Texas Country Music Stars Speak Out About Hyperscale Data Centers

Willie Nelson and Tanya Tucker, both of whom are big names in country music and both of whom hail from Texas, have come out publicly against the massive construction of hyperscale data centers. As Texas is experiencing a massive surge in the construction of the water consuming and energy sapping hyperscale data centers due to a similar reason that Alabama is experiencing an upsurge in hyperscale data centers: cheap and plentiful land. Right now an analysis by the Texas Tribune has identified over 240 planned data center projects in The Lone Star State. Prompting Nelson and Tucker to shift their focus from the typical topics of country music such as hard work and drinking to discussing 765 KV transmission lines and "loud, water thieving, light polluting" data centers.

Tanya Tucker, who had her first country music hit when she was thirteen years of age, "Delta Dawn", was born in Seminole, Texas. She currently lives on a ranch in Briggs, Texas which will be marred by the proposed 765 KV transmission lines that will be used to provide power to the hyperscale data centers in Texas. Prompting Tanya Tucker to testify against the 765 KV transmission lands at the Texas Capitol yesterday, July 29th, 2026. While she testified that she wasn't there to sing but to discuss the hazards of these 765 KV transmission lines, Tanya Tucker did sing a few lines from "Texas (When I Die)" at the end of her speech before concluding it with "God Bless Texas".

Willie Nelson, who is now 93 years of age, expressed his concerns about AI hyperscale data centers on his social media page. With Nelson posting a lengthy explanation of his concerns on his "willienelsonofficial" page. Stating that, "I grew up in Abbott, and I still have a home there with farmed land where I can still see stars at night. And now our community, like many others, needs to fight against data centers invading our land. The last thing we need is a loud, water thieving, light polluting, data center anywhere near our town (or any others for that matter). The strength of rural America has never come from big industrial footprints. It comes from generations of people, open spaces, local businesses, and a connection to the land. All of America deserves thoughtful stewardship that doesn't steal farmland (where our essential shared-food is grown) and small family farmers' livelihoods, and not data centers that only destroy the environment around them. Whoever controls food and water, controls the masses. Let's not allow our own demise or give up control over necessary resources in the U.S. and especially in Abbott."

Nelson is known for writing some of the songs that have become part of the standard repertoire in country music, "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy". While in the past he has been known for advocating for marijuana, he has admitted in recent years that he no longer smokes weed due to his lungs. There are over 50 proposed data centers for the central Texas region where his primary ranch is located in Spicewood, Texas.

Some of the reported health concerns provoked by hyperscale data centers are the constant noise levels in the decibels range that produces hearing loss. Light pollution from their all-night lighting disrupts the circadian rhythms of the body and also disturbs the migration patterns of birds, butterflies, bats, cats, and even turtles, among other wildlife. The gas powered hyperscale data centers pollute the air by emitting nitrogen oxides, methane, and other pollutants that increase respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer. With hyperscale data centers consuming so much water from local water supplies, they also increase water insecurity which leads to dehydration and poor hygiene.

Currently, in Alabama, there are already twenty data centers currently operating in the state. With some sources estimating that there are 14 new data centers being proposed for construction across Alabama The Beautiful. One of the new data centers that is being proposed for construction is right beside the middle school in Brookwood, Alabama. Where petitions to annex and rezone 1,200 acres of land near Brookwood Middle School have been posted in the Brookwood police department by a Texas-based company.

Luisa Reyes is a Tuscaloosa Attorney, piano instructor, poet, vocalist, reporter and columnist who writes on politics, current affairs, and the arts.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and don not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.