Join Smilin’ Jay McDowell, guitar-player-turned-upright bassist from the small town of West Lafayette, Indiana, as he takes you on his journey from watching and playing in bands in the back room at Lucy’s to traveling the world with BR5-49.
If you lived in Nashville in the 90s and loved live music you may have known about the punk scene at Lucy’s, but you definitely knew about the resurgence of hillbilly and western swing played in the seedy honky tonks on Lower Broad. Jay felt equally at home in both places. Some nights he’d hang out and watch bands at Lucy’s or play a gig there with the band Hellbilly. Other nights he’d go downtown to drink cheap beer and watch Greg Garing, Paul Burch, Tim Carroll, or BR5-49 play at Tootsie’s or Robert's Western Wear. When he was asked to join BR5-49 he jumped at the chance (it may have been the liquor talking), switching his primary instrument from guitar to stand-up bass and adding some additional style and substance to a band already bursting with it.
Jay’s tales include his favorite shows at Lucy’s, what the scene was like on Lower Broad both pre- and post-BR5-49, chatting with Keith Richards and John Fogerty, touring with Bob Dylan, and what it was like when ALL the record companies came a-callin’.
Smilin’ Jay McDowell heads the video department at The Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN, which opened to bring attention to studio and road musicians who play a vital role in the creation of music but rarely get the attention they deserve. He even has his own well-deserved exhibit in the museum celebrating his work as a session bass player with artists such as Marty Stuart, Dierks Bentley, The Black Crowes, Alan Jackson, Levon Helm, The Crickets and BR5-49. Go see it.
This episode is dedicated to John Van Etten (1966-1995), Timothy White (1952-2002), and Jim Bessman (1952-2021).
Episode Music
Hellbilly - Make a Mess
Los Straitjackets - Fury
Lambchop - Cowboy on the Moon
BR5-49 - Little Ramona (Gone Hillbilly Nuts)
BR5-49 - Ole Slewfoot (Live from Robert’s)
Additional Mentions/Links: John Van Etten, The Shindigs, John Delworth, Laura Matter (The genius behind kickball), Hellbilly, The ‘Boro, Fun Girls From Mt. Pilot, Deanna Varagona, Los Straitjackets, Danny Amis, Eddie Angel, Scott Esbeck, Jimmy Lester, Lambchop, BR5-49, Chuck Mead, Gary Bennett, Shaw Wilson, Don Herron, Tootsie’s, Robert's Western Wear, Zach Taylor, Garry Tallent , Timothy White (Billboard), Jim Bessman (Billboard), Greg Garing , Paul Burch, Tim Carroll, Keith Richards, John Fogarty, Bob Dylan
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This show is part of We Own This Town, a podcast network of original entertainment and documentary content. You can find more info at the official site at WeOwnThisTown.Net and on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter.
