Dec 062008
Songwriter Bill Dees, whom I have worked with on three records, co-producing (with roots rock pioneer/legend Lou Whitney) and playing, will be featured on the NPR show “All Things Considered” this afternoon.
If you miss the broadcast, audio for today’s show will be available at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET here.
I have been there, and am going back. Very cool. Thanks for the invite, heads up… et al. “So, you’re always saying ‘Mercy,’ Roy…” classic.
I forget how merciless the fates were with the our early entertainers.. seems every week some new tragedy. Could be a catholic case for Class Action against the Transportation Industry… no?
In a conversation between me and Dan Woods last Thursday night, Dan echoed his brotherly love for the old man, Dees. I was very happy to know this. Dan Woods said he and Bill Dees have known each other from before Bill’s days with Roy Orbison. “I talk to Bill like he was my brother,” confided Dan.
“Those songs [referring to those on your latest Dees album] were written when [Bill] was a teenager.. ” said Dan.
I met Dan and his trio “Stestson” at the Bryan TX Carriage Inn. I presented him with one of Pribek’s “Trouble ain’t Over” CD’s. That led to a story or two about Pribek and Dees… let me tell you some other time.
Dan and his two sturdy partners played anything anyone wanted to hear. Sometimes they wanted it twice. There was one Louis Jordan request, and Dan gave it his best shot on his mouth harps; he has a suitcase full of ‘em. They invited a little lady participation at the open mic… “You fellows know how to schmooooze” I told him later.
“We have been closing with this song since we started,” said Dan. EW Bridwell set his tenor on stun, strummed his Martin, as Reggie Jenkins pulled a low mellow one from his 2nd Bass, and sang “Happy Trails…” with Dan’s winsome harp making you look up into the dark starlit indigo; real good for all night wanderers.
Till we meet again, pd reminded to:“Get out; Get live.”