We live up near Ft Worth, so 10 years ago, we didn't know who Charlie Crockett or James Hand were. We got to see Charlie in 2017, and he said at that show he wanted to bring his idol up to Dallas next time. Charlie brought James in spring 2018 & they both played a magical show at the Kessler. I see about 100 bands a year, but we still talk about that show.
Thanks for this. My daddy was a real country music fan. Johnny, Hank, Jim Reeves, all the classic guys (although he hated George Jones, which I never understood). I saw James for the first time not too long after he died, and we talked after the show. I told him how I wish my daddy was there to see him. He replied, "He is." It was only a few minutes that we had together, but I've rarely met anyone so openly human.
While Waco isn't mentioned in the same sentence as Austin, or even Lubbock, when it comes to musical acts, there are a few who've come out of the town now known for Chip and Joanna. Obviously Pat Green comes to mind, and Willie Nelson played at the old Melody Ranch A LOT when he was on the way up. Now we can add James Hand. His story sounds like the Jamey Johnson song, "High Cost of Living." I don't know why we are so attracted to self-destructive people, but we are. RIP, James.
I decided to rephrase my praise. I loved this one even more than the others. Finished it and went straight to Spotify to fall in love with The Truth Will Set You Free.
Thanks for understanding James Hand's demons yet letting his brilliance shine thru. I'm notoriously known as his childhood/teenage sweetheart that broke his heart "the first time" but we remained friends for life. He always told me we were "where it all began" added to "If I wanted a friend I'd buy a dog." Friends & fans~ visit slimhandmusic.org & see his legacy. The opening photo is breathtaking.
I was James’ photographer, friend, and road manager from about 2004-2015. I took the photo on most of his albums. I travelled with him all over Central Texas and made a trip with him to England and France. We also went to several music festivals in New England. He was a huge draw everywhere we went and we always had to do an encore. We were both farm boys, the same age and I was in Dallas and in the audience in 1970 when he won the Texas FFA band competition. I even remember the song he sang. “ Cajun Baby.” A Hank Jr. song. We had a great time thru the years and I have thousands of pictures to prove it. He told me once that I was the best manager he ever had. His other managers tried to order him around and would get mad when he would not follow their advice. I just let him be himself, didn’t try to micro manage him and I was his cheerleader at shows. He was loyal to me as a friend and he loved his fans. I miss him every day. HE WAS THE “ REAL DEAL.”
We live up near Ft Worth, so 10 years ago, we didn't know who Charlie Crockett or James Hand were. We got to see Charlie in 2017, and he said at that show he wanted to bring his idol up to Dallas next time. Charlie brought James in spring 2018 & they both played a magical show at the Kessler. I see about 100 bands a year, but we still talk about that show.
Thanks for this. My daddy was a real country music fan. Johnny, Hank, Jim Reeves, all the classic guys (although he hated George Jones, which I never understood). I saw James for the first time not too long after he died, and we talked after the show. I told him how I wish my daddy was there to see him. He replied, "He is." It was only a few minutes that we had together, but I've rarely met anyone so openly human.
What a story and so well written. A man so talented and in so much pain and no one had the recipe to save him from himself. Thanks Michael...
Thank you for another bit of music history I did not know about. 💙📚🎶
We were so fortunate to have James Hand and Band play at Opal Divine’s Penn Field a few times. He always delivered!
had the pleasure of seeing James Hand way back in the day a real country artist one that deserved respect
Wonderful words about a wonderful MAN
While Waco isn't mentioned in the same sentence as Austin, or even Lubbock, when it comes to musical acts, there are a few who've come out of the town now known for Chip and Joanna. Obviously Pat Green comes to mind, and Willie Nelson played at the old Melody Ranch A LOT when he was on the way up. Now we can add James Hand. His story sounds like the Jamey Johnson song, "High Cost of Living." I don't know why we are so attracted to self-destructive people, but we are. RIP, James.
Great account if someone totally unknown to me. Did he not have any descendants?
I wonder what became of the school teacher with whom he found great comfort and a bond?
I decided to rephrase my praise. I loved this one even more than the others. Finished it and went straight to Spotify to fall in love with The Truth Will Set You Free.
Thanks for understanding James Hand's demons yet letting his brilliance shine thru. I'm notoriously known as his childhood/teenage sweetheart that broke his heart "the first time" but we remained friends for life. He always told me we were "where it all began" added to "If I wanted a friend I'd buy a dog." Friends & fans~ visit slimhandmusic.org & see his legacy. The opening photo is breathtaking.
I was James’ photographer, friend, and road manager from about 2004-2015. I took the photo on most of his albums. I travelled with him all over Central Texas and made a trip with him to England and France. We also went to several music festivals in New England. He was a huge draw everywhere we went and we always had to do an encore. We were both farm boys, the same age and I was in Dallas and in the audience in 1970 when he won the Texas FFA band competition. I even remember the song he sang. “ Cajun Baby.” A Hank Jr. song. We had a great time thru the years and I have thousands of pictures to prove it. He told me once that I was the best manager he ever had. His other managers tried to order him around and would get mad when he would not follow their advice. I just let him be himself, didn’t try to micro manage him and I was his cheerleader at shows. He was loyal to me as a friend and he loved his fans. I miss him every day. HE WAS THE “ REAL DEAL.”
Rick Henson