Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction / by Craig Clifford and Craig D. Hillis -- The first generation: folksingers, Texas style -- Too weird for Kerrville: the darker side of Texas music / Craig Clifford -- Townes Van Zandt: the anxiety, artifice, and audacity of influence / Robert Earl Hardy -- Vignette: the ballad of Willis Alan Ramsey / Bob Livingston -- Guy Clark: old school poet of the world / Tamara Saviano -- Kris Kristofferson: the silver-tongued Rhodes scholar / Peter Cooper -- Vignette: Don Henley: literature, land, and legacy / Kathryn Jones -- Steven Fromholz, Michael Martin Murphey, and Jerry Jeff Walker: poetic in lyric, message, and musical method / Craig D. Hillis -- Vignette: Kinky Friedman: the Mel Brooks of Texas music / Craig Clifford -- Billy Joe Shaver: sin and salvation poet / Joe Holley -- One man's music: Vince Bell / Joe Nick Patoski -- Vignette: Ray Wylie Hubbard: grifter, ruffian, messenger / Jenni Finlay -- The great progressive country scare of the 1970s / Craig D. Hillis (interview with Gary P. Nunn) -- Plenty else to do: lyrical Lubbock / Andy Wilkinson -- Roots of steel: the poetic grace of women Texas singer-songwriters / Kathryn Jones -- From debauched yin to mellow yang: a circular trip through the Texas music festival scene / Jeff Prince -- Vignette: Bobby Bridger: "Heal in the wisdom" : creating a classic / Craig D. Hillis (interview with Bobby Bridger) -- Interlude: what do we do with Willie? I. Willie (an early encounter) / Craig D. Hillis -- II. Willie (on everything) / Craig Clifford and Craig D. Hillis -- The second generation: garage bands, large bands, and other permutations -- Gettin' tough: Steve Earle's America / Jason Mellard -- Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen: cosmic Aggies / Jan Reid -- Vignette: Walt Wilkins: spirituality and generosity / Craig Clifford (interview with Tim Jones) -- Lucinda Williams: poet of places in the heart / Kathryn Jones -- Rodney Crowell: looking inward, looking outward / John T. Davis -- Vignette: Sam Baker: short stories in song / Robert Earl Hardy -- James McMurtry: too long in the wasteland / Diana Finlay Hendricks -- Epilogue: passing of the torch? -- Drunken poet's dream: Hayes Carll. I. Good enough for old guys / Craig Clifford -- II. Good enough for young guys / Brian T. Atkinson -- Roll on: Terri Hendrix / Brian T. Atkinson -- From riding bulls to dead horses: Ryan Bingham / Craig Clifford (interview with Shaina Post) -- Bad girl poet: Miranda Lambert / Craig Clifford -- Challenge to bro country: Kacey Musgraves / Grady Smith -- Beyond the rivers / Craig Clifford.

Description based on print version record.