One of my favorite things about seeing live shows (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from late 2022/early 2023.
This is the only song of mine that shows up in books of inspirational songs. Which shows that they don’t understand the lyrics at all. Richard Thompson introducing the Fairport Convention song “Now Be Thankful”
I can’t stress that enough to the six of y’all, go to therapy. Also, Van Halen is really important. Sammie Kay introducing a killer acoustic cover of “Jump” to a sparse afternoon audience
This song is about the one undying true love of my life. “It’s called the Jameson Waltz”. Kayla Ray
This song helped me get over my ex. I imagined he was a deer and I hit him with my car. BER introducing her song “Deer”
I wrote this next song about a girl who I thought was really into me but it turns out she was just practicing her flirting. Pat Faherty of GA-20 introducing their song “Dry Run”
This is something hopeful that I wrote for my mother because she fucking begged me. David Ramirez introducing his song “Find the Light”
This one I wrote for Bing Crosby to sing even though he’s been dead for a while. He’s my favorite singer. That’s why I’m probably not more successful. Ron Sexsmith
It’s one thing to write a song, it’s another thing to remember it. John Fullbright
The difference between good songs and great songs is doing the work to make the second verse as good as the first. Steve Earle
Melody you have to pull out of thin air. Or someone else’s song. Adam Duritz on the songwriting process
Guy had two critiques. “Good work” or “needs work”. Steve Earle on getting songwriting feedback from Guy Clark
You don’t want to be the one who told Van Gogh not to paint anymore. “Sorry Vince, you’re not selling very well.” Adam Duritz on why he encourages aspiring songwriters
Don’t become a musician, become a chemist. We need better drugs. Lydia Lunch on the advice she gives aspiring musicians
It was one of the most inspired performances of my career. Elizabeth and the Catapult recalling a show before which she and her band unknowingly devoured some pot cookies.
We decided to have mushrooms at midnight. Which, if you know, is the wrong time to take mushrooms. David Ramirez
Feed my mom mushrooms at my funeral. She needs to know why I’m happy all the time. Andy Frasco
You all are so quiet and polite. Laura Cantrell at a Rough Trade Records in-store performance
Thats because there’s no alcohol. Steve Earle, in response
We’re in for an extraordinary show. It could be extraordinarily good or extraordinarily bad. Richard Thompson kicking off an all requests show
I’ve been in bars and venues around the world and there’s an asshole in every one. Will Hoge
There’s the asshole. Hoge a few minutes later when someone yelled out “Freebird”
I asked the bartender for a water and he gave me this, Liquid Death. So this is apparently my last show. Mike Errico
Let’s do some 90’s in case you’re wondering, “Is this the guy from Toad”. Glenn Phillips introducing Toad the Wet Sprocket’s “Crowing”
This was planned. It’s not a mutiny. Will Hoge as his band walked off the stage
This next song is called “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”. Greg Humphreys before passing around a tip jar
Michael Buble covered this song a while ago. But this is the right way to play it. Ron Sexsmith introducing his song “Whatever It Takes”
If you’re bad mouthing “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” then fuck you. That song is bad ass. Patterson Hood
We thought we’d join forces and see what happens if we earn 1/4th the money. Anthony D’Amato on joining with three other singer-songwriters to form the band Fantastic Cat
This song is about being in a rock and roll band and realizing that it’s not as glamorous as you’d thought it’d be. Andy Frasco introducing his song “Oh, What a Life”
Photographing bands is the hardest things. Famed photographer Mark Seliger
Try being in one. Jakob Dylan, in response
We had a fake children’s choir because we couldn’t have children singing profanities. Sunny War on her cover of Ween’s song “Baby Bitch”
“Action Skulls”. It was thought up by two 12 year-old boys in the bodies of 60 year-old men. Vicki Peterson about the name of her band with John Cowsill and Bill Mumy.
This is a place where dreams get built and squashed. Will Hoge on NYC.
If you never stop drinking, you’ll never have a hangover. Ward Hayden
Tuning is like uncle John taking the family photo. Everybody’s like “come on” but then the picture comes out great. Mike Errico
Mandolin is Italian for “a little out of tune”. Anonymous musician
Mama stop playing that, please play “Carry That Weight” Vienna Tang on what happens when she plays one of her songs for her two year old daughter, who loves The Beatles
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.