With a gravelly voice, spiritual grit, and a wry sense of humor, Ray Wylie Hubbard has carved out a singular place in American music. Over the course of five decades, he has evolved into one of the most respected and independent voices in the Texas singer-songwriter tradition.
Humble Beginnings and Early Recognition
Hubbard was born in Oklahoma and raised in Oak Cliff, Texas. His early interest in folk music led him to form a trio in high school and later attend the University of North Texas. It was during this era that he started writing the song that would become his accidental hit. While “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother” gained notoriety after Jerry Jeff Walker recorded it in 1973, Hubbard’s own relationship with the tune has always been complex. As he once put it, the song “paid some bills, but it also kind of pigeonholed me.”
A Reinvention Rooted in Truth
After some early commercial attempts that didn’t sit well with his artistic integrity, Hubbard stepped away from the spotlight and gradually rebuilt himself — not just as a performer, but as a storyteller with spiritual depth. This reinvention was born out of both personal transformation and a commitment to authenticity. Sobriety, fatherhood, and a deepened connection to poetry and blues played major roles in his creative rebirth.
A Sound All His Own
His sound is not easily categorized. Blending country, blues, folk, and gospel influences, Ray Wylie Hubbard songs often feature greasy slide guitar, lyrical mysticism, and hard-won wisdom. Albums like Loco Gringo’s Lament, The Grifter’s Hymnal, and Tell the Devil I’m Getting There As Fast As I Can reflect his unflinching commitment to truth and storytelling. Hubbard is a songwriter of uncommon vision whose body of work stands out for both its sonic experimentation and poetic weight.
Recognition and Independence
Despite his icon status in Texas and among songwriters, Hubbard has largely stayed outside of mainstream country music. That hasn’t kept him from earning major accolades. He was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2018, an honor that places him among the likes of Guy Clark, Willie Nelson, and Townes Van Zandt. He continues to perform to sold-out crowds at venues in Dallas, where his shows reflect the energy and intimacy of a man who’s seen it all and still has stories to tell.
A Living Legend
Now well into his seventies, Ray Wylie Hubbard shows no signs of slowing down. Whether he’s mentoring younger musicians, sharing his dry wit onstage, or crafting gritty new songs, Hubbard continues to embody the spirit of Texas music: independent, soulful, and true to himself.
As he once said, “I don’t write songs to impress people. I write them to redeem myself.”
See Ray Wylie Hubbard at Main Street Crossing
See Ray Wylie Hubbard perform in an intimate setting at Main Street Crossing (MSC) on October 9, 10, and 11, 2025, at 6 and 8 p.m. Click here to purchase tickets.
MSC in Tomball, Texas, is one of the best small music venues in the Houston metro area. This unique nonprofit in a historic venue hosts country, Americana, folk, blues, and other types of music artists in an intimate setting — the farthest seat is only 45 feet from the stage. MSC also offers food, beverages, table service, and community seating, making it easier to interact with fellow concertgoers and even performing artists. Parking is convenient and stress-free.
MSC additionally functions as a multiuse venue for church services, concerts, and more in Tomball. Check out our event calendar, and enjoy entertainment in support of good causes!
