In 1992 I drove a 1966 army green Chevorlet pickup. I had saved my money from hauling hay and bought a Jensen radio and tape deck from Sams. I think it was like $149 and it came with two 6X9 speakers. I thought it kicked ass.
I used to drive that truck and tape deck into Waco. I’d drive to south Valley Mills Dr. to this record store called Sound Warehouse. It was right next to the HEB, and I think now it is an Auto Zone. I’d spend hours in there listening to music. They had this one station that was nothing but new music and local artist. I guess what could be called “indie” music. Thats where I spent most of my time. One day I put the headphones on to listen to this record of a band whose album cover just looked like something from the 70s. Some snow, a church, a couch, and a rag tag looking group of guys. I remember looking inside the jacket and seeing a picture of a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz pedal and thinking “cool.” “Hollywood Town Hall” I thought how the title didn’t fit the cover and asked, why? The Jayhawks. The band sounded old. So I listened. That was it. It sounded like what I wanted to hear, and what I wanted to sound like when I played. People always ask about that influential moment, and I never had an answer. I guess have thought on it long enough to come up with an answer, and this would be that moment.
When I hear songs from that record I instantly think about that green truck. Driving down Sunset Rd. to my uncles house, or just driving around the gravel roads. I was 17 and gas was cheap and there was nothing better to do. Fridaya I’d borrow Mom’s Dodge Dynasty , because it had air conditioning, and forcing my friends to listen to this tape. It maybe the only album from high school that i still listen to.
Just a note after watching some YouTube.
