The story must be told of my connection with Mr. Jerry Jeff Walker.
About two weeks ago I learned that Jerry Jeff Walker was performing at the Minnesota Zoo however, I didn't have the date for the event.
I did a quick google of the event and found the date of the event as well as Mr. Walker's website link.
I've been a long time fan. Even though I was a mere whipper snapper when these recordings came out I'm still able to spin the vinyls with a few crackles on them. But then those crackles lend to the character of the recording.
After a quick browse through JJ's website I found some interesting connections with this man.
Of course we all know his famous "Mr. Bojangles" song. But I think Mr. Jimmy Ibbotson, explains it best.
Click the link below to view
I was totally enchanted when I came across his "Down in Belize". Jimmy Ibbotson performs as well in this video. Jerry Jeff Walker at the Zone Studio, Dripping Springs, Texas, August 2009.
I further thought....maybe I should try getting an interview since he will be in Minnesota. His website provided an email link as well as a phone number. I tried emailing but the link wouldn't work. So I gave a call but only got a voice mail. I left a message but I guess I got a little too long winded as I was cut off. I left a second message this time with my phone number. This was about a week or so before his arrival in Minnesota.
I couldn't stop thinking about what a great interview this might turn into with my connections, not only with the Mr. Bojangles song but my connections with Belize.
The day before Mr.Walker's gig at the Minnesota Zoo I called JJW's booking number and this time I got through. I spoke with a woman by the name of Stacy who did not get my message but did directed me to email Jennifer Evans, Executive Assistant to Susan & Jerry Jeff Walker with my request for an interview. Within an hour Ms Evans replied, "Hi Pat- JJ has a lot scheduled already in MN, as he is doing a quick "fly in/fly back out". I will try to get this message to him and see if there is anytime available. I so appreciate you thinking of him! (And that Ibby is a sweetie!)"
After Ms Evan's reply my first thought was well, it's out of my hands now. Either he'll grant me the interview or not. But wait, what did I really know about the Texas Troubadour? If I did get the interview I had better do some research and prepare myself in the event that I did get that opportunity. I remember back when interviewing John McEuen, I really didn't have that much time to prepare although, it always works out the way it should.
There is so much information on the web a person can and often does get lost. Wikipedia alone gave me a wealth of information like Jerry Jeff Walker born Ronald Clyde Crosby on March 16, 1942. He is most famous for his recording of Mr. Bojangles. His song has been recorded by many popular artists including Garth Brooks, Chet Atkins, Harry Belafonte, David Bromberg, The Byrds, JJ Cale, Jim Crose, Sammy Davis Jr., John Denver, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel, Don McLean, Harry Nilsson, Frank Sinatra, Cat Stevens, Jim Stafford, Dolly Parton and more.
Then I got into some of his recordings found on youtube.
This is his recording of Mr. Bojangles from an appearance on The Dinah Shores Show in 1978
But I think his funnest recording that I viewed is his recording with David Bromberg:
My evening was spent totally "getting lost" in the wealth of information there is on this talented and inspirational man.
The next day I received an email from Ms. Evans that explained that JJ was just too swamped to grant that interview but even though I didn't get the interview (this time) or see the show at the zoo (JJ posted this message on Facebook - Thanks, Minnesota, for coming out to the Zoo! In case you didn't catch all the band members' names, we've got this great group of guys: Billy Brad Fordham on bass, Steve Samuel on drums, and Chris Gage on guitar (and just about any other instrument we hand him).) it was fun viewing and reading about this legend!
This Labor Day Day was quietly spent gathering the pumpkins from my tiny pumpkin patch before the nasty pumpkin beetle got a hold of them.
Just one last little clip
You can always contact me at prose1959@yahoo.com until construction is completed on my website.
"Peace begins with a smile."
-Mother Teresa
