biography

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but the right words can paint a thousand pictures," says Roy Heinrich, who believes, "Words are the most important thing about a song."

Since coming to Austin in the fall of 1992, Heinrich has established himself as one of the premier singer/songwriters of the roots/honkytonk scene.

Born and raised in Houston, Roy grew up listening to and loving country music, which seemed to be all his parents' radio could play (being great dancers, they actually met at a dance). Hearing his Dad play button accordion on Sundays around the house (the only one he's ever owned-bought with money earned picking extra cotton through the Sears catalogue at age fourteen,) did much for his appreciation of music in general. Seeing Elvis on Ed Sullivan at age five made such an impact, he immediately began growing sideburns (they're almost filled in by now).

At age seven he started accordion lessons, which continued until around age eleven, when the Beatles appeared once again on Ed Sullivan. Teenage rebellion in the sixties only served to broaden his taste for rock and roll, blues, RnB, soul and every thing which now has been added to the country flavored stew he now refers to as "Honky-Tonk," including a brief fascination with punk rock (with the distinction of starting the first punk band in Houston in 1977).

Returning to his roots, a move to Los Angeles in 1989 restarted his passion for "real music for real people", culminating in the Sunset Cowboys, a loose group of L.A.'s finest players, ala the Texas Playboys.

Since re-relocating to Austin (where else?), Heinrich has remained true to his roots, vision, and commitment to keeping alive a rich tradition of the finest blend of music Texas has to offer, while keeping an open mind and ear to new artists, styles and technology. As Heinrich says, "If it ain't fun, you're not doing it right."

All Night All Day - Now Available

Check out Roy's new CD released in June: "All Night All Day ", featuring 13 unreleased original tunes.