Townes Van Zandt
the Heart of Texas Music

March 7, 1944 -- January 1, 1997

Townes Van Zandt is my all time #1 favorite Austin artist. I'm not alone. Steve Earle has been quoted saying, “Townes is the best songwriter in America.” No disrespect to Mr. Dylan, Young or Cohen, but Townes is as good as it gets.

One of the most amazing unexplainable phenomena is Townes isn't a household name. Why he didn't sell 40 million copies of Pancho and Lefty is beyond my comprehension. This guy was deceptively intense to the extreme.

Everyone who mattered recorded his songs. From Steve Earle to Merle Haggard.

What made Townes was his songs. Completely defying description or category. His words, intervals, playing and unique vocal delivery were the perfect folk storm.

The best Texas music songwriter of his time. And frankly, one of the best ever.

See the 2006 documentary Be Here to Love Me; A Film About Townes Van Zandt.

I also recommend; Townes Van Zandt (1969), Roadsongs (1993), At My Window (1987), Rear View Mirror Vol. 1 & 2 (recordings from 1979).

Look up his complete discography, then check the reviews. Which do you like better, diamonds, rubies or emeralds? All valuable jewels.

The Texas music community grieved greatly after he passed. Now the pain has mellowed into smiles when you hear his name. One of a kind, my friend, one of a kind.

To read more about Townes, check out To Live's to Fly: Ballad of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt by John Kruth. You can get it here (opens in a new window). The site is maintained by his wife Jeanene and has CDs, DVDs and t-shirts. You can listen to his music there, too.

SIXTH STREET CLUBS
Maggie Mae’s :: Momo’s :: The Parish

WAREHOUSE & DOWNTOWN CLUBS
Antone’s :: La Zona Rosa :: Austin Music Hall :: Elephant Room :: Paramount Theatre

RED RIVER CLUBS
Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheatre :: Emo’s :: Beerland

UNIVERSITY CLUBS
Cactus Cafe :: Hole In The Wall

SOUTH AUSTIN CLUBS
Continental Club :: Threadgill’s :: Jovita’s :: Broken Spoke :: Saxon Pub :: Evangeline Cafe :: Artz Rib House :: Hill’s Cafe

EAST SIDE CLUBS
Victory Grill

AUSTIN ANGELS & HALLOWED GROUND
Stevie Ray Vaughan :: Jesse Taylor :: Doug Sahm :: Keith Ferguson :: Don Walser :: Clifford Antone :: Soap Creek Saloon :: Liberty Lunch :: The Vulcan Gas Co. :: Armadillo World Headquarters :: Raul’s :: Austin Opera House

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