Townes Van Zandt -The Nashville Years

Susie Monick shares personal stories and memories of hanging out with Townes Van Zandt.
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Townes Van Zandt
Susie Monick
#TownesVanZandt

[@otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Townes Van Zandt song?

[@garytrew2766]

Pancho and Lefty is all I can think of right now, I tend to forget song titles😄🤪 ✌️🤘

[@JKlasen]

Love Susie. Very cool. Great honest story told also with compassion. Tecumseh Valley just makes me weep.

[@mojo6778]

Favorite would be Tecumseh Valley followed closely by Pancho and Lefty

[@wheninroamful]

Rex's Blues comes to mind; but oh so hard to pick one. But Waitin Around to Die and To Live's To Fly are of course #1 best songs in any genre. No one can do it that good; damn.

[@wheninroamful]

@@JKlasen Tecumseh Valley is the epitome of the "beautifully sad" songs.

[@jonham8469]

I've shared this story on KZbin before, but it's worth sharing again. In 1972 I was in journalism school at the University of Georgia and my critical writing professor brought in the album "The Late Great Townes Van Zandt" for us to listen to and then write a review of it in a half hour, like we would have to do when we were working on a newspaper deadline. I had written in that review that a couple of Townes's songs were "derivative of Eric Andersen," who I'd been fan of since the mid-'60s. Well, two days later the prof came into the class and Townes Van Zandt, was with him, carrying his guitar case. He was in town because he was booked at a folk club (now a restaurant) in downtown Athens called The Last Resort. Our professor, John English, said that Van Zandt had read all of our reviews and was going to sing some songs for us. But before he launched into about 40 minutes of singing, he said, "Which one of you said I was derivative of Eric Andersen?" I sheepishly raised my hand and he just sort of smiled. That night my wife and I went to The Last Resort and saw his show. He's been a favorite of mine ever since. Oh, and I still like Eric Andersen, too.

[@ardenevox]

Great story.

[@AndySalinger33]

Susie is the coolest chick ever! Such warmth and kindness in her eyes.These Townes stories are sheer treasures. Thanks Susie, for sharing your personal stories. And as always, thanks Otis, for providing all of this! Much obliged, 🕊

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Andy!

[@littlewing6231]

Don’t get me wrong I had my own hang ups with opiates. But as funny and cool as some of these stories are they also are tragic in the sense that the cost of such a lifestyle is never cheap. Crying intermittently in his last months is just sad. I’m a survivor and ten years off the merry go round of roxy codone 30 mg 💊 pills. Got 270 a month and 90 perc 10mgs pills and would be out in 12 days. For years I lived that hell and can’t imagine what Townes was doing even if it was just drinking we’re talking epic amounts. This lady is so straight forward with her recollections and is a beautiful woman. She admits her lifestyle and a tinge of regret mixed with great times and memories. Great upload Otis. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Four star review out of four.

[@barrettblues1626]

9:24 "Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a Banana." Damn that made me smile. God bless you Townes.

[@douglove2412]

I love Townes’ song “Snowin’ on Raton.” Simple but full of life and meaning. Also, “White Freight Liner.” Too bad so much genius comes with self-medication. Thanks for bringing Susie on the air. Now I gotta go down the research rabbit-hole and pull up her great music. Fun! Much love to you.

[@otisgibbs]

Take care, Doug!

[@noneyaas2669]

The highway kind is just one of many that sends chills up my spine. It still brings tears to my eyes it brings alot of lonely times back up for me

[@jerrymullin2058]

Titus ally(sp) was a major infuence on my free style flat picking technique. To this day, I play all I can remeber of a song he was working on when I knew him. "That ole west Texas sun is going down on everyone and it reminds me of loving you." Titus could write and play. R.I.P.

[@paulthomasmiller1842]

When you think that you've heard every Townes Van Zandt story here comes Susie. Thanks for sharing.

[@tombryant52jumpscoach]

"Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana". I'm never gonna forget that.

[@Mike583]

Depression is such a sad thing to endure! I had my own bouts with it. You just start thinking about something that happened to you, a sad memory or a song & you break down in tears. A prescription helped a lot,but it doesn't stop it completely. It's a hard thing to live with. How many people have we lost to too much consumption of alcohol, illegal drugs & prescription drugs? TOO DAMN MANY!!!❤💔

[@otisgibbs]

Depression is noJoke! Take care of yourself, Robert!

[@Mike583]

@@otisgibbs You to Otis,like the song goes "one day at a time sweet Lord"!

[@JKlasen]

Darkness Visible by William Styron. Captured it for me. It’s like music. Can you really write about it? But this book seemed to capture it. Oh, and yes there are some extraordinary pieces of writing that seem capture the music. “Holding up sorrow for heaven to see” comes to mind

[@PongbyAtari]

Anyone that ever saw Townes do a show will tell you that it's one of the craziest emotional roller coaster rides you have ever been on. I still get goosebumps when I think about seeing him live. I loved hearing her tell her experiences of being around Townes. One of my favorite Townes songs is "Marie" but honestly there are so many I can choose just one. Thanks for another great video Otis.

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you!

[@JKlasen]

I love If I Needed You. I mean, how can you not. Townes just continues to break your heart. Where does it hurt, brother?? Susie has my heart now! Otis always the best and worth a couple of listens.

[@GregBurnett]

Choosing a favorite townes song is like choosing your favorite sunrise or sunset... really difficult. Something memorable I think it's that Willie and Merle did part of their Pancho and Lefty video here in Austin at the downtown Alamo hotel, which no longer is standing. Townes had a cameo, which is really cool. His overall legacy is rich, both with highs and lows for sure. Thanks very much for the video, your interviews help us know and understand our icons, poets and artists who were wrought with idiosyncracies and consequences that gives others pause and some times applause.

[@iansingsiansings2101]

Thanks Susie, Thanks Otis, Thank you Townes.

[@ClintonCaraway]

Otis you have introduced me to so many cool people that I would otherwise have never heard of.

[@drumsleuth]

Townes carried the pain of the world with him you could feel it in his songs.flying shoes.

[@johnmoonitz2968]

The first Townes song I heard I heard as an 8 year-old boy in 1978 ... Flyin' Shoes ... To this day, with all the amazing songs he wrote (many of which jockey for that oh-so-close second position), Flyin' Shoes is still my favorite song, on what I believe to be one of the greatest albums ever produced. I remember a reply he gave to an alleged music journalist who asked him why he wrote sad songs ... "My songs aren't sad," he said, "they're hopeless." Townes just floors me ...

[@mrwho2118]

That was a great one Otis! Susie seems like a fun person to be around with some cool stories. Perfect afternoon break from yard work!

[@LastMoonboy]

Otis I can’t thank you enough for doing what you do and having this channel. These videos have become a big part of my everyday. Thank you and please continue!!

[@tacmason]

I really appreciate Suzie's candid recollections here !

[@swordfish52]

Wow , She has some great stories !! Nice Lady !! Thanks Otis ... Jimmy ...

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Jimmy!

[@chrispowers8339]

Listening to this interview with my coffee on a Sunday morning-my day is already made! So thankful to be alive🙏-Thanks Otis😉

[@otisgibbs]

Thank you, Chris!

[@KTMBB71]

Thanks Otis ! Not many new him when he was alive and the people that did are getting old. Happy they shed some light on Music's most mysterious character.

[@shannonlyon]

I love her!!

[@williamlawrence4853]

She was awesome, hopefully she’s a gold mine of stories like I think she is.

[@OldHenryLee]

Awesome & interesting stuff 😎. ... LoL, video lives up to the title of it & then some. - Thanks as always Mr. Otis. ... 🤘

[@karlyoung5089]

Wonderful.

[@ardenevox]

I met Townes in Toronto, Canada, and it was life changing. I interviewed him, got to sing with him at his last gig here at the Bathurst Street Theatre on Goodnight, Irene - he apparently knew Irene, she was a cousin of Ledbelly? In any event, he told me one of those magnificently corny jokes that had me howling for weeks. I'm so glad to hear Susie tell that Smokey the Bear joke. The one he told me (which I still tell sometimes to this day) is: horse walks into a bar. Bartender asks: 'Why the long face?" It was so dumb I just laughed and laughed. Don't know what it was about it that I found so funny. Just the absurdity of it, and of course, Townes' laconic Texan drawl and boyish, impish charm. He also courted the devil, for sure, and yes. I witnessed that sadness too. He told me he was manic and schizophrenic. He had no shortage of troubles. But he was so beloved.

[@lbshore]

His jokes were great. 😅 Love the one on the Old Quarter live record about the drunk who got his car stolen. 😅

[@lbshore]

Peter Rowan told me a great story about Townes losing his shirt in a craps game and finally finishing by betting away his dice. 😅

[@dougthompson9596]

Wonderful interview! Thanks again,Otis!

[@jswjanjan]

Wonderful! Thank you so much.⚘♥️🇨🇦

[@timothycarter8049]

Such a wonderful video!!!!!

[@SirLunchalot2]

Awesome stories thanks for sharing

[@veganlaw6599]

Thank you for sharing.

[@prosegold]

Such a great channel man . You really have some treasure here .

[@Kan-o-tex]

Thank you for another cautionary tale.

[@danielmims8467]

Great episode Otis, any TVZ video i have to watch . I'm glad I had the opportunity to have Steve Earle in introduce me to him when I was a 6 or 7 year old,kid I believe in,88 . TVZ is probably my all time favorite now.

[@amingusamongus]

Lungs destroys me every time I listen to it. Also, Harold Eggers’ book on his time with Townes is fascinating but emotionally rough read. Thanks for sharing the great interview!

[@1coopjsn]

Totally cool. What a nice person.

[@kevinhuber8723]

Great episode. I think the term is "Self Destructive"

[@otisgibbs]

Thanks, Kevin!

[@gamoonbat]

Irving Kane was an avant garde classical composer. His most famous accomplishment was actually acting in TV commercials for "American Ace" coffee.

[@littlewing6231]

That cat never jumped on Townes again. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Table: RIPieces 😉

[@sunnyhendry7144]

Good episode Otis.

[@michaellawrencesound]

Townes and Guy Clark tell the gold tooth story on the live album from the Bluebird Cafe with Steve Earle. I’ve heard the story a million times and it’s still funny. Spoiler alert: it was in fact the wrong tooth.

[@jimmanire3646]

My favorites rotate around, but for the last few years it's "Rake". It's up there with Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown".

[@birdman1174]

Yeah, Mississippi Whiskers, about 76 or 77. That's when my friend Les Elkins introduced me to David Allen Coe. And Tommy ? Good times... cold winter...

[@joeurbanowski321]

So sad… hearing about this part of his life..

[@otisgibbs]

I'm with ya, Joe. Very sad, indeed.

[@michaelsoucy7618]

thanks again Otis.He would keep his canoe there.hahaha

[@user-on6em2fp4b]

Tecumseh valley is my favorite townes song

[@jameswarner6899]

That's not the first story I have heard of the wrong tooth being pulled LoL Wild times

[@owencutfield9078]

Hey Otis. Wondered if you would ever do a segment on Steve Young, interviews of those who knew him or just a collection I reckon you could really pull it off and I feel like Steve is quickly being lost in the depths of time. Would be real cool if you did one of these on Steve. Cheers Otis

[@jackpeters9349]

No tellin

[@jackpeters9349]

Would like to here something on Steve Young he wrote City of New Orleans.

[@brucefolk6597]

Pintos from my hometown mtn home Idaho plz do a video on him he just passed!! 🙏🇺🇸

[@caseysmith544]

Since I know so little about Towns Van Zant, I did not Know he did the Original Our Mother The Mountain. I Know of a faster version that is more like Southern Rock Country mix.

[@otisgibbs]

Here's a very short clip of Townes and Susie onstage. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnrbp6qfedmWrM0

[@TR-yi8up]

Quicksilver Daydreams of Maria. Mr Mudd and Mr Gold. Flying Shoes

[@chrissawyer4060]

Dude see if you can get her to uplaod any of those dvds. I wanna hear em.

[@anfrankogezamartincic1161]

Today it's TECUMSEH VALLEY, tomorrow, who knows? So many brilliant songs/stories

[@johnnyrocco]

I think maybe Townes and I had the same question. Did the drugs come because of the sadness, or did the sadness bring the drugs? I don't think I will ever know and don't think Townes did either.

[@donyoung7874]

I found the Harold Eggars book kind of depressing. I met TVZ the last year of his life when he was on a tour with Guy Clark. They played The Ark in Ann Arbor and Townes was out in town somewhere. Guy came outside where people were lining up to go in, looking around for him. A little while later, Townes comes walking around the corner heading for the entrance that we were standing by. I said, "Hey Townes! How ya doing?" He said, "Right now, I feel like a dog fart." I had no idea how to respond to that. I have never seen a show like that one before or since. His rhythms were erratic and songs seemed to be at the verge of falling apart, but they never did. After the show, a couple sat and talked with him for a few minutes then each one kind of took an arm and walked with him back to the Green Room. It was sad. I think my favorite TVZ song is either To Live Is To Fly or Snowin' On Raton. Do you have any Jimmie Dale Gilmore stories you could share?

[@tedgay8427]

Tecumseh Valley. The Nanci Griffith version is best, but Townes' warbelling voice adds something to his original cut.

[@danielmims8467]

Yeah. Alot of his stuff has better covers.

[@kevindonohue8918]

...... wow, .....that's all I got

[@prashannadahal1624]

Kinda underrated townes song I think is: Rex's blues.

[@williamsmith5541]

Be Here To Love Me

[@arniegarcia9671]

Nuthin

[@michaelwilliamson7276]

Saint John the gambler, and come tomorrow. They’re tied.

[@wheninroamful]

She mentions "Titus Alley" at 9:09, does anyone know anything about him?

[@Gator198l]

If I Needed You

[@thegrievancegordieshow9882]

that’s a great joke as out here in California they still use Smokey Bear 🐻 middle name “the” 😂

[@robertbentzel6881]

Rake. Marie

[@jimmygarlon750]

Townes and midget, there is a song here somewhere.

[@JamesBond-uz2dm]

There's a joke in here also.

[@josephdelagarza835]

Lovers lluaby

[@ministerofdarkness]

If you've never played Springwater, then you've never played Nashville!

[@ModestCasanovaa]

Great video! i doubt she worked with Robin Williams seeing as how she rubbed her nose right as she said it with a faint tone drop. Being a psychologist that either tells me that she lied, or she felt like people would feel like she was lying, therefore made herself feel like she was lying therefore going through the motions of lying without lying. Either way, great stuff!

[@jonnybeck6723]

"the"? I thunked it wuz fuzzball...

[@Smitoons]

Nothin'

[@krisscanlon4051]

TVZ in Nashville??? How'd that work??? TVZ sure wasn't a music row kinda guy.

[@jeffhunt2778]

Alcoholism is one long, sad story punctuated by funny stories. Don't ask me how I know this.