Kelly Willis

There are voices that become part of a city’s soundtrack. In Austin, Kelly Willis is one of them. For decades, Kelly Willis has been one of the defining voices of Texas country and Americana, blending old-school honky-tonk, rockabilly, and roots music with a voice that can make heartbreak sound downright beautiful. After moving to Austin as a teenager, Willis caught the attention of the late Nanci Griffith, which ultimately led to a major-label deal with MCA and the beginning of a career that would establish her as one of the most respected artists to emerge from Austin’s music scene. Her landmark album What I Deserve was named Album of the Year at the Austin Music Awards, and Willis was later inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame. Through acclaimed solo records, collaborations and decades of touring, she’s remained unmistakably herself—timeless country music with just enough rock & roll around the edges. This is Austin music royalty in the kind of room where you want to hear her—Kelly Willis, live and up close at The Saxon Pub.