Verlon Thompson “Sideman’s Dream”

In remembrance of Guy Clark.
Sideman's Dream
(Verlon Thompson)
We were young and looking like outlaws
Waiting for a train to take us up to Oregon
A two week run of old saloons and dance halls
Every show we played was better than the last one
We held your songs up to the light
And my harmonies got tight
You were playing strong and clean
We were a musical machine
It was the perfect sideman's dream
Cause we were young and looking like outlaws
Waiting for a train....
For about five minutes we were rock stars
We played the Hall of Fame..even rode up in a limousine
And some young kid came out to carry our guitars
You looked at me and laughed when they showed us on the big screen
And outside around the backstage door
Like we'd never seen before
There were pretty girls galore
And a couple of flat out whores
And you said "That ain't what we're here for"...
About five minutes we were rock stars
We played the Hall of Fame......
The end caught us unrehearsed
Between a chorus and a verse
Between a blessing and a curse
"Old Friends" and "Stuff That Works"
It went from good to bad to worse
And the wheels came off in Beaumont Texas
Or maybe Abilene...Hell they all run together
But just like that all those years went past us
And the long ride home seemed like it took forever
Forever.....Forever....
We were young and looking like outlaws
Waiting for a train
And for about five minutes we were rock stars
We played the Hall of Fame
And the wheels came off in Beaumont Texas
Or maybe Abilene
They all run together in a sideman's dream

[@joecallahan2230]

Very beautiful Mr. Verlon Thompson. Don’t know how you find the strength to continue without him but thank you.

[@CalJay7106]

Is it possible to NOT be a Verlon Thompson fan? Underrated by far too many.

[@BryanBlueNote]

What a beautiful tribute Verlon. Your talent for touching hearts and minds knows no bounds.

[@larryweathermon3960]

Great song! Sorry I quit refused to listen to the radio when disco came out. I didn't know there wear song writers like you and Guy Clark, and radio stations that played good music. I would like to have met you when I was in Nashville for 20 years.

[@daleshewchuk3523]

You are a musical treasure. Every aspect of your performances is polished and imbued with your rich history. Thank you for sharing that with us.♥

[@JoeLoesch]

I was just thinking of you and you popped in to sing this beautiful song for me. Thanks, Verlon. Outstanding!

[@customerservice8592]

There's a smile coming down from heaven.....

[@EarwaveMusic]

Beautiful, Verlon. I treasure every memory I have of you and Guy.

[@ungnome1]

Wonderful. How I love this.

[@neilstagner1961]

Amazing song, It looks like he is reliving the moment when he first sings the words "Maybe it was Abilene", (3:30 ish minute mark). It must have been a long ride home! This song tells the story well, from a looking-back perspective! Thank you, Mr Thompson!

[@daltonmillsmusic]

An absolutely beautiful song and remembrance of Guy, Mr. Thompson.

[@amandafoulk7309]

Just beautiful Verlon. What a great friend and musician you are. Guy was just az lucky to have you by his side.

[@Fretlovr]

For many years, I thought you had the best job in show business. Thanks for sharing.

[@andremansur4730]

Muito bom, excelente, parabéns. Abraços aqui do Brasil.

[@robhickman6788]

This one is a great troubadour song. Extremely personal. And beautiful.

[@triciagilligan5291]

THANKS Verlon! Love is eternal...Guy couldn't have had a better friend than you...so glad I was there for so many of those shows...LOVE

[@TheS5redneck]

The way you play guitar Verlon is amazing. I’m inspired every time I hear you play.

[@markstrain8989]

Amen!!!

[@bradynichols4464]

Thank you Verlon ❤

[@daviator4720]

Another fantastic song... by a fantastic artist... Thank you for posting

[@billguinn3977]

Thanks for the song and the memories. Saw you and Guy every time I could, a lot at Poor David’s!

[@Ditch1221]

Awesome !!! Memories last forever.

[@banjosfiddle]

Thank you, Verlon. I remember when we met backstage at The Birchmere when you were traveling with Nancy Griffith. You gave us a tour of the Blue Moon Express, and we shared a joint with Guy and Nancy and others.

[@netw52]

Perfect, Verlon. 💙💙💙💙

[@christinalyonq]

Beautiful. Heart breaking. Love you, Verlon!

[@philsmith2208]

Thanks Verlon

[@jimmohr]

Bless you brother

[@47RozUFO]

Talked to ya'll outside of the Grey Eagle in Asheville in NC. It was like i was talking to Mt. Rushmore. Thanks for all your creativity! You lives filled my heart and built my joy.

[@lukadyakowski5421]

Beautiful song and emotive performance. Keep up the great work, Verlon.

[@radbor1]

Thanks for sharing this remembrance of Guy Clark and your incredible songwriting and guitar talents!

[@frannyfly3118]

Beautiful, Verlon.❤️

[@hurricanemike1]

The fuckin truth! My brother, what awesome human. Semper Fidelis

[@theislanders207]

Proof that slangin' soul matters more than technical playing

[@DavidTownes]

Thanks

[@chrisleonard5850]

Awesome Verlon.

[@RedDog56]

Awesome Verlon! I truly wish I had met Guy!

[@stutaylor]

So glad I found you here on KZbin. I think you played this @ The Red Dragon in Baton Rouge just after Guy’s death. It moves me now just like it did that night and every time I’ve heard you perform it. Please keep sharing on KZbin while we struggle back to normalcy.

[@matthewwillis4892]

Thanks for sharing this great story/song Verlon, you're lookin' good!

[@daviator4720]

What a great tribute to a friendship. Verlon you were blessed to have had such a close friendship that lasted as long as it did. Sorry for your loss, but happy for the memories you had created together, and of course the great music that came out of the friendship.

[@wilkiepup1]

Thank you. So sorry.

[@gaylahunt6465]

Hugs from your Hunt cousins!!!

[@letslisten2it]

Beautiful!

[@paulajones5026]

Wonderful. Thanks for sharing your amazing talent. What a great song....

[@markstrain8989]

great 👍 song, Verlon. So, ... what happened in Beaumont, TX? Always thought Guy and Townes were like patron saints in Texas.

[@danielmims8467]

Absolutely 💯

[@SteveNorris]

❤

[@davidharl2258]

Wow!

[@oldcarya]

Love it Verlon!

[@robertloudon4425]

Lynn shared the link with Songbird. See your hair has been growing during the lockdown. Just got mine trimmed. Nancy and Joe suggested I let it grow so it was trimmed off the back of my neck. It felt like horse fly's buzzing me till it was cut. I got and watched "It All Begins with a Song", a couple of times. They didn't give you enough time in your segment. (my opinion). Take care. We appreciate everything you did for us at Songbird...

[@mistascott007]

Beautiful tribute.

[@HaroldSeaman]

Hi verlon, big fan of you and guy clark here, from the UK, how are you getting on through all this covid situation? Hope your okay

[@robertsimpson5136]

Saweeeeeet....:)

[@markambrose1908]

very nice really something such an interesting melody

[@eastofaustin258]

thanks Verlon. See you at Kerrville.

[@jasonodell79er]

Dang.