Guy Clark’s Definitive Biography to Finally Be Released
The definitive biography on Guy Clark finally has a release date, and further details have been revealed. Fans of the revered songwriter who passed away on May 17th have long anticipated the coming of Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark, and they will finally have their patience rewarded on October 18th. The 406-page work to be released on Texas A&M University Press is written by long-time biographer and producer Tamara Saviano, and includes information from over 200 interview subjects starting in 2008, and 113 photos from throughout Guy Clark’s life.
Beyond just a biography of Guy Clark, Without Getting Killed or Caught also includes many details on Guy’s long-time wife, songwriter, and visual artist Susanna, and the couple’s best friend, Townes Van Zandt. Tamara Saviano got unprecedented access and insight into Guy’s past, including journals from Susanna, and unfettered accounts of Guy’s past from interview subjects.
During the biography process, something unconventional happened that also makes the book unique: Tamara Saviano, the former editor for Country Music magazine, became close friends with Guy, and eventually produced multiple records bearing his name. Whatever Saviano may have lost in objectivity, she gained in further insight the closer she became with Guy. “I learned details that nobody else knew, including his closest friends,” says Saviano. “I had no idea that I was going to grow to love the old curmudgeon, but I did.”
Along with recording his own music, Clark wrote songs for Johnny Cash, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, The Highwaymen, Jerry Jeff Walker, David Allan Coe, and even current stars like Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney. Ricky Skaggs had a #1 hit with the Guy Clark song “Heartbroke.” Steve Wariner had a #1 hit with the Guy Clark song “Baby I’m Yours.” He co-wrote “She’s Crazy for Leavin’” with Rodney Crowell, which also became a #1 hit. And Guy’s “Desperados Waiting On A Train” was one of the marquee songs for the country music supergroup The Highwaymen.
With the biography, a documentary film on Guy Clark has also been in the works for some years, spearheaded by Saviano. It is said to start out with Guy and his soon-to-be wife Susanna Talley pulling into Nashville in their white Volkswagen bus loaded with all their worldly possessions, including a scrap from a burger sack with a partial lyric that reads: “If I could just get off of this L.A. Freeway without getting killed or caught,” and ends with a scene from Guy’s 73rd birthday where Terry Allen, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Joe Ely, Robert Earl Keen and Jerry Jeff Walker sit around and swap stories. No word at the moment of when the documentary may be released.
Without Getting Killed or Caught is available for pre-order, and has already been recognized by Amazon as a bestseller in the music category.
July 10, 2016 @ 3:49 am
This look interesting. Especially since will be about
Townes Van Zandt as well.
July 10, 2016 @ 8:02 am
I’ll definitely read this when it comes out! I read Willie Nelson’s, It’s a Long Story: My Life (your reccomondation when I was in the hospital) – fast read, not a lot of meat on the bones and Willie doesn’t say one bad word about anyone. Maybe that’s about par for these biographies.
July 11, 2016 @ 2:07 pm
Not real impressed with the pic on the book cover, makes Guy look like a tragic outlaw. He was rowdy for sure especially in his younger days but had a fun-loving, gentle side as well. Would be nice to have a pic showing him smiling and enjoying life, which he very much did!
July 11, 2016 @ 6:04 pm
Sorry, that was an owl-shit green Double-cab pickup VW bus they drove here. I know cause I met them when they toasted the engine. Guy and Susannah were big influences on me and the way my life has turned out. Susannah was the inspiration for me to put down the wrenches and pursue my art and Guy set up my first guitar, (an arch top Gibson), and he and Townes gave me lessons in how to play it. I never was any good at it but it was fun…
May 18, 2023 @ 6:25 am
Lanny, I realize your post was 5 years ago so this is a long shot but I am trying to find out something more about Guy’s Double cab. Why does it look white in the photo of him and Suzanna standing in front of it? I guess you mean. that funky vw pastel green when you said owl-shit green?!?! haha! Guy’s music made a big impact on me, never met him but had a close encounter or two! I keep the feeling alive by listening and chumming up with Verlon once in a while. Thanks for the reply.
May 18, 2023 @ 6:27 am
I guess I can’t add, 7 years years ago!
May 18, 2023 @ 8:36 am
I was on the graveyard shift last night and was thinking about Guy, searching around on the internet, even blew through this article, I guess without really reading it. I knew Verlon and Shawn were playing in Houston but it wasn’t until this morning and re-reading this article, posting these replies, that I realized yesterday was the anniversary of Guy’s passing, WOW! The legend lives on.
July 12, 2016 @ 12:32 pm
could I order this book somewhere other than amazon?
July 12, 2016 @ 12:39 pm
I’m sure it will be available from every major book retailer online once it is released.
July 13, 2016 @ 8:05 am
I’ll buy the book as soon as it comes out.
Anyone else looking forward to the Guy Clark tribute at the Ryman next month ?
We are making the 13 hour drive. Looking forward to my first show at the Ryman !!
May 18, 2023 @ 8:37 am
I was on the graveyard shift last night and was thinking about Guy, searching around on the internet, even blew through this article, I guess without really reading it. I knew Verlon and Shawn were playing in Houston but it wasn’t until this morning and re-reading this article, posting these replies, that I realized yesterday was the anniversary of Guy’s passing, WOW! The legend lives on.