Arlington: Ray Wylie Hubbard at Arlington Music Hall
February 13 @ 7:30 pm
Ray Wylie Hubbard, the whiskey-soaked outlaw poet of Texas songcraft, is headed back to North Texas at the Arlington Music Hall.
His latest album, 2022‘s Co-Starring Too, is Hubbard’s version of a hoedown-cum–supergroup jam session. It doubles down on the vibe he started with Co-Starring — gathering folks from every corner of roots, rock, country, blues, and even metal to sing, riff, and philosophize alongside him. Hubbard tapped heavy hitters Willie Nelson, Steve Earle, Wynonna Judd, Ringo Starr, Ann Wilson (of Heart), Lzzy Hale, Steve Lukather, James McMurtry, Hayes Carll, Wade Bowen & Randy Rogers & Cody Canada, The Band of Heathens, and more.
Outlaw country’s favorite curmudgeon, Ray Wylie Hubbard has been scribbling songs and dodging pigeonholes since the 1960s. He has penned classics that became anthems for people who like their honky-tonk served with a side of rebellion and wit.
At any given show, you might hear:
- “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother” — The song that blasted Hubbard onto the map — a hilariously sharp portrait of a beer-swilling, pickup-drivin’ rebel with a wink and a nod. Originally recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker in 1973, this tune became a cultural touchstone in Texas and beyond. Its blunt, bone-dry humor about redneck pride turned it into an enduring outlaw country anthem.
- “Snake Farm” — A gritty, blues-infused romp that sounds exactly like what it is — nasty, snaky, and impossible to shake from your head once it bites. A fan favorite in live shows, it captures Hubbard’s raw edge like few others.
- “Conversation With the Devil” — A devilish talking-blues yarn where the narrator chats with ol’ Lucifer about life choices and moral muddles — part folk tale, part social commentary, all wickedly clever.
- “Dust of the Chase” — One of Hubbard’s more reflective pieces — a song about longing, restlessness, and the eternal wanderer’s heart. It’s poetic, well-crafted storytelling that steers away from pure honky-tonk and leans into Americana soul.
- “Drunken Poet’s Dream” — Co-written with Hayes Carll, this tune pairs literary humor with honky-tonk honesty — a drinking song that feels like a defiant shrug for anyone who’s ever poured their thoughts into a whiskey glass.
- “Screw You, We’re From Texas” — A piss-and-vinegar salute to Lone Star bravado. It’s equal parts swagger and self-aware humor — basically a middle finger wrapped in a Texas flag.
- “Desperate Man” — Co-written with Eric Church, this song became a major country hit, showing Hubbard’s pen still packs punch in modern contexts.