Gary P. Nunn

Gary P. Nunn is an American singer-songwriter and pianist, widely recognized as a foundational figure in the Progressive country and Texas country music movements. His signature song, "London Homesick Blues" (popularly known for its "I wanna go home with the Armadillo" chorus), became the iconic theme for the long-running television show Austin City Limits. Nunn's career, deeply intertwined with the Austin music scene of the 1970s, includes collaborations with seminal artists like Jerry Jeff Walker and contributions to landmark albums such as Walker's Viva Terlingua.

Early life and education

Gary Parks Nunn was born in Oklahoma City and raised on a farm near Brownsville and later in the West Texas town of Snyder. His early musical education came from listening to the Grand Ole Opry on the radio and from his mother, a church pianist. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, initially studying pharmacy before shifting his focus to music, immersing himself in the vibrant Lubbock music scene that also produced artists like Buddy Holly. During this period, he formed the rock band The Lavender Hill Express, which gained a regional following.

Music career

Nunn moved to Austin in the early 1970s, a pivotal moment coinciding with the birth of the city's Outlaw country movement. He became a key member of Jerry Jeff Walker's backing band, the Lost Gonzo Band, providing piano and vocals on Walker's seminal 1973 live album Viva Terlingua, recorded in Luckenbach, Texas. His performance of "London Homesick Blues" on that album caught the attention of producers at KLRU, the PBS station in Austin, who selected it as the theme for the new music program Austin City Limits in 1974, cementing his place in American music history. As a solo artist, Nunn signed with MCA Records and released albums like Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. and Totally Country, establishing himself as a leading voice of the Texas music genre. He has performed at major venues including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Willie Nelson-headlined Fourth of July picnics.

Discography

Nunn's solo discography includes a mix of major-label and independent releases that chronicle the evolution of the Texas country sound. His debut, Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. (1977), was released on Lone Star Records. Subsequent albums like One-Way Ticket to Home (1981) and Home with the Armadillo (1985) were released through MCA Records. Later works, such as Songs from the 1-A Ranch (2002) and Taking Texas to the Country (2012), were released on his own label and through the Texas Music Group. His music often appears on compilation albums celebrating the Austin sound, such as The Best of Austin City Limits.

Personal life

Nunn has maintained a strong connection to his Texas roots, residing for many years on a ranch near Austin. He is known for his advocacy of the state's musical heritage and has been involved in charitable events supporting the Texas Music Office and local cultural initiatives. His long-standing participation in the Texas Legislature's official Texas State Musician program highlights his commitment to the arts community. Nunn continues to perform regularly at venues across the Southwestern United States.

Legacy and influence

Gary P. Nunn's legacy is inextricably linked to the identity of Texas music and the international popularity of the Austin City Limits television program. His anthemic "London Homesick Blues" is considered an unofficial anthem for the state of Texas and for homesick Texans everywhere. He is credited with helping to define and popularize the Progressive country sound that emerged from Austin in the 1970s, influencing subsequent generations of artists in the Red Dirt music and Texas country scenes, including Pat Green and Robert Earl Keen. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside legends like Willie Nelson and Townes Van Zandt.

Category:American country singer-songwriters Category:American country pianists Category:Musicians from Austin, Texas Category:1945 births Category:Living people