As I was driving to the Historical Novel Society
national conference in Denver over weekend (where I was invited to sign my new
book and speak), I tuned in to National Public Radio and heard a fascinating
interview with country music artist Dale Watson. It was such a terrific story that as soon as
I arrived at the conference I pulled into a parking space and wrote down all I
could remember about it – then realized that I probably could find a link to
the story and just share that with blog readers.
Here it is and I highly recommend it if you have the
time (it’s about 9 minutes). If nothing
more, especially listen to the part of the story about his song “Burden of the
Cross.” http://www.npr.org/2015/06/27/417535756/dale-watson-call-him-insane-but-dont-call-him-country
Watson
grew up in poverty outside of Pasadena, Texas, but found both an outlet and a
life in country music, which he says was engrained in him from a very young
age. He began writing his own songs at
age 12, made his first recording at age 14, and became an emancipated minor at
age 15. He’d go to school by day and
play Houston nightclubs and honky-tonks at night to support himself and his
brother.
A singer, guitarist, songwriter AND self-published
author who now makes his home in Austin, Texas, he is a champion of a new genre
of country/folk/rock music he calls Ameripolitan. “Ameripolitan
is original music with prominent roots influences,” Watson said. “I like staying close to the roots of my
influences.” Great advice for writers,
too.
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