The brutal blows of 2020 keep falling. Another great Texas singer-songwriter has gone up the trail. Hal Ketchum fought a long, courageous battle against an array of health problems over the past two decades, and now has succumbed to the effects of dementia. May he at last be at rest.
Ketchum had one of the purest voices in country music. He was a big deal in the late 1980s and early ’90s, demonstrating with songs like Past the Point of Rescue and I Miss My Mary that commercial success and depth don’t have to be at odds. Like Jerry Jeff Walker, he originally hailed from New York State; he moved to Austin, Texas, in 1981. And just as Texas and Jerry Jeff hit it off, Texas fit Ketchum like a pair of custom boots. Ketchum was a carpenter, and he had a certain working man’s groundedness about him that was most appealing. He was his own man and walked his own path.
He played Sisters Starry Nights benefit concerts a couple of times, donating his time and talent to the enhancement of education in our school district, at a time when health problems had pushed him into semi-retirement. You couldn’t have told it by the show he put on; one of the best in that stellar series. I spent an enjoyable evening in his company.
One of the most powerful moments of his 2009 show here was a performance of Trail of Tears, mourning the destruction of native America. This annus horribilis has left a trail of tears across the musical landscape — but I am grateful that Hal Ketchum’s crossed mine for a moment. Ride easy…
Greg Walker says
Beautiful tribute, Jim.
MelanieD says
Very sad. We crossed paths many times in Nashville, on planes, at the airport and hanging out at Forerunner Music which was the studio owned by his producer Allen Reynolds. I always felt so bad for him for his health problems which kept piling up. Too many losses this year.
Matthew says
Hal Ketchum is a great name for a country artist.
There is something of a debate about what constitutes a Texan. Some think you have to be born in the state to be a true Texan. I tend to disagree (and I was born in Texas.) I think Texas is a thing of spirit.
Karly says
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foLQaV6w30Q First performance of a song Hal and Slaid Cleaves wrote together. He played it on his stream tonight with a beautiful tribute to Hal. Hal was wonderful, warm, funny, wicked smart, it was a pleasure to spend a little time with him here in Sisters
JimC says
Thanks for that, Karly.
Brian Beck says
My great grandfather,, of the Delaware tribe, had the last name Ketchum. I have looked for any link between our families, but can’t find anything about his Native roots. I would like to find out more about him, and possibly myself.
JimC says
Welcome Brian.
danthewightman says
# Brian Beck , I’ve been told he was or had some native in him. He was born in upstate by Saratoga Springs .. which would had been Mohawk territory. He was inducted into the New Country music Hall of Fame back in early 2000’s. I was there when it happen but he wasn’t, must not gotten the memo.
I have not seen anything to say he was native only was told.