Waylon Jennings scared Karl Blau as a kid.
A local favorite of the Fisherman’s Village Music Festival, Blau’s little-boy brain tied the outlaw country legend’s music to getting pummeled.
“He was the soundtrack of me getting beat up,” Blau said. “The redneck side of my family, they were all wrestling, playing football, shooting their guns, riding horses. Waylon was all around in that scene, popping out of people’s trucks.
“I was more afraid of it.”
But the singer-songwriter from Anacortes grew up and changed his mind. He leaned into country, letting it touch his soul. He now listens to greats Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and, of course, Waylon Jennings.
Blau will perform Jennings’ greatest hits on Nov. 3 at the Marysville Opera House.
Jennings’ music helped bridge the gap between the hippie era of the 1960s and outlaw country, characterized by a blend of rock and folk rhythms, most popular in the 1970s.
Jennings, who died in 2002 at 64, was one of the subgenre’s pioneers. Outlaw country moved away from mainstream country and found its roots in honky-tonk and rockabilly. Jennings’ songs were characterized by introspective lyrics and inspired by folkstories.
“He would choose songs that would blast your soul,” Blau said. “He was creative.”
Blau, 43, plays the guitar, drums, keyboard and saxophone. He’s most known for his indie rock, folk and experimental sound.
He started a Waylon Jennings tribute show, on tour now, a few years ago. With him on tour are The Easy Leaves, a honky-tonk band from Santa Rosa, California, that has shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam and Ricky Skaggs.
Blau said replicating Jennings’ voice and matching his style on the guitar is a challenge. It requires a certain amount of machismo to pull off. While Blau’s voice is tender, Jennings’ was rough and tough.
“It goes against my nature,” Blau said. “But, in that way, it helps me feel like an artist. It’s a study for me in the psychology of man. I want to understand it and, at the same time, represent my view.”
He does have one important thing in common with the outlaw country legend: They’re both baritones.
Honky-tonk duo The Easy Leaves are made up of Kevin Carducci and Sage Fifield. They’ll play originals reminiscent of the “golden era of country music” from the ’60s and ’70s.
“If you’re a two-stepper, you’re going to get some stuff you can really get out on the dance floor with,” said Fifield, who sings and plays bass. “If you like more original stuff, you’re going to get music you haven’t heard before.”
Singer and guitarist Carducci added: “We try to run the gambit of different types of feelings for country dance music.”
Evan Thompson: 425-339-3427, ethompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @ByEvanThompson.
If you go
What: Karl Blau with The Easy Leaves
Where: Marysville Opera House, 1225 Third St., Marysville
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3
Tickets: $18
More: 360-363-8400 or www.marysvillewa.gov
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
Gallery
