by Chad Campbell, senior producer
When Bob and I went to Nashville to record a series of interviews, one of the highlights was sitting in Guy Clark’s basement workshop, the room where he makes guitars and writes songs. His health was not great then, but he left the hospital to meet us for the interview, then went back to the hospital after the conversation with Bob. I’m happy to report that Clark’s health has improved greatly since but the person who made that visit possible was Tamara Saviano. She’s been a fan of Clark since she was a teenager and has been working with him in one capacity or another for more than a decade. She’s researching a biography of Guy Clark (which she hopes to finish writing sometime this year) and she produced a new double CD titled This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark. It includes 30 of Clark’s songs performed here by 33 of his friends and admirers and Saviano says there are enough songs and willing artists to record another four or five volumes. This one includes performances by Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Emmylou Harris, John Prine, Steve Earle, Verlon Thompson, Radney Foster, Patty Griffin, Kris Kristofferson and Jerry Jeff Walker to name just a few. Many of the musicians featured on the CD also helped Guy Clark celebrate his 70th birthday in Austin last November with a concert that also served as a CD release party.
Thanks for this story — it was a real gift.
This afternoon I heard your show for the first time. For a day that began as mundane and routine, It will never be forgotten. I listened to your interview with Verlon Thompson, remembering the murder of String Bean Akeman as he sang about this and more. Just when I thought the thrill was ending, I was absolutely blown away with the sounds of John Prine, Emmylou Harris and Vince Gill's renditions of some of the best music ever written by Guy Clark. Thank you for this unforgettable afternoon of memories, laughs and entertainment. Now I am compelled to never miss your program.