My Top 5 All Time Favorite Musicians are:

1. Willie Nelson
2. Johnny Cash
3. Robert Earl Keen
4. Jerry Jeff Walker
5. Lyle Lovett

I’ve always regretted not seeing Johnny Cash perform live, and I don’t want to have that same regret with my other favorite artists.

I’ve seen Willie Nelson and Robert Earl Keen several times each. I still haven’t seen Lyle Lovett. But last night, I finally got to see Austin and Texas legend Jerry Jeff Walker (also known as the “Gypsy Songman”) at the One World Theater here in Austin.

Jerry Jeff Walker (born as Ronald Clyde Crosby in 1942 in NY) has been living and playing in Austin since the 1970’s, where he’s been associated with the country-rock outlaw scene that included artists such as Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Waylon Jennings, and Townes Van Zandt.

I live about 3/4 mile from One World Theater.

Despite this, I had never seen Jerry Jeff before, nor had I ever been to any shows at the One World Theater.

It was well worth the wait — Jerry Jeff, despite being 65-years old, obviously still loves to play. And the very intimate setting of the One World Theater was a great venue. And Jerry Jeff had every body cheering and singing along.

I can’t remember the entire play list, but I do remember him playing:

• Mr. Bojangles
• Woman in Texas
• Up Against the Wall Redneck
• Trashy Women
• Sangria Wine
• Lovin Makes Livin Worthwhile
• L.A. Freeway
• I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight
• Don’t It make you wanna dance?

Jerry Jeff debuted a new song that he just wrote a few weeks ago. I can’t quite remember the name of it, but it was something about “that’s true love” — an earnest ballad about, well, the value of finding and recognizing true love. It was the kind of sincere look back at life time of experiences in love that can only come from a long, and well-lived life.

But, in true Jerry Jeff fashion — he followed up this sincere love song with a tribute to “Trashy Women”:

Yeah, an’ I like my women just a little on the trashy side,
When they wear their clothes too tight and their hair is dyed.
Too much lipstick an’ er too much rouge,
Gets me excited, leaves me feeling confused.
An’ I like my women just a little on the trashy side.

Shoulda seen the looks on the faces of my Dad and Mom,
When I showed up at the door with a date for the senior prom.
They said: “Well, pardon us son, she ain’t no kid.
“That’s a cocktail waitress in a Dolly Parton wig.
I said: “I know it dad, ain’t she cool, that’s the kind I dig.

The show was as much fun as I can remember having in a long time at a concert. I’m looking forward to his annual Birthday Bash (March 30 at Gruene Hall in Gruene, TX).

________

You’re probably already familiar with Jerry Jeff’s Mr. Bojangles (which has been covered by just about everybody, most notably Bob Dylan). Here’s a couple of my other favorites from Jerry Jeff:

• Pickup Truck Song

• Sangria Wine

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 | Trackback |