One of the ways we like to kill it when hanging out, whether in the midst of working or partying, is to sing songs together. None of us are pros, but the killin’ it spirit behind it is what counts. That’s part of the reason why we love Blaze Foley so much. He was a rich spirit, a true eccentric, a larger than life personality, and a great talent. Here is a bit of info about him, in case you don’t know about his colorful life and sad early demise (he was murdered). Click on the link above to the whole wikipedia entry about his life.
Paul Crik and Goatsilk Sing Blaze Foley’s “Clay Pigeon’s”
[audio:http://paulcrik.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ClayPigeons-Paul-Crik-and-Goatsik.mp3]
Foley was born Michael David Fuller in Malvern, Arkansas, but grew up in Texas. He performed in a gospel band called The Fuller Family with his mother and sisters. After leaving home, he performed in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and finally Austin, Texas. He was close friends with Townes Van Zandt.
His song “If I Could Only Fly” became a hit in the interpretation of Merle Haggard. His song “Election Day” was covered by Lyle Lovett on his 2003 album “My Baby Don’t Tolerate” and his song “Clay Pigeons” was covered by John Prine on his Grammy Award winning 2005 album “Fair and Square.” Joe Nichols pays tribute to “If I Could Only Fly” by recording it for his album “Real Things” released in 2007.
In 1989, Foley was shot in the chest and killed by Carey January, the son of Foley’s friend Concho January. Carey January was acquitted of murder in the first degree by reason of self-defense. He and his father presented completely different versions of the shooting at trial.[1]
Foley jokingly claimed to be the illegitimate son of Red Foley and Blaze Starr.
Foley placed duct tape on the tips of his cowboy boots to mock the “Urban Cowboy” crazed folks with their silver tipped cowboy boots. He later made a suit out of duct tape that he used to walk around in. At his funeral, his casket was coated with duct tape by his friends. Townes Van Zandt was quoted as saying that “he’d have to dig Foley up to get the pawn ticket for his guitar that was in his pocket”.
Another fun fact… Lucinda Williams beautiful song, Drunken Angel, was written about Blaze.
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