Burl and the Ghost
Burl and the Ghost
The Recollections, Ramblings, and Tall Tales of a Texas Musician
A Texan... is one for whom the past supplies a layer to every present moment. - Jake Silverstein, former editor in chief of Texas Monthly.
Editor’s Note
Texas has a long tradition of legendary yarn spinners and I hope this book introduces Burl as the newest member of that storied club. Burl himself will tell you he is no better than the anonymous gentlemen sitting around his grandfather’s barbershop all those years ago in Menard. Truth be told, he may not be, but I believe that is Burl showing a little false modesty.
I have tried to present Burl honestly, and unvarnished, warts and all. I’ve also tried not to step on him too much. Burl hates it when you step on his lyrics.
Burl lives in Llano and I live in Fort Worth. Burl would speak into a recorder at his home and email the audio to me. I would transcribe and edit. I am relaying Burl pretty much word for word. I cut out some ands and so’s, and justs because of the different rhythm between speech and the written word. Speech has beat words, placeholder words that the listener hardly notices but when transcribed to the page stick out like a sore thumb. I’ve kept edits to a bare, bare minimum. What you are about to read is on the edge of an oral history. It is a slippery slope messing with Burl’s stories and the way he tells them. I would rather keep my hands off too much than change him too much. I have added end notes giving background and additional information on some of the many musicians, politicians, friends, and places Burl has known and visited.
I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work with Burl and to get to know him as a friend. I sincerely hope you enjoy Burl, his ranging cast of characters, and the Texas he knew and loves.
I know I have.
Burl and the Ghost
The Recollections, Ramblings, and Tall Tales of a Texas Musician
A Texan... is one for whom the past supplies a layer to every present moment. - Jake Silverstein, former editor in chief of Texas Monthly.
Editor’s Note
Texas has a long tradition of legendary yarn spinners and I hope this book introduces Burl as the newest member of that storied club. Burl himself will tell you he is no better than the anonymous gentlemen sitting around his grandfather’s barbershop all those years ago in Menard. Truth be told, he may not be, but I believe that is Burl showing a little false modesty.
I have tried to present Burl honestly, and unvarnished, warts and all. I’ve also tried not to step on him too much. Burl hates it when you step on his lyrics.
Burl lives in Llano and I live in Fort Worth. Burl would speak into a recorder at his home and email the audio to me. I would transcribe and edit. I am relaying Burl pretty much word for word. I cut out some ands and so’s, and justs because of the different rhythm between speech and the written word. Speech has beat words, placeholder words that the listener hardly notices but when transcribed to the page stick out like a sore thumb. I’ve kept edits to a bare, bare minimum. What you are about to read is on the edge of an oral history. It is a slippery slope messing with Burl’s stories and the way he tells them. I would rather keep my hands off too much than change him too much. I have added end notes giving background and additional information on some of the many musicians, politicians, friends, and places Burl has known and visited.
I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work with Burl and to get to know him as a friend. I sincerely hope you enjoy Burl, his ranging cast of characters, and the Texas he knew and loves.
I know I have.
Burl and the Ghost
The Recollections, Ramblings, and Tall Tales of a Texas Musician
A Texan... is one for whom the past supplies a layer to every present moment. - Jake Silverstein, former editor in chief of Texas Monthly.
Editor’s Note
Texas has a long tradition of legendary yarn spinners and I hope this book introduces Burl as the newest member of that storied club. Burl himself will tell you he is no better than the anonymous gentlemen sitting around his grandfather’s barbershop all those years ago in Menard. Truth be told, he may not be, but I believe that is Burl showing a little false modesty.
I have tried to present Burl honestly, and unvarnished, warts and all. I’ve also tried not to step on him too much. Burl hates it when you step on his lyrics.
Burl lives in Llano and I live in Fort Worth. Burl would speak into a recorder at his home and email the audio to me. I would transcribe and edit. I am relaying Burl pretty much word for word. I cut out some ands and so’s, and justs because of the different rhythm between speech and the written word. Speech has beat words, placeholder words that the listener hardly notices but when transcribed to the page stick out like a sore thumb. I’ve kept edits to a bare, bare minimum. What you are about to read is on the edge of an oral history. It is a slippery slope messing with Burl’s stories and the way he tells them. I would rather keep my hands off too much than change him too much. I have added end notes giving background and additional information on some of the many musicians, politicians, friends, and places Burl has known and visited.
I’m proud to have had the opportunity to work with Burl and to get to know him as a friend. I sincerely hope you enjoy Burl, his ranging cast of characters, and the Texas he knew and loves.
I know I have.