During the late 1950s, Crosby was a member of a local Oneonta teen band called The Tones. The band traveled to Philadelphia to audition for Dick Clark's "American Bandstand", but were turned down. Members of the band found Dick Clark's house and were able to get a recommendation to audition at New York City's Baton Records through the company's lead producer Sol Rabinowitz. The band was given a recording contract, but the studio wanted a quintet backed by studio musicians, which left Crosby and another member out of their recordings.
After high school, Crosby joined the National Guard, but his thirst for adventure led him to go AWOL and roam the country busking for a living in areas like New Orleans, Texas, Florida, and New York. He played mostly ukulele until Harriet Ottenheimer, one of the founders of The Quorum, got him settled on a guitar in 1963. He adopted his stage name "Jerry Jeff Walker" in 1966. He spent his early folk music days in Greenwich Village in the mid 1960s. He co-founded a band with Bob Bruno in the late 1960s called Circus Maximus that put out two albums one with the popular west coast hit "Wind", but Bruno's interest in jazz apparently diverged from Walker's interest in folk music. Walker thus resumed his solo career and recorded the seminal album "Mr. Bojangles" with the help of David Bromberg and other influential Atlantic recording artists. He settled in Austin, Texas, in the 1970s associating mainly with the country-rock outlaw scene that included artists such as Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Waylon Jennings, and Townes Van Zandt.
"Mr. Bojangles" (written by Walker) is perhaps his most well-known and most-often covered song. It was about an obscure alcoholic but talented tap-dancing drifter, (not the famous stage and movie dancer Bill Robinson, as usually assumed). Bojangles is thought to have been a folk character who entertained informally in the south of the US and California, and some say he might have been one of the most gifted natural dancers ever. Authentic reports of him exist from the 1920s through about 1965. Artists from Nina Simone to Bob Dylan, Philip Glass to the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, have covered the song. Walker has also recorded songs written by others such as "LA Freeway" (Guy Clark), and "Up Against the Wall Red Neck Mother" (Ray Wylie Hubbard).
A string of records for MCA and Elektra followed Jerry Jeff's move to Austin, before he gave up on the mainstream music business and formed his own independent record label. Tried & True Music was founded in 1986, with his wife Susan as President and manager. Susan also founded Goodknight Music as his management company and Tried & True Artists for his bookings. A series of increasingly autobiographical records followed under the Tried & True imprint. Tried & True also sells his autobiography called "Gypsy Songman". In 2004, Jerry Jeff released his first DVD of songs from his past as performed in an intimate setting in Austin, TX.
He interpreted the songs of others like Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Keith Sykes, Paul Siebel, Bob Dylan, Todd Snider and even a rodeo clown named Billy Jim Baker.
His son, Django Walker, is also a musician. In addition to his residence in Austin, Walker had a retreat on Ambergris Caye in Belize where he recorded his "Cowboy Boots and Bathing Suits" album in 1998.
Members of his band varied over the years. The Lost Gonzo Band and the Gonzo Compadres have backed him in the past. Key members of his band included Craig Hillis - guitarist and arranger on Viva Terlingua, John Inmon, Freddy Krc, Gary P. Nunn, Bob Livingston, Bobby Rambo, Mitch Watkins, Steve Samuel, David Bromberg and others.
Nolan Ryan
Jerry Jeff Walker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, our story starts in Texas, where he's tempered by the heat
That skinny Alvin boy believes his fastball can't be heat
So he brings it and he brings it and it passes every test
They're talkin' he's a wild man might be the fastest in the West
Well, he's drafted by New York, he's gonna pitch up there in Shea
He gets a World Series ring, he stays modest, he don't boast
Now it's off to California, where he'll make history on the coast
Chorus:
Nolan Ryan, he's a hero to us all
Nolan Ryan, he stands straight, he stands tall
He don't mess around boys
He just throws a mean fast ball
Tom Morgan is the angel, gets Nolan in second gear
Then he pitches four no-hitters in about as many years
He's working for Gene Autry, they're calling him the Ryan Express
He throws one ball a hundred, now he's the fastest in the West
But after eight years on the left coast,
He says he wants to come home
So he signs on with the Astros,
He'll bring magic to the dome
As he throws his fifth no-hitter,
They're talkin' about he might be the best
In Texas people know, he's the fastest in the West
Chorus
Now he's a Texas Ranger, but he don't tote no gun
He'll mow you down with the heater, you smell leather, hear it hum
He throws a sixth no-hitter, the Oakland A's just met Big Tex
Now they're gonna judge all the rest,
Boys, against the fastest in the West
Now let's count up some numbers, he's forty-three years of age
He's got 5200 strike-outs, six no-hitters to date
There's 57 shut-outs, right up against 300 wins
And on the very first ballot, the Hall of Fame's gotta take him in
Chorus x2
Jerry Jeff Walker's song, "Nolan Ryan," tells the story of the legendary baseball pitcher and his career. The song starts by emphasizing the heat and toughness of Texas, where Nolan Ryan grew up and learned to pitch. The song goes on to describe his early career and how he showcased his talent and strength by throwing the fastest in the West, eventually becoming a hero to all.
The song describes Ryan's time playing for multiple teams, starting with the New York Mets and helping them win a World Series. He continued to make history, pitching four no-hitters in about as many years, while working for Gene Autry and the California Angels. This earned him the nickname "Ryan Express" and cemented his status as one of the best pitchers in the game.
Eventually, Ryan returned to Texas to play for the Houston Astros and threw his fifth no-hitter. He continued to astonish fans, even into his 40s and as the lyrics suggest broke many records including holding the record of 5200 strikeouts before his retirement. At the end of the song, the lyrics conclude that Ryan will always be remembered for his incredible talent and skill on the field.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, our story starts in Texas, where he's tempered by the heat
The story about Nolan Ryan starts in Texas where he has been conditioned by the hot weather.
That skinny Alvin boy believes his fastball can't be heat
Despite his skinny frame, Nolan Ryan believes that his fastball is the fastest in the West.
So he brings it and he brings it and it passes every test
Nolan Ryan keeps throwing his fastballs and they pass all the tests given to them.
They're talkin' he's a wild man might be the fastest in the West
People are talking about Nolan Ryan and wondering if he is the craziest and fastest in the West.
With those amazing Mets, he'll help them take it all the way
Nolan Ryan is drafted by the New York Mets and he helps them achieve their goals.
He throws one ball a hundred, now he's the fastest in the West
Nolan Ryan throws one ball that reaches 100mph and from then on, he is known as the fastest in the West.
As he throws his fifth no-hitter, they're talkin' about he might be the best
After his fifth no-hitter, people are talking about Nolan Ryan and wondering if he is the best.
Now he's a Texas Ranger, but he don't tote no gun
Nolan Ryan is a Texas Ranger but he doesn't carry a gun.
He throws a sixth no-hitter, the Oakland A's just met Big Tex
Nolan Ryan throws his sixth no-hitter against the Oakland A's and they realize he is a force to be reckoned with.
Now let's count up some numbers, he's forty-three years of age
Nolan Ryan is forty-three years old and it's time to look at his impressive stats.
And on the very first ballot, the Hall of Fame's gotta take him in
Nolan Ryan is elected to the Hall of Fame on his first ballot due to his incredible career achievements.
Nolan Ryan, he's a hero to us all
Nolan Ryan is a heroic figure to many people.
Nolan Ryan, he stands straight, he stands tall
Nolan Ryan is a confident and respectable man.
He don't mess around boys
Nolan Ryan is all business when it comes to pitching.
He just throws a mean fast ball
Nolan Ryan is known for throwing an exceptional fastball.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
3Redbug
Nolan Ryan's a Hall of Famer with 7 No-Hitters!
Lina L. Vidal
Love it!
TRO
The first time the rookie Will Clark (SF Giants first baseman) faced Ryan, he homered over the 'Dome's center field fence. Upon returning to the dugout Clark asked teammates what they thought Ryan would do the next time he faced him. "Oh, he'll hit you," "Yep, he's gonna hit you," were the replies. That has to get into your head knowing a guy throwing a 100 mph fastball is going to hit you next time up.
I like this song. A little corny but if you are a baseball fan you have to tip your hat.
Gary Joe Wolff
Excellent pictures to go with the music. Job well done…
CherryzLove
My dad named my older brother "Nolan Ryan". He's been playing baseball since he was 3. Talk about expectations. lol
Jaden Dubecky
Wow. You never know. He could be the next. 😀😀
Larry Cline
Lana did you send this to Jeremie. Tell him to watch it to the end the pictures move pretty slow. I almost gave until the first one moved. This was cool. There were pictures I hadn't seen before.
Gloria A. Oquendo
I have 1993 what a burger Nolan Ryan cards signed by him sitting on a horse 🐎 do anyone knows anything about them
Gloria A. Oquendo
Are the Nolan Ryan what a burger from 1993 signed by Nolan sitting on a horse 🐎 anyone knows anything about this cards
Picker N Grin
Wheres the guitar solo rip