2026 Cliburn Gala, featuring Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, to be held April 10 at the Fort Worth Zoo

The Cliburn announces that its 2026 Gala: Iconically American, will take place Friday, April 10 at the Fort Worth Zoo Reserve. A nod to the United States' 250th birthday, the black-tie event pays homage to the classic elegance of the organization's inspiration and namesake, Van Cliburn—one of the most iconic American musicians and cultural diplomats in history.

Always one of the best parties of the year, this edition will take the party a step further: Texas artists and lifelong friends Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen will take the stage to perform their signature American music.

The Cliburn primary annual fundraiser, the Gala raises pivotal fund for a variety of programming, ranging competitions, concerts, artists support, community outreach, and education.

For more information on table options, visit cliburn.org/support/gala.S

ABOUT LYLE LOVETT

A singer, composer, and actor, Lyle Lovett has broadened the definition of American music in a career that spans 14 albums. Coupled with his gift for storytelling, the Texas-based musician fuses elements of country, swing, jazz, folk, gospel, and blues in a convention-defying manner that breaks down barriers.

Lovett's live performances show not only the breadth of this Texas legend's deep talents, but also the diversity of his influences, making him one of the most compelling and captivating musicians in popular music.

Since his self-titled debut in 1986, Lyle Lovett has evolved into one of music's most vibrant and iconic performers. Among his many accolades, besides the four Grammy Awards, he was given the Americana Music Association's inaugural Trailblazer Award, and was named Texas State Musician.

His works, rich and eclectic, are some of the most beloved of any artist working today.

ABOUT ROBERT EARL KEEN

No two creative lives unfold the same way, and, for Robert Earl Keen, the story was never going to end with a quiet retreat. After decades on the road, with 21 albums, countless shows, songs sung by legends like George Strait and The Highwaymen, and honors ranging from the BMI Troubadour Award to the Texas A&M Distinguished Alumni Award, he might have had every reason to slow down. But Keen has always seen the open road as a beginning, never an end.

Rather than closing the book, Keen has turned the page to something vivid, unpredictable, and wide open. A new chapter not so much about winding down as it is about doubling down. And if the last year is any indication, he is just getting started.

Keen's calendar is fuller than ever, and the stages are getting bigger. This year alone, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut, joined Tyler Childers for a sold-out performance at the Hollywood Bowl, and helped his longtime friends Turnpike Troubadours bring the house down at Red Rocks Amphitheater. He continues to headline iconic venues across the country, host his Americana Podcast: The 51st State, write a forthcoming book, and currently working on a new studio album.

This creative bloom is not a resurgence, but a renaissance. Keen moves through it with the clarity and confidence of someone who knows exactly what he wants to express, and precisely how to shape it. Long admired for his painterly approach to songwriting, Keen writes with a visual sensitivity that brings scenes and emotions into sharp focus. His songs unfold like carefully rendered portraits or landscapes, each line adding color, texture, and depth. He captures fleeting details—a gesture, a glance, a shift in light—and transforms them into something enduring. His ability to balance specificity with subtlety gives the listener a sense of place and presence. Keen’s songwriting creates a fine line between complex story-telling and audience appeal. Beneath it all is not just momentum, but a quieter, hard-earned joy, a rhythm that comes from moving forward with purpose and the steady confidence of someone who has found his true pace.

But even as he looks ahead, Robert Keen keeps his roots close. His Annual Homecoming Weekend—an ever-growing celebration of friends, family, fans, and music—culminates in the free Fan Appreciation Day concert at John T. Floore’s Country Store, a beloved Texas institution. The event reflects Keen’s signature combination of authenticity and altruism, and his enduring connection to the people who have walked alongside him throughout his journey. This year, he also led Applause for the Cause, a major benefit concert raising over three million dollars for flood relief in the Texas Hill Country. It was a testament not just to his influence, but to his commitment to the community that has nurtured him for over two decades.

Onstage, Keen and his band are sharper and more alive than ever, playing not to prove anything, but to celebrate everything. And every night, as the lights go up and the chorus swells, one truth becomes unmistakably clear: the road goes on forever, the party never ends, and Robert Earl Keen is still at the center of it all, guitar in hand, moving forward with grace, grit, and boundless imagination.