Welcome to my newsletter. James Taylor on the real story behind "You've Got A Friend." How bluesman Johnny Copeland changed my life. Dolly gets poked. Billy Strings goes deep.
We caught the rescheduled ABB show at the Ryman, the Allman Family Revival in Feb. Our first large venue show in a yr. It felt different of course w it just being about a quarter capacity I think. A great show & look for many more soon.
WOW! Alan, that was GREAT! So happy to get these insights into the people I've often admired and who have carried me through the years with their music. Keep it up, brother! I'll be looking forward to each one now!!!
After watching many of your live q & a sessions last year during the pandemic I knew this was going to be a great read. You didn’t disappoint! I can’t wait to read the next one. Also happy anniversary to you and your bride!
all of them played Rick's in Ann Arbor regularly and I saw them, most of them many times. Because I loved them and treated them like stars, they loved me and I became the waiter for the bands. Served KoKo Taylor nachons many times.
Alan-great stories from Johnny Copeland. I love the backstory on your future wife. As a fellow Wolverine, I love hearing any stories that start in Ann Arbor. Can’t wait to see what is next. Congratulations!
What a wonderful story and remembrance of Houston's own Johnny Copeland! I actually discovered his music the reverse way - when Shemekia put out her first album in 1998. My only question...did you just WATCH him smoke weed? :) Great first column, and congrats on launching it!
Well, to the best of my memory, yes. He had a little wooden pipe he was filling and smoking. I ay have hit it at some point. Really don't recall. Finding these photos was amazing. I'll share some more. Wait til I tell my Allen Ginsberg story for the first time.
Thank you for documenting music history and making your stories and images almost as engaging as artist’s music. After all, music is only the medium. Love to hear the human side of their world. Rich!
Thank you Alan Paul for the variety and the insight. I’ve enjoyed your writing and your posts since you signed my copy of One Way Out in San Rafael. Keep up the great work!
LOVE this first newsletter, Mr. Paul! James and Carol~WOW! Especially liked hearing the wonderful snippet about you and your beautiful wife! Thank you for sharing your fabulous stories, sir. As always, you NEVER disappoint!!
Thanks for reading!
Great post, Alan. Johnny gave you great advice. Duke Robillard and band played at our wedding, 17+ years ago. Many happy returns!
Thanks. Great wedding band!
We caught the rescheduled ABB show at the Ryman, the Allman Family Revival in Feb. Our first large venue show in a yr. It felt different of course w it just being about a quarter capacity I think. A great show & look for many more soon.
WOW! Alan, that was GREAT! So happy to get these insights into the people I've often admired and who have carried me through the years with their music. Keep it up, brother! I'll be looking forward to each one now!!!
Thanks Kathy!
After watching many of your live q & a sessions last year during the pandemic I knew this was going to be a great read. You didn’t disappoint! I can’t wait to read the next one. Also happy anniversary to you and your bride!
Art
Thanks Art.
Johnny Copeland was great. You mentioned Koko, Son Seals and Lonnie. Great Alligator lineup!
all of them played Rick's in Ann Arbor regularly and I saw them, most of them many times. Because I loved them and treated them like stars, they loved me and I became the waiter for the bands. Served KoKo Taylor nachons many times.
a great read...
Thank you.
Alan-great stories from Johnny Copeland. I love the backstory on your future wife. As a fellow Wolverine, I love hearing any stories that start in Ann Arbor. Can’t wait to see what is next. Congratulations!
Tanks kerry. There will be a lot of Ann Arbor stories popping up in the months to come.
What a wonderful story and remembrance of Houston's own Johnny Copeland! I actually discovered his music the reverse way - when Shemekia put out her first album in 1998. My only question...did you just WATCH him smoke weed? :) Great first column, and congrats on launching it!
Well, to the best of my memory, yes. He had a little wooden pipe he was filling and smoking. I ay have hit it at some point. Really don't recall. Finding these photos was amazing. I'll share some more. Wait til I tell my Allen Ginsberg story for the first time.
Let me begin again as a speck
of dust caught in the night winds
sweeping out to sea. Let me begin
this time knowing the world is
salt water and dark clouds, the world
is grinding and sighing all night, and dawn
comes slowly and changes nothing. Let
me go back to land after a lifetime
of going nowhere.......
Tonight I shall enter my life
after being at sea for ages.......
The one child of millions of children
who has flown alone by the stars
above the black wastes of moonless waters
that stretched forever, who has turned
golden in the full sun of a new day.
A tiny wise child who this time will love
his life because it is like no other.
Philip Levine
Heavy
Loved the stories and thanks for the Billy Strings recommendation.
Right on. You're welcome.
Thank you for documenting music history and making your stories and images almost as engaging as artist’s music. After all, music is only the medium. Love to hear the human side of their world. Rich!
Loved the stories of James Taylor and especially Johnny Copeland which I can definitely relate to.
Thank you.
Geez Alan, a Grand Slam right out of the box!!
Thank you Alan Paul for the variety and the insight. I’ve enjoyed your writing and your posts since you signed my copy of One Way Out in San Rafael. Keep up the great work!
Excellent. You're welcome. And thank you.
LOVE this first newsletter, Mr. Paul! James and Carol~WOW! Especially liked hearing the wonderful snippet about you and your beautiful wife! Thank you for sharing your fabulous stories, sir. As always, you NEVER disappoint!!
Thank you so much.