Drive-By Truckers - Decoration Day - 9/6/03

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Drive-By Truckers
Decoration Day
GA Theatre
Athens, GA
9-6-03.

[@TooManySheeple]

This band should be selling records by the milllions. They are more emotional, honest and real than almost any other band in rock or country/rock. Like Steve Earle these guys make music darker than death metal and more relevant and true to life than any of their contemporaries. I love this band, they are a talent that has not gotten nearly the attention they deserve

[@burningoldsage4012]

"these guys make music darker than death metal" Love that line. Strewth.

[@stevet6727]

Your post aged well, but your handle didn't.

[@FallNorth]

LOL :) Best part is ...I had a wilie once! Welll, you ...

[@brandtanderson930]

2024 checking back on this old raw loaded rock n roll 💪

[@larryc3860]

Uncle Tupelo, Bottle Rockets, Son Volt Wilco, Drive By Truckers....all true Americana bands that spawned so many great talents ( Farrar, Tweedy, Isbell )

[@ThZuao]

Fun fact: This music's actually based on a true story. About the Lawson-Hill feud in the 1980s. "But I know the caliber in daddy's chest" Deward Cecil "Dude" Lawson was shot dead by Holland Hill because of obscure reasons. It's said that the lawson weren't liked around town by the townfolk and lawmen because of the past of the Lawson Boys, Dude Lawson and two brothers. They did bad things before the song's narrator was born. "And I know what Holland Hill drives." Holland hill drove to the Lawson house with two sons in a green Plymouth sedan. "The state let him go, but I guess it was best" The Hills were trialed for the murder of Dude Lawson. Two eyewitness, including the narrator, James Calvin Lawson, where right beside Dude when he was shot, but were left unharmed. "'Cause nobody needs all us Lawson's alive." They admitted to the murder, but where found not guilty unanimously by the jury. Hence the verse before this. It's said Hill's said in his defence "He needed killin'". "My Daddy got shot right in front of his house" Back to the green plymouth: The Hills parked in front of Lawson's house, pulled shotguns and a rifle and shot Dude Lawson dead. Then drove away. What's more interesting is that Isbell's related to... the Hills. He then wrote this song from the perspective of Calvin Lawson. Truly a masterpiece: www.examiner.com/article/decoration-day-the-true-story-behind-jason-isbell-s-drive-by-truckers-song I wanted to share this because songs like theese are becoming rarer and rarer.

[@Mrx-ux4nu]

+Thauã Aguirre Jason Isbell is kin to the Hills

[@rhinocoach]

+Thauã Aguirre There is an acoustic show out there w/ Patterson Cooley and Jason where he explains that in a much condensed version. Thanks for the info. and in case you hadn't heard ... He calls his superb backing band the 400 Unit, after the psychiatric ward of a hospital near Muscle Shoals, the part of the state where he grew up. Apparently the hospital would bus patients downtown and let them out to wander and shop. Isbell joked that that is what he and his band looked liked when they would pull into a town in their tour buses

[@timobrien1030]

Thanks for the info. I've always wondered about that song, along with many of his others...Very interesting.

[@timobrien1030]

They were named after a psych ward at a mental hospital near where they grew up. They kept the REAL crazy ones in the 400 unit. When they walked off the tour bus, Jason said they looked like they belong in the 400 unit..... I swear to God and I'll say it right to your face.

[@tommyhaynes521]

I grew up in the south .. there were a lot of those spooky and fascinating stories around

[@mpr815]

Some of the best BDT songs are Isebell's. At the same time, alone and apart, as listeners, we get the best of both worlds!! Saw them both on there last pass thru MKE and..GOTDAMN they were good!

[@Putaspellonyou]

this band was at its best with shonna tucker and isbell in the lineup

[@matthewboylan8601]

Ima just say Birmingham, AL and Ben Coleman ☺️ easy top 5 artist/songwriting.. love y’all🤘☺️🤘

[@mikeoneil5770]

No doubt about it; I have COMPLETELY lost interest in them ever since Jason left..

[@gespachosoup]

I see how a drunk kid writes a song this good, I get it. He knew the story and put it to words. It should be that simple but in reality I have no clue what kind of expertise and wisdom and command of language it takes to write this song and the guitar parts at such a young age. It's like John Prine having Sam Stone and Hello in There in his early 20s. Once in a lifetime artist Jason is

[@alisue4426]

I remember.. about 9 years ago.. for probably 6 months straight I listened to this video every single day. Best version by far.

[@RipRomp]

Country churches had decoration days. Entire families showed up to churches/cemeteries where their kin folks were buried to "decorate" the graves (with flowers). Everybody brought food and it was like a big potluck. Nostalgic cause of all the family history that got brought up and meeting extended family members you didn't even know you had.

[@teenapittman4241]

!3 years later, thank you. Even tho I'm from MS'sippi, I didn't know what 'Decoration Day', was.

[@TessaCoker]

He was kinda cute with that mop of hair, even if he was out of it most of the time. I've been there, done that and applaud his sobriety as I value mine

[@caribou2636]

17 years ago these boys had what is probably the finest performance of one of the finest songs ive ever heard in my life.

[@mikewilliams7377]

Its decent, but let’s not get carried away

[@Dereise]

Love that song cause it's about my cousin, "Dude Lawson"! My dad and I sat down a few months ago and used up 2 90min. tapes just talking about the Lawson and Jones family from East Tennessee! Oh boy what stories there are!!!

[@jerrywinters6914]

I'm in East Tennessee, what area are they from?

[@nydoll]

2024 Still in love with Decoration Day.

[@Slapdash1]

I love the alliteration on the " till the last Lawson's last living day". Not only is it a great song, but it's also clever on the lingusitic side :)

[@TheJennyJams]

I was lucky enough to see Jason live 4 times last year and I will tell you that he has been killing this song live. Forgive me, but it is even better than when he did it with the DBT. He sings this with such emotion that he practically spits the words - especially the "brothers in east Tennessee.." part. I've got tickets to see him this Saturday on 5/9/15 in east Tennessee. Bring it on!!!

[@matan1336]

I'm honestly not a fan of the 400 unit versions because of how he Oversings on the title line. Just doesn't sound right to me, but I'm used to the plan 9, album, and this version. Still prefer this one for the double length slide solo. Fucking killer.

[@JapanAlex01]

Jason is a good artist, but DBT are one of the best bands in the world, let alone the US. The fact that so many people place Jason above them is flabergasting to me. The best songs he ever wrote were with DBT.

[@TheJennyJams]

@@JapanAlex01 I would never place him, or anyone else above the DBT. Let There Be Rock is one of the greatest rock anthems of all time. Southeastern is in my top 20 albums picks.

[@chrisslone3105]

He is much better solo

[@chrisslone3105]

@@JapanAlex01 he wrote the best songs they have lol

[@knicolegalan3963]

I actually had the pleasure of watching him preform this live at my uncle house.. Amazing! My family's name is Lawson an we played this after much uncle passed.. Thank you guys for your awesome performance

[@samueljuan3979]

And that's what a loaded Jason Isbell looked like.

[@JimMartel]

samueljuan looks like he's going through an awkward phase

[@adamh9059]

That’s what a green JI looked like. He looked thinner after a coke diet

[@davehoganmusic]

I'll take it anyday over what he's doin' now. I know he's alive and all...

[@chrisslone3105]

You can see how messed up he is but keeps it together for the most part. I love what he's doing now. @@davehoganmusic

[@nonadeplume1145]

​​@@davehoganmusicOMG! I'm going straight to hell for agreeing with that sentiment. I saw him live Friday night and I was like who is this?!? Next level John Mellencamp?? We were the last stop on his current (2023) tour. As we are ~50 miles from Mussel Shoals he started and ended his tour in Huntsville. I've been fortunate enough to watch DBT go from Adam's House Cat to what they became. FTR each and every one of the are on their own trip, so to speak, in this video. Their live shows use to always ended about like this. God knows I'm glad he's healthy, clean and happy but all I can say is perhaps it's time to become a full on rocker. He plays the hell out of the guitar.

[@SutpensHundred]

Definitely the best version of this song on youtube- right amount of drunk, right amount of anguish, right amount of self-loathing

[@badgerbob4600]

With Isbell, Mike Cooley, and Patterson Hood providing the three-guitar attack ala Lynyrd Skynyrd.

[@stevet6727]

First time I saw DBT was 2003 at last Bonnaroo that was actually a jamband/roots/Americana festival. I was hooked.

[@Footjones]

Jason = best American songwriter. Just one man's opinion...

[@austin1574]

I Love DBT and Isbell too but give James McMurtry a listen his dad is Larry McMurtry (wrote Lonesome Dove). Man he can tell a story in under 5 mins. Painting by numbers, Lights of Cheyenne, No More Buffalo, Rachel's Song, Choctaw Bingo, or Hurricane Party. you feel like you are on a bar stool next to hims and he's telling you a story. Just my opinion...

[@HowardShrier]

I admit Izbell's good but he's not Steve Earle yet, either in quality or quantity. From Guitartown to The Galway Girl, Earle has proved he can tell a story in under 3:00. And longer ones like Taneytown aren't too shabby either. Anyway, all great roots music is great in the end.

[@patrickmcglynn924]

Peter Kier very good not the best but love him..his songs are amazing

[@michaelwyatt2223]

Just had to put Townes Van Zandt in the mix too. The first song he ever wrote was "waiting around to die." This guy's storytelling is amazing but I don't think anyone can give TVZ a run for their money. His documentary is amazing and sad btw, if anyone hasn't seen it. Lots of interviews with famous song writers and musicians all talking about how amazing TVZ was.

[@Footjones]

@@michaelwyatt2223 I will definitely check out that documentary!

[@starshiplazyboy475]

I like chubby drunk Jason too. Happy he’s sober and healthy, but this stuff still holds up.

[@RipRomp]

Reminds me of going to decoration days in rural Alabama as a kid. Makes me nostalgic

[@Mcseeker86]

wow at that hair! love Jason though. Possibly the most talented songwriter in the business. Guys like him and Justin Townes Earle are saving American music nearly by themselves

[@patrickmcglynn924]

Mcseeker86 come on there are so many carrying this torch that i am grateful for...how about Gilliam Welch..how about Son Volt..how about Richmond Fontaine until they broke up late last year...James McMurtry...Chris Knight...so many others...i love love dbt...and i do like isbell too

[@chrissawyer4060]

Damn shame about Justin Townes Earle.

[@matan1336]

@@chrissawyer4060 RIP JT

[@luckin11]

flat out, one of the best bands to come out in the last decade...and one of the best live shows i've ever seen. finally, a band with passion for their music and heritage, and who doesn't take themselves too seriously. gonna go see 'em at The Fillmore in 3 weeks; can't freakin' wait! long live the DBTs.

[@alisue18]

man i could watch this video a dozen times everyday...I love this song..jason isbell is so amazing on the guitar and man can he sing and write...i would kill to see him in concert! LOVE IT!

[@HammerToneAmps]

Isbell wrote this song and is credited as the author on DBT albums. That's him singing. He left the Drive By Truckers in 2007.

[@igualteca77011]

this song caught my attention when i heard it on a tv show. i liked how slow and melodic it was. i didnt know who sung it but i am definetly happy i found out who the drive-by trucker band is...

[@Itsa6stringthang]

Powerful just powerful , pure raw soul dripping off of every note , from every word . I've been a fan for a long time and I don't think that will ever change .

[@alisue18]

seriously, I could watch this a dozen times a day every freaking day. SO PERFECT. this version is better than the recorded one. 2:08-2:11 is absolutely amazing. Jason is the shit. period.

[@coner64]

Actually it is the drive-by truckers, jason isbell wrote this song but it was released on decoration day a dbt album.

[@cmbadass]

Jamey Haws 4 years later, this comment looks different. I saw Jason Saturday play his current sold out show. He's finally getting his due.

[@reblliondog6088]

Yeap, True... Cooley too...

[@SSHitMan]

I have the poster for this show hanging on my wall. I wasn't at the show, I bought it at the merch table at a Chicago DBT show a little later, they didn't sell them all in Athens. I bought it because Sept. 6 is my birthday.

[@mspray]

Great for 2020 on Memorial Day.

[@mspray]

or 2023 :)

[@MrGrunge88]

@degree7 That's really a subjective question, but bands like the Truckers, Black Keys, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket have consistently released music that ranks with even best classic records. The only difference being that they are not nearly as high profile as the Stones were back in their day, and as a result, their songs are generally overlooked by the public at large.

[@timjessa1]

just bout the perfect song ever !! so much talent in one band .. guess thats why they cant stay together long ... friggin love that band ....

[@schrisdellopoulos9244]

This band is proof that great artists don't reach the levels of success that they did in the 50's, 60's, and 70s. The top of the charts in 1967 were full of The Beatles, Rolling stones, & Motown. Now it's Taylor Swift. At least in the 70s, bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd sold millions of albums and played stadiums. It also shows that those of us who are actually real music lovers will always find new bands that shine. American outlaw country, real country iow, should have this feeling that goes back to The Band. It's like a band of Civil War soldiers are sitting around a fire, filthy and beaten and one guy picks up a guitar and starts to sing. The rest join in and someone brings out a commandeered bottle of whiskey. Twenty years ago. Imagine that.

[@thehumanraise2715]

Seen them Utrecht Holland... Great Southern Gitar Rock, thnx for sharing yours

[@toterola451]

@Frysian1972, Decoration Day is another name for our holiday called Memorial Day. Memorial Day is a holiday to remember the survivors of the war dead. Sort of a complement to Veteran's Day (11th day/11th hour/11th month). Decoration Day in the Southern US is still celebrated as a day to decorate the graves of Confederate War dead. The significance of the song is, as I see it, the protagonist has been dragged into a feud between two families (his own, the Lawsons, and the Hills). My take on it.

[@beckett929]

by a huge margin the most underappreciated band on the planet...

[@a1m33frank]

My brothers favorite group. Rest In Peace Bubba!!!

[@opiateEP]

Happy Decoration day everybody 5/26/14

[@dankohollando9465]

One of the best southern rock tracks period.

[@MrEric951]

I knew that venue looked familiar. Good ole Athens Ga

[@smitty5006]

You know Cooley is a total badass when he doesn't need to put his Marlboro out to play haha

[@dankohollando7007]

Jason showed you back then how good he was jason and dbt what a force

[@metalassassin9537]

I wish Jason took the "free bird" route and have a extended solo at the end by 6 to seven minutes that would have been hot with three guitars locked in together🙂

[@jmcd913]

God bless the truckers. Southern music at its best. I'd kill to see Isbell with the truckers in my town.

[@jgodin312]

one of the best slide solos i've ever heard

[@sleepyheadhead]

this is as real as it gets

[@dewittguero]

Damn!! This a pretty deep song!! And they tear-it-down!! DANDY!!!

[@akadrummer74]

True emotion!!! True feeling!!! True heart!!! Love it!!

[@PhilFo22]

This is dope. Got always searching for new music. Can my brothers and sisters send me something worthwhile

[@krkincaid]

these guys are the REAL THING

[@swebbth]

Perhaps you missed the Stroker Ace's solo and Patterson with his awesome mustache....this is some vintage Truckers actions

[@robertmerryman5139]

Damn it this band was so great with Jason in it!!!

[@MultiMusicalheart]

damn they are freaking KILLER!

[@spyder130]

And his live versions are awesome--both the electric one he does with the 400 Unit and the acoustic version he does at solo shows, which feels almost like a completely different song.

[@shoot2merk]

Wicked wicked Song! Pure Talent!

[@BuddyMETAL1]

That dude playing the V is a BAD BOY.

[@chrissawyer4060]

Well yeah, that's Mike Cooley. The Stroker Ace.

[@jimbob12404yahoo]

His mom is Angelia Hill Barnett, as seen on CBS SUNDAY MORNING a few years back

[@SutpensHundred]

Hands down best version of this song.

[@joemikus4786]

The good old days. Many of nites many of shows they would pass around betwenst yes i said betwenst themselves a fifth of Jack at the beginning of the second set and finish it off on by the last song. I love bbt

[@joemikus4786]

I mean DBT.

[@trintdaddylandis]

this isn't the 400 unit bro... this is DBT.. Cooley is playing the flying v and Patterson Hood is the SG.

[@herbtarlick5847]

Cooley on the Flying V. There are some things more rock and roll but not many.

[@Pmutley]

every time i listening you guys a grab my guitar and jam with´em

[@spyder130]

It actually includes all dead loved ones. The people who continue to call it Decoration Day are the ones who still use it to honor everyone. And Decoration Day is generally observed on Sunday rather than Monday.

[@gypsy4460]

wicked good one / some one on Neil Young page ask me if I know this way back / now I do I so love this man / cover me up Omg

[@hokiejames]

great song- wow no shonna-- no beard on patterson--old school. I thought Jason and Shonna came in as a package deal..

[@matan1336]

Well Shonna stayed after Jason left

[@tommyhaynes521]

DBT is one of the few bands out there with something to say

[@anus9]

These folks are the best.

[@Accipiter22]

@dansquatch Correction: What makes you think the other sons were killed in that feud, because he mentions them being spread out in a bunch of different places

[@bobjones864]

He was still a little green here. He's become a much better live singer since this was filmed. And he certainly has a better haircut! This is still awesome though.

[@widespread27]

FUCK YEAH!!!!!! Gotta get to a show!!!

[@Accipiter22]

@dansquatch What part makes you think the other sons killed? I'm just curious, never heard that interpretation before.

[@RaquelReinke]

I'm amazed.

[@jdwoods2008]

@TheFrozenLads that was the whiskey talkin...

[@Brookewf]

jason isbell is amazing!!!

[@holdenplays5961]

Greatest KZbin of all time... Next to "Zip City Illustrated"

[@JamKai]

You might be right and I have heard plenty of good stuff from Jason solo but I just got back from seeing DBT in Austin. As Im sure you all know they are absolutely amazing live but I missed hearing Jason's songs with them. Maybe it will work for him in the long run but it's a shame for both sides I think.

[@garyhallford7422]

True story in many places...

[@tapetrides]

Great band....heartfelt music...nothin else to be said.

[@ranger235]

I'm kinda grossed out that I just found this band by googling the lyrics of a cool tune played in the background at the end of a "Criminal Minds" episode (yuh, I know). No matter tho - stunning lyrics and incredible slide.

[@benfarley1979]

Dewey Cox! Guitar Solo! @ 5:07 LOLOLOL ROCK ON (:

[@holdenplays5961]

Fat Isbell is the GOAT. Shout out to Earl!

[@crowezar]

@TheLalalal25 Care to provide more insight? I'm curious about this story also. Brilliant song.

[@bobjones864]

Yeah. He was a pudgy little thing when they first picked him up. Check on the photos on the inside cover of "Decoration Day." He's unrecognizable.

[@JamKai]

Who else thinks Jason cut off his nose to spite his face by leaving the Truckers? I love his music and with the Truckers he had it all!

[@texasplumr]

This is an 11 year old comment so you probably know by now that Jason didn't *leave* the Truckers, he was kicked out of the band. At the same time, he was kicked out of his house by his wife who was also the bass player. So, with no home and no band he calls Jimbo (who he hadn't even talked to in months) and asks if he can crash on his couch until he can find a place, Jimbo's response was: "Hell yes! What's mine is yours, brother". The months rolled along and they evidently had a great time but he one day remembered he didn't have a band and asked Jimbo if he'd play bass in his band and of course his was response was "Hell yes!" That was the beginning of The 400 Unit, although they weren't named that quite yet. So no, Jason didn't cut off his nose to spite his face. However, what they did for him by kicking him out was a very loud statement that they weren't going to stand by and watch him continue to kill himself. It's tough love and isn't easy to do. I'm a recovering drug addict and from my experience the absolute worse thing you can do for any addict is tolerate their behavior and think that you're somehow going to change them. It's much more likely that you'll bury them before that change you hoped would magically appear will ever happen. Amanda gets a ton of well deserved credit for helping Jason get sober and I give her all the props in the world myself. However, it's lost on most people the role that The Truckers had in that decision he eventually made to finally get sober. Had they not took a stand and said enough is enough, he might not have ever been able to see the destruction he was leaving in his wake as he continued on his path of self destruction. They took him from the top and body slammed him into the pits of despair. And that, right there, is where the magic happens. Amanda comes along again, at the right time this time, and asks him once again if he wants to go swimming. He said that he did and the rest is history. That swimming line just cracked me up when I heard him talk about meeting her the first time, years earlier when she played fiddle with Billy joe Shaver.

[@toponoto27]

Damn, I'm glad that Mike changed his coiffeur since then XD

[@oscarmike85]

They just aint the same without Isbell anymore

[@TacoOnTheToilet]

I hate it took me this long to discover DBT, better late than never I guess.

[@timjessa1]

the most talented american band in the last 20 yrs. just my opinion....

[@MrKevinwoods12]

Awesome!

[@driverain2]

thank god sombody saved southern pure rock in roll n blues...........

[@erranttraveller]

Really affecting.

[@mojo437]

Mike Cooley is amazing.

[@mojo437]

Mike Cooley is the Honey Badger of rock.

[@carriebell3797]

BWHAAAA Best quote ever!

[@magnuslauglo5356]

Damn, what a song.

[@shawndogg81]

DBT rocks. Doesn't that guitarist that gets down and rocks it remind you that dude on the movie 'accepted' the rocker guy with the gi bill. I cant be the only one who thought that

[@tanlim09]

Same here. I got to know this great song from Criminal Minds. :)

[@bigal5833]

Everybody in the band looks different now, but Cooley was still rocking the Cig lol