Gov. Perry to The Skyline Network: HELP!

Lately, Governor Perry has had his hands rather full declaring coastal counties disaster areas, rebuilding his mansion and otherwise handling the minutia of running America’s most WHIPS state. Fortunately, he’s a good looking man with a strong voice and Executive Hair, which always helps in the leadership department. Likewise, he delegates, which is why yesterday we were among the brain-trusted few who received an email from the Texas Commission on the Arts that began as follows:

TCA has opened the call for nominations for Texas State Poet Laureate, Musician, Visual Artist 2-D, and Visual Artist 3-D. TCA oversees the selection process for the four positions, created by S.B. 1043 of the 77th Legislature, and we would really appreciate your help in getting the word out about this opportunity. If you know of a qualified candidate, please make a nomination.

Do we know a qualified candidate? DO WE KNOW A QUALIFIED CANDIDATE?! Well, truth be told, we don’t know of any poets other than Hot Jen who bartends at the Alabama Ice House, and we’ve actually never heard her poetry, we just assume that, like her herself, it dazzles like a bedazzler (note: there are about a thousand people in the scene right now worthy of the designation Hot Jen – well done people). Visual artist? I think we can all agree on the work of Rene Cruz, he did just tear down his exhibit about two fictional characters battling to save/destroy Houston only to put up a contribution to a post-apocalyptic show. But musician…. now there’s a category where we’ll need to bring the committee to order for some deliberations.

Hot Jen, Seen here in the presumptive regalia of the Poet Laureate

There’s lots to choose from, afterall. What about UGK, who took the rap game and our own iPods by storm with their break-out release this year? Does not Buxton‘s update of timeless Americana from the dirty side of bay merit a nod? And what of Mlee “Hearts of Animals” Marie – were ever there a seven inch that launched a thousand heartaches? Could not all be considered? Though Poopy Lungstuffing, for example, may lack the, uh, gravitas of a nominee such as Jandek, they are both part of the fabric of our musical Texas flag (COME AND TAKE IT!) In short – we’re not quite ready to decide who to nominate without some public comment from our constituency. So, who do you think should be our State Musician? Leave your essay in the comments. Democracy.