Hank Williams, Townes Van Zandt and John Madden

[@otisgibbs]

Tip jar for anyone who wants to help support this channel. paypal.me/otisgibbs?locale.x=... www.venmo.com/OtisGibbs Paypal: @otisgibbs Venmo: @OtisGibbs

[@otisgibbs]

Happy New Year everybody and here's to better days! : )

[@jamiemullins5877]

Happy New Years brother. Hank Williams is my all time favorite singer, song writer, Town was great to, and underrated too, if ya ask me.

[@brianmobley1720]

I hope you have the best year my friend ✌️😎

[@OldHenryLee]

Hope 2022 brings you & yours health & happiness, Mr. Otis. - Thanks for all the provided entertainment. Sincerely do appreciate it🙏👍😃. ... ✌️

[@dougstolz1812]

Happy New Year to you too!

[@tomabbot7324]

Happy new year Otis! You make my days better, thank you!

[@aidanmaxwell1019]

Personally, Townes music makes me happy. Even the sad songs. Something about the beauty behind his ability to convey emotion with words is just amazing. That actually makes me feel good.

[@hansvillewa]

I completely agree. He picks me up.

[@pumpkinpepsi]

Yes, the first time I heard Townes was almost like a relief, like I'd been waiting to hear it my whole life. Only felt like that one other time, with an instrumental by the band Earth.

[@sspbrazil]

I was thinking the same.

[@jakeyboy8402]

“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”... I play it every New Years Eve, just after midnight in Hank’s honor!

[@jmarlowe87]

Hank’s last performance was on December 28th for a private party for the American Federation of Musicians’ local 479 in Montgomery at the Elite Cafe. I had to go back to Colin Escott’s book to remember the name of the place. Thanks for your videos, Happy New Year!

[@aroe3896]

Musicians in Birmingham get together and play a show on December 30 called Hank Night in honor of Hank spending his last night in a bedroom on December 30 at the Tutwiler Hotel on 12/30/52. Great fun. Jambalaya is my fave song

[@jessefillmore]

Love these weekly coffee chats ! My current favorite Townes Van Zandt is "If I needed you" ......beautiful song . My favorite Hank Williams song is "I'm so lonesome I could cry" , it's actually my favorite country song . I love that it was recorded in Cincinnati , Ohio at Herzog Studios . They finally made the studio a historic landmark :)

[@thomasminarchickjr.7355]

“The gist of what I’m saying is accurate and true, but the details may be a little foggy” is a great quote 3:18

[@stevegrob9840]

These videos are paintings with words. Not all masterpieces, but usually very good, and something that many people take comfort in. Thanks Otis, for being true to yourself. I'm going to make it a goal to get out in the world more. Travel, connect better with strangers and with family, maybe find that good woman with whom I can share the last legs of my journey. Hard to pick a favorite Hank Williams song, they are all so wonderful. Two that come to mind are "I'm a Long Gone Daddy," and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive."

[@jon1997pool]

Otis is a good soul. He enjoys what we enjoy and he embodies the spirit of American music and all the people who have made it great. He’s a little bit country and little bit rock n roll.

[@peterpedersen1641]

Hi Otis, as a huge Townes fan, along with Guy and friends, I have a few stories about my run ins with them. In the early 90's a close friend of mine, who hung out with Guy in Austin in the 70s, called me. We were both living in PA at the time. He played bass for Willie Nelson for a tour... and knew both Townes and Guy pretty well. He told me they were going to be playing up at a Restaurant in Pipersville, PA. So we headed down there early to see about catching up with them. We showed up and it was Townes, Guy and this young guy, Robert Earl Keen! who was driving them around the Northeast hitting the bars, etc. We are early and nobody was really there but them and us. So we got to chat it up... Shoot some pool and have a few with Guy... Townes wasn't drinking, but Guy was... a bit of Vodka was to be had.... When the gig started, Guy was a bit in the jar, so to speak, so Robert was doing the singing some of the time, and Townes was laughing most of the time. There is more, but just a taste of it. Townes was the best of songwriting there was, along with Guy, coming out of Texas back in the day... Thanks for your video...

[@tinman00]

Hello Otis. it's 2 degrees here in the mountains of Washington state. My motorhome is stuck in 3ft. Of snow. Things are presently crappy.. gonna stay in try and stay warm.. want you to know that I 66 years old man. Is getting a grin. Love the stories and the people. Music all day today.. townes Hank, Guy ... And for sure a Otis set.. thanks man I you have added a small part to my life.

[@brucegwynn8509]

John Madden lived for football and was football, most people think it's just a football video game , isn't that something, I've got a lifetime of Madden memories

[@herdeka]

A couple of Austin musicians broke in to the Skyline right before demolition. It was still pretty intact and had not gone through major renovations. They took some 50’s artefacts and tore up the old wooden bar with a hatchet. I was lucky enough to receive a piece of wood from that big chunk. I still have it somewhere..

[@sevenmileridgeband]

Thanks for posting. So sad, the end days, of both Hank Williams, and Townes Van Zandt........Love the John Madden truck stop story!!!!

[@johndunganmusic]

“I don’t want to end the show with all of us singing The Weight.” I love this!

[@jamesdillman6811]

That was a brilliant observation by Otis. Nobody in their right mind wants to hear anyone but Levon Helm sing that song anyway.

[@jamesdillman6811]

One caveat to that. Mavis and Pops Staples tore it up in “The Last Waltz”.

[@dallansalter]

love these stories.

[@davidterry919]

To me this is the best channel on KZbin. Thank you for your time and for all these wonderful stories. They bring back memories of my time as a child .

[@lightparticular84]

Thanks for what you do, Otis, the journeys you take us on. I too love old houses, old buildings, old diners, old stories. Townes songs are almost always sad songs, and they make me feel less alone. One of my favorites is “A Song For”, which ends with “Too late to wish I’d been stronger”.

[@whiskeycitydiggers]

Whatever your brand is, I'm a big fan of it, Otis. Happy new year! Thanks for the hours of great entertainment last year and for everything '22 will bring. I hope to dig my oldest bottles this year (I've been back to the 1850's so far), find hundreds more marked bricks and vintage marbles, build my 8-track collection back up, get the Astro van road worthy, see you in concert, and see Dylan at least a few more times.

[@FBDerringer]

Greenville Illinois (truck stop ?) Your cheating heart (Hank). Dead flowers (TVZ). All RIP. Great goals! Happy New Year!

[@ish474]

1-1-01 My Friend lost a life long battle with depression at his own hand. I never knew Townes passed on the same day, but If there ever was music for that day It's Townes. The world can be a hard place but thank God there is music to accompany it.

[@johndunganmusic]

Traveling to Pittsburgh from Charlotte, NC, I made my wife and kids stop at the gas station in Oak Hill, WV and get a picture next the Hank Sr. Memorial. Heavy vibe in town that day, thinking about all that could have been.

[@otisgibbs]

You're living right, John!

[@jamesdillman6811]

“Pancho and Lefty” is my favorite TVZ song. My favorite Hank song is “Your Cheatin’ Heart“. Your list of goals served as a reminder to me to find joy in the small things in life. I’ve accumulated way too many “things” that ultimately brought me no pleasure at all. Skipping a stone across a body of water, smelling a field of fresh-mown hay, getting a cold drink of water on a hot day from a tin cup that hangs on the pump you pumped the water from, reeling in a fish, and a thousand others are the kinds of things that stick with you and bring a smile to your face. Material things are fool’s gold. I’m someone who also liked those old run-down truck stops. There was something about the smell of the diesel fuel and the atmosphere that made the greasy food taste like fine cuisine. These Saturday morning chats are so enjoyable and this was one of your best. For 2022, I wish you health, happiness, and enough money to pay the bills, plus a little extra for coffee and to have some fun with.

[@debracook3629]

Otis, you are simply precious! Listening to you is meditative. It brings peace and balance when I need it the most. Can you believe that!? Happy New Year to you and to all your subscribers here!

[@josephclarke4244]

Love your story telling my friend, your cover of " Into the Mystic " is my favorite version of that song. Being Irish myself it makes sense Into the Mystic would be one of my favorite songs. Most Irish people feel comfort in a overcast gloomy day...I know I've always felt comfort on days like this, I came to understand the feeling of comfort in these conditions was born in me. With that in mind. For me it's more interesting to think about what Hank was thinking all along the way...I believe humans get a sixth sense about thier impending doom. First thing to understand about the ride Hank took is just how long a ride it truly is, especially in his obvious condition in those final hours, I've driven the route Hank took many times, civilization were far apart in the eighties I couldn't imagine not feeling well knowing the opportunity at medical care are slim in those days yet suffering that ride. I think Hank knew his body was failing, Hank choose to not say anything to his driver I believe out of fear he just may be saved once again, prolonging Hank's mental and physical suffering. I think the idea anyone could know what Hank was thinking would be nothing short of arrogant. Thanks for the food for thought, our generation grew up with music, Towns was a gifted story teller like many Irish, the reason is the Irish people were so abused for many many centuries they couldn't read and write to poor for enjoying entertainment so they told stories, many stories were to instill a moral ideal of one of bravery, the idea of defending one family was a often repeated yarn. Towns wrote because story telling was inbread into him !

[@castanzes]

Where can I find Otis' version of "Into the Mystic"? I'd like to listen to it. It's probably my favorite VM song. Thanks.

[@AaronSpielman]

Happy New Year, Otis. I hope that this coming year is a good one! My goals for 2022 are to reclaim my health (been an issue all 2021), become employed again, visit my friends in Indiana (I haven't been since 2019 - two of my dearest friends live in Bloomington an Greencastle), and create more art (ink drawing and woodturning are my two biggest outlets), and spend time with my eldest brother (in California).

[@2dollarsaday]

When you reach a certain age - different for everybody - but I am certainly there - New Years are definitely bittersweet. This exemplifies that spirit nicely. Love both Hank senior and Townes. So may great songs between two but I particularly love Lost Highway, You Win Again and Snowin’ On Raton. Be well.

[@KeefsCattys]

I enjoyed that so much Otis . Really interesting to hear your 2022 goals . Hope the year is a great one for you

[@otisgibbs]

Same to ya! ; )

[@johndeere8594]

I’ll never get out of this world alive.

[@davidsingley9949]

I had an uncle who had a country & western band that played weekends around Central Illinois when I was a kid. He put out a 45". "Swingin' Doors" by Merle Haggard was on one side, and "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)" was on the other side. So, that would probably be my pick for my favorite Hank song, for sentimental reasons.

[@rogerwilliams2629]

It's a perfect day to listen to MARIE and IM SO LONESOME I COULD CRY.. MY goal is to make as many videos of my music as I can with my old band that is a thing again. I love this miracle that's happened regarding us playing again after 42 years. No or very little gigs, just making music we want to make with no restrictions that gigging brought or brings. Our families can see what we did and loved so much, and that's good enough for me to go out on. HAPPY new year to you and this community.

[@cobrakari]

I listen to Townes everyday 👍🏾 I’m not happy unless I’m sad.😏

[@michaellawrencesound]

Every New Year’s Day, I listen to Cowboy Junkies Lament as a tribute to Townes. It’s one of my 75 favorite songs of his. Something tells me that throwing rocks at things, spitting over bridges, and planting flowers might be a really good way to gain inspiration not only for the new album but also for new paintings. This year, I want to write more music and find a way to make a living doing nothing but gigging (i.e., not have a day job) in my new city of San Diego. I also want to get my work placed in TV and film. But I really like your goals: your main aim seems to be to enjoy life to the fullest. I’ve always enjoyed your channel but never in my life did I think I would discover someone else who appreciates Hank, Townes, and John Madden. Great stuff. All the best to you and your loved ones for a fulfilling 2022.

[@caspar442]

Have a happy new year. I doubt if I plant any flowers but I think I’ll enjoy more flowers more often and more deeply. Really take pleasure in them. And relax.

[@TheOldYellers]

I was ready to play a stragglers gig on New Year’s Eve for the first time in a long time and it got cancelled due to covid. It’s been a long time since we played New Years. Inspired Goals. Make a new album. Write at least as many songs as last year (10). Get back to playing some gigs in Europe (and here for that matter) please god. Host an Otis Gibbs house concert in the yard. Keep growing our garden Keep trying to do my best to be sincere Play music everyday. Thanks Otis for keeping it real.

[@dwglsmo]

You're the most honest man I've ever known. Best to you.

[@flyemhard]

great Saturday morning......Happy New Year!!!!

[@Claytone-Records]

One of Doug Sahm’s final recordings was with the Austin band the Gourds. Lovely album if you can find it. Oh, favorite Van Zandt song at the moment Mr. Mudd and Mr. Gold. Goal for the new year: make some goals and not just survive, but thrive. Spit bridges and thrown rocks, for sure.

[@timharper3390]

The Gourds are a blast of a band. I especially enjoy their cover of Snoop’s Gin and Juice! Of course their original material is killer too. Hope folks search em out and get to hear Doug as well.

[@Claytone-Records]

@@timharper3390 I probably saw the Gourds more than any other in Austin including their first at the Electric Lounge (of all places) at an acoustic music fest. Also the first show where I saw Ed Hamil (On Trial). Do you happen to have a copy of the Doug Sahm / Gourds collaboration?

[@borezuma]

Favorite Townes/Hank is impossible, but maybe "Tower Song" & "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" (for the sillier Hank, "Settin' the Woods on Fire"). I've got to put "That's not going to work for me, brother" into the rotation too. Always good to spend Saturday morning coffee with you Otis, Happy New Year to you.

[@dsthorp]

...played yesterday in Orangevale, CA in the afternoon. One of my glasses lenses fell out and I did not realize it until this morning. Ha, Ha!

[@rogertinker1813]

Why I watch Otis - every sing episode Otis speaks something , some episodes more than once and I go yes I can relate to this. thanks

[@flatpick51]

Happy New Year Otis and all the rest of us. My thing this year is to strive for goals as noble as yours. Thanks again for doing what you do.

[@RandyH400]

Oh and I Love every Hank song I've ever heard!

[@Obizzil.]

Still god bless from west Texas!! Towns! 🇺🇸

[@MitchCrane]

Avoid drunks. I'm with you. If I'm going to enjoy hanging around with a drunk, I need to be at least as drunk as they are, but I gave that up a long time ago. Life is too short.

[@chuckokelley2448]

Thanks Otis. Love you brother

[@robertplemmons3321]

There was a Mexican restaurant called Chuy’s (not the chain) in Van Horn, Texas, that had turned a booth where Madden ate into a shrine. It was right near a truck stop on I-10.

[@nicklaunikitis6280]

Far thee well ms carousel You win again

[@lavonnacasey5724]

Townes’ s cover of You Win Again

[@jimj.5099]

Great stories Otis. My goals for 2022. 1. More discipline in all things. 2. Play more guitar, write more, read more and take more photos. 3. Be less hard on myself. Happy New Year! Looking forward to more content from you and I wish you the best with your goals.

[@julesotis13]

caffeine cheers uncle otis watching now i spent yesterday exhasuted with a heart bleeding all overt the place partly crying...time to get back up today thanks for the inspirations

[@Him57]

Skelley's truck stop smorgasbord in Greenville Illinois is the official truck stop of john madden.

[@9ramthebuffs9]

He probably had one for each interstate. I-10 I-40 I-70 I-80

[@jackdawes120]

Happy New Year Otis from an English man in Viet Nam. Have been on a bit of a trip listening to Townes today but didn't realise it was an anniversary recently. I love Hank too and used to busk a number of his tunes in England in the 90s. Even some Vietnamese fishermen appreciate the feeling of "Cheating Heart" and "Lovesick Blues" though the words remain far from being understood. I was in Nashville on a Greyhound but trip back in 1996 on a 28 day ticket, trying to see as much of some of my musical influences as I could. After N.O. and Memphis, I ended up in Nashville and saw a "Hank Williams' House" legend, daubed on the side of a gaf there. Went in and heard a woman's voice calling from a far corner, "Can I help ya, honey?" "Yes! Is it really Hank's house?" I asked. "You're standing right in the bedroom honey," she said. Wow! There really wasn't much to see. A few trinkets in a latter-day Woolworths' style counter...but I skipped buying anything. However, there was a recording studio in the back , I discovered, and the guy in there came out and started up a conversation. "Where ya'll been?" I told him and included 'Graceland' in my account. "Oh, yeah! What did you think?" "Well,"" I said, "It was great, but Elvis's taste in furniture was a bit tacky, man." "Yeah, but Elvis was the King, man." "Yes, man, I love Elvis...I'm just saying the furniture was, you know, a little bit..." "HEY! Elvis was the FUCKING KING man." I quickly agreed. "Yes he was...can you show me your set up here, bro?" I sheepishly asked. Which he did. Great day. I also ,that day, bumped into a busker (I know not where - I was just walking round) and asked him if I could do a tune. He gave me his guitar and I did "Lord Mr Ford" by Jerry Reed as best I could, and got an ovation from the people seated at the coffee bar. Another moment of essence. What a road trip that was. Actually I consider I'm lucky to have survived I think, after some of the places I found myself in. One of a few regrets was I didn't jump off the bus in Clarksdale to check up on Muddy Waters and others, but it was midnight and there was 'darkness at the edge of town' where the bus stopped briefly. Just rambling and recounting some things here. Hope you don't mind. The Townes song that always floors me is usually the one I'm listening to. Likewise I'm not hot on titles, but "Waiting Round To Die' and 'Tecumseh Valley' brought me to tears when I first heard them...and the 'Forgotten Highways' video. Man he lived life to the open bone. Keep up the good work Otis.

[@TheOldYellers]

Grew up on John madden football. Favorite Hank song, probably move it in over, or honey tonk blues maybe rambling man or honky tonki and who does love some jambalaya. Favorite Townes. That’s tough, Rex’s Blues maybe, Greensboro woman and buckskin stallion blues are possibles, snowin on raton, or if I needed you, tecumseh valley depends on my mood. But his version of dead flowers is the best. Thanks Otis. Keep on the sunny side

[@wanagie]

Thank you Otis

[@bamaq4786]

You made me listen Townes Van Zandt and now I wanna know everything.

[@Freakster1970]

I heard a few Hank Williams song's and covers the other day on a local radio station and the host was saying Hank would have been 99 on September 17th. I can't wait for the big 100 celebrations next year ! The song's will still be as fresh in another century.

[@Jack-iy6ic]

Happy new year Otis! I hope it's a good one. I've always liked Hank's singing but never gone too deep into his catalog, so I'd probably pick a more common song like Jambalaya on the bayou. For Townes it gets a lot more difficult considering I listen to him constantly and have explored nearly all of his songs. I love Tower song, Fare Thee Well, Ms. Carousel, and None But The Rain never fails to make me cry. I honestly think you could convince me that anything off the album "Townes Van Zandt" is my favorite Townes song because I love all of them. Thanks for helping to make 2021 a better year by posting quality videos and sharing great stories which never really can get old to someone like me. Stay well, friend.

[@johnrosier1686]

Some good points to ponder. I didn’t mind the John Madden story. I was a big fan of the Oakland Raiders as a kid and now I hardly pay attention to football. I remember one of the sportscasters once referred to Kenny Stabler and Fred Biletnikoff as Waylon & Willie. There were a lot of colorful characters on that team. Happy New Year everyone and I be sure to look up the Doug Sahm with Hank, Sr. photo.

[@gramnuggin742]

Happy new year Otis thanks for all the stories, very appreciated up here in the north here's to 2022

[@robertdonaldson2316]

Great post Otis! Loved all 3 of these men. Hank Williams the lost highway. TVZ high,low and in between. I agree with many of the comments here. Nothing depressing about embarrassing the feeling and emotions of life. Keep up the good work brother!

[@Kickstart500]

Happy New Year friend and I wish you good health and all the work you want

[@TKI526]

Happy New Year! I ran across a song written by the late Chris Wall and sung often by Jerry Jeff called “ I Feel Like Hank Williams Tonight”. About listening to music according to the moods you’re in….and playing Hank Williams music when you’re down and low. He got it right.

[@catheryndenton1766]

I wanna learn how to can vegetables this year. Eat good, eat healthy, eat clean.

[@treyrosenmeyer9097]

Canning vegetables is not very difficult. I have for the better part of 40 years. I always put up tomatoes because they grow so well for me. Pickles for the same reason . No matter how much green beans i grow we end up eating them fresh. So go ahead.

[@jongiddens3852]

Happy new year from Nashville IN

[@otisgibbs]

I wish I was having breakfast at The Hobnob right now! : )

[@MrAyla]

Every year at the bar I do sound at here in Edmonton, Alberta we do a Townes/Hank tribute New Years Day starting in the afternoon until whenever. Everybody plays three or four songs. Usually about a dozen performers. Sometimes more. We’ve sadly missed the past couple years. I’m supposed to be there right now but obviously it’s not happening. And neither did last night’s show. New Year’s Eve and Day are usually big money makers for me… but no regrets. Nice to have a couple days off for a change this time of year.

[@MrAyla]

Thanks otitis

[@rcleveringa65]

Thanks Otis best to you and the folks up listening. I love to throw rocks, but I haven't spit off a bridge in years. May have to give 'er a try 2022. I think I will cut over to Townes grave today. Been meaning to that for a while. Today would be a good day for it. Really enjoy these chats.

[@mcwilliams4546]

We played a private party close to my town on NYE. Probably 5-600 people, and you called it exactly. After 12, when the fireworks were shot most in attendance left. We hung out and played another hour or so for the ones that stayed and had a great time. My goal for 2022 is simple, just be a better person(and musician)than I was in 21. Happy New Year Otis!

[@lloyd1947]

Finally someone mentioned the Skyline Club in Austin Texas! What a historic place it was with all the big names that played there. Sure wish you would do a video on only the Skyline Club. It's a shame they tore it down. I was at Bergstrom AFB 1968-1970 and played in a country band. We played many of the small joints in south Austin plus we once played the Skyline Club. What an honor to sing on that small stage where so many famous stars once stood. I still have black and white photos of us playing that gig. Thanks for mentioning the Skyline Club. Hope you can do a segment all about that place. Thanks for what you do.

[@lloyd1947]

Forgot to mention that my wife and I both paint too. Great hobby! Regards from San Antonio.

[@jcmacmusic]

Thank you Otis and happy new year to you and your family...

[@bahopp9872]

Excellent video Otis. Happy New Year to all.

[@TomCwimpRock]

I liked your John Madden story… “Wedding Bells”, “Lost Highway”, “On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain”, and “Move It On Over” are some of my favorite Hank Williams songs… Take care and have a Happy New Year!

[@andrewzacks]

Hey Otis. Your work on this channel paints lots of worthwhile and beautiful pictures that many of us find enjoyable. I wish you well into the new year with hope that happiness and health reign over us all.

[@brianbrino4310]

Dear Otis thank you so much for your wonderful effort and for keeping us up with American music traditions and also informing us of so many different stories and persons that we didn’t know before. All I can tell you is that I wish you a most wonderful 2022 with your family friends and as always I will remain as your most fervent admirer. Cosmic blessings to you always. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@washingtonbob49]

Thank you Otis for once again making my Saturday morning so much better! My favorite New Year's Eve gig memory is playing bass for Madeline Shatz and her Calamity Cats at a VFW Hall waaay out in the boonies. It was NYE 1995 and Madeline's bass player was in drug rehab and they needed a replacement for that gig. I was asked to step up and play by my agent and it was so memorable. First of all..I played bass in a power trio at the time...and Madeline's band was a very popular Polka band that toured the Northwest. It was a fun gig and they payed me cash at the end...I believe it was $60 for 4 hours of playing polka style bass and just smiling at the dancing crowd. That particular gig...playing polka music..led me to so many other gigs over the years...what a great memory. Thank you for letting me share my memory with you. With love and respect...Bob

[@OthO67]

Great list! New Year’s resolutions go in one year and out the other.

[@krum41]

Love most of Hank but love playin Honky Tonk blues

[@kellystillfield8047]

Love your stuff Otis have a good year. Much love back to you.

[@closetpicker]

When asked why his music was "sad", Townes answered(I paraphrase from lousy memory...) "it's not sad, the blues is happy music, man!"

[@lavonnacasey5724]

He did say “blues was happy music” but I think you are thinking about Townes’ responding to a guestion about, why are his songs are so sad ? He responded there not just sad, he reply he has some that are not just sad there “hopeless.” from a interview in the Netherlands.

[@Freeontheland2030]

Thanks for the work on these videos Otis, I love your stories about Hank ,Townes and all the rest. I would love to see some of your art work too, maybe you could do a collage with some of your music in the back ground.

[@CarharttCowboy]

I totally agree with you on spitting of bridges and throw rocks at stuff. The world needs more of that

[@bobg.stewart7401]

Happy 2022 Sir ... Thanks for making life more interesting and "fun" during the past couple of weird years! ... By the way - I TOO do an acoustic solo singer/songwriter type of gig.

[@stephennepa9737]

Happy New Year's Otis. Got my coffee and watching. Hope you have a great new year.

[@jswjanjan]

I make the same 3-part vow every New Year: 1. I will not rush 2. I will not rush others 3. I will not be rushed Love you Otis hon.🌞❤🇨🇦

[@jordymaas565]

.... & get a good hat.

[@pumpkinpepsi]

I'm from the UK and my dad and I are both huge Townes fans. On NYE 1996 my dad moved to the US (Georgia) for work (I was 9 at the time - my dad was 34 - and my parents weren't together so I was living in the UK with my mum) and his first morning in the US he went out and bought a paper, and there was a huge article about Townes and my dad was like "wow this is great, people here are into the same stuff as me, this is going to be awesome"...and then he realized it was because Townes had died. Now I'm 34 and I've been living in the US for 10.5 years. Realizing that it was the 25th anniversary of Townes' death yesterday made me think of the passage of time and how it speeds up as each year becomes a smaller percentage of your life over all. It's kind of the one thing you can't change. In one of my songs I wrote "Time heals everything except for itself". Anyway, I'm planning a Townes tattoo; I want a cameo of Townes above my ankle on one leg and Blaze Foley above my ankle on the other. Unsure if I will draw them portrait style or old school trad tattoo style. But yeh. Thanks for the videos.

[@shirleypoplo7715]

Hanks song my bucket got a hold in it!!!

[@mikehomner4724]

I hope this becomes a New Year's tradition... You're one great story teller!

[@Rocknrollerrink]

Linda from Burbank, I'll forever be grateful to you for telling me about TVZ some 23 years ago. He was definitely as brilliant a lyricist as you'd told me.

[@bryanheidtman2476]

the Townes mention took me back to his song, Pancho and Lefty, and the story of it and the story behind it, when he was pulled over and the 2 cops were nicknamed Pancho and Lefty. Otis, you go to some memories on your channel that I'm always happy to relive.

[@lindseylabit9437]

Maddens official truck stop is Skelly's, on I-70 exit 45 S. in Ill. Now a Comfort Inn. Luv your stories. Lin.

[@joshuanicely8722]

Here in Knoxville it's the Andrew Johnson building and it was a hotel, then offices, now it has a probation office in it and I think the upper floors might be apartments....that's a recent thing (last year or two). Love the content!

[@ksockit2me]

Much love to you Otis. I thoroughly enjoy you and this channel. Thank you! Today's message made me smile and I LOL'd at "brand" in my head I heard. "Otis don't do brand!" Good call. I started guitar lessons 4 years or so ago...so my goal for 2022 is to keep learning playing and enjoying it. Hope the sun replaces some gloom soon. Much love...

[@jamesokeeffe3216]

Townes Van Zandt Is real, no place to fall is a great tvz song ☘️☘️☘️

[@mattcook8930]

My favorite townes songs (if not all) A Song For, Coo Coo, The Hole, and pretty much every cover of Lightnin Hopkins songs

[@mojo6778]

Otis, Happy 2022, may it be full of opportunities.

[@mitchmatthews6713]

Most of all, be safe in 2022, Otis!

[@markclausen2230]

We talked about resolutions last night and nobody would commit to one. Mine is to write a complete song. Thanks for this year Otis. You have displaced NPR as my Saturday morning working in my shop listen. Happy New Year everyone.

[@ClintonCaraway]

I found this channel because of Townes which led me to your podcast and earlier videos. Now I am a die-hard 100% Happy New Year Otis!!

[@darrellarvin123]

Thats a good list Otis. i think i'll take Handsome Johnnys advice and plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches and try to find Jesus on my own. i guess my favorite Townes tune would have to be Dead Flowers and my favorite Hank song would be Cold cold heart. Thanks for keeping it real Otis. Your cup of coffee and a story is something i always look forward to.

[@briangordon8602]

My current favorite Hank song is Lost Highway. Townes song is "Waiting Around to Die"

[@ministerofdarkness]

Man I played tons of New Year's Eve shows at the old Springwater in Nashville! Good times and late nights. My lungs are still hurting from all the smoke! Fav Townes song is Flying Shoes. Favorite Hank Sr. song Singing Waterfall

[@flagrentfoul3829]

I absolutely loved your list of goals. I have lots of acorns that need thrown at something. My only real goals are based on my young girls. I want to learn a few cords on a guitar to inspire them to learn to play an instrument, and I want to learn to roller skate backwards so I can see the look on their face when I do it. Your podcast was the perfect thing to start off the new year. Bravo my friend, bravo.

[@themusic382]

Favorite Hank song is one he never recorded called "The Evening Train", I play in a string band with a guy who is a real "Hank Scholar", and he introduced me to that one. My favorite Townes song varies with mood, but I think "Tecumseh Valley" has to be near the top. The line "her ways were free, and it seemed to me/ that sunshine walked beside her" is a line that made me realize how far I have to go as a songwriter. These are 1 and 2 in a list of the saddest songs ever written in my humble opinion...love your content Otis!