Jerry Jeff Walker Discusses Writing Mr. Bojangles & More with Bruce Robison on The Next Waltz

The Next Waltz: Episode One features Jerry Jeff Walker discussing everything from internal rhymes and songwriting to settling down in Texas with Bruce Robison. Though Robison calls himself “a fanboy,” his ability to engage artists on a peer-to-peer level allows him to draw out stories in a way most journalists can’t. As with Jerry Seinfeld’s web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, there’s a feel of just-hanging-out camaraderie. But Robison’s curiosity and quest for deeper insights produces some extraordinary moments
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[@davidmadewell7849]

Jerry Jeff lived a life fighting himself, yet he was a brilliant Human being. My thoughts and prayers are with Susan.

[@eduardodelagarza4787]

Met him in August of 1974 with my friend Norman Marshall at luckenbach, I was 13 and loved the music, born in Texas but had just moved back from Los Angeles California, rip brother

[@aggiekelton]

Bruce, for the love of everything lovely, you should really-no, absolutely, release the entire Jerry Jeff session for all to share.

[@billschrank472]

I was introduced to JJW,s music back in college in 1975 by my roommate. At the time everybody was into Kansas,Allman Brothers,and Marshal Tucker. JJW,s music has stood the test of time and to me he his as relevant an artist as anyone.

[@davidbumpus8574]

May you be at peace Jerry Jeff Walker, you are missed. Sympathies & condolences to his family & friends. Thank you for all you gave us. Travel well, see you down the road.

[@dangibson906]

He gave us a Classic that will live forever ... Thank you JJW

[@patrickpaisley9492]

RIP Jerry Jeff...Susan Django we love and praying for y'all!!!

[@henryv711]

Amen to that...

[@kentcarter835]

So long Jerry. It was great having you here.

[@susandaniel8075]

Rest in Peace Jerry Jeff Walker. Hearing you play and sing in Austin was always a treat.

[@markmindel8922]

Great song, Jerry Jeff! Rest In Peace. You can dance with Mr. Bojangles

[@MangoHombre]

Rest in peace, Jerry. You are missed but not forgotten.

[@mikewoodson6930]

Great man that contributed more than most know. Ask Jimmy Buffett, you will probably get a lot of sincere praise for JJW. BRAVO SIR!

[@jimmysimms2399]

Mr Bojangles deeply touches me every time I hear it sung with feeling. It's a wonderful song that I absolutely love.

[@RonnieMinh]

Genius, 0ure genius. Thank you Jerry for all the great music.

[@crazyheart1976]

RIP our friend....we all still grieve.

[@Gary-xg9px]

I bet Jerry Jeff walker is up there entertaining the Angel's with his wonderful songs. GOD bless that man.

[@clorinda_travels4447]

Rest in Peace sir...this song performed by the late Mr. Sammy Davis Jr was very dear to me as a child.

[@johntkach1667]

I love going back to this first iteration of TNW. It never fails to get me to my tear level. If we can do a tribute to Willie why not to our beloved Jerry Jeff! C'mon Bruce!

[@sherranstrong7596]

This is the music that got us by! Jerry Jeff has that "fatherly" voice telling us about drinking. How they used to write story songs we all had lived on one time or another, is why we listened, why we bought music and why we miss them when they are gone. It's never about the label, their long careers, or times we have seen them. It's about the stories and music they gave us to get through life. Hopefully The Next Waltz will renew that era we all loved. As Willie said, "We ain't dead yet."

[@jckrwlnd]

JJW's performances were magical. What a friendly and humble man that kept it real and was a true showman. Sorely and sadly missed ❤

[@JimAlexanderJr]

Beautiful. Thank you for pulling JJW's journey through to this stage of his life. Nice work.

[@jeffbranchick1516]

An immeasurably gifted talent. He went out and lived the life and told us all about in stories of songwriting genius. One of a kind for certain. RIP Jerry Jeff

[@donszabo7558]

Thanks Jerry Jeff, always a fan.

[@trevorclausen2994]

The greatest song ever composed by the greatest musician ever. I tip my hat to ya.😎 i can see them now,on the sidewalk,hes a singing,as mr bill bojangles lightly touches down.and everyone in heaven is singin the chorus.R:I:P

[@jackiejackforever]

Amin!

[@barbarawalter558]

One of my very favorite songs. Finally just learned the birth and creator of Bojangles. Such a visual song.

[@jackiejackforever]

hi Barbara, Welcome to the wonderful world of Jerry Jeff Walker and his great Music.

[@jamesparker437]

Hey Barbara. Weren't you mentioned in the Tom T. Hall song, Homecoming?

[@execatty]

Pretty much one of everybody's faves.. Definition of epic

[@normanacree1635]

You feel like you are in that cell with them.

[@bluegreyfogg]

The same! ❤️

[@richardlawton1023]

Thanks....that song means so much to me. I first heard it at the Black Pearl bar in Newport RI during the folk festival I think ,96 or 70. Still makes me cry

[@joehogan5075]

All I can say is, "Wonderful, just so wonderful ".

[@ericsimpson1176]

Thanks for all the great songs

[@Gary-xg9px]

This was a great video of one of my cowboy singing heroes. Hard to beat Jerry Jeff. Great song writer and singer.

[@JeudeLyne]

this is true....I know....for when I was young ..... my mama and daddy would play his songs,,,,,

[@alanmurr6562]

Now this is what I was looking for orignally when I googled Mr Jangles. n fac I remember now the dj saying jerry jeff walker Bojangles. He is an expert about him far more then anyone else.

[@bryannelson2954]

these interviews are amazing. Thanks Bruce!

[@jeffroderick5783]

Just Complete Beautiful KIDZ

[@tonycarey9731]

What a fabulous video. Many thanks for loading it. Regards The Glastonbury Ferryman

[@NoCoverCharge]

i think that is about the best song he ever wrote

[@jdustan]

Thanks Jerry J.

[@jeffroderick5783]

Love This JJ

[@josephkelley8641]

the Manning Family via Eli tweeted their own collective sadness over Mr. Walker's passing.

[@eduardodelagarza4787]

I miss this man, Luckenbach, 1974,Semper Fi and Erin go Braugh

[@josephkelley8641]

Regardless of Genre or Medium? -ANY writer can benefit from this. "The Power Of The Descending Line..." (at the opening) Great interview @ The Next Waltz, thanks dude.

[@josephkelley8641]

Jeff, re: "Power of Descending Lines?" Then goes into "Internal dialogue" - once he got past both? He had a hit.

[@josephkelley8641]

Correction: "Internal Rhymes."

[@huh2495]

Hank Williams pain songs,Jerry Jeffs train songs...

[@philipmoscatello3034]

And blue eyes cryin in the rain

[@huh2495]

@@philipmoscatello3034 rip JJW

[@allenscott7048]

Jerry Jeff, thank you

[@missbeatricehaven8204]

“Who in the hell wants to hear about a drunk and a dead dog “? Apparently everyone. LOL

[@durantsrant4496]

Apparently

[@shawnlewis1918]

R.I.P. to a Texas Legend....

[@normanacree1635]

I write some poetry and rewrite lyrics to tunes. The ones I consider noteworthy are the ones based on personal experiences. This song goes along with that idea.

[@oldunk5984]

What a great entertainer!!

[@nolajazz504]

This is awesome!

[@avisswope6495]

CONDOLENCES TO SUSAN WALKER JEFFS WIFE & FAMILY

[@mrdrysdale64]

Loved it!

[@Folkie44]

I ❤️ it! "Before you know it you're in some kind of fix." Righto! Went see JJW at the Salem Oregon National Guard Armory'-'78 or '79. Interestingly, John Prine opened for him. Next day, paper said he was busted for DUI on I-5. Maybe not the first or last. One helluva concert, though!

[@stanfordsamuels9210]

Classic!!!!

[@pspillow]

RIP Songman.🙏🏻✝️

[@robertcudlipp3426]

This is really no different from Jerry Jeff doing the many covers, he readily acknowledges, of his late friend Guy Clark. Would L A Freeway have received the widespread audience it did were it not for the great version that JJW did? I think not...then he openly at the Guy Clark 70th Birthday Concert said he recorded many of Clark's great songs. Both legends.

[@kevingee4294]

That old time feeling..is another

[@edhannon5800]

Jerry Jeff = Contrary to Ordinary

[@josephkelley8641]

@ 1:56 Jeff explains why we can never listen to the experts, the music executives in Jerry's case. "Who the Hell would want a song like this?!" they asked Jeff.

[@nancychace8619]

Joseph Kelly The music exec's have gotten a lot more wrong than just Jerry Jeff. His story was a symptom of a much greater ill.

[@MusicDementia]

Derekec. I agree. Dirt band is a very good version. But yes, they did take credit for it. I just watched a live video where the singer said "this song is one of ours."

[@tonycarey9731]

Don't worry, those who really know their stuff know they didn't write it. I learned the version recorded by John Turner and Ian Hunt of Hunt and Turner 'fame'. They were session musicians who produced one album back in the early 70s. I still perform it as often as my ageing voice and fingers will allow. Have a GREAT life.

[@MrPhilfridge]

I bet that was Jeff Hanna , that man has a over inflated view of his importance, every interview I've ever read with that cat he bigs himself up . Not a personality trait I find endearing.

[@koreyelsesser4350]

NGDB always gave credit to Walker for Mr Bojangles

[@holdenjenn1349]

RIP

[@huwwilliams1328]

Can anyone poit me to the vid they are making at the end of this?

[@m444ss]

"apparently everyone"

[@redmaxy]

Can anyone please name the song he starts at 3:35? Thank you.

[@bradg2069]

It's called: California Song. It's on the It's about time album.

[@Rocky0021]

@@bradg2069 would you happen to know the song around the 46 second mark I've been a JJW fan some time but somehow that one slipped by me. Thank you!

[@bradg2069]

@@Rocky0021 it's "Song for the Life" an Alan Jackson cover. But honestly, JJW does it better.

[@tristanbooker7915]

@@bradg2069 Rodney Crowell cover*

[@JOHNLUNNSMILES]

The Writing Process eh ? (Y) :)

[@cainfire6226]

life , moves in 6/8 time.

[@jpdavis6042]

I found it odd that the great Sammy Davis Jr did not mention Jerry Jeff Walker on the various Bojangles KZbin vids I have viewed. Does anyone know if they personally communicated?

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

JP Davis Jerry Jeff walker did the best version of this song

[@agnus4696]

JP Davis the real bojangles were black guys back in early 1900s or before then who knows they would dance on steet corners collect money I'm sure that's where Bill bo bangles got his tittle from

[@MrPhilfridge]

Yes he told him it sucks ! Well thats what i'd have said if I was Jerry Jeff !

[@normandorough4359]

1975 ran into jjw....by way of lps..

[@MusicDementia]

Is this who wrote this song? Why does nitty gritty dirt band take credit. I don't like it. Give credit to the song writer. Jerry Jeff.

[@derekec]

Dan Dunning Unless I’m missing something, they never took credit for the song. They certainly had the most commercial airplay and so for most, that’s THE version. But this is one of those songs that is just good as well as it’s author, and have their deserved huge following. Very much like Kristofferson, Dylan, John Denver, John Hartford, Jimmy Webb..all guys who’ve had their songs made hugely famous by others but do it just as well but differently and raw.. Bojangles is just a treasure ain’t it.

[@Stevie.C]

theirs is the version that everyone knows so yes they take the airplay credit.

[@JoshMorningstar]

Steven Christal it's called "cutting someone else's song." It happens all the time and has for as long as music has been around. Just because they recorded the song doesn't mean they take credit for the song. I guarantee Jerry Jeff receives the royalties from the song. Janis Joplin didnt write "Me & Bobby McGee" but hers is the best known version-doesn't mean she took credit for the song.

[@JoshMorningstar]

Steven Christal btw, "airplay credit" is something you just made up. I've been in the music business 20 years and have never once heard that term.

[@clintwhatley7981]

Dan Dunning. He gets paid every time ......dumbass.

[@John-zq3xl]

not to take anyting away from JJW and can't always believe what someone reads and hears but I read online that a transient wrote the song JJW met and the transient disappeared and JJW recorded it, the source was from someone that knew someone who worked closely on the recording with JJW, believe what you may just saying I read it on the web...may not be true

[@wenesdae]

the saddest song ever !!!

[@jakesprake]

Mr Bojangles was white.

[@danvitale1825]

Bill Robinson was black