I wasn't sure what except to select, because the rhythm of the whole conversation is so endearing. About halfway through I found myself thinking, "this is one of the greatest things I've read."
I'm still working through Gravity's Rainbow, then I'll read this.
I don't get why RCA would give him a record deal and then say "Where do you want to live?" Maybe they asked where he wanted to record and he mixed them together.
3: I don't know about that either. Maybe he's misremembering (or explaining badly) or maybe it was a question of who would manage him, and wanting to match him up with a manager who would be local.
It does seem most likely that he just didn't explain it well.
Thanks for sharing, NickS! Very enjoyable read!
That is a nice read, thanks. James Mcmurtry is the son of Larry, Texas bookstore magnate, novelist, and occasional screenwriter.
I enjoyed it, too. I'm wistfully picturing being at a concert with John Prine, John Hiatt, Guy Clark and Lyle Lovett on stage. I didn't get out to see enough shows back in the day.
Bonus article recounting the same group's moving to Nashville and hangingout together. There's apparentl;y a documentary , Heartworn Highways , that includes them, and a clip on youtube.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/guy-clarks-my-favorite-picture-of-you/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4V4_LIxqNE
That was a great interview; I recommended the article and CD to my wife for her dad.
Haven't finished the interview, but "Last Gunfighter" is one of my favorite songs ever, and I'm pretty sure it's NickS who linked me to it, for which I thank him.
10: Delurking to say that Heartworn Highways is absolutely fantastic and a must watch for anyone interested in these guys and their music. Highlights include the Christmas party around Guy and Susanna's kitchen table clipped here (which also includes baby Steve Earle debuting Mercenary Song) and David Allen Coe playing a gig in prison wearing a full sequined nudie suit.
In addition, Together at the Bluebird Cafe is a stone classic album, a recording of Guy, Townes, and Steve Earle live in the round that includes all their stories and banter between songs. We lost Townes before I could see him in person but this record is the next best thing to being there in an intimate venue.
I meant to mention that I adore the Ricky Skaggs song Heart Broke that they discuss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcmHIhEoM84&t=4s
Oh when the horns go over there. (Oh over there!)
13.2: I saw Townes Van Zandt perform in a small venue a couple of years before he died. I'm pretty sure I've talked about it here before. Definitely not one of the best musical performances I have ever seen, but quite possibly the most memorable.
17 should have been submitted by Opinionated Darmok.