Hall of Famer Joe Ely (and Friends)

The Texas rocker gets a major tribute and, here, some help from Bruce Springsteen, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, The Flatlanders and (sort of) The Clash.

Greg Mitchell is the author of a dozen books and now writer/director of award-winning films. He was also a longtime editor of the legendary Crawdaddy.

You can catch Joe’s induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame on PBS (or via their app) this week. Great spoken intro by Austin writer and musician Lawrence Wright—we hear again about Joe meeting Townes while hitchhiking—and performances by Rodney Crowell, Marcia Ball and then Joe with the Flatlanders. Fun fact: When Joe was opening for the Clash—he even sang backup on their recording of “Should I Stay or Should I Go”— he brought the boys to Buddy Holly’s grave in Lubbock and they partied there all night. Then my usual cartoon choices, but don’t forget to subscribe if you have not, it’s still free.

Ely Does It

Very Clash-like from his days around them, with “Musta Notta Gotta Lotta.”

Before then Joe was one-third of one of the true cult groups (more a rumor than a band), the Flatlanders. They reformed later for records and tours, such as here, doing Jimmie Dale’s early “Dallas.”

Joe also recorded his own version of “Should I Stay” (and see photos of him with Strummer and the lads).

Here Joe is joined by Springsteen on one of his classics, “All Just to Get to You.”

Joe at Farm-Aid with another fave we’ve seen him do live, “Me and Billy the Kid.”

At the ACL tribute this week the Flatlanders did this tune.

Also on that show the whole gang closed with Woody Guthrie’s “Old Dusty Road,” but earlier he did it with Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt, so here you go.

Cartoons of the Day

Now please subscribe, it’s still free and no need to pledge future pay.