Verlon Thompson - campfire-side performance of he and Guy Clark's song "The Guitar"

Verlon Thompson tells about the time that Guy Clark gave him a Bourgeois "mahogany back & sides" Guitar... he then rolls into a performance of he and Guy Clark's song The Guitar. This was aside the campfire at the 55th wedding anniversary party for Terry & Jo Harvey Allen, at the Marfa, TX home of Dick & Janie DeGuerin... on July 6th, 2017.

[@imnova7822]

Jesus this is another level of playing

[@MrPennystyle01]

Keep His name out of your mouth.

[@brisklyinapostchaise]

@@MrPennystyle01 Jesus, doc; chill yerself.

[@brisklyinapostchaise]

@@MrPennystyle01 you must be real fun at parties. Your lord, not mine. You remind me of the fundamentalists who attack people for drawing pictures of their prophet. Stay off KZbin comments if hearing Jesus makes you clutch your pearls. You have no authority to police anyone's language.

[@brisklyinapostchaise]

@@MrPennystyle01 your evident satisfaction in the idea of someone you don't know in the least suffering the worst torment you can imagine seems decidedly un-Christ-like; but whatever, chief. I'll be sure, whilst roasting for all eternity, to say hi to Bert Jansch. Now THERE'S a reprobate for you.

[@ClaytonWillisMusic]

@@brisklyinapostchaise talking to yourself?

[@timmcquerry6068]

This is the GREATEST tribute to Guy! You couldn't do any Better!😊

[@PiDev]

This gives me chills every time I watch it, which I've done about 50 times over the past two days.

[@OhhBallistic]

Haha

[@DrBlues76]

That’s how you play at a campfire! Wow

[@jaredmoore6713]

I've listened to Verlon play that song a dozen times, and it never gets old.

[@frankguernier2280]

I must admit . I loved Guy's vocals and Vernon's picking.

[@tigersports8988]

I can’t imagine what the guy after him was thinking. “Holy shit what do I play to sound as good as that?”

[@DiamondbackDetailing]

Okay so here’s wonderwall

[@armadillotoe]

I would attempt an acappella tune.

[@STEViEmando]

A masterclass in playing a campfire. A good story and a great song. Thanks for posting this. CHEERS !!

[@richardreeder8764]

Having had the opportunity to play with Verlon for a shorttime in Colorado in the mid '70's, it is always a great pleasure to see what a Country icon he has become. All the very best Verlon!

[@armadillotoe]

I have played and listened to guitars around a campfire a few times. I have never heard anything as amazing as this. I have heard Verlon play this with Guy Clark, and by himself, but the campfire makes it even more magical.

[@frankguernier2280]

That song with Guy singing rates up there with the Randal Knife.

[@kerryevans1562]

Guy Clark smiling down from heaven.....

[@hle.racing]

As a 28 year old man who has been playing guitar and singing since I was 12, I can relate to the feeling of being in a guitar store or a pawn shop and picking up an instrument that you just get lost in. It's been a few years since i've experienced that feeling, but this song did something to me and brought me to tears. Tears of joy. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for writing and playing this song. Cheers!

[@seejay60]

I really do pity the 4 unfortunates that gave this a thumbs-down! Verlon's amazing fretwork gives this song so much depth!

[@carrottopfarm9037]

I love that moment Verlon had with the boy at the end, that’s one lucky kid!!!

[@mairianncullen8753]

That is one good sounding guitar, played by one good guitarist! Verlon - he and Guy worked together for so many years. What a partnership that was.

[@navajomudtoy]

i was there as well. a real magical night it was. "Eli" is DeG's grandson, sittin next to ol' Verlon.

[@aditya19945]

You are so lucky.

[@jeremyvantrease8689]

Now we get the backstory on the song! This is good stuff!

[@kevinl1717]

Learned of Verlon thru listening to Towns and Steve Earle... Guy Clark amazing too but seriously... Verlon can play guitar like I’ve never heard before!!! 👍🏼

[@willcoffarchives]

what the genuine fuck have I just come across. This is otherworldly

[@bigted1953]

very impressed with the song- even more impressed by the man himself.

[@RUNNOFT71]

Love, Love Verlon Thompson.

[@georgemagson2196]

this dude is a fucking wizard

[@chuckHart70]

HAHHAHAHA yes sir!

[@2razorfreak]

Guy Clark is very likely the greatest songwriter of all time.

[@scottdouglaslaxier2549]

Sublime effort & song

[@burakakdemir3934]

This video is touching my soul everytime i watch it

[@g392_cs_echo5]

I love everything about this.

[@Tubularll]

Soooo cool! Verlon's solo on the recording of "The Guitar" is one of the greatest things I've ever heard!

[@GordyThomas]

Verlon is a true Nashville treasure

[@BrockCarter-sd5rr]

A master at work.

[@kennymccormack6746]

Verlon is first class! Love his style and I have the same love for mahogany guitars!

[@philipearlmcg3964]

Heard him tell this story a few weeks ago at the Red Dragon Listening Room in Baton Rouge. What a great evening

[@austinitesince1979]

amazing. i've recently discovered Verlon Thompson while i was going through some of Guy Clark's videos, specifically a performance of Guy and Verlon doing The Guitar at The Cactus Cafe (RIP Guy) and man what a monster guitarist Verlon is, that is some crazy good guitar playing! hell yeah! awesome guitar, awesome guitarist, and those LYRICS!! "whatever" (lol!) even more awesome story to go with it at the beginning! xD Thank you for sharing!

[@fmoe87]

This is beyond amazing, i dont have words that justifies just how great this is

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Verlon is a hell of a picker. Underrated as hell.

[@markhayner3498]

Verlon I Hope your are still with us and playing great music!

[@robgray9620]

Whoever put thumbs down have no taste , Great video thanks

[@bodyguy1]

Awesome! I have entertained a camp fire or two but those poor people never got to experience the likes of you! Bravo

[@dusrjam88]

What a treat.

[@kenhughes4715]

It doesn’t get any better!

[@robertfarmer7427]

That is some HOT ROD PICKING! Also, that is a cool tune! The man has his craft well perfected!

[@txcowgirl83]

Why can’t I like this more than ONCE!! Totally love this video.

[@shaanp9796]

I’ll help you out 👍.

[@txcowgirl83]

@@shaanp9796 Hahaha THANKS!

[@chetvolz8363]

How the hell do you top that? Just amazing!

[@chuckHart70]

Chet you dont. Verlon... is one of the best period.

[@quokka8292]

It's so wholesome, makes me feel the most at ease I've ever been in a long time.

[@OurBackwoodsHomestead]

Love this song!

[@schlickems5728]

Blaze, Townes, Clark, now this guy and im sure so many others I dont know about.. I found this amazing corner of music through Foley a couple years ago and Im slowly uncovering more and more people that all seem to be interconnected. Can anyone here give me some more names to listen to? And a history lesson if you’d be down lol. If im not mistaken, they’re all from austin? but aside from that Id love to learn more. This is absolutely the best music ive ever listened to.

[@LazloArcadia]

LOL - what an amazing evening that must have been. Only sorry I wasn't there.

[@chuckHart70]

F my campfire songs! Thanks Verlon.... :-)

[@dieselman7453]

The proper tab for this would be amazing every tab I find is very hard to follow !! This is an amazing party piece to play for folks !! Thanks from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@ambianknight6816]

That was a real pleasure. Thank you.

[@RebelRitchieMusic]

This would have been my favourite recording of this song ever, if it wasn’t for the person who couldn’t hold back their mouth right at the climax. Upsetting.

[@dieselman7453]

🤮🤮wat you are a clown !! It was a child who done that ! And he knew the words 😁wat a star that is the best part of this video !! You must be one sorry ass sucker 😂😂😂

[@Yano_2323]

That was amazing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@KeyserTheRedBeard]

amazing content Greg Giannukos. I smashed that thumbs up on your video. Always keep up the wonderful work.

[@Kendo276]

Great guitar song, no pun intended. Verlons voice and the tempo are perfect.

[@daleworrall]

Mighty Fine work Verlon..!!

[@erichcrowley8603]

Adds a lot to it with a backstory

[@rachaelgoan2900]

Goosebumps... literal... goosebumps! 😱

[@nhuxley29]

WOW the sound of that guitar!

[@Ditch1221]

Verlon was playing at a festival near my home last week. I was out of town and unaware he'd be there. Sure wish I could have seen him.

[@MrSanfrinsisco]

This videos makes fills a hole in my heart.

[@americanbradley]

Rock solid guitar pickin'. Phenomenal.

[@j.p9655]

Legend. Maybe in another 30 years I'll be able to play that well.

[@chuckHart70]

Well no one can play like Vern, cause its Vern but you can do your own version...As good as Verns? No, but its good enough.

[@DrStich]

Thank you Mr. Thompson, that's incredible!

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Would love to see you and Billy Strings get together and pick. Especially if y'all were to do an extended "freebird length " version of this. Might just be the best day ever if that were to happen.

[@henske100]

This is SO Good!!!

[@keithbird8910]

Just fantastic!

[@heatherseamons9507]

Amazing playing. Love the back story

[@stubarrett1073]

Wonderful!

[@ehduftsjroc8]

Great story! ....reminds me of Spanish Train

[@lukewilkins1190]

Living the best life man I’m gonna start playing guitar again use to play years ago I’m gonna need a while to get good at it again❤

[@stephencardiff7536]

Amazing song ... brilliantly played

[@sjlee1951]

My friend Verlon Thompson.

[@thebookpeddler]

Amazing...

[@justinjoseph600]

This is the craziest thing ever

[@ericlong9085]

Class song

[@volaoh2.016]

I'll be in my 80's before I'm able to play just nearly as good as Verlon

[@ryanfrenchak5043]

Gosh damn that man can play guitar!

[@A_Random_Rat]

I guess it’s fair to say the guitar is in fine hands

[@greyvr4336]

Was on a project long ago. Walk in on the rest of the team. "We just can't fix it without washers. Have to send someone to the town for some" Me: "I have washers." "We've been working on this for days! Why didn't you say?" "First I'm hearing about it." Always let people around you know what you are looking for.

[@jimmymundane1084]

Wow!

[@ms.saratonin6467]

“…just tune it up and play a song & we’ll just see what haunts it…” - EPIC

[@evanmulryan9964]

Yes man Yes

[@dreamwell2020]

Thank you, Greg. Whudoweoweya?

[@Drummer_Mike_D]

Wow

[@malicious8458]

This is the best thing I have heard.

[@ronniepotts8561]

Does anyone know of a video lesson or tabs for the solo?

[@texascarpenter3931]

I think I've seen Verlon in Luckenbach

[@camcook7241]

Dam !

[@duaneholcomb8408]

Mighty fine playing. And picking. I play but not that good,, those are .impressive runs. Your doing,,,

[@candacethompson4754]

That's my uncle

[@jameskenyon5989]

Candace You are a very fortunate niece. Verlon is awesome. I would give just about anything to meet him He and Guy Clark are something special, really touches the heart whenever I hear either

[@A_Random_Rat]

Last name checks out

[@dieselman7453]

You need to go to your uncle and learn every song he knows especially this one !! Don’t let this skill fade away !! If I had an uncle that could play like that I’d be with him night and day 😎😎🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🎸🎸🎸

[@drb000]

oh If I had a time machine

[@skillet7805]

Anybody know the Gi-taur he's singin' 'bout

[@oliroy]

Matthew McConaughey's dad plays really well 😮

[@davek4059]

Are there any tabs? Would be great!

[@eshmedbbx4754]

2025 anyone?❤

[@markfarley4689]

Virtuoso

[@crispycheerios453]

Song?

[@josephfavreau511]

Crispy Cheerios “The Guitar”

[@reecejohs3334]

It says it in the title 😂

2:05

[@irishluck7461]

That was the devil behind that guitar case

[@joannehack7588]

🙃

[@Caperhere]

Hope that fire doesn’t ruin it.