Dave Alvin Q&A

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Questions Answered:

	hello Dave greetings from Brazil, South America! English is not my native language , so first of all, let me say that my english is not that good and might there will be something written wrong here. I'm a huge Blasters' fan and I just started looking for your solo records. Unfortunately, none of them were released here in Brazil, plus it is expensive to import any cd to Brazil, because we pay a high import duty over it (I hate that!)... however I'll start getting your solo records anyway... Here @ your website, in response to Jennifer you wrote that you couldn't "count the times that the right song at the right time saved me and my heart and sanity". I feel the same thing! I really do... and do you know one of the songs that get this effect on me? "Blue Shadows"! One of the best songs ever recorded!!! R&B, Rock and Roll!!! I feel so happy when I listen to this one that I get a smile on my face everytime I listen to, it's simple as that. I suppose that you already said a lot about this, but I really would like to hear from you how was play on stage with the great Lee Allen. Did he ever talk to you about his passion for R&B music? I love R&B so much and nowadays it is hard to find people talking about those type of R&B (the real one, 50's R&B), you hear about Swing and stuff, but not that much about R&B - in my opnion it is a shame... R&B music hasn't received the respect its deserve. thanks in advance for your attention. take care! Fernando Ortolani
	Hey Fernando: Yeah, you are correct that 1950's R+B doesn't get the respect it deserves these days. I think many people just think of it as Oldie But Goodies when much of it (not all of it, though) is a direct descendant of the American folk music styles of blues and gospel. I think some people think of it was too commercial or too contrived to be a true extension of folk music. These attitudes tend to come cycles, so I'm sure that it will someday be accorded the place in American musical history that it rightfully deserves. I'm glad that you love BLUE SHADOWS so much because I wrote that song trying write a real, 50's R+B song. I wish that I had my brothers voice because I'd love to sing that one with my own band but Phil sings it better than I ever could. Lee Allen had a passion for living and that passion manifested itself as R+B music. I hope you understand what I mean. Lee would talk about recording sessions, musicians, singers, songs, barrooms, life on the road, women, but he rarely ever discussed R+B as a concept because he didn't have to. Lee lived R+B and the blues everyday of his life. If he talked about a particular sax solo or just walking down to the corner store for a loaf od bread, he was talking about R+B. I really hope you understand what I'm trying to say because my English is not much better than yours. As far as playing on stage with Lee, words really cannot describe the joy, thrill and honor I felt standiing next to a legend like Lee Allen. Simply put, it was GREAT!!!!!! Keep digging the 50's R+B and hopefully someday our paths will cross in South America!

	Dear Dave, This is perhaps my 6th time trying to post to your site. I'm convinces my first 2 attempts were computer related. My other attempts must have been bad timing (ie sitting too long and they disappear into cyber-space). Anyways, I tried posting to let you know just how much it's meant to me to see you, hear you and to meet you. I'm always awe-struck when I see you perform. I've been lucky enough to see you with the Guilty Men in Ann Arbor, MI at the 'Ark' on July 9th, 2004. It was my birthday present from my husband Mike and your performance was the best I've EVER seen. The Guilty Men are totally awesome. You, Dave simply mesmerize me with your incredible baratone voice. I am the lady who came up to the stage to ask you to sing 'Dark Eyes' and you surprised me later with a snippet of it. What a birthday present that night was. Meeting you was a dream come true (and the icing on the cake so to speak). I also enjoyed seeing you perform with the Knitters on August 5, 2005 at the 'Magic Stick' in Detroit, MI. I loved seeing you on your 'summer vacation'. All that energy you put into your music. Then, on March 12, 2006 I was lucky once again to see your solo performance in the great atmosphere of the 'Ark' in Ann Arbor, MI. You are also an incredible solo performer. I was mesmorized once again by your beautiful baratone voice and enjoyed my hypnotic trance-like state it put me in - it's a wonderful place to be. After that show, I waited, along with Mike to meet you and it was a thrill to see and meet you once again. I brought your book for you to sign for me, and I treasure your signing it and your comments to me. I wanted to thank you for your wonderful music, your writing and your incredible voice and what it does for me. You've heard it all before, but I still have to tell you personally from me anyways. Your music has put me in a better place so many times (in the last couple years especially): When I worked in a thankless job, when I left that thankless job to look for another job, when I was unemployed, when I went up North to visit my family and see my Dad, who was suffering from the advanced stages of Parkinson's Disease' and watching him slowly leave me, and when I finally lost my wonderful Dad last Sept. 2005, from that horrible, unforgiving disease (yes, "The Man in the Bed" got me through a lot of the pain, and knowing you went through the same thing I did was somehow comforting - not feeling all alone in my grief). Thank you, Dave, for your words and music, your poetry and that wonderful voice. Please continue to do what you do so well, inspiring and giving so much to your devoted fans. You are a caring and down to earth guy to all of us waiting to see you whenever we can. Speaking of which ... For my birthday again this year, Mike and I are driving across the state to Benton Harbor, MI to see you and the Guilty Men at the 'Livery' on the 4th of July ( HOW KOOL IS THAT ?? ). I know it's going to be an incredible evening. Please tell me Joe Terry is with you this tour. Mike really wants to talk to him again (being a fellow keyboard player).!! ?? I do hope we get to meet you again as I have something to give you when we see you again. So, Dave, take care and till we hopefully meet again "Somewhere in Time" - Peace & love to you. Almost forgot ; One question from Mike: Do you know Kal David, owner of the Blue Guitar in Palm Springs, CA. ? Good blues. And speaking of blues: IF you ever get a chance in your very busy schedule to do so, please check out www.insurrectiononline.com. Thats Mike's 'Rockin' Blues Band - 'Music with a Feelin''. They are fabulous, you will like David-Lead guitarist & vocalist. I'd be VERY surprised if you are not impressed by them. One more question, from me: What is the radio station's call letters, or numbers that you will be hosting so that I might try to get it on the WWW. Thanks so much See you on the 4th of July Miss Dark Eyes 2004 Kathryn
	Hey Miss Dark Eyes: It's really taken you that many posting to get through. I'm very sorry that I somehow missed the others. I'm not that good with computers, I guess. I'm very moved by your wors about your father and dealing with all that his sickness and your loss entailed. Sometimes everything does feel overwhelming and yet simple things like songs can make it somehow bearable. I'm very happy that my songs could have that effect for you. Like I've often said here, I sincerely couldn't ask for a bigger compliment. Of course Joe Terry will with me and The Gulty Men this summer. I couldn't do what I do without him! If your husband buys Joe a beer, I'm sure he'd love to discuss the finer points of the keyboard art. Yeah, I've certainly heard of Kal David. He's one hell of a guitarist and an equally amazing singer. In fact, on the soundtrack to the John Water's movie, CRYBABY, that I produced some years ago, you can hear Kal singing bass in the group vocal chorus of a song called DOING TIME FOR BEING YOUNG. He may not remember the session but I do. A very, very talented guy. As for the radio show, well, nothing is certain yet and the way that my schedule is shaping up, I don't think that I'll have the time to do it. Oh, well, maybe in the future. See you in July for your birthday celebration.

	Dave, I finally got a chance to give a good listen to "West of the West" and really loved it. In listenig to it and contemplating the song selection I was reminded of a cover album that Dwight Yoakom put out awhile back called "Under the Covers". It was not the sound that I found familiar, because they are very different, it was the adventurous song selection. I never would have expected to hear Dave Alvin doing a Beach Boys song but there it was, Surfer Girl, and done quiet well I might add. This is what reminded me of the Dwight Yoakom record. Just as I never expected you would do Surfer Girl or Redneck Friend, Dwight surprised me with his covers of The Kinks "Tired of Waiting for You",The Clash "Train in Vain" and the Beatles "Things we said Today". Getting back to West of the West, what I really like is that it introduced songs and song writers such as California Bloodlines and Kern River that I never would have heard, especially being from N.J.. Also loved the Tom Waits cover and Loser by Garcia & Hunter. What the hell, the whole record is great !!! Looking forward to seeing you at the South Street Seaport in N.Y.C. in July. I don't want to sound corny but with all the stress of raising 3 kids and trying to stay above water financially by working in a mondane office job, it is your music that gets me through. Thanks, John
	Hey John: Well, you're line about the music helping you "get through," I couldn't ask for much higher praise. Thank you very much. I've never heard that particular record by Dwight but I think he can sing just about anything and pull it off. I'll try to check it out. Regarding the adventurous song selection, I just tried my best to give an overview to rootsy California songwriters and not fall on my face. I am very glad to expose you (and others) to songwriters like John Stewart or Blackie Farrell or Jim Ringer that you may not have already heard. Even though I'm mainly known as a songwriter, I believe that sharing songs by other writers is part of my job. Thanks for the kind words regarding WEST OF THE WEST. I was a bit concerned that people who didn't live in California might not relate to the record but, happily, you have calmed my fears. See you in July.

	Good Evening/Morning, The cutting edge of making money seems to be recording children's albums. As a mother of a young one, I appreciate any music beyond the normal, poorly recorded, annoying vocals, sappy crappy, A-B-C run-of-the-mill, HELP ME NOW!, is that a CASIO? offerings out there. Thank-you Putomayo!(sp?) Have you ever thought about doing a collection of tunes that the (way) younger set might appreciate? I know how much your early musical experiences influenced you. How 'bout passing that on? I have thought about starting a music appreciation class for toddlers myself. Something that focuses on hands-on and variety. The other options out there are not great. Just because Mozart makes you "smarter" doesn't mean you can't rock, folk, surf, blues out at a tender age. You've met my daughter at a Zoo bar sound check. She was 2 1/2 at the time. You were very kind and even let her play your guitar. You seem, um, at unease with the children (or at least mine.) Don't let that put you off. She loves the blues and your voice as well. If it takes a village to raise a child, shouldn't that little town have a great minstrel? -Janet
	Hey Record Shop Girl: Did I really seem "at unease" with your daughter? Well, I apologize if I did. Maybe I was smoking a cigarette or doing something else potentially dangerous to a 2 year old. I remember letting her play my guitar so I couldn't have been that much at unease because I don't let just anyone play my guitar. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for pretty girls. As for good music for children, I highly reccommend the cd's by my old friend Dan Zanes (formerly of The Del Fuegos). He's gotten to be a pretty big name in the kid's music world by making music that parents can also appreciate. His stuff is folksy, bluesy, rockin', intelligent and fun. Sort of like Woody Guthrie's children songs. I think that Dan is the village minstrel that you speak of. Dan has tried to get me to perform at a couple of his children's shows but I think I'd just scare the young 'uns. I agree with you that exposing children to as much music as possible (no matter if it's Mozart or Muddy Waters)is very important. I was lucky to have heard some amazing records and live performances growing up and I do think that too many kids (and adults as well) don't get the same chance due to the amount of meaningless music on regular radio and tv these days. But with more parents like you, that could change. Good luck.

	Hi Dave, My husband and I just saw you at the Santa Cruz Blues Fest on Memorial Day Weekend. Far and away the best set of the day! Okay, John was killer too! And yes, playing with Los Lobos...... A very minor connection but one that takes us all back to growing up in So Cal in the 60s. I am John L's cousin. You must have heard of 'Uncle Russ' somewhere in the mix. I first saw you with the Blasters at a funky Texas Bar with Joe Ely - had to be 1980 - give or take a year. Lucky for me that I ultimately married a serious blues fan who already had a collection of Blasters and Dave Alvin music. Really enjoy your music and letters which keep the connection to those who truly were (are are) the blues. Pat and Marc (Lambert now Strohlein)
	Hey Pat: Are you talking about the same "John L." that I think you're talking about? Well, if you are, I guess you and I almost related, in a non-blood way, seeing how I think of him as my "common-law" brother. I saw him about 2 years ago and he was doing pretty good for himself. The Santa Cruz Blues Festival was hell of a lot of fun, especially the jam with Lobos, John Hiatt, Luther Dickinson, Chris Gaffney and myself. Moments like those don't happen everyday. Now, let's see . . . Joe Ely and The Blasters in a "funky Texas bar" . . . that would've been around late 1981/early 82 and I'm guessing that you were at Fitzgeralds in Houston. It was a wonderful but funky bar back then. Joe and us did a bunch of amazing shows together around Texas in those days but the Houston gigs were my favorites. Well, say hello to your husband and to John L. if you talk to him. If I cross paths with him, I'll do the smae for you. See you in Texas, Santa Cruz or somewhere in between.

	Hello, I just wanted to say hello, and write a note. Having been a fan for a few years, my brother and I got to open a show for Dave in Knoxville, TN a few years back...we were very mediocre, but for some reason I felt like I was on top of the world. I mean, opening for Dave Alvin? Gimmee a break. It was great fun. During his set, Dave gave us a shout out as the "Pelton Brothers" and I will never forget it. It made me feel like I was part of something really special. Anyway, I just wanted to share my appreciation for the music...and as I sit and listen to the new album (West of the West) I can't help but realize I'm listening to a true American Treasure. I was too nervous to say "Hello" that night (in person)...but I would like to do that now. Thank you very much for your music and your spirit. It doesn't go un-noticed. Sincerely, Chad Pelton
	Hey Chad: Well, thanks for the very kind words but I beg to differ on the "national treasure" remark. B.B. King and Ramblin' Jack Elliot and, especially, the kids serving over in Iraq and Afghanistan, are national treasures. I'm a barroom guitar player who writes some songs every now and then. Not that theres anything wrong with that. A short list of people I've stood next to but was too nervous to say "hello" to includes: Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Richard Berry (the man who wrote LOUIE LOUIE), Muhammad Ali, Lou Rawls, Bobby Womack, Joe Strummer and on and on. So don't feel bad, just come up and say hello next time. See you in beautiful Knoxville.

	HOWDY DAVE ALVIN ! I JUST SAW THAT YOU'RE PLAYING AGAIN @ "MONGO'S" IN GOVER BEACH, CA JUNE 23rd. I ENJOYED YOUR SHOW THERE A FEW MONTHS AGO. WHO ARE THE "GUILTY MEN" ON YOUR NEW ALBUM & WILL THEY BE TOURING WITH YOU ? HOPE I CAN MAKE IT TO THE SHOW. THANKS FOR THE MANY YEARS OF MUSIC YOU'VE PLAYED AND ALL THE GOOD TIMES ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR ROCKIN' AMERICAN MUSIC. BEST OF LUCK TO YOU! ANNE SCHOOLER
	Hey Anne: I hope that you make it out to Mongo's. I had a great time when Chris Gaffney and I played the acoustic show there earlier this year. The upcoming show will be a full band, electric performance so bring your earplugs. The current line-up of The Guilty Men are: Gregory Boaz on bass, Joe Terry on keyboards, Chris Miller on guitars and Steve Mugallian on drums. Everyone but Steve ("the new guy") are playing on various tracks on WEST OF THE WEST. It'll be the first gig of our summer tour and we're very excited about kicking it off on the beautiful Central Coast. Thanks for the complimentary words about my years of playing music. Hopefully, I've got several more years to go bashing on a guitar.

	Hi Dave, I received one of those emails that asks all kind of personal questions to answer and then you're supposed to forward it to 10 friends or you will have bad luck. Ha! Thought it might be fun to ask you a couple of those questions. If you answer I can only image it will bring good luck! Your nickname: Favorite movie: Favorite book: If you were a car what would you be? And in case you were wondering... My nickname: Leetz Favorite movie: Harold and Maude Favorite book: Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros Car: '62 convertable Cadillac - canary yellow On a more serious note, I relate to your love for California. I feel the same way about my homestate of New Mexico. My bloodlines run very deep here in the high desert. For me there is no other place like the wide open spaces, clear skies and the mixing of cultures. Thanks for the beautiful and inspiring music. And I, too, am someone who was so deeply touched by the song Man in the Bed. I lost my father, uncle and aunt within 4 months of each other 3 years ago and that song has been an incredible source of comfort for me and my family. I have to say I love your words. Thanks and greetings from ABQ, Lita
	Hey Lita: First of all, I'm very glad that MAN IN THE BED has brought some comfort to you and your family during a extrememly hard and sad period. Someone once said that the more personal a piece of art is, the more universal it is. I certainly think it's true regarding that song. I wrote it to bring some comfort to myself but it has affected a lot more people than I ever expected. Thanks for letting me know. I love New Mexico. If I didn't live in California, I'd love to live there but you probably already have enough Cali exiles flooding in to deal with. You don't need another. As for the questions, well, ah . . . I have too many nicknames from too many people and not all of them are complimentary. My favorite movie is, well, again, I've got too many but TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA are usually near the top of the list. Favorite book? Yet again, way too many to mention but Mark Twain, Robert Benchley, Raymond Chandler, Flannery O'Connor, Charles Bukowski, Gerald Locklin, Gerald Haslam and whoever really wrote all of Shakespeare's plays, are some of my favorite writers. My favorite car is one with a full tank of gas.

	Dave, Just wanted to say thanks for all great songs and projects over the years, and that your'body of work' will live forever. KPIG will ensure that. In 1992 I had 'bottomed out' I was really thinking of cashing-in my chips.I had a sales job that required I drive route-395 (the loniest hihgway/Bishop to Fallon, NV and beyond) Listening Blue Blvd cassette on the company Chevy Lumina: 'blew me away' like Red Simpson's "Feather River Valley" always does. Yet,it's utter humanity & aching beauty inspired me to keep 'pushin on' If the f-ckin music biz can 'do' Dave Alvin and his ilk, and they keep going, well then I ain't gonna' quit; until I write down all my war-stories in some screed and pitch into the dead-manuscripts bin at our hallowed publishing houses sans literary agent. I played pin-ball w/ you @ Crazy Mamas, Columbus, Ohio circa and 1981-82, Dave Billig P.S. love& concur your fave songs list, I would only add Ray Davies "Waterloo Sunset' & "She's Got Everything" also Flamin' Groovies "I Can't Hide"
	Hey David: You should definitely write down all your "war stories" whether or not some publishing house/ literary agent types want to deal with them. As a very a wise old musician tole me years ago, "You just do what you do and that's all you can do." That's some zen-blues philosophy, I think. I'm very gald that you didn't "cash in your chips" back in '92. A couple of years before that, I had also gone through a rough period and didn't see anyway through it but music was one of things that got me through all that. The songs on Blue Boulevard were an out growth of that period and writing them was sort of my way of not giving up. So, I'm very sincere when I say I'm very happy that they could have a similar effect for you. Thank you for letting me know that they helped. The late, great Curtis Mayfield has always been a hero of mine and in regards to what you wrote about all the hard and tough times we sometimes go through, he said it all so beautifully simply: "Just keep on pushin. Keep on pushing." Yeah, I do know Route 395 pretty well. It may be lonely but, in it's way, 395 is one of the most beautiful highways anywhere. Though I remember playing a couple of wild shows at Crazy Momma's with The Blasters, I'm sorry to connfess that I don't recall playing pinball with you. Maybe that's because you won the game. Long live KPIG!!!!!!

	Dear Dave: First off I would like to tip my hat to you as the kind of artist I admire most. I have listened to your stuff from the beginning and have always been amazed at its consistent quality and high emotional octane. I also grew up in South Gate in the 1950's and even remember having you and your bro over for a swim in our kidney shaped pool (paid for by exagerated insurance claims by my Old Man) after I burned down the garage of our home on Annetta avenue (over by the Park) hitting rolls of caps soaked in kerosene. You guys were younger than me but were pals with a kid named McDaniel who played baseball on my Pee Wee team. I went to Pius X also and remember hearing of this strange cat who played guitar at a talent show or such is the rumor that has circulated for thirty years. I still can't believe anyone was listening to Sonny Boy Williamson and Muddy Waters in South Gate. I can tell you for what it is worth that those of us who staggered out of those flatlands and love music are damn proud of you. The point of this is that I heard the "Man in the Bed" for the first time this week and it moved me to a place I needed to be since November of 1992. A tough guy I am not but that one caused some old, gin soaked tears to flow. As far as I am concerned you nailed down a spot in the hall of fame with that one song. Thanks a million.
	Hey Glenn: "Staggered out of the flatlands." That's a great line. You should write songs. Wow, a Pius X survivor. We all have to stick together. I have to be honest and admit that I don't remember swimming in your "exaggerated insurance claim," "kidney shaped pool" but if you say we did then we did. Your story about burning down the garage sounds pretty interesting to me. With lines like the "staggered" line and stories like burning down the garage, well, you certainly got some songs, poems or novels to write. The "strange cat" who played Muddy Waters, Elmore James and Sonny Boy Williamson songs at the Pius talent show was my brother Phil. I remember that night very well. Phil played with his teenage band, Delta Pacific. It was a pretty professional band, more pro than The Blasters ever were, and even though they were all in high school already backing up Big Joe Turner and others in local clubs and blues bars. Phil and his band sounded great that evening and I was a very proud little brother. Regarding MAN IN THE BED, thank you very much. When I wrote that song I thought that it perhaps too personal for anyone else besides me but comments like yours prove that I was wrong. A songwriter couldn't ask for anything else besides comments like yours. See you on Tweedy Blvd.

	Dear Dave, You won't remember me (you probably hear that a lot) but I saw you perform after reading a review about your Black Jack David Album in the Fresno Bee. I jumped in my car and drove the record store to buy the CD and then headed over to Club Fred to see the show. I have to tell you I didn't know who you were with the radio air ravaged by format rock. I walked to the back outside while you were taking a break and nervously walked up to you as you took a drag from your cigarette. I asked you if I could have your autograph my CD and you shook my hand and obliged...To my Amigo Gregg (yeah, you spelled my name wrong but it didn't matter)you signed it and it made my day. Your approach to your writing and your music has been profound in so many ways in my life. Having grown up in California, I could relate to your words and the voice of life in California you bring. Since that night I have bought your entire collection and reach for a Dave Alvin CD when I want to get lost in your stories (especially the live story of cruising with Donna) Last night I was at Barnes and Nobles buying some magazines and as usual I walked back to the CD department to pay because there was no line. Behind the counter was a little sign saying Dave Alvin release 5-30...that was it. I went and grabbed it and rushed home to play it. For the first time in a long time I read the cover from front to back because I am the same age as you and I feel the same way (don't worry I'm not a stalker). As I put in the CD and read the song list I asked myself How is he going to do Surfer Girl? But you did with soul...and conviction...and heart. I now have another friend to add to my collection to inspire and invigerate. I hope a tour is in order and it brings you back to Fresno as I would enjoy seeing you live again. Take Care Greg Gonzales Fresno CA
	Hey Greg (I spelled it right this time) "Format rock." I like that description. Thank you for your message and I'm truly honored that my songs have meant so much to you over the last few years. There are certain songwriters that have that effect on me - some of whom are represented on WEST OF THE WEST. I couldn't ask for higher praise. I'm glad that you enjoyed SURFER GIRL. It was a hard song to record because, well, because it's Brian Wilson. You can't top him at what he does. I tried, though, to somehow capture the California dream/myth without sounding too sweet or corny. A lot of the songs on the cd are sad and rough but I wanted some of them to be the opposite. Theres a lot wrong, rough and sad about our home state but sometimes, when the moon is rising over the Sierra on a clear fall evening or when you're driving down a dark stretch of Highway 101 in central California with the windows down and the ocean breese is blowing down through the canyons . . . well, I was trying to capture that feeling in SURFER GIRL. I hope that all that makes some sort of sense. I don't know if I'll be playing Fresno (the hometown of the late Jim Ringer, one my favorite California songwriter/singers) on the summer tour. We are playing Bakersfield in August and I know that it's a long drive but, maybe it'll be a beautiful San Joaquin evening and a drive on Highway 99 with the windows rolled down maybe just the ticket.

	dave, just got west of the west... really cool sounding record. this is going to be a tough one to take out of the cd player, for some time, for sure. i'm very much looking forward to hearing/seeing these songs performed, when you come to boston, in july. see ya, then. cheers, brez
	Hey Brez: Well, please take the cd out before you get sick of it. I'm glad that you enjoy the sound of the cd. I think that Greg Leisz, the producer, Craig Adams, the engineer, and Jim Scott, the mixer, all did an amazing job. Anyway, if you're not sick of the cd by July, I'll see you in Boston/Cambridge.

	Hi,Rex Delong thought you would be intrested in something I posted on the John Stewart bloodliners site a day back. I was at a Kate Campbell/Will Kimbrough gig last week in Newcastle (North Eastern England) In the break between sets the sound of California Bloodlines came thro' the speakers, but not the John Stewart version. I am a big J S fan so I sought out Will Kimbrough and asked him who was singing. He told me it was the 1st track on the new Dave Alvin C D. (I have never Heard of Dave Alvin) End of story really, but it's interesting that someone on the Kate Campell/Will Kimbrough tour likes your music so much that they get their hands on a Pre-realease? copy of your C D,cart it half way round the world to play to people who likely havent heard of you or John Stewart! Colin
	Hey Colin: Thanks for passing that along. And my thanks to Kate Campbell and Will Kimbrough or whomever "carted" my cd overseas and played it before their show. That really means something to me. If you get a chance, check out my cd. You (and the others who never heard of me or John) may enjoy it. My BLOODLINES isn't as good as John Stewart's but I meant every note of it.

	Why are your shows in Birmingham always so great. That first gig at CityStages several years ago in is my top ten list of 40 years of rock and roll shows. Just a note of thanks. (And just a spare thought: you reckon Springsteen may have consider "Public Domain II" for that new album?)
	Hey Tommy: Well, thanks for the high praise. The City Stages Festival in Birmingham has always been a favorite of mine. The people who work the festival are extremely nice, the audiences are enthusiastic and the overall vibe is wonderful. I've enjoyed the shows there each time that I've performed there but the one I think that you're referring to was a lot of fun. I believe it was my first performance there and it was one of those nights where nothing could go wrong. Why? I don't really know. Like my friend Chris Gaffney says, "It's a vibe thing." I was planning on playing there this year but, unfortunately, scheduling issues made it impossible. I just hope that the invite me back next year. As for your comment of whether Springsteen considered calling his new cd PUBLIC DOMAIN II, well, I sincerely doubt it. Anyway, I'm glad he didn't because in a couple of years I plan to do PUBLIC DOMAIN II. It'll be the the same concept as the first cd but I'll be approaching folk songs in an entirely different manner. Anyway, I hope to see you in Birmingham sooner rather than later.

	Dear Dave, Seems like it has been forever since we last talked, (although it was really just last summer with The Knitters in Seattle). Glad to see you have been keeping busy and continue to create some of the best music this planet has to offer. As always, your songs help all of us get through the rough times, while also providing a kick-ass soundtrack for the good times. I'm so thrilled by your version of "Loser" on the new album. You and Robert Hunter are my two favorite songwriters of all time. Anyhow, I didn't know until your most recent letter on the site, that you were such a Morphine fan (so am I)! I was playing Cure For Pain on the guitar this evening and started thinking that you would do a really fine version of it (Even though it's obviously not a guitar song, it sounds very pretty on the acoustic). So my question for you is...If you were to ever cover a Morphine tune, which one would you want to do the most, or feel you could really bring something special to? As always, take care, and keep up the fine work. If you don't make it to Vancouver this year, I'm gonna try my hardest to get my Dad to come with me to the folk fest in Calgary. Or maybe even the Sunset Junction in L.A. Luv&Peace Teresa Marie (PS - And just because you always notice, I thought I'd let you know that my hair is back to being red again...)
	Hey Teresa: Please accept my deepest apologies for not answering your message sooner but I just saw it on the site. I must have accidentally skipped over it somehow. I'm very sorry. Now, since it's been almost a month since you wrote, are you still a red head? Regarding Morphine, yeah, I really enjoyed them both as a band and as people. I knew Mark and Billy from their days as members of Treat Her Right which was an amazing art/blues band in Boston. Mark and I even wrote (or tried to write) a couple of songs for Morphine back in the early days but what ever became of those songs, I don't know. Probably somewhere very deep in Mark's very deep song files. Mark certainly didn't need any help as a songwriter but it was fun to write with him. As with all of my old friends who've moved on, I miss him very much. As far as what Morphine song I would consider doing, well, that's a hard question. Mark did them better than anyone could. That said, maybe I would do an early song called CLAIRE. I always kind of dug that one. My apologies again and I hope to see you in Calgary.

	Howdy Dave, Thanks for the BOSS plug. You made an old Rumbler smile. Great to see you w/ Peter, Vic & Heff at McCabes. Hoping to make it to Safari Sam's, but that depends on Mama's health. I'm her caregiver. You're the talk-o-Bloodlines these days, too. Bless Yer Big Ol' Heart. Rex
	Hey Rex: I can't tell you how honored I am to receive a message here from an actual Rumbler! Just in case some of the folks reading your message don't know the song, BOSS, or The Rumblers who wrote and recorded it, let me fill them in. The Rumblers made some kick-ass, garage/R+B/surf/hard rock n' roll records in the early sixties on a record label/studio in my hometown of Downey, California. The label was called, of course, Downey Records and they recorded everything from surf (the original PIPELINE by The Chantays was also on Downey) to blues to rockabilly to soul (some of Barry White's first records were done there). To me, though, The Rumblers stuff is my favorite. They took their band name from the famous Link Wray song of the same name and their sound had much of the same raw energy as Link's music. Ace Records in England has recently been re-issusing a lot of the Downey Records and Rumbler's catalog and, it goes without saying that I highly recommend them. I also recently recorded BOSS (along with The Bel-Aire's surf classic, MISTER MOTO) for a limited edition bonus cd that my label, YepRoc, sent to people who ordered my new cd in advance from them. My version is in no way as good as The Rumbler's original but hopefully it'll turn some people to what a great group they were. I'm very sorry to hear about your mother and my thoughts and best wishes are with you and her. Anyway, don't sweat it if you can't make it out to Safari Sam's. There will always, hopefully, be more gigs. See you soon and keep rocking!

	Dave, I will be attending the American Music festival @ Fitzgeralds this 4th of July weekend. I know you are booked on the 3rd with the Guilty Men. The Blasters are booked for the 1st and 2nd---Any chance we will see you hanging at the Club on Sunday nite--July 2nd?? I have seen you solo and with the Guilty Men many, many times dating all the way back to Austin, Tx SXSW in 92(?)........... I saw you with the Blasters @ Fitzgeralds in Nov '02(?) and it was one great show..... see you there! Both Nights!?!
	Hey Terry: You were at the SXSW gig 92? That was a pretty damn fun gig if I remember correctly. It was at Liberty Lunch with The Skeletons backing me up, right? Boy, were they a great band! And, yeah, The Blasters' reunion shows at Fitzgerald's were pretty special nights, especially the after hours jam in the dressing room. As far as hanging out at the bar at Fitzgeralds on July 2, well, I don't know. I'm not even sure where I'll be that night but if I'm anywhere nearby, yeah, I just might grab a seat at the end of the bar and watch my brother and The Blasters blow the roof off the joint. Sounds like fun to me.

	Hi Dave, Just returned from seeing James McMurtry in Sioux City, Iowa last night. He put on a fantastic show! My wife was talking to James afterward and mentioned that we’d always wanted to see a combined show of the two of you…he commented that you could share rhythm sections since Daren Hess had played with you in the past. We were fortunate to have Daren join us at our table for a bit after the show to talk music while Ashgrove played in the background…great guy/drummer and had plenty of nice things to say about you. He enlightened us that we’d missed the release of the new album this week (for some reason I was thinking it was a June date), so I’m out the door to go pick it up. I do see that you and James are co-headlining two dates in August (San Francisco 18th / Reno 19th). Any chance there’d be any more added? I still cherish the copy of Any Rough Times Are Now Behind You that you signed for me 10 years ago at the Pomp Room in Sioux Falls, SD. Looking forward to the new album and we’ll see you at the Turf Club in St.Paul, MN on July 1. Cheers, Mike
	Hey Mike: Yeah, James and his band always put on a powerful show. He's not only a great lyricist but also an extremely unique, gifted guitarist. And, yeah, Daren is an old pal and former Guily Man. He's also a bit of a renaissance man. Just ask him about oil painting, building houses, flying planes and repairing cars. If I could be someone else beside me, I just might choose to be Daren. He's pretty cool. As for more dates with the McMurtry and me, I hope we can do some more but the SF and Reno dates are probably the only ones that'll happen this year. I'm very excited about the combo of James and his boys with The Guilty Men and would love to do more gigs in the future. Thanks for hanging on to my book of poems. That means a lot. See you in St. Paul.

	We are coming to see you in Annapolis on July 6. My brother Bruce is turning 50 and I thought a Dave Alvin show was a great way to celebrate. Just got the new studio and live albums. And just like the other 10 or so Dave Alvin albums that I own, they are great! Look forward to seeing the show and introducing my brother to your music firsthand! Carl Chafin
	Hey Carl: Well, wish your brother, Bruce, a happy b-day from me. I'm honored that you're going to celebrate it with us at The Ramshead and I hope that we can somehow help ease his transition into his 50's. I also know that certain Guilty Men will want to know if theres any cake involved. Thanks for the very kind words about the new cd's and we'll see you soon.

	Hey Dave, Been seeing your live shows for years now. Got converted when you played the San Diego Street Scene in the early 90's. That was years back before it got lame. You guys are one of the last bands to keep good ol' american RnR going. Glad to say that there's not an ounce of pouserness(if that's a word) in your guys style. O.K. enough of the blowin smoke. Now for the holy question. I noticed you cover Loser on your new record. Grate choice. In the past I've heard you do Promised Land. And always thought you could rock something like Deal or Going down the road Feeling Bad. Are we gonna get any more Dead covers at your live shows ? If not that's cool. Haley's Comet always ripps. Gonna catch the Safari Sam's show. And pick up the record there. It's a big B-day weekend for me. Rock'n the Cajun Fest down in Long Beach during the day before your show. Guilty Men that night. Then Sunday over to the Greek for Bob Weir's band. Yee Haa. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! See Ya the 24th Jason
	Hey Jason: Wow, that sounds like a pretty intense weekend. I just hope that you don't wear yourself out dancing at the Cajun fest and can't make it over to Safari Sam's. Thanks for "blowing smoke." I'm pretty proud of my band and I'm very happy when other people dig them as much as I do. As for "the holy question," the odds are low that I'll be playing any covers on the upcoming tour that aren't on the West Of The West cd but, on the other hand, I repeat what I always seem to be saying, "Ya never can tell." Loser has aways been a favorite song of mine and I got a kick out of finally recording a version of it. I hope that you enjoy it. Anyway, you can always shout out DEAL, or whatever song you want to hear. You never know what'll happen. Sometimes I don't even know what'll happen as evidenced on the live Guilty Men cd, Out In California, where The Guilty Men broke into FREE BIRD just for laughs with out letting me in on the joke.

	Dave, First off, I would like to say that I think that you have an amazing voice and are an extraordinary songwriter. You're # 1 on my "top 10 favorite musicians" list. Secondly, and forgive me if I'm wrong, but it seems that you never come out after the show to sign autographs and get hugs, kisses, and compliments from all of us adoring women...and I'm wondering why?? I was really sad when I heard that even though the other artists at the Santa Cruz Blues Festival (May 28th, 2006) came out to the merch. booth to sign autographs but that you and the other fellas would not be doing so... Anyway, I still love ya...but you really oughta consider coming out and letting us show our love. Sincerely, Janet
	Hey Janet: Well, if I knew that "hugs, kisses and compliments" from "adoring women" were waiting for me at the merch booth then I certainly would have been there. I sincerely apologize for not going over to the booth but I do have a few, somewhat weak, reasons. One is that I didn't bring any merch to the festival so I figured no one would have anything for me to sign. Another reason is that after I play sometimes I'm too sweaty and exhausted (Who wants to hug a sweaty guitar player?) and I was very sweaty and exhausted after my performance at the Blues Fest. The last of my feeble reasons is that some old friends of mine were backstage and I spent the afternoon hanging out with them. At most gigs, though, if you wait long enough for me to relax, dry off and change my shirt, I do come out and sign whatever anyone wants signed. I enjoy drinking a post-gig beer and talking to people about just about anything whether it's related to the show or not. I also gladly accept hugs, kisses and compliments from adoring women. I'm apprciate that you have me on your top ten musician list and that only makes me feel even more guilty. Again, please accept my humble apology and I hope that you give me a second chance at the merch booth. I promise I'll dry off and change my shirt.

	Hello indeed. A quick note to say thanks for another excellent pair of albums that those kind people at YepRoc provided at such a bargain price, particularly as they had to find their way to here near Cambridge, England. I'm going to steal a comment that Bruce Springsteen makes on the liner notes to his Seeger sessions CD -this is the sound of music being made rather than manufactured. Unfortunately, though I know you've been over to europe with The Guilty Men, I've never yet managed to catch a show. I did, however, see you back in early 80's with the Blasters supporting Nick Lowe at Manchester University. There were about 30 of us in the audience. You still came back and did an encore for us. That has always stayed with me. So, twenty something years later, thank you, and have an excellent time on tour over the summer.. Paul
	Hey Paul: I'm stunned! Seriously. You were at that show with Nick Lowe in Manchester? Wow. Well, the encore was our pleasure. Thanks for remembering and I'm very touched that it meant so much to you. Thanks for the kind words about YepRoc (they're good people) and the new cd. I really appreciate you going through the effort to get the cd. Hopefully, The Guilty Men and I will be touring a bit more in England than normal in 2007. The costs of a traveling band make it more economical just to play London and then head off to the continent but plans a being made to maybe play a few other cities when we head over next year. I hope that you can make out it one of the shows and, hopefully, more than 30 people will show up. Hell, even if it's still only 30 people, I still play an encore for you.

	Dave, I'm sooo excited! I just found out that you're gonna be playing at the Coachhouse in August, which is in my area, thank you!! I've been bragging about you since I saw you last year in San Diego. Any chance I can meet you? In case you don't know it, you are totally hot! :) See ya soon, Teresa
	Hey Teresa: I'm "totally hot?????" You sure you got the right Dave Alvin? There is a heavy metal guitarist out there somewhere named Dave Alvin. He might be the one you're thinking of. Maybe you're thinking of one of the Guilty Men like Gregory Boaz, Chris Miller or Joe Terry or Gaffney? If it is me you're thinking of, well, thanks for the very, nice compliment. You made my day. See you at The Coach House but just be prepared to be disappointed that I ain't the heavy metal guy.

	Hi Dave. A comment and a question. First, "West of the West" is sterling. Great song selection. Your best singing. And it's a magnificent sounding record. Goes down easy. Thanks. My question: Why don't you ever sing "Rich Man's Town?" I haven't heard you play it since the "Blue Blvd" tour and it's one of my favorite of your rockers. How about at South Street Seaport? Plenty of rich men there. All the best, Gary White Plains, NY
	Hey Gary: Thanks for the compliments on WEST OF THE WEST. I wish I could take credit for how the cd sounds but that honor goes to Greg Leisz, who produced, Jim Scott, who mixed and Craig Parker Adams, who recorded it. I just kind of hung around, smoking cigarettes and trying to stay out of the way. I'm pleasantly surprised that you asked about RICH MAN'S TOWN. I've always considered it a pretty good song and it does pop up on rare occasions (sometimes in the JUBILEE TRAIN medley). The reason I don't sing it often is that after the late Country Dick Montana recorded a version of it on his solo album, well, I just thought that Dick sang it better than I ever could. It's that simple. Maybe I'll do it at the Seaport gig in new York. Yell it out! See you there.

	Dear Dave, We've really been enjoying your new album. I think it's hecka tight and my mom thinks it's bluesy and beautiful. I was wondering why one of the songs you played was called Mr. Moto? I also thought that Boss was boss. I also thought that Surfer Girl sounded sort of like something I would hear from Ritchie Valens. My mom says the arrangements of the songs are outstanding. I like meeting new musicians through your songs. Looking forward to seeing you in August. Is it okay if I come back and say hi? Good luck in your shows. From, Avi
	Hey Avi: Certainly it's okay for you to come backstage in San Francisco. I always look forward to seeing you and your mom. I'm glad that you like the new cd and the bonus surf tracks. MR MOTO was named for a wrestler who was popular back in the early 60's. I've always enjoyed playing that song for fun and I was happy to finally find a reason to record it. The same goes for BOSS, another of my favorite surf songs from when I was just a kid of 7 or 8. I'm very glad that my stuff is exposing you to a variety of musicians. As you practice and grow as a musician, listening to a wide variety of music and musicians (whether you enjoy their music or not) is one of the best things for you to do. Keep rocking and I'll see you soon.

	Hi Dave, After hearing your music lately im hooked. I've jsut turned 17 so nearly all my money lately has gone onto your latest CD's! I was wondering what guitar you play though, i can see its a Fender Strat variant but could you please enlighten me on its details, i would really like to set up my guitar like yours. Thankyou for your time, James.
	Hey James: Thanks for your message and for spending all your money on my cd's. I hope it's worth it. Anyway, my main guitar is a 1964 Fender Stratocaster but in the roecording studio I'll use whatever guitar fits the song. For example, on my newest cd, WEST OF THE WEST, I used the Strat as well as a 1961 Gibson Les Paul Jr that belongs to my producer, Greg Leisz. On ASHGROVE, I only used my Strat. It just depends. On both cd's. I was playing through either an old Fender Deluxe amp or an old Fender Twin. I think I may have played through an old Gibson amp on a couple of tracks but I'm basically a Fender guy. I try to use a minimum of effects pedals but I usually have an overdrive pedal and an echo pedal from different companies. I also use very heavy gauge strings (12's through 52's) for more of a blues tone but I don't really recommend that unless you've got very strong fingertips. Fender makes some pretty good, (relativly) inexpensive re-issue Strats and re-issue amplifiers, so that may be a good way to start working on your sound. Good luck!

	Hi Dave, I graduated from Pius X in 1972.Do you still play the saxaphone at all or was that a Saddie Hawkins only thing? Was that you in the Leaving Las Vegas movie playing guitar for the Elvis impersonators?There is no mention anywhere in the credits or your website about it.It seems like you were doing The Pleasure Barrons thing in Las Vegas around that time. Take Care and hope to see you this summer at The Coach House.
	Hey Charles: It's great to hear from a fellow Pius X graduate/survivor. Man, you've got a pretty good memeory. I'm surprised that you remember that I played sax back in those days. I haven't touched a sax in over 30 years because . . . ah, well . . . to be honest, I wasn't the worst sax player of all time but I certainly was in the top twenty of bad saxophonists. I wanted to be like my hero, the great sax player Lee Allen, so much that I tried to play just like him. Needless to say, I failed miserably. Yeah, that was me in the movie but it was called Honeymoon In Vegas. The director hired me to put a band together to back up Elvis imitators in the film. The band (me, Greg Leisz, James Intveld, Rick Solem, Micheal Rose, the late Donald Lindley, Katy Moffat and Brenda Lee Yeager) sounded pretty damn Vegas. We spent 3 days being filmed at one of the casino showrooms, backing up countless Elvis guys from around the world and I'm sorry that they didn't use more of that footage in the final edit. I'm glad that you asked me about this because I'd kind of forgotten about it. I'll never forget what a rotten sax player I was, though. If you make it to the Coach House, I promise I won't play sax.

	Hi Dave, I just got my "West of the West" cd in the mail today. I can't begin to tell you what a great album I think it is. I gotta say Surfer Girl was absolutely beautiful. It gave me goosebumps and I don't mean to sound like a weirdo. Also the Richard Berry tune "I Am Bewildered" was so smooth. I sure hope you can fit the Sarasota area into your schedule, I need a Guilty Men fix. I know Sarah(my ex) is going to the Cambridge show and she is just going nuts waiting. I am sending her West of The West so she can prep for the show... Happy Trails Dave and Congrats on a Incredible album. Your Buddy in Florida, Barry
	Hey Barry: It's great to hear from you and I sincerely hope that things are going good for you in Florida. Thanks for your very, very kind thoughts on the new cd. I'm very happy that you dig SURFER GIRL and I'M BEWILDERED. Of anything I've ever recorded, those 2 songs were maybe the most vocally challenging for me to sing. It helped a lot having the great r+b vocal quartet, The Calvanes, on those tracks because those guys really pushed me to get the vocals right. As far as getting down Sarasota way, we'll see. I ususaly play Tampa (at Skipper's Smokehouse - one of my favorite venues in the world) and maybe one or two other places in Florida but I've never played Sarasota. With you living down there, maybe I've a reason to go now. I look forward to seeing Sarah in New England (please send her my regards) and, hopefully you in the near future. Maybe Tucson again?

	Dave, Ever since seeing you at the Birchmere on the last tour I am a huge fan of your music. The show at the Birchmere was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. My questions are a follow up to your email reply to Eric on April 21. First of all I agree with you that swapping live tapes of an artist's music does not hurt sales of that artist. Any fan that goes to the trouble of seeking out live concert tapes will certainly purchase all of an artists officially released music (I know I do). Anyway back to my questions, what does a person do if a venue is against taping and states on the ticket or their website that recording devices are not allowed? My second question is, do you allow fans to plug into the soundboard for a direct feed? I heard from one person who said he was able to do this a few years ago. Thanks for taking the time to read my questions. I appreciate it. And thanks for all the great music. Best regards, Nick
	Hey Nick: Well, I'm very glad that you enjoyed the Birchmere show so much. Was that the one with The Guilty Men or the solo acoustic show? Anyway, theres not much I can do regarding venues that have policies against taping. Sometimes they say no taping but look the other way or the club manager asks me if it's okay by me (which it is) and when I give them permission to allow people to record the show then theres no problems. But some clubs are extremely strict for whatever reason and thats the end of the story. I know some artists are against people taping shows so, perhaps, the clubs have a uniform no taping policy just to make those artists happy. Who knows? I don't. As for tapers plugging directly into the soundboard, it's okay with me but often you have to get there pretty early because one (or two) tapers have already plugged into it and theres no more channels left. I find that soundboard tapes aren't as dynamic as room tapes because you're getting a whole lot of drums and vocals and very little of the bass and guitars. They're also a bit too dry for my taste. Anyway, I hope you can make it out to one of the shows this summer and that they let you tape it.

	Hey Dave, Big Fan of yours, and a big fan of the new DVD-A / SACD formats, and I gladly shelled out the $$$ for another copy of Blackjack David when Mobile High Fidelity released their version of it a couple of years ago. The added space and depth that the High Rez formats bring to the table on already well mastered/recorded efforts like yours is well worth it to me, and hopefully to others as well. I was wondering if there were any plans for any of the other albums (yeah, showing my age...) to get the same treatment. I would kill for a SACD version of King of California! And Ashgrove wouldn't be far behind. And, while I am at it... Any chance that one of the Knitters live shows might be released? Same for one of the live shows from the Flesheaters Reunion? And, has that Flesheaters release from '81, the one with you and Bateman & John Doe et al ever been released on CD? Or, have you ever thought of / had the time for - releasing a CD with a (generous)sampling of all of your side stuff through the years? X, Knitters, Pleasure Barons, Flesheaters, Dylan, Solo Acoustic, geeezzz, we're already into a 2 Disc set, heh? Anyway, I'm really looking forward to catching you and The Guilty Men at either/both Annapolis or Alexandria in July. Next year we've gotta get you on the bill of the new Pavillion or the Paramount here in Charlottesville. Best Regards, & Thanks for All, Tom Bjornsen
	Hey Tom: Wow, okay, I'll try to remember all your questions but forgive me if if I forget one or two. First off, thanks for picking up the Hi-Rez version of Blackjack David. Paul duGre, who recorded Blackjack as well as King Of California, is an amazing engineer. Throughout my career I've been lucky enough to work with some true sound artists like Paul and Mark Linett. Their talents and efforts (along with my producer Greg Leisz's) have made me very proud of the solo recordings I've done with them. Anyway, I'd dig having more of my cd's released in that format but it's a matter of the marketplace, I guess. We'll see what happens. Regarding an offical Knitters or Flesheater live cd, well, anything is possible. I know that one of the Flesheater shows was recorded but none of us have heard it yet. Both groups will probably be doing some live shows in the next year so, again, anything is possible. I also know that some "bootleg" Knitter and Flesheater shows have bounced around the web so maybe you can track some of those down. I think the San Francisco and San Diego Flesheater shows were pretty good (yet raw) and might be worth tracking down. The Flesheater album, A MINUTE TO PRAY A SECOND TO DIE, was released on cd through Warners but it's now, unfortunately, out of print. The idea for a side-project anthology is not a bad idea but with so many record companies invovled the licensing arrangements, not too mention legal fees, would get pretty damn expensive. Well, I think I answered everything. Let me know if I didn't. Thanks for writing and see you at The Birchmere or The Ramshead. Or, both. What the Hell?

	Dave, I just heard EVERETT RUESS last night, it's in my top ten greatest songs already. Strangely I wrote a song recently about Ansell Adams; I've never been to the Sierras but your lines about cities and cathedrals had me welling up and wanting to be n the wilderness. Thank you so much for such a great, great song. Nick From the UK
	Hey Nick: Thanks for your very kind words regarding my song, Everett Ruess. They're much appreciated. It's a pretty special song for me also. I was trying to say a few things that I've always wanted to say in a song and Everett gave me the inspiration to do that. When you do get the chance to come out to California and see the Sierras, I know that you'll have the same strong emotional and artistic reaction that Everett and Ansel Adams had. That is, if they haven't paved over all the mountains by then.

	Shucks howdy and hello. I know in a previous Q&A you were asked about the cover of the Love Theme for the Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie that you did. As the only version available is the brief clip from the (hard to find) official MST3K: The Movie screen saver (along with television ads), is there any chance this cover could be released in the future? As a completist MST3K fan, there's litterly thousands of other MSTies (as we call ourselves) who have wanted to hear this missing in action full version for 10 years now! Please, consider releasing your cover of the MST3K: The Movie Love Theme..or at least tell us why it's not possible? Thank you much, good and talented sir!
	Hey Reverend Raven: Well, the release of the MST Theme is completely out of my control. I don't own the master tapes and I don't think that anyone connected to the show owns the masters either. I think Universal (or whatever Movie company put out the film - I can't remember who did right now) owns the rights to the recordings. There are two versions, one is an instrumental while the other has me singing the theme lyrics. I have a copy of both versions in my files but theres nothing I can with them. I will say that being asked to do the theme was a great honor for me and The Guilty Men and I'm very proud of my slight connection to such a brillant and creative show.

	Hi dave, Thanks for such a fun show at the Belly Up. You are such an inspiration to the farmers and all of us. Thanks for being a part of such a special nite. Im sure Buddy was rock'n like a baby. Next time yer in town Julia Garlington would love a chance to sing a duet with ya. Check her out one time. MarriedByElvisRocks.com
	Hey Corbin: Yeah, it was a fun night but it was also pretty bittersweet. This sounds extremely corny but all night I kept expecting to see Buddy coming around a corner backstage. Maybe that's a good thing though. It shows how Buddy's spirit is forever with his family and friends. I certainly felt it that night. As for Julia singing a duet with me, I'm sure that she's too good a singer for an old barroom croaker like me but, as I usually say about everything (quoting Chuck Berry), you never can tell.

	Hey (again) Dave, Thanks for answering my last missive so quickly! Also wanted to say that I enjoyed you sitting (or standing as the case may be)in with the Farmers at the Belly Up benefit last week. Your voice on California Kid sounded spot on to me! This time around my question is geared toward whether we might see you doing a couple of Buck tunes in your show this summer. Maybe something along the lines of opening (or perhaps encoring) with a tune like "Loves Gonna Live Here" into a blistering rendition of Buckaroo, or something like that? Based on many things you have said and written (along with "Highway 99") I know you are a big Buck Ownens fan (not to mention Don Rich), and I think it would be cool to see you pay tribute live. Thanks again, Jon p.s.- I guess I just can't let this lineup thing go. Am I to take it that Gaffney will not be a regular with the Guilty Men on this tour? I say this because of what appear to be a couple of conflicts with Guilty Men and Hacienda Bros. dates. Most specifically on June 24 when you are doing what is billed as your CD release show at Safari Sam's, while the Casbah website lists that same date as a Hacienda Bros. CD release show with Big Sandy headlining.
	Hey Jon: As I said in the last answer, the Buddy Blue Benefit was a very bittersweet evening. Thanks, though, for the comment regarding my Country Dick imitation on California Kid. I tried my best. Now, for singing some Buck Owens songs (and playing guitar like Don Rich), well, I certainly don't have the vocal chops to sing many of Buck's songs and I'll never have the guitar chops to play like Don Rich. On the other hand, some night when Chris Gaffney and I have had maybe more beer than we should (and no one is listening too closely), well, you never know what might happen. Gaffney does do a killer version Together Again and I've been known to groan my way through Love's Gonna Live Here. Ya never can tell.

	I was wondering... some time ago I was listening to a program on public radio with various recorded poets reading their work and a poet read poem that I was almost sure were the lyrics of "4th of July". Afterward, the commentator mentioned the connection, but I don't remember the association. Actually, at this point, I can't remember if I am simply delirous. Is "4th of July" based on a poem? If so, is it your poem? Or some else?
	Hey Chris: You're not delirious (well, as far as I know anyway). Fourth Of July, the song, was based on a longer poem of the same name that I'd written. I've recorded a couple of readings of the poem for a different radio shows so I'm not sure if you heard the one from Fresh Air or another NPR show. It sounds like it was a cool show.

	Hallo dear Alvin, I've seen you 14/05/2005 near Brescia ( Italy ). Great show. When do you come back ? Ciao Emanuele
	Hey Emanuele: I love playing in Italy. I love eating, sleeping, breathing and walking in Italy. I love doing just about anything in Italy, so I hope to be back there sometime in early 2007. See you there, I hope.

	Dave, its been 2 years since I got to see you and Guilty Men at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC. It was probably the best Rock & Roll/Country/Blues/Folk show I've had the pleasure of being a part of. I have religiously been checking the yeproc tour listing to see when you are coming our way again and was ecstatic to see you will be performing on a Friday night in July at the South Street Seaport, 2 blocks from the dull, dreary office were I work. Looking forward to sneaking out a little early to have a couple beers and hearing some great music from you and the G-Men. I will try to drag a few of the boys from work who sadly have not had the good fortune to hear your music no less see you live. Hopefully we can come away with a few converts. I've seen you a few times and noticed you never played anything from Museum of Heart or Romeo's Escape (except Romeo & 4th of July) at any of those shows. So how about throwing in a little Thirty Dollar Room, Stranger in Town, Between The Cracks or New Tatoo when you hit the Seaport !!! No matter what you play, its always great show. Just writing this note to you makes we want to slip out work right now and go sit in my yard, hangout and listen to Blackjack David with a cold beer. Love your music Dave, John S
	Hey John: Thanks for the big compliment about the Bowery show and I sincerely hope that the South Street Seaport show can live up your expectations. Yeah, ditch work and bring down some pals for a few beers. Sounds like a pretty good idea to me. As far as what songs get played live, well, some songs do go through a rotation process so that the band doesn't get sick of playing them. Other songs may not be suitable in certain venues I'm playing (either the song is too loud or too quiet) or some songs may not come off good enough live (usually my fault) or simply that theres only so much time in the show to play. Of the songs you mentioned, 30 Dollar Room pops up a lot. Most of the other Museum Of Heart songs, as well as raunchy old New Tattoo - believe it or not, are still a bit too personal for me to do often in concert. There is a real good chance, though, that you'll hear Between The Cracks this July seeing how theres a new version of it on my new CD. But, on the other hand, as any Guilty Man will tell you, I'm liable to play just about any song at any time if the mood strikes me.

	Dave, Wow! Your my hero. I've been listening since way back...hell, I can't remember. It's been that long. I grew up in Southern California listening to you, X, los lobos, the red devils, and the list goes on. The good old days. Any chance there may one day be a full-length CD with you, David Hidalgo, John Doe? Throw in Elvis Costello and I'd be in heaven. Rick
	Hey Rick: I'm very happy that you've been listening to my music for so long but I hope that doesn't mean that I'm now an old man. I sure hope it doesn't. I'm not ready for that yet. As for a full cd of Hidalgo, Doe, Costello and me, well, you never can tell what'll happen. I'm extremely complimented to be included in that list but I don't think I'm quite good enough to be part of that band. I'd certainly be their roadie, though, if they go on tour.

	Hey Dave, As I write this, I am looking forward to seeing you at the Buddy Blue benefit this Thursday. Should be a great night to remember an original. My question is thus: Have you ever had the opportunity to play with Warren Haynes of Gov't Mule/The Allman Bros.? In my opinion you two are among the best things going in American music these days, and from what I can decipher, you have very similar musical sensibilities (both huge Little Milton fans I know). A collaboration between you two couldn't help but be phenomenal in nature! Also, am wondering if we may see a fiddle back in the GM lineup this time around? Either Brantley, or perhaps Amy in more than just a fill in role? Ahh, but then it wouldn't be just the Guilty Men anymore... Looking forward to catching the Guilty Men in the act a few times this summer! Cheers, Jon
	Hey Jon: No, I've never had the chance to play with Warren Haynes. It's probably for the best seeing how he'd kick my ass on guitar without even breaking a sweat. The Guilty Men and I opened for the Allman Brothers a few years back at a festival in Huntsville, Alabama. Warren (and the whole Allman band) sounded amazing that night. I've also heard some live recordings he did with Phil Lesh that were very impressive. Maybe if I practice everyday for the next 20 years, then maybe, I'll be good enough to play with him. And then again, maybe not. As for a full time fiddle player in The Guilty Men, I'd love it but my bank book wouldn't. Touring has gotten more expensive with each year and, unfortunately, the costs dictate how many musicians I can travel with. If I had my way I'd have a fiddler (Brantley or Amy or both!!!) and a harmonica player and an accordion player (Gaffney!) and a horn section and a doo wop vocal group and, what the hell, Warren Haynes on guitar. See ya at the benefit for Annie and Talullah on Thursday. Man, I miss Buddy.

	I love your poetry book. Do you read any poetry magazines/journals on a regular basis? If so, which ones? Tim Livingston Toledo, OH
	Hey Tim: I read a few every now and then but not that much. I know there are many good small press mags and anthologies out there and I try to keep up with what's going on but it's difficult. I'm not that academic of a guy. To be honest, I don't understand a lot of the stuff I read in some journals and, to be honest again, if I don't understand someone's poem and if I don't get captivated by the poet's language, I lose interest pretty quickly. I also don't have much interest in any aesthetic wars between the various schools of poetry. Life is just too short to bother with that jazz. There are some poets I read all the time. People like Philip Levin, Gerald Locklin, Ron Koertge, Billy Collins and, from your home state, James Wright. I try to read Shakespeare's plays as often as I can for his use of meter as well as his beautiful language. In some ways that's the best textbook for poetry and songwriting that I've found. I'm glad you enjoyed my book (How did you find a copy?). Do you have any suggestions of what I should check out?

	Not asking when, just stating THAT- Dave SHOULD come back and hang out down South in HOUSTON, BABY!!! Really, really soon!!!! On disability for a few years now, long traveling is basically out of the question, so Houston (50-60 miles north) is about as far as I get to travel to/catch a ride to... Was lucky enough to see Dave n the boys a year or two back at the Continental Club Houston!! Great show!!! Standing-room-only/packed-house! Looking forward to more!!! Just found out online tonight about the new live cd, and the Cali songwriters one...Look forward to getting those soon, as the 'clips' sound great!!! Dave Alvin- THE KING of sad songs!!! thanks for your time... Griff in Texas...
	Hey Griffin: I hear ya! I love Houston. It's a soulful, funky, sweaty, tough, friendly and wild town. It's an amazing music city where blues, r+b, cajun, country and norteno all come together in one big beautiful soup. The late, great Texas bluesman, Juke Boy Bonner had an extremely cool song called Houston Is An Action Town that kind of captured the whole vibe. I also have a lot of old, dear friends down there and I can't wait to see them again. The Guilty Men and I should be in Houston (and the rest of Texas) in early September. I hope that you can catch a ride to Hosuton and make the next show at The Continental Club. By the way, thanks for my new nickname, "The King Of Sad Songs," though I think George Jones might beg to differ.

	Now then Dave, some years later, and my journey to the music of Dave Alvin continues. Since I saw you last in London almost a year ago to the day (4 May 05), I've delved heavily into your Blasters and Knitters output, split up with my missus of 9 years and made a point of seeing your good pal Tom Russell at a venue called The New Roscoe, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Good times and bad, your music is slowly proving to be the soundtrack to my life! The Blasters stuff has got me and my like minded pals at work very excited and we are attempting to get a band together (provisionally entitled Sensitive Pete and The Death Rattlers) to cover a few of your songs. I'll let you know how it goes, but I suspect coming up with a band name is about as far as we will get! Likewise, I continue to impress the ladies at work with my sensitivity by quoting the lyrics to Abilene...I kid you not Dave, there were even some tears! Museum of Heart provided me with a lot of comfort during the split, I related to it a lot. Ironically, as much as she would complain when I made her listen to my Dave Alvin compilation CD in the car, she has failed to return it to me! I can't say the same for my Steve Earle compilation! Why Did She Stay With Him indeed....! Finally, Tom Russell played a blinder in Leeds last year. Apart from a particularly offensive sparkly shirt, he knocked me out with his songs (and his pal Andrew was great on guitar). It's a great venue and Tom seemed to enjoy it. It made me think; I imagine touring with the band is an expensive business, but if you were to come to England in a solo capacity, you could play these wonderful venues at minimum cost and probably make a few bucks in the process. Give it some thought Dave, the people of the UK need a return visit as soon as possible! Until the next time amigo "Sensitive" Anonymous
	Now then Sensitive Anonymous: Well, I sincerely hope that your heavy delving into the Blasters/Knitters catalog isn't what broke up you and your missus. On the other hand, though, I'm very touched that my music has meant so much to you. And Museum Of Heart means a lot ot me also. So much so that there are a few of those songs that I still never play in concert. Too personal, I guess. Just call me "Sensitive Dave." Speaking of sensitive, if I saw an ad for a band called Sensitive Pete and The Death Rattlers, I'd lay a few bucks down to see them. Some folks say that coming up with the name for a band is the hardest part. I don't know if that's true but if it is, you're on your way! As far as toruing overseas acoustically, yeah, I may do it again sometime. I've done it in the past, in Britian and Europe, but not for several years. I think people in general prefer seeing the whole band and, believe it or not, I get kind of lonesome out there on the road all by myself (Boy, I am becoming Sensitive Dave!). I am kind of curious about Tom Russell's "offensive sparkly" shirt. What's the boy wearing these days? Are you sure it was Tom and not, oh, say Wayne Newton taking a break from a gig in Vegas? And, please, give my tender regards to the sweet, teary eyed women at your job.

	Hi Dave, I saw somewhere that you would be putting out a live DVD. I believe they were doing some filming when I saw you at the Great American Music Hall. When will this masterpiece be available? Are there advance order options? Secondly, I have mentioned to you before, here in the Q&A, that my band covers some of your tunes. I posted the link to one on your artist forum at YepRoc. I'd love to hear what you think of it. You can also go to our song downloads page at http://www.bodacioussf.com/downloads.htm. Also, one of our original tunes on there is something you might be interested in as well. It's about Emmett Till. I think your lyrics have always inspired and pushed me to write more about personal stories or events than I used to. Our song about Emmett is such an example, so thanks! Lastly, the live Great American Music Galaxy is yet another one of your CD's that will continue to be in heavy rotation in my CD player for the rest of my life. Stop making such great music and give me a chance to want to listen to other people's music too! :-) Thanks for the music Dave Wayne Whitzell Bodacious Texas Blues & N'awlins Funk www.bodacioussf.com http://www.myspace.com/bodacioussf
	Hey Wayne: Your compliments about my music are way too kind but, on the other hand, much appreciated. The dvd, as I mentioned in an answer to another question on the O&A page, will be released either late this fall or early next year. We're trying to do this on a very limited budget and we also ran into some legal/business delays besides the financial ones. For a film feauturing a bunch of funny looking guys, the Guilty Men dvd does look pretty damn good, though. The director, Joe Murray, did an absolutely amazing job making us look cool. I look forward to hearing your song about the tragic murder of Emmett Till (that's got to be pretty heavy). I'm also curious to hear what songs of mine you recorded and how you arranged them. The only problem is that I'm a bit of a klutz on computers but I'll try to download your songs none the less. My browser - is that the correct term?- is so damn old that I've never been able to successfully download any music. Hey, I'm just a barroom guitar player not a Silicon Valley whiz kid. My borther Phil, on the other hand, is a computer genius. Maybe I should get him to teach me how to do it . . . naw, on second thought, I'd just end up more confused than ever. Good luck with your band. I know it isn't always easy playing the music we love but keep on doing it no matter what. It's just what we do, right? I hope you don't mind that I left your web info on the message board so that other people could check out your stuff if they want. Maybe they can tell me how it sounds.

	Hi Dave Bruce from Seattle here feeling a little sad on the passing of Buddy Blue man frist Dick now Buddy seams like such a shame. I had bought the Farmers c d and it really rocks I guess I will never see that Dave and the Guilty Men and Farmers tour I soo wanted to see. Seamed like a perfect pairing the 2 bands. A band I was in 1000 years ago played some shows with the Beat Farmers to much fun.Anyway just rablin on like a mad man hope to see ya in Seattle very soon and cant wait to here the new c d and dvd I know they will be great. Keep on rockin Bruce DeGrado.
	Hey Bruce: Buddy's death hit a lot of us pretty hard. I've written a short appreciation of Buddy for my latest letter/message for the website but it hasn't been posted yet. In it I describe my feelings for my old sweet and rough friend and, well, it'll be up in a few days, I hope. The Farmers and The Guilty Men touring together would've been some dangerous fun but if you can make down to The Belly Up near San Diego on May 4th, you'll see something close to it. Me and Chris Gaffney will be sitting in the survivng Farmers at a benefit show for Buddy's widow and his daughter. I know it's a long way from Seattle so I don't expect to see you there but you can grab a beer on the 4th, wherever you are, and make a toast to Buddy.

	I heard Highway 61 Revisited by Dave Alvin on our public radio station here in Calgary (CKUA). I understand that this version was part of a CD included with an issue of Uncut Magazine out of England. I have tried to track down a copy of this issue but no luck. Is there anyway to get a copy of this song or will it be included on some future release? Thanks. - Brent Evans Calgary, Alberta
	Hey Brent: Yeah, I jumped at the chance of recording Highway 61 when UnCut Magazine asked me to do it. They included my version on a cd, included with the mag, that features a variety of artists performing songs from Dylan's masterpiece Highway 61 Revisited lp. Now, as to where you can find a copy . . . well, the issue of UnCut came out around October of 2005 so it'll be hard finding it that way. My track may be posted on one of those download music sites (boy, am I computer illiterate) like i-tunes. At some point in the future, I will release it on a cd that collects a bunch of oddnall tracks that I recorded over the years but I can't really say when that will be. I'm sorry I can't help you more with this. Good luck tracking it down. I will add, though, that when I do release my version it will be longer than the track for the magazine. Kind of a Part 1 and Part 2. Greg Leisz and I were playing the guitars while Gregory Boaz and Don Heffington played bass and drums respectively, and we kind of got carried away at the end of the song and just kept jamming. Greg and I swapped a bunch of solos and, what the Hell, it's pretty cool, if you like that sort of thing and I do.

	Dave: Just got an advance copy of "West of the West". What a wonderful album, and what an excellent selection of songs! Some of my faves include Kate Wolf's 'Here in California'; your transcendent version of Garcia/Hunter's 'Loser'; the (my opinion) definitive version of 'Between the Cracks'; the gorgeous 'Tramps & Hawkers, by Jim Ringer; and your soulful reworking of 'Surfer Girl'. Perhaps the greatest revelation was 'Sonora's Death Row' by Blackie Farrell. A great story song that is reminiscent of 'Abilene'. Can you tell us something about Blackie Farrell? I had never heard of him, but if this is any reflection of his talent, he's one helluva songwriter. Steve Tanzer Arden, DE Come Back Soon!
	First off, let me take a moment to apologize to everyone who sent in messages and questions for the past few months that I haven't answered. Things have been kind of hectic and crazy lately but good overall. I promise to be more dilligent getting back to you all in the future. Okay, that said, Steve, thank you very much for your very kind words about West Of The West. I think the cd has my best vocals so far because I really wanted to do justice to all the great songwriters. I sincerely hope some other folks enjoy the cd also. Now, Kevin "Blackie" Farrell . . . yeah, he's certainly lesser known yet great songwriter. I don't know his entire biography but I'll tell what I do know. He grew up on his parents ranch (where, I believe, he stills lives with his own family now) in beautiful Diablo hills east of the San Francisco Bay and was part of the original Asleep At The Wheel gang back when they were a bay area band. His friend, guitar hot rodder, Bill Kirchen has recorded many of his songs over the years but I don't think there has ever been a Blackie Farrell solo album (but I could be very wrong about that). Sonora's Death Row has been recorded by people like Robert Earl Keen, Leo Kottke and Micheal Martin Murphy, and they all did fantastic interpretations. I tried to make my version different than the others by giving it less of a Mexican border song groove. I wanted it to sound more like a traditional Appalachian folk song that somehow got lost in the middle of Death Valley on the hottest day of August with no water and no sun screen. One other thing I know about Blackie is that he's a great guy to share a few beers with.

	Hi Dave: Greetings from Vancouver, Canada. I just ordered and received your CD of you and the band playing at the Great American Music Hall. I loved it. You can't have enough Live Dave Alvin and the GM CD's. The sleeve mentions that the photos are taken from a DVD of the concert. Can I assume that DVD will be for public consumption? If so, any idea of when it might be released? Regards, Kieron Grady
	Hey Kieron: Well, I was hoping to have the dvd released earlier this year but it now looks like it'll be released either this fall or after the first of the year. The project simply ran into some unforseen delays due to business and legal jazz. Joe Murray, a great director and friend, put a million dollars worth of his time and effort into this project for absolutely no money. The film he made looks amazing and will be worth the wait, I promise. He persuaded a lot of very talented technical people to work on this for little or no money and I can never thank him and them enough.

	Being a native of Greeley CO.,I am curious about "The New Call Of The Wrecking Ball".Was this song influenced by the Blasters,BeatFarmers gig at FortRam,in Ft.Collins,CO.?Any story would be great. Thanks,Randy
	Hey Randy: Well, I remember The Blasters playing a very wild show with Country Dick and Buddy Blue's Beat Farmers in Fort Collins way back in 1983 or 84 but I don't think it had any influence on The Knitters song, New Call Of The Wrecking. When John Doe and I wrote the first Wrecking Ball song (in 1984 for the first Knitters record), we were watching a football game and, for whatever reason, we were inspired to write the saga of a guy who stomps chickens for a living. When we wrote the latest installment of the Wrecking Ball epic (for the Knitters recent reunion cd), we decided to give him a new job, slaughtering cattle. No big message in either song unless you're a chicken or a cow. Anyway, John came up with the Greeley, Colorado line not me.

	Hi Dave I just wanted to congratulate you since 4th of July was used on the closing credits of the Sopranos episode that aired April 16th. Now, that's an honor. Tom Blair
	Hey Tom: Yeah, having a song played on The Sopranos was a GIGANTIC honor and thrill and compliment and kick. I'd heard that the producers were thinking of using 4th Of July in an episode but I had no idea when or if they'd actually use it (with movies and television, you can never count on anything). So I was happily blown away and extrememly proud when I heard my song on one of the best shows in tv history.

	4th of July as recorded by X was used as the closing music for Episode 71 of the Sopranos last night. I know you had some association with X, but did they record this on their own or where you on the track as well somewhere in the background?
	Hey Fez: Yeah, I'm on there playing rhythym guitar while Tony Gilkyson played the evocative lead guitar part. It's from an album called See How We Are that X recorded in late 86 through early 87 when I was a member of the band. It was a HUGE honor to have my song sung by John Doe and Exene Cervenka who are two of my favorite all time songwriters.

	The first time I heard your music was on AOL Radio and the song was "The Man in the Bed." I was so moved by this song I started crying. As soon as I regained my composure I ordered "Ashgrove" and played it for my wife the day it arrived. After the song was over we just sat there for a while, tears in our eyes and not saying anything, we couldn't - the lumps in our throats were too big. I went over to her and gave her a big hug and told her that I love her. I decided I needed to share the message of this song with people. As someone who is very involved with theater (as a hobby, I teach high school calculus and physics as my real job) I had the idea to use "The Man in the Bed" as an inspiration for a short one-act play. After about a year of "thinking about it" a dear friend at school lost her father in a way that reminded me of the song. So I sat myself down at the computer and started typing and didn't get up until I finished (except for some tweaking) my "The Man in the Bed." I've shown it to my theater-geek wife, daughters, and a few friends who are close enough to me to be completely honest and they tell me it's quite good. At their suggestion I have submitted it in a competition for original one-act plays to be performed this summer in Tampa, Florida in a local community theater's (Carrollwood Players)One-Act Weekend. While the script is entirely my own, it was inspired by and (I hope you agree) true to the spirit of your song. I would like to send you (email or snail mail) a copy of the script for you to read, so that I can get your reaction to it. If you approve, I would like to include a note in the program that this play was "inspired by the song 'The Man in the Bed' by Dave Alvin" and use the song (or perhaps just a verse or two) as transition music at the end of the play. Unfortunately, Carrollwood Players is a totally non-profit community theater and is unable to pay any royalties for the One-Act Weekend. (Although I could probably arrange to get you comp tickets if you were in Tampa, or possibly a video copy of a performance, if you wanted.) Thank you for lighting this creative spark in me and for taking the time to read this lengthy message. Pat
	Hey Pat: Wow, I'm completely blown away that my song inspired you to write a play. Feel free to use the song in the play and don't worry about the performance royalty. I won't tell if you won't tell. Unless, of course, if your play goes to Broadway then we can talk some more. If anybody gives you any grief, just tell 'em that Alvin said it was okay with him. As long as the play is not pushing any political/social beliefs that I despise (racism, anything anti-worker, anti-free speech, anti- environment, anti-science, etc - and I'm sure that it doesn't) then you have my grateful permission. Please send a copy to me in care of my booking agents at: Mongrel Music 743 Center Blvd Fairfax, California 94930 Good luck and I hope your play is a success.

	i heard a song by dave alvin with the lyric "i'd like to settle down, but they won't let me..." i cannot find this song on any of dave's solo albums. can you tell me anything about this song and if it's available? thanks, kevin
	Hey Kevin: The song is called, Lonesome Fugitive, and it's not one that I wrote. It was written by a woman named Liz Anderson for Merle Haggard. It's such a great song, and was one of Merle's bigger hits in the 1960's that people tend to think that Merle (being the great songwriter that he is) wrote it. I recorded it a few years back with a more country/rock and roll approach for a cd called, The I-10 Chronicles (or something like that). It's impossible to beat or equal Merle's version but, what the Hell, I had fun cutting it. The cd was a various artists tribute to Interstate 10 that runs from Jacksonvile, Florida to Santa Monica, California by way of New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio and Tucson. If you think about it, I-10 crosses a lot of fertile ground in American musical history and I believe that's what the producer was trying convey. I don't know if the cd is still in print but you could Amazon or someplace like that for a used copy.

	Thanks for posting the picture of Nightshift w/ Joe Turner outside Rick's Bar. I spent many a night listening to and playing the blues at that great Venice joint. Nightshift was a great group and I always wondered what happened to them.Even though I "retired" from the stage in '73, it was great to see that the music got carried on with artists like your brother and yourself, and those other regulars at Rick's, William Clarke, "Ice Pick" James Harman and Richard Hite. Keep the Faith and don't fatten any frogs for snakes. Len Kallok - former harp and lead vocal for the "Powerhouse Blues Band".
	Hey Len: Thanks for your cool message. I'm always glad to connect to anyone who hung out and played at Rick's. Everytime I drive down Abbot Kinney St in Venice, I always get a little misty for Rick's Blues Bar. The building is still there but I think it's a fancy restaraunt or a trendy clothes store or something that is the polar opposite of what Rick's Blues Bar was. I used to sneak in there to watch my brother Phil's band, Nightshift play from 9 to 2. On drums was Johnny Bazz, later the bassist for The Blasters, and Gene Taylor, also later of The Blasters, pounded on the piano. Other members of The Nightshift included Gary Massey on lead guitar (one of my early guitar role models - nobody did Jinny Reed songs better than Gary except Jimmy Reed) and Doug Allgood on bass. A case could be made, and I might even agree, that The Nightshift was the best band my brother ever had. There were a lot of great nights of music in that joint, some of my favorites being the times that The Nightshift backed up our mentors/heroes, Big Joe Turner and Lee Allen. I also remember sneaking into Rick's to see great shows by Chicago blues legend Jimmy Rogers and local guitar genius Hollywood Fats. I'm remember your band's name very well from those day's but, please forgive my faulty memory, I don't know if I ever saw you perform. I do know that if you played at Rick's, you had to be damn good. Do you remember the waitress with the souful eyes and light brown hair who always wore vintage dresses from the 30's and 40'? God, what a beauty! If I hadn't been a silly 15 year old kid from Downey I would've thrown myself at her feet and proposed marriage. Whenever I run into people who hung out at Rick's I always ask them about that waitress. I guess she married Rick or something. Oh, well. One of these days I should write a love song to her. Maybe I'm more misty for my distant teenage crush on the beautiful waitress than I am for the bar. You keep the faith also and, yeah, I ain't "fattening no more frogs for snakes."

	Hi Dave, I was the curly-haired girl in the pink coat who mobbed you after your show at that German reception-hall you played March 11 in Columbus, Ohio. :) I felt like a silly, star-struck kid shaking your hand as you walked off-stage. Your storytelling, songwriting, guitar-playing and gorgeous singing voice - along with your reverence for past & present great musicians such as Lonnie Johnson - really impress me. A little anecdote about one of your songs you may find amusing ... These days, I'm living the "good life," working a decent-paying job in public relations, driving a car that starts, living in my hometown in the Midwest with friends and family, all that "normal" stuff. But 7 years ago I tried to live the stereotypical "California dream" and moved to the Sebastopol area, where my boyfriend and I somehow ended up homeless in Santa Rosa, working for daily pay at the Petaluma duck farm, sleeping next to urine-drenched bums and learning all the stories of how people become homeless, through some bad decisions and even more bad luck (think of the ultra-depressing Townes Van Zandt song "Marie"!). Anyway, sitting in my car, homeless, wondering what to do next, listening to the radio, was the first time I heard your "King of California" - and it seemed to be my own situation and the whole "American dream" thing people aspire to and how it can go wrong. I sat there and cried. Four years later, I moved back to Michigan and married the wrong guy. After getting divorced, I got a CD in the mail from the man who was my boyfriend in California - it had "King of California" by Dave Alvin on it and, again, I cried. We're now back together and happy as hell, so you can be partially credited as a matchmaker. :) He was the big, scary-looking dude that was with me Saturday night; we arrived at the same time you did that night and he opened the door for you. We knew it was you and were starstruck right then and there! :) A couple of dorks who just love your music ... Anyway, "King of California" is one of the best songs ever written, and has meant a lot to me in my life. It was the thrill of a lifetime to hear you play it live on Saturday night, and I wanted to thank you. Jennifer
	Hey Jennifer: Thank you for your amazing, wondeful and heartfelt message. I'm very glad that everything has worked out for you after all that you've been through. I'm sure that your rough times are behind you now. I'm also very glad that King Of California means so much to you and that it was in some way responsible for bringing you and your man back together. It's amazing what music/songs can do for people. I can't count the times that the right song at the right time saved me and my heart and sanity. That one of my songs could have that effect for you is about the highest compliment a songwriter could ask for. Good luck with everything. By the way, I'm a bit of a "dork" myself so next time I'll open the door for you guys.

	Hi Dave, just wanna take a minute and thank you specifically for "Public Domain". I am a Civil War and Western American History buff and have adopted the camping style of the 49'ers, using a canvas Wall-Tent and a woodstove on my many Outdoor Travels up here in Canada. I got into good Bluegrass like Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys, fun Western Swing with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, and the very best of the authentic old time country stuff. With the priviledge of some of the nicest wilderness around to go and party in, and all this great music to fit the mood, you can well imagine how much fun we've had out there all pissed up around a hot woodstove on those chilly mountain nights, CD player blasting and no "campground neighbors" to bitch about our utterly rotten behavior. (and lets not forget the recuprative powers of that cold mountain air! ) I discovered "Public Domain" in my local public library,and it has since proven to be a top-shelf favourite. I have carried those tunes with me to some of the most exceptional places in Canada, including the Fossil rich Badlands of Central Alberta, the Ghost Towns of the Silver Mining Rush in South Central British Columbia, the National Wildlife Refuges of Montana, and the boonies of the Queen Charlotte Islands, where it once formed the backbone for the soundtrack of a wild marine vacation. (After being a civilian volunteer guest on a Coast Guard Cutter, the crew and I crashed a Haida Indian Wedding Dance Party, got shitfaced with 250 half wild Natives, and made our escape just as a genuine civil disturbance broke out on Main Street. We've been laughing about it ever since. How we got out of there without getting our asses kicked I still don't know!) I wanted to thank you personally for that album. I have kicked through hundreds of abandoned Homesteads across the American and Canadian West, and feel that folk music right in my heart. I have rarely felt it captured so perfectly. I'f you wanna see em', I'd be honored to share a FEW of the very best of the thousands of photos I've taken out "there" over the last twenty years. Just reply to yakoun1@shaw.ca So from the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, in the heart of what was "Blackfoot Confederacy" country when the Railroads came west, Thank you VERY much for recording that music.
	Hey Dave: Well, thank you for the nice comments about my Public Domain cd and especially thanks for your great, descriptive message. It sounds to me like you've had enough adventures to write your own folk songs. Any story that invovles the phrase "general civic disturbance broke out on Main street," sounds pretty damn interesting to me. If you want to send some of your photos to me care of my booking agents, I'd love to see them. Their address is: Mongrel Music 743 Center Blvd Fairfax, California 94930 I'll be playing the Calgary Folk Festival this year and hopefully you can come down from the Rockies and catch the show. Until then, take care in any general civic disturbances you may find yourself in.

	Dave - I keep returning to the Ashgrove album and it still blows me away. Simply some of the finest song writing and playing I have heard in a long time. I am a guitar player, long in the tooth and still at it (in between raising a familiy and working the day job)but I am writing and playing. It gets to be a habit, like smoking, you just have to do it a couple of times a day. I play hooky from work and go home to play when the house is empty. I don't need my 15 minutes, just want to play good music with good people. Don't know why you would care about this, except something about your music seems important in the scheme of things and think you might be able to relate to what I am saying. I have some rough recordings of my playing on myspace (I guess everyone does at this point). Its not even with a real band but me playing guitar over some Cakewalk sequences I wrote. If you have nothing to do some time -- www.myspace.com/bluevito. The last song "Old Hands" has lyrics ( I didn't sing on it cause I really can/t, but the lyrics are posted) and is inspired by you and the Ashgrove album. Thanks. If you ever come through Vegas, would love to meet you. Guy Amato
	Hey Guy: Well, I'm getting a little "long in the tooth" myself and I certainly understand the addictive qualities of both playing music and cigarettes. Working the day job and raising a family ain't easy these days so it sounds pretty good to me if you can sneak out of work and play guitar for a little while. Whatever it takes to keep sane, happy and fulfilled. Especially in Las Vegas. Thanks for the good words regarding Ashgrove and I'll try to get to your myspace site and check your stuff out. Just keep playing, brother, it's all we can do.

	Hi Dave, Just wanted to thank you for a great show last Friday night in Sebastopol. It was great to hear an all acustic set. Chris Gaffney and Nina Gerber was amazing, too. The three of you together just soared! Stiff Dead Cat was fun, too. Anyway, we had a great time dancing and seeing and hearing you. Take care, Avi and Ruth
	Hey Avi and Ruth: Well, it's always great to see you guys. It maked my night that you made the long drive through the rain. Thanks. I hope to see you again in August when I should be playing in San Francisco with the whole band. Until then, Avi, keep rocking!

	Hi Dave I just recently saw your show in Sebastopol, Ca. with Chris and the phenomonal Nina Gerber (our local treasure). Thanks for a really great show! We all enjoyed the jammin guitar interplay you shared with Nina. I have some real nice digital photos from the show (no flash in black and white)which I think would enjoy looking at. They really capture the mood and the good vibe with you and Nina. If you tell me what to do I will gladly forward some on to you. No strings. I just enjoy sharing my work. I also have some color shots of you from the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco last fall. Hope to hear from you. Thanks again. Rick Petersen
	Hey Rick: Yeah, playing with Nina Gerber was a gigantic thrill. I've been an admirer of her work, both with Kate Wolf and on her own, for many years so it was great to finally jam with her. She told me after the show that next time we do anything like that, she wants to play electric on her Fender Strat. That could be a lot of dangerous fun. Please feel free to send your photographs to me care of my booking agency: Mongrel Music 743 Center Blvd Fairfax, California 94930 I'm looking forward to seeing the photos and thanks for taking them.

	hey dave, quick question... i like to try to guess the voiceovers on tv commercials. is that you on the jim beam ad? cheers, brez looking forward to west of the west, and, hopefully, seeing you out here, in the boston area, again, soon.
	Hey brez: Yep, that's me. You're a damn good guesser. I'll be in Boston in July and I hope you like the West Of The West cd.

	Dave, my husband and I saw you in Sebastopol with Chris and Nina. It was a Singular experience. Thank you for your amazing song writing ability and your musical talents. It was great to share the OLPH experience with you and to commiserate about our education from the Notre Dame nuns. My brothers, Tim and Danny, both appreciate your music. But, my husband and I are die hard fans and will travel anywher in northern California to see you./ Is there an e-mail list to inform us of upcoming shows from San Luis Obispo to the Oregon coast, because we will travel to see you;. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us and we really appeciated meeting you. You and Chris really did a wonderful job tonight. Thanks!!! Marie Gildea and Marcus Ganister
	Hey Marie: Yeah, I had a great time at the Sebastopol gig and running into you guys just made it more special. It's not often I run into fellow graduates of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help. Sometimes people ask me about my religion and all I'll ever say is after 12 years of Catholic education in my childhood, I'll always be a Catholic of some sort. I could be a Buddhist but I'd be a Catholic Buddhist. I could be an athiest but I'd be a Catholic athiest. I could be a Baptist, Unitarian, Quaker or a Hindu but underneath it all I'd still be a Catholic for better or for worse. As far as an email list of upcoming shows, I'm not very good at getting things like together. Usually my touring schedule is posted on this site but if it's not, go to YepRoc.com (my record label) because they always have my gigs posted. You could also try the Dave Alvin page at myspace.com. I do know that The Guilty Men and I are playing at The Santa Cruz Blues Festival in late May with Los Lobos and The North Mississippi Allstars. That should a good one.

	Hi Scot, As with a couple of my past messages, this is not really a question but just a 'thanks' to be passed along to Dave. I had the opportunity to catch him in Pittburgh on 3/10/06, on my way back to Vermont from the 'Roots on the Rails' Tarahumara/Copper Canyon trip with Tom Russell, Eliza Gilkyson, Peter Rowan and Steve Young. How could I not stop in Pittsburgh to hear Dave, given the opportunity?! Got to introduce a friend to Dave live (and he loved the concert!), plus Dave graciously signed a copy of 'Any Rough Times Are Behind You Now' for me that I had finally tracked down. Two nights later at the Ark in Michigan, a friend from my first 'Roots on the Rails' Songwriter train in 03/05 (who gave me a cell phone call as he was driving to the concert) told Dave he was there because a friend of his from Saxtons River, VT who was on that train had recommended Dave. That was me. Please pass my sincere thanks along to Dave. He has been so nice the times I have been fortunate enough to speak with him after shows the last 2 years. Hope he will get back to New England once 'West of the West' is released and when he's touring in support of that CD. Thanks for the web site and for, hopefully, passing word along. Martha Rowley
	Hey Martha: Thanks for your very kind message. Like I told you in Pittsburgh, Tom has asked me to do a couple of his train tours but, I've never done one. Why? I guess I like motel rooms and interstates too much. The Copper Canyon trip sounded like a good one, though. You can't beat the artists. Tom is always powerful, Eliza is always great, Peter Rowan is such an amazing singer and Steve Young . . . well, Steve Young is one of American music's best kept secrets. I hope to see you at gig soon whether it's on train or not.

	A couple of questions, Dave. First, are you doing a mini midwest tour or will you be coming east? We'd love to see you at the Birchmere or Iota. Second, there is a real dedicated following of your music on some of the bittorrent file sharing boards - I'd like to make clear of live recordings, not studio. Is this authorized - what's your view on taping? If you allow it, I think it would be worth having a dedicated torrent page somewhere where people can post shows - it drives interest in your music and broadens the audience, in my opinion. Finally, do you use an IPOD or other digital music player? Thanks - love the Great American Music Galaxy CD (I bought three copies!) See you around (hopefully soon). Eric London/elondon@yahoo.com
	Hey Eric: Sorry for the late reply but things have been kind of hectic lately. To answer your first question (better late than never), I'll be playing The Birchmere in Alexandria and The Ram's Head in Annapolis in early July with my band, The Guilty Men. As for the second question, taping shows is okay by me. The only rule I have is: if the show stinks, please don't spread it around. I'll let the taper decide whether the performance is good or not. Live shows can be so drastically different than the studio recordings (there's a certain energy and abandon in a live show that's impossible to duplicate in the studio) that I don't think swapping shows hurts the sales of my records. As for digital music players, well, I guess I'm still living in the stone age of cd's, lp's, 45's and 78's. I like the touch and sound of records and cd's. I'll get some sort og digital player someday most likely but I'll hold out as long as I can.

	Great website but where are Dave's Q & A? There's quite a gap of several months or more. Thanks
	Dave doesn't always have time to answer questions continuously. He usually prefers to do them in large batches in the middle of the night when he can't sleep, his fingers are already bleeding from too much guitar and his pen has run out of ink. So, that's why you occasionally see large date gaps (and delays) in his responses. Scot

	Hey Scot. Where did all Dave's questions go?
	Good question, Scot. The Q&A page was getting a bit long, so I moved the older Qs&As to a new page. See the links at the top of the page. Scot

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