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October 23, 2020: Scamp Walker has left the building.
We are saddened to hear that Jerry Jeff is no more. He shaped our love of Americana music. We would not have explored Texas so many times were we not exposed to Scamp Walker and his Gonzo Band. Many thanks, rest easy, we'll carry on.
I think the first I heard of Jerry Jeff was from my friend Mike back in the early 1970's when we shared the "Horbinger Home" in London while attending school at Western. While the music of the home was dominated by bands of the day (Supertramp, Rolling Stones, Rick Wakeman, etc.) Jerry Jeff opened our eyes and ears to what music could be. And of course that hard drinking life style appealed to both of us.
I only ever saw him a few times but have pretty much every recording ever made. The first time would have been in the late 70's at the Horse Shoe Tavern in Toronto around the time of "A Man Must Carry On" (my favorite album). My girlfriend at the time knew about my affection for his music and we drove from London to Toronto to see him. When we got there the bar was full and we could not get in. Sadly, we settled for some long forgotten show up the street at the El Mocambo. But luckily on leaving that show early we stopped by the Horse Shoe and were fortunate to get in and catch the last set! It was an excellent experience, magical and beery.
The second time, sometime in the 80's or 90's, Kate and I caught him at the El Mocambo. And the last time was recently at Ray Wylie Hubbard's 70th birthday bash at the Paramount Theatre in Austin November 12, 2016 where he came on stage to sing a few tunes with his old friend who authored "Red Neck Mothers" made famous on the "Viva Terlingua!" album recorded in the Luckenbach dance hall.
In 2018 we visited the Jerry Jeff Walker Exhibit at the Wittliff Collection, Albert B. Alkek Library, Texas State University, San Marcos. They have the archive of Jeff Jeff memorabilia.
We've travelled many times to Austin over the years to discover the rich music scene introduced to us through his music. Our many adventures in Texas might never have been, if not for Scamp Walker.
Many thanks, Buckeroo!
