Saturday, July 19, 2025
The Nude Polka Kings - Wave Your Weiner Polka
Percy McCoy - Jeffrey Who?
Boxcar Bertha - No City Lights
Riding the rails was a good life for me, sure isn't for everyone. But I enjoyed the freedom, liked seeing a lot of this big beautiful country with my guitar over my shoulder. But it's a rough life. After about 30 years, my body is just too worn out to do it anymore. I worked enough to have some money in the bank, and worked enough to get Social Security and Medicare, so I'm better off than a lot of rail riders. Too many of them don't last, die from disease, accident or injury. I'm lucky to have made it this long. One of the things I miss the most is sleeping outside under the stars. I did that a lot, always picked my spot carefully, and when available I'd cut some thin pine branches to lay on the ground under my blankets. The scent of the pine combining with the fresh air, punctuated by all the sounds of night, made for the best sleeps I've ever had. Luckily, the apartment complex I live in has a very nice area, a mini forest that's almost as good as being out in the wild. I got permission from the landlord and told my neighbors about me sleeping outside in the mini forest sometimes. No doubt some of them think I'm not wrapped too tight, especially when I'm out there snoozing away on a cold night. But it helps me to stay grounded, literally, physically, and emotionally.
Her simple guitar accompaniment fits the gentle song, her tribute to sleeping under the stars.
Toothless Mabel - What Did Ya'll Expect?
Gummer Beaudine - Stankey Thang
As for Gummer Beaudine, she's been playing the song with her band at gigs, and she's found the audience loved it! Roared with laughter, always got a big hand afterwards. "This is my kind a song!", she said. "Cussin', nasty subject, my crowd gets into it!" So when she came to the studio to record it, we made sure to ask if Big Marv was good with her recording it. He said he was. Big Marv was out of town, and we couldn't get him on the phone, so we took her at her word and approved.
Big Marv got back into town the other day, and when he came to the office and found out she recorded it and it was released, he got madder than an old wet hen! We talked him down, told him the recording was doing all right, and he vowed to never give permission for a cover unless he's at the recording session! Gummer seems to be nonchalant about the whole thing, and is enjoying playing the song at the bars the band and her frequent.
Tugboat Jackson - What Do You Say, Bobby K.?
Friday, July 18, 2025
Buzzy Carlyle - Bring Yo Axe
The word is out, and Buzzy has many visitors. Some of his old blues cronies, some just fans, and some that want to learn how to play the blues. One of his favorite students is Leroy 'Hambone' Riley. He's already got a local reputation from playing in blues clubs, but he knows Buzzy's got some things to show him. Hambone told us this story about Buzzy as a teacher:
Now ol' Buzzy can be kind of cantankerous, 'specially if you go there to just pick his brains and steal his licks. I was waitin' in the hall outside his room when he tied into the guy ahead of me. Don't know what he done, but whatever it was pissed Buzzy off big time! Never heard so much cussin' in my life, and I been around some first class swearers! He done everything but bash the guy in the head with his guitar, and the guy threw the door open and 'bout knocked me down as he left.
Buzzy was still hot, and he told me "Get yo ass in here, boy!" Man, the way he said it just chilled me to the bone. He really wasn't hollerin', his voice was low like a foghorn and his eyes bugged out. I almost turned around and left, was half afraid to go in there. He waved his hand at me and said, "Ya hear me, goddammit! I said get yo ass in here! Ya being yo axe?" Thankfully I had my guitar with me still in its case. So I nodded, picked my guitar up and went it.
Soon as I got in and sat down, he calmed down. "Sorry 'bout pitchin' such a fit, son. Man before you only wanted me to play so he could steal some of my licks. Didn't even hear him play, just kicked him out!" He wheeled his wheelchair c;loser to me and shook my hand. "Now, boy, ply me somethin'. Don't try to impress me, don't be flashy, just be yourself. Gimme an idea what you got inside you."
So I played and sang a song I'd written. When I was done he just waved me to continue. I ended up playing for a solid hour, and afterwards he gave me his opinion, lucky for me most of it favorable!
Buzzy's told us about Hambone, and we're setting up an audition for him soon.
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