The Gonzo side of Country

[Chewbaccer]

There's a sect of Country music that largely gets overlooked, and never received much radio play, but IMO, it was some of the best the genre had to offer. To me, they were their own unique subgenre, as their style was different than any other subgenre. The guys were all from Texas, they all partied hard, they all wrote a lot of songs, they all could pick the hell out of a guitar.

I call it the Gonzo side of Country because so many of them were either in or had close ties to The Lost Gonzo Band.

Guy Clark
Jerry Jeff Walker
Gary P Nunn
Ray Wiley Hubbard
Townes Van Zandt

And their two disciples, Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell.

Me, @craigk217 and @Tin Man will probably be the only ones that ever visit this thread, but in case there's any other fans, or those unfamiliar and interested in giving them a try, here's a thread dedicated to them.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Guy Clark, the 5th member of the Highwaymen, and many a young troubadour found refuge in his Nashville home. Made his own guitars too.

 

[broncosmitty]

I've heard of one of those guys.


And it's because you told me about him.

When I think Gonzo, I think Muppets. Then I think Johnny Depp. And I don't know what that Gonzo even means.

 

[broncosmitty]

Correction: two guys

 

[Chewbaccer]

Jerry Jeff Walker might have been born in New York, but his music is as Texas as it gets.

 

[Chewbaccer]

 

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[Chewbaccer]

 

[Chewbaccer]

Here's a scene from Guy Clark's home.

 

[Chewbaccer]

My hero, Waylon Jennings thought highly enough of Guy CLark to provide backup vocals.

 

[Chewbaccer]

Might be my favorite live cut of all time.

 

[craigk217]

One of my all-time fave albums ... period ... and I like a total spectrum of music. Totally eclectic.

There is not a bad song on this album! How many can claim that?

Neva gets old ...

 

[craigk217]

^ I own it.

 

[Godstree]

You are kidding ...... I know all these guys.

First song I remember by Steve Earl was Copperhead road.

All of them got play on the radio when I was in high school.

 

[TheDayMan]

I've heard of one of those guys.


And it's because you told me about him.

When I think Gonzo, I think Muppets. Then I think Johnny Depp. And I don't know what that Gonzo even means.

You think of Johnny Depp because of Fear and Loathing. If you seriously were having trouble placing it.

 

[Chewbaccer]

You are kidding ...... I know all these guys.

First song I remember by Steve Earl was Copperhead road.

All of them got play on the radio when I was in high school.

Might have something to do with growing up in Texas.

Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell got some radio play.

For the other guys, other singers were singing songs they wrote for the most part.

 

[craigk217]

I've heard of one of those guys.


And it's because you told me about him.

When I think Gonzo, I think Muppets. Then I think Johnny Depp. And I don't know what that Gonzo even means.

lol @ you not associating with p0rn, mister!

My first thought of the word goes to ...



But that's a whole nuther thread.

 

[Godstree]

Might have something to do with growing up in Texas.

Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell got some radio play.

For the other guys, other singers were singing songs they wrote for the most part.

I remember going to a festival and several of them played. I can't remember which ones though. I do remember that the Dixie chicks were on a side stage and man they were smoking hot.