"Mr. Bojangles" dies

[OzarkSawdust]

Jerry Jeff Walker died about two weeks ago. He was a great Texas singer/songwriter and many may or may not recognize his name...but have heard his songs.

His most famous was "Mr. Bojangles" and it has been covered by tons of artists including Sammy Davis Jr. and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The story for this song actually came from an old man talking about his life when Jerry Jeff landed in the drunk tank overnight in New Orleans in the mid 60s!

London Homesick Blues - Anyone that has watched Austin City Limits on TV over the years has heard this song. The song's chorus was the Austin City Limits theme song for years. 

He has done many other songs covered by Merle Haggard, Jimmy Buffett, Willy Nelson, Lefty Frizzell, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan and more.

I couldn't find a pattern so Mahendra stepped up and made me a great one from the Scamp CD cover. I cut it in 1/4" Baltic Birch and wiped it with Watco Danish Oil Natural. I'll use a black backer when I get around to making a frame.

R.I.P. Jerry Jeff Walker

[Dave Monk]

Great pattern and cutting. Love the song!

 

[wombatie]

I love Mr Bojangles lovely song.   Terrific looking pattern and cutting, well done guys.

Marg

[John B]

A nice pattern and cutting.
I think Sammy's version is the best.

[namunolie]

Nice cut 

Great pattern 

[daveww1]

very nice job, the real Mr. Bojangles name was Bill Robinson

[amazingkevin]

Great looking portrait skills Mahendra has!!! And thanks for the interesting history lesson!!!

[OzarkSawdust]

56 minutes ago, daveww1 said:

very nice job, the real Mr. Bojangles name was Bill Robinson

A little more "history behind the song". I think it's interesting to know the back story from some of the more famous songs.

 

"Mr. Bojangles" was written by Grammy-nominated country music artist and American icon Jerry Jeff Walker for his 1968 album of the same name. It's been covered by multiple artists, including Bob Dylan, John Denver, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis Jr. and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, whose 1970 cover rose to number nine in the 1971 Billboard top 100 charts. The covers have been as diverse as they have been impressive.

Who was the original "Mr. Bojangles" who inspired Walker to write this well-known country music song? Believe it or not, it was based on a homeless man he met in a New Orleans jail. The man referred to himself as "Mr. Bojangles" and regaled Walker with various stories about his life. While in the cell, Mr. Bojangles talked about his dog who had died. When one of the other men requested for someone to cheer everyone up, "Mr. Bojangles" hopped up and performed a tap dance.

** The nickname likely originated with the tap dancer and performer, Bill Robinson. You might recognize him from some classic 1930s Hollywood films, such as Shirley Temple's Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm. His success led to many street performers being called "Bojangles," which inspired Walker's jail buddy's alias (mostly to keep his true name under wraps from the cops). With the background on that legendary, timeless name in mind, Jerry Jeff Walker's song takes on a whole new meaning and brings that character to life. It's a fitting character for someone nicknamed "The Gypsy Songman" to write about, we might add. The tune has left an indelible print on American country music.

 

 

[Jronn65]

Jerry Jeff Walker was awesome musician!  Being a recovering Red Neck myself, I still listen to his music.  Up against the wall red neck mother!  RIP JJW 

[heppnerguy]

great pattern and very interesting information about him and the other artists that recorded the song. It got my head singing the song in it, as I was reading your post.

Dick

heppnerguy

[OzarkSawdust]

4 hours ago, Jronn65 said:

Jerry Jeff Walker was awesome musician!  Being a recovering Red Neck myself, I still listen to his music.  Up against the wall red neck mother!  RIP JJW 

You are so right. And don't forget Sangria Wine, Navaho Rug, and Pissin' in the Wind!

[Old Joe]

Jerry Jeff was one of my favorite singer/songwriters. In his younger days, he actually was not always a welcome sight at many parties, as he frequently rather overindulged in various partakings. Go way back and he and Jimmy Buffet were partners in crime, but eventually Jimmy realized he couldn’t keep up with Scamp’s lifestyle. But like Jimmy, Jerry Jeff was a savvy businessman and, with help from his wife, he was quite successful in his own right. It took a while, but JJW eventually calmed down and cleaned up his lifestyle. He loved the Caribbean and had an annual 2 week bash in San Pedro in Belize. 
Cool pattern and nice work! Thanks for sharing.