Robert Earl Keen announces the launch of his eighth annual Christmas show with his most extensive tour yet, which will kick off at the Peace Center on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Opening the show is Austin-based, swamp-pop-soul supergroup Shinyribs.

In honor of the 50^th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Keen’s theme for this year’s tour is Countdown to Christmas: Lunar Tunes & Looney Times. He and his band will pay homage to the space race and all things celestial in an out-of-this-world evening of family holiday fun.

 

Concertgoers will blast off with Keen's classic “Merry Christmas from the Family,” fan favorites and unearthly covers from his band members. Ground Control reminds fans to grab their tickets before this lunar expedition sells out.

 

“This show will turn on the psychedelactic jukebox and light up the tree of tranquility!” Keen said. “The countdown begins now!” 

 

“Merry Christmas from the Family” first appeared on Keen’s 1994 album, Gringo Honeymoon. University of Texas Press released Keen’s companion book, also titled Merry Christmas from the Family, in 2005. 

Huffington Post describes the annual concert series as “part comedy/variety show (think The Carol Burnett Show of old) and part musical cornucopia that’s full of pleasant surprises. It’s akin to Christmas morning, but one where Keen and his merry band of musicians continue to unwrap gifts you didn’t even know you were hoping for until they share them on stage.”

 

Tickets for the Monday, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. performance of Robert Earl Keen’s Countdown to Christmas: Lunar Tunes & Looney Times are $25-$45 and may be purchased by calling 864.467.3000 or 800.888.7768, in person at the Peace Center Box Office or online at peacecenter.org. Tickets go on sale to Peacekeepers beginning Monday, Aug. 5, and go on sale to the public on Friday, Aug. 9, at 10 a.m. Service fees will apply to phone and online sales.