As a kid I knew him because of a song I didn’t even know existed. That may sound weird but here’s the song that I didn’t know existed. See if you can recognize the tune. Click the spoiler to see where I know the tune from : Here’s where I actually know the tune from, and if you’re an 80’s tv fan, you may, too : Spoiler For some reason, I still remember the lyrics to this song. Lol.
Heard it on the radio this morning, fittingly as I was driving around the ranch. Got to see him in numerous dancehalls: Luckenbach, Lajitas, Gruene, Albert, Bankersmith, Broken Spoke, Blanco's. Always a happy dude. He totally epitomized the phrase "I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could." One of the best afternoons of my life was randomly drinking a several few longneck Lonestars under an oak tree in Luckenbach, while he picked and sang and messed around with his harmonica. He was just totally down to earth, like you were sitting around with your buddies. Dude had stories, and thankfully he put a bunch down, and most to music. This one hurts me a bit. "Just living my life easy come, easy go."
https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/viva-terlingua-jerry-jeff-walker-outlaw-country-772406/ "Little Bird" is probably my favorite song of his
What a blow. I've been a fan since the 1960's. I saw him play at Sand Mountain, which was on Richmond in Montrose. Sand Mountain was an early place for folk music in Houston. A big old house were you sipped coffee while people like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Jerry Jeff played and often stayed upstairs. One night in 1967, probably the best night I had there, I was at a table with a girl I was dating, watching Jerry Jeff do a set. He said he had a new song, talked about it a little bit, and then played Mr Bojangles. We were entranced. It had to be right after he wrote it and while he was staying there. It was just before he left Houston to help put together Circus Maximus in the Village. He was wearing a black beret and telling stories between songs, of course. This is a really bad year. It just got worse. Spoiler I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you In worn out shoes Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants The old soft shoe He jumped so high He jumped so high Then he'd lightly touched down Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Dance I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was Down and out He looked to me to be the eyes of age As he spoke right out He talked of life He talked of life He lightly slapped his leg instead He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick Across the cell He grabbed his pants for a better stance He jumped so high He clicked his heels He let go a laugh He let go a laugh Shook back his clothes all around Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Dance We danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs Throughout the south We spoke in tears of fifteen years How his dog and him They travelled about His dog up and died He up and died After twenty years he still grieves They said I dance now at every chance and honky tonks For drinks and tips But most the time I spend behind these county bars Cause I drinks a bit He shook his head and as he shook his head I heard someone ask please Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Dance Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles Mr Bojangles
I don't know about him. Ive heard his name. Didn't know Mr. Bojangles was his. That song is obviously about a black man right? Ken Burns's country music documentary focuses pn how a lot of early country musicians were influenced by real life Bojangles types
I don’t think I know of a more beautiful song than mr. bojangles, I cry every time I hear it, Rest In Peace mr.walker.
Took out my LP of Viva Terlingua and played it one last time in memory of Jerry Jeff. Saw him perform back in the 80's at the Amardillo World Headquarters.
RIP to a Texas legend. Don't care that he wasn't born here...his music was part of the "growing up Texan" experience. Glad I got to see him in Gruene around 20 years ago...just wish I had laid off the booze a bit more and remembered it more clearly. So many good tunes...Mr. Bojangles, LA Freeway, Pissin' in the Wind, Gettin' By, Desperados Waiting for the Train, Sangria Wine...
Don't make it the last time. I still have my dad's Terlingua double album along with others from others, and that's something I'll never let go.