Poodie Locke, Willie Nelson’s Longtime Stage Manager, Passed Away
- Willie Nelson’s stage manager of 34 years, Randall “Poodie” Locke, passed away at his home yesterday from a heart attack. He was 56. Michael Corcoran explains how he got the name Poodie:
As his mother Gloria “Momma” Locke loved to say, Poodie won the Most Beautiful Baby contest in Waco when he was just a few months old. The nickname “Poodie” came from a younger sister who couldn’t pronounce “pretty” in describing her sibling.
- Linda from Still Is Still Moving posted several articles, new and old, about Poodie Locke.
- Sugarland canceled concerts over the next three days after Jennifer Nettles received doctor’s orders to rest her voice due to a viral tonsil condition.
- Watch the new video for Hank Williams Jr’s “Red, White and Pink-Slip Blues.”
- After a period of inactivity, Music Tomes is back with an interview with Barry Mazor on the subjects of his new book on Jimmie Rodgers, winning the Charlie Lamb Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism and the future of music journalism.
- Toby Keith’s “America’s Toughest Tour,” which kicks off on June 18 with Trace Adkins, has been extended.
- The first episode of Legends & Lyrics will premiere on PBS stations Saturday, May 9 with a song swap between Kris Kristofferson, Patty Griffin and Randy Owen.
- Rory Feek on the moment he knew that he and wife Joey Martin were finished on CMT’s Can You Duet:
“They told us that the song the winner sang would be their first single, and they handed us this little up-tempo ditty,” said Feek. “They gave one of the other duos this monster power ballad. We knew we were finished right then.”
- The Broadway musical version of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 has earned four Tony nominations.
- Edd Hurt has an interview with Chuck Mead for Nashville Scene on the subject of his new album, Journeyman’s Wager, and songwriting.
- If you pre-order the new Ryan Bingham album Roadhouse Sun from Amazon before June 2, you’ll receive an exclusive track titled “Hobo” for free.
- Gary Lightbody, the lead singer from alternative rock band Snow Patrol, says he has a country record written that he just needs to record. (via NashvilleGab)
- The Houston Chronicle’s Andrew Dansby published an interview with Justin Townes Earle on the subject of the blues.
Players today need to just forget about how to play the blues and the nature of it. What (messes) it up is all the bona fide Berklee (College of Music) grad musicians. Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are amazing, but too many other people get caught up in learning how to do it. They have a certificate on the wall that says they’re musicians. That’s great, but it doesn’t mean you know the blues. The blues doesn’t work like that.
- Download a free mp3 of “Time to Lose” from The Western States.
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10 Comments
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May 7, 2009 at 11:08 am Permalink
thanks for the JTE mention…you never hear much about him on The 9513 :-)
May 7, 2009 at 11:17 am Permalink
I could always ramp up the JTE mentions if you’d like…
May 7, 2009 at 11:19 am Permalink
ok, ok, enough!!!! It has been a strong news week, I had to find something to gripe about…
May 7, 2009 at 11:42 am Permalink
JTE will be performing here in LA at McCabe’s Guitar Shop on May 24th and the tickets are $ 16. Think I should go gentlemen?
Its too bad the Legends & Lyrics episode doesn’t feature just Kris and Merle instead. Oh well…
I’ve purchased an advance copy of Chuck Mead’s new album and hope it arrives before his concert next Wednesday at The Mint Club. Chuck will be one of the most “country” acts I’ve ever seen at the Mint.
Opry alert! Tonight’s Classic Country Opry will salute the music of Eddie Arnold. Guest artists of note include Laura Cantrell (who would much rather sing a Rose Maddox song), Daryle Singletary, and Rhonda Vincent. I highly recommend this program to anyone who hasn’t heard it yet! Its from 7 to 9 PM Nashville time on WSM Online.
Link: http://www.wsmonline.com/
May 7, 2009 at 11:47 am Permalink
Gary Lightbody, the lead singer from alternative rock band Snow Patrol, says he has a country record written that he just needs to record. (via NashvilleGab)
Has he found a country singer to record it? Cause I love me some Chasing Cars, but that’s boys voice is sweeter and more vanilla pop than Bryan White.
May 7, 2009 at 4:47 pm Permalink
Stormy,
So was/is Shane Nicholson’s.
May 7, 2009 at 6:39 pm Permalink
Yeah, but it might be a bit harder for Gary to book Kasey.
May 8, 2009 at 7:41 am Permalink
Go for it, Rick. I saw him back in December and it was one of my favorite shows.
May 8, 2009 at 9:55 pm Permalink
Brody, Billy Bob Thornton wrote a beautiful song in tribute to Poodie, after he learned of his passing. I posted the lyrics at my site, and a link to hear the Boxmasters sing it. Go have a listen if you have time.
Unsettling days. Hard to imagine a WN&F concert without Poodie up there giving directions, tying down the flag in the wind, folding Willie’s bandannas, lifting drunks off the side of the stage, handing out pics, flirting with girls. Oh, Poodie, we’re gonna miss you. He did know how to enjoy life, doing what he loved with people he loved for thirty plus years. I know of no other road manager who had such an effect on so many people. They really are a family band.
May 11, 2009 at 1:38 pm Permalink
Very sad to hear about the passing of Poodie. When I was on the road with Gary Allan, we did quite a few shows with Willie and the Family. Poodie was always there to greet with a handshake and a huge smile. I can just picture him standing on stage at Irving Plaza in his kaiki shorts and Tenni-Lama (Tennis shoe boots). When it came time for us to use the small stage, Poodie said, “Lee, hang on. I’ll move Paul’s drum-kit.” Poodie then proceed to pick-up Paul’s snare drum (his whole kit) and move it aside and then look back at me and say, “It’s all yours, Hoss.” That was hilarious and will always stick in my mind as he goes on to stage manage the every growing band in heaven.
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