The Story Behind Larry McCray’s HANGMAN – Charlie Walmsley Summer of 2020, yes the lockdown summer.  My carpal tunnel syndrome chose a perfect time to disable me because all my gigs were cancelled anyway.  The medical industry was very slow that summer and my surgery was on hold.  As a member of Andy Baker’s Songsmiths FB Songwriters group, I was required to write a … [Read more...]

The Story Behind Bye Bye Blues  In January 2024, Melinda and I were staying in a cabin on the Suwanee River in Northern Florida.  Larry McCray had informed me that he was gathering songs for a proposed second album for Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records, so I was spinning my brain to come up with some new material while I was also pitching old material to Larry.  I told … [Read more...]

In October 2022, Crazy Chestur spent a few days in Grand Rapids recording our new album 5X5.  Producer Michael 'The Colonel' Crittenden led the guys through five tracks, three originals and two covers.  Aside from recent addition, 'Drink Drank Drunk,' all these songs have become fan favorites at live shows.  We had a little help on backing vocals from Kyle Rasche and The … [Read more...]

As many have developed new habits, good and bad, during the pandemic era, I dove into writing fiction.  Since childhood, I have dreamed of working as a writer, a novelist.  Over the years, I had written several short stories and three-page vignettes, but never anything more than a few thousand words.  Once I began the process of putting together full-length stories, I … [Read more...]

In March 1980, I took a trip to visit friends in Colorado.  Pat Sheeran and Joanie Howland in Cortez, Tom Simpson in Denver, and my long-time musical collaborator Sharon Archambeau (aka Shar, Sher) in Denver.  Shar was booked to open for Asleep at the Wheel in Vail, and she invited me to join her on the trip as well to accompany her on the piano at her show.  My … [Read more...]

Earl Haynes (1929-2011) was a jazz guitarist, an entertaining storyteller, and an all-around good-time chum to everyone he met.  I had the good fortune to become a close friend, and to play in several bands and combos with Earl through his last couple decades.  Earl Haynes enjoyed playing music most of all, but he was also quite fond of drinking Budweiser and swapping … [Read more...]

Late  in 2014, I had a dream that I called my friend Larry McCray on the phone.  Larry answered and told me he was in the middle of a rehearsal.  In my dream, Larry was singing a song..."I was born in Arkansas, feedin' hogs and bailin' straw.."  In my dream, I thought, "Damn, I wish I had written THAT song!"  I woke startled, jumped up and wrote the first draft lyric for … [Read more...]

https://youtu.be/9UH7qlqmmc0 <  <  <   I originally posted this story in spring of 2020.  Since that time, COVID has made a mess of everything, Melinda and I  have not have not returned to the Keys, and The Hurricane Grille has closed it's doors.  >  >  > This past winter my friend Moose Boles (Lou Reed Band, Greg Allman Band) had some NY gigs and … [Read more...]