8 Ball Corner Pocket! Introduction

Friends,

Spring has sprung. 

So let’s have ourselves a little fun…

It was Reba McEntire who introduced me to Ronnie Dunn. She thought our mutual love of rodeo and good music, and low tolerance for bull shit would give us plenty to talk about. As usual, Reba was right.

After several years of friendship, and hundreds of text messages and emails, my friend Ronnie suggested that I start some sort of newsletter. I figure, what the heck? Let’s give it a go and see what shakes loose. 

You will learn more about me in good time. To paraphrase the great Yoda, it matters not. What does matter is that through a well-traveled life, and tendency to be an observer and good listener (occasional trouble maker), I have collected a lot of good stories from some of America’s truly great singers and cowboy characters. I do have a real Ph.D., but my heart and passion have always been music, rodeos, good stories and fine times. I am looking forward to sharing some of them with you, and I hope many of you will feel like sharing some of yours with me. 

So for now, let’s just ease into this thing and see where the ride takes us. 

Now I don’t know about any of you, but I get tired of the same old routine. 

Spring always seems like a good time to try something new. 

Something about the new life budding all around, the sense of renewal, and all of that energy just seems to be crackling in the air. It’s almost contagious. So let’s see what kind of trouble we can get into here.

And away we go…

For Love of “Country” – Have any of you ever had BBQ’d goat? We’ll come back to that… 

Reading about the passing of fellow Texan Johnny Rodriguez at the end of last week hit me pretty hard. Johnny Rodriguez represents more than a footnote in country music history. Whether you are a fan of his or never knew anything about him, if you are a music lover, he is worthy of your attention. He came loaded not just with incredible singing ability... Rodriguez had backstory as juicy, compelling and intriguing as any of the bluesmen and honkytonk singers of old. Here's just a few highlights of his honkytonk hero resume that I heard him talk about in interviews he gave over the years: 1) Discovered singing in jail by a Texas Ranger; 2) Was in jail for stealing and cooking a goat for a BBQ! It is the same stollen goat and he is the same “Rodriguez” mentioned by David Allan Coe in “Longhaired Redneck”; 3) Encouraged along by singer/songwriter legends Tom T. Hall and Bobby Bare; 4) Slept under bar room pool tables and in his car until he broke big; 5) Was given his first professional music wardrobe by none other than George Jones; 6)Became the first Mexican American country star; 7) Was once married to one of Willie Nelson's daughters; 8) Shot and killed an acquaintance (charged with murder but acquitted). See what I mean? But now let’s get down to the significance of his MUSIC.

I never knew the man, but the news of his death genuinely hit me as hard as the loss of any loved one. His music was regularly played around the house when I was growing up. I loved it from the very first note. His voice was rich, unique, and a genuine gift to the annals of honkytonk sounds.  Along with craftsmen and stylists like Gene Watson, Gary Stewart, Merle Haggard and Mel Street, Johnny Rodriguez represented a vital and vibrant era in country music. His music was made for jukebox play and barrooms. Those songs and sounds are truer than true grit. Trust me. If you are looking for something a little different… especially just good breakup and heartbreak songs, look no further than “You Always Come Back to Hurting Me.” It comes at you with unforgettable lines like “I’m Never Really Sorry When You Leave.” Truly, this is one of my favorite country music lines ever delivered.  I have been saying this to anyone who would listen for years. He never got the credit he deserved as a singer and artist. 

Feeling down? Got the Blues? – Take two Johnny Rodriguez songs and call me in the morning. Doctor's orders. I recommend starting off with “Riding My Thumb to Mexico” and “Down on the Rio Grande.” Then maybe graduate to “Just Get Up and Close the Door,” or “Pass Me By If You’re Only Passing Through.” You can’t go wrong. 

Do any of you have some good Johnny Rodriguez stories or memories to share? We would love to hear them. And seriously, have any of you ever tried BBQ’d goat? I have always been a little curious about that one.                       

Until next time, I leave you with this Hot Tip - Leave things just a little better than you found them. If you make a mess in this world, clean it up yourself! No one else wants to. Do this, aim for the golden rule, and sooner or later we'll all be sweeping up rainbows.

8 Ball Corner Pocket!

Join us next week for more…

8 Ball Corner Pocket!               

                 With Dr. Rodeo