When I think of country music, I think of bright lights at a flashy Nashville show and equally dazzling western suites. While the great country artists of old like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash were all known to don expertly tailored and sparkling suits, one suit comes to mind when I think of the evolution of Country Music and its transformation to mainstream rock and roll. Gram Parsons’ notorious Nudie Suit was more than just a suit. It was a visual representation of Parsons’ attitude towards country and his work leading country music towards mainstream rock and roll.
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The Nudie Suit, designed by Hollywood celebrity tailor Nudie Cohn, made its debut on the cover Parson’s and the Flying Burrito Brothers 1969 album “The Gilded Palace of Sin.” The suit was a nod to old country routes through the cross featured on the back but also turned a cheek against old country values through the embellishments of marijuana leaves and opioid inspired poppy flowers throughout the outfit. The suit was hand stitched by Cohn himself as his head embroiderer, Rose Clements, refused to sew naked women and drugs.

​As if foreshadowed by the infamous suit, Parsons experienced hardship throughout his professional career. Frequently battling his addiction to drugs and alcohol Parsons succumbed to his vices in 1973. Passing in Joshua Tree, California, Parsons overdosed following in the footsteps of both of his addict parents.

It’s no secret that country music has the power to move a soul. It’s about hardship and heartache and it speaks to the hearts of millions worldwide. This cowboy is definitely one of the many that have been impacted by the truth and sorrows found in country music. Today I’m going to share with you the country music artists that inspire me to share my own stories.

​Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers: Hot Burrito # 1

​I once had the pleasure of seeing Gram Parson’s nudie suit on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The suit itself was such an amazing thing to see. Not only was it dazzling with all the glitz and glam of Nashville, but it also showed as a symbol of the progression of country music as the music drifted towards the pull of rock and roll. Parsons is often thought of as the founder of the country-rock genre and inspires me regularly to push the envelope and create my own music.

Hank Williams: I Can’t Help It (Featuring Anita Carter)

​Anyone who loves country loves Hank Williams. Considered to be one of the country music genre’s most significant artists, Hank Williams continues to inspire me to stick to my roots and pay homage to the true country music sound. When I think of Hank Williams I think of his iconic suits and hats and how he sang about complex emotions while living in simpler times. Sometimes life can be hard, but listening to a good ol’ fashioned country song can make it better.

Hank Williams, Jr.: A Country Boy Can Survive

​On the topic of Hank Williams, let’s talk about Hank Williams, Jr. Son of the legendry Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr. has secured his own footing in country music history. His blend of southern rock, blues, and country is set apart from his father’s upbeat tempos but still holds true to the ideals of the country sound. 

Ernest Tubb: Drivin’ Nails in my Coffin

​Ernest Tubb, the Texas Troubadour, is a country music legend. A Texas native, Tubb made it big in Nashville and is known for his hits like Walking the Floor Over You, Waltz Across Texas, and Thanks a Lot. Tubb was a long time star at the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1965. His honkey tonk music makes me think of simpler times and it’s a style of music I want to bring back. 

YouTube holds a countless number of hours of strange and interesting video content. This week I dug deep and found five particularly weird instruments on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.

The Wintergatan Marble Machine

The Wintergaratan Marble machine is a hand-cranked music box that holds 2,000 steel marbles. The marbles are circulated throughout the machine, activating a variety of instruments such as a vibraphone, bass, kick drum, and cymbals to create music. The machine was built by Swedish musician Martin Molin. The project took 16 hours to build and is currently on display at the Spielklook Museum in Utrecht.

Although the Harpeiji is likened to a piano, it looks completely different. This flat board, stringed instrument was created in 2007 by Tim Meeks of Marcodi Musical Products. Its introduction was an effort to join the sounds and techniques of the guitar, bass guitar, and piano together.
The Hurdy Gurdy (Medieval Wheel Instrument)

While this instrument is certainly not new, it is certainly an interesting looking piece. This piece has enjoyed a long history in European countries, the instrument was introduced to mainstream music with the release of Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donovan in 1968.

The simple fact that this is a theremin is an oddity in itself, but for some reason, a certain David Cranmer decided that a badger would make an excellent choice to hold a theremin. When asked why he responded “The badger just seemed to be a nice progression from what had gone before.

The simple fact that this is a theremin is an oddity in itself, but for some reason, a certain David Cranmer decided that a badger would make an excellent choice to hold a theremin. When asked why he responded “The badger just seemed to be a nice progression from what had gone before.

As a musician I am more than just the songs I put out. I am a lifetime collection of thoughts and experiences that occasionally reflects in the rhythm and lyrics of my music. Today I’m going to share some of my history and inspiration so you can see the man behind the music.

I’ve been singing for a long time. It all started when I was doing demo recordings off of a Windows 95. Glamorous, I know, but we all start from somewhere, right? I even remember 4-track cassette tapes. It’s been a while! I’ve been playing the guitar for longer than I’ve been singing, but I wasn’t always consistent with it until a few years ago. I also play the flute, bass guitar, upright, banjo, some lap steel, and mandolin. Some instruments are more aspirational like harmonica and piano, but I try. If I had to pick a favorite though I’d go with the banjo since it improved my guitar playing the most.

I always knew that I waned to be a professional musician, but I’ve come to realize that I had the right dream with the wrong genre. I used to play a lot of rock type music.  I made a professional demo and even released an album through Amazon music, but I never felt settled in rock or indie stuff.

Country music on the other hand, it just got me. Country has a longing for home and hardship, and some drinking and heartache. It’s a story I can tell. I started to realize this back in 2013 when I got an upright bass. Then I got a mandolin, and then a banjo, and I was pretty much hooked after that. I learned to play some blue-grassy gypsy jazz type stuff and later came to start jamming with a fiddler and a lap steel player.

Years later, in 2017, my calling was clear. The dark stuff I was writing before just wasn’t me. So I started a 3 piece country western band, Trainchaser. The project was short lived, but was it fun! My drummer left for Nashville, but I still had my dreams. Between shifts I’d sit in the car and practice guitar, write songs, and work on my repertoire. I’d do with a smile on my face every time because I knew I was getting closer to living my dream.

But now I’ve done enough dreaming and I’m ready to start living. I’ve had some setbacks this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but I’m still ready to go.

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Stay country folks!