SONGS ABOUT A HOMETOWN

Growing up in Beaumont; it was common knowledge when exactly country star Tracy Byrd was back in town for a visit, and why exactly rock-n-roll legend Janis Joplin had her face on every tourism brochure ever released. Then, as the years go by and music taste became more refined and knowledge of American music legends grow, you learn about the many more legends who called our neck of the woods home. George Jones, blues artist Willie Johnson, Rapper Bun B, Clay Walker, Mark Chessnutt, the list goes on; ranging from the mainstream to the obscure, the electric guitar to the banjo. Something besides hometown binds them together: soul.

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." Plato

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/plato109438.html#VfQVkshmg6wACqo5.99

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/plato109438.html#VfQVkshmg6wACqo5.99

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/p/plato109438.html#VfQVkshmg6wACqo5.99

It was about growing up in the southern bible belt and struggling with finding level footing on an uneven terrain of wealth, poverty, traditionalism, and social advancement. And about doing what a kid who spent most his life barefoot does best, expressing life in their own way with little concern for dirt on their toes and a lot of connecting with the ground and the sky, and the beauty of being alive.

Many songs have been written about this aspect of Beaumont life from the perspective of the hometown legends as well as a surprising number of outsiders. Some of these songs highlight a simple and happy life and many illustrate the pain of the southern struggle. Many of these songs croon about the beautiful Beaumont women.

Here is a little playlist for you of current and classic artists from around the world spanning the decades singing about what Beaumont means to them. Enjoy these selections but I also encourage you to support the artists or their surviving families by making their full albums a part of your permanent collection. Many are available for paid download or at local record stores.

1927: Beaumont resident Blind Willie Johnson composed this beautifully emotional piece which was included in the Voyager selections that were sent out into space to represent the scope of human existence on earth, and has been featured on the West Wing and House of Cards. Willie received much of his inspiration directly from his life experiences within the bible belt and harshly segregated deep south.
Hear "Dark Was the Night" here

1959: Sydney and the Dreamers is a name known only to the most devoted of Rockabilly fans. And perhaps I am partial, Sydney Wayne Ester is my great Uncle and a native of Southeast Texas. While many of his songs are about life and love in the region, one in particular sticks with me. "Farm Road 318" is a fictional rout number that was originally Farm Road 418, located 30 miles north of Beaumont in Silsbee. And the apparent site of a 1950's alien encounter.
Hear "On Farm Road" here

1989: This collection would not be complete without a contribution from George Jones. This song tells the story of a beautiful girl who outclasses the life she lives in the oilfields of the gulf.
Hear "Pretty Little Lady from Beaumont" here

1990: For something a little  unexpected, British 80's acid-trip band The KLF released a 1990 album musically narrating a trip across the Gulf Coast.  One song on the album is titled "3am Somewhere out of Beaumont" Warning, uncomfortably experimental. Perhaps it is still ahead of its time.
Hear "3am Somewhere out of Beaumont" here

2006: "Mrs Belmont of Beaumont" by Johnny Edson, describes a Beaumont woman that becomes an object of comical fascination to the narrator.
Hear "Mrs Belmont of Beaumont" here

2008: Current musical artist and everyone's favorite hometown friendcrush Greg Jr, son of previously mentioned Greg Sr., wrote this lovely piece in response to lazy citizen criticism about the state of the community. You won't find it on the top of any radio charts but it's a great listen for inspiring hometown pride.
Hear "Love Your Town" here

2008: Chart-topping Houston country artist Hayess Carl wrote "Beaumont" for his 2008 album "Trouble in Mind" It tells a love story about the long distance relationship between a Houston woman and a Beaumont man.
Hear "Beaumont" here

2013: Youthful traveling band Lily and the Tigers were inspired by this region's inhabitants to write the heartfelt ballad "Beaumont" as a celebration of the free spirit.
Hear "Beaumont" here 

Honorable Mentions:

2001: George Strait
Hear "Stars on the Water" here

1976: ZZ Top
Hear "She's a Heart Breaker" here 

1968: Willie Nelson
Hear "Texas in my Soul" here 

1980: Johnny Cash
Hear "Rockabilly Blues" here 

What do you think of the evolution of songs about our hometown and how we inspire and affect bands passing threw? Do you know of some other contributions by local or out of town artists?

Dreams for the future, 

Betty