Ray Wylie Hubbard’s “Mother Blues” on Letterman
In the mid 70’s Ray Wylie Hubbard went by the handle “The Forgotten Outlaw.” And though he leans much more towards the blues these days, his music is many times misappropriated for country. In the blues world, there’s an element in the mythos called “paying dues.” And Ray has payed his many times over. Of course the reason you pay your dues is to hopefully reach a payoff, and Ray was be cashing that in at least in some small part when he made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman Wednesday night (1-9-13).
“Well I know 66 is kinna old to be making my first appearance on late w/ night david letterman,” Ray said through Twitter. “But I didn’t wanna peak too soon.”
Though many A-list entertainers from a swath as wide reaching as Willie Nelson to Ringo Starr consider Ray Wylie both an influence and a friend, his name still remains in the “yeah, I think I’ve heard of him before” status with most of America, or like Ray puts it sarcastically, he’s a “Music book smudge, country music stain.”
It’s pretty telling that Ray has to travel 1,800 miles to play Letterman to get the national attention he’s deserved these oh so many years, when Austin City Limits–originally set up highlight Texas talent to the rest of the world–has mostly alluded him. His only appearance on the hometown format was when Hayes Carll invited him up on stage for a song a couple years back. Oh, and there was that time Willie Nelson pulled out Ray’s “Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother” on ACL’s pilot episode in 1975.
Meanwhile David Letterman whose locked in a ratings tussle with Leno and the recently-rescheduled Jimmy Kimmel decides to supplant booking a musical guest the American public already knows for one they damn well should. Along with other independent roots acts like Jason Isbell, Justin Townes Earle, and Jessica Lea Mayfield, Letterman and his peeps have stepped up to the plate when it comes to representing the rising Americana roots scene of which Ray Wylie is a pillar and patriarch of. Meanwhile ACL is pulling household name talent from the coasts, causing a criss-crossing of traveling musical acts that can’t be healthy for America’s carbon footprint. It sure is a strange, post-digitization music world out there.
“Mother Blues” is about the perfect song for Hubbard to play on Letterman because it is both specifically autobiographical and generally badass. It highlights many of the songwriting attributes that have made Ray the legendary “Wylie Llama” in songwriting circles: humor, ribald, and cunning songcraft. Even more appropriate that he would play it with his son Lucas Hubbard accompanying him on lead guitar because Lucas is referenced in “Mother Blues” along with Ray’s wife, and the song is named for the semi-legendary blues venue where Ray got his start in Dallas. And don’t forget that gold top Les Paul…
Watch Web Exclusive of Ray Wylie playing “Screw You, We’re From Texas” by Letterman’s Request
January 10, 2013 @ 7:08 am
Great write up! I saw him play outside in Deep Ellum when I was a youngun, and the performance stuck with me all these years. Redneck Mother was especially memorable. He had a small audience of maybe 50 people, and every damn one of them was singing along with him. He’s only gotten better with age.
January 10, 2013 @ 8:35 am
Saw Ray on there last night. Sounded great. His son still by his side on lead guitar (first time I saw that was Willie’s 4th Picnic 2 years ago, thought it was just for that show).
Letterman is a county fan (real country) at heart. Look up some of the old interviews he had with Waylon and Cash way back. He was in owe and truly enjoyed those guys.
When he has Willie on, you can tell too.
Within the last year Letterman has crushed it with the true country or “roots” artists. Everyone from Lukas Nelson to JD MacPherson to Dwight and now Ray on there. And many in between. Keep it up Dave!
January 10, 2013 @ 10:31 am
Let’s not forget Steve Earle and I know it ain’t Country but Dave has had Tom Waits on his show no less than a half a dozen times. He’s got a good ear. Hell, he’s got Paul Shaffer leading his band.
January 10, 2013 @ 11:00 am
Drive-By Truckers and Elizabeth Cook, too.
January 10, 2013 @ 8:13 pm
David Letterman gets it.
January 10, 2013 @ 9:21 am
he did do a fantastic job but what was up with the Mushmouth stocking hat?…that thing is huge,lol.
January 10, 2013 @ 9:28 am
sorry,Dumb Donald not Mushmouth..
January 10, 2013 @ 10:26 am
That ain’t your every day song.
January 10, 2013 @ 10:43 am
RWH is an amazing writer, performer and most importantly a solid human being. I’m glad to see him getting some much earned national exposure. Go see Ray play a gig. You will not be disappointed.
January 10, 2013 @ 5:23 pm
One of the great things about seeing Ray live is his storytelling and stage banter. With limited time on Letterman it just wouldn’t be possible to work that in. But by choosing to play “Mother Blues” he kind of worked that into the show anyway.
January 10, 2013 @ 2:00 pm
Just watched it. Badass. Proud of him.
January 10, 2013 @ 3:07 pm
Thanks for posting I missed the show. Ray is one of a kind.
January 11, 2013 @ 6:37 am
Check out “Screw You, We’re From Texas” from the same night. Special request from Dave, God love him:
http://www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/video/pkuYzrQ44bzXhBTZTnru_OIqty_vLCnG/live-on-letterman-web-exclusive-ray-wylie-hubbard
March 9, 2013 @ 5:45 pm
I had never heard of Ray Wylie Hubbard until I found SavingCountryMusic.
I’ve streamed a few of his songs here and there since, but yesterday I found his album “Growl” in a Hastings store with a “Texas Music” section. (was there to buy something else entirely, they had more of his albums, but I already had two others in my hand and what I came for, and I’m on a budget, so… next paycheck!).
I put that in my CD player in my truck in the parking lot, and all I can say is HOLY SHIT.
I’ve listened to the whole album six times already… Every single song on it is amazing.
I meant to comment on this article when it was fresh, but got distracted by something shiny or some other damn thing (used to do most of my posting from my old job as a car dealership parts department manager and had lots of free time, don’t anymore), because the two videos are amazing themselves.
If I’d only known what I was missing all these years.