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My first experience of Chris Smither when I saw him on the UK’s ‘Later… With Jools Holland” TV programme 25+ years ago. I remember thinking that he was pulling from a deep well when I first heard him. Wonderful stuff here.

Made. Me Smile

Best story ever.. hilarious

I saw EmmyLou and her Hot Licks open for willie Nelson back in the late 70s. They were so hot that night that Willie didn’t even try to compete with the energy. He didn’t mail it in; he just played a bluesy set. Wonderful show from start to finish.

This was awesome!

Just rewatched Without Getting Killed Or Caught. It’s free on Tubi. Kinda get the feeling hanging with Townes meant being on life saving standby. Thanks for saving him, Chris.

Thank you, Otis. This interview, in particular, is a treasure trove of blues history. And now I know who Chris Smither is. I hope one day you can edit some of these interviews together in a documentary sort of way, interspersing clips of the great artists that these great artists talk about, a montage sort of thing: the way we all do when we go down rabbit holes looking up clips based on what your interviewees talk bout. That would be tremendous. Maybe I'll try that.

I learned to play guitar listening and watching Chris. I can't believe I've been listening to this guy since I was a teenager and now I'm 70.

Otis I would think that a recording of a performance circulated around the internet would only help to serve you in your musical endeavors.

Thanks Otis and Guthrie 👏👍great stuff!

Man if Billy Gibbons was my friend, I could know upon my death that my life was truly blessed. Billy is the coolest cat on the planet. Thx Guthrie

I saw Buchanan. His bends were otherworldly. I'm sure his strings had to be skinny as heck.

Saw Dylan at Greek back in the day. It seems he did his best to throw the band by ending songs early or pretending to end the song and then extending it. Grumpy Bob was not entertaining

Truly beautiful interview. The good stuff indeed. As a middle class suburban white kid I fell in love with Rev Gary Davis, Lightnin Hopkins, Mississippi John Hurt and a lot of other albums by the old blues masters. It's impossible to describe what this did to my mind and heart. I loved lots of the music coming out over the AM radio, some of it very directly inspired by the old masters and creators, but I knew the difference, Every word of this interview is gold. Thank you very much for doing it.

Great stories! David mentioned Billy Peek who often played with Chuck and also did a stint with Rod Stewart - because Rod wanted someone who played like Chuck at the time. Billy would be a great interview. He’s got lots of stories!

I played with Bo Diddley one night in the early 90s with some of the guys I was in a band with at a small club near East St Louis, IL. We got the word about a week ahead of time so rehearsed a couple times, mostly songs he never called. We got to the club in the afternoon during a freak late spring snowstorm. He eventually arrived, alone with his guitar (with built-in effects) and a couple pedals. We ran through a couple things and he mostly coached the keyboard player. He told our drummer, “the Bo Diddley beat is only on ‘Bo Diddley’ itself.” Much of what he did that night was almost stream-of-consciousness. There was one long song about Pepsi Lite! At the end, we (he) got an encore. He didn’t know what else to do. Our guitarist suggested “Before You Accuse Me” which he apparently hadn’t been doing, though Clapton’s version was well known at the time. It was almost as if he forgot he wrote it. He seemed to appreciate the suggestion and it was the perfect encore. He was very gracious and we hung out briefly in the dressing room where he ate the dinner he’d requested, then took his guitar and money and drove off into the night. I have the whole show on video and I know where it is! Thanks for reminding me.

Thank you Roger for your fantastic insights and overviews of the town of Douarnenez in Brittany. We vacationed there for a week when the kids were small, enjoying the wooden boat festival and camping near the beach. My wife's sister had an import/export business in Italy and was a buyer of their salted fish. I got a chance to go out one of the locals fishing boats within the bay,. We got up close to some of the square rigger training vessels on short tacks inside the bay. It was blowing 20-30 naughts, so I'll never forget that experience. We are retired now decided to move from the US to France. We bought an old 12th century Chateau in the Loire Valley, so I can relate to your DIY experiences. However, I love sailing and the ocean and still dream of the wonderful time we had in Douarnenez. Life was simpler then, remembering having a beer at a local pub called the Pourquoi Pas (why not). Hope it's still there. We are now looking at homes again, this time in Brittany. Cheers.

I love this. TY for the open-ended conversation.

As much as I love Bob Dylan, Townes may be the greatest song writer that's ever lived. There... I said it.

Wow, that was great, thank you! I saw Poltz back in the 90’s, just after his Mercury debut came out, and I remember how entertaining he was. It’s been ages but I’m going to take that album out and listen to it again. I loved it back then, and I’m sure I’ll love it again.

Sixteen Blue

George later started hanging out with Zeppelin in 73

Man, when I'm down, depressed and out of faith for the human race I can watch one of Otis' ' 'buddy' interviews like this one with lovely music loving folk who know their shit and have great tales to tell and it reminds me that there are still good people out there somewhere e.

This truly is the Good Stuff! thanks so much for all your rad documents, otis .. .

Merle Haggard, I might have gone fishin' , the road to the river is a mighty long way

What a great story!

Towns played guitar and sang as well as anyone.

Townes was such a great musician

This is outstanding!!!✌️

Love these talks with Chris Smither! Hope you do more.

⚓️

Jerry Jeff ....my boys and I sang the pickup truck so many times Saw him and met him...my ultimate Country Hero Thanks

Great stuff from Chris. Man is lookin’ great at 79 - that head of hair is impressive!

Legend.

This interview was brilliant. Thank you so much!!! 😎👍👍

Heard the Redneck Jazz Explosions version of Canadian Sunset on KPIG radio about 15 years ago driving home from work, Highway 35 to the Great Highway. Pacific Ocean on my left, almost 12 minutes long. Pure Bliss! Thanks Steve and Otis!

The man with the best guitar lessons on RUclips!

B.B. told Billy, why are you working so hard. I don`t know, maybe B.B. didn`t want to be out-toned so sent Billy on a wild goose chase in the wrong direction. I can`t play those high-gauge strings but all the guys that do have killer tone. see SRV.

Nice story! Great to hear from another who holds Diamonds In The Rough in such high regard.

Otis you are a good man. This was nice. A couple of Chris Smithers songs that I love are Leave The Light On and Hundred Dollar Valentine. These stories add so much to the understanding and of the world that created the music we were reared on.

What a gift for story telling.

There is a video on youtube of Emmylou playing a chuck berry song,, never can tell. Watch it and you will smile from ear to ear. My personal favorites memory, She was at a meet and greet song conference thing, and one girl in an irritating way kept asking for tips, ect. Emmy was so classy, she was nice and finally gave her a tip. She said get a wig, it saves hours from your day. I still laugh at that

We all love Bob. I've changed the way people think of him. I've introduced the realization that we're so fortunate to have lived in the times of Bob Dylan. That, my friends, will stick.

That’s strangely funny!😂 God, he’s eccentric and it’s great!

"Which one of these guys am I supposed to listen to?" That honest question from a novice was so sincere and makes me smile.

It seems that these guys who are on top of the guitar world, are like us in more ways than we can imagine.

Always good Otis this one was gold. Your channel just keeps getting better and better💯. Thanks for what you do!

Chris Smither is a great great songwriter and guitarist, and a very nice man I've seen him many times at thr Ark in Ann Arbor MI

Had such a crush on her in late60’s early70’s.

Thank you Otis, and Chris. Great stories