Writer Peter Egan Follows Hank’s Last Ride
- Even if you have no interest in Hank Williams (hah, who am I kidding?), Peter Egan’s article, recounting a trip he and Richard Mayer made following the route of Williams’ famous last ride to a gig in Canton, Ohio, is a captivating read full of interesting details and trivia. For instance, Hank’s driver, Charles Carr, was in a cheerful mood during the trip and the two of them sang songs together for quite a while. The last song Hank sang was “Midnight” by Red Foley. Egan describes the trip:
We soon discovered that virtually everyone we talked to along this route knew the entire Hank Williams story, almost to the point of scholarship — his life and death, down to the smallest details. You’d just say, “Hank” and “Cadillac” in the same sentence and they had the whole picture immediately. No explanation of our intentions or motivations was required. We were assumed to be on a holy pilgrimage.
- Alison Bonaguro ponders the effect that the government’s bailout decision for automakers could have on country music, which is steeply entrenched in American-made vehicles (just take a look at the previous Hank Williams article for proof).
I can’t help but think of what it would do to all those country songs steeped in Motor City history. How would we explain all those Ford, Chevy, Cadillac, Mercury and Buick mentions to future generations? And how the hell will songwriters come up with words that rhyme with Hyundai, Kia, Porsche, Mitsubishi, Toyota, BMW and Nissan?
- Do they give Grammys for cover art? The HearYa indie music blogs asks, because if so, Neko Case — crouched in a three-point stance and wielding a sword on the hood of an American-made car — would win in 2009 for her new album, Middle Cyclone, to be released March 3.
- Watch the blistering, new video for Dierks Bentley‘s “Feel That Fire.” (via Country Music Is Love)
- Four tracts of land in Bristol, Tenn. — where Ralph Peer recorded Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family and Ernest Stoneman — are being auctioned off today.
Tim Carter, owner of the building, told the Bristol Herald Courier he is selling the property to reduce his commercial inventory and brace for a leaner economy.
He said he hopes the site can be preserved by the new owners.
- Waylon Jennings first appeared on Austin City Limits in 1984, years after he’d become a superstar, and the latest release from that taping includes material not originally aired on the 30-minute program. PopMatters‘ Christel Loar rates it an eight out of ten.
- Emmylou Harris ends her year of touring with appearances at the Opry this weekend. The Randy Rogers Band makes their Opry debut (I think?) tonight and 2008 newcomer Ashton Shepherd will perform tomorrow.
- George Jones tops Rock’s Backpages‘ list of “The 20 Most Heartbreaking Songs of All Time!” with “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” I’d like to use this opportunity to re-highlight a haiku version of Jone’s weeper penned by Chris N. and invite you to create your own haiku for a famous country song:
The only reason
He stopped loving her today
Is that he is dead - It’s Country Day 6 over at Photocrap where John Schneid…I mean, Bo Duke’s Greatest Hits album is highlighted along with Sara Evans’ ironic Go Deep, Jay Barker and Tim McGraw’s uplifting Live Like You Owned An Island.
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Ashton Shepherd // Austin City Limits // Bristol // Dierks Bentley // Emmylou Harris // George Jones // Hank Williams // Jimmie Rodgers // Neko Case // Randy Rogers // Randy Rogers Band // Sara Evans // The Carter Family // Tim McGraw // Waylon Jennings
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December 12, 2008
51 Comments
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December 5, 2008 at 11:37 am
I’m glad my haiku artistry has not been forgotten.
December 5, 2008 at 11:45 am
OK, now I’m contemplating writing a poetry book consisting of nothing but haikus based on George Jones songs. See what you think about these:
She thinks I still care
If you notice the subtext,
You’ll find she is right.
I know I told you
I don’t need your rockin’ chair
But dammit, I’m tired.
December 5, 2008 at 11:49 am
Just to watch him die
I shot a man in Reno
Now I’m blue in jail
Or sub the first line with: Mom taught me better OR Ain’t got no freedom
December 5, 2008 at 11:51 am
Thanks for linking us for the DB video – you guys are the best!
December 5, 2008 at 11:53 am
I made some choices
One was drinking alcohol
It is killing me
December 5, 2008 at 11:55 am
If you have heard me
Anthropomorphize my house
You’ve had the grand tour
December 5, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Props for dropping a word like “anthropomorphize.”
December 5, 2008 at 12:01 pm
My tractor sexy
She is turned on by it now
I throw up in mouth
December 5, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Pappy’s brand of brew
Causes chemical results
We call white lightning
We’re blessed with the gift
Of country music legends
Their shoes can’t be filled
December 5, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Oh my Elvira
Elvira my heart on fire
Giddiup maw maw
December 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm
This aint Mexico
I am a sad has-been hack
Desperate for work
December 5, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Is that one autobiographical?
December 5, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Her name’s a secret
While she cheats on her husband
I die if we’re caught
Love’s a Nascar race
With no checkered flag for me
She ran off with him
We’re not the jet set
With money for long travel
But love’s all we need
December 5, 2008 at 12:32 pm
The cowboy in me
Wait, that sounds like a bad porn
You’re a cowboy, too
December 5, 2008 at 12:33 pm
“Is that one autobiographical?”
Why you gotta play me like that? What did I do to you?? I was merely using the poem to not only interpret the Jewell song, but to illuminate what he was likely feeling/thinking when he performed the track…
December 5, 2008 at 12:35 pm
My girlfriend got saved
I wanna beat up Jesus
‘Cause now I’m single
December 5, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Kelly:
I’m only joshin’
I just couldn’t help myself
Like stealin’ candy
December 5, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I hate Kern River
The water was just too fast
Where I lost my girl
Beer is my breakfast
And I wish I was stoned ’cause
Sunday is lonely
December 5, 2008 at 1:13 pm
It’s not often you see haiku’s on country music websites haha.
December 5, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Wow, that Neko artwork is really cool! A friend recommended her to me, so I guess I’ll get her upcoming album, just because of the cover, and from what I’ve heard of her, I’ll love the music. xD
December 5, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Well, it is raining
Crying, my eyes blue like rain
Heaven will be great
December 5, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Excuse me, my chair
Sure, you can sit next to me
Wait, it’s not my chair
December 5, 2008 at 2:43 pm
I am “The Fireman”
It’s a metaphor, you see,
Means I’m good in bed
December 5, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Why’d you name me Sue?
Now I have to kill you, Dad
Nah, I guess I won’t
December 5, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Hundred-year-old man
On the TV said, “Don’t blink”
But my eyes dried out
December 5, 2008 at 2:49 pm
He had a girl name
So he whipped his daddy’s ass
I’d just change my name
December 5, 2008 at 2:49 pm
When I say to you
“I want to check you for ticks”
That means “feel you up”
December 5, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Agh Chris beat me to it.
December 5, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Heh, heh, heh. Another speed-haiku triumph for the kid here.
December 5, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Whiskey for my men
Just hay for the horses, please
They’re drunk already
December 5, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Come on, bob that head!
What? I don’t mean it that way
Where are you going?
December 5, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Lonesome, On’ry, Mean
Who is that playin so loud?
Must be damn Shooter
December 5, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Mama’s he’s crazy
Now he’s in Texas a jail
What’s so wrong with me?
All my ex girlfriends
Still live in the Lonestar state
So I don’t go there
Mama named me Fancy
Said ‘to thine own self be true’
Before she sold me
December 5, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Chris N. is the country song haiku king. Hail, Chris N.
December 5, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Can’t. Stop. Laughing!
December 5, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Neko Case is crouching on the hood of a Mercury Cougar even though Mercury did offer a Cyclone model during the same time period (late 60′s to early 70′s)! Shame on you Neko for false advertising! (lol)
The Hank Williams article is very well done. Now if only Hunter S. Thompson had been a country music fan and made the same pilgrimage…
George Jones is truly the country heartbreak song king, although Hank Williams gives him a run for the money. I’m staying out of this haiku business.
Trailer, another fine job at PhotoCrap but I will beg Brody to refrain from sharing any of the “revised” song titles in advance here at The 9513 as it takes out the element of surprise. Its kind of like telling the punchline at the start of a joke.
December 5, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Baby likes to rock it
Like a boogie woogie train
with a big caboose
December 5, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Mama He’s Crazy
I guess you are crazy too
uh oh, so am I
December 5, 2008 at 5:22 pm
sometimes I feel like
a dog on a truck’s toolbox
But mostly I don’t
December 5, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I swear, James Bonamy get way too much press on this website…
December 5, 2008 at 5:26 pm
um…your cheating heart
just came by to tell on you
now it won’t shut up
December 5, 2008 at 5:29 pm
@Rick – I chose a few of my favorites as a teaser to give people an idea what they’d find. Not everyone who reads has been around as long as you and I figured a few examples might give newer visitors, who may not be aware of Photocrap, incentive to click through.
December 5, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Brody,
You are correct. Tonight is the RRB’s first ever trip to the Opry. They are super pumped for it, and even more excited that it’s at the Ryman instead of the commercialized new home. Talked to Randy today…they are beyond excited.
December 5, 2008 at 5:59 pm
http://www.kennychesneycantsing.com
December 5, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Gunpowder and lead?
Hey wait, that makes a bullet
Oh, crap! Watch out, Blake!
December 5, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Thanks for the link. I always appreciate the support, Brody.
December 6, 2008 at 9:52 am
I want you to stay
until this song is half through
now I wish you’d leave
December 6, 2008 at 11:00 am
Do not tell my heart
My achy and breaky heart
Or I will line dance
December 6, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Earl was an asshole
And so now that he is dead
Want to try the jam?
December 6, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Ol’ Red, man’s best friend
Where the hell did he run to?
Memo: get him fixed
December 9, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I am a pirate
Better as a memory
My homies agree