Thanks For Giving A Damn: Recent Episodes
Otis Gibbs
Creative people sharing informal conversations, tall tales and vague recollections from backstage and beyond.
Otis shares stories and anecdotes about the songs and the making of his new album, Hoosier National. Here’s the link to the pre-sale! https://igg.me/at/OtisGibbs/x/17363880#/
David Grier shares his memories of Bill Monroe including a tour bus full of chickens, fist fights and a ton of great music.
Otis talks abut his dream of starting an Alt Country Retirement Community and returning home.
Jim Rooney talks about riding with John Prine through Paradise, Kentucky in a red 1949 Ford.
Otis talks about visiting the graves or William S. Burroughs, Bob Wills, Sam Kinisin, Gram Parsons, Mozart, Falco and more.
Jason talks about his old friend, Jack Emerson. Jack helped kickstart the careers of Jason and the Scorchers, the Georgia Satellites, John Hiatt, Webb Wilder, Sonny Landreth, Steve Forbert and many others.
The Time Jumpers’, Andy Reiss has played on thousands of sessions. On this episode, he shares the story of his first session in Nashville with the great, Slim Pickens.
David Grier is a 3 time IBMA Guitar Player Of The Year and he talks about how the great, Clarence White befriended him when he was a kid.
Kenny Vaughan talks about Denver in the 60’s and 70s and the iconic music venue, Ebbets Field.
Indianapolis Star journalist, Dave Lindquist talks about witnessing a tragic stage collapse at a Sugarland concert in Indianapolis.
Reggie Young talks about touring and recording with Johnny, Waylon, Willie and Kris: The Highwaymen.
Bill DeMain Is the co-author of Sgt. Pepper at 50. Bill shares some wonderful stories about the making of the most recognizable album artwork of all time.
Ray Wylie Hubbard talks about the time Ringo Starr played Snake Farm to Joe Walsh and the friendship that followed.
Dean Metcalf talks about the painting John Mellencamp gave to the Bob and Tom Show and the strange story surrounding it.
John Lomax tells the story of a Texas guitar legend who blew every opportunity and burned every bridge.
John Lomax II talks about how his father influenced Guy Clark, Lightnin Hopkins, Townes Van Zandt, Mance Lipscomp, and a lot of other young artists in Houston.
Reggie Young talks a bout playing guitar on Elvis Presley’s legendary recordings at American Sound Studios in Memphis. These sessions produced Suspicious Minds, In The Ghetto, Kentucky Rain and other all time Elvis classics.
Chris McKinney tells the story of how one guitar helped define the sound of The Beatles and Badfinger. Chris is the curator of the Jim Irsay Guitar Collection.
Larry Groce talks about the time the biggest band in the world came to Charleston, West Virginia to play Mountain Stage.
Ben Swanson is part owner of Secretly Group (Secretly Canadian/Jagjaguwar). Listen in as he shares stories about his friend, Jason Molina.
Ray Wylie Hubbard shares stories about whore dog gigs, unscrupulous promoters, Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Freddie King and a ton more.
Slaid Cleaves pays tribute to Don Walser, Fred Eaglesmith, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Gurf Morlix for taking the time to teach him a few lessons along the way.
Aaron Allan talks about being the first person to interview Johnny Cash while working as a disc jockey in San Antonio in the 1950s.
Mike Bub shares stories about Bill Monroe hanging and playing at Nashville’s Bluegrass Mecca, The Station Inn.
Kenny Vaughan shares stories about being around one of the all time great artists, Merle Haggard.
Legendary recording engineer, Lou Bradley talks about recording George Jones’ all time classic, He Stopped Loving Her Today.
Legendary engineer, Lou Bradley shares memories of recording Charlie Rich’s classic album, Behind Closed Doors. Lou shares stories about Charlie Rich, Billy Sherrill, Pig Robbins and everyone else involved in making this all time classic album.
Barry Mazor tells the story of Jimmie Rodgers’ final days, his heroic final recording session and his last train ride.
Barry Mazor is the author of Ralph Peer And The Making Of Popular Roots Music and he’s sharing stories about how Ralph Peer changed the music business.
Mike Bub shares a lot of great stories about playing gigs with The Father Of Bluegrass Music, Bill Monroe.
Elijah Wald talks about Bob Dylan’s infamous electrified performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival.
Joe Bussard’s collection of old 78s is believed to be the best in the world. Joe shares stories of how he found these records while going door to door in rural Appalachia in the1950s and beyond.
Otis talks about the events that lead to Woody Guthrie writing his iconic classic, This Land Is Your Land.
Bob Mehr, author of Trouble Boys: The True Story Of The Replacements, shares stories about The Replacements’ ill fated and sometimes disastrous gigs in Nashville.
Pete Finney talks about the wonderfully strange and disorganized time he spent playing pedal steel with the great Doug Sahm.
Pete Finney is the co-curator of the Dylan, Cash and The Nashville Cats exhibit at The Country Music Hall Of Fame and he shares a ton of great stories about Dylan’s friendship with Cash and how it changed how we… Continue Reading →
Otis talks about Billy Holiday’s version of Strange Fruit and the 1930 lynching in Marion, Indiana that inspired it.
Ken Sanders talks about his friendship with Edward Abbey and shares stories about Abbey’s friendship with Robert Crumb.
Duncan Phillips talks about his father, Utah Phillips and shares stories about the legendary folk singer, joining the Army, fighting in the Korean War, writing Rock Salt And Nails, Rosalie Sorrels, Dylan, Johnny Cash stories, Ammon Hennacy, riding trains, running… Continue Reading →
Jeremy Harmon of the Salt Lake Tribune talks about the life, death and legacy of iconic folk singer, Joe Hill.
Musicians, journalists and historians sharing memories, backstage stories and history lessons. There’s no music, just lighthearted storytelling. Subscribe on iTunes for new episodes as soon as they’re available. Listen via iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/thanks-for-giving-a-damn/id568743610
Gurf Morlix talks about Marty Robbins’ classic album, Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs.
Otis tells the personal, painful and hilarious story of when he and Amy left their home Indiana and moved to Nashville.
John Knowles shares stories about his friendship with Chet Atkins. John shares everything from recording techniques to personal stories about Chet’s interactions with Roger Miller, George Martin, Jerry Reed, Charlie Pride, Waylon Jennings, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Owen Bradley, Harlan… Continue Reading →
Paul Griffith tells the strange story about the time he spent playing drums for Hank Williams Jr.
We talk about the strange and wonderful day when Elvis Presley showed up unannounced at the White House with a pistol and demanded to see President Nixon.
Peter talks about Rodney Crowell’s Volkswagen, seeing Van Halen at the Whiskey in 1977, Tom Petty at the Whiskey, touring with the Ramones on the Rocket To Russia tour, Ramones stories, DIY touring before punk rock hit, Rodney Bingenheimer stories,… Continue Reading →
Peter talks about pro wrestling in Buffalo, meeting Townes Van Zandt, Gurf Morlix stories, Martin Scorsese stories, singing on the streets, watching Dave Van Ronk play in the snow, busking with Allen Ginsberg, Bob Kaufman stories, Lawrence Ferlinghetti stories, etc.
Ben Schafer talks about working for Allen Ginsberg, Ginsberg’s day to day life, seeing Jurassic Park with Gregory Corso, Ginsberg’s photography, fan mail, Richard Hell, Allen’s apartment and personal library, Bob Dylan, haters and stalkers, talking about Kerouac, publicizing the… Continue Reading →
Jerry talks about Jimmy Reed playing his uncle’s juke joint in Florida, seeing Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson at the Apollo Theater, playing private parties for the Kennedys, touring with Frank Zappa, touring with Liza Minnelli, Muddy Waters stories, meeting… Continue Reading →
Melanie Howard talks about Harlan living with Buck Owens, writing Tiger By The Tail, Pick Me Up On Your Way Down, hanging out at Tootsie’s with Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Roger Miller, Bobby Bare and Tom T. Hall, bowling with… Continue Reading →
Jim talks about the Blue People of Kentucky, Wrong-Eyed Jesus, David Byrne’s handshake, arcs of redemption, decorating a motor home with spanish moss, Pentecostal churches, making a film for the BBC, Harry Crews, David Johansen, The Handsome Family, Mike “The… Continue Reading →
Don talks about having Vince Gill as a wingman, meeting his wife at a baseball game, inventing the “songwriters in the round”, hearing his song on The Muppet Show, songwriting advice, writing On The Other Hand with Paul Overstreet, Randy… Continue Reading →
We talk about Blind Willie Johnson and music’s ability to live on and sometimes even transcend time and circumstances.
Ryan talks about ranching in New Mexico, bull riding, broken bones, Red Stegall, working in a wild west show in Paris, Willie Nelson stories, Poodie Locke stories, touring in an old truck, broke down near the Grand Canyon, horses, etc.
Jim shares a very strange story of music, mental illness, David Byrne, obsession, religion, record companies and redemption, etc.
Dale talks about Ray Price’s tour bus, opening acts, Jerry Lee Lewis stories, Palomino Club stories, playing in the house band at the Palomino, living in Gloria Swanson’s old apartment in Hollywood, Sunset Strip in the 80s, etc.
Dale talks about hanging with Earl Campbell at Gilley’s, honky tonk fights in Texas, Gilley’s stories, George Jones stories, smoking with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash stories, the first time he walked into the Continental Club, Chicken Shit Bingo, Ginny’s Little… Continue Reading →
Wabash Cannonball went from being a song sung by hobos in the late 1800s to selling 10,000,000 copies worldwide and is now a staple in the american songbook. Otis shares stories about the songs’ journey.
Jay McDowell is the Multimedia/Assistant Museum Exhibit Curator at the Musician’s Hall Of Fame And Museum and he’s sharing stories about Jimi Hendrix’s early days in Nashville. Stories about the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, meeting Billy Cox, moving… Continue Reading →
The man who wrote The Gambler, Forever And Ever, Amen and a ton of other great songs talks about coming to Nashville on a Greyhound bus with $80 and a guitar in hopes of making a go of it.
Webb talks about seeing The Faces live in 1971, Ian McLagan stories, seeing Mott The Hoople live in 1970, being broke down in Slidell, Louisiana, Jerry Lee Lewis stories, Ritchie Blackmore’s 200 watt Marshall, Nick Lowe stories, playing Farm Aid,… Continue Reading →
Otis talks about sleeping in haunted hotels, hoping to see a ghost, Ian Hunter tour stories, Joe Elliot, Martin Chambers, poker games, parlay cards and gentlemanly wagers, his first UK gig, opening for Guy Clark, the history of this show… Continue Reading →
Bill DeMain talks about Wings’ six week stay in Nashville in 1974, Buddy Killen stories, staying at “Junior’s Farm”, Curly Putnam stories, McCartney at The Grand Ole Opry, hanging with Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner backstage at the Opry, McCartney… Continue Reading →
Roger talks about Eastern Tennessee pro wrestling memories, the true madness of Knoxville, seeing Waylon Jennings with the Crickets, meeting Waylon at a party for Johnny Cash, how to get a good seat on a Greyhound, crashing at Johnny Cash’s… Continue Reading →
The Gourds and Shinyribs front man talks about being broke down in Arkansas, Scott Norwood’s missed kick, the greatness of Ted Hawkins, South Austin in the early 90s, opening day at Jovita’s, the South Austin Housing boom, the Hipster Gentrification… Continue Reading →
Kevin talks about hanging out with pro wrestlers in a Shreveport strip joint, biker bars, the Bristol Sessions, seeing Son House in Shreveport, inflicting himself on the audience, Austin Outhouse stories, Ray Wylie Hubbard stories, Jon Dee Graham stories, etc.
Jay McDowell is the Multimedia/Assistant Museum Exhibit Curator at the Musician’s Hall Of Fame And Museum and he’s sharing stories about Bob Dylan and the musicians who played on his Nashville sessions. He shares stories about Charlie McCoy, Hargus “Pig”… Continue Reading →
Mac talks about recording at Castle Studio in Nashville, breakfast with Merle Haggard, watching Joe Louis matches with Hank Garland, Grady Martin stories, Mississippi John Hurt stories, Johnny Cash opening for Mac on Cash’s first tour, recording a duet with… Continue Reading →
Mac talks about growing up during the Great Depression, meeting Flatt and Scruggs and joining the Foggy Mountain Boys, meeting Bill Monroe and joining his band, playing with Molly O’Day, Bill Monroe’s traveling baseball team, watching Hank Williams do five… Continue Reading →
Todd talks about meeting Skip Litz, stealing a Christmas tree from Kroger, getting arrested in Greencastle, Indiana, a rough encounter with Hunter S. Thompson, meeting Brian Henneman, Bottle Rockets stories, The Monsters Of Tube Socks Tour, his love of Dan… Continue Reading →
Chuck talks about meeting Buck Owens and Roy Clark, crazy Buck Owens stories, touring with George Jones, singing on stage with George Jones, George Jones stories, Johnny Cash train stories, touring with Loretta Lynn, singing on stage with Loretta Lynn,… Continue Reading →
This is a special episode where Otis tells stories and previews songs from his new album, Souvenirs Of A Misspent Youth.
John talks about the Blake Babies eating at Denny’s with Henry Rollins, listening to Rollin’s record collection, Firehose road stories, Mike Watt’s rules for how a band should conduct themselves, Mike Watt’s love of Madonna, Lemonheads road stories, Hole stories,… Continue Reading →
Scott talks about seeing Doc Watson at The Armadillo World Headquarters, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Leadbelly, Hasil Adkins stories, Hank 3 stories, obnoxious audience members, VAN-dalism, getting naked and singing gospel songs, surviving a head on collision with an 18 wheeler, gardening,… Continue Reading →
Cheetah talks about what it’s like to live with Johnny Thunders, John Belushi stories, hanging with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Ian Hunter stories, moving to Nashville, Plowboy Records, etc.
Cheetah talks about recording the Rocket From The Tombs tapes in a haunted rehearsal space, the night The Dead Boys met The Ramones, Stiv Bators mooning The Ramones, the first time he walked into CBGBs, The Dead Boys’ first CBGBs… Continue Reading →
Ian Craft of The Howlin’ Brothers talks about playing folk music in Ithaca, New York, moving to Nashville, playing on lower Broadway, road life, Brendan Benson stories, eating chicken with Warren Haynes, Sun Studio stories, playing The Ryman Auditorium, playing… Continue Reading →
W.S. talks about touring with Johnny Cash in a 1948 Cadillac, the difficulties of touring in the 1950s and 60s, playing Folsom Prison and San Quentin, the first time he heard Boy Named Sue, recording Ring Of Fire, Luther Perkins… Continue Reading →
W.S. talks about joining Carl Perkins’ band, Sun Studio stories, recording Blue Suede Shoes and Matchbox, being there for the Million Dollar Quartet session, Jack Clement stories, Jerry Lee Lewis stories, joining Johnny Cash’s band, Kris Kristofferson stories, Willie Nelson… Continue Reading →
Amy talks about an imperfect corporate gig on a riverboat, working at Sun Studios and giving tours to Questlove and Bill Murray, playing on Lower Broadway in Nashville in the 90s, playing Wanda Jackson in Walk The Line, auditioning for… Continue Reading →
John Lomax III talks about meeting Townes Van Zandt for the first time, becoming Townes’ manager, reading fan’s letters to Townes, filming Heartworn Highways, Uncle Seymour, Townes partying with Gram Parsons in Houston, Townes sitting in with The Allman Brothers,… Continue Reading →
John talks about his grandfather documenting cowboy songs in the late 1800s, Carl Sandburg, Studs Terkel, John Sr. and Alan Lomax recording Lead Belly in Angola Prison, discovering folk singers in churches and prisons, finding Muddy Waters at Stovall Plantation,… Continue Reading →
The Legendary Shack Shakers’ and Dirt Daubers’ frontman talks about growing up in Kentucky, witnessing an exorcism, the collective effervescence, Barn Dances And Jamborees Across Kentucky, hoop snakes and wampus cats, representing Paducah in a cultural exchange with Dublin, early… Continue Reading →
Chuck talks about visiting the Bigfoot Museum, Roswell, dropping acid and seeing a UFO, misbehaving in hotel rooms with Levon Helm, bumming smokes from Keith Richards, acquiring Dee Dee Ramone’s bass, playing with Don Helms, Hank Williams stories, Quonset Hut… Continue Reading →
Big Sandy talks about growing up in Orange County, Lowrider culture, seeing Ray Charles live, being inspired by James Intveld, seeing Jerry Lee Lewis at The Palomino Club, Palomino stories, meeting Porter Wagoner, playing the Grand Ole Opry, Sleepy LaBeef… Continue Reading →
Wayne talks about playing with Johnny Thunders, Johnny Thunders stories, dealing with addiction, working with GG Allin, GG Allin stories, the power of youth, getting busted, prison life, his prison band, Red Rodney, Billy Bragg stories, The Clash, Jail Guitar… Continue Reading →
Wayne talks about his red, white and blue Stratocaster, Iggy Pop Stories, Stooges stories, MC5 guitar amp preferences, the MC5 van, being harassed by Detroit police, the Bell Isle Love In Riot, playing the 1968 Democratic National Convention, 1960s stage… Continue Reading →
Sid talks about sneaking into bars in Louisville, shaking hands with Bill Monroe, discovering The Sex Pistols, driving across the country to L.A., Rodney Bingenheimer stories, Ireland’s love of Country Music, touring behind the Iron Curtain with Billy Bragg, writing… Continue Reading →
Hayes talks about playing basketball with Bruce Robison, losing teeth in a softball game, seeing the Rolling Stones in a 400 seat club, Mick Jagger throwing water on him, the greatness of Adam Carroll, singing “Paradise” with John Prine, the… Continue Reading →
Hayes talks about his sports prognostication skills, making sports bets with fans, Bob Schneider stories, behaving badly at The Saxon Pub, playing smaller venues, Todd Snider’s dog lamp, Todd Snider stories, false rumors of a Wyoming mental institution, being detained… Continue Reading →
John talks about his first Reds game, Joe Nuxhall’s day job, Oklahoma pride, Hardcore and DIY, dealing with anxiety and panic attacks, learning that Rachel Maddow is a fan, Lucero stories, Austin Lucas stories, Boys II Men, bad gig stories,… Continue Reading →
Jason And The Scorchers’ frontman talks about eating barbecue with Bob Dylan, touring with Dylan, Perry Baggs stories, being heckled by Survivor fans, playing Conan O’Brien’s show, touring on British trains, avoiding The Tube at all cost, the birth of… Continue Reading →
Jason And The Scorchers’ frontman talks about growing up on a hog farm in Illinois, castrating hogs, George “Scrap Iron” Gadaski, Jerry Lee Lewis’ hatred for The Crusher, moving to Nashville, Cantrell’s, Jack Emerson stories, the birth of Jason And… Continue Reading →
Mando talks about growing up in a military family, the Houston Astrodome, Dome Foam, Otis’ disdain for the Cubs, Hayes Carll stories, Robert Earl Keen stories, dipping Copenhagen, Kim Richey stories, Stoney LaRue stories, co-writing in Nashville, Black Sabbath’s new… Continue Reading →
Robbie talks about growing up in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, going to Bluegrass festivals as a kid, Bill Monroe vs Bobby Knight, Chicago’s Country music history, WLS National Barn Dance, Old Town School Of Folk Music, Nashville in the 1990’s,… Continue Reading →
Amy talks about growing up in Russellville, Indiana, being painfully shy as a kid, playing sports, her first concert, singing in bands in college, meeting Otis at a Bob Dylan concert, attending her first wrestling match, road stories, Colorado migraines,… Continue Reading →
Jon talks about growing up in near Harper Lee, Johnny Shines and Bear Bryant in rural Alabama, moving to Nashville, not quite meeting Albert Lee, Hank Williams stories, Jerry Reed stories, Harlan Howard’s house, hanging with Tom T. Hall, selling… Continue Reading →
Brian talks about making demos with Uncle Tupelo and how those demos lead to a record deal, how the Bottle Rockets were formed, signing a major label deal, meeting Eric Ambel, recording The Brooklyn Side, recording while drunk, being temporarily… Continue Reading →
Brian talks about seeing Sir Douglas Quintet with Jay Farrar and Mark Ortman, meeting Doug Sahm, Doug Sahm stories, the history of Coffee Creek, Uncle Tupelo’s final gig, Jeff Tweedy/Jay Farrar stories, Cheap Trick reaching out to The Bottle Rockets,… Continue Reading →
Jon talks about growing up in Wales, Joe Strummer working as a gravedigger in Newport, opening for The Clash in Leicester, Joe Strummer stories, The Mekons, the miners’ strike, Billy Bragg stories, his paintings, meeting Johnny Cash four times, Johnny… Continue Reading →
Ray Wylie Hubbard, Gretchen Peters, Jon Dee Graham, Kim Richey, Chuck Mead and Phil Kaufman share their favorite Christmas memories. Otis tells a few Christmas stories of his own and plays a recording he made ten years earlier of him… Continue Reading →
David talks about growing up in a musical family, Christian Thrash Metal, Damien Jurado stories, Vic Chesnutt stories, Will Johnson, Mark Eitzel, road stories, cooking meals in the van, getting hit by a drunk driver in Chicago, hitting a deer… Continue Reading →
Paul talks about growing up in Adelaide, Australia, Louis Armstrong, discovering The Stanley Brothers, trading cassettes and mix tapes, road stories, bad gigs, Kasey Chambers stories, Tim O’Brien, touring with Crowded House, Neil Finn stories, Steve Earle stories, his first… Continue Reading →
Joe talks about studying playwriting in college, his favorite teacher, Fugazi, succeeding on your own terms, moving to Chicago, Steve Earle stories, Rhett Miller, Josh Ritter stories, searching for grapefruit juice in Cleveland, bad gig stories, drinking whiskey with Hayes… Continue Reading →
David talks about Killer Kowalski’s claw hold, opening for Townes Van Zandt in 1973, his friendship with Townes, watching Guy Clark play pool, Guy Clark stories, forming The X-Rays, stepping in dog shit on stage, playing Austin City Limits, meeting… Continue Reading →
The Centro-matic frontman talks about growing up in a military town, playing in people’s living rooms, hitting a deer and totaling the van, David Bazan, Quiet Riot vs Peter Gabriel, Jason Molina Stories, Vic Chesnutt stories, Bridge School Benefit, having… Continue Reading →
Carol and Kym talk about Bluegrass in Australia, Vince Gill stories, Sam Bush stories, Rodney Crowell stories, Benny Hill, a lesson in Australian slang, playing an outdoor gig in a sand storm, Bob Dylan stories, Willie Nelson stories, living in… Continue Reading →
Amy talks about moving around at a young age, studying performing arts, The National Shakespeare Conservatory, actors vs musicians, early gigs, road stories, Judy Collins stories, Ian Hunter stories, moving to East Nashville, hosting weekly song swaps, etc.
Grant talks about meeting Billy Bragg, The Frank Chickens, Billy Bragg opening for the Smiths, early road stories with Billy, Weddings Parties Australia, “going nude” at a party with Billy Bragg, producing Mermaid Avenue, Wilco stories, tensions during the Mermaid… Continue Reading →
Grant talks about working with The Smiths, meeting The Smiths at their fifth gig, Johnny Marr stories, Morrissey stories, The Smiths breaking up in his studio, the London squat scene, Frestonia, working with Gong, touring with Here & Now, playing… Continue Reading →
Jason and the Scorchers’ guitarist talks about growing up on an Army base in Germany, his musical parents, seeing Merle Haggard as a kid, moving to Nashville in 1973, playing in his parent’s band, seeing The Ramones and The Police… Continue Reading →
Otis talks about playing a biker gang’s clubhouse in Illinois, growing up in Wanamaker, the art of avoiding time share meetings, meeting Ernie Ladd, being banned from local wrestling matches at a diesel garage, living on $300 a month, living… Continue Reading →
Delbert talks about being attacked by teenage girls in England, meeting the Beatles at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, John Lennon taking him to beatnik clubs in London, teaching John Lennon some harmonica licks, touring in a WW2 British ambulance,… Continue Reading →
Delbert talks about seeing Bob Wills in a Lubbock dance hall, Buddy Holly, his first guitar, winning a local talent show as a kid, opening for Jerry Lee Lewis in 1957 at the Dallas Sportatorium, seeing Gorgeous George wrestle, the… Continue Reading →
Austin talks about sword fighting trees, growing up in Southern Indiana, dealing with social anxiety, Lotus Dickey memories, Chuck Ragan stories, The Revival Tour, singing Get Up Kid songs with Frank Turner and Matt Pryor, Glossary stories, drinking all of… Continue Reading →
Peter talks about growing up in South Carolina and Northern Virginia, his love of baseball, his first visit to Nashville, getting a job at the Tennessean and relocating to East Nashville, Duane Jarvis stories , David Olney stories, Todd Snider… Continue Reading →
Tim talks about opening for Townes Van Zandt, growing up in Ohio and Japan, busking in Europe, hitchhiking through Ireland, rough gigs, fishing for salmon in Alaska, combat fishing, getting arrested in Lexington, Jay bennett stories, moving from Joshua Tree… Continue Reading →
Tim O’Brien talks about meeting Doc Watson, Jimmy Martin stories, Ralph Stanley, old school bandleader rules, playing in multiple bands on the same festival, meeting Darrell Scott and becoming friends and collaborators, hanging out in John Prine’s man cave, working… Continue Reading →
Tim talks about meeting Bill Monroe and Kenny Baker, growing up in Wheeling, West Virginia, seeing Merle Haggard play fiddle, singing with his sister, attending a Beatles concert in Pittsburgh in 1965, moving to Colorado, 1970’s Colorado music scene, the… Continue Reading →
Thomm talks about growing up in a village in the Black Forest of Germany, being inspired to start playing guitar after seeing Bobby Bare on TV, hanging out on a Canadian military base in Germany, playing with an Elvis impersonator,… Continue Reading →
Ramsay talks about buying a church van, being mistaken for jewel thieves in Oklahoma, growing up in Virginia, sitting on Mississippi John Hurt’s knee as a child, living in Chicago, his acting career, appearing on Matlock, living in Venice Beach,… Continue Reading →
Rod talks about growing up in Maine, his childhood garage band with Slaid Cleaves, moving to Colorado, learning about songwriting with Steven Allen Davis, moving to Nashville, Guido’s Pizza, Nashville’s songwriting community in the 1990s, hanging at Jack’s Guitar Bar,… Continue Reading →
Darden talks about touring with Emmylou Harris and Stevie Nicks, tells a great Tammy Wynette story, growing up in Brenham, Texas, teaching creativity in schools, songwriting with soldiers, appearing on the Tonight Show, becoming Artist In Residence at Oklahoma State… Continue Reading →
Tim talks about growing up near Terre Haute, Indiana, playing in barns, Bloomington, Indiana in the 1970’s, joining the Gizmos, befriending Dow Jones And The Industrials, opening for the Ramones, relocating to New York in 1980, working on Wall Street,… Continue Reading →
Matthew talks about meeting beautiful women in Ohio gas stations, getting shaken down by cops on tour, growing up in Chester, Pennsylvania, moving to Nashville, the need to become a hunter/gatherer while on tour, the greatness of Lucinda Williams, convincing… Continue Reading →
Cory talks about growing up in Mississippi, Graceland Too, the Style Station outside of Waco, working at record stores, Lucero stories, Elvis’ karate dojo, Andy Kaufman and Memphis Wrestling, bartending at the Peabody Hotel, a great Prince story, his breakdancing… Continue Reading →
The writer of Wild Thing talks about Chet Atkins wanting to hear his songs, writing Wild Thing, 1650 and the Brill Building, Carol King stories, meeting Jimi Hendrix, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, becoming a professional gambler and getting banned from… Continue Reading →
Todd talks about tripping on mushrooms and ecstasy, Chris Robinson’s drug of choice, his new book, recording with the Turbo Fruits, joining a band called The Hard Working Americans, sending mix tapes to Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jerry Jeff Walker stories,… Continue Reading →
Tommy talks about the Beatles torturing women with death rays, growing up in rural Kentucky, getting beat up in school, listening to 8-track tapes while riding in an AMC Gremlin, hanging out at record stores, The White Squirrel Capitol Of… Continue Reading →
Dustin talks about growing up in an creative family, starting a neighborhood band as a child with Carry Ann Hearts, Cory Younts and Justin Townes Earle, working at the Bluebird Cafe, seeing John Prine at the baseball game, the day… Continue Reading →
The Bloodshot Records co-owner talks about seeing the Dead Kennedys play Jim Jones’ church, converting an abandoned firehouse into a rehearsal space, the birth of Bloodshot, Jon Langford stories, Ryan Adams stories, musicians without health insurance, being invited to the… Continue Reading →
Billy talks about visiting a creation museum in Kentucky, American truck stops, Baconalia, maple bacon milkshakes, the Cern Abyss Giant, the Long Man Of Wilmington, making his own pop charts as a kid, his friendship with Ian McLagan, seeing the… Continue Reading →
Billy Bragg talks about having the chance to meet Bob Dylan and watching football instead, hanging with Chrissie Hynde, the genius of Jay Bennett, Wilco meeting Cheap Trick, the Basement Tapes, Mermaid Avenue, Otis’ first taste of Marmite, fulfilling Abbie… Continue Reading →
The Foo Fighters guitarist talks about seeing Kiss without their makeup as a kid, playing his high school talent show, working at Fat Wreck Chords, auditioning for the Foo Fighters, eating curry with Brian May, playing with Kris Kristofferson, backing… Continue Reading →
Susan talks about sitting on Johnny Cash’s knee, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, singing a duet with Dean Martin, shoplifting with Marcia Brady, hanging with Charles Nelson Reilly and Michael Landon, doing milk commercials, Carl Reiner and Hair, life… Continue Reading →
Gurf talks about borrowing blues records from a 12 year old Peter Case, Bobo Brazil, Larry McMurty’s bookstore, staying in a haunted hotel with Sam Baker, working with Lucinda Williams, his cabin in the Canadian wilderness, prison chain gang records… Continue Reading →
The Dixie Chicks and Court Yard Hounds co-founder talks about Ryan Adams’ collection of vintage pinball machines, backstage wrestling matches and kick wars, visiting the White House, Bill Clinton’s frog bong, playing Bluegrass festivals as a kid, meeting Loretta Lynn,… Continue Reading →
Mojo talks about Haystacks Calhoun, Foghorn Leghorn figurines, being too high to watch pro wrestling, the secret wisdom of Jim Dickinson, Memphis, touring with The Pogues, Jello Biafra and art school chord changes, jumping on stage with Bruce Springsteen, meeting… Continue Reading →
Lydia talks about broken tire chains on Wolf Creek Pass, being stranded at Denver airport, aerophobia, smuggling bacon paste, Sweden’s amazing gas station food, mooning the hometown crowd, van life, White Galloway cattle, teenage punk rock gigs, broke down in… Continue Reading →
Kevin talks about fuel tank roulette, a stolen Chevy Suburban, Clarence Gatemouth Brown’s love of buttermilk, attending the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, playing with Bo Ramsey, old school bandleaders, East Nashville in 1995, Keith Richards recording one of his songs, his… Continue Reading →
John talks about seeing the Zero Boys as a kid, opening an all ages venue, joining The Lemonheads, Evan Dando stealing a bull’s head, Blake Babies, becoming an entertainment attorney, representing Bon Iver, Alabama Shakes, The Civil Wars, artists being… Continue Reading →
Marshall talks about growing up in Detroit, seeing MC5 and Jimi Hendrix at Cobo Hall, joining Bealemania, hanging with Keith Richards, drinking ginger beer with Rick Danko, Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble, acting in La Bamba and Peggy Sue Got Married,… Continue Reading →
Dan talks about rock cruises, Ian McLagan, Steve Marriott’s 1957 Fender Esquire, Swiss border nightmares, blue lightning, Goody’s Headache Powder, when Alison Prestwood met Carol Kaye, the 435th best guitar player in Nashville, etc.
The Bottle Rockets’ singer talks about his first guitar, meeting Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar as kids, Chicken Truck, being an Uncle Tupelo roadie, recording A.M., the first time Wilco heard Trace, the Coug, touring with John Fogerty, disaster gig… Continue Reading →
Adam talks about touring with Robert Earle Keen, cedar choppers and hilljacks, electronic cigarettes, goosing, growing up in Tyler Texas, his grandpa playing with Gene Krupa, John Prine, etc.
Motown’s head engineer talks about Marvin Gaye and recording “What’s Going On,” Stevie Wonder’s unrivaled work ethic, Benny Benjamin, James Jamerson, a very young Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, David Ruffin, the wisdom of Berry Gordy, working on Martin Luther King’s… Continue Reading →
The Truth And Salvage Company singer tells us about playing Harry Dean Stanton’s 85th birthday party, fishing in Levon Helm’s lake, getting cussed at by Garth Hudson, Hotel Cafe history, meeting Otis for the first time, Rodney Dangerfield, Ron Jeremy’s… Continue Reading →
Sam chats about UK roundabouts, growing up on a ranch in Itasca, Texas, Lightnin’ Hopkins, the day Willie Nelson drove through town, Bob Harris, his first European tour, overcoming stage fright, surviving a terrorist bombing in Peru, etc.
Jimmy tells us about Roller Derby, seeing Johnny Cash play live in the 1960s, Woody Guthrie Fest, Red Dirt Music, Oklahoma music history, Townes Van Zandt, Blaze Foley, Music Road Records, etc.
Richard tells us about growing marijuana in Switzerland, fishing the Rhine, living with Rodney Crowell, Townes Van Zandt’s funeral, filming Heartworn Highways, Guy Clark, David Allan Coe, Blaze Foley, etc.
Slaid talks about being a human guinea pig in pharmaceutical studies, old Dodge vans, driving ice cream trucks, busking in Ireland, the Pavarotti of the Plains, Wimberly, Texas, etc.
Hayes talks about bingo parlors, crayon autographs, competing in drag shows, Croatian handball, Wrecks Bell, lion tamers, writing with Guy Clark, etc.
Mary talks about resisting technology, industry pitfalls, Chet Atkins quotes, Boy George recording her song, folk rehab, Hobo Kings, Norwegian prison gigs, etc.
Chuck talks about guitar shaped swimming pools, his first baseball game, meeting Tom Waits in a Kansas grocery, seeing Naked Lunch with William S. Burroughs and David Cronenberg, early East Nashville, vintage scooters etc.
Ian talks about sneaking into Graceland to meet Elvis, seeing Buddy Holly live, refusing to meet Jerry Lee Lewis, getting arrested in Indianapolis, swimming with Mick Ronson, seeing Pelé make two banana kicks etc.
Kim chats with Otis about tap dancing for Todd Snider, Swiss cowboy gigs, rehabbing raptors and convicts, vinyl records etc.
Jon Dee chats with Otis about scar parties, attending cock fights and Lucha Libre in Mexico, opening for The Clash etc.
Phil chats with Otis about producing Charles Manson’s album, working for Frank Zappa, escaping from a Swedish prison, etc.
The legendary road manager chats with Otis about working for The Rolling Stones and goes into detail about stealing and burning the body of Gram Parsons.
Gretchen chats with Otis about Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday, growing up in New York and Boulder, seeing the Grateful Dead as a kid, moving to Nashville, Chinook winds etc.
Ray Wylie Hubbard chats with Otis about hanging out with pro wrestling royalty in the 1970’s, seeing Lightnin’ Hopkins, vintage guitars, circus graveyards, etc.