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b'From the moment he made his debut in the 1970s, Joe Ely has blended rock-and-roll sensibilities to hardcore honkytonk and become one of the most recognizible and respected artists to hail from the Lonestar state. Growing up on the vast and empty plains of West Texas, his legend was forged onstage with relentlessly riveting live performances, hammered out over thousands of shows and countless touring miles from Lubbock to London and back again the long way around. He is embraced as a kindred spirit by artists as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and The Clash. Over his four-decade career, he\\u2019s been at the forefront of Outlaw Country, Alt-Country, Texas Country and Americana, and has been recognized as one of the best songwriters of his generation. Last year, Ely was given membership into the prestigious Texas Institute of Letters (with active members Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry) as the first musician ever honored by the group. The invitation was the result of Ely\\u2019s second book, Reverb: An Odyssey. Also, Ely was recognized by the Texas Legislature as the Official 2016 Texas State Musician, a coveted honor given to only a few (past recipients include Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Dale Watson & Billy Joe Shaver). Additionally the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame recently announced Ely will be inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, alongside such legends as Roy Orbison and J.D. Souther. \\u201cThere\\u2019s no mistaking a Joe Ely album,\\u201d wrote noted Dallas Morning News critic Mario Tarradell. \\u201cHis stinging, road-hued voice commands lyrics about life, love and the wandering spirit. When you listen to a CD like Satisfied At Last, you\\u2019re enjoying the essence of Joe Ely. That\\u2019s the essence of Texas Music.\\u201d'