Snake Farm

The song "Snake Farm" by Ray Wylie Hubbard from his 2006 album of the same name is a gritty, blues-infused track that has become one of his most iconic works, inspired by a real roadside attraction in New Braunfels, Texas. The Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo, which Hubbard passed countless times while driving on Interstate 35, sparked the song’s creation. He once recalled shuddering at the sight of the bold "SNAKE FARM" sign, thinking, “Just sounds nasty,” which became the song’s infectious hook. The character Ramona, a tattooed, malt-liquor-drinking woman who works at the snake farm, was a fictional creation Hubbard crafted to embody the seedy, alluring vibe of the place. Interestingly, he had never visited the actual Snake Farm before writing the song, only later discovering it was a well-maintained zoo with over 500 species, not the carny sideshow he’d imagined.

The song’s recording process brought its own quirks, with Hubbard’s son, Lucas, playing electric guitar on the track “Old Guitar,” and the video for "Snake Farm" being filmed at Hubbard’s own log cabin in Wimberley, Texas. Filmmaker Tiller Russell, known for provocative documentaries, directed the video, capturing the song’s swampy, roadhouse aura. Hubbard’s playful side shines through in a 2021 X post, where he imagined a wild live performance of "Snake Farm" involving belly dancers with snakes, skydiving, and balloons shaped like beer cans, showcasing his knack for blending humor with his outlaw persona. Fans on Reddit have embraced the song’s Texan spirit, with some sharing stories of it being played at weddings or as a kid’s baseball walk-up song, cementing its status as a cult classic.

Ray Wylie Hubbard began his musical journey in Soper, Oklahoma, born on November 13, 1946, before moving to Dallas, Texas, in 1954. His early years were shaped by the vibrant folk scene, and while attending W. H. Adamson High School alongside Michael Martin Murphey, he soaked up influences that would define his career. In the summers, Hubbard played folk music in Red River, New Mexico, with a trio called Three Faces West, honing his songwriting craft. It was during this time that he penned “Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother,” a song that became a hit for Jerry Jeff Walker in 1973 and launched Hubbard into the spotlight. Signed by Warner Bros. Records, he released his debut album, *Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Cowboy Twinkies*, in 1976, marking his entry into the cosmic cowboy and outlaw country movements.

Hubbard’s career wasn’t without struggles; the pressure to follow up his early success led to battles with alcohol and drugs, which he overcame in the late 1980s. His comeback in the 1990s with albums like *Lost Train of Thought* and *Loco Gringo’s Lament* showcased a rawer, bluesier sound that resonated with fans of Americana and Texas songwriting. Today, he’s celebrated as a mentor to artists like Joshua Hayes Carll and a pioneer of the Red Dirt and Americana scenes. You can follow him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans connect through communities like the Ray Wylie Hubbard Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and others share their love for his music, often citing “Snake Farm” as a gateway to his catalog.