Please feel free to share this video with any Townes group you might be a part of. I think there are a lot of folks out there who would enjoy this. Here's a playlist of Townes stories in case ya need it. kzfaq.info/sun/PLq77ejXzqZpkGCGHOLttSpTmlC0DZxxvP

My favorite 2 words on KZfaq: “Hey friends…..”

Otis, All your interviews are great. I think this one is the best yet. Thank you.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Otis, this is one of the best yet. Thanks Wrecks. Years ago, I requested this. And you delivered! So awesome!!!!!

I'd be hard-pressed to name a favorite Otis video. At this point there are a lot of really good ones. This one is special. You really sense the love and camaraderie these two men had for each other.

Really special to hear these stories. Townes had a turbulent life but that didnt diminish the pure love that people have for him and his music. Thanks Wrecks , Otis

Incredible. Bless Wrecks Bell.

Probably your best clip yet, and definitely my favorite. I first met Townes in the 1970s, then met Townes's mom and Mickey White in the 1980s when I also saw Rex and Blaze. Like most everyone I am still amazed at how good Townes's songs are. These stories from Rex are wonderful. Thanks for posting the clips you put up.

As someone who suffered from addiction for over 25yrs these stories are painful to hear. If I live until 12/23/23 I'll be clean for 10yrs and I have lived more in the last ten years than I could have ever dreamed. I hate Townes never got to write songs while he was truly happy and content. Thanks Wrecks for the stories and as always thanks Otis for another great interview.

Whoa, you got Wrecks Bell!? What a pull!

Wow! so nice to see Wrecks .We struck up a friendship in the late nineties and he graciously let me play at the old Quarter " where lyrics count" when ever I was in town .I am a Canadian slide guitar singer songwriter and was working in the Gulf of Mexico as a chief cook on a R.O.V. support and saturation diving ship.I loved his cafe . Wrecks also played bass for Lightning Hopkins. God bless both of you!

Man, I didn't want that to end. I hung on every word. One year I'll go to The Old Quarter to celebrate Townes with everyone..

Unbelievably great interview. I miss the 70s in Texas

I already have a beautiful baby girl named Townes.(took many months to convince my wife on that one) Now I'm thinking if we ever have a boy it's gotta be named Wrecks

“ I need to interview you!” Perfect. Great one OG.

This one was amazing, Otis. Can't thank you and Wrecks enough.

Appreciate the honesty & good feeling.

I aint had a beer this year,,but I'll have a shot of Tequila in Memory of All The Memories🎸🍺

There’s nothing like a natural storyteller talking about a best friend’s life and character. It’s the best way to get a sense of the person. From those who knew and loved them. This was terrific.

What an interview. I’m so glad I’m still able to see Wrecks play at the Old Quarter. Brings back positive memories of Townes. Really appreciate this interview.

“there ain’t no dark till something shines”

wrecks seems like a real standup guy, really enjoyed this clip, thanks for this documentation

I was to young to see the man live, but I'm still picking his songs in 2023. I found him one day when I got to looking at one of my colter wall vinyls and saw he wrote Nothin'. Been in love with his music ever since

Thank you for the interview Otis. Wrecks nailed it with the statement about the internet. I was only 4 when Townes died and became a huge fan in 2012, which really changed my outlook on music. When people say that he’s a “cult figure”, there’s a lot of truth to that. To me, Townes is a lot like air fryers and CrossFit, I tell everyone that I know about how great he is.

what a treasure ! priceless !! thank you otis

Best one ever !

Rexs Blues is one of the greatest ever written.

Beautiful, thankyou

Living history. Is their anything more important? I don’t think so. I think about Townes and what he was,he was just passing through and we’re lucky he left so much of himself for us to enjoy.

Babe wake up, new Townes lore just dropped

I could listen to Townes stories all day and all night. He is the American William Blake

First time I've heard about Townes and the gig stories are precious.

Ride the blue wind high and free :D thanks for sharing

Thanks

Ride the blue wind high and free She'll lead you down through misery Leave you low, come time to go Alone and low as low can be

Good stories.

So good to hear this stuff!

What a beautiful video. I could hear these stories 24/7 and not grow tired.

Can always gig the next day for money. Honestly I'd all but kill for that in my life right now. Just be able to earn what's needed! Otis Gibbs u got the best channel on KZfaq..I'll accept being penultimate good ...hee hee...thanks as ever..back to Wrecks brother Otis - Stephen Jules Otis career Rubin

By sheer coincidence i remembered my youtube password today and found this from my old youtube subscriptions and arrived with a gallon of rotgut wine .... thought that was one of those odd coincidences that seem to follow me. repetition and comparison when you least expect it...often enough to where its disturbing. i liked the story and there was a general consensus yes he was pained but yes the good times have often been discounted..... i mean they were just as valid. i really liked this story because he didnt just play your typical places nor sing thin songs there was something to it. If On The Road was musical itd probably be his catalogue.

That was riveting! Thanks!

Great stories once again! From the archives. Thank you Otis,Townes,and Wrecks. Wow!

Jesus, that’s good stuff!

Brilliant timing Otis! Was just wondering when another Townes video may pop up. Gotta say that I’m around a lot of songwriters who have nothing to do with any genre near Townes, yet several of them have come up to me to talk about Townes. Most of us weren’t born until after Townes died, and those of us that were, were way too young to have any idea who he was, yet somehow all of us have such a deep appreciation for his work. These stories really help to almost help fill in the gaps of someone who seems to almost be a mythical being to us, considering how most of his stories have to be taken with a pinch of salt. Nonetheless Otis, thanks again!

17:17 "Run Outta Town in your Home Town" would be a good song title for the song that Townes could have written about that night.

Rex’s Blues is a great song no matter what your name is

Of all the incredible Otis Gibbs interviews/stories this is my favorite. Gawd dang!

How great to hear about Townes being rich and happy.

thanks otis....you got a good groove goin' on.

So this is the mystery interview in Texas. You've done some great interviews but this one is way up there towards the top. I'm one of those people who didn't know much about Townes until I started watching this channel a few years ago. The same is true for several other artists. Thank you Otis!

This is one human being I would love to meet. Thank you for you for the story.

Rake is my favorite

That was awesome thanks Otis!

Does anyone remember when Wrecks had that Easy Rider look? He was a Dennis Hopper knock off. Lol. Very cool dude.

One of the best interview stories regarding Townes. I met Townes a few times, both in NYC and in PA and Texas. Along with Guy and one time with Robert Earl Keene. He was a kid then. Every word Wrecks says is dead on cool stuff and the facts. Love this guy. My roommate hung out with Townes and Guy for a period of time. I believe prior 1979 around Austin or Dallas. Pretty regular. And we all hooked up in PA at a small club around 1997 with Guy shooting pool and we were drinking pretty good. Vodka straight up. Townes actually was staying sober due to not feeling well that day. Robert Earl Keene was driving the car and making sure everyone was safe. RIP T and G....

Absolutely, stumbled across you during covid and have discovered lots of great musicians that'd I'd never would have come across, guy Clark towns and great stories

Best interview so far love love this one thanks otis

If you drink and smoke tons &tons, you lose your ability to taste and often don’t care to eat. Sadly, I’ve witnessed it in two different people who died in their 50s from these combined vices.

History note l. The Old Quarter was in an ancient building at Congress and Austin, downtown Houston. With a long and legendery hustory. Rex abd the late Dale Soffar ran it for years including the taping of Townes' live album. Last I checked the bldg still stands as a law office. Rex retired back in Galveston and opened new Old Quarter. Still running after storms and pandemic JT is John Townes Van Zabdt, his son by his first wife. An excellent musician but too sane to make a career of it

Thank You for bringing me back to life today.

You've got so many killer videos on here, Otis!

Thanks Otis

Excellent Ottis, thank you thank you thank you, what stories✌️❤️

It is a shame I never heard of Townes until I heard Shovels and Rope and then only because they named their dog after him. My loss. He lived a life like Hank Sr. Only Hank died much younger. Had they been able to rein in the excesses we could have enjoyed their talent for decades like Loretta and Johnny.

I appreciate these stories so much.

BURNING MONEY!!!!! Otis, you have the BEST interviews!!! I am reading A Deeper Blue and could not put it down- TVZ is fascinating- especially to an aspiring songwriter

EPIC thanks!!!!!! First heard Townes FOR THE SAKE OF THE SONG on WDET Detroit college radio icon late night show of Liz Copeland Warner and I still have that night show I taped off the radio '97.. I was at art school in Detroit and played it over and over knew I had to hear and try to meet him but found out he passed.. So much I could say and it is truly awesome to hear Rex Bell.. Would be extremely great also to hear from Townesies kids if they are ever up to it..

Man this guy's got to write a book - and they they need to make a movie about it.

Wow !! This is an awesome interview!! I could just sit and listen to this man all day!!! Thank you Otis ✌️😎

fantastic, thanks Otis

I love this. Sang at the old quarter 10 or so years ago. Great venue and Wrecks is a national treasure!

I Love this- Lot's of us wish we could have a performing lounge like " the old quarter" in our towns ! Way cool Otis.

This is so awesome

great stuff- thanks!

Amazing, thank you Otis!

One of my favorite neighbors in Terlingua is Butch Hancock and he plays an annual Townes event. His son Rory is playing and getting his chops down too! Cheers for this real fine piece of work Otis. Viva Terlingua!

Thank you so much, Otis. This is incredible.

Outstanding again fine sir.

I am so glad you are getting these interviews thank you

Thank you Otis ❤️

One of your best videos yet... Love it

Dang Otis That was so good :) thanks

Another day another great one Otis.

Wow. What a great interview. Thank you.

Perfect for a cold snowy afternoon. Thanks

You outdid yourself man this is GOLD

Great piece.

This is a great one

This is gold man!!!

Such a great video! Thanks guys! Townes was one of a kind, and it was so good to hear from another legend who was there for it all!

This was great! Thanks Otis. Wrecks speaks so fondly of his dear friend. Terrific stuff

Pure Legend!! I love Rex's Blues! Great interview. Thanks Otis

That was a special interview for sure Otis. Thanks so much.

Your channel is so great man.

This is incredible. You're a saint, Otis.

I live for the Townes stories on your channel. Makes my day when I see them pop up on my youtube feed!

Such a great video

Love that Wrecks Bell!

Thanks Otis...great one.... Keep the townes stories coming!

Blown away by that one, Otis. Just awesome stuff.