A friend of mine opened for hime a few times. DAC was chaos personified, according to him, and you didn't ven know who was going to show up from one minute to the next. It is no surprise that his music is the same.
Yeah, people can’t be too surprised from the get-go. He was always very unique and different from anyone else in the business. The sad thing about it is the lack of recognition he’ll receive by any of these country music institutions due to their biases. The man was a hell of an artist, and an insanely good songwriter. He has almost 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify (which, I know isn’t everything - but the industry loves their inflated numbers) and that is a large lead amount comparing to some of the artists that are currently in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Yes, but the same guy who wrote tender songs about his daughter became estranged from his children. This is not hard information to find, he was not Father of the Year. I also don't think his so-called "racist" music was actually racist, in the same way I don't think Blazing Saddles is racist, though it could never be made today. I think he was calling out racism, trolling, if you will, to show its absurdity. I could be wrong.
I appreciate the comment on this. You are absolutely right about the dynamic with his children -- I know a couple of them personally, and it's tragic. And as for his "underground" recordings, I truly believe that in the mix of genius and insanity that was inside of David Allan Coe's mind, that he was smart enough to know that the idea of racism in and of itself is ignorant. My hot take about most of the controversy is the same with just about any artist. They play characters. I think DAC was way more complex than anyone could really put their finger on.
I do find it interesting that Charlie is so huge in Texas and Texas is famous for sniffing bullshit, literally. In my honest opinion, in this day and age, any genre of any music is fully open for the taking. Say what you want. Country music has bastardized to the point that you can’t tell me what they are gonna consider country or not. Literally between Faron Young and Beyonce. They are trying to claim that is the SAME genre. It’s a free for all, as far as I’m concerned. You’ll appeal to who you appeal to.
I wish I could recall where, and it has probably been multiple places, but I recently heard/saw/read someone say "Rock 'n' Roll isn't dangerous anymore." I immediately grasped and gravitated to that sentiment, but I think it holds true across almost all genres of music these days, and truth be told, across almost all cultural genres - cinema has no soul, architecture is meh, interior design is all variations on eggshell grey and there are only three colors of cars.
I just found out DAC died yesterday when the funeral appeared on social media. I went straight to the x-rated albums. In my opinion those are his best work because it’s coming from someplace real vs the more over-polished mainstream stuff. The mask isn’t just for the legend, it’s a way to get past executives who despise authenticity. They want everything to fit in predictable categories where the messages can be controlled. Somehow Oliver Anthony broke through that system, and when they discovered he couldn’t be corrupted they buried him. That’s way more outlaw than prison time and a drug problem.
Why not? Look at the cats who made bank recording and releasing “gangsta rap” - some of those guys lived that life, or were discussing things they personally witnessed where they lived. Others were just showing up to cash in, hoping no one ever called them out. And still others were somewhere in between.
Back in the mid-70s, Willie Nelson opened a nightclub on Greenville Ave in Dallas. Opening night was David Allen Coe, and he was great onstage. Yes, he was offensive and shocked many of the girls in the audience, but he was a good performer and knew how to play the crowd. I enjoyed the show. He was a big deal in Texas, and my band always did his song " You Never Even Called Me By My Name."
The greatest country and western song of all time ….he looks like Merle Haggard and sounds a lot like David Allan Coe…also supports you thesis on some respect …someone on the outside covering who is on the inside …
Raised Okie in the Outlaw 70's, DAC was a jobsite / plant floor staple with Willie, Waylon and Merle. (saw Tanya Tucker as the opening Act for Waylon in Norman) 🕯️ Memory Eternal!
A friend of mine opened for hime a few times. DAC was chaos personified, according to him, and you didn't ven know who was going to show up from one minute to the next. It is no surprise that his music is the same.
Yeah, people can’t be too surprised from the get-go. He was always very unique and different from anyone else in the business. The sad thing about it is the lack of recognition he’ll receive by any of these country music institutions due to their biases. The man was a hell of an artist, and an insanely good songwriter. He has almost 2 million monthly listeners on Spotify (which, I know isn’t everything - but the industry loves their inflated numbers) and that is a large lead amount comparing to some of the artists that are currently in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Yes, but the same guy who wrote tender songs about his daughter became estranged from his children. This is not hard information to find, he was not Father of the Year. I also don't think his so-called "racist" music was actually racist, in the same way I don't think Blazing Saddles is racist, though it could never be made today. I think he was calling out racism, trolling, if you will, to show its absurdity. I could be wrong.
I appreciate the comment on this. You are absolutely right about the dynamic with his children -- I know a couple of them personally, and it's tragic. And as for his "underground" recordings, I truly believe that in the mix of genius and insanity that was inside of David Allan Coe's mind, that he was smart enough to know that the idea of racism in and of itself is ignorant. My hot take about most of the controversy is the same with just about any artist. They play characters. I think DAC was way more complex than anyone could really put their finger on.
Yeah it's like when people get all hot and bothered by Charlie Crockett not being "authentic." It's called a musical <act> for a reason.
I do find it interesting that Charlie is so huge in Texas and Texas is famous for sniffing bullshit, literally. In my honest opinion, in this day and age, any genre of any music is fully open for the taking. Say what you want. Country music has bastardized to the point that you can’t tell me what they are gonna consider country or not. Literally between Faron Young and Beyonce. They are trying to claim that is the SAME genre. It’s a free for all, as far as I’m concerned. You’ll appeal to who you appeal to.
I wish I could recall where, and it has probably been multiple places, but I recently heard/saw/read someone say "Rock 'n' Roll isn't dangerous anymore." I immediately grasped and gravitated to that sentiment, but I think it holds true across almost all genres of music these days, and truth be told, across almost all cultural genres - cinema has no soul, architecture is meh, interior design is all variations on eggshell grey and there are only three colors of cars.
I just found out DAC died yesterday when the funeral appeared on social media. I went straight to the x-rated albums. In my opinion those are his best work because it’s coming from someplace real vs the more over-polished mainstream stuff. The mask isn’t just for the legend, it’s a way to get past executives who despise authenticity. They want everything to fit in predictable categories where the messages can be controlled. Somehow Oliver Anthony broke through that system, and when they discovered he couldn’t be corrupted they buried him. That’s way more outlaw than prison time and a drug problem.
Why not? Look at the cats who made bank recording and releasing “gangsta rap” - some of those guys lived that life, or were discussing things they personally witnessed where they lived. Others were just showing up to cash in, hoping no one ever called them out. And still others were somewhere in between.
Back in the mid-70s, Willie Nelson opened a nightclub on Greenville Ave in Dallas. Opening night was David Allen Coe, and he was great onstage. Yes, he was offensive and shocked many of the girls in the audience, but he was a good performer and knew how to play the crowd. I enjoyed the show. He was a big deal in Texas, and my band always did his song " You Never Even Called Me By My Name."
good piece on a semi-obscure artist many - including me - identify with. Good, bad, and all.
Music is a big part of my life and my writing - here’s a couple of posts about Rhinestone Cowboys - thanks for checking it out
The greatest country and western song of all time ….he looks like Merle Haggard and sounds a lot like David Allan Coe…also supports you thesis on some respect …someone on the outside covering who is on the inside …
Raised Okie in the Outlaw 70's, DAC was a jobsite / plant floor staple with Willie, Waylon and Merle. (saw Tanya Tucker as the opening Act for Waylon in Norman) 🕯️ Memory Eternal!