night is off the menu
and Oh, by the way

This big bad band is smashing
So right to swing and sway
I’m sayin, I’m not asking
Let’s Valet

Let’s Valet
In silk and sequins
Me Oui, Mademoiselle
Step right this way
Let’s Valet
Feel the difference
Aww, sweetness, Let’s Valet

Let’s Valet
In silk and sequins
Me Oui, Mademoiselle
Step right this way
Let’s Valet
Feel the difference
Aww, sweetness, Let’s Valet
Bon Ton Roulet
Aww sweetness Let’s Valet

Balmorhea

Written by Robert Earl Keen and Bill Whitbeck

Baby it’s been good to get away and leave it all behind
If we could we would, buy a little place and live there all the time
Paint our mailbox yellow, tell the world to “go to hell-o”

I wish that we could stay, one more happy day in Balmorea
Make everything okay, wash all our cares away, Balmorea

It’s so easy being here, lying on a blanket, watching clouds roll by
I really hate to leave, it’s where I want to be, lying by your side
Of all the magic places, none compare to this oasis

I wish that we could stay, one more happy day in Balmorea
Make everything okay, wash all our cares away, Balmorea
Feel the cool springs flowing, guess it’s time we get going
I wish that we could stay, one more happy day
Babe what do you say, let’s stay another day
Wash all our cares away in Balmorea

In Balmorea
In Balmorea
In Balmorea

Marfa

Written by Robert Earl Keen

Will you meet me in Marfa
On the courthouse lawn
Cool fall blasts past Thanksgiving Day
All the tourists gone.

Meet me in the crypt of winter
Stars shining brightest in the sky

Will you meet in Marfa
You’ll be here in May
Share a cocktail at Duprees
I won’t ask you to stay

Searching for the Marfa Lights
Did they disappear
Spinning in the eternal dark
Like me without you here

Raise your glass to Marfa
To me, the train, the art
And to how we cross your mind
Like you cross your heart

Will you meet me in Marfa

Bones and Flowers

Written by Bill Whitbeck

Oh, Oh, Georgia
Oh, Oh, Georgia
Oh, Oh, Georgia

She lives in the desert
Another old ghost
The devil’s in the red dirt
And the heavenly host

She paints Bones and Flowers
With her eyes and her ears
She can take hours
Turn ‘em into years

Oh, Oh, Georgia
Oh, Oh, Georgia
Oh, Oh, Georgia

Sun setting on the canyon
Colors running free
She’s covering a canvas
For the world to see

Moon over the mountain Stars crowding the sky
Her heart is a fountain
Never say goodbye

Oh, Oh, Georgia
Oh, Oh, Georgia
Oh, Oh, Georgia

Sweet Summer Rain

Written by Robert Earl Keen

Sweet summer rain
Is like an old friend
Who knocks on your door
But you never know when

The sagebrush in bloom
Their soft purple flowers
Are promising soon
Those sweet summer showers

Just when you think the sun’s gonna bake
This land from here to Coeur d'Alene
Rain clouds roll in on their friend the west wind
And your prayers have not been in vain

Sweet summer rain
Won’t let you be sorry
The sound on your roof
Won’t let you feel blue

It just goes to show you
You don’t have to worry
Sweet summer rain
Will always find you (always find you)

Sweet summer rain
Will always find you

Mister Mockingbird

Written by Bill Whitbeck and Rodney Hayden

Mr. Mockingbird, have you heard
She walked out without a word
Won’t you sing for me
A real sad melody
I’m as blue as a boy can be
Mr. Mockingbird

Mr. Mockingbird
Tell me why
She had to go and say goodbye
After all these years.
She up and disappeared
Well, I’ve cried a million tears
Mr. Mockingbird

Won’t you fly into the sky
Tell me what you see
Help me find that girl of mine
Oh, where can she be

Mr. Mockingbird Don’t you know
I can’t make it on my own
I’m counting on you
Tell me what to do
Well I know know you miss her too
Mr. Mockingbird

Mr. Mockingbird, have you heard
She walked out without a word
Won’t you sing for me
A real sad melody
I’m as blue as a boy can be
Mr. Mockingbird

Won’t you sing her back to me
Mr. Mockingbird

Mr. Blues on the Run

Written by Robert Earl Keen

I like the sexy, sassy sound of an easy conga drum
Loosy, goosy feel of Riviera swing
Add a tad a (“Cool Man”), just for fun
Ain’t nothing but a thing
To send Mr. Blues on the run

Set!!!
Mr. Blues
On the Run
Get!!!
Mr. Blues
On the Run

When I woke up in the a.m
Mr. Blues up on my head
Us and Buster Gold did the Grande Emporium
My girl, Kansas Kitty, took Buster home to bed
I lost my sexy conga drum
Got Mr. Blues instead

Set!!!
Mr. Blues
On the Run
Get!!!
Mr. Blues
On the Run

Mr. Blues ain’t nothing new to me
I don’t let it get to me
He can have the rain clouds
I’ll take the sun

Set!!!
Mr. Blues
On the Run
Get!!!
Mr. Blues
On the Run

Oh yeah
Get Mr. Blues on the Run

Walking On

Written by Robert Earl Keen

There’s a dirt road and a fence line, takes me into town
There’s a right way and a left way, the way I’m walking now
My life passes by me, like I’m standing still
Still I spend my time living, like I’ve got time to kill

I’ll walk on till I’m hungry, talk on till I’m dry
This road I’m on is all i know, so I keep walking’ on

There’s freedom in a sunset, Music in the air
There’s comfort in the silence, we find time to share
There’s laughter in your footsteps I hear when I’m alone
Echo though the distance, Fill the great unknown

I’ll walk on till I’m hungry, talk on till I’m dry
This road I’m on is all i know, so I keep walking’ on

Rippling Waters

Written by Robert Earl Keen

Rippling waters,
All I see
So captivating Deceptively free
Just like my baby
Here and gone Rippling Waters Rippling On

Rippling waters,
All I see
So captivating Deceptively free
Just like my baby
Here and gone Rippling Waters Rippling On

Meet The Band

Brian Beken

Hailing from where Houston ends and east Texas begins, Brian was raised on country radio. At an early age he picked up the fiddle and spent his youth competing in fiddle contests all over the country, learning to play nearly anything with strings along the way. After a brief stint at the University of Texas, Brian made music his full time passion touring worldwide with many bands as a performer and songwriter, eventually signing on with the Robert Earl Keen Band in 2015. In 2023 he released his debut solo album, playing all the instruments himself. As an active session musician for other artists, film/TV, and producer, Brian has performed or recorded with artists such as Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, Steve Earle and countless others.

Bill Whitbeck

Bill Whitbeck grew up in La Porte, Texas. He began playing bass in dancehalls as a teenager. He joined the REK band in 1995. He’s written songs with REK, The Greencards, Catie Offerman and others. Bill, as a member of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Band, has performed with Willie, Kristofferson, Brandi Carlile, Elvis Costello, Sheila E and many others. He lives in San Marcos, Texas.

Tom Van Schaik

Tom started studying drums at 10 years old and began his professional career at the age of 17. He received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the highly acclaimed music school at University of North Texas. In his years freelancing around Dallas, he was a sought after educator and played in theaters, clubs, the house band at Southfork Ranch, as well as, shows with B.J. Thomas, Charley Pride, Larry Coryell, the Shirelles and the Platters.

He was the original drummer with the the Chicks (known then as the Dixie Chicks), playing with them from 1991-1996. He began his stint with Robert Earl Keen in 1997, with the last 10 years also filling the role of Music Director.

For the last 10 years, Tom has been the drummer for the ACL All-Stars - the house band for the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame shows. In this capacity, he has played with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, Jason Isbell, Gary Clark Jr, Shiela E, Taj Mahal, Mavis Staples, Chris Isaak, Brandi Carlisle, Elvis Costello, Trisha Yearwood, Don Henley, and Norah Jones, to name a few.

In 2023, after Robert announced his retirement from touring full time, Tom relocated to Nashville to continue his music career.

Kym Warner

Born in Adelaide, South Australia, four-time Australian Mandolin Champion and multi- instrumentalist / vocalist Kym Warner began his musical journey touring the Australian Outback in 1993 He spent the next 7 years touring Australia before moving to the U.S in 2001.

A founding member of the progressive acoustic band The Greencards, Kym toured the US, Europe and Australia extensively for thirteen years, recorded six studio albums and received accolades such as Three GRAMMY nominations, a #1 Billboard Bluegrass Album, an Americana Award for 'Best New Artist' and a 31 date national tour with Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson. In 2015, Kym released his debut solo album ‘Everything That Brought Me Here’, a full- instrumental album all composed and recorded by Kym.

Soon after he joined Robert Earl Keen as a member of his touring and studio band. Kym also composed and produced the theme music for ‘Robert Earl Keen’s’ podcast ‘Americana, The 51st State’.

In March 2022 Kym was inducted into the South Australian Music Hall of Fame.

Western Chill Album Credits

Artist/Group Name
Robert Earl Keen Featuring REK Band

Album Title
Western Chill

Track listing
1. Western Chill
2. Blue Light (Ft. Bill Whitbeck)
(Bergeron Music/ BMI)
3. Waves (Ft. Brian Beken)
(Keesterstash Publishing/ BMI)
4. Hello Stranger (Ft. Kym Warner)
(Angry Crow Music/ BMI)
5. The City (Ft. Brian Beken)
(Keesterstash/ BMI)
6. Let’s Valet
7. Balmorhea
8. Marfa
9. Bones and Flowers (Ft. Bill Whitbeck)
(Bergeron Music/ BMI)
10. Sweet Summer Rain
11. Mister Mockingbird (Ft. Bill Whitbeck)
(Bergeron Music/ BMI)
12. Mr. Blues on the Run
13. Walking On
14. Rippling Waters

Recording Dates
September 3-7, 2020

Group Member Names
Robert Earl Keen, Brian Beken, Bill Whitbeck, Tom Van Schaik, Kym Warner

Instrumentation
Lead Vocal except for “The City”, “Mister Mockingbird”, “Bones and Flowers”, “Waves”, and “Blue Light” - Robert Earl Keen
Lead Vocal on “The City” and “Waves”- Brian Beken
Lead Vocal on “Bones and Flowers” and “Bluelight”- Bill Whitbeck
Other Vocals- Brian Beken, Bill Whitbeck, Tom Van Schaik, Kym Warner
Lead Guitar and Rhythm Guitar- Robert Earl Keen
Electric Guitar, Fiddle, and Rhythm Guitar- Brian Beken
Bass Guitar, and Upright Bass - Bill Whitbeck
Mandolin and Mandocaster- Kym Warner
Drums & Percussion

Producers
Brian Beken and Robert Earl Keen

Front of House Live Recording Engineer
Charles Ray at Snake Barn Movie Ranch Studios in Medina, Texas

Recorded By
Clara Rose at Snake Barn Movie Ranch Studios in Medina, Texas

Mixer
Pat Manske at The Zone Recording Studio in Dripping Springs, Texas

Mastering Engineer
Mastered by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Mastering~ONLINE Austin, Texas

Songwriters
“Blue Light “and “Bones and Flowers “written by Bill Whitbeck
“Mister Mockingbird” written by Bill Whitbeck and Rodney Hayden
“Waves” and “The City “written by Brian Beken
“Hello Stranger” composed by Kym Warner
“Balmorhea” written Robert Earl Keen and Bill Whitbeck
“Let’s Valet” written by Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, and Taylor Lee Titus
All other songs written by Robert Earl Keen

Front, Interior, Front Cover Art
Derik Hobbs

Additional Interior
Amanda Schnelle