Jimmy LaFave
Jimmy LaFave (born 12 July 1955 in Wills Point, Texas, a small town 30 mil… Read Full Bio ↴Jimmy LaFave (born 12 July 1955 in Wills Point, Texas, a small town 30 miles east of Dallas; died May 21, 2017) was an American singer-songwriter. He is best remembered for crafting a musical style called Red Dirt music, which he did after moving to Stillwater, Oklahoma, something which cemented him as a disciple of the state's most famous folk musician: Woody Guthrie.
LaFave began school down the road from Wills Point in Mesquite and by Junior High was making music perched behind his Sears & Roebuck drum kit. It was in this landscape that he began to define his sound and soak up a combination of his experiences among authentic songwriters from the tradition of Woody Guthrie. Before leaving Oklahoma for Austin, Jimmy did some independent recording and toured the southwest with the first version of his band Night Tribe.
In an article published in The Austin Chronicle in April 2017, LaFave announced publicly that he was battling myxofibrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that had been diagnosed one year earlier. After various treatments failed, doctors advised LaFave that there was nothing else the medical profession could provide. During the course of his illness leading up to this announcement, LaFave continued to perform – not cancelling even one show. In addition, he continued to record new songs that he hoped would add to his legacy.
At the time of the public announcement, The Austin Statesman announced that a concert to honor LaFave would be held at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas on May 18, 2017. LaFave helped in the selection of friends and musicians who would perform that night. LaFave also selected charities that would benefit from a crowdfunding effort set up in his honor. A crowdfunding effort "Celebrating Jimmy LaFave" was set up via GoFundMe and received about $55,000 in donations.
LaFave died of cancer at his home in Austin, Texas, at the age of 61. His death came just three days after making an appearance at the Paramount Theater tribute show in Austin. According to The Austin Statesman: "A sold-out audience heard artists ranging from Austin artists including Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves and Ruthie Foster, plus some from out-of-state including Nashville’s Gretchen Peters, Boston’s Ellis Paul and Woody Guthrie’s granddaughter Sarah Lee Guthrie, primarily playing songs that LaFave wrote or were part of his repertoire."
Within 24 hours, LaFave's death was reported in numerous newspapers throughout Texas and Oklahoma, in The New York Times and as far away as England, where he often performed
He moved to Austin in 1986, where he continued to write songs and to develop his musical ideas. Shortly after arriving he was asked to help launch the songwriter nights at the new performance venue Chicago House. In 1988 he recorded his self–produced tape, Highway Angels...Full Moon Rain, which won the Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll Tape of the Year Award. This led to a recording contract with a small independent label and allowed LaFave the opportunity to work with Bob Johnston, producer of several of LaFave’s favorite albums including Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde and Nashville Skyline.
His second album, Highway Trance was released in 1994 followed by his third CD, Buffalo Return to the Plains, in 1995.
The grass roots demand and critical acclaim for LaFave’s music, which led to extensive touring in the United States and Europe, was recognized in 1996 when he was asked to tape a performance for the PBS musical series Austin City Limits, and was invited by Nora Guthrie to appear in Cleveland at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to Woody Guthrie. That same year LaFave won his second consecutive Austin Music Award for Best Singer–Songwriter. His fourth CD, Road Novel, which was released in early 1997, received many glowing reviews. That year he was asked by Nora Guthrie to speak and perform at the induction of Woody Guthrie into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
In 2001, LaFave released Texoma, a celebration of the Americana spirit with a heartfelt valentine to the heartland. KGSR Program Director, Jody Denberg called it a “phenomenon.” Denberg said, “the phones lit up immediately after it was added to the playlist, and they stayed lit.” Since the release of Texoma, Jimmy combined his solo dates with the Woody Guthrie tribute tour titled “The Ribbon of Highway – Endless Skyway,” featuring a rotating cast of Americana musicians that has included such notables as Eliza Gilkyson, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Tom Russell and Slaid Cleaves. The two–disc live album Ribbon of Highway Endless Skyway is a collection of the tour’s live performances that features some of Jimmy’s interpretations of Woody Guthrie classics.
Encouraged by his friend, fellow Austin artist Eliza Gilkyson, LaFave signed with indie label Red House records, and in 2005 released Blue Nightfall. This stunningly soulful album was LaFave’s first in 4 years and won him much critical attention. LaFave’s album Cimarron Manifesto finds LaFave taking a more country road, with sweet and mournful songs about life and loss and special guest appearances by Carrie Rodriguez, Ruthie Foster and Kacy Crowley. Following the release of this album, LaFave toured across North America.
LaFave began school down the road from Wills Point in Mesquite and by Junior High was making music perched behind his Sears & Roebuck drum kit. It was in this landscape that he began to define his sound and soak up a combination of his experiences among authentic songwriters from the tradition of Woody Guthrie. Before leaving Oklahoma for Austin, Jimmy did some independent recording and toured the southwest with the first version of his band Night Tribe.
In an article published in The Austin Chronicle in April 2017, LaFave announced publicly that he was battling myxofibrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that had been diagnosed one year earlier. After various treatments failed, doctors advised LaFave that there was nothing else the medical profession could provide. During the course of his illness leading up to this announcement, LaFave continued to perform – not cancelling even one show. In addition, he continued to record new songs that he hoped would add to his legacy.
At the time of the public announcement, The Austin Statesman announced that a concert to honor LaFave would be held at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas on May 18, 2017. LaFave helped in the selection of friends and musicians who would perform that night. LaFave also selected charities that would benefit from a crowdfunding effort set up in his honor. A crowdfunding effort "Celebrating Jimmy LaFave" was set up via GoFundMe and received about $55,000 in donations.
LaFave died of cancer at his home in Austin, Texas, at the age of 61. His death came just three days after making an appearance at the Paramount Theater tribute show in Austin. According to The Austin Statesman: "A sold-out audience heard artists ranging from Austin artists including Eliza Gilkyson, Slaid Cleaves and Ruthie Foster, plus some from out-of-state including Nashville’s Gretchen Peters, Boston’s Ellis Paul and Woody Guthrie’s granddaughter Sarah Lee Guthrie, primarily playing songs that LaFave wrote or were part of his repertoire."
Within 24 hours, LaFave's death was reported in numerous newspapers throughout Texas and Oklahoma, in The New York Times and as far away as England, where he often performed
He moved to Austin in 1986, where he continued to write songs and to develop his musical ideas. Shortly after arriving he was asked to help launch the songwriter nights at the new performance venue Chicago House. In 1988 he recorded his self–produced tape, Highway Angels...Full Moon Rain, which won the Austin Chronicle Reader’s Poll Tape of the Year Award. This led to a recording contract with a small independent label and allowed LaFave the opportunity to work with Bob Johnston, producer of several of LaFave’s favorite albums including Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde and Nashville Skyline.
His second album, Highway Trance was released in 1994 followed by his third CD, Buffalo Return to the Plains, in 1995.
The grass roots demand and critical acclaim for LaFave’s music, which led to extensive touring in the United States and Europe, was recognized in 1996 when he was asked to tape a performance for the PBS musical series Austin City Limits, and was invited by Nora Guthrie to appear in Cleveland at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute to Woody Guthrie. That same year LaFave won his second consecutive Austin Music Award for Best Singer–Songwriter. His fourth CD, Road Novel, which was released in early 1997, received many glowing reviews. That year he was asked by Nora Guthrie to speak and perform at the induction of Woody Guthrie into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
In 2001, LaFave released Texoma, a celebration of the Americana spirit with a heartfelt valentine to the heartland. KGSR Program Director, Jody Denberg called it a “phenomenon.” Denberg said, “the phones lit up immediately after it was added to the playlist, and they stayed lit.” Since the release of Texoma, Jimmy combined his solo dates with the Woody Guthrie tribute tour titled “The Ribbon of Highway – Endless Skyway,” featuring a rotating cast of Americana musicians that has included such notables as Eliza Gilkyson, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Tom Russell and Slaid Cleaves. The two–disc live album Ribbon of Highway Endless Skyway is a collection of the tour’s live performances that features some of Jimmy’s interpretations of Woody Guthrie classics.
Encouraged by his friend, fellow Austin artist Eliza Gilkyson, LaFave signed with indie label Red House records, and in 2005 released Blue Nightfall. This stunningly soulful album was LaFave’s first in 4 years and won him much critical attention. LaFave’s album Cimarron Manifesto finds LaFave taking a more country road, with sweet and mournful songs about life and loss and special guest appearances by Carrie Rodriguez, Ruthie Foster and Kacy Crowley. Following the release of this album, LaFave toured across North America.
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Jimmy LaFave Lyrics
Bad Bad Girl She gets up in the morning Brings me breakfast in bed She…
Because the Wind Do you know why the trees bend At the west Texas…
Blue Nightfall Don't want to get out of this car I just want…
Bohemian Cowboy Blues Jack kerouac took old highway 6 Traveled across the great di…
Buckets of Rain Buckets of rain, buckets of tears Got all them buckets comin…
Burden to Bear There's a reason to be happy, baby There's a reason to…
Car Outside You know I'll never understand it, babe Wanderlust in my sou…
Catch The Wind In the chilly hours and minutes of uncertainty I wanna be…
Dark Dancing Eyes With dark dancing eyes She sings sweet and clear You know sh…
Darkest Side of Midnight The sadness in your eyes is fading far from view. The…
Deep South 61 Delta Highway Blues Well everybody telling me they're leaving Tired of this town…
Desperate Men Do Desperate Things You can while away our hours, you can talk in…
Don't Ask Me I saw a light shine through my window The universe called…
Ellie's Song Little Ellie, don′t cry Your tears melt in the rain You're a…
Elvis Loved his Momma Say what you will About the king of rock and roll But…
Emotionally Yours Come baby, find me Come baby, remind me From where I once…
Everytime The last light on the prairie it shimmers and shakes It'…
For Everyman Everybody I talk to is ready to leave With the light…
Forever Young May God's bless and keep you always May your wishes all…
Girl From the North Country Well, if you're travelin' in the north country fair Where th…
Going Home Go to sleep, you weary princess, let the miles roll…
Gotta Ramble Here and there, back and forth North and south, east and…
Heart of a Woman If you find love In the heart of a woman Love her…
Hideaway Girl Hello, baby, welcome to the world Don't be a hideaway girl C…
Hold On Hold on to me Hold on, you'll see I'll be your lover…
Home Once Again Deep in the night I heard you calling me Your voice drifted…
How It Must Remain Please don′t think about me, baby, when I'm gone You know…
I Walk Along With You Do you ever wonder As the years go by I want to…
I Wish For You I wish for you a beautiful day With lots of love…
I'll Be Your Baby Tonight Close your eyes, close your door You don′t have to worry…
I'm Thinking of You I'm thinking of you Where are you tonight The one that I…
Into Your Life I'm not the kind of man to say, "I'm sorry" But…
It's Gone We used to sleep in tall grass prairie We used to…
Key to the Highway I got the key to the highway And I'm billed out…
Last Train Here it comes again Passing through your head Like an unknow…
Long Ago With Miles Between Baby, sweet baby Clouds drift 'cross this endless sky I'm to…
Long Time Since The Last Time It's been a long time since the last time Sometimes I…
Love Can Find Its Own Way When I was a little boy You came walking down my…
Lucky Man Here you come again with your sweet sweet smile Here you…
Meet Me In The Morning Meet me in the morning, 56th and Wabasha Meet me in…
Minstrel Boy Howling at the Moon Flashing ′cross the prairie In an uncontrollable rage Living…
Never Be Mine Never Be Mine Every time I look into your eyes I get…
Never Is a Moment In the vastness of this world Baby you are so unique From…
Never Put the Blame Yes I know that lonely feeling Leaves your spirit and your…
Nobody Knows You When You're Down & Out Once I lived the life of a millionaire, Spent all my…
Not Dark Yet Shadows are falling and I've been here all day It's too…
On a Bus to St. Cloud On a bus to St. Cloud, Minnesota I thought I saw…
On the Road to Rock and Roll Wewoka hills Buckeye creek Iron Range town St. Louie street …
Only One Angel I could fly through a midnight rain And be safe and…
Patient Man I'm not a patient man Don't want to take it slow I've…
Poor Man's Dream Get out of the city Move right out of town Find a…
Positively 4th Street You've got a lotta nerve to say you are my…
Prayer for You I wish for you a beautiful day With lots of love…
Rain Falling Down Glory hallelujah what a sight for sore eyes Beauty everlasti…
Ramblin' Sky You ask me why my feet are tappin' I've got a…
Red Dirt Night Persimmon wine, tupelo honey I feel fine, don't need money S…
Red Dirt Roads at Night I used to run out on the level land Sun beating…
Red Dirt Song Persimmon wine, tupelo honey I feel fine, don't need money …
Red River Shore Some of us turn off the lights and we live In…
Revival I went walking last night Out on tupelo street All the way…
River Road There's something that I gotta say It's been needed for a…
rock and roll baby Wewoka hills Buckeye creek Iron Range town St. Louie street …
Rock and Roll Music to the World Well we come from down in Texoma So let me stand…
Rocket in My Pocket I got a rocket in my pocket and a roll…
Route 66 Revisited I need a Route 66 I need a highway fix One more…
San Francisco If you're going to San Francisco Be sure to wear some…
Secret Garden She'll let you in her house If you come knockin' l…
Shining On Through In the twilight, the day is leaving Darkness falls, things c…
Smile I just want to see you smile I just want to…
Sweet Sweet Love I've been running late For such a long time You've been hi…
Sweetheart Like You Well the pressure's down, the boss ain't here He gone North,…
Tears Tears, tears Tears they may fall Oh baby This old world has …
The Beauty Of You As I was walking through the forest Looking up at the…
The Big Wheels So you feel mixed up and a little crazy Hey, I…
The Great Night Here's a traveling song sent to you from me I wrote…
The Moon's a Harsh Mistress See her how she flies Golden sails across the skies Close …
The Open Road Maybe, baby, I'm crazy But I'm down on my knees I want…
The Open Space Look out the window, see the storm clouds are growing Brough…
This Glorious Day Take the weight of the world Off your shoulders And throw it…
This Land Life is hard Times are tough And the ones who have too…
Thru the Neon Night Good times bad times hanging on the mainline Small town big…
Truth Went down to Memphis on a blue night train Made Oklahoma…
Valentine's Day I'm driving a big lazy car, rushing down the highway…
Vast Stretches of Broken Heart Vast stretches of broken heart Misery in between Miles and m…
Walk Away Renée And when I see the sign that points one way The…
When I See You Again Trains late at night, traveling shoes Dogs in the country mo…
When It Starts To Rain I think of you when it starts to rain Shadow dancing…
When the Tears Fall I went driving, on the northern plains I went rolling throug…
When You Were Mine A long dark train is slowly winding Through the nightland's…
Woody Guthrie Well you're out there again Three sheets to the wind Rambl…
You'll Never Know Standing in your own corner of the little universe Forever c…
You're a Big Girl Now Our conversation was short and sweet It nearly swept me off-…
You've Got That Right I'm just passing through, baby I'll be gone with morning lig…