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1. J.M. White | January 4, 2013 at 4:23 pm

   I can’t listen to anything by Jerry Jeff or even see his name mentioned without having the entire song of “Luckenbach, Texas” play in my head.

   There are worse things in life, I suppose.
2. Dan Casey | January 4, 2013 at 5:00 pm

   One day at the tender age of 19 when I was pumping gas in Arnold, Md., I met a truckdriver from Louisiana name David who struck up a conversation about Jerry Jeff Walker. I’d never heard of him (he’s from Oneonta, NY and his given name was Ronald Clyde Crosby). Anyway, David was doing a layover that night, and I invited him to go to a friendly bar with some friends and I named Millhausen’s Tavern in neighboring Severna Park, Md. So I picked him up at his motel and we went there — where they have Jerry Jeff on the jukebox. Been a fan ever since.

   He was last on my bucket list of musicians to see live, and I managed to do that back in 99 or 2000 when he was playing a small though exclusive club, The Rams’ Head Tavern, in Annapolis on a weekend when Donna and I were visting my folks there. Those tix cost $65 each BUT our table was in the front, literally 5 feet from Jerry Jeff. It was an amazing show. A few years later I managed to catch him at W&L in Lexington at $15/head.

   His music always struck me as different from just about any other country artist — there’s a tenderness, wisdom and humor that’s lacking in so many others. And he remains IMHO by far the greatest interpreter of America’s greatest living songwriter, Guy Clark. I defy you to listen to JJW’s versions of Clark’s “The Cape” or “Desperadoes Waiting for a Train” and NOT shed a tear or two.

   Before the W&L show then TRT columnist Joe Kennedy did an interview with him, in which JJW told Joe that the songwriting royalties from Mr. Bojangles amount to six figures each year.

   Lesson: The big money in the music biz is in songwriting — so long as you hang onto those rights.
3. Bill Perdue | January 4, 2013 at 5:38 pm

   Jerry Jeff has a home in San Pedro, Belize and does a big music week there every year. We will be in San Pedro the week before this and a lot of the musicians come down a week early. I’m looking forward to some awesome music in those sand floor bars whilst I sip on One Barrel Rum or on a Belikan beer (or maybe both!).
4. Sandi Saunders | January 4, 2013 at 6:31 pm

   If Waylon is the one singing it, yes, there are many, many worse things that could be in your head…I remain a big Waylon fan!
5. Dan Casey | January 4, 2013 at 6:41 pm

   Bill Perdue,

   I believe Casa Walker is on Ambergis Key. He recorded a splendid album down there, “Cowboy Suits and Bathing Suits.” Here’s the title tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tlwY4IGgsU It’s not the best tune on the disc, but it’s pretty good. That CD has a KILLER version of Sloop John B.

   I’ve always wanted to go to once of those Belize weeks. Maybe when the kids are out of college.
6. J.M. White | January 4, 2013 at 6:43 pm

   After 2 hours of involuntarily singing “four-car garage and we’re still building on” at random intervals, I had to forcibly purge that song from my mind. It took L’il Troy – “Wanna Be A Baller”, Butthole Surfers – “Pepper” and Tool – “Hooker With A Penis” to finally do it. Chances are, though, that I’ll wake in the morning and “Luckenbach, Texas” will be the first tune I hear in my head. Oh well. It’s better that waking up with Dora the Explorer and “I’m the Map” – that’s happened to me twice.

   The Ram’s Head! I was a guest speaker at a cancer benefit at the Academy and we stopped there for dinner and drinks after. What a great place! Thanks for triggering that memory, Dan.

   There are not many more haunting songs than JJW’s rendition of “Desperadoes Waiting for a Train”, for sure. That’s it. I’m busting out the Highwaymen CDs. Time for a little “Silver Stallion” and “American Remains” up in here. The neighbors shall soon hate me, but won’t dare to complain because I have the keys to their apartments. Muhahahahahahaha!

   I’m just kidding – they never complain. We have a great community here.
7. Sandi Saunders | January 4, 2013 at 6:50 pm

   I agree Dan, the words are so important. A truly good song is often like a gut punch. “Desperadoes Waiting for a Train” is indeed a great song and I am always choked up by the end.

   Catch this poll:
   http://blogs.roanoke.com/cutnscratch/

   http://polldaddy.com/poll/6808336/
   As if there is even a contest?

   As a huge Vern Gosdin Fan, he has some songs that will kill you if you really listen to the pain. “Chisled in Stone” and “Do you believe me Now” hit hard.
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez70cpRX7lE

   And this youngun packs a punch too!
   If I was going to have a funeral, this would be my send off:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q-5EXZG1ow

   Words matter. In song, in print and in person.
8. Kristen | January 4, 2013 at 7:06 pm

   I’m a Jimmy Webb fan.
9. Dan Casey | January 4, 2013 at 7:07 pm

   The Ram’s Head served Spaten Dark beer — 10 % alcohol — on tap until 1994, when I moved down here. Backed then it was a little hole in the wall that was 5 steps down off the street and had 25 seats at most. My how times change.
10. Mike3 | January 5, 2013 at 12:28 am

    An acquired taste , have the album and a what a great performer that never received the same props as a Jimmy Buffett. JJW is what my Dad called a deep thinker.Great beer drinkin muzac!!
11. Bill Perdue | January 5, 2013 at 9:16 am

    Dan, I’ve fished in front of Casa Walker. I’ll try to find a picture and send it to you. It’s a REALLY nice place!