Excellent job, Michael, at sheeding some light on this most enigmatic figure. As you may know homt=eTOWNESFest will take place Friday and Saturday in Fort Worth, organized by Bruce Payne. I will talk about TVZ and sing, or attempt to sing, several songs while also showing photos from my collection and passing out copies of the Introduction to Townes' songbook, published in 1977 by my brother Joseph. Also, be great to note I took the photo of Townes with Lightning. That's Fran VZ behind Townes, friend Darrell Harris, Julia Taylor "+I"Body") Lomax (John Nova's mom), my dad and mom and Lightning and Antoinette, his wife. There is another shot, also in our backyard and these are the only two known photos of Townes with Lightning. Check out the skies today and watch for a banner wishing TVZ a Happy 80th. I will close my FW show by singing "Heavenly Houseboat Blues" and I hope TVZ is building one or is saying "those deep and holy seas" now! And UNCUt magazine in England will have a major feature on Townes in their April issue. YBest, John
Really, really enjoyed this article and frankly anything you share about TVZ, Guy, Earle, and company. TVZ and Guy Clark share the podium with Hank and Willie at the top of the pantheon of iconic songsmiths of the Twentieth Century.
I'm embarrassed by having thought I knew a lot about TVZ before reading this article.
I heard him in person only once, at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC. I got there early to grab a good table and was witness to Doug Sahm's arrival and heard him approach Mort Cooperman, the owner of the Lone Star to ask, "Is Townes here? Has he started any fights yet?" I don't think Mort found the question comforting.
Excellent job, Michael, at sheeding some light on this most enigmatic figure. As you may know homt=eTOWNESFest will take place Friday and Saturday in Fort Worth, organized by Bruce Payne. I will talk about TVZ and sing, or attempt to sing, several songs while also showing photos from my collection and passing out copies of the Introduction to Townes' songbook, published in 1977 by my brother Joseph. Also, be great to note I took the photo of Townes with Lightning. That's Fran VZ behind Townes, friend Darrell Harris, Julia Taylor "+I"Body") Lomax (John Nova's mom), my dad and mom and Lightning and Antoinette, his wife. There is another shot, also in our backyard and these are the only two known photos of Townes with Lightning. Check out the skies today and watch for a banner wishing TVZ a Happy 80th. I will close my FW show by singing "Heavenly Houseboat Blues" and I hope TVZ is building one or is saying "those deep and holy seas" now! And UNCUt magazine in England will have a major feature on Townes in their April issue. YBest, John
…oh to be a fly on the wall…
This is a great read, and a reminder that I need to get a copy of this book. Thanks for sharing.
Really, really enjoyed this article and frankly anything you share about TVZ, Guy, Earle, and company. TVZ and Guy Clark share the podium with Hank and Willie at the top of the pantheon of iconic songsmiths of the Twentieth Century.
Beautiful.
I'm embarrassed by having thought I knew a lot about TVZ before reading this article.
I heard him in person only once, at the Lone Star Cafe in NYC. I got there early to grab a good table and was witness to Doug Sahm's arrival and heard him approach Mort Cooperman, the owner of the Lone Star to ask, "Is Townes here? Has he started any fights yet?" I don't think Mort found the question comforting.