Kent Finlay was the 2007 recipient of the Coach Darrell K. Royal Texas Heritage Songwriters' Patron Award at Hill's Cafe. Other honorees includ Rosie Flores, Billy Joe Shaver, Larry Gatlin, and Aaron Baker. The mission of the Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, in the interest of Texas cultural preservation, is to honor and celebrate Texas songwriters who have played an important role in defining and interpreting Texas's distinctive culture.
"I can't think of a more deserving person to receive this award. Ever since Kent Finlay opened Cheatham Street Warehouse in June, 1974, he has done so much to provide a real spiritual oasis for songwriters in San Marcos. Under his nurturing, many songwriters and musicians--George Strait, Todd Snider, Terri Hendrix, Clay Blaker, Randy Rogers, and others--have gone on to carve out distinguished careers as songwriters and performers. In fact, Kent has put helping other songwriters ahead of promoting his own great songs over the years. And when it comes to keeping alive Texas's cultural history, I can't imagine anyone who has done more through his songs. Whether he's writing and singing about all the places in Texas he's been in his life, about the fact that chile has no beans, or about what makes Texas swing, Kent has left an important mark on shaping the state's cultural identity and heritage." - Gregg Andrews
Gregg Andrews Presents Texas Heritage Songwriting Award to Kent |
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Big John Mills and Kent Finlay |
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