Okay, I’ll admit, this post has nothing to do with Bob Marley directly. It’s basically announcing that I am marrying Ted Barron’s blog, because I can’t imagine anything making me happier today than hearing Tommy McCook doing “(Music is My) Occupation” back to back with Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” I laughed with delight at that, my friends, believe me.
A post like this is like a snapshot of Nashville’s magic, mid-trick. Where we’re making music of all sorts and sending it out into the world, only to have it sent back to us in forms we never imagined.
The late 40s/early 50s in Nashville, like in much of the country, were a bullshit time. But it was also a time when musical exchanges in town happened like this all the time, that musicians of all stripes who were crazy about jazz would defy the law and social convention to hide away in the back of clubs on Jefferson after hours to play together or all search out the newest Bullet release and memorize it.
And I love knowing that some of that energy was strong enough to carry the music clear to Jamaica and back.
I now formally apologize for being one of those folks who rolled her eyes at Kenny Chesney and the Wailers. Little did I know, Kenny! You were just taking the next step in a long dance.
As I’ve said repeatedly, and will say until I’m convinced otherwise, American music at its best can be summed up in those lyrics shared by Johnson and Jackson, “the woman I love took from my best friend/ Some joker got lucky stole her back again.”
Tiny Cat Pants 
Aunt B,
Long time no speak. I’ve been all over the internet, and I had gotten out of the habit of engaging with your lively sense of humor and gosh darn smartness.
So, I see you’ve found Ted Barron’s blog. I’ve known that guy since he was a wee high school lad on the punk rock scene that I, as an elderly gentleman in his early 20s, could only view from the periphery. And, he’s got the best music blog ever!
Oh, yeah, and obviously, I’ve just found Facebook, which also brought me back to Tiny Cat Pants. Didn’t Burning Spear sing “Social networking is the best”?
And don’t you also know my friend nm? Shoot, I’m going to have to revise my belief that all musical roads run through Willie Dixon to instead say that all musical roads run through Willie Dixon and you!
Don’t worry, Aunt B. Your original belief is sound. I met Willie Dixon once. In 1985 or 86, he made an in-store appearance at the record store where I worked.
Yes, but does he know any of the guys in The Band?
Since he influenced them, B’s serious theory and my flip one can both be right!
Steve Pick influenced The Band? Color me impressed.
Pronouns, schmonouns.
Best I’ve got is that I ate at Steak”n’Shake with Amy Helm, Levon’s daughter, and her mates in the band Ollabelle (who I highly recommend, by the way).