One of a kind

Anybody out there recognize this wonderful man? He was quite a character. He was a singer-songwriter from the progressive country era. That's back in the seventies for all of you youngsters out there. His name was Rusty Wier and he had a style and talent that was largely missed by many people outside of Texas. His music helped lift Austin into the stratosphere of Texas music. He was joined by the likes of Jerry Jeff Walker, B.W. Stevenson, Tommy Alverson, Gary P. Nunn, Guy Clark and many other Texas troubadors. I started listening to his music back when I was in high school and I've never stopped. I last saw him perform here in Houston at The Armadillo Palace. Whenever he came to town, my kids and my friends would sit directly in front of the stage where we would enjoy his music, his stories, his jokes, and his friendly smile. He liked to call me "chief" because I would always sit with my arms crossed. I was one of many of his fans he could make gestures to or give a friendly wink to during his shows. After the show, we would acknowledge each other with a gracious hug. I was thankful for his performances and he was thankful for my support. We were friends. Not the hang out together kind, but friends through his music.

Unfortunately, Rusty was fighting a losing battle against cancer. He lost that battle on October 9, 2009. I'm gonna miss my friend. I'm gonna miss his performances and his big ol' Rusty grin. I wish he had a bigger fan base, because so many people will never know what a talent he was. Thank you, Lord. Thanks for sharing him. Thank you, Rusty. Thanks for sharing yourself with your loving fans. Rest in Peace, sir.

While we're sharing, I'd like to share a sample of Rusty's songwriting. The song is called Silly Rhymes. If you can find a recording, get it.

Take a look at the silly book,
Read between the lines
And find out it’s not even funny.

Take a train in the middle of the rain,
Step inside, it’s not the same,
Now, is it honey?

Try to fly in the clear blue sky
Get real high
But you’ll be back tomorrow.

Try to say in a funny way
It’s been a bad day
And that’s why you’re in sorrow.

Pick up your loose ends, take ‘em to your friends,
They’ll put ‘em back together again
If you let ‘em.

They’re all you got, believe it or not
They’re the only ones that mean a lot,
Don’t forget’em.

You drink your wine, you say it’s fine
And that’s the only line
You can remember.

Your head caves in, you can’t see sin,
You say you’ll never do it again
But you don’t remember.

The flowers grow the seeds to sow
But no one really knows
Where to throw’em.

Aw, they look real nice, they’re there to entice
But is it worth the price
We pay to grow ‘em.

Say the words you’ve always heard
Don’t they sound absurd
When you stop to listen?

Like shades of night they give up the fight
And in the mornin’ light
They start to glisten.

You wanna know the way to go and who to show.
You wanna know the way, but who’s to say.