About Frank
Frank Clay Stader-Hill (Frank Hill 1937-2022) was the grandson of a cowboy, a child of the Great Depression, a student of the earth, the sanctity of life, and the ever-present joy of getting by on getting by.
Frank wrote hundreds of poems and songs over the years, performing them in small venues, house concerts and numerous folk festivals. His favorite fest was the Kerrville Folk Festival where he earned the honorary title, “King of the Campfires” for his uncanny ability to pick and grin from dusk till dawn.
He was among the first 5,000 computer programmers in the 1960s, which afforded him the opportunity to work on the Project Apollo.
Frank is survived by his loving family and too many friends and fans to count. He touched and changed a lot of lives for the better which is really the best legacy any of us can leave, isn’t it?
A Songwriter’s Legacy
Frank’s storytelling captured the full spectrum of Texas life—from lighthearted tales of Hill Country adventures to poignant laments about vanishing freedoms and changing times. His work showed a deep appreciation for:
- The lasting heritage of cowboy culture
- The pristine beauty of the Texas Hill Country
- The wisdom found in small-town life
- The importance of preserving authentic stories and traditions
Whether performing at the Kerrville Folk Festival, where he earned his title “King of the Campfires,” or sharing songs at intimate house concerts, Frank maintained an unwavering commitment to authenticity. His music serves as a bridge between the Old West of his grandfather’s tales and the complex realities of modern Texas.
As Frank himself noted in his introduction to his songbook, being a cowboy was about “how you go about it” more than what gets accomplished—a philosophy that guided his approach to both music and life.
Songs
Frank crafted songs that spoke to both the enduring spirit of the American cowboy and the bittersweet march of progress, from his beloved Hill Country to the high plains of Montana.
His music celebrated the simple wisdom of domino games with old-timers, the serene beauty of backroads through Sisterdale and the swingin’ Austin night life.
Check out some of his songs below or peruse his recordings.
Saturday Night In Austin
“The night life is the sweetest down in Austin
That’s why I dream of Texas everyday.”
Frank C. Hill, Saturday Night In Austin
Sweet ‘N’ Mellow
“Golden days ‘n’ country livin’
Frank C. Hill, Sweet ‘N’ Mellow
keep me going strong.”
Songbooks
Frank documented the lyrics and chords for dozens of his songs in several songbooks.
- Campfire Songs and Hillcountry Ballads (1982)
- Late Forties Rock ‘N’ Roll (1987)
- Lines, Lyrics and Lies (1991).
Popular Favorites
Live to Pick, Pick to Live.
– a saying so synonomous with Frank that he made it into a bumper sticker
Documentary
In 2018 SpringStreet Films released “a tribute to the music of one of Texas’ original cosmic cowboys.” Named from one of Frank’s songs, OLD BANDIT TIME captures Frank in his natural habitat: sitting outside, telling stories and trading songs.
Facebook Fans
As a fixture at the Kerrville Folk Festival for decades, Frank was part of a beloved community and had many fans. Join the Frank Hill FANatics group on Facebook to join the community of friends and fans.
“My ‘Kerrville Frank’ memories are strong, vibrant and happy.” – Frank Fan