Jerry Jeff Walker | Green Room Tales

Jerry Jeff Walker sat down with us for a while and talked about his long and successful career. His approach to music was never to make it big, but instead to live his life making music that he loved. The interview took place in 2000 and at that point Jerry was still in love with touring and writing music.
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[@thomasnewsom929]

my dad, when he was a 22 y/o hippie, met him in 72 at the toll gate inn in matecumbe, Florida Keys. Jerry wanted to see the keys and was staying there. Some band was playing and were on break. Jerry drinking at the bar got up, grabbed his guitar, went on stage and played Mr. Bojangles. My dad did not know who he actually was but knew the song. He grabbed his harmonica and jammed with Jerry. My dad wasn't great at harmonica then but Jerry welcomed it with a smile. About 40 years later Jerry came back to the keys and played at the KOA in sugarloaf. My dad went to see him and talked to him after the show. He was like do you remember that one time...Jerry remembered him and laughed out loud. Love his music! Great songwriter! RIP JJW!

[@ericsimpson1176]

If i rember correctly jerry jeff took Jimmy Buffett to the keys, the first time Buffett went there.

[@brookssalvador7888]

InstaBlaster

[@TheYamahog12]

Great story.

[@jjmaguire8281]

Ohhh yeah.... My mom slapped him on the ass and kissed him on the lips at the same time in Cincinnati... In front of my father 😂😂😂😂😊😊...

[@chaseahrens7650]

My hero has gone home. Take care Buckaroo!

[@jamesfarmer4762]

I met Jerry Jeff when I was developing the first “wilderness preservation” communities in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I hired him to play a concert for the people who were buying home-sights in the four wilderness communities I was building. Following the concert, Jerry and I had a few beers despite his wife’s dictate that he was not to be drinking. I didn’t provide the beer, Jerry brought it with him. I drove him to my log cabin where we drank until morning. was staying for the night, overlooking historic Red Canyon. We insisted that I finish the night drinking beers, hearing stores of his life. In short, it was one of the highlights of my life. I was fascinated with his stories about “stony” and all the others who hiked with across the USA, singing singing his tunes along the way….

[@jamesfarmer4762]

Ghj

[@drumminsonlive9199]

Goat ropers need love too... RIP Jerry...

[@leighmilleur9956]

I met him backstage and 48 hrs In Atoka (Oklahoma). I was the backstage mgr. I took many photo's of incredible entertainers there, He was a gorgeous man, and his lady was beautiful..I just heard tonite on the grammy's that he had passed. What a cool guy !

[@theguitarjohnshow]

Jerry Jeff walker and Jimmy Buffett are two of My favorite Singer Songwriters

[@nicholasmarshall6361]

He made his own fun in life. RIP the legend JJW.

[@josephdowlearn8816]

Rest peacefully JJW..my heart is hurting today, but I’m celebrating your life!

[@jeffreythomason1113]

I interviewed Jerry Jeff in 1976-77 in Sioux Falls SD. The one thing that really stood out was Jerry Jeff always seemed truly interested in the interview itself always engaging never lagging though I'm sure I asked him the same generic questions and anecdotes he'd repeated over and over and over, just like it's the first interview he'd ever done. He really was a kind and decent man and looked for the fun things in the interviewer's life. He didn't really like concerts per se, he just wanted people to dance to his music. I will be one of the thousands who will miss him.

[@andreahardy375]

Love Him Mr Bojangles best country song EVER! ❤❤

[@teddysalad8227]

Jerry Jeff you brought life to Texas music. You’re sorely missed. I’ll see you in heaven.

[@bigglilwayne7050]

He'd be the first to tell you, Bob Wills is still the King

[@mrwaltermathews]

This man's eyes really do shine. He seems quite happy and content. As he should be.

[@quantumonions]

I was playing in a band back around '84, in FL, at a bar in Orlando, or maybe somewhere else, but definitely FL. It was a 2-week gig, so we had hotel rooms nearby and would go out to hear the local talent after our gig was done. One night, at a bar down the street, JJW got up on stage, unannounced, and did a few tunes. After he finished, he came up to the bar, right next to me, ordered a beer, looked my way and said "howdy." I was obviously star-struck and stuttered back "h, h, eh, hi!" He smiles and says "Hey man, I'm just a person. Where you from?" And small talk ensued. He was so humble and put me at ease on the spot. I feel so lucky to have met him, clumsy though it was.

[@rebeccaferguson7734]

O. Dear. JJW... you were the flour(and the pepper!) in the gumbo that became *THE* Austin sound/life. We can't possibly love you or thank you enough. I'm almost done cryin' but the ache will never go away. I pray I get to laugh and dance at whatever scene you scamps have organized on the other side!

[@ashleymeggan]

RIP Jerry Jeff

[@georgecarroll4171]

I first became aware of JJW in 1974 when I was fortunate enough to get a chance to represent music artists , which originally were only lounge acts. the agency was called Athena Artists and at the end of the first day I noticed a pile of albums sitting in the office and I took three albums home with me , one one which was JJW and i played it later that night . one time and I was hooked. Jerry and I had a tumultuous business relationship but it was ultimately the best thing I ever did in that business .I represented him for eight years.

[@clintjudice3833]

Legend Rip JJW

[@ThePduncan742]

Long live the legend!!

[@samsmith4216]

You definitely touched this man's life Jerry Jeff. Thank you. RIP

[@pointsettaqueen]

Loved you from Terlingua on. You and your music are unique. We lost a giant when we lost you. May angels accompany you to that next big band. Can't believe you're gone.

[@TheSunnyJim]

Really great interview. I met Jerry Jeff in Grand Cayman shortly before the Gonzo Christmas CD came out. He played an hour and a half for twenty people, poolside at a little place he was considering bringing his fan club down to. Just a magical evening. I had been a fan for about 20 years at that point, and I was the entertainer at the Hyatt Regency in Grand Cayman (for 11 years). I played hookie from my night shift to go see him that night. We got a good visit in after he was finished. I had a song in the movie "The Firm", and he remembered me when he saw it. Friends went to see him in Texas after that and bought me a copy of the Gonzo Christmas CD which he signed, saying "Saw you in the movie and it made me smile". How thoughtful and cool is that? When he made that switch away from MCA, that inspired me to do my own thing, which I did after returning from Cayman in 2000. Amazingly, it's worked out well. Thank you Jerry Jeff.

[@craigplumlee]

Every songwriter should watch this. Thank you for uploading. It's inspiring

[@darrenmisick3493]

what a very nice person, he is sadly missed.

[@bentolleson8582]

This man has a heart of gold. He deserves all the fortune he receives.

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Down home humble guy with enormous natural talent. Jerry would be a natural Actor for Western movies. Always loved his music and songwriting

[@shimmy1952]

Such a great voice.He made good use of it.R.I.P. JJW

[@XOkie]

Cowboy Boots and Bathing Suits got me to Belize in '08 and I've been back every year since. San Pedro is as wonderful as he describess. I've seen him sing Moon Over Her Shoulder as the moon came up over his shoulder and over the Caribbean Sea. I got caught up in with his diehard fans and they're some of my best friends now. Jerry Jeff brought us all together. I think that he knows how he influences us with his music.

[@jettramel]

I wish I had been part of that club.

[@davidlotti5407]

A true and genuine talent RIP JJW you will Truly be missed jam on with John Prine As you travel across the heavens!!!!

[@iansing5278]

Great interveiw, thanks N.L.C. a. *Thanks Jerry Jeff Walker *

[@johnnyp8979]

Sure gonna miss the Gypsy Songman. Thanks first for recollecting of Mr Bojangles almost 50+years ago. Mr Bojangles did many a time but something I've tried but really to no avail..., dance. Farewell, waltz to the stars Jerry Jeff. ! Thanks for the rhythm of those beautiful memories... 💯 % 👍

[@ninerrich6447]

A really terrific interview, JJ appears very relaxed, so glad I came across it. I still miss him so. So thankful for his music.

[@lindamon5101]

I luv jjw! I surprised kissed him in carlsbad ca @ a show during his break! Told him i wanted to tell him a secret& kissed him! So glad i did!

[@tbags155]

Live to Loop, Loop to live!!! R.i.P. Jerry Jeff Walker

[@billbulpitt2414]

First saw him in Jacksonville FL in 1975 and became a big fan. RIP JJW...

[@CannibalWHORE22]

Great country singer. Wish he was more popular!

[@nancychace8619]

Hello and greetings from the Santa Clara valley on the cusp of the coronavirus pandemic. I am an old kindred spirit from a long time ago. Very interesting interview, thanks for sharing. Am especially taken aback by his identification of the old folk music with stories of mine disasters, train wrecks, etc. Maybe he'll recall hearing of an accident that happened many years ago after a gig in the mountains of Colorado involving a local guy that worked security for the show who collided with a train on his way out. I was there. This was a tragic accident. No one's fault. Hope for Jerry Jeff smooth sailing - our mutual friend found a peaceful spot forever. Just letting him know.

[@bearvonsteuben9675]

I’m sitting here for the moment in JJ’s hometown, Oneonta, NY. My daughter’s mom-in-law used to be babysat by Jerry’s sister, and often he would come by to hang. Flash forward a bit…a pal introduced me to the Five Years Gone LP, and I was hooked. Here we are all these years later, Jerry is gone, but damned if his music doesn’t still make my awful voice and middling guitar picking just keep on going! “Don’t It Make You Wanna Dance?” , indeed! Great interview , and JJ…thanks for bringing it all home EVERY time.

[@markdeweese9288]

A true artist RIP Jerry

[@quinbagwell7515]

Good interview, this guy did his homework and asked thoughtful, respectful , pertinent questions. Jerry Jeff took the time to give thoughtful answers and let us have a glimpse into his fascinating life. Great job.

[@welsh2170]

I'd wanna be friends with Jerry Jeff!

[@NetCerpher]

Sorry...

[@BellyLaugher]

Really appreciate this interviewer's style & pace, I think he made was good at staying in the background so JJ could respond thoughtfully/story-telling-ly/humorously to his thoughtful questions. I enjoyed learning more about JJ & his views, and would like to read his autobiography, as a result.Thanks for this to both of you!

[@frankiebutler2894]

LOVE, love JJW. When watching him sing & play in his younger years, he has such rhythm in his movements on stage.

[@ericsimpson1176]

One of the very very best

[@francoisbouvier7861]

Great interview, very enlightening. Imagine a DJ that knows his music. Please bring that back.

[@dougkoch79]

Jerry Jeff is one of a kind.

[@gmajorspresents]

😄He gave half his fans a ride home !

[@BCYoung-ds1xo]

You know I've always been right there in that world listening to that brand because I am... A carbon copy of that lifestyle the flavor of music born raised West Texas Jerry Jeff you've helped me through many a day.... And I'm riding high with you right now.

[@francoisbouvier7861]

Heard a story of Jerry showing up in Calgary for a Birthday party. Wow what a party. Only wish I could have been there.

[@jameshickman4521]

What a great songwriter what a green singer mr. Bojangles sure did enjoy that song I still enjoy it today yes sir I really like that song how about you boys do y'all like it song as much as I do he was a heck of a singer was he

[@mlbolts72]

Great interview..rip jerry ✌🎸

[@jamesmurtaugh4910]

super interview.

[@josephvirgilio4984]

(@19' or so) certainly touched mine, thank you JJW!

[@butchworm7793]

Hello from a small town in upstate NY. Snowy, rainy, beautiful, and not so beautiful all at the same time. Love/hate.

[@mikecatherwood7806]

Wonderful interview.

[@albertohowe5598]

So glad I met him here. Missed

[@KeithNolanMusic]

Great interview !

[@42awww]

What a great interview! The kind of questions I would ask Jerry Jeff.

[@alandrobnak]

Gonzo Compadres . . . one of my favorites.

[@johnnynbk]

Country legend that goes to Supercuts...

[@offaxisdude]

i was telling my gf that in 1972 my brother was getting his guitar worked on at this steel guitar players house in tyler,texas....i was about 16 and stoned as i could get...walked around a corner and stepped on this guys foot...i felt badly......that night at his gig he kept pointing at me saying how his foot was probably broken,pointing at me on the first row,he broke a string , hurting and he broke a string pointing at me a beautifull girl next to me got up went to the stage and handed him a set of guitar srings....he wasnt pointing at me......the girl sitting in the seat next to me was his gf susan and his name Jerry Jeff Walker ....one of my heroes....rip

[@theguitarjohnshow]

Love JJW Music

[@michaelday2491]

Met Jerry Jeff backstage Tarrant County Convention Center. 1975

[@CMarshallD]

RIP JJW....

[@hippydippy]

Great Interview, but what he hells up with that music blasting at the end? JESUS!!!

[@MrJojogun]

Saw Jerry Jeff in Phoenix in 1974 at the Celebrity Theater....stage rotated 360 degrees....Wonder if Jerry Jeff has ever played up in Colorado at Red Rocks?

[@labak2az]

MrJojogun I was there, gooood times!

[@highdesert-boy]

I saw him in Flagstaff on the same tour!

[@lastnamefirst4035]

Celebrity theatre. Great place for concerts. Saw J Prine there several times

[@tdkguidry]

I want to go home with the armadillo....

[@smwrbd]

Jerry Jeff I saw you in Detroit mid 70s you opened for Tom Waites.Just wanted to say thanks.

[@armadillotoe]

What a venue!

[@steamfan]

I was at the same show. Unlike most, I was there to see JJW!

[@smwrbd]

@@steamfan when I saw him was at the Royal Oak Theater. At least as far as I can remember.

[@steamfan]

@@smwrbd It was the Royal Oak Theater. Great venue. I saw Ian Hunter, Joe Cocker and even Cheech & Chong there!

[@bluecrab1257]

We live in Oneonta NY his home town

[@TheYamahog12]

My old girlfriend went to college there. I saw JJW play there back around 2008 or 2010. That was the second time I saw him play. First time was around 1980 in Rochester NY.

[@stickofbutter4043]

3:02 he called it

[@traviscoonrod185]

Cool interview! I wonder how old this is?

[@dane.5772]

Description says it took place in 2000.

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

I was a huge Jerry Jeff fan for years, then I saw a picture of him about 1979…he was in NY wearing “boat shoes” and cashmere sweater around his neck looking like a wealthy NY Jew. I took a few years off from Jerry Jeff at that point, being very disappointed with him. However, joyfully came back a few years ago to re-visit those songs play a few in Open Mics and all. Now, he is gone and I feel a deep sense of loss.

[@jasonbrown5993]

We lost some good ones ..all with J .s john prine ...justin townes earle ..jerry jeff walker ..and billy joe shaver ...THE OUTLAWS ARE GONE FOLKS

[@BlackTheTears101]

What website was Jerry Jeff referring to at about 13:35 in right before he mentioned Roger McGuinn?

[@denisethress9565]

And the Folk Den is on my website, mcguinn.com, or you can get to it just by going to folkden.com, sponsored by UNC Chapel Hill. And it's a public service. I don't - it's all free. There are about - almost 200 MP3s there for free download, along with the lyrics, the chords, a little story about the song and a picture of some kind. And it's just a labor of love.

[@denisethress9565]

Quote came from this interview on NPR: wwno.org/post/byrds-roger-mcguinn-works-preserve-folk

[@vanessamontes8951]

How the hell is Jerry Jeff not from Texas?

[@TheYamahog12]

He used to say “I wasn’t born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could!”

[@bradstarkey7369]

Jerry Jeff seen you 70s love your body of work party-ed with you and or Elvin Bishop some one got popped going north bound on south bond I 5 any recollection of that ? what a night. South of Salem Oregon. Then in Anchorage I saw you and their was this cute wit-tress I was trying to date never got to first base the as you were playing on stage she walked over and handed you her number on a napkin you blew your nose on it and threw it on the floor Classic stuff the Bars stayed open until 5:00 AM closed long enough to sweep the floor then back at it some bars had free call drinks on Thursday night for two hours bye the end of the night I had a table full of drinks and not wanting to waste all this free booze I put drinks in every pocket and tried to walk out until some one bumped me and one fell I was so drunk (thank you Dave) that I bent over to pick up the Glass and booze spilled out every were the Owner just smiled I hope ur not driving nope Im sleeping in the parkin lot, in my Camper and we did. I dont drink like that any more to old but thank you for the times and inspiration thanks to you i play Guitar and sing God bless you and yours...

[@42awww]

Sounds like an amazing time Brad. I wish I could have seen Jerry Jeff live, but living near toronto has not been condusive for a late comer to JJW's music, 1998 and on....Love to hear stories like yours!

[@MrSanteeclaus]

Where

[@Allaholic7]

Its a shame that joe rogan doesn't talk about Jerry Jeff and the other country music Characters of Austin enough if at all.

[@cynthiawhitelewis5474]

Knew JERRY JEFF WALKER & wife Susan. Jesse Jane was a baby then RIP Jerry Jeff Coach Bob's wife

[@larryburns9970]

Jerry Jeff I met in Orange California and he was solo...he was engaging and remains a hero Contrary to Ordinary to me was real...stories do come true...just gotta live life in episodes... God Bless JJW

[@cravinbob]

Nothing like a stupid blast of sound when it finishes and gets a quiet. Many up-loaders think they are but they are not producers editors or directors.

[@rickyhemmle6183]

What about, Sam?

[@rickyhemmle6183]

Sport-a-toreum in Dallas aka The Sportatoreum: Mother had to take her husband' grandfather, Irvin, to the wrestling event. She didn't like it very much...

[@josephmcauley1551]

4

[@sharonhearne5014]

Both times I saw him in Austin live he was drunk and one of the times he was so drunk he literally fell offstage. At that point I decided he was not professional in his presentation and that he did not respect his audience. Later he pulled himself out of that slide and got control of his life.

[@CountryDoublePlay]

That happened when I saw Gordon Lightfoot. I was disappointed that he didn't care that we had all spent a lot of money to see him play. At one point the band started playing and he started playing a different song and had the balls to get mad at the band.

[@greenhometony]

In around 1975 me and my buddies drove 3 1/2 hours to see the dead in KC. He was also playing on that hot day in July at Arrowhead Stadium. They had fire hoses set up spraying over the crowd, people were passing out, the medic tent was full. Jerry Jeff walked up the steps to the stage and nearly fell off on the last step. He would have hurt himself as the stage was tall, he went on to play his set pretty well. I remember thinking, he was big, overweight from drinking heavily. I guess the lifestyle caught up to him, at least he decided to tone it down. I can respect him for that....

[@quij7ote222]

In the 80s I went to see Bocephus. It was an outdoor concert. He was so drunk/high he couldn't remember the lyrics to his recent hits. I felt disrespected too, and I didn't understand how a professional musician could justify it. But I didn't stop listening to his music. I just didn't go to any more of his concerts.

[@MrPhilfridge]

@@greenhometony i honestly think his best decade was the 70's when he was pretty out of control , he probably needed to straighten out or it have been dead before he was 50 , but the new sober JJW was not the artist he once was . Sad but that's my honest opinion

[@Allaholic7]

Badness ensues