Todd Snider

Any fans? Just dipping into his catalog, and there's some really good stuff. Last year's "Agnostic Hymns and Stoner Fables" is particularly good, a lot of Dylan, a bit of Tom Waits.

It's too soon to tell what's gonna happen to you when you die
It's too soon to tell what we'll ever avenge
They say that living well is the best revenge
I say bullshit, the best revenge is to win
This isn't over, we're going to meet again

That's some good shit.

First became aware of him via "Beer Run." Really good, and funny, live performer (at the Winnipeg Folk Festival a number of years ago) but I don't listen to my live CD as often as I might.

He's one of those performers as well known for his banter as for his songs, right?

is he well known at all? i never hear anybody talk about him ('cept x'gaou) and think it's a damn shame. seen him a couple times but i don't recall banter. haven't heard agnostic hymns but the devil you know and east nashville are terrific. there's a whole lotta Prine in Todd's M.O., too, imo

When I saw him some of his rambling introductions were longer than the songs themselves. He's definitely a banterer.

He has a cult following, especially in Nashville and environs. I like the bantering, or I did the one time I saw him -- he was funny. I only know a few of his albums, and nothing since the one with the George Bush frat brother song on it (which was pretty much the best song anyone wrote about W). Seems like he could use a good compilation, if there isn't one already.

Talking Seattle Grunge Band Blues is one of his novelty tracks, but I love it so much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmxSMIN3-WI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmxSMIN3-WI

I saw him at El Rey in 2011 and enjoyed the show so much that I actually bought the recording off his site. He got the whole crowd singing "Enjoy Yourself" and it somehow wasn't awkward at all. Just 4 minutes of wonderful stoner positivity. He also did a killer version of "Far Away Eyes." And his super long story version of "Don't It Make You Wanna Dance" is cool.

Generally speaking though, I'm more about his live show than his albums, where I really love a couple songs and then find myself bored with everything else. East Nashville Skyline is front to back classic but the other stuff is hit-or-miss. I usually just recommend Near Truths And Hotel Rooms to people.

John Prine meets Mitch Hedberg. What's not to like?

I'm a casual fan, but I keep up as best I can.

Actually, that sounds a little like a Todd Snider lyric.

Totally! That's great.

HI DERE

Don’t now anything about this guy but “The Ballad of the Kingsmen” just appeared in one of my algorithms.

i saw him open for bob dylan in 1992 in jackson mississippi.

I only just learned that he wrote a book some years back:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51mpBpbVp3L._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

After reading Todd Snider's wikipedia page and wondering why there was no mention of "If You Don't Love Me (I'll Kill Myself)," I've begun the difficult process of unmerging him with Pete Droge in my head.

A bit of his origin story preceding the song. Hilarious stuff. ‘The story of the ballad of Devil’s Backbone tavern’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpq_XHOcxKU

https://www.stereogum.com/2328566/todd-snider-injured-in-violent-assault-outside-hotel-cancels-tour/news/

We are heartbroken to announce the cancellation of the High, Lonesome and Then Some 2025 Tour dates. Ahead of Todd Snider’s show in Salt Lake City, Todd sustained severe injuries as the victim of a violent assault outside of his hotel.

Todd will be unable to perform for an undetermined amount of time. We deeply apologize for the cancellation and any inconvenience it causes. We appreciate your understanding as Todd receives needed medical treatment. We hope to have more information on new dates soon.

Aimless Inc.

Yikes that’s awful

Wow. He was supposed to play here last year, then cancelled his tour, or at least many of the dates. He's had so many problems, things like cancelling shows and getting assaulted are not good signs, I hope he's getting the help he needs. This other news story includes some other info that casts the night in a different light:

https://kutv.com/news/local/singersongwriter-todd-snider-arrested-in-utah-accused-of-threatening-hospital-staff

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Singer and songwriter Todd Snider was arrested while visiting Utah for his "High, Lonesome and Then Some 2025 Tour."

He said he was "the victim of a violent assault outside of his hotel."

Snider, 59, was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespass, a class B misdemeanor; threat of violence, a class B misdemeanor; and disorderly conduct, an infraction.

Snider was discharged from Holy Cross Hospital on Sunday, but said he did not believe he should have been discharged.

He started yelling and cursing at the staff, the affidavit states.

A medical professional reportedly told Snider to leave the property "and not return."

Snider left, but soon returned and threatened to kick a staff member's ***, the affidavit states.

Snider was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

Sorry to hear it. The recent Rolling Stone profile wasn't exactly encouraging, even though he was kind of putting the best face on things: https://archive.ph/il47i

The second half of the album finds Snider feeling heavily introspective. He’s working through baggage, assessing broken relationships and confronting the notions of loneliness and desolation head-on.

“It’s all heartache,” Snider says. “I wouldn’t say I’m better, and I don’t think I’m going to get better, but the last decade was hard in my personal life. In the last couple of years, it’s gotten harder, and I felt like the title. I sat out here by myself and had, like, a dark night of the soul.”

Bad news from his family:

Hello friends, family, and members of the Shithouse Choir.

We have some difficult news to share. After Todd returned home to recover last week, he began having trouble breathing and was admitted to the hospital in Hendersonville, TN. We learned from his doctors that he had been quietly suffering from an undiagnosed case of walking pneumonia.

Our beloved brother’s condition has become more complicated, and he's since been transferred for additional treatment. His care team and those closest to him are by his side and doing everything they can.

Right now we’re asking everyone who loves Todd to hold him in your thoughts in whatever way feels right to you. Say a prayer, light a candle, roll one up, send strength, or just keep him close in your heart. You've carried him through so much over the years, and he needs that from all of us now more than ever.

We’ll share more when there is more to tell. Thank you for surrounding him with so much love, support, and compassion.

💜
Todd’s Friends & Family

Ugh. The past month with him has been reminded me too much of Vic Chesnutt.

He’s died: https://www.instagram.com/p/DRFN5XnEXKH/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

RIP to a talented guy.

RIP

I love this song so much

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpoAFA-3fZs

From tipsy mothra in the rolling obituary thread:

R.I.P. Saw him probably 20 years ago, it was a great and entertaining show. His storytelling was as much a draw as his songs.

I saw him around the same time and had a similar experience: stories as much as songs, was barefoot the whole show.

RIP. Fantastic talent.

Very sad news RIP

Christgau reposted this piece from 2012

https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/bn/2012-04.php

Jesus. Rough life.

Aaron Lee Tasjan’s post is pretty wrenching:

https://www.facebook.com/100044254606651/posts/1388286145989859/

Sorry to hear this.

Here’s one I really love:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGerq3mIwAI

From tipsy mothra in the rolling obituary thread:

R.I.P. Saw him probably 20 years ago, it was a great and entertaining show. His storytelling was as much a draw as his songs.

I saw him around the same time and had a similar experience: stories as much as songs, was barefoot the whole show.

Exactly my experience seeing him around 15 years ago. Dude was hilarious - a brilliant storyteller and songwriter and performer.

Very forthcoming the one time I interviewed him, too. Always a wild card ... and the world needs more wild cards.

My favorite:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpq_XHOcxKU

The police video of his arrest at the hospital is pretty heartbreaking. He just keeps asking for help over and over and the officer's just like "Nope, they said you're fine." You can watch it here, not embedding because honestly it's very upsetting.

Hope those cops burn in hell

"ballad of the kingsmen" is one of my favorite ever songs. rip todd

Billy Strings covering "Play A Train Song" on Saturday night (below).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyP6l_bwXGs

Thinking how someone like Springsteen writes about the underclass and outcasts from an empathetic but somewhat cerebral or literary perspective, while Snider and Chesnutt and Fred Eaglesmith inhabit these down-and-outers with such specificity and intensity (and often playfulness at the same time) that you couldn't/can't help but hope they're OK.

man... that footage ......

We've discussed this a bit on here about the Drive-By Truckers, and how few acts there seem to be that sing about class. But I guess they lean more toward Springsteen's studied literary mode and less naked-emotion earnestness.

RIP :( Maybe I will sing "Alright Guy" soon.

Done!