Gary P. Nunn, 2009, T-Bones
This is posted with permission, written by Gary P. Nunn. To receive these newsletters/updates, go to his site, linked below, and sign up for them. Gary P. — for the very few of you who don’t know — is a Texas Music legend, who went into the spotlight in the 1970s when he was a part of Jerry Jeff Walker’s band.
Now, I’m not one to name-drop, much, but Gary P. sang one of his best songs, “What I Like About Texas,” to me as we rode together to catch up with Kerrville Folk Festival On The Road, playing that particular time in Houston. He was in the midst of writing it and used me as a sounding board. When he’d ask, ‘ What do you think of that line?,” all I could say was something completely inane, like, “duh” and “that’s pretty good.” I consider the man a friend… ‘nuf said. Mary Jane
Greetings from Cow Creek,
I’m late again! Summer just got past me and here it is already September. We’ve been working a full schedule from Port Aransas to Canadian and all points in between while subbing bass players all along the way. Fortunately there are a number of ex-bass players who are willing to help me out, so I’ve had experienced players do the gigs, and we haven’t missed a lick! I had the great pleasure to join up again with Michael Martin Murphey and the original Cosmic Cowboy Band for a special show in Red River, New Mexico, during the July 4th weekend. Folks came from all over to see that show which turned out really great. It’s amazing how easy it is to fall back in to that “old time feeling’, the way it was back in the early “70’s”and relive that music again. A crew from the Texas Tech Music Archives Dept. recorded and filmed the show. It really was a special event…..kind of like the Band’s “Last Waltz”, but hopefully it won’t be the last one we ever do! Michael revealed that “I” was the inspiration for the song Cosmic Cowboy, after I took him to the ranch in Oklahoma riding buckskin horses and camping out on the South Canadian River. If y’all ever want to get an idea of the music we did back then, I suggest you visit the CDs GERONIMO’S CADILLAC & COSMIC COWBOY SOUVINEERS.
Gary P playing at the now-closed “Drunken Mule” in Denison, a few years back.
Speaking of the “70’s”, on Aug. 18th we passed the 40th year anniversary of the recording of VIVA TERLINGUA, the classic Jerry Jeff Walker record that was the first to bust out of Texas and go nationwide! It was also the first appearance of my song, LONDON HOMESICK BLUES, which has been a tremendous boon to my career. I had the great good luck to have had the opportunity to work with MMM and JJW and participate in beginning of the Texas Music Industry. I like to say we built the highway that the “young guns” ride in their fancy tour busses down these days.
I think it’s fair to say as well, that we set the stage for Willie Nelson’s triumphant debut at the Armadillo World Headquarters!
That was then, and this is now, and I’m still going strong. I’m happy to announce that our 1st ANNUAL TOTALLY GUACAMOLE BELIZE BASH is COMPLETELY SOLD OUT! I’m really looking forward to that. I’ve been sitting in the sun trying to get a little tan happening before I get down there. With my complexion, I have to be careful. Ruth cannot go as she is scheduled to take her citizenship test during that period! I’m so disappointed, but so proud that she has decided to be an American citizen as she is more American than some Americans I know!
Another milestone is approaching. BLANCO’S BAR AND GRILL in Houston has been one of my favorite places to play for many years. It’s a funky little bar I call the “BROKEN SPOKE OF RIVER OAKS” that sits on a huge parking lot full of chuckholes on West Alabama amongst high rises and million dollar mansions. Not surprisingly, the property is so valuable that it has sold and will become a part of a neighboring school’s campus. The official last night is November 22nd, and since I was the one who started the music scene there, it is only fitting that I be the one who closes it down! I “open them up, and I close ’em down”! Heck, I closed down the Astrodome, but this is no less significant to me. I hope all my Houston fans will mark your calendar to be there for that historic event!
My latest CD, “ONE WAY OR ANOTHER”, is doing very well, especially with the internet sales. The sales from iTunes not only for this CD but downloads of all my other 15 CDs has increased as well. I still like the physical CD myself, but I understand how the iPod and the iPhone, have changed things.
The family is doing well. Ruth is “skinny as a rail” as she maintains a regimen of nutrition and exercise religiously. Once she takes on a project, she does not rest until it’s done! Also, she’s been very active in landscaping and has turned this piece of wilderness into a respectable looking place. Now, she’s in the process of building a “man cave” for me……a combination guest house and studio, where I can go out and bang on my piano as loud as I want without disturbing anyone. I’ve needed a space like this forever, as I still have lots of material to get recorded, as well as a couple of books to write, one of which is a book of photographs I’ve taken over the years during my travels on the road. I’m excited to have that building completed. We’re talking about have a old style “house raising”. That would be fun!
Gary P. with Melissa and Dale Arnold
Lukin is still in Nashville, working at Whole Foods and playing in bands. We got together in March for a ski trip in Red River. It was really great to spend some quality time with him. By the way, Red River is really making a comeback, and I can highly recommend you visit there anytime of the year! We headquarter at the LODGE AT RED RIVER, eat at TEXAS RED’S and dance at the MOTHERLODE. Have for years, splitting time between there and Taos and Taos Ski Valley. Lukin’s son, Sylas, is 16, stands 6 ft. 3″, and will be a senior at the school for gifted kids he attends in Nashville. He wants to study political science. I say get a CPA, go the Law School, and then you can do whatever you want! Speaking of doing what you want, our son Julian just moved to Australia! Gonna be gone for a few years. He really is the adventurous sort! Opportunities for him and his fiancé were too great to ignore, so they flew the coop! They’re coming back next January to visit and we have a ski holiday planned. We expect to go over there next summer.
Well, running out of page. I encourage you all to visit my website,
garypnunn.com, or Facebook page and check out our schedule and come see us when you can. You can order our new CD or any and all of our products at the website and we’ll have them in you hands in a few days. Thanks you all for your friendship and support and I will remain always, your friend for life.
Gary P. Nunn
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