The fight over Townes recordings and publishing rights 
Dallas Observer story by Robert Wilonsky local copy

excerpted from:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LoneStarMusic.com's Texas music newsletter
December 2001
Issue 12
Order online or call 1-800-TX-MUSIC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2) Artist Of The Month - Townes Van Zandt

Click here to read our Interview with Townes' son, J.T.:
http://www.lonestarmusic.com/townes.asp local copy

From: will skinner
Guy list -
this press release came to me yesterday. by the song selection, i'm
thinking late 1980's for the recording date. i'll be carrying this at our new Guy Clark site www.guyclark.com and at Guy's upcoming shows.
Onward.........Will

KOCH PROGRESSIVE TO RELEASE LIVE ALBUM WITH STEVE EARLE, TOWNES VAN ZANDT &
GUY CLARK ON OCTOBER 9, 2001

New York, NY... August 17, 2001... KOCH Progressive will release Steve 
Earle, Townes Van Zandt & Guy Clark - Together at the Bluebird Café - 
release on October 9, 2001.

Hear the respect and admiration these craftsmen have for each other. Listen
to "Pancho and Lefty," "Randall Knife" and "Copperhead Road." As Steve
Earle 
put it, "Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and 
I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that."

Scott Kuchler, Director of KOCH Progressive says. "We're excited to have
such an important piece of history on our label and to be able work with
such extraordinary talent."

Three friends, three poets, three masters- laughing, singing and tellin the
stories behind the songs captured forever on this extraordinary album, 
Together at The Bluebird Café. This release is truly one of the Bluebird

Café's most legendary and magical evenings ever.

Also available on the Bluebird Café series are: Michael Johnson, Angela
Kaset, J. Fred Knobloch & Jelly Roll Johnson, Don Schlitz, Bob DiPiero, Don
Henry and Harley Allen.

Track Listing:

1) Baby Took A Limo To Memphis
2) My Old Friend The Blues
3) Katie Belle
4) The Cape
5) Valentine's Day
6) Ain't Leavin Your Love
7) Randall Knife
8) Tom Ames' Prayer
9) A Song For
10) Dublin Blues
11) I Ain't Ever Satisfied
12) Pancho And Lefty
13) Immigrant Eyes
14) Mercenary Song
15) Tecumseh Valley
16) Copperhead Road

   Date: Fri, 18 May 2001 18:59:27 -0500
   From: "Jeanene Van Zandt"  Subject: Townes in the news!

The new Country Music Hall of Fame opened yesterday and there were several pieces about it on the 
news and Townes seemed to be a stand out in each of those pieces on the news. I had gotten it on 
video tape and then I spazed and pushed the wrong button and erased the Townes part. I'll have to 
get copies from the TV Stations. They decided to display the artwork in the composition book I gave 
them and his display looks nice from what I saw on TV. We'll go check it out as soon as the crowds 
thin out. The new building is absolutely beautiful and it's all interactive now.

Oh they just said they are going to run one of the shows again Sunday morning!

Jeanene Van Zandt

http://www.townesvanzandt.com "You got's to have your dynamics!"  TVZ
- 

Date: Wed, 16 May 2001 23:51:00 -0500
   From: "Jeanene Van Zandt"  Subject: Tribute Album :-O!

Dear Townesfolk,

     I just got a phone call from Eric Paul that Willie's
studio in Austin burned to the ground today!
All the recordings for the Townes Tribute album were in there. Don't know any details yet.

   The good news is that they brought the 2 inch master tape here to Nashville last Thursday to 
   be mastered.

Here is the final, and I mean final, play list:
I'll know the order tomorrow.

Marie - Willie Nelson
Highway Kind - Cowboy Junkies
White Freightliner Blues - Billy Joe with Eddy Shaver
Tower Song - Kimmie Rhodes
If I Needed You - Ray Benson
My Proud Mountains - John Townes Van Zandt II
Mr. Mudd & Mr. Gold - Robert Earl Keene
Waitin' 'Round to Die - Pat Hainey
To Live's to Fly - Guy Clark
Nothin' - Lucinda Williams
Two Girls - Steve Earle
Pancho & Lefty - Delbert McClinton
Snake Song - Emmy Lou Harris
Loretta - John Prine
Blue Wind Blew - The Flatlanders


Jeanene Van Zandt

http://www.townesvanzandt.com "You got's to have your dynamics!"  TVZ

In a message dated 3/22/01 9:32:04 AM Central Standard Time,
peter.boesch@bluewin.ch writes:

<< the TVZ tribute album that will be coming out on Pedernales (Willie
>Nelson's label).

Does anybody know who else takes part on this project beside
of Steve and Willie?

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2001 10:05:22 -0600
From: "Jeanene Van Zandt"  Subject: Re: TVZ Tribute

Let's see if I can do this off the top of my head.

Eric Paul says recording is going well and most of it is done. Pretty much
mixing and mastering left to be done.
Willie Nelson - Marie
The Flatlanders - Blue Wind Blew
Billy Joe Shaver - White Freightliner Blues
Steve Earle - Two Girls
Emmylou Harris - Snake Song
Cowboy Junkies - Highway Kind
Nanci Griffith - Tower Song
John Prine - Loretta
Ray Benson - If I Needed You
Lucinda Williams - She was interested in "No Place to Fall" and another I
can't remember right now. I am hoping she would do "You are Not Needed Now.
I'm sure what ever she does will kick ass!

They are still workin' on Lyle and Bob to get them on there!

Well I don't have my list handy so I'm sure I left folks out. There's more.

Well gotta go. JT's bringing his new bride to the Ponderosa for the first
time for Wills birthday this weekend, better get scrubbin'. Crap! The
vaccuum would have to decide to break down NOW!!!


Jeanene Van Zandt

http://www.townesvanzandt.com "You got's to have your dynamics!" TVZ

First, a review on Wrecks Bells' new album, "A Dog's Life", features several 
references to Townes, and the album includes covers of two songs written
by Townes. Also, if you are contemplating buying Townes recent 
album "A far Cry From Dead", you should do so soon, as per this notice
placed recently on the abouttownes mail list:
Try Jeanene's website, http://www.townesvanzandt.com, for
availability (while they last).

Message: 4
   Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 13:29:38 -0500
   From: Bill Lavery 
Subject: A Far Cry From Dead

I just got a notice from the label that A Far Cry From Dead has been
deleted.  Stores that still have it have six months in which to return
them for credit.  

So if you have been on the fence on this one get out and get one while
you still can.

Bill Lavery

Message: 8
   Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 08:29:22 -0000
   From: "Ed Heffelfinger" 
Subject: Jeanene's Interview With NPR

Hey everybody...Last March I co hosted a two hour program on Northern 
California North State Public Radio.  It was called REMEMBERING 
TOWNES VAN ZANDT.  Ever since I started the TVZ video project, A 
local radio producer, Lorraine Dechter, had been trying to get 
together with me and do a radio show about Townes.  Right after I got 
back from Townesfest in Nashville in March, Lorraine and I bumped 
into each other one Saturday night at a friends house.  I asked her 
when she wanted to get together and do the show...she replied, "Let's 
go do it right now!"  She needed a show for the next day...so we 
started at 11 p.m. California time.  We called Jeanene at about 1 am 
her time and set up the interview...did it about 2 am her time!  We 
finished editing the show just as the sun came up.  We spun Townes 
records...a bunch of folks doing Townes tunes...I had a bunch of 
stuff from Townesfest we put in and told Townes stories.  The program 
turned out really good...i'm really proud of it.  And I loved the 
interview with Jeanene.  Anyway...I have a new Yahoo briefcase called 
townesvanzandt2000.  I have Jeanene's interview there.  It's 14 
minutes divided in 5 parts...easier to download.  There is more 
interview...I will change the files every month or so. I will put the 
rest of the interview there next month. I have lots of good TVZ stuff 
to put there for your enjoyment...Enjoy!

See you at Strawberry next week!
Ed Heffelfinger

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/townesvanzandt2000

5/25 Portland OR ~ A Tribute to Townes Van Zandt - A benefit for the
Van Zandt children featuring:
Casey Neill, Andrew Calhoun, The Rackets, Dave Carter & Tracey Grammer,
Jeff Rosenberg, Jackstraw, more.

Laurelthirst, 2958 NE Glisan, Portland OR, 9 pm, 503-232-1504

Casey Neill put this together, and has contacted Jeanene
and received her blessings and considerable support. Casey Neill Trio (often a
duo or Trio+) and Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer are rising stars on the folk scene 
who are Portland based. Jackstraw is a great bluegrass group, and Andrew Calhoun 
is a nationally known, long-time singer songwriter. All have (or are working on) 
TVZ material. Here is the latest linup from Casey:

Hi all! Here's that email Ive been promising regarding te 25th of May tribute to 
Townes Van Zandt at the Laurelthirst. The event is a benefit for Townes & Jeanene's 
kids. Here is a very rough preliminary song list so there is no overlap. Suggestions,
comments, updates on songs & all are encouraged. I don't have Andrew Calhoun's email, 
so please foreward if you know it. Sets may vary in length etc... & we ask that 
everyone be flexible as there are alot of acts etc... OK, songs:
 
Zak Borden - No Lonesome Tune, Brand New Companion, Before I Wake in the Morning
Michael Burley - Tecumseh Valley, Blaze's Blues
Andrew Calhoun- Mr Mud & Mr Gold, Catfish Song
Jeff Rosenberg- Eric Andersen & Townes co-writes
Casey Neill- Lover's Lullaby, Lungs
The Rackets- Snow Don't Fall, Colorado Girl, My Proud Mountains
James Low- Waiting Round to Die
Katya Chorover- No Place to Fall
Jackstraw- White Freightliner 
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer- Snowin on Raton, If I Needed You, 
                                Pancho & Lefty
 

Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 12:45:39 -0600
From: "Jeanene Van Zandt" 
Subject: TVZ Tribute at the Ryman!

Hello Folks!

Well today's the big day!
I had Eric Andersen out for a home cooked meal last night and to do his laundry.
Ahhh, the life of a road-cat. I know what they need. Home cookin' and a good washing
machine.

I head down to the Ryman at 4 today, show starts at 7. It's a sold out event.
I will be kicking the show off saying thanks to the participants
and introducing Townes' "Blazes' Blues" video to be played on a 9x12 foot screen on
stage.
Four months of work to put this show together. It's gonna be great!
Tomorrow, I start my Spring break!
 
Jeanene Van Zandt

http://www.townesvanzandt.com/
"Ya gotsta have your dynamics!" T V Z

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

   Date: Wed, 8 Mar 2000 13:56:23 -0600
   From: "Lynne Harrison" 
Subject: TVZ Tribute/Ryman/Tennessean 3/8/00

http://www.onnashville.com/music/reviews/hotspots.shtml

TODAY'S HOT SPOTS

Selected by  Tom Roland
staff, The Tennessean
published: March 6, 2000


Willie Nelson leads an all-star cast in a salute to the late, great
singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt tonight at the Ryman.

When Townes Van Zandt died on New Year's Day 1997, the world lost a poetic
singer-songwriter with a knack for conveying ordinary people as interesting.
Van Zandt's memory is saluted tonight when Willie Nelson headlines a tribute
at the Ryman Auditorium, 116 Fifth Ave. N., at 7 tonight.

Nelson, an incredible singer-songwriter in his own right, scored one of his
best recordings when he revamped Van Zandt's Pancho and Lefty as a duet with
Merle Haggard in 1983. Just two weeks removed from receiving a Grammy
Lifetime Achievement award, Nelson is a primo headliner but hardly the only
performer of merit in tonight's show.

The rest of the lineup includes sublime songwriter Kris Kristofferson, the
highly respected Billy Joe Shaver, folk legend Eric Andersen, blue-eyed soul
mama Jonell Mosser and former Miles Davis sax player Bill Evans. Receipts
from the Van Zandt tribute are earmarked for the W.O. Smith Nashville
Community School, which provides music lessons for underprivileged youth.
Tickets range from $30-$100. Information: 254-1445.

Hey Townesfolk!

   Just wanted everyone to know that the second single 
"To Live's to Fly" from AFCFD was sent out Friday. Most of 
you know about the shake-up at Arista. Townes is in a kind 
of limbo state with them as far as any action goes. We still 
don't know what's going to happen there and may not know until 
July when the execs contracts run out. In the mean time 
the single had already been pressed, special give away TLTF 
t-shirts were sitting in their boxes already paid for by me, 
so I talked the folks at Arista into letting me send it out on 
my own which mom and I did. We put a nice press package together 
with the single and shirt and flung them out into the world. 

You should have seen the look on the postoffice staffs faces 
when we kept making trips to the car for more bags and boxes 
until we had the whole counter covered with Townes. We would 
appreciate any good vibes you guys can send out, but even more
important it would be great if you would call and suggest to 
your radio station to play the song. Later today I will post 
a list of the radio stations that were serviced so you can see 
if one is in your area. Since there is no action at Arista we 
have to create our own action for Townes. 

Show your support! Call your local radio station!

If everyone would get the telephone # of the station closest to 
you and put it somewhere handy and use it, we together can help 
Townes FLY!!!  I thank each and every one of you that takes the 
time to help out. "To Live's to Fly"!!!

If they don't have the single yet, Keep Calling! 
If you hear them play it, call and praise them for it.
This is what it takes.

Take 5 minutes out of your day and show your support!
Hope everyone has a fantastic day :-)  :-)  :-)   :-)    :-)     :-0
:-)  

Jeanene Van Zandt