Ronald Reagan Shooter John Hinkley Jr. Is Free & Making Country Music
On the hunt for some new tunes? Want to know who some of the new names are in the world of country & Western music? Well perhaps you might want to check out this new old cat that just arrived on the scene named John Hinkley Jr., originally from Ardmore, Oklahoma, and raised in Dallas. He’s got a handful of original songs, a hardcore traditional country sound, and he’s no prima donna ladies and gentlemen, he’s done hard time. After all, he’s the dude who tried to assassinate President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
Now look, I don’t mean to be patronizing. John Hinkley Jr. did shoot police officer Thomas Delahanty, Secret Service agent Tim McCarthy, critically wounded Press Secretary James Brady, and wounded President Ronald Reagan when one of the multiple bullets he fired from his .22 revolver graced off the Presidential limousine, and struck Regan in the chest on March 30th, 1981 in Washington D.C, all in an attempt to impress actress Jodie Foster.
But a judge and doctors deemed Mr. Hinkley as competent to re-enter society after originally being found not guilty by reasons of insanity, and he was institutionalized at St. Elizabeths Hospital in Washington, D.C. for some 35 years. Hinkley was officially released on September 10th, 2016 with many stipulations, including having to live with his mother, along with strict rules that he can’t have any involvement with drugs, guns, alcohol, Jodie Foster, or speak to the press. His internet history also has to be cataloged and monitored.
Since Hinkley’s release, those restrictions have slowly eased, including the allowance for the 66-year-old to start posting songs on his YouTube channel, which he’s been doing on a regular basis over the past couple of months. Along with cover songs, he’s also posted some original songs, and has amassed over 22,000 YouTube subscribers (at the time of this post). Then a couple of weeks ago, he released numerous songs to streaming services, including a proper country music studio single called “We Have Got That Chemistry” (listen below).
Like a lot of your favorite Texas country artists, Hinkley attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, and in 1975, took a trip to Los Angeles in an attempt to become a songwriter. This was all before his fascination with firearms, and his obsession with actress Jodie Foster. But through the years, John Hinkley Jr. has been using music and songwriting in his rehabilitation process, and to deal with his underlying mental health issues.
Last month, on September 27th, a judge ruled that as long as Hinkley continues to behave, he will be granted an unconditional release in June of 2022. Music has been been cited specifically in the progress of his rehabilitation, and in his recovery.
When I first heard that John Hinkley Jr. was making country music, the first instinct was to either be shocked by it, or mock it humorously. But after watching his YouTube videos, reading through the surprisingly supportive comments, there appears to be a much deeper lesson here.
John Hinkley Jr. hurt a lot of people and will never live his past down, just like many of the country music heroes of yesteryear. And let’s be honest, a 66-year-old man whose been institutionalized for the last 35 years is not going to become your next favorite country music star, especially after the unusual effect they placed on his vocals in his first proper single.
But country was there as a way out of a troubled past for Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe, and so many other country greats. If country music and songwriting is how John Hinkley Jr. has found his peace and equilibrium through life, I’m not sure we shouldn’t support it, regardless of how you feel about the music itself. Because it speaks once again to the power, and the importance of music to the soul.
…and as we love to say, it better than 90% of the crap they play on country radio these days.
October 20, 2021 @ 10:35 am
It’s Ronald Reagan not Regan.
October 20, 2021 @ 10:56 am
Yes sorry that was fixed.
October 23, 2021 @ 11:09 am
Easy Johnny Law, you might pop a bolt. Lol.
October 20, 2021 @ 10:42 am
speaking of YouTube postings…have you checked out Steve Hickman yet? He has (1) album on iTunes and is working on a ballads record. His song “She’s an Angel” and “Outlast the Rain” I think are great songs with steel guitar and a deep voice. I would love to see something written about Steve.
October 20, 2021 @ 10:49 am
I have mixed feelings on this because Reagan is one of my favorite presidents, & when listening to chemistry all I could think of was Jodie Foster. I’m glad he’s doing something productive like this not a bad writer or singer but the stigma of his past is too much for me, but regardless how I feel everybody deserves redemption. By the way this is the first time I commented on any of your articles been a fan of this site for years & have always enjoyed your work keep up the good job.
October 20, 2021 @ 10:58 am
Nope. With that many subscribers he could make a little cash on Youtube, though. By what metric is this better than 90% of radio?
October 20, 2021 @ 11:07 am
I thought Reagan was a lousy president, but this guy should still be in prison. He tried to kill the president of the United States. Only in America can something this stupid happen. I remember when oj Simpson got off for killing 2 people, and years later he shows up at horror conventions signing autographs and oj is still in the NFL HALL OF FAME.people throw a fit today if some one kneels at a game, yet these same people do not raise a stink of a murderer being in the hall of fame. People do not care anymore , murderers and assassins can be tomorrows George Jones. Paul Ruben was once on America’s most wanted for trying to kill his girl friend. Now he shows up on talk shows and gets a standing ovation , it makes no sence to me. So let this loser go ahead and sing country. He will not get a damn dime from me.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:07 pm
“Only in America could something this stupid happen.”
Incorrect. A lot of countries have hard limits on prison time regardless of crime, and so the worst monsters of all time will and are eventually released. Others have been let off for things like good behavior.
Karla Homolka, Varg Vikernes, many even worse murderers are free. Shoot, Anders Behring Breivik may one day be released–his ten year sentence is up and they have to affirmatively choose to continue his imprisonment in ten year periods moving forward.
October 20, 2021 @ 11:24 pm
But are they big time celebrities? Do they get record deals and TV deals and there are people who celebrate them? Just like AMERICA DOES. That is my point. Please list examples of this. I know monsters get out early all over the world, but do any of them sing country music on YouTube? Probably not, like I said only in stupid america.
October 21, 2021 @ 4:49 am
Vag Vikernes comes to mind.
A Norwegian Black Metal musician who slaughtered his bandmate and set fire to historic churches.
Or Juliet Hulme in New Zeeland who became a best selling author after serving a long sentence for killing her best friend’s mother (together with that friend).
October 21, 2021 @ 5:33 am
Do you mean Burzum?
October 21, 2021 @ 5:34 am
One and the same
October 21, 2021 @ 6:08 am
I’m Canadian, and as Kevin already mentioned Karla Homolka, who, along with her husband, raped and murdered three girls, only had to serve 12 years in prison, and is now allowed to volunteer at her children’s’ school.
October 23, 2021 @ 11:11 am
One of them ‘girls’ was her own sister.
October 20, 2021 @ 11:16 am
Fairly disgusting to post music from such a vile, filthy psychopath.
I mean, Ryan Adams is radioactive, but the man who shot Reagan (and turned Jim Brady into a vegetable is A-okay.
Tell you what I’d pay $100 for: a video of him hanging himself with a rope of braided guitar strings.
October 20, 2021 @ 11:30 am
Totally understand if anyone finds this guy and whatever music he makes morally repulsive. After all, he tried to murder the President, and shot four people. But similar to when I write about some pop country band, I am not promoting this music. I don’t even consider myself promoting an artist when I write a glowing review of them. I’m simply reporting on country music.
The court system, the mental health system at the very top levels deemed this individual as okay to return to society. I’m not sure he needs to be celebrated. But if he makes an example of how music can help rehabilitate individuals, I think it’s an interesting topic to discuss.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:14 pm
You’re not sure he needs to be celebrated, but you posted two of his videos.
If he had raped children, then made parole, same rules?
If OJ Simpson does a cover of Merle Haggard, will we see video of it here?
If this guy’s name was Jim Hinkley — a guy with no criminal record — from Ardmore, Oklahoma and he put out a couple songs, do they rate a review at SCM?
October 20, 2021 @ 12:36 pm
I’m with you Kevin.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:41 pm
Kevin,
With all due respect, you’re making no sense here. John Hinkley Jr. is not being accused of raping children, so that’s a false moral equivalency.
He also didn’t murder two people and get away with it, so the OJ Simpson equivalency is also false.
What John Hinkey Jr. did do is commit attempted murder, and then spent the next 35 years of his life incarcerated. He paid his debt to society according to the Justice System. I’m not making excuses for him. What he did was unconscionable. But he didn’t rape a child, and he didn’t get away with anything.
And to answer your question on if OJ Simpson sang Merle Haggard would I cover it here? I very well might, because it’s germane to country music, and this is a country music website. It would be news.
As I said in the article, my very first instinct when I saw this was to either be shocked, or to mock it. Then I actually spent the time to watch his videos, regard the situation, and understand that if this man has paid his debt to society, he has as much of a right as anyone else to post his songs on YouTube. And if that is the avenue for him to stay on the straight and narrow, I really don’t see the harm in it. In fact, I would say that is better than having him cost us all six figures a year to stay incarcerated, or be a risk to himself or others because he has no avenue to rehabilitation. This is the United States of America, and we believe in a path to redemption. That is what this article is about.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:50 pm
I think you don’t want to answer the hypothetical.
We know that would-be presidential assassins are welcome to have their art promoted on SCM.
IF some child rapist were granted parole and wrote a couple catchy tunes, would you post the videos?
It’s a simple question.
October 20, 2021 @ 1:21 pm
No, I probably wouldn’t cover a child rapist, because that would speak to a deeper moral rot than what John Hinkley Jr. has presented. People smarter than you or me on these issues deemed Hinkley not morally corrupt, but clinically insane, and that is the reason he did what he did. Nonetheless, they isolated him from society for 35 years for his actions. One of the ways he demonstrated his ability to return to society, and one of the tools he used to find equilibrium in life was music. I find that interesting for a host of reasons.
Also Kevin, I totally understand why you’re repulsed. I had that same exact reaction when I first heard about this story. But when I took an hour or two to really dive into the story, I began to see it from other perspectives. I am still repulsed by what John Hinkley Jr. did. That will never change. But if he was able to change through music, good for him, and perhaps, good for others who also could.
October 21, 2021 @ 6:34 am
He was found “not guilty by reason of insanity”, so he did NOT pay his debt to society. He should be locked up until his dying day for attempting to murder anyone, but even more so for almost killing four people, one of whom was the President of the United States!
October 21, 2021 @ 6:43 am
Just to clarify: He did murder one person. Brady’s death, although years later, was labeled a homicide.
October 22, 2021 @ 11:37 am
I understand your point, but the disgust is from the fanfair he is getting in the media. If he was making videos on Youtube to no acclaim, few would care.
October 21, 2021 @ 6:10 am
Kevin, I agree with what you’re saying, but let’s be honest, if there was a video of OJ Simpson singing Merle Haggard songs, we’d all want to see it.
October 20, 2021 @ 9:50 pm
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4qH6H-5Fgfc
October 20, 2021 @ 11:17 am
Considering the range of things that can get you kicked off of Youtube, it is comforting to know that shooting the President isn’t one of them.
October 20, 2021 @ 11:40 am
Can you imagine to explain this kind of thing to normal, rational people of the past?
Bob – “So we had this guy shoot our president. Luckily, the president didn’t die.”
Joe – “So which tree did you hang him from? Was it an oak or a maple?”
Bob – “Oh, we didn’t hang him?”
Joe – “Firing squad? Guillotine?”
Bob – “No. We’re not animals.”
Joe – “Poison, then?”
Bob – “No. We provided him food, clothing, shelter, legal, medical, educational aid, etc. for 40 years, then we just released him.”
Joe – “You fucking idiots must be insane.”
Bob – “And get this. This is the best part. The most recent past president isn’t allowed to use any media platforms. He’s COMPLETELY banned. But the guy who shot the president now has his own following on YouTube and is on EVERY social media platform.”
October 20, 2021 @ 12:04 pm
Joe – “This is so disheartening. I feel a deep sense of despair and helplessness. Like there has been a complete loss of truth and rationality. The future seems bleak. I worry for my children and grandchildren.”
Bob – “That was the goal. Mission accomplished. Oh, by the way, we have a new Four Star Admiral I’d like to tell you about….”
October 20, 2021 @ 12:14 pm
RD, your posts are a beacon in these tumultuous times. May The Dark Lord guide your fingers over the keyboard and lead readers to the truth as he did Eve while in Serpent form.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:18 pm
Nice.
June 28, 2022 @ 7:17 am
Bob forgot to mention to Joe that that same previous President incited a domestic terrorist attack on our Capitol and tried to overturn a free and fair election. I wonder what Joe would have to say about that.
October 21, 2021 @ 4:51 am
“We provided him food, clothing, shelter, legal, medical, educational aid, etc. for 40 years, then we just released him”
Let’s hope you never end up in a prison hospital because that picture you paint might not be what you will find…
October 21, 2021 @ 5:05 am
He wasn’t in prison. He was in a mental hospital \ resort where he spent his days painting, playing guitar, playing pool, pen-palling with Ted Bundy, and beating off to pictures of Jodie Foster. It was basically Sandals for lunatics.
October 21, 2021 @ 5:18 am
He was confined in a mental hospital which I roughly translates as a prison hospital (there is a language barrier) but my point still stands; Let’s hope you will never end up in one because your ideas of what that means are not based on reality.
October 22, 2021 @ 11:09 am
Danny I agree. While I think Hinkley should still be locked up, people fail to realize how terrible the US prison system is. I’m no bleeding heart liberal, but prison more often than not makes people worse individuals than when they came in. Anyone who disagrees should watch Larry Lawton.
October 20, 2021 @ 11:30 am
This ain’t it Chief.
October 20, 2021 @ 11:45 am
May you forever bask in the Satan’s guiding darkness. The way is the only way.
October 20, 2021 @ 8:11 pm
So like, you believe in an all-powerful God, but you worship his arch-enemy?
That’s heavy, man.
October 20, 2021 @ 11:51 am
Maybe Jodie Foster could dub in some vocals–a la Nat King Cole and Natalie or Hank Sr. and Jr.–as is done on most recorded duets nowadays. The two of them wouldn’t even have to meet. (Seems they’re not allowed to.)
That might expand its appeal.
And if Jodie wouldn’t want to get involved, they can try Sirhan B. Sirhan. I hear he’ll be free.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:08 pm
Sorry, ain’t clicking on those links. Reagan wasn’t my favorite President, but he was President and this man tried to assassinate him. The only things this guy should be producing are licence plates.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:48 pm
He should have been put to death.
Maybe someone will do it yet, and Trig can post a memorial thread.
October 20, 2021 @ 1:12 pm
Putting someone to death for attempted murder doesn’t even follow the tenets of Hammurabi’s Code, let alone a modern Western society. No civilized nation assigns capital punishment to aggravated assault with deadly intent, especially when the individual was clearly suffering from insanity. John Hinkley served 35 years. Again, at no point have I tried to defend this guy, and frankly it’s bullshit that you’re acting like I am. But God forbid I try to illustrate a story how someone found rehabilitation through music.
October 20, 2021 @ 1:36 pm
He tried to assassinate the president of the United States. He crippled a man for life. He is irredeemable.
You’re not only defending him, you’re putting money in his pocket by directing people to his channel.
October 20, 2021 @ 1:52 pm
Totally understand Kevin. I respect you opinion because it was the first one I had when I heard about this. Part of the condition of Hinkley’s release is that he works. He must earn money, and be a productive part of society. This is a better scenario than him costing all of us hundreds of thousands of dollars a year incarcerated.
October 21, 2021 @ 10:10 am
So is it just the fact that there are YouTube videos linked here that’s sparking the outrage? Simply the fact that Trigger covered the story? If it’s the latter, he seems to endorse racism, pedophilia, drunk driving and murder….
Seems to me this is our justice system working as it should. He committed a crime, our system handed down a punishment, Hinkley served and was deemed by that same system to be fit for release back into society. We no longer have to pay for him to be in that palatial mental hospital and he’s taken up what seems to be a therapeutic and non-violent hobby that might provide some way for him to support himself so society doesn’t have to subsidize it.
But I guess people are just repulsed by redemption.
October 22, 2021 @ 3:57 am
You would be surprised just how transformational studying and embracing the concepts of grace and mercy would be in your life.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:08 pm
I shot a man in DC… just to watch him die….
October 20, 2021 @ 12:20 pm
On further review, CELEBRATING him is exactly what you’re doing here.
Disgusting.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:46 pm
You keep clutching those pearls that tightly and you’ll get a bad case of claw hand.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:52 pm
And I bet if he tried to murder Obama & turned Jay Carney into a gork in the process, you’d be clutching some of your own.
October 20, 2021 @ 12:59 pm
There’s only been like a dozen hypotheticals that you’ve kamikaze’d this thread with in order to further your self-righteousness.. so can you present, I dunno, like a few more for the group?
October 20, 2021 @ 1:17 pm
Hope you aren’t a Beatles fan or i should say Lennon fan cause you know he’s wasn’t actually the guy in his little Imagine song portrayed him as the “peaceful” “loving” man
October 20, 2021 @ 1:40 pm
“Mark David Chapman: The Lost Tapes.”
Bet you’d by them.
October 20, 2021 @ 2:37 pm
I bet Kevin loves him some Trump.
October 20, 2021 @ 4:04 pm
You’d lose. Never voted for a Democrat before 2020. Didn’t cast a vote in 2016. Was lifelong GOP. No more.
Next?
October 20, 2021 @ 7:32 pm
Don’t bother, the guy has a knack for both assuming and bringing the orange man up constantly, whether it makes any sense or not.
October 20, 2021 @ 1:46 pm
Why the negative comments? Just give him a shot!
October 20, 2021 @ 4:08 pm
Like the one he gave Jim Brady?
I’m for it.
October 20, 2021 @ 3:25 pm
A shameless rip off of act Naturally
October 20, 2021 @ 3:27 pm
I understand that posts about person’s like this will draw much more interaction and views, even if they are outrage. So I can’t criticize. And I know Trigger writes way more blogs supporting unknown country and roots musicians and artists, than pretty much any other resource on the web. So he isn’t at fault for this blog or any missed artists out there.
I just wish people could discover and would support much more deserving artists, One of my favorites being the Hayden Bluegrass Orchestra. I’ve loved their music for years and they put out a very good album this year called Migrants, but I’ve seen zero support for it from any country blogs. The singer has a beautiful voice imo and they play true roots type music, so if anyone wants to check them out that would be awesome.
Also their cover of Wayfaring Stranger from a few years ago is sublime. https://youtu.be/XWIaeQFcbYg
Also they are from Norway.
October 20, 2021 @ 6:53 pm
I agree. Surely there are more DESERVING ARTISTS who didn’t try to murder the U.S. President at the height of the Cold War.
Did James Earl Ray ever write any songs? Asking for no one in particular.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:12 pm
This article is barely receiving any traffic. If I was in the clicks business, I would have written two articles in as many days about Travis Tritt and his COVID stance. You know, like Rolling Stone Country did. Sure, I need clicks like any site. But if you think the topics a cover are click heavy, you’re not paying attention to the news cycle.
I appreciate the suggestion of the Hayden Bluegrass Orchestra. Please understand I try to cover as much music as I possibly can. But dropping a name and writing a feature are two separate things. I don’t think people fully appreciate the time commitment that goes into writing just one feature or album review. You have to listen to an album 3-5 times minimum. Then you have to research the artist or band. Then you have to compose something interesting enough about them that compels people to read. I commit incredible amounts of time every week to working on album reviews—more time than on any other task. If you check my release radar (https://savingcountrymusic.com/release-radar-most-anticipated-albums-for-last-of-2021/) there were 17 albums on my list to review just last week. This week, there’s 17 more. That’s 34 albums in two weeks. It’s impossible to listen to them all, let alone review them. Folks need to stop thinking this is a zero sum game, like if I talk about one thing, that inherently means I’m ignoring another on purpose. I’d never heard about the Hayden Bluegrass Orchestra. Folks have to reach out and make suggestions. Just because myself or another outlet doesn’t cover a certain band doesn’t mean we’re purposely ignoring them. I feature bands from Scandinavia all the time. Last week I featured H. Self from Sweden. Barely anyone read it. But I wrote it, because it was an important artist. But I will never be able to feature everything. I cover as much music as I can, and offer it all for free. All I ask in return is a little understanding.
October 20, 2021 @ 10:37 pm
God you’re the fucking man! We appreciate you trig
October 21, 2021 @ 2:11 pm
Sorry Trigger. Maybe my post came off in a way I didn’t intend. I wasn’t trying to be negative towards the subjects you choose to write about, and I know and I think I even said in my comment that you do write many more stories than any other media site that I know of,for true roots and country artists.
And I am surprised if this article is getting less interaction than many other blogs. It is actually an interesting subject and you have written about it in a very thoughtful way which gives a perspective of it as it relates to humanity, crime and punishment, and redemption.
Also I know you get way more suggestions and demands to write about some obscure or even known artist from many random readers like myself, so I wasn’t attempting to ask you to write about one of my favorites in this; I was just hoping some true lovers of Bluegrass style traditional music might see my recommendation and check them out.
Anyway, I apologize that my wording may have added to the din and cacophony of voices raised in judgement that you felt it interesting to discuss this well-known and infamous man trying to write and sing country music.
After all, most of real country and real music from every other genre comes from someone’s brokenness or some real human experience or stories. And this man definitely had a unique and broken life to write about.
October 21, 2021 @ 2:19 pm
Appreciate that and this website is great. That said, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra is great and a very interesting international group.
October 20, 2021 @ 3:28 pm
The right-wing cancel culture seems to be out in full force today.
October 20, 2021 @ 5:05 pm
Not even close.
Cancel culture would want his songs taken off YouTube.
We are just telling Trigger that covering him is a bit crazy.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:43 pm
It would want the song off YouTube and people who like the video fired from their jobs. I can’t tell if it’s willful ignorance or just plain lack of intelligence to not know the difference.
Personally, I think forgiveness, especially after serving that much time, shouldn’t be impossible. However, I see nothing (in the story at least) that indicates remorse…only comparisons to other country artists with “troubled” pasts that comes off a bit like downplaying what he did.
October 20, 2021 @ 9:24 pm
I don’t want his videos censored.
I just think people who subsidize or promote or pay the man who tried to murder Ronald Reagan, crippling Jim Brady in the process (and wounding a cop) are somewhere between Homo sapiens and lice.
October 20, 2021 @ 3:48 pm
anyone familiar with musician and convicted murderer and attempted murderer the late Hudie Ledbetter a/k/a leadbelly a/k/a lead belly?
October 20, 2021 @ 7:06 pm
Did he shoot a president?
October 20, 2021 @ 8:04 pm
This is the US, we don’t have kings. We are all equal under the law. You keep getting hung up on it being the president but in the eyes of the law it shouldn’t matter. From reading your comments, I don’t think you understand a constitutional republic. And to head off your hypotheticals, no, I wouldn’t change my stance if it was Obama.
October 21, 2021 @ 12:51 am
There’s a major difference.
Lead Belly was an ex-con who was making music in Louisiana. He was “discovered” by John Lomax, who recorded many “organic” musicians and helped bring it to the masses and created the original roots/folk music boom. Lead Belly’s appeal was based on the music and his “authentic” personality. I don’t think they even emphasized that Lead Belly had been in prison, but if they did, they certainly did not capitalize on the specific victims of any crimes that he committed. Urban listeners heard “Goodnight Irene” and were intrigued by it, and bought other Lead Belly records. Or they heard of him through Pete Seeger, who was something of a Lead Belly disciple and talked him up.
John Hinckley, on the other hand is a pure freak show. Anybody who listens to Hinckley now is doing it strictly because Hinckley shot and tried to assassinate President Reagan.
October 20, 2021 @ 3:53 pm
Charles Manson was actually a singer and loved–and reportedly sounded like–Frankie Laine.
Author Jeff GUINN: “Well, Charlie’s music roots actually go all the way back to his childhood, when he was the orneriest, most disagreeable little boy in McMechen, West Virginia. And the one good trait he had was that he had a nice singing voice. And when he would be forced to go to church by his grandma, at least when the time came to sing hymns, Charlie would be outstanding. And later on, he fell in love with the music of Frankie Laine.”
https://www.npr.org/transcripts/223463616
I mention that because there are not a lot of places where I can bring it up.
Also, if Charlie were still alive and recorded “Mule Train” or “High Noon” with his guitar, this would be the place to promote it.
October 21, 2021 @ 6:53 am
I love Frankie Laine. I’ve always wondered why you had that handle. I guess now I know for certain. As much as I love Frankie Laine, I’m not listening to Charles Manson regardless of how close he may have sounded to him.
On a side note, I love “Moonlight Gambler”.
October 21, 2021 @ 8:40 pm
@robbush–Same here. L-o-S has been covered by so many artists that most people today don’t know where it comes from. Younger country fans probably think I’m honoring Kenny Chesney.
October 22, 2021 @ 6:03 am
Kenny Chesney? Ugh! Only two versions of “Lucky Old Sun” exist for me: Frankie Laine and Ray Charles.
And the Frankie Laine song I burst into most often? Blazing Saddles.
October 22, 2021 @ 10:15 am
@robbush–The hard-charging “Rawhide”–the theme from the CBS TV western with Clint Eastwood–was the recording that got Laine going again in the ’60s and the ridiculous “Blazing Saddles”–thanks to Mel Brooks–gave him yet another revival in the ’70s. That song actually got nominated for an Academy Award, so he got to sing it on the Oscars telecast–which was a pretty big national event in those years.
October 20, 2021 @ 4:15 pm
You all understand that John Hinckley Jr. was severely mentally ill when he shot Reagan, Brady, Delahanty and McCarthy, yes? He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. That means he was not legally responsible for those acts. That is why he was confined to a psychiatric hospital instead of a prison for 35 years until he was deemed no longer a threat to himself or others. That is how our legal system works. It takes severe mental illness into account. Less than 5% of cases use an insanity defense and over three quarters of those are unsuccessful. I am baffled by the replies to this article.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:03 pm
Ted Bundy was a freaking lunatic.
He’s worm food.
No would-be presidential assassin in the United States should ever walk free.
And anyone who subsidizes Hinkley should feel shame — though they obviously lack that capacity.
October 20, 2021 @ 5:06 pm
He should cover “Suicide is Painless.”
Still, he is more sane than the current President and the party in charge.
October 21, 2021 @ 4:55 am
Jesus… Do you have to bring your simple politics into everything?
And then have the audacity to call liberals snowflakes….
October 21, 2021 @ 3:30 pm
I am not Jesus.
The hit dog is the one that hollers. It is not my fault that you support the modern day Benedict Arnolds and to distract from your guilt you weep and moan when people dare to criticize your deities.
Actually, that is an insult to Benedict Arnold. He actually won battles for America before turning traitor. Tyrant Joe and his band have done nothing worthwhile. They are more like the modern James Wilkinson. Working for a foreign country (China).
October 21, 2021 @ 4:48 pm
Let’s please not veer into politics here folks. Thank you.
October 22, 2021 @ 2:07 am
Agreed because there is no arguing with these parody accounts anyway… It hurts just reading this tripe.
October 20, 2021 @ 5:27 pm
Hey you can still hear a Spade Cooley song on Willie’s Roadhouse once in a while so…
October 20, 2021 @ 5:54 pm
Sorry this guy shouldn’t have any coverage. Should still be in jail at the best. I guess if John Lennon’s killer ever writes a country song or something he will get some press on here. Very sad.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:00 pm
The last episode of the Country History X podcast I did was about a country artist who hired two men to murder, or at least assault a producer because the artist wanted out of a contract. The two hitmen ended up shooting the producer twice and left him for dead, though he ultimately survived. Even though the two hitmen told police who hired them and why after they were arrested, the artist never faced any charges. Not a single person complained I was covering or “promoting” Vern Gosdin.
Life is messy.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:05 pm
Was the producer a president of the United States?
October 20, 2021 @ 7:15 pm
Again Kevin, nobody is discounting John Hinkley’s crimes. But since you asked, it doesn’t matter who you shoot. The laws are the same.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:40 pm
So a head of state is no different than a crack head or a waffle waitress. That’s awesome.
He tried to assassinate the President of the United States, and you’re pimping for him. That’s pretty fucking sick.
“Putting money in the pocket of a murderous psychopath to support a narrative of redemption” is certainly a hot take.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:57 pm
Kevin,
Why in the world would you consider the life of the winner of a national popularity contest, voted on by people, the majority of whom lack the ability to reason, to be more valuable than your life?
The life of the waffle waitress is infinitely more valuable to me than the life of any politician, and at least the crackhead is entertaining. Politicians are lower than scum. They’re lower than the maggots feeding on an armadillo corpse.
October 20, 2021 @ 9:39 pm
Because he won the Cold War.
October 20, 2021 @ 8:08 pm
I’ll have to listen to that podcast when I get the chance–and maybe do some additional research, as far as what the evidence is. But in light of the fact that Vern Gosdin was never charged with a crime, let alone convicted, I think you’re leaning out way over your skis in declaring him guilty of conspiracy to commit murder or felonious assault.
The fact that Gosdin was given a contract with the biggest label in the business–CBS-Sony and was embraced by the industry-getting his singles played on country radio in the late ’80s-early ’90s, when he was in his 50’s–males the whole thing seem a tad dubious
October 20, 2021 @ 8:33 pm
Yeah, maybe you should go listen to the podcast. It the most detailed account and exploration of the incident that exists, with sources cited and it all spelled out. Or, keep surmising if you wish when you haven’t heard any of the details.
I’ve been running this website for 13 years. Now all of a sudden I’m some greedy dude, raking in blood money with my stories on John Hinkley Jr., and my articles on Zac Brown and Kacey Musgraves, on a site that has 70% ads than the average website, and no paywall? What has gotten into everyone this week?
October 21, 2021 @ 12:58 am
Trig–
I’m a fan of yours. I can’t believe the volume of work that you do for this site.
But I find the idea of John Hinckley becoming a country singer on youtube or wherever to be ridiculous–almost too ridiculous to even be parodied–and I can’t help treat it as such.
I’ll definitely listen to the Gosdin podcast. Maybe you’ll convince me.
October 20, 2021 @ 8:55 pm
Well I never heard that story and I don’t really think hit men are always honest. Regardless, this guy attempted to kill a president, pretty much killed the other guy. You may not care who it was but it matters to me. Context is everything. The fact they found him insane means nothing to me. He was sane enough to lead a normal life, he wasn’t running around howling at the moon. You can make the articles you want and promote who you want but I also have the right to my opinion of it. You do a great job and I like a lot of your articles, I just disagree with you on this.
October 20, 2021 @ 9:44 pm
Hey David,
First off, I would encourage you or anyone else to go listen to the Vern Gosdin podcast before you decide it’s bunk. It’s been up for weeks, and the only two criticisms I’ve seen for it are comments on a article about John Hinkley Jr. by two dues who haven’t even listened to it yet, with pretty much makes you unqualified to have an opinion. I spent months working on it, and it’s extremely thorough and researched.
It’s available anywhere podcasts are, or here: https://savingcountrymusic.com/did-vern-gosdin-really-try-to-murder-his-producer-country-history-x/
As for John Hinkley Jr., I totally understand if folks see this as a moral Rubicon they just can’t cross. I think that’s a completely sane and sensible position. I think what myself and others are failing to understand is why some are taking the potion it was morally onerous to even bring it up as a simple news story. The dude that shot Reagan is releasing country music. That’s a pretty crazy situation, and probably relevant on a country music website. I thought it would make for an interesting story and a quality discussion. And aside from a few people who for some reason seem incensed at the mere idea of mentioning him, it has been. All that said, I also appreciate people’s criticism of choosing to write about this topic, and will take it to heart. But what I won’t take is folks questioning my personal character, because it’s out of bounds. Nobody’s getting rich running a blog in 2021. Trust me.
October 20, 2021 @ 9:58 pm
You’ve already reached out to the murderous psychopathic piece of shit to have him on the podcast, haven’t you?
How many clicks does he need to track back to this post before he says “yes”?
October 20, 2021 @ 10:10 pm
No, I haven’t. As it says in the article, John Hinkley is not allowed to speak to the press. It’s a requirement of his release, just like keeping a job, and continuing with his music because it’s part of his therapy and treatment. Also, if you had listened to the podcast, you would know I don’t have guests on it. I have no intent to talk about this topic on the podcast.
I’ve let you say your peace here Kevin, but you’re really crossing lines at this point. I’ve had a lot of respect for you over the years and I appreciate your contributions. But I feel like you’re really making too much of this, and your questioning of my integrity is pretty beyond the pale.
October 20, 2021 @ 6:09 pm
Yeah, terrible person.
So glad Jesus didn’t tell us to visit him in prison regardless of crime. Or that Johnny Cash would have wanted to give him a special concert just to help him find redemption.
He can never make it right, but we can be better people and support people trying to better themselves.
October 21, 2021 @ 6:54 pm
First off trigger, I don’t really feel the gosdin subject is pertinent here. Maybe he did what you said, maybe he didn’t. But this wasn’t a president or a known star. His case also wasn’t brought before a jury so it isn’t like oj Simpson. It’s just my opinion that people that were basically nobody but did something terrible that drew national attention should not get any extra press for anything they do afterwards. I feel that stuff just feeds the beast. A lot of people that do those mass killings just do them basically cause they know they will be famous when before they weren’t anybody. I haven’t attacked your character so I don’t know why you are suggesting I did. Just stated my opinion.
October 21, 2021 @ 7:02 pm
Hey David,
There were/are a lot of threads and a lot of accusations flying at me in this comments section. If I used a heavy hand, I apologize. Sometimes I also use responses to respond to more global concerns being raised by others. I completely respect people’s opinions if they think we shouldn’t be giving Hinkley any attention. That’s a completely understandable view. I simply brought the Vern Gosdin situation up as an example where I was just reporting a story, and not necessarily promoting or condoning the actions of an artist. And Gosdin was a known star at the time, and was a public figure with hits on the radio when it happened.
October 20, 2021 @ 6:59 pm
He has to work, huh?
How about cleaning bus station lobby floors with a toothbrush?
Post that video.
I fucking hate pop country with the heat of a thousand suns, but I would listen to FGL while getting kicked in the junk before I patronize the murderous psychopath who tried to kill the President whose signature is on my officer’s commission in the US Army.
Fuck John Hinkley and all those subsidizing him.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:40 pm
I think you need to chill. Trig isn’t making money off this story. He’s reporting. And it is interesting (even if it makes you uncomfortable). There have been movies based off of serial killers and rapists that made filmmakers money – that’s far worse than reporting and stimulating conversation.
If he’s been deemed a contributing member of society, why can’t he make music as a creative output? And why shouldn’t it be reported?
October 20, 2021 @ 9:34 pm
Because he fucking tried to murder the president of The United States.
That’s the fuck why.
Nobody would know him if he hadn’t tried to assassinate Reagan.
No. He shouldn’t make a fucking dime. He should be begging for change under a bridge, and get beaten to death by winos.
October 21, 2021 @ 7:34 am
if you love the president of the united states so much, why don’t you marry him?
October 21, 2021 @ 3:31 pm
You know Reagan is dead, right?
I know from your previous comments that you are not that smart so I figured I would supply the answer.
October 21, 2021 @ 3:33 pm
says the guy who misses the most obvious joke in the world. talk about a big embarrassing woosh.
October 21, 2021 @ 4:23 pm
Nice try.
But your comment history shows that your intelligence level is lower than the star of this article.
October 21, 2021 @ 4:39 pm
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WhyDontYouMarryIt
weird! here’s the joke explained so even a mouth breather like you can get it. amazing that keyboard works with all that drool.
https://www.rdhmag.com/patient-care/article/16405394/mouth-breathing-for-dummies
October 20, 2021 @ 7:53 pm
Thank You for your Service.
– 101ST AG COMPANY
October 21, 2021 @ 6:59 am
Kevin –
I agree with you, but you’re coming on too strong. Once was enough. Twice was plenty.
October 20, 2021 @ 7:46 pm
This is a weird topic for an article, but it’s better than seeing the 1,754th article on Sturgill Simpson, or the 2,723rd article where you try to convince everyone that women and blacks are discriminated against, based on gender and race, by the Nashville industry.
Honestly, I wanna see it the way Kevin and RD see it, but I don’t wanna be a hypocrite, and frankly I’m just not as decent as they are. The conversation here got me to thinking, if some nutjob had gone after a specific past POTUS I loathed, I’d have been elated. And I don’t mean that in the sense of advocating for violence. I’m just saying, if it had happened, I would’ve been quietly happy.
So I guess I can see why some leftoids would apologize for Hinkley, out of hatred for Reagan, while attempting to maintain their pretentious virtue by pretending that they respect law and order and leaning on “Hinkley had a mental illness”, etc.
Ultimately, this guy really can’t sing, so who cares?
October 20, 2021 @ 9:51 pm
That’s just as sick as pimping for Hinkley, if you’re even serious.
As much as I really didn’t like Obama and Clinton — and I loathe Donald Trump more than I’ve loathed any American — an attack on the presidency is an attack on the Republic and the Constitution. It is a strike at the heart of the country, partisanship be damned.
It should be a societally unforgivable act.
And my Good Lord in Heaven, no one should ever profit from it. I remember a time in America where such a thing was unthinkable.
And now one of a handful of decent country music sites — and unquestionably one of the most influential — is actually helping John Hinkley profit from his attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.
It’s shameful.
And I’m not fucking sorry for the outrage. I could see Isbell pimping for the guy. But this surprises and saddens.
October 23, 2021 @ 4:25 am
You are so cosplaying…
October 23, 2021 @ 7:24 pm
You’re going to need to explain what that means, if you’d like me to address whatever it is.
October 20, 2021 @ 8:16 pm
After hearing that you were rooting for the coronavirus, early in the pandemic, why am I not surprised that you were rooting for someone to gun down Obama (or maybe Clinton)?
October 20, 2021 @ 10:58 pm
I’m gonna have to come back and read all the comments. On weed! Right now I don’t have the fortitude but I’m sure it’s one hell of a ride! This was definitely one of the more thought provoking things I stumbled across today, and our jobsite had a fairly interesting burglary last night (no, it wasn’t me).
October 21, 2021 @ 12:25 am
“I’m not sure we shouldn’t support it…”
Yea, I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t.
October 21, 2021 @ 4:30 am
So when is he gonna guest in Stephen Colbert’s house band?
October 21, 2021 @ 3:34 pm
Jimmy Kimmel will have him on his show in a week.
He will be a musical hero to the Left.
October 21, 2021 @ 9:08 am
I will not give this man one ounce of recognition by watching his videos. That is exactly what he was seeking when he shot all those people. I don’t think it’s right to compare his “troubled past” to that of Merle Haggard and David Allen Coe.
October 21, 2021 @ 9:32 am
I bet this guy writes one hell of a murder ballad though…
October 21, 2021 @ 3:33 pm
Nah, he probably sucks at it since he was a failed assassin. He was a failure in life and he is a failure in music. A waste of humanity.
October 21, 2021 @ 1:14 pm
Kevin Broughton, no disrespect intended, but go back and read all of your posts on this article. Then think about the time and energy, both physical and psychological, you have spent on one story on a country music website about a country musician. Regardless of his past and currentlevel of success, that is what John Hinckley is, making him of interest to the field of country music. A clinician might find your obsession with repeating your point (admittedly in somewhat different words) to be unhealthy. Let it go. Do something you enjoy. Listen to country, make something funny on Farce the Music. Take a breath. Hinckley is not Bundy. Hinckley was found not responsible for his actions. Serious, severe mental illness is real. Good day to you.
October 21, 2021 @ 1:23 pm
Piss off, Carter.
Kevin is fine.
Hinckley is totally responsible for his actions.
October 21, 2021 @ 1:54 pm
Di, you are simply wrong. He was found in a court of law to not be legally responsible for those shootings. Would you rather are system not allow for mental disease or mental defect as a defense? Do you believe we are a better society if we ignore the role severe mental illness can play in serious actions? Correct me if I am wrong, my memory could be off, but you have said you are a nuclear medicine professional. As an expert in your field, society defers to you and your peers when decisions need to be made re nuclear medicine. Our legal system defers to mental health experts in determining whether an insanity defense is valid, but they do not decide. They simply offer evidence based on their expertise to a jury and judge. They then decide. Again, approximately 3% of cases attempt an insanity defense. Juries disagree in over 75% of those cases. It is not as though it is a bullshit plea. It is rarely used and rarely successful. But in some cases, juries are convinced by the evidence that the defendant is not responsible by mental disease or defect. Even then, the defendant does still has consequences. The judge imposes a sentence based on the evidence and the judge’s knowledge. That’s the American way. We allow for severe mental illness to supersede liability in rare, extreme cases where appropriate. I am thankful our system is humane. I am certain that you are, too.
October 22, 2021 @ 6:29 am
No disrespect: pound sand.
That scumbag should have never seen another free day on this planet. Now you and the do-gooding haters of Ronald Reagan can repay him for his efforts.
Sick fucks.
October 22, 2021 @ 7:27 am
This level of outrage is very unhealthy and sets off many red flags.
October 22, 2021 @ 9:36 am
Kevin, until now, I had not typed Ronald Reagan in any of my 3 or 4 previous posts on this article. On what basis are you concluding that I am a “hater of Ronald Reagan”? I have consistently explained and defended our legal system regarding the severely mentally ill accused of serious crimes. That is all. I also don’t understand how supporting our society’s approach to these individuals makes me a “do-gooder”. You clearly disagree with SCM posting an article about John Hinckley’s music. You also seem to disagree with our society’s allowance for an insanity defense. Both are opinions that you should freely express. But your opinion was obvious after a few posts. Are you going to keep reiterating here it for the rest of your days?
November 10, 2021 @ 12:25 pm
Fuck you.
October 21, 2021 @ 2:01 pm
I bet James T. Hodgkinson would’ve been John Hinckley’s biggest fan today, but good riddance to bad rubbish.
October 21, 2021 @ 2:09 pm
Respectfully replying to you, and pointing you in the direction of John Grisham.
As an insider of America’s legal system, he has a lot to say on this issue of mental pleas, DNA testing, etc.
And no matter what the lawyers did for Hinckley, he is responsible for pulling the trigger, over & over.
Am i compassionate? Of course. Extraordinarily so. Part of the reason probably being because am female.
Seriously consider delving into Grisham’s take on our current legal system.
Think you will find the reading interesting.
Out of respect for everything going on, on Trigger’s site currently, & not wishing to add any more to this thread, will not comment
October 21, 2021 @ 2:35 pm
So based on the view of a lawyer turned novelist, we should revamp our system? Remember, in a rare insanity plea, many things occur. The judge usually must allow the plea. A jury hears evidence from mental health experts presented by both the defense and the prosecution, in 3/4 of cases agreeing with the prosecution’s evidence. In the extremely rare case where the jury agrees with the defense and presents a verdict of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, the defendant is not free of consequences. The judge, based on the evidence and their legal expertise, imposes a sentence that denies the defendant their freedom for a period of time, in Hinckley’s case, 35 years. A judge also has to rule, again based on evidence and their expertise, if the defendant is deserving of some degree of freedom in the future. It is not a joke or bullshit. It is a fair, reasoned and compassionate part of a humane society’s legal system. I applaud that. I have said my piece. I do not want to be pot kettle black with numerous repetitious posts. Good evening.
October 22, 2021 @ 5:45 am
Like I mentioned in my previous comment I love Reagan & I’ve been reading a lot of these comments, & have notice a lot of people say the man you should still be in prison. John Hinkley never did prison time for shooting the President he was put into a mental health hospital & he was pretty much free to come & go as he pleased. Infact he had a girlfriend during that time they left the premises for three whole days & nobody cared & no I’m not making this up this really did happen. I understand why so many of you are mad about this but I for one am glad that this man has found a purpose in life & has overcome his mental health issues that’s what this article is about. If Johnny Cash was alive he probably would go to the man’s house & do a YouTube video with him, & like I said before everybody deserves redemption.
October 22, 2021 @ 6:31 am
Maybe some “rehabilitated” ISIS fighters will release some songs you can pay for next week.
October 22, 2021 @ 6:24 am
Interesting article. Thanks Trig
October 22, 2021 @ 6:53 am
I Thank IF the has done his time it over u dont keep prosecuting him after he did his time its none of r business he as right to be on the hall of fame as anyone else that’s why we have rights I thank there’s enough close minded people in this word now I thank if. U really want to cried bun what uthst time he asome after doing something. Aghast ollive and if lbe saying that’s great and stead of trying to take from him and ever thing hes done and thing he did to make it right the laws of our land then its over he has the same rights as anyone. Else but got doing thanks a lot worst than he did running this country trying take ever thing from all of us I would like tell anyone that’s get out from prison dont let people like dome of this that never had to go prison to pay for what u did them no one should be able to take anything. From u but for real if u want to do something no people there things going pretty closeto tressum ageist our country what the people need to do is get them. Out. Of the way
October 22, 2021 @ 8:00 am
The thing is the people he affected had rights too. Did they get to live out their lives in a normal way, no. People always say these people that were jailed or whatever have rights, should be welcomed back into society with open arms. No cause at the end of the day the people that were affected by those actions the person did will never be totally at peace. I know there are people that were or are in jail or otherwise and shouldn’t be or should have served less time but this isn’t those cases. There is this saying that society is judged by how it’s treats these types of people and I say that’s bull. I say a society is more judged by how it treats the victims of people like this guy. Those victims aren’t just the people they killed or whatever, its those people’s families and friends, for those, this country fails.
October 23, 2021 @ 1:37 pm
I’m actually liking quite a few of his songs. Not too bad really
October 23, 2021 @ 10:57 pm
He can’t sing worth a crap