NOTE – Sorry about this being late…..I unfortunately had a death in my family which delayed getting this up. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Although it is late…the sentiments and intentions still apply.

RIP Bill.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

There is plenty to be thankful for within my life. A loving family, good friends, health, and of course the ability to enjoy music. Since this is a music site, I will concentrate in that area.

The ability to enjoy music is certainly a blessing I am extremely thankful for each day. It can instantly sweep you away from all your troubles, and transport you back in time to a specific place in time. To this day, I can listen to a song and visually picture where I was the first time I enjoyed listening to it. Whether it was driving down a winding country road, laughing with some friends, or just relaxing at home, music triggers a memory within like none other.

There are many artists I am thankful for the opportunity to enjoy. Luckily for me, several are still alive and writing. There are a few, however, who have passed on. But, just as the great Billy Joe Shaver points out….they will “Live Forever” through their music.

There is one artist I would like to point out that has been weighing heavily on my mind for quite sometime now. This artist unfortunately never received the recognition he deserved while living. Amazingly, he has yet to gain much recognition even after his untimely death. I am speaking of Blaze Foley.

Blaze was born Michael David Fuller on December 18, 1949. He passed away before reaching the age of 40, on February 1, 1989. Blaze died from a gunshot wound while trying to protect a friend from his own son in Austin, Texas. The son had apparently been stealing money from his father, so Blaze decided to put an end to it by confronting him. The two argued, fought, and then the son pulled a gun on Blaze. In yet another unfortunate twist, the son was acquitted of the charge by arguing self defense.

Blaze’s life was full of unfortunate twists and turns. It seemed he could never catch a break; hence the phrase Lucinda Williams came up for him…”Blaze Foley was a genius and a beautiful loser.” Williams own song, “Drunken Angel,” is a tribute to Blaze. Close friend and music companion Townes Van Zandt once said about Blaze….”He’s only gone crazy once. Decided to stay.”

Blaze never owned a house. He never had what anyone would refer to as a home, with the exception of only one place. His girlfriend, Sybil Rosen, wrote an outstanding book entitled “Living in the Woods, In a Tree.” This inspirational true story details the life Sybil and Blaze lived while he was attempting to crack onto the music scene. I only say inspirational due to what this man dealt with. He had personal demons, misconceptions, but he was as pure as you can get. It was that purity that shines within his music, and captures you immediately.

There is so much beautiful music this man wrote…it is astounding. Much of it was never publicly released for one reason or another. If you were lucky enough to hear about the man…or catch one of his many shows at the Austin Outhouse…you would be stunned by the passion which could flow from his fingertips on his guitar….and the poignant baritone vocals. His music was all about life….life’s misfortune and happiness.

Merle Haggard had a hit with one of Blaze’s classics. “If I Could Only Fly” was released in 2000 with much success by Haggard. John Prine included another one of Blaze’s songs, “Clay Pigeons,” on his Grammy award winning 2005 release “Fair and Square.” Lyle Lovett has covered a couple of Blaze’s songs recently as well on his own albums.

Here are a couple of his songs for you to enjoy. Please let me know what you think….if you are a fan of Blaze….or if this is your introduction to his music, you are quite fortunate.

CLAY PIGEONS

IF I COULD ONLY FLY

So…as we celebrate Thanksgiving….and recall all of those things we feel thankful for….try to remember those less fortunate. There are many, including myself, that take things for granted far too often. We assume that it will always be there for us each day. Just try to enjoy what life has to offer each and every day. Be thankful for the opportunities presented to us each day. Blaze often gave to others…feeling guilty if he did not…even to his own detriment.

Thank you Blaze Foley…..for sharing your talents with me….for enduring many obstacles to get the music out there…and for showing me how important and precious life can be.

Also, thank you for all those who have served or continue to serve our country in the armed forces. My son in law is currently in Afghanistan…away from his family during the holidays. I can never comprehend what they must go through, but I appreciate and honor it as much as possible.

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