Not well known nationally, despite some of the names mentioned above, I long thought he was deserving of more acclaim than he received.
RIP Joe
Saw him with Lovett, etc. shortly after Lyle performed at W’s inauguration. He let his politics wreck that show by slamming Bush.
Saw Joe more times than I can count in Lubbock 1982-1986 at Fat Dawgs, Coldwater Country, Stubbs BBQ and other long gone venues. A great performer and artist. And a great Texan. RIP.
Sorry to hear this. I was listening to Honky Tonk Masquerade just the other day.
Rest In Peace, Joe Ealy.
Ely was a regular playing at Cold Water in Lubbock (Texas y’all) in the 1970’s.
He was performing at Nick's, a small venue in the Lower Greenville section of Dallas. During the course of the evening I was talking to a photographer, who happened to be the girlfriend of the bass player. I ended up buying a picture from her, of that night, which featured Joe prominently and the Neon "Nick's" sign behind him.
Years later Joe was touring with Lyle Lovett and the late Guy Clark. I took the picture with me. During the course of the evening, I spoke to the roadie who was selling the Joe Ely Tee shirts and CD's. Showed him the picture. He said he would get Joe to sign it. I gave him the picture and my business card.
I left the venue that night w/o the picture.
Fast forward 3-4 months, I get a phone call, it's Joe Ely. "I think I have something that belongs to you." He says.
We then chatted for about twenty minutes, with him asking first about the picture.
I reminded him of that night at Nick's, as it was very memorable. After the show, Carl Perkins (who had opened for the Stones at the Cotton Bowl) and Debert McClinton (who played piano for Carl that night) showed up and a jam session commenced for about a good hour or more.
Joe remembered that night, as he said playing with Carl Perkins was a big deal for him. I still have the picture, now signed and hanging on the wall.
RIP, Joe.