Country Legacy Podcasts

Host Rodney Crowell sets the stage for the historic Johnny Cash concerts performed at Folsom Prison, June 13, 1968.  Folsom inmate Miller Deadman and Corrections Officer Jim Brown, who were in the cafeteria that day tell the history of the institution, daily life of the prisoners and what it meant to them when The Man […]

Dave Marsh hosts this inside look at Roy Orbison’s Black and White Night event and what lead to Roy’s comeback in the mid – 80s.  Roy’s widow Barbara, who envisioned the film with T Bone Burnett, Tom Waits, Anthony DeCurtis and Bruce Springsteen: “He seemed to have great respect for the music and his audience. […]

Dave Marsh’s continues to narrate Roy Orbison’s professional and personal life from the mid 60’s to the 80’s.  Following the success of Pretty Woman was a chain of tragic events of Orbison’s personal life.  He continued to made music through the 60s and 70s, but a major comeback began in the mid-1980s when David Lynch […]

Dave Marsh recounts Roy Orbison’s journey and success as a songwriter and vocalist.  Big hits such as “Only the Lonely”, “Crying”, and “Sweet Dreams” have shaped Orbison’s popular and influential songwriting and singing style.  Roy Orbison worked with his longtime producer, Fred Foster, with these renowned hits.  Fred Foster particularly comments on the storyline of  […]

The three-part “Roy Orbison – Soul of Rock & Roll” podcast series begins with clips of Roy’s first recording sessions in 1955.   Roy Orbison’s own recollections of the early days are featured from interviews recorded throughout his life.    Other comments come from early producers Chet Atkins and Fred Foster. Recommended: Roy Orbison: The Soul of […]

Paul English fills us in the the third True Outlaw Story from Willie Nelson’s classic song “Me and Paul.”   He takes us back to Buffalo for a “package show with Kitty Wells and Charley Pride.”   This one involves a lot of whiskey, Charley Pride’s guitar and a black leather hat. Willie and Charley have performed […]

Paul English continues his breakdown of the True Outlaw Stories Willie details in “Me and Paul.”  Paul takes us back to the “airport in Milwaukee,” about which Willie wrote that they refused to let them board because they looked suspicious.  It’s one of those stories that remind you why the airport security stations have signs […]

One Willie’s best songs about True Outlaw life is “Me and Paul,” detailing his many misadventures with drummer Paul English (not Paul Chuffo, who produced this podcast series).  The song is a great example of Willie’s gift as a lyricist. One of his most humorous works, it’s also a touching sensitive tale of the bond […]

Our latest True Outlaw Story features drummer Paul English remembering some of their most memorable bar fights, backstage tussles, and post-show skirmishes, defending the tour from all evil-doers. Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride and Stardust (Legacy Edition) Producer: Joyride Media

We know what your thinking.  If these really are True Outlaw Stories, where’s the story about what happens when a band says “Here’s a great idea…let’s have the Hells Angels do the security!” Click the play button to hear Mickey Raphael and Paul English discuss their most notorious experiences with the legendary biker gang. Recommended: […]

A dependable mode of transportation with a memorable nickname is one of the most essential items in True Outlaw life.  Willie’s gang has the “The Time Tube” – their trusted tour bus they bought from country star Porter Wagoner (a man whose name destined him to be the source of a legendary vehicle). Paul English […]

Episode 7 of True Outlaw Stories begins with guitarist Jody Payne and one of his favorite tale of airport hijinks. Paul English then chimes in with some more of their more legendary pranks. Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride and Stardust (Legacy Edition) Producer: Joyride Media

Yes – Willie Nelson is a country singer, but his fans come from all walks of life. Even among musicians. Willie and Mickey Raphael remember stories about famous fans as diverse as Miles Davis, Jon Bon Jovi, Rick James and Ray Charles. Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride and Stardust (Legacy Edition) Producer: […]

When Willie Nelson hits the road, he hits it long and hard. Drummer Paul English recalls stretches when they worked 29 out of 30 days! He also tells how Willie motivates everyone to keep on going, though sometime at the expense of their health. Recommended: Willie Nelson: One Hell of a Ride and Stardust (Legacy […]

WISH WILLIE A HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY! (part 2) ** Today’s True Outlaw Stories come from Willie’s longtime drummer Paul English. For many years, he was the guy who collected money from the shady club managers after shows. As you might expect, it’s not the easist job in the world, but Paul always knew creative ways […]

WISH WILLIE A HAPPY 75th BIRTHDAY! ** We now bring you more of Willie Nelson’s regular cast of characters, led by tour manager Poodie Locke. Harmonica player Mickey Raphael is spot on when he says, “Poodie was our first roadie…now he’s bigger than life… everybody know Poodie more than any of us. ” Mickey also […]

Willie Nelson’s True Outlaw Stories continue by introducing you to Willie’s longtime drummer, Paul English, as immortalized in Willie’s classic song, “Me and Paul.” When Paul joined the band in 1966, he also became the guy who handled the money after the shows. Willie’s road manager, Poodie Locke and harmonica player Mickey Raphael discuss Paul’s […]

The Willie Nelson Podcast series now shifts from the MY OWN PECULIAR WAY biography pieces to TRUE OUTLAW STORIES. Willie Nelson and and his longitme band members, road crew and friends bring us aboard Willie’s “Time-Tube” to give us all a unique look at life on tour with Willie Nelson. Host Rodney Crowell introduces the […]

In the early/mid 1970s, Willie Nelson knew he was “on to something” in Austin, TX, but still had to deal with the Nashville music biz when making records. If RCA, his label at the time, wanted to add strings to make Willie’s records sound more commercial, there was nothing he could to stop them. His […]