Robert Earl Keen's ship has finally come in. After 12 years of making independently-produced music, Keen became the first artist to sign with new label, Arista Austin. Keen, a native of Texas, blends alternative rock with a tinge of country on his album, Picnic, which is due in stores April 29. John Keane, who has worked with R.E.M., Indigo Girls and Widespread Panic, hooked up with Keen to produce Picnic. Margo Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies joins Keen on vocals for five of the albums tracks. (AB)