Without Getting Killed Or Caught

I know what I’ll be reading this fall, after the Sisters Folk Festival rolls into and out of town…

From SavingCountryMusic.com:

The definitive biography on Guy Clark finally has a release date, and further details have been revealed. Fans of the revered songwriter who passed away on May 17th have long anticipated the coming of “Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark,” and they will finally have their patience rewarded on October 18th. The 406-page work to be released on Texas A&M University Press is written by long-time biographer and producer Tamara Saviano, and includes information from over 200 interview subjects starting in 2008, and 113 photos from throughout Guy Clark’s life.

Beyond just a biography of Guy Clark, Without Getting Killed or Caught also includes many details on Guy’s long-time wife, songwriter, and visual artist Susanna, and the couple’s best friend, Townes Van Zandt. Tamara Saviano got unprecedented access and insight into Guy’s past, including journals from Susanna, and unfettered accounts of Guy’s past from interview subjects.

Saviano also conducted a successful Kicksterter — which I wish I’d known about — to produce a film documentary of the same title. Here’s a promo trailer:

I ain’t ashamed to say that I teared up at the footage of Guy, Terry Allen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Joe Ely, Robert Earl Keen, Rodney Crowell and Steve Earle hanging out, grinning and laughing and telling stories with a voice-over of Guy’s “Old Friends.” Every one of those guys has immeasurably enriched my life.

God bless the troubadours.

Old Friends

It’s like when you’re making conversation
And you’re trying not to scream
And you’re trying not to tell ’em
You don’t care what they mean
And you’re really feeling fragile
And you really can’t get home
And you really feel abandoned
But you want to be alone
Old Friends they shine like diamonds
Old Friends you can always call
Old Friends Lord you can’t buy ’em
You know it’s Old Friends after all

And when the house is empty
And the lights begin to fade
And there’s nothing to protect you
Except the window shade
And it’s hard to put your finger
On the thing that scares you most
And you can’t tell the difference
Between an angel and a ghost

Old Friends they shine like diamonds
Old Friends you can always call
Old Friends Lord you can’t buy ’em
You know it’s Old Friends after all