The writer of such influential songs as ��ancho and Lefty,����o Live�� to Fly,����f I Needed You,��and ��or the Sake of the Song,��Townes Van Zandt exerted an influence on at least two
generations of Texas musicians that belies his relatively brief, deeply troubled life. Indeed, Van Zandt has influenced millions worldwide in the years since his death, and his impact is
growing rapidly. Respected singer/songwriter John Gorka speaks for many when he says, ����ancho and Lefty��changed��t unchained��y idea of what a song could be.��/div>
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In this tightly woven, intelligently written book, Brian T. Atkinson interviews both well-known musicians and up-and-coming artists to reveal, in the performers��own words, how their
creative careers have been shaped by the life and work of Townes Van Zandt. Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, Billy Joe Shaver, Rodney Crowell, Lucinda Williams, and Lyle Lovett are just a few
of the established musicians who share their impressions of the breathtakingly beautiful tunes and lyrics he created, along with their humorous, poignant, painful, and indelible memories of
witnessing Van Zandt�� rise and fall.
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Atkinson balances the reminiscences of seasoned veterans with the observations of relative newcomers to the international music scene, such as Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Josh Ritter,
and Scott Avett (the Avett Brothers), presenting a nuanced view of Van Zandt�� singular body of work, his reckless lifestyle, and his long-lasting influence. Forewords by ��owboy��Jack
Clement and longtime Van Zandt manager and friend Harold F. Eggers Jr. open the book, and each chapter begins with an introduction in which Atkinson provides context and background, linking
each interviewee to Van Zandt�� legacy.
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Historians, students, and fans of all music from country and folk to rock and grunge will find new insights and recall familiar pleasures as they read I��l Be Here in the Morning: The
Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt.
