Ghomeshi, in introducing the band, mentioned the acting credentials of Thornton, but never based his questions to Thornton about his show business career. Thornton, who was visibly upset, then complained about Canadians in general to a national radio audience since they didn't get up and move or throw things at the stage, referring to Canadians to being like 'mashed potatoes without the gravy.' This caused an outpouring of criticism from across Canada and around the world for the star's behavior.
The following night, the band opened for Willie Nelson at Toronto's prestigious Massey Hall. A series of boos and catcalls erupted mid-set, with people in the audience yelling "here comes the gravy!" when Thornton unsuccessfully tried to explain he liked Canadians but not the popular CBC radio host. Local reviews of Thornton's Toronto performance have not been positive. The Toronto Star called Thornton's voice a "high, tinny whine" and Globe and Mail commented that "Nelson could teach Billy Bob Thornton more than a few things". On April 10, The Boxmasters dropped out of the tour early, announcing that they would not be playing with Nelson during subsequent concerts scheduled in London, Ontario and Montreal. Thornton said that band members had come down with the "the flu". Willie Nelson's publicist had no comment.
The Boxmasters were formed long ago when W.R. ‘Bud’ Thornton went in to a fast food chicken restaurant in Bellflower, California and got in an argument with the young man working the counter over a coleslaw incident. That young man was J.D. “J.D.” Andrew. The incident turned out to be a misunderstanding and the two had a laugh about it and they became fast friends. They started hanging out together and eventually discovered that they had both come to California in search of the big time in the world of ELECTRIC HILLBILLY Music, W.R. ‘Bud’ from Hot Springs, Arkansas and J.D. from Gypsum, Kansas. They also shared a love of 60’s pop and rock music and the 60’s in general. They decided to combine those things and form a band. But, they needed at least one more member.
J.D. knew a talented, lead guitar player named Micheal Wayne Butler from Brattleboro, Vermont. They formed ‘The Boxmasters’ and rehearsed for months in J.D.’s apartment or ‘Flat’ as the British Invasion groups called it. They played small club dates around Bellflower, Long Beach, Hawthorne, Downey, Southgate and even as far as the Inland Empire as well as a couple of shows in Tecate, Mexico. And so the Boxmasters were born. What happened between now and then is somewhat hazy, but all you need to know is they finally landed a great record deal with Vanguard Records. W.R. ‘Bud’ Thornton handles the lead and background vocals and drums and tambourine. J.D. plays electric and acoustic guitar and bass and sings background vocals with Micheal Wayne on electric guitar and lap steel.
They had one problem, which was, when playing live they needed more people to make all the racket they had made on the record. So, they started recruiting. W.R. had played in bands for years, so he snagged some of the old gang. He got Bradley ‘Brad’ Davis of Fort worth, Texas for mandolin, guitar, and background vocals. He and Brad had done solo projects together along with Teddy ‘ZigZag’ Andreadis who handles harmonica, organ and accordion (he’s Greek) and Mike ‘Bubba’ Bruce who plays drums live so W.R. can sing out front with the public. Bubba is an old friend from Alabama who is actually responsible for the name Boxmasters. More on that later. After the band was good and tight they still knew one thing was missing. Even though this was to be A 60’s band, it was still Hillbilly music. They had to have a steel guitar player. They asked around and after W.R.’s conversation with his old buddy Stephen Bruton they were lucky enough to get a guy from Baltimore named Marty ‘Riff’ Rifkin who plays steel guitar like nobody’s business.
Then the original Boxmasters, W.R. ‘Bud’ Thornton, J.D. ‘J.D.’ Andrew and Micheal Wayne Butler could make their records and play whatever they wanted and have enough band fellas to play it all live. Teddy, Riff and Brad have all made contributions on the record as well. Bubba has his own combo in Atlanta that he keeps busy with when not touring with the Boxmasters. The boys include among their main influences, Michael Nesmith, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, the great bands of the British Invasion, The Monkees, The Wilburn Brothers, and Dell Reeves.
And now Ladies and Gentlemen, from Bellflower, California, Vanguard Recording artists, The Boxmasters.
Billy Ray Custer
Los Angeles, CA
Errol Flynn
The Boxmasters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A poster's held up by two nails and a pin
It's my daddy, the actor, about to die with his boots on
He's the man standing up there beside Errol Flynn
He got third or fourth billing at the end of each picture
"But that don't mean much," he would say with a grin
But he'd hold my hand tight as he pointed his name out
Now fame, it is fleeting and stars, they keep falling
And staying right up there, that's the business of art
And luck kisses some and she passes by others
Disappointment and bourbon are hard on the heart
Oh, the women and beers and the years with old Errol
They took their toll, they took me from his side
And he kissed me goodbye at the old union station
It's the last time I saw him, the last time I cried
Now I'm sitting alone in a house in Rosita
Watching a late show as moonlight shines in
And up on the screen, well, here comes my daddy
It's a sad, funny feeling, now I'm older than him
So, you daddies and daughters, you sons and you mothers
Remember life's over before it begins
So love one another and stand close together
As close as my dad did to old Errol Flynn
So love one another and stand close together
As close as my dad did to old Errol Flynn
The Boxmasters' song "Errol Flynn" tells a story of a daughter's fond memory of her father who was an actor, standing beside Errol Flynn in a poster that hung on their wall in their home in Rosita. Through the daughter's reminiscing, we get a glimpse of the father's career in Hollywood, always being billed third or fourth, but proud to have his name displayed only a few names below Errol Flynn's. The daughter remembers the toll that her father's years of drinking and womanizing took on their relationship, and how he eventually kissed her goodbye at the old union station. Now, as she sits alone in their house in Rosita, she watches a late show and sees her father on the screen, feeling a sad and funny feeling that she is now older than he was when he was last alive.
The lyrics of "Errol Flynn" are powerful in their simplicity. They paint a vivid picture of a daughter's love and reverence for her father, even though he may not have been a household name. Through her memories, we can see the pride and joy that her father felt for his work, even if it wasn't always recognized in the way he might have hoped. The song also speaks to the passage of time, and how we often don't realize how quickly it passes until it's too late. The final message, to love one another and stand close together, is a reminder to cherish the time we have with our loved ones while we can.
Line by Line Meaning
In a hall, on a wall, in a house in Rosita
The song begins by describing a portrait of the singer's father, an actor, hanging in a house in Rosita.
A poster's held up by two nails and a pin
The portrait is held up by two nails and a pin.
He's the man standing up there beside Errol Flynn
The singer's father is standing next to Errol Flynn in the portrait.
He got third or fourth billing at the end of each picture
The artist's father usually appeared low on the cast list in movies.
"But that don't mean much," he would say with a grin
The artist's father didn't put too much importance on his billing in films.
But he'd hold my hand tight as he pointed his name out
Despite his nonchalance about his billing, he would still proudly show his daughter his name in the credits.
Only four or five names down below Errol Flynn
Though he appeared lower on the cast list, he still felt proud to be listed with stars like Errol Flynn.
Now fame, it is fleeting and stars, they keep falling
The song reflects on the fact that fame is temporary and even big stars eventually fade away.
And staying right up there, that's the business of art
However, the goal of art is to create something that can live on despite the fleeting nature of fame.
And luck kisses some and she passes by others
Some actors get lucky breaks while others are left behind.
Disappointment and bourbon are hard on the heart
The struggles that come with being an actor can be tough on the spirit, and some turn to alcohol to cope.
Oh, the women and beers and the years with old Errol
The song mentions the artist's father spending time with Errol Flynn, drinking and spending time with women.
They took their toll, they took me from his side
This lifestyle ultimately led to the singer's father being separated from his family.
And he kissed me goodbye at the old union station
The singer's father said goodbye to his daughter at a train station.
It's the last time I saw him, the last time I cried
This was the last time she saw him before he passed away.
Now I'm sitting alone in a house in Rosita
The artist is reflecting on her life now, alone in the house where her father's portrait hangs.
Watching a late show as moonlight shines in
She's watching a movie on TV as the moon shines through the window.
And up on the screen, well, here comes my daddy
Suddenly, her father appears on the screen.
It's a sad, funny feeling, now I'm older than him
Seeing her father on screen makes the singer reflect on how she's now older than he was when he passed away.
So, you daddies and daughters, you sons and you mothers
The song's final lines address all parents and children.
Remember life's over before it begins
Life is short and it can go by quickly.
So love one another and stand close together
The song encourages families to love one another and stay close together.
As close as my dad did to old Errol Flynn
The song ends with a poignant reminder of the close bond that the singer's father shared with Errol Flynn.
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Oswald the Rabbit
on That's Why Tammy Has My Car
funny
ur mom
on That's Why Tammy Has My Car
poop