09/08/2026
Shayne Hollinger On Air of 95.9 The Ranch says it well. Gary P. Nunn of Marble Falls and Burnet County headlines our Fiesta JAM, a 501 - c3 Benefiting Youth Music Education, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
There are some people in Texas music who didn’t just play the music… they helped build the road everybody else ended up driving down.
Gary P. Nunn is one of those guys.
Born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Gary moved to Brownfield, Texas, when he was in the sixth grade. By seventh grade, he was already playing in a garage band. He went on to play in bands around Lubbock while attending Texas Tech and South Plains College, soaking up the West Texas music scene.
Then he landed in Austin.
And that’s where things really got interesting.
Gary became part of the “cosmic cowboy” movement and started playing with some names you might recognize — Michael Martin Murphey, Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson. He eventually became part of the Lost Gonzo Band, backing Jerry Jeff Walker and Murphey on stage and in the studio.
But Gary wasn’t content just being the guy behind somebody else.
He became a songwriter, performer and one of the founding fathers of the progressive country sound that came out of Austin in the 1970s.
And then he wrote a song that would become practically a Texas institution.
“London Homesick Blues.”
You know the one.
“I wanna go home with the Armadillo…” (now it's stuck in your head).
That song became the theme for Austin City Limits for nearly three decades and helped introduce generations of people to the sound and spirit of Texas music.
Gary eventually headed back to Oklahoma, where he ran an 800-acre cattle ranch while continuing his music career. He also started the Terlingua North Chili Cook-Off and Music Festival, giving young artists a place to play — including some names who would go on to become major players in the Texas and Red Dirt scene.
Pat Green and Cross Canadian Ragweed were among those young acts who got an early opportunity there.
That tells you something about Gary P. Nunn.
He wasn’t just making music. He was helping make a music community.
Over the years, his songs have been recorded by artists including Willie Nelson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rosanne Cash, David Allan Coe and Michael Martin Murphey.
He’s been named an official Ambassador to the World by former governor of Texas Rick Perry, inducted into the Texas Hall of Fame, and recognized by both Texas and Oklahoma for his contribution to Southwestern music.
But honestly, you don't need a trophy or a title to understand Gary P. Nunn’s impact.
Just listen to the music.
There’s a little bit of Texas history in it.
And if you’ve ever found yourself singing along to “London Homesick Blues,” you’ve already been part of the Gary P. Nunn story.
So here’s the question:
What Gary P. Nunn song takes you straight back to a particular place, person or memory?
I’d love to hear your story.
