Continue to Hollywoodlife () SKIP AD
Hollywood Life Logo Image

Hollywood Life

Today's Top Stories

  • iggy
    See Pic

    Iggy Azalea Is 'Feelin' Herself' In Blue Bikini & Sheer T-Shirt -- She's Ready To Date Again

  • See Pics

    Christie Brinkley, 66, Rocks Sexy Strapless Swimsuit While Gardening At The Beach

  • botox alternative
    SHOP

    These Patches Have 6k Reviews & Help Treat Frown Lines For Less Than The Price Of Botox

Hollywood Life
  • Home
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Celebrity Bios
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Shopping
  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
ALL NEWS
  • angelina jolie zahara

    Angelina Jolie: Why She ‘Loves’ Bringing ‘Normalcy’ To Her Kids’ Lives With Shopping Dates

  • Meghan McCain Thanks ‘View’ Co-Host Sunny Hostin For Her ‘Patience’ On MLK Day Special

  • Kristy Swanson Dragged For Objecting To Trump Being Removed From ‘Home Alone 2’

  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • TV
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Holidays
  • Entertainment Features
  • Podcast
  • Oscar Contenders
ALL ENTERTAINMENT
  • Tom Brady Denied A High-Five From Referee During Buccaneers Game & Fans Are Losing It

  • ‘9-1-1: Lone Star’s Ronen Rubinstein Teases A ‘Major Challenge’ For T.K. & Carlos In Season 2

  • Sarah Trott: 5 Things To Know About The Woman Who Nearly Fainted On ‘The Bachelor’

  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Selena Gomez
  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Khloe Kardashian
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
  • Harry Styles
  • Kourtney Kardashian
ALL CELEBRITY BIOS
  • angelina jolie zahara

    Angelina Jolie: Why She ‘Loves’ Bringing ‘Normalcy’ To Her Kids’ Lives With Shopping Dates

  • Meghan McCain Thanks ‘View’ Co-Host Sunny Hostin For Her ‘Patience’ On MLK Day Special

  • Kristy Swanson Dragged For Objecting To Trump Being Removed From ‘Home Alone 2’

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Beauty Features
  • Skincare
  • Makeover
  • Diet & Fitness
ALL BEAUTY
  • best waterproof shower speaker

    This Waterproof Speaker Is Perfect For The Shower, Has Over 2.7k Reviews & Is Under $50

  • Tiny Stuns With Her Emerald Green Hair Makeover — See Before & After Pics

  • Treat Yourself With These Relaxing Bath Bombs That Have Over 25k Reviews & Are Under $30

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping
ALL FASHION
  • PJs

    9 Cozy & Stylish Valentine’s Day Pajamas To Rock This Year

  • Larsa Pippen Wears Leather Short Shorts & Thigh High Boots While Lounging In Her Kitchen: See Pic

  • Teddy Coats: Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian & 10 More Stars Bundled Up In The Cozy Jacket

  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
Next Up

Chrissy Teigen’s Lingerie Photo Catches John Legend’s Attention: See Their Sexy Exchange

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
  • Search Close

Trending

  • Bonnie Says
  • Celeb Babies
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries
  • Podcast
Search

NewsExpand Menu

  • Celebrity News
  • World News
  • Exclusives
  • Politics
  • Celebrity Babies
  • Opinions
  • Rock The Vote

EntertainmentExpand Menu

  • Entertainment Features
  • TV
  • Award Shows
  • At The Movies
  • Music
  • Sports
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Podcast
  • At Home With...

BeautyExpand Menu

  • Fragrance
  • Hair Care
  • Health
  • Makeup
  • Nails
  • Skincare
  • Beauty Features
  • Diet & Fitness
  • Shopping

FashionExpand Menu

  • Red Carpet
  • Weddings
  • Fashion Features
  • Shopping

TrendingExpand Menu

  • Bonnie Says
  • TV
  • Celeb Galleries
  • PODCAST

About UsExpand Menu

  • About Us
  • Writer Bios
  • Scoops, Tips & Corrections
  • Subscribe To Newsletter
  • Contact Us

Celebrity ProfilesExpand Menu

  • Kim Kardashian
  • Kylie Jenner
  • Justin Bieber
  • Selena Gomez
  • Taylor Swift
  • Rihanna
  • Kendall Jenner
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Jennifer Lopez
  • Angelina Jolie
Follow Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Newsletters
Alerts & Newsletters
  • Jobs
  • Scoops & Corrections
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • AdChoices
  • Data Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
© 2021 Penske Media Corporation
  • Entertainment
  • Music
Exclusive Interview
December 8, 2020 9:00AM EST

Robert Earl Keen Reflects On ‘Merry Christmas From The Family’ Ahead Of His Holiday Livestream

Robert Earl Keen performs during the Americana Honors and Awards show Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Robert Earl Keen performs during the Americana Honors and Awards show Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
CORAL SPRINGS FL - NOVEMBER 05: Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen In Concert at Coral Springs Center for the Arts on November 5, 2018 in Coral Springs, Florida. Credit: mpi04/MediaPunch /IPX
Celebrities arrive at the 2019 BMI Country Awards held at BMI Music Row Headquarters, Nashville. Photo Credit: Laura Farr/AdMedia

Pictured: Robert Earl Keen
Ref: SPL5128630 121119 NON-EXCLUSIVE
Picture by: SplashNews.com

Splash News and Pictures
USA: +1 310-525-5808
London: +44 (0)20 8126 1009
Berlin: +49 175 3764 166
photodesk@splashnews.com

World Rights View Gallery View Gallery 5 Photos.
Jason Brow
Music & Sports Editor
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk

For the first time, Americana music icon Robert Earl Keen will live stream his annual Christmas show. He talks EXCLUSIVELY with HL about the concert, ‘Merry Christmas From The Family,’ and more.

1994 was a good year for Christmas music. While most will recognize it as when Mariah Carrey unleashed the yule juggernaut that is “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” others know ‘94 as the year Robert Earl Keen captured a slice of authentic holiday life with “Merry Christmas From The Family.” Set against a twangy guitar, Robert eschewed sugarplums and sleighbells to paint an honest-but-heartwarming picture of Salem lights, cans of “fake snow,” blended families, and Christmas margaritas. A live recording from 1996’s No. 2 Live Dinner cemented “Merry Christmas From The Family” as a holiday classic.

Since its release, Robert Earl Keen’s song has been covered by acts like The Chicks and Montgomery Gentry, and it has been the heart of his long-running annual holiday show, Robert Earl Keen’s Merry Christmas From the Fam-O-Lee Secret Santa Christmas. “It’s always exciting to put these together; we are always on the edge of disaster, but somehow, we make it work,” Robert says to HollywoodLife in an EXCLUSIVE interview. That poignant description – “always on the edge of disaster, but somehow, we make it work” – perfectly captures the holiday family experience, as well as putting on a show in the time of COVID.

In its ninth year, the Merry Christmas From The Fam-O-Lee tour will take place with a series of socially-distanced, limited-capacity shows at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, at the Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, and at Austin City Limits at the Moody Theater. Due to the limited seating, most of these shows are already sold out, but Robert will broadcast his holiday show online for the first time.

Tickets are currently available for the Dec. 10 live stream (8 pm CST / 9 pm EST) from the Ryman Auditorium. Ahead of this historic night, Robert talked with HollywoodLife about preparing for this momentous occasion, about the impact of “Merry Christmas From The Family,” and about the night’s “secret” theme.

‘Carve the turkey / Turn the ball game on / Mix margaritas when the eggnog’s gone.’

HollywoodLife: You’re kicking off your ninth annual Christmas tour — Robert Earl Keen’s Merry Christmas From the Fam-O-Lee Secret Santa Christmas – on December 10. It’s a run of socially-distance, limited-capacity events. I imagine the prep work for this year’s show is drastically different than the last, but how has it been getting ready?

Robert Earl Keen: It sure has been different. The hardest part was to think of a theme that could be presented with a limited amount of set design and set pieces. The whole show is wrapped around a different fun theme each year. We’ve done everything from ‘70s country to the anniversary of the Apollo moon landing. Once that was established, it’s all about the presentation in real-time — which is always a crapshoot.

All of our past Christmas shows required a good bit of improvisation and reinvention. This one will not be any different. It’s always exciting to put these together; we are always on the edge of disaster, but somehow, we make it work. It is a super fun irreverent, not your normal holiday show.

You’re doing a true live stream webcast of the Dec. 10 show from your tour. What motivated you to broadcast this online?

The limited seating doesn’t allow us to reach as many fans as we’d like and not being able to go to as many markets as we normally would on the tour. Streaming is a solid option when it comes to fans that can’t make the show. We’ve had fans who plan their holidays around this show. Just want to keep the ball rolling the best way we can. This also allows fans across the country to all get a chance to experience the show at an iconic venue. A good idea today is better than a great idea tomorrow.

Each of your shows is centered around a theme, with this year’s theme being a “secret.” Is there anything you can share?

Sure. The songs are not Christmas songs, but they are consistent with our theme and very entertaining. I’m sure the DOJ is keeping a watchful eye on this show.   This message will self-destruct in five seconds.

Keeping a secret is hard this year, especially when everyone goes snooping for gifts. Do you remember a time when you had to go the extra mile to keep a particular present under wraps?  

Keeping secrets was so easy pre-internet. These days one can spill the beans on any surprise or secret inadvertently. I’ve blown several important projects without realizing the wall came tumbling down because of “me and my big mouth.” [laughs]

Robert Earl Keen wishes you a Merry Christmas from the Family

You’ve carved your place in the Christmas Music Hall Of Fame with “Merry Christmas From The Family.” How much of this song was inspired or based on your own family?

“Merry Christmas From the Family” is a compilation of every Christmas Holiday I participated in up to the birth of the song. It would be much easier to tell what is not true. I’m pretty sure our local convenience store did not carry celery. So, adding celery to that drunken laundry list of items was not something normally requested.

I think the endearing aspect of “Merry Christmas From The Family” is that it’s more relatable than the idealized “family Christmas” in other songs. Twenty-five years after its release, it still feels relevant. What are your thoughts looking back on this song?

Thank you. I wrote the song sometime around Thanksgiving. I was musing to myself that the traditional Christmas songs in no way represented my family Christmas. I wanted my own Christmas song, so I wrote it. I never imagined it would resonate with so many people or, moreover, have such a long life.

If you had a direct line to Santa (assuming you don’t) and could get any present for any person in the world, what would you get and for whom?  

We’ve all known kids who believed in Santa, but were starting to have doubts. I’d ask Santa to go visit one of those kids personally, so they would never stop believing.

—

For info on the Dec. 10 live stream of Robert Earl Keen’s Merry Christmas From The Fam-O-Lee Secret Santa Christmas, click here.

Click to Subscribe to Our HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter to get more celeb news.
  • Share This Article
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email
  • Print
  • Talk
Christmas

More Related News:

  • Carrie Underwood's Christmas Special: See Photos Of Her Gorgeous Outfits While Performing & More
  • The Myrrhderers Put Some Punk In Your Stocking With High-Octane Versions Of Xmas Classics
  • Michael James Scott Calls XMas EP His ‘Protest With Joy’ After Difficult Year: ‘This Is About Hope For The Future’

Most Read

8 Pics Of Joseph Baena Recreating Dad Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Iconic Bodybuilder Poses

Rachel Uchitel Reveals Moment Tiger Woods’ Ex-Wife Confronted Her Over Their Affair: ‘I Knew It Was You’

Rachel Uchitel, Elin Nordegren

Christie Brinkley, 66, Rocks Sexy Strapless Swimsuit While Gardening At The Beach

Iggy Azalea Is ‘Feelin’ Herself’ In Blue Bikini & Sheer T-Shirt Amidst Reports She’s Ready To Date Again — See Pic

iggy

Christie Brinkley, 66, Goes ‘Swimming In The Rain’ In Black Swimsuit On Turks & Caicos Vacation — Watch

christie

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

Have news, pics or video on a breaking news story?

Send us your Tip

More From Our Brands

  • Is Ivanka Planning on Running for Marco Rubio’s Senate Seat in Florida?
    SheKnows

    Is Ivanka Planning on Running for Marco Rubio’s Senate Seat in Florida?

  • Your Weekly Horoscope Calls Out Your Inner Rebellious Nature
    StyleCaster

    Your Weekly Horoscope Calls Out Your Inner Rebellious Nature

  • Peaky Blinders to End With Season 6 on Netflix, 'Continue in Another Form'
    TVLine

    Peaky Blinders to End With Season 6 on Netflix, 'Continue in Another Form'

  • Garth Brooks to Perform at President-Elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration
    Rolling Stone

    Garth Brooks to Perform at President-Elect Joe Biden’s Inauguration

  • Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez & All the Stars to Appear on Inauguration Day
    FootwearNews

    Garth Brooks, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez & All the Stars to Appear on Inauguration Day

    HollywoodLife

    • About Us
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Advertise With Us
    • Careers
    • Scoops & Corrections
    • Contact Us

    Legal

    • Privacy Policy
    • California Privacy Rights
    • AdChoices
    • EU Privacy Preferences
    • Terms of Use
    • Data Policy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    News

    • Celebrity News
    • World News
    • Exclusives
    • Celebrity Babies

    Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
SheKnows Media - Entertainment
© Copyright 2021 HollywoodLife, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP
ad