Shel Silverstein

Leroy Riggs · From: Looney Tunes, R.I.P.

Shel (Sheldon) Silverstein was one of country’s best know songwriters who was also a well know poet, and author of many children’s books. His song list included Faron Young's "Your Time Is Coming", Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue" along with Johnny’s, “Boa Constrictor”. Bobby Bare sang many of Shels’s songs including “Marie Laveau”, “What If” sung as a duet with his small son and “Mermaid Song”. Bobby and Shel were good friends.

Shel wrote countless more songs as well such as, “Queen Of The Silver Dollar” and “25 minutes to go” (Johnny Cash).

Shel also made the front cover of Rolling Stone with a rock band (Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show) by doing a song that was called “The Cover Of Rolling Stone”.

Many of his songs were comedic and those were usually very long .

And then there was this one--one that most of the younger set probably hasn't heard, "A Front Row Seat to Hear Ole Johnny Sing".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7vBShIl9gk

Do a search on YouTube and enjoy some of his songs.
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A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
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nick allen · From: France

A lot of comedy songs, but also some very beautiful and moving ones - "A Couple More Years" and "Whistlers and Jugglers" by Waylon, a lot that Bobby Bare did, including "February Snow"...
Nick

Leroy Riggs · From: Looney Tunes, R.I.P.

Indeed Bobby Bare did a lot of them. I think doing Shel's song is just in Bobby's blood. Smile

_________________
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
.....

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

I had his "Freakin at the Freakers Ball" album many years ago and really liked it.
Can't remember what happened to it, probably smoked it.... Muttering

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"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube

Dave Harmonson · From: Seattle, Wa

Remember "On Susan's Floor" recorded by Gordon Lightfoot and on an early Hank Jr. album. He could write a moving beautiful song, too.

Henry Nagle · From: Santa Rosa, California

Didn't he write "Jennifer Johnson and Me? That's a great tune! I play with a guy who does my favorite version of that song.

Michael Douchette · From: Gallatin, TN (deceased)

Wonder who all's in that photo? Looks like Kenny Buttrey in the middle with the hat, under the "B."
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Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

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Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Could it be Ray Sawyer with the hat, to the far right?
_________________
"Play to express, not to impress"
Website - YouTube

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

looks like Frank Zappa wearing the hat under the B !

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

From Barnes and Noble:

Michael Douchette · From: Gallatin, TN (deceased)

Don't think the player list matches the photo; there are gals in the pic...
_________________
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.

http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html

(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

Cody Campbell · From: Nashville, Tennessee

Tony,

Haha. Does look kinda like him. Definitely not FZ, though.

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I couldn't believe it the first time I found out about Shel's dirty songs. ("Stacey brown got two", "I saw Polly in a porny", "Father of a boy named Sue", etc.) I had no problem with them, but many folks might find some of it very offensive.

Dad bought us all Shel's children's books when we were little and he would read them with us. So it was a big shock to hear some of that stuff he recorded back then.

Gordy Hall · From: Fairfax, CA.

He also wrote 'Put Another Log on the Fire'.

Stephen Gambrell · From: Over there

He wrote an epic poem in Playboy magazine, 20+ years ago, called "The Devil and Billy Markham." Great view into the human condition, the state of country music, guys in blue jean jackets, Linebaugh's, and a beat-up guitar. I'd love to find a copy.

Leroy Riggs · From: Looney Tunes, R.I.P.

Jack Stanton · From: Somewhere in the swamps of Jersey

Bobby Bare recorded an album of all Shel Silverstein's songs called "The Winner". The Big E played GREAT steel and Dobro throughout.

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

He had multiple talents.

My favorite memory of Silversteins talent was his cartoon with the GI at the medics displaying a human head growing out of his shoulder, and the caption was: "At first I thought it was a wart".

Pat Irvin · From: Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Henry he did write "Jennifer Johnson & Me", one of my favorites.

Stephen here you go-

The Devil & Billy Markham
by Shel Silverstein

The Devil walked into Linebaugh's on a rainy Nashville night
While the lost souls sat and sipped their soup in the sickly yellow neon light.
And the Devil, he looked around the room, then got down on his knees.
He says, "Is there one among you scum who'll roll the dice with me?"
Red, he just strums his guitar, pretending not to hear.
And Eddie, he just looks away and takes another sip of beer.
Vince, he says, "Not me, I'll pass. I've had my share of hell,"
And scribbling on a napkin, some song he was sure would sell.
Ronnie just kept whisperin' low to the snuff queen who clutched at his sleeve.
And somebody coughed -- and the Devil scoffed -- and turned on his heel to leave.
"Hold on", says a voice from the back of the room," 'fore you walk out that door.
If you're lookin' for some action, friend, well, I've rolled some dice before."
And there stood Billy Markham, he'd been on the scene for years,
Singin' all them raunchy songs that the town didn't want to hear.
He'd been cut and bled a thousand time, and his eyes were wise and sad,
And all his songs were the songs of the street, and all his luck was bad.
"I know you," says Billy Markham, "from many a dark and funky place,
But you always spoke in a different voice and wore a different face.
While me, I've gambled here on Music Row with hustlers and with whores,
And, hell, I ain't afraid to roll them devilish dice of yours."
"Well, then, get down," says the Devil, "just as if you was gonna pray,
And take these dice in your luckless hand and I'll tell you how this game is played.
You get one roll -- and you bet your soul -- and if you roll thirteen you win,
And all the joys of flesh and gold are yours to touch and spend.
But if that thirteen don't come up, then kiss your ass goodbye
And will your useless bones to God, 'cause your goddam soul is mine!
"Thirteen?" says Billy Markham. "Hell, I've played in tougher games.
I've loved ambitious women and I've rode on wheel-less trains.
So gimme room, you stinkin' fiend, and let it all unwind.
Nobody's ever rolled a thirteen yet, but this just might be the time."
Then Billy Markham, he takes the dice, and the dice feel as heavy as stones.
"They should, they should," the Devil says, "'cause they're carved from Jesus' bones."
And Billy Markham turns the dice and the dice, they have no spots.
"I'm sorry," says the Devil, "but they're the only dice I got."
"Well, shit," says Billy Markham. "Now, I really don't mean to bitch,
But I never thought I'd stake my roll in a sucker's game like this."
"Well, then, walk off," says the Devil. "Nobody's tied you down."
"Walk off where?" says Billy Markham. "It's the only game in town.
But I just wanna say 'fore I make my play, that if I should chance to lose,
I will this guitar to some would-be star who'll play some honest blues,
Who ain't afraid to sing the words like damn or shit or fuck
And who ain't afraid to put his ass on the stage where he makes his bucks.
But if he plays this guitar safe, and sings some sugary lies,
I'll haunt him till we meet in hell -- now, gimme them fuckin' dice."
And Billy Markham shakes the dice and yells, "Come on, thirteen!"
And the dice, they roll -- and come up blank. "You lose!" the Devil screams.
"But I really must say 'fore we go our way that I really do like your style.
Of all the fools I've played and beat, you're the first one who lost with a smile."
"Well, I'll tell you somethin'," Billy Markham says. "Those odds weren't too damn bad.
In fourteen years on Music Row, that's the best damn chance I've had."
Then, arm in arm, Billy Markham and the Devil walk out through Linebaugh's door,
Leavin' Billy's old beat-up guitar there on the floor. And if you go into Linebaugh's now, you can see it there today
Hangin' from a nail on that wall of peelin' gray
Billy Markham's old guitar...
That nobody dares to play.