If you go
› What: Dale Watson in concert.› When: 8 p.m. today, March 24.› Where: Revelry Room, 41 E. 14th St.› Admission: $20.› Phone: 423-521-2929.› Website: revelryroom.co.
Dale WatsonDale Watson is known as a maverick in the music business – a guy who bucked the Nashville country music scene and made music the way he wanted to make it. While everyone else was writing happy, feel-good songs, Watson was writing about the harsh realities of everyday life, and he was doing so with enough twang to make George Jones proud.
But there was a brief moment early on where he tried it the conventional way, and it turned his stomach.
“I did like a lot of guys did, and I sold out,” he says. “And it was kinda where I realized, ‘This doesn’t feel right.'”
It was early in his career, and he had been in a bad car wreck. A struggling new artist, he had no insurance, of course, so his manager paid his medical bills.
“I’d crushed my hand up real bad, and I felt beholden to him,” Watson says.
“So I went to Nashville and dressed how he wanted me to and did a showcase of songs he wanted me to do, and every second of every minute got to me. It was gut-wrenching, and I figured out I’d be happier driving a truck.”
At this point, Watson grows quiet, remembering the painful memory.
“I’ve never told anyone that story before.”
It’s a memory that helped shape him and his career – deciding on the spot to do things his way or no way. It was a decision made easier because of what didn’t happen after the show, he admits.
“Now, if they’d come back with a half-million dollars and said, ‘Come on, let’s do a record, I probably would have done it, but I don’t think they did.'”
Since that day, Watson has been playing what he now calls Ameripolitan music, a blend of honky-tonk, Western swing, rockabilly and outlaw music, which he’ll showcase tonight, March 24, in a show at Revelry Room. Watson is so passionate about the genre, he champions it at every opportunity and works to promote and support other musicians upholding traditional roots-influenced music.
“We give awards to the old guard, but it’s about recognizing young people also,” he says.
Proponents have created a website, ameripolitan.com, and an awards show held each February in Austin, Texas. Watson says Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash helped him out when he was young and struggling, but he found little other support, so he’s trying to be there for others.
“It means a lot when you get people to support you.”
With his rugged good looks and silver pompadour, Watson has found work as an actor on television, in movies and onstage. It’s a sideline that he both enjoys and finds beneficial to his music career.
“It’s a big part of what I do and want to do,” he says. I’m auditioning for a play in Atlanta. It gets me outside of my comfort zone. It’s another outlet, but I find it gets people asking about the music.”
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
What critics say
› “Graced with a deep, fluid George Jones-ish voice, Watson was mesmerizing, whether making fun of ‘The Voice’s’ faux-country judge on ‘Old Fart (Song for Blake)”’or simmering through a train-chugging original such as ‘My Baby Makes Me Gravy.’” — The Philadelphia Inquirer› “Nothing else is Dale Watson. In he strode in a long black Cash-worthy coat with long leather cuffs and a tux shirt. His white hair was ship’s prow, or perhaps a mighty iceberg. And his Telecaster guitar, festooned with silver coins of every size and denomination, glinted in the footlights. All through, Dale’s banter was loose and wry. His guitar tone was just platonically perfect.” — Music City Roots› “To call Dale Watson’s music country is like calling Ray Charles’ music soul … both have an air of authenticity that transcends genres and demands that they be put into a class of one. Ray Charles is gone, but you can see Dale Watson …” — The Troy Record› “…he proved that he is the real deal, and when it comes to tradition, sometimes you can’t get too much of a good thing.” — Country Standard Time› “This songwriter prides himself on crafting authentic, old-school country music, which he does so quite masterfully. Watson definitely nails the old-school country star persona.” — No Country for New Nashville” He’s spent the past two decades proving there are still powerful tales to be told from the honky-tonk pulpit, and he’s brought that message to the faithful.” — The Nashville Scene