Lyle Lovett, Billy Gibbons Are ‘State Musicians’

Announced earlier this week by the Texas Commission on the Arts, the state legislature also filled the positions of state poet laureate, state two-dimensional artists and state three-dimensional artist. Texas Poet Laureate David M. Parsons, two-dimensional artist Melissa Miller and three-dimensional artist Jesus Moroles were selected for 2011. Texas State Poet Laureate Jan Seale, two dimensional artist Karl Umlauf and three-dimensional artist Bill FitzGibbons take ove rin 2012.

The honorees were selected due to the quality of their work and their commitment to the arts in Texas. Requirements to be considered for the positions include being native Texans or having lived in the state for the past five years.

When you consider all the tour miles Lovett and Gibbons rack up almost every year, the state legislature is sure to get its money’s worth by selecting the two musicians to spread the joy of Texas arts far and near. ZZ Top has dates in the U.S. and Europe this year, giving Gibbons plenty of opportunities to promote his state’s commitment to the arts.

Meanwhile, an acoustic tour featuring Lovett and John Hiatt launches June 2 in California and continues through June 30 when it wraps, appropriately enough, in Texas.