The Legend Of Charlie Dunn (Jerry Jeff Walker)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2024
- This is a story about the real life boot maker who inspired the Jerry Jeff Walker song. Charlie Dunn is one of my favorite Jerry Jeff Walker songs, so I've always been curious about him. Who he was, where he came from. I've asked a lot of my old school Austin friends about him over the years and they'd tell me what they knew. I've also read a few things about him along the way. This is pretty much a collection of what I know about Charlie Dunn. Hopefully, you'll find this entertaining and informative.
I will say, I've never had a good pair of cowboy boots. I had two pairs in my early 20s and they were the most uncomfortable things I've ever worn. I also looked dumb as all hell in them. Perhaps Hoosiers were not meant to wear cowboy boots? I would love to try on a pair made by skilled boot maker, but that has yet to happen. Either way, here's a story about the greatest boot maker of them all, Charlie Dunn.
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Charlie Dunn
Jerry Jeff Walker
Jerry jeff Walker Charlie Dunn
Charlie Dunn Jerry Jeff Walker
Boot Maker
Cowboy Boots
#charliedunn
#cowboyboots
#jerryjeffwalker - เพลง
Thank you, thank you Otis - for passing on the backstory of the “Legend of Charlie Dunn”. I have lived in Austin and the surrounding Hill Country since 1966, when I first enrolled at the University of Texas. Capitol Saddlery was around 16th and Lavaca, just a short stroll from campus. I went there many times with friends and saw Charlie only twice I think and both times he had a black beret on. I didn’t know who he was at the time but in both cases he was dealing with a customer. Capitol Saddlery was not a tiny place and had many, many employees. It was several years later that Jerry Jeff wrote the great ballad to Charlie. It was only then that I put two and two together and realised that I had seen Charlie in action several years before taking measurements. Thank goodness that JJW had the foresight and insights to craft such a brilliant tale of a hard working master bookmaker and true legend in little ol’ Charlie Dunn. You Otis are doing much the same in your story telling that keeps the legends alive in all of our souls. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing this, Bill! It's good to hear a first hand account! : )
As his great niece, I am in awe of his artwork. Wish I could have met him and saw him in action!! (My grandfathers brother! 🥰
@@karenbeck5651 Much love to ya, Karen!
Thanks for sharing this story Bill. That Hill Country is something else. It’s beautiful there with beautiful people.
What a story....nothing better than being great at something, anything, the other is love and being loved.
Great story about the real cost of being cheap, passing knowledge, and the reminder of genius walking among us. You wear that hat well.
It fits.
My grandfather was my hero in youth to today and he is forever missed. He was an engineer on the night shift ore train back and forth to “the richest hill on earth”, then retired in his late 40’s from the railroad to start the first wilderness survival school called Rainbow Camp He couldn’t hear a lick after 30 years on the railroad but could light the room with a smile and was true blue romantic. We fished up and down the Pacific Ocean in the 90’s with many a sore lip left on salmon, tuna and fish of all stripes. I owe everything I am to one man and the women who would have me.
That's beautiful! : )
I am a long time Jerry Jeff fan. Back in August of 93, my wife and I both took and leave of absence from our jobs in the Northeast and took a 2 month motorcycle camping trip around the Country. In September we were camped in Blanco and walked across the street to a convenience store to get some ice. As we were walking, I sais to my wife, "I wonder if Charley Dunn is still making boots, it would be great to look him up". We got to the convenience store and looked at the days front page headline "Famous Texas Bootmaker dies, at 95".
What an incredible story. We do need to learn about and preserve our history and skills. I was fortunate to have a history teacher in high school that was stationed at Thorpe-Abbott Field in England and served as a bombardier on a B17. His plane was shot down and he spent the remainder of the war in Luft Stalag I in Barth, Germany. We spent many, many hours talking about his experiences. I used to often think how could a person live through what he went through. Thank you for sharing that story about Charlie Dunn
Thanks for sharing this, Jim! : )
I grew up around horses. Cowboy boots were as comfortable as the Converse Allstars. As the mid to late 79s hit, exotic skins were all the rage. I certainly had to have a pair of white upper & lower leather/pythons.
My dad was a career employee of Brown Shoe company. If he had wanted, he had the skill to get into this.
His reply; “Charlie Dunn takes care of the stars. Justin, & so on have the market saturated.” If only he would made one pair, for me.
Thanks for this historical remembrance of Mr.Charlie Dunn !
I don’t know how I have missed this show.
I’m on a roll, running my mouth.
You too, my friend have found, in your music, the bone & heart structure of our lives.
Thanks so much for all you do, & your vision of life, that touches the depths of those who “give a damn”.
I remember seeing Charlie at Jerry Jeff’s 44th birthday bash at the Paramount theater in Austin. A few years earlier, someone had published a book of “portraits” of Austin characters, with photos of each, so that’s how I knew what Charlie looked like. I first saw him in the lobby before the show started, and later, as people were getting seated, I saw Charlie sitting in a seat about five rows from the stage, right in the middle. Trust Jerry Jeff and Susan to take care of friends. And that was an amazing show. It included Townes, Guy, Fromholtz, Newburyport, Ely, and a lot more.
“Newbury,” not “Newburyport,” you crazy spell-check!
That sounds like an amazing evening, Kathleen! Thank you for sharing this! : )
@@otisgibbs I worked for the Texas Department of Transportation back then, and Susan and Jerry Jeff were so generous with their time and name. Not just the “Don’t Mess with Texas” commercial, but also a series of print, radio, and TV PSA’s on school bus safety, and an Adopt-a- Highway section they adopted.
That's beautiful, Kathleen!
At Jerry Jeff's Paramount Theater Birthday Show in 1989 Charlie was sitting near the front toward the right of the stage. JJ introduced him, he stood up, waved and everyone applauded and cheered. Pretty cool moment. One time we stopped at Capital Saddlery with the big boot neon sign about a block from the state capital building in downtown one time. You could smell the leather 20 feet from the door. Buck was sitting reclined in a chair behind the counter, boots on the desk pointed up the stairs and without recognizing you personally or with any emotion he repeated a line he had probably recited to a million customers and tourists: "Saddles on the second floor, western wear on the third and leather goods on the forth ..." JJW perfectly captured both Buck and Charlie in the song.
Nice of you to put this out Otis. Yes indeed those folks are out there among us.
My Dad was a tool & die maker at GMs Fischer Body plant, Flint, MI. In 1936 he participated in the “Sit-Down Strike” for better working conditions. For 44 days in January & February they sat in the plant to stop work. 100s of strikes around the country sprang up from the Flint Sit-Down. After 44 days of losing money, GM ended the strike with a workers contract on ONE SIDE of ONE sheet of paper! Among the things given to the workers - better pay, safer conditions, slowing the line and .... they could now talk in the lunchroom! My brother, sister, and I took our Dad to a commemorative ceremony for the “Sitters” when he was 95. I was completely overwhelmed and able to talk with dozens there. Each had a great story. When I got home, I started writing a song called “They Sat Down”. It took me a while to trim it down from about a dozen verses. Played it for Dad and he loved it. SE Michigan was home to many unions and the song was liked wherever I played. Many folks would come afterwards and thank me. I would always “No, no Thank YOU!”
I played it at my Dad’s funeral with everybody singing along. Two other songs we did were Billy Joe’s “Chunk of Coal” and Guy Clark’s “Immigrant Eyes” other favorites of my Dads and reflections of the aspects that made this country.
As John Prine preached to us- “Say Hello in There”. You make them feel good and it will come right back atcha!!
That's frickin beautiful, Willy! Your dad is a god damn hero! We're all better off because of his actions. You should be very proud of him!
@@otisgibbs Thanks Otis! I'm have more proud
for parents every day. And thank you again for your kind words and your super
posts.
@@otisgibbs Here's the song "They Sat Down" my pride & joy ;) soundcloud.com/willy-sunday/they-sat-down
@@willysunday Thanks again, Willy!
@@willysunday I'll give it a gander!
Otis, I just wanted to take the time to let you know how much I appreciate these old stories. I watch and share them, but I rarely take the time to leave a comment. The work you are doing to preserve this kind of history is so valuable. I hope someone with a sack full of money will show you the appreciation you deserve, but for now, I hope these words from a working-class guy will do. Thank you so much.
Thank you kindly, James! I really appreciate you saying this! : )
I will second that!!!! You always tell great stories and especially about the one and only Jerry Jeff Walker!!!! I am very hurt for the loss of this awesome story teller with that beautiful soothing voice!!!! But keep telling your stories and I promise to keep listening!!! God Bless you, I'm sure you feel the great loss as well!!!!!! Charlie Dunn, yeah he's the one for me.. Charlie Dunn for boots that are on your feet!!!! JJW...✌️🎶
@@beckyfinch6628 Thank ya kindly, Becky! : )
@@otisgibbs Thank you Otis!!! My son got me listening to you, so you got the attention of a younger generation listening!! Keep up good work!!!
@@beckyfinch6628 Well, tell your son i said thank you! : )
Thank you Otis! I thoroughly enjoyed this. Because of Jerry Jeff and the song, I went to Austin in 1976 and walked into Capitol Saddlery to meet Charlie, only to find, as you said, he didn’t work there anymore. I still had them take measurements of my feet, it was Ramon Navarro who now made the boots. I didn’t have the $300 to pay for them, but saved up for a year and sent them the money, and they mailed the boots, with my initials on them. My son has them now and enjoys wearing them - he too has been a JJW fan.
That sounds like money well spent, Michael!
My grandpa Elias Padilla worked for Charlie Dunn in the 1970s. He had made boots for Ronald Reagan, Rick Perry and many more. This video warms my heart that my grandpas talent was noticed by the great Charlie Dunn. ❤️
I have a pair of Charlie Dunn boots and a photograph of he and Carol King that Charlie gave me. Charlie autographed it for me and it hangs prominently in my home. Charlie was great and he had a terrific sense of humor. The last time I was in Austin, I went by Charlie's shop and had a wonderful visit with Lee and Carrlyn Miller who now own "Texas Traditions". The shop looks the same as it did in 1984 when I got my boots and the craftsmanship is also very much in tact.
Thank you for that back story. Jerry Jeff's song makes more sense now. I have loved Austin since I first went there to live in 1982. Have been away and back several times, now live far away. I will always miss the culture and flavor of that town. God bless Texas!
Wow! Always loved the song by JJW. The story is told of how great Charlie Dunn’s boots were, but this “rest of the story” is fantastic. Thank you for going down that rabbit hole, Otis, and coming back to share it with us. That story is life-enriching!
I love this history of Charlie Dunn! He was my Great Uncle. My grandfathers brother. My grandfather had a shoe shop in Van Buren, AR. I never got to meet Uncle Charlie so this piece of history is awesome!
Thank you so much for reaching out, Laura! This put a huge smile on my face knowing that one of his family members enjoyed this. Much love to ya!
@@otisgibbs You're welcome! We were so excited to see this. My daughter actually found this and shared it with my sisters and I on facebook. We have a Dunn Family page and I shared it to that page. Everyone has loved seeing it so far. Thank you so much for sharing this.
@@lauragoss464 Thank you, Laura! I'm glad that everyone enjoyed it. He was an amazingly talented man and it was fun to share some of his stories with people. : )
Hi Laura. My husband is Vera Dunn's great-great grandson. You and my husband must be cousins.
@@drappafrap what is your husband's name if you don't mind.
Otis- nothing I like better than a good story, a book, a song, I even find good stories in the obituaries nearly every day. You sure tell some good ones!
When we lost my mom a few years ago, Dad was left alone after 67 years of marriage. I was able to go see him a few days each week. In the time we spent together for a couple years I got to know him anew. Even as dementia crept in he told many stories of his childhood and early life. I treasure our time together. Thanks for your stories.
I've been singing this JJW song since 1973. Thank you so much for telling Charlies story. I had heard that his family said he was very pleased with the song.
Ol Bucks making change but he never seen noone and he never understand the good things Charlie done.
Jerry Jeff's song summed up the hard arsed way Buck Steiner stayed in the front of Capital Saddlery whilst Charlie made the finest hand made boots ( once worn- " youll never wear a store bought pair") and more.
Thanks for adding more detail about the life of Jerry Jeff's bootmaker- the man " with the smilin leathery face".
Thank you kindly, Robert! : )
Just wanted to say thank you for teaching me the backstory behind one of my favorite songs from Jerry Jeff Walker. Back before I retired from teaching, I used to tell my students not only is learning lifelong, but most of it takes place outside of a classroom, outside of a book......for sometimes the greatest knowledge comes from people around us.....so ask questions and listen with open ears, an open mind and most importantly an open heart....thank you for reminding me of that.......peace
“Living legend has a lousy retirement program.” Damn if that ain’t the truth. Great, great story. Thanks so much.
Thanks, Jim! : )
Thanks Otis, great story. I searched this because I heard the song for the first time today on XM. I love the great boots I have & refuse to put them in a checked bag when flying. Bring us more legends. 🎸
Thanks Otis, I bought that album
(Jerry Jeff Walker) in 1980. Loved it, what a great song and your telling of Charlie Dunn's history. Thanks man...
Thanks, Ian!
I wish I DID have a pair of his boots. Charlie was my great uncle. My grandma Grace was his sister. Thank you for telling his story!
This is my great uncle I never met him but I spent time in the Dunn shoe shop in Van Buren Arkansas. Oh how I loved the smell and all the shoes lines up waiting on customers to come get their repaired shoes. Thank you for this great story
I'm glad you enjoyed the stories! : )
Otis - this is a great story & the telling of it. I moved to TX in 1978 - promising I would give it a fair chance - still here :-)
"Yeah oh Buck's making change, he never sees no one.
He never understood the good thing that Charlie done(Dunn).....
Wow Otis, I have been listening to this song for decades now. One of my favorites. Glad I watched this video. I thought this song said it all, but you have schooled me! Subscribed Immediately!
Thank ya kindly! : )
Thanks Otis
just love your stories and only new about Charlie thru Jerry jeff
Your a Great Man
Thank ya kindly, Shady. I'm just doing whatever I can and hoping folks enjoy it. : )
Thank you for the story behind the legend of Charlie Dunn. Puts on the fine touches to JJW’s song
Thanks, Ernie! : )
Thanks for posting Charlie’s story! Always loved the song.
Thank you, John!
Thank you for this video. Charlie Dunn was my grandfather’s uncle, so my great great uncle? I think that is right. My grandfather was also a shoe maker, as was the family trade back then. He passed away when I was young and have only heard what my grandmother knows of Charlie. I have so much respect for those generations of people who made such great sacrifices to do what they had to do to become successful, even if that measure of success is not measured in material wealth. There were many facts in this video concerning the early life of Charlie that I felt were a history lesson in my own lineage. I wish that I had had more time with my grandfathers, or made more time. But to remember them and their contributions in history is to keep them alive. Thank you again for this video about the little frail one, with a smile and a leathery face. :)
Thank ya kindly, Joshua!
Thank you for this great Charlie Dunn story of labor history; there are many other's like him whose life's achievements remains unknown and unappreciated.
Thanks, Artemis! : )
Great story Otis. Wonderful tribute to a legend and takeaway lesson for the ages. Peace.
Thanks for sharing this story of Charlie Dunn. He is my Great Uncle! My grandfathers brother. A few years ago I visited Texas Traditions and met Lee Miller, who was an apprentice of Charlie’s. I was amazed to see all of the wooden shoe molds from celebrities. And I learned a lot about Charlie. But you had more stories about him than my family has heard. ♥️ Thanks again!!
Thank you for the kind words, Karen! It makes me very happy to hear you enjoyed this! I'm looking forward to visiting Texas Traditions next time I'm in Austin. : )
Otis I learned a lot more about charlie then I knew thank you so much for the informative expose. I too knew about charlie because of Jerry Jeff's song but mostly because of my step father Don Brooks. Don grew up in Texas and followed my mother to NYC because he was a romantic among other things. he establish himself as the top studio musician for harmonica in America, from the sixties to the eighties. He started playing with and recording with Jerry Jeff Walker back in the days of the electric circus in NY and was a member of Waylon Jennings band for 3-4 years, after having spent several years with Judy Collin's. He still could be found playing live gig's with the likes of Jerry Jeff walker, Kinky freedman and Harry Belafonte. Don had several items that where simply a part of his persona first was his harmonica case which was originally a beautiful antique box originally designed to be a grooming kit which he redesigned to hold all of his instruments second was his Stetson which was a beautiful Blond hat with a curled up lip and 3 where his boots several pair which where all made by Charlie Dunn. I have always wanted a pair made for me but then I heard of his passing. but I have heard that Lee Miller has taken up the sword and continues to make boots of the same quality and I hope to be able to afford a pair some time in the future. preferably before either he or I meet our demise. In retrospect I still find it funny that so many people think of Jerry Jeff Walker as a westerner or a Texan because my folks new him and he was a Brooklyn born New Yorker Who just happened to sing country western songs. Where as Waylon and Don where both from Texas. Thanks again.
Good to talk to the elders. I have been spending time with first nations people. Thanks for another great story Otis.
Much love to ya, Craig!
Thank you Otis. Wonderful story, took me back to my years living in Austin.
Thanks, Rex!
For the good sites, the positive ones like this one, can be a modern campfire of inspiring stories. Thanks for doing this. I'm an illustrator, taught animation and I respect quality in all things, as most do. Quality NOT equality.
Thanks Otis I've just stumbled upon your channel after loosing one of my favorite singer songwriters Jerry jeff Walker. Then Billy joe shaver whom I had the chance to see a year or so ago and said he'll be back next year never will I say that again. But thank you so very much for your knowledge,stories. I'm an older crippled up couch ridden independent truck driver . I have jotted some lyrics (rhyme runner) on pieces of paper napkins ect. Maybe one day I'll actually have the balls to send them somewhere been doing this in my head since I was a child when I was first turned onto Johnny Cash by pap also Waylon the whole outlaw movement .Thanks again keep the legacy's alive
Thanks for the kind words, Todd. I encourage you to keep creating, even if it's just for your own enjoyment. Especially if it's for your own enjoyment. It's a great way to remind ourselves of our own humanity. I hope that makes sense! : )
@@otisgibbs It's been said some of the best song writers had lived through dark times, that has evolved into some of our greatest songs the ones that remain relevant 30 40 years later. That's what inspired the words I have scribbled down I have been in the lowest of valleys, climbed the steepest peaks bad divorce .kicked down n gotten back up . Just to stubborn to stay down, or dumb enough to keep getting up haha. Either way thanks for the encouraging words keep on keeping on brother!
@@Rocky0021 Much love to ya, Todd!
This was very interesting. Charlie Dunn was my husband's great-great uncle and we found your video doing a search with Charlie's name.
I recently found out that Charlie Dunn is my alleged great grandfather. These stories are really nice to hear to learn a little about my lineage. Thank you :)
Charlie Dunn is my Great Uncle. My grandfather and he were brothers. My grandfather actually owned a shoeshine in Van Buren, Arkansas. He repaired shoes mostly and I loved the smell of leather bad the glue he used. They lived behind the shop for many years. How are you related?
A wonderful story Otis
great stories brother, I truly enjoy them, thanks
I love that song, and I love this story. Thanks Otis.
Thanks for this memorial story.
Thanks Otis, you are a great storyteller, really enjoyed.
Amen to the true life message. That's a sorry person to work that MAN like that. Thank you Otis.
Great story, it's one of My favorite Walker songs also, thanks.
Another awesome video! Heard you met my mom and she told you i directed her to you. Lol. Shes the reason i love the music i do. Always believed i was born in the wrong era. Keep making videos! I love watching them!
Wow! Great history lesson. Thanks for taking the time to tell us about Charlie. I ranch and raise horses and I like to name them after characters in songs. I have a Spider John, a Gypsy Sally and so on. Always wanted a dun colored horse so I could have a Charlie Dunn!! Thanks again, I really enjoy your stories.
That's beautiful, Clay! : )
Another great story Otis. Thanks for sharing
Thanks, Thomas!
You are a storyteller supreme. As are your friends. Never watched one of your videos without laughing, crying or both. Keep on keepin onl
I remember the song but I had forgotten about the whole backstory. I think JJW included Charlie in his autobiography and that must be where I had known this story from.
As I get older, a nice pair of comfortable boots sounds real good to me. Thanks for sharing this story.
Here's to comfortable shoes, John! : )
@@otisgibbs especially if they were custom built by a master of his craft.
@@johnrosier1686 Definitely!
Great story otis
Otis thank you again..great story..capped off my birthday ..keep the history coming
Happy Birthday, Max!
I really enjoyed this episode. Thank you!
Thanks, Harley!
Another great story! Thanks
Thanks, Randy!
Keep the stories coming! They have really helped me get through this pandemic and the nightmare that is 2020.
I'll keep them coming, I promise! My intention is to upload something once a week, but I've been doing uploading every two or three days. That's probably not sustainable, but it's been fun for now. : )
Love your stories Otis I always asked and listened about and also to my dad everything he had to say and it made me a story teller among people but also yes I discovered you after jerry jeff left us he was a legacy that I'll always miss and my dad was too and thanks again for the stories
Take care, Jason!
Well, I never had a pair of his Historic Boots, but I once had a small taxidermied Alligator that I called Charlie Dunn. "With the Smiling Leather face" . Words from the Jerry Jeff Walker song about him .
Great story. Greetings from Finland
Howdy from Indiana, Juha! : )
Another good'n. Thank you Otis! ...... Kyle, from Arizona
Thank you, Kyle!
Thanx for the deep dive on Charlie.
Thanks, Diane!
Oh Otis.... this is WONDERFUL.
Thanks, Catheryn!
What a great story!
My grand dad was from Elgin and lived his adult life in Austin. He’s dead now but when he was alive and anybody mentioned Buck, he’d tell you about him. I’m pretty sure not one word of it was ever nice. He couldn’t stand the guy. He spoke highly of Mr.Dunn though. I’m pretty sure he & Mr. Dunn were genuine friends.
Has anyone here ever met Charlie? Have you heard Jerry Jeff Walker play that song live? If you can answer yes to either of those questions, let me know the details.
There's a live version here on you tube , recorded in '73 at the Kerville Folk Festival.
@@MrPhilfridge That sounds like a winner!
I heard Jerry Jeff play that song a number of times. I love it very much. Also, I met Charlie and had him make me a pair of boots. He was very ill when I went to my appointment to be measured and when I went back to Austin to pick them up, they were completely wrong. Charlie felt terrible about it and gave me a photo of he and Carol King that was on the wall. He was great. Charlie's autograph on his apron is faded now, but I have the photo displayed prominently in my home and I still have the boots. I tried to post the whole story, but TH-cam seemed to think I was too windy (welcome to the club) and only part of it posted. Lee and Carrlyn Miller run the shop now. They are wonderfully gracious.
Otis Charlie made me a pair of boots back in either 77 or 1978. I remember his feeling up my feet just as you described and was extremely happy with my boots when I got them ! The base price was $300 at that time but I sprung for the extra $60 for my initials on each boot and an extra inch in height for those French Calf boots ! Oh yeah I ordered them at the time because I was getting my first divorce ! LOL !
Great message!
Thank you!
thanks for sharing that...love that song
Thanks, Charlie!
I love this story. We need a major oral history project.
Thank ya kindly, Shane!
Thank you for sharing about my great-uncle Charlie Dunn. He was my PaPa's brother whom I had never met. My PaPa was Leon Dunn and he owned a shoe repair shop in Van Buren, Arkansas for many years. Again thank you for sharing the information about Uncle Charlie!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Sandra! I'm glad that you enjoyed the story and much love to ya! : )
Wish I could of had Charlie Dunn make me a pair or boots while I was in school in Austin. A friend from school had a pair made with the Greatfull Dead death skull on the front and I thought he was crazy because in 1976 he spent more that our total tuition at UT. I'd hear about every time he'd go in for a follow up fitting during the boot building process. I only got to see a photo of the boots when they were finished because id graduated and moved out of state. Let's see get a degree or a pair of boots. Tom's family had money so he got both.
Looking back all the trouble I've had with my feet from wearing every other brand of boots maybe I'd been better off with the boots.
Great story about a great song. Many more details than I’d ever heard about Charlie...
Thanks Steve, I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Storytelling really is an art and Otis has a talent.
@@SJ-ni6iy Thank you, SJ!
When we were poor as church mice, my wife- the beautiful lady in my profile photo - wanted so bad to get me a pair of Charlie Dunn boots. Didn’t materialize. Thank you for such a great story, and encouragement to seek out those special individuals with special talent!!
Thanks, Stephen!
Wonderful story...
Hey listen Otis , I could listen to your stories all day long !! Thanks My Friend .... Jimmy .... [ Still have the lp of Jerry Jeff's that the song was on , in mint condition ... Circa '72 ?? ]
I would love to sit with otis and swap stories
Thanks for all you do brother God bless you
Otis, I’m Gordo’s brother known by most of his friends as Lumpy... I’ve been enjoying your posts! I stumbled into these after Jerry Jeff passed away... I’m working my day job in the highway industry and blowing harp for a blues act (Rebekah Meldrum & Paul Holdman Band) and with a singer from Texas trying make a go of it... I played a lot of Jerry Jeff material in the 70’s and, like many, felt a strong connection to him. I saw Shawn Camp’s post of one of Jerry Jeff’s last songs and was compelled to reach out to him... was glad to make a connection. I’m glad to see your posts and I hope you’re doing OK during this crazy time. Have a great Thanksgiving!
It's good to hear from ya, Patrick! Amy and I talk about Gordo once every week or so. He's definitely missed.
Yes, Tere and I miss him so much... I miss having his valued critique of any music, including my own performances with Gordon Bonham, Jes Richmond, & others. He gave us a rare 5 star approval the last time he saw us at the Biergarten downtown... I was always pleased that he was a tough critic... no matter who he was listening to.
Great history!!
Thanks, Timothy!
Great story Otis, thoroughly enjoyed it! I never had the honor of meeting Charlie Dunn. There are other boot makers with wonderful stories. Here in Houston the Wheeler Boot Company custom made boots for two generations, Paul and Dan, father and son. They made Robert Duvall's boots for Lonesome Dove. The doors were closed a couple of years ago and just prior to that they limited business to established customers and repairs. ML Leddy's in Fort Worth and San Angelo have been around for many, many years. They are all true artisans of their trade and should be celebrated. Thanks sharing the story of this legendary man.
That's beautiful, Andy! The artistry and craftsmanship must be off the charts. I love hearing about folks like this. : )
Great story Otis about Charlie Dunn.Thank you for telling it.Wonder if JJW and BJS are having Charlie making them some boots.
I like the sound of that, Matthew! Let's hope that's the case!
Otis love where you are going with this its a sad thing when elderly people pass and take this kind of knowledge with them
I guess the JJW song pretty much hit the nail on the head.
you are so right. this great knowledge is disappearing fast. but think people are today are so attached to their electronic devices to care
I don't fault folks for going into whatever profession they choose to be part of, but I really love a good old school craftsperson, Joey! I wish we had more of them and I'd like to live in a world that supports and celebrates them.
I enjoyed the hell out of that story
Thanks, James!
"When an old man dies, a library burns to the ground."
By the way I just hit the bell keep them coming 👍
Haha! Thanks again!
Jack Ingram tells a great story about a pair of Charlie Dunn boots that guy gave him I think he tells it in some of his live videos of his cover of desperados waiting for a train
Great, fascinating story Otis, thanks for sharing. What a life, what a story and what a song. Always used to wonder how much artistic license Jeff used in this story, and man, he understated it. I used pick n sing "Charlie Dunn" every spare minute for months around the house 20 years or so ago when I first got into Jerry Jeff. I wasnt too good I guess coz my Lodger moved out and my girlfriend left me, around about the same time and both told me they were sick of hearing about "this damn Charlie Dunn." Was fine by me, left JJW, Charlie, me and my Martin to live happily ever after So whats the story with Manny The Hat maker? Get digging dude, haha. Love what you do, greetings from middlesbrough, UK, 40 miles south of Newcastle that I know you know so well. Regards.
Much love to ya, Cleet and keep pickin that Martin! : )
Have made a few net based information journeys a out Manny Gabbage, who made Jerry Jeffs famous hat named " The Old Friend ", just as Jerry Jeff sings in Mannys Hat Song. However, I have not had too much success in getting good information about the road travelling dobro sellers, Curly and Lil. My best guess is they are Curly and Lil Kimber.
Interesting that Jerry Jeff put 2 of his personal life dedication songs on his very early self titled album.
Manny's Hat Song came some years' later.
@@robertcudlipp3426 Keep digging, Robert and something will pop up!
@@robertcudlipp3426 his name is spelled Gamage and his shop was on I-35 just outside of Kyle, south of Austin about 30 miles or so. When I saw Jerry Jeff’s hat on the cover of his “Ridin’ High” album, I had to have one like that, so I drove to Manny’s and asked him to make me one just like it. Still got it, but I don’t wear it often...too special for everyday use.
@@kathleenbergeron1292 Thanks
My mistake. In fact visited the website and clearly saw the correct spelling of Manny's surname & last time I looked, The Old Friend was still part of the catalog. They may receive quite a few orders in the short term with Jerry Jeff's recent death.
Always loved Jerry's hat and shirt from the Riding High album cover.
Think you are wise to preserve the Old Friend you have.
Well done Otis sir,this one hits home for me.'Only the wearer knows were the shoe pinches'.Have you heard Luise by Ramblin' Jack and Tom Waites off Friends of Mine
Yeah Mike, those are good ones!
Otis, I am a fairly new subscriber but love your deep dive stories.I have an artist you need to do a video on if you havent already. Check out Vince Bell and luthier friend of mine builds his guitars and goes up to see him and performs with him. It is worth check out. I loved your story on Charlie Dunn.
I am the great grandson of Charlie Dunn. I never got to see him because he died before I was born. I’m not sure if he’s proud of me...
More on the little shy one!
i was life drawing model for art/anantomy classes in Phoenix area,mesa communiti college 15 years. teach taught better detail than doctors get. also have often had boots an recent hand made mexico like austin. great story. early girlfrin in hi skool was daughter of Spearfish,Rose bottery who re souled often, Marfa has boot history, but no maker now. Giant movie may had his ware shown...:?
Otis I am a year late but hope you get a chance to read this. I would go to Capital Saddlery to look at the saddles. I didn't have a horse but that was my dream. My dad owned a pair of Tony Llamas so I knew about boots. I must have spotted Charlie working on a pair of boots so I would look for him when I went in. When Charlie did not have a boot order he would make straps for spurs. It was the early 70s and already his hands were gnarley from arthritis. But man could he handle a knife. Buck was a hole. Did not like him. But even before there was a song It felt like Charlie, along with Dirty's, The Stallion and Shiner Boch should be Austin institutions. Now I have to look for a JeryJeff and Miss Carrick story.
may see new; Cobra boots, in Marfa,TX, handcrafted special style. few other products the couple make here past decade...
Otis, I knew the young lady who worked with/looked after Charlie for a few years in the 80s. Let me know if you’d like to hear about it. I have a few scraps of memory about that.
❤❤❤
Wikipedia says he was born March 16th 1942?
I think you might be looking at a different person, maybe? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Dunn
"Charlie Dunn...he's the one to see." Love the song. Sounds like a terrific guy, too. Man, it sucks to hear yet another story about an exploited artist. Fuck the money men who exploit the creators. Fuck'em all.
Thanks for the kind words, Domenico!
damn i want some of those boots! Are any of his students teaching??
Yes, I think it's called Texas Traditions maybe? If you dig through these comments someone mentioned it somewhere.
What size are you looking for, I do have a pair of Charlie dunn boots I may sell it