Artist Of The Week 01-02-2011 - Jerry Jeff Walker

[Kudzu Guillotine]

I passed on buying the album this comes from (Moon Child) because he only released it as a download. If anyone would be will suited for a vinyl release these days it would be Jerry Jeff but I guess he's trying to save money by cutting corners.

[3milelake]

I passed on buying the album this comes from (Moon Child) because he only released it as a download. If anyone would be will suited for a vinyl release these days it would be Jerry Jeff but I guess he's trying to save money by cutting corners.

It's actually a really fine effort. Great remake of the title track too. I'm sure you're right about the cost. His market for new material is likely smallish though....strictly business decision, no doubt.

[Kudzu Guillotine]

I passed on buying the album this comes from (Moon Child) because he only released it as a download. If anyone would be will suited for a vinyl release these days it would be Jerry Jeff but I guess he's trying to save money by cutting corners.

It's actually a really fine effort. Great remake of the title track too. I'm sure you're right about the cost. His market for new material is likely smallish though....strictly business decision, no doubt.

I may have to cave and get it but if I do, it would go against what I believe about the proliferation of mp3's. That said, his Cowboy Boots & Bathing Suits was a large part of my soundtrack while visiting Costa Rica last summer and way back in '99. If only Buffett could drop the schtick long enough to remember that he too used to be able to make good Caribbean Country Rock n' Roll records. I still respect the guy (well, except for maybe the Tiger Blood marketing thing) but I'm sure it's hard to remember what it was like to be a beach bum when you're opening a new Margaritaville Hotel & Casino every week.

Back to Jerry Jeff, it's a crying shame that such a large portion of his catalog is out of print. During one of his sales several years ago I snatched up 3 or 4 of his albums on cassette. I would have bought them on CD but I believe cassettes were all he had left in stock at that point.

[Kudzu Guillotine]

Parts 1 & 2 of a Jerry Jeff Walker documentary that originally aired as part of the Austin Pickers series on KNCT-TV 46 out of Killeen, Texas back in 1984.

[3milelake]

Parts 1 & 2 of a Jerry Jeff Walker documentary that originally aired as part of the Austin Pickers series on KNCT-TV 46 out of Killeen, Texas back in 1984.

Nice find Kudzu!

[Kudzu Guillotine]

Nice find Kudzu!

Thanks. I never would have known about it if it hadn't have been posted on Jerry Jeff's Facebook page. When I went to YouTube to check it out I also noticed one for Ray Wylie Hubbard (which I posted in his AOTW thread) amongst many other episodes I'd like to watch from the Austin Pickers series.

[Hud]

My very first concert was Jerry Jeff & Willie Nelson, in 76'. 14 years old!

Nice write up, thanks Kudzu!

A must read.......

http://www.jjwfan.com/articles/rambler1976.htm

[Kudzu Guillotine]

I wish I could say that I've seen Jerry Jeff in concert but I can't. During my first trip to Austin back in '97 he, Jack Ingram and Todd Snider were playing somewhere in town that night but I couldn't get my brother (who still lives in Austin) to go so I laid low that evening. All these years later, I'm still kickin' myself in the ass over that one. In all of the time that's passed since then I think he's only played in NC once. He used to play a benefit in Rocky Mount once a year but that was a private event. Someday I hope to see Jerry Jeff in concert but I've pretty much resigned myself to the fact that it may never happen.

Thanks for the link.

[Hud]

Another good related read

http://www.keithsykes.com/biography.html

[3milelake]

Thanks for your additions to this thread Hud, a lot of nice back story in those articles...

[Kudzu Guillotine]

Happy birthday to Jerry Jeff who turns 70 today. My how the time flies.

[Kudzu Guillotine]

Click on the magazine cover to read the feature on Jerry Jeff.

[3milelake]

Click on the magazine cover to read the feature on Jerry Jeff.

Nice find Kudzu....great read & interview.

[Kudzu Guillotine]

Click on the magazine cover to read the feature on Jerry Jeff.

Nice find Kudzu....great read & interview.

Thanks. I still need to go back and read the other Jerry Jeff related features by Ray Wylie Hubbard, Todd Snider, Gary P. Nunn, etc.

[Kudzu Guillotine]

YouTube description by Dennis Morgan (circa 2007)

Charlie Dunn loved this song and his friends sang it at his funeral in 1993. Charlie was in his early 80's when he made my boots back in 1973. Jerry Jeff Walker's ode to Charlie is a classic tribute to custom bootmakers and aficionados.

I remember when Charlie was tracing my foot measurements and questioned me about the t-shirt and boots I was wearing. Before I could utter a word Charlie said, "Clarks beeswax desert treks--English". Aside from dress shoes I've only wore Clarks boots (I think he liked that). He was puzzled though by my explanation of the, 'Wishbone Ash' English band t-shirt. I told him I worked for Jerry Jeff Walker's record company . And Charlie just smiled and went on and on about Ol' Scamp Walker, his new best friend. Note: 'Buck' was the owner operator of the Capitol Saddlery (my boots cost $310 and Buck required a $150 cash deposit...such a deal). Looking back, I'm glad Henry Withers (MCA/Universal Music Group-Houston office) brought his camera to capture the moment on film.

Video features archive photos of Charlie and I at the Capitol Saddlery in Austin, my monogrammed Charlie Dunn boots, and me wearing the boots for a promotion shoot on the backlot of Universal. Also includes photos of Jerry Jeff and Jimmy Buffet.

If I was ever to own custom monogrammed cowboy boots in my lifetime, I was indeed fortunate to have them handcrafted by the legendary Charlie Dunn. As the story goes, it was this song, that inspired Lee Miller to make boots. Lee Miller came to Austin to apprentice for Charlie Dunn when his shop first opened, in 1977. Charlie taught Lee his way of making boots, including the secret of shop specialties, like interlaced monograms and mirror lettering. Lee and his wife Carlyn bought the shop in 1986, and have since carried on Charlie Dunn's work at Texas Traditions.

I managed to keep my Charlie Dunn boots in reasonably good shape over these past 35 years. And each time I had them re-furbished shoemakers and artisans alike would compliment me on the 'custom' boots--giving me opportunities to tell of the legendary bootmaker (always singing a few bars of the song).

As National Promotion Director for MCA/Universal Music Group, I worked on three albums for Ol' Scamp Walker: 'Jerry Jeff Walker' (1972, L.A. Freeway - Guy Clark, Her Good Lovin' Grace, Hill Country Rain, Charlie Dunn); 'Viva Terlingua' (1973, Desperados Waiting For The Train, Gettin'By, Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother - Ray Wylie Hubbard, London Homesick Blues - Gary P. Nunn); and 'Walker's Collectibles' (1974, Will There Be Any, My Old Man, Rock Me Roll Me - Gary P. Nunn).

I had the best local and regional promotion staff in the biz. We all loved Ol' Scamp Walker-- MCA/ Universal Music Group promotion managers Henry Withers, Don Wasley, and Bob Osborne did an extraordinary job of launching 'L.A. Freeway' on KLIF Dallas and KFRC San Francisco (RKO chain)...the entire staff pushed for that miraculous convergence of AM-Top Forty and FM-album oriented/ alternative radio stations. At the end of the day there were no gold record awards, but each year at the annual Thanksgiving MCA/Universal Music Group reunion at the Smoke House Restaurant in Burbank, CA -- the team reunites and among many tales...speak fondly of Ol' Scamp Walker.

Today, Jerry Jeff Walker operates his own recording and publishing company, Tried and True Music. He writes on his web site about his new book: 'Gypsy Songman' offers an insightful and entertaining look at the life of a gypsy songman. Written by Jerry Jeff Walker (assisted by Earl Casey and foreword by Bud Shrake).

For more info contact: www.jerryjeff.com

From the forthcoming Dennis Morgan semi-autobiography, "All The Dark Horses; All The King's Men".

[Hud]

Great video of jjw, Jason,,Amanda, Todd Snyder on 10-27 on YouTube. Sorry I don't know how to post a link from iPad

[Kudzu Guillotine]

Great video of jjw, Jason,,Amanda, Todd Snyder on 10-27 on YouTube. Sorry I don't know how to post a link from iPad

Have no fear, it was posted in the Shows with Todd Snider + Austin City Limits thread in the Former Band Members section of the board but I'll also post it here.

[3milelake]

Great video of jjw, Jason,,Amanda, Todd Snyder on 10-27 on YouTube. Sorry I don't know how to post a link from iPad

Have no fear, it was posted in the Shows with Todd Snider + Austin City Limits thread in the Former Band Members section of the board but I'll also post it here.

God damn! Beautiful story & a stellar performance...some of my very favorite musicians on the same stage there. Todd looked SO proud to have his hero & great friend on stage this night. What a shame this show wasn't an ACL show for air. Thanks for posting.

Just ordered Jerry Jeff's autobiography yesterday:

[Kudzu Guillotine]

What a shame this show wasn't an ACL show for air.

Agreed. I still hope to see Jerry Jeff in concert at some point but that's most likely going to require a trip to Austin.

[3milelake]

Agreed. I still hope to see Jerry Jeff in concert at some point but that's most likely going to require a trip to Austin.

Same dilemma...I'm thinking the Belize experience....better half & me got hitched there

[Kudzu Guillotine]

Agreed. I still hope to see Jerry Jeff in concert at some point but that's most likely going to require a trip to Austin.

Same dilemma...I'm thinking the Belize experience....better half & me got hitched there

That would certainly be nice, as would one of his annual concerts at Gruene Hall. Thing is, he just doesn't come to NC very much (if at all) and as he gets on in years he tours less and less outside of Texas.

[3milelake]

Have watched this several times, very special document. At first I assumed it was a pre-arranged cameo by Jerry Jeff, but I'm not so sure. Todd could be feigning surprise when he walks on stage, but Isbell stops playing & indeed is ready to give his guitar to Jerry Jeff before he walks past him. I'm choosing to believe Jerry Jeff crashed the party. Love it!!

Edit: Also at 5:23 in Todd looks skyward & appears to mouth "thank you"

[Hud]

Have watched this several times, very special document. At first I assumed it was a pre-arranged cameo by Jerry Jeff, but I'm not so sure. Todd could be feigning surprise when he walks on stage, but Isbell stops playing & indeed is ready to give his guitar to Jerry Jeff before he walks past him. I'm choosing to believe Jerry Jeff crashed the party. Love it!!

Edit: Also at 5:23 in Todd looks skyward & appears to mouth "thank you"

I agree, I've watched it several times. KG , we need to get him up this way soon. This was posted on facebook a while back.....so it could happen.


We need some Jerry Jeff in North Carolina!
Like · · October 9 at 2:32pm
Jerry Jeff Walker likes this.

Jerry Jeff Walker We don't book tours for JJW anymore since he's "semi-retired"; he goes where clients hire him to come. Talk to the venue you think would be perfect and have them call our office - 512-477-0036. Thanks! Signed, The gals at Tried & True[/b][/b]

[Smitty]

6 Jerry Jeff Walker bootlegs

[3milelake]

not sure what year this was, but I'd pay a small fortune to see the JJW performance in the inaugural year of ACL...I'm sure it exists...got to be some rights issues....too bad

[bovine knievel]

not sure what year this was, but I'd pay a small fortune to see the JJW performance in the inaugural year of ACL...I'm sure it exists...got to be some rights issues....too bad

could be '88.

[Kudzu Guillotine]

According to this link it's from March 5, 1988. Thanks for posting, looking forward to giving this a looksee.

[Kudzu Guillotine]

From a BBC documentary from the mid-90's called Texas Saturday Night. It's not the best quality but it does capture Jerry Jeff in his element.

[cortez the killer]

Quintessential JJW, 3 mike. I love that song.

[Iowan]

Good stuff 3mile.

It might sound emo, but when I need a good lift, I turn to "Hill Country Rain". Don't know how anyone can be pissed while listening to that.