Lights, Camera, Christmas!: Not your usual holiday show with fake snow and false feel-goods. This year's theme takes its cue from classic films beloved by the Keen family: Pretty Woman, Pulp Fiction, The Big Lebowski, and more. REK and the band have worked up familiar songs from these films and sprinkled in a few of their favorite holiday tunes for good measure. Of course, the night won't be complete until we all sing "Merry Christmas From The Family," the song that normalized the dysfunctional family gathering. We can all relate. For the Grinches in the audience, don't worry—they'll play the non-holiday REK hits you’re hoping to hear, too. Ninety minutes of not having to make small talk with Brother Ken, New Wife Kay, Fred and Rita, and Cousin David!
“As we approach the holiday season this year, I am so proud to resurrect our iconic Merry Christmas From The Family show,” said Keen. According to Keen, the Christmas season is built on three pillars: The Spirit of Christmas, Family, and Music. “The Spirit of Christmas is not just about the actual day of the holiday but about getting everyone in the spirit of the season. Dressing up, singing songs, and being a little cheeky is what it’s all about. Giving the gift of the holiday spirit to our fans is our goal, and we hope they walk out of the show with that spirit inside them, ready to share with others.”
He continues, “Bringing together the hands of family is a sacred part of the season, as exemplified in my song Merry Christmas From The Family. This year’s theme, Lights, Camera, Christmas!, will bring families together through the lens and journey of music from classic movies they watched gathered around the TV with popcorn.”
And then there’s the music. “Our usual Christmas show includes those classic holiday hits about Santa, sleigh bells, and trimming the tree. This year, we’re turning that a little upside down, mixing in songs that aren’t traditional Christmas tunes alongside our perennial favorites,” says Keen. “This holiday tour will evoke memories of your favorite scenes from films across decades, creating bonding moments as we all sing along together.”
Fans who have attended Keen’s holiday shows in the past will remember themes such as Country Gold or Lunar Tunes and Looney Times. “We know this year’s theme, Lights, Camera, Christmas!, will have something for everyone who joins us on this journey,” says Keen.
Tour Details
See below for the Lights, Camera, Christmas! tour routing, and stay tuned to REK’s socials as more dates will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are on sale now.
Texas Shows
- December 15 - Dallas, Texas - House of Blues
- December 17 - Austin, Texas - ACL Live at the Moody Theater
- December 18 - Austin, Texas - ACL Live at the Moody Theater
- December 19 - Houston, Texas - House of Blues
- December 22 - Kerrville, Texas - Arcadia Live
More about Robert Earl Keen’s latest album, Western Chill:
As befits the occasion, the Western Chill vibe is soulfully laid-back—especially compared to the crowd-amped rush of 2016’s Live Dinner Reunion or the spry, virtuosic kick of Keen’s 2015’s Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions. This new album is packed with enough surprises to keep even the most seasoned fans 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. It’s 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 even more contributions from Beken and Whitbeck, as well as compositions by the rest of the band. The accompanying video captures it all because, true to the “featuring” tag on the album cover, this really is a REK Band affair
