Courtesy

Considering they live under the same roof as husband and wife and make their respective livings as singer/songwriters, it would make sense if Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis often played together on stage. That, however, is not the case. The Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison Holiday Show, slated for Saturday, Dec. 15, at Luckenbach Texas in Fredericksburg, will mark a rare performance for what some have dubbed the first couple of Texas country music. In addition to a handful of holiday songs, Willis and Robison will each perform some of their own songs. Before the two pair up in Luckenbach, Robison talked to 210SA about playing music alongside his wife and having a Dixie Chick for a sister-in-law.
 

Why don't you and Kelly play together that often?

We never really did. Ever since we started going out years ago, we kept our careers pretty separate. We've tried to keep them that way ..... Now, we've actually got so many kids (the couple has four), someone has to stay home.

What's it like performing together on stage?

We love singing together. The main thing, and I've heard her say this too, is it's so much fun performing at any time. I love doing it, but there's really an element of pressure at all of my shows. That's a good thing, but you go up there and you hope you get a good crowd and make it a good show, the whole thing. When you have somebody else up there on stage that you have affection toward, it takes all the pressure off. It's almost like going to a show instead of playing one.

You're married to Kelly Willis, your brother is (Texas country singer) Charlie Robison, and he's married to (Dixie Chick) Emily Robison. When the four of you are together, do you ever find it bizarre how much talent is assembled in one room?

I think about it, and it's very bizarre. It's just fascinating, but it's hard to make any sense of it ..... It's fascinating how we're all doing this, and it's all going pretty well. We've all been able to carve something out.

You've written hit singles for George Strait (“Wrapped”), the Dixie Chicks (“Travelin' Soldier) and Faith Hill and Tim McGraw (“Angry All the Time”). Of all the songs you've written, which were you most confident would become a hit?

None of them, not a single one. “Wrapped” was the first one where I thought (about it), and I thought George Strait could do a good version of it ..... I didn't see “Angry All the Time” or “Travelin' Soldier” as songs that would be hit singles. I didn't think so, but luckily, I was wrong.

Your sister-in-law is one of the Dixie Chicks, so what was it like during their whole controversy with President Bush?

The vibe was just fear and concern ..... From where I was sitting, not as someone in the center but at least someone who knows and loves Emily, Martie (Maguire) and Natalie (Maines) as part of my family, the things that were said a lot of times were not all that close to the truth. It's troubling when that happens to someone in your family, when someone gets pulled into something like that. Truth is often the first casualty because there are a lot of people with an agenda. It was painful, but it wasn't as painful for me as it was for them.

Were you surprised that words could elicit such hate?

Interesting, isn't it? ..... My take on it was they're my sisters, I love them, and it was a painful thing to see happen. I tried to support them every step of the way, and I still do.

Considering you and Kelly have four children, how are you able to balance the musical nightlife and family life?

I wouldn't say it's difficult, because it's all relative. Most people who are raising their kids, they're probably working the 9-5 job. But that's a long time to be away. We're home most of the week at those times. We work more on the weekends, and we've had some good luck to where we're doing OK in our careers and have some work to do.

CLINT HALE | 210SA