Ebbie - I know he spent part of his childhood intexas and he considers himself a Texan and that whole possibly apochryphal story about the texas soil and all - what I was asking is if anyone as knowledge of Texas dialects and if they did, could they identify his singing dialect as being Texas regional or not. More than likely it is a hybrid idiolect unique to Earle. However, it could be that like Springsteen, he assumes a certain dialect when singing.

I've heard him speak at length and his speaking dialect is somewhat less marked than that which he uses when singing. Maybe it's on purpose, maybe not - I really don't mind it myself.

Some artists sort of grow into a singing dialect they prefer, over time and often without realizing it. I think Springsteen's current singing dialect, on the other hand, is very conciously acheived. He seems to be able to turn it off and on at will depending upon the material.