← Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Takin' A Walk - Music History with Buzz Knight
Classic Replay with singer-songwriter Todd Snider
00:36:51
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- [00:00]
Todd Snyder
This is an iHeart podcast.
- [00:05]
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- [00:35]
Buzz Knight
Of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. When I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, I get eight times points on all the purchases I make through Chase Travel and even access to one of a kind experiences like music festivals and sports events. And that's not even mentioning how the card gets me into the Sapphire Lounge by the club at select airports nationwide. No matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more@chase.com Sapphire Reserve cards issued by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [01:30]
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- [02:59]
Ryan Seacrest
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- [03:29]
Todd Snyder
Taking a Walk Music is like a magic thing. I think you can do that. It might, I may be talking about, you know, how some people like will just take a drug over and over because they're certain at any day now it's to. They're going to not need it anymore because it's, they saw it, you know. I guess I keep hoping to, to, to get it, whatever it is, whatever it is, to get with it. I want to get with it.
- [03:54]
Buzz Knight
I'm Buzz Knight, your host for the Taking a Walk podcast. The podcast where I talk to musicians about the inside stories of their creative process, their latest projects and stories of the road.
- [04:06]
Interviewer
Today.
- [04:06]
Buzz Knight
My guest is a true artist and a troubadour at heart. I Todd Snyder. Todd has an amazing career as a singer songwriter whose music spans folk, rock, blues, also with a little bit of alt country and funk. He's currently going on a retrospective journey spanning three decades, unveiling his complete discography included with new recollections, all for free for his fans. Talking to Todd Snyder right now on Taking a Walk.
- [04:38]
Interviewer
Todd Snyder, thanks for being on Taking a Walk. It's an honor to be with you.
- [04:43]
Todd Snyder
Yeah, thank you for having me.
- [04:45]
Interviewer
So you're unveiling your complete discography in its acoustic glory, recorded at the Purple Building and each release features these re recorded versions and personal reflections. And it's Fr? E Bri, tell me what motivated you to do this for your loyal die hard fans.
- [05:09]
Todd Snyder
Mostly I think that I wanted like, I guess legacy, is that the word? Like when I'm gone I wanted to make sure that those were someplace people could hear them. They're like to me, they're my, they're my favorite versions of the songs. Even though it's like because I can do what I do on these records, I got to learn music, play around with different kinds of music, go through fads. Mostly because I could stand up by myself and tell people how come I made up a song and then play it. And then record companies be like if you want to learn a drummer, you can. I didn't have to. I just wanted to. I wanted to learn music. But like I said, just naturally. I feel like I came out of my mom doing that thing where I like the piece where I'm by myself and I make up a song and I explain it and then I play it. I can get fed that way.
- [06:04]
Interviewer
And really it's been enjoyment first. That has been your motivation. And then everything else coming second.
- [06:12]
Todd Snyder
Yeah, I mostly wanted to drop out of. When I was young. My plan was to be at like one of the dead hidden. Like there's a group of kids at that time that were just dropping out and being bums. And then I found guitar and busking and then that turned into a way of life. I found rambling Jack Elliott. It feels like if you're honest, if you make up honest songs, you can pretty much bullshit the rest of the time.
- [06:39]
Interviewer
Tell me what inspired you first to make music and when that was, you said literally out of the womb, you.
- [06:44]
Todd Snyder
Said, yeah, I think. But really my. I left home when I was 15 and became my friend. Said I was a gypsy. And then I saw Jerry Jeff Walker playing and I felt like I was his son. I felt like I was living what he was singing about. He was playing by himself and singing linear songs. And I just thought that's what I'm supposed to do. I felt like the way I was living my life at that time, if I had a guitar where I could make up songs about whoever was giving me a ride or letting me stay or whatever. I just thought I would be a way better traveler or whatever, you know. Then I got bit by the notion of wanting to make an album by this guy Keith Sykes, who told me. He said I was good. He is really good friends with John. He writes with John and Guy. My dad found his address at a bar. Someone at the bar had his address. He helped me and got me a record deal and showed me that if I got a record deal, I could go around the world.
- [07:48]
Interviewer
Do you remember the first song you wrote and what it was about?
- [07:51]
Todd Snyder
I do. It was called Bus Tub Stew. And I was a busboy because again, I had just seen this Jerry Jaff. I was like, this guy just sings about his life. And so I made up a song. I was a busboy at this place called Peppers at the Halls. And I made up a song about how if people didn't finish their meal, I would eat it, you know, And. And I got up on stage and played it and everyone loved it. Like, I think I'm supposed to be doing this.
- [08:20]
Interviewer
That Cemented it.
- [08:21]
Todd Snyder
Yeah. Then I made up a couple more, went to open mic, and I made up. And then I just made up like 14 total and started playing right away. I started playing 19 when I. I only had one job before was a busboy.
- [08:37]
Interviewer
Was that your plan B being a busboy?
- [08:40]
Todd Snyder
Huh? It was. That's part of why I felt like it was okay. I didn't have anything to fall back on or. Or anything to blow or my parents weren't going to be ashamed or anything else. Just. It was. It was going to be a bus boy, so why not pour your heart out for a living? It's kind of a neat. It's an easy grift. Just you say how you feel, don't about it, and sing, play some chords and you get a ride anyway, or, you know, you end up in the bus.
- [09:12]
Interviewer
Tell me about. I mean, we could do just a whole podcast just on the impact of Jerry Jeff on you and John Prine on you. But tell me how special they were to know them.
- [09:26]
Todd Snyder
They were close friends. And when I saw Jerry Jeff, I went to the record store in San Marcos and started getting all the records. And the guy there said, you have to try John prime, too. And I went and got all his things obsessed on him. Saw him in Austin, and then he was friends with Keith Sykes. And so I went down there and I was studying under Keith. He had just taken me in. I found out later that this is what we do. Some troubadour knocks on my door. I have to let him. So when John made the missing ears, I was getting cigarettes and everything for everybody, and I knew all his songs. I could beat him in the trivia contest about himself.
- [10:11]
Interviewer
He must have loved that.
- [10:13]
Todd Snyder
Hey, we were close, although it was more father son. I never got jocular with him. I was always really respectful, like we weren't punching the shoulder buddies. He would be hard on me sometimes, but he would also tell me that he loved me.
- [10:28]
Interviewer
Who was harder on you, Jerry Jeff or John?
- [10:31]
Todd Snyder
Jerry Jeff. I had one time. I gave, I think, 13 songs that I'd just written to John, and he said, man, you got a great. That's a great song you got in there. And that was. That was kind of the horror. But once he said that, that opened the door for him to show me what he meant by that. And I got to study songs under him. He got to. But Jerry Jeff and I bonded on music and osco rapscaliation or after the show type. And so sometimes we'd get into argument if we couldn't find someone else to argue with. We'd argue with each other. I stole his car. I mean, we had some shit one time, me and him were arguing. He drove right past his gig, and we ended up in a different town. He's the freest person I know. Or he was. You know, we liked each other because we didn't have. Neither of us were watch.
- [11:28]
Interviewer
Neither of you what?
- [11:29]
Todd Snyder
I'm sorry, like, wore a watch or care about being someplace.
- [11:39]
Interviewer
How many fistfights did you get into with Jerry Jeff?
- [11:42]
Todd Snyder
None. None. Just yelling a few times. I like Blue. One of my own shows. He really. Shaver hit me. Shaver hit me. And, yeah, he had stacked all these bills on the kitchen table and me. We didn't know we'd messed them up, but he walked in and just pop right with his balled up fist, right in my mouth. Then he hit Eb too.
- [12:07]
Interviewer
You can't make this up, huh?
- [12:11]
Todd Snyder
I miss him. He was also a. A wild person.
- [12:16]
Interviewer
Billy Joe Shaver.
- [12:17]
Todd Snyder
Yeah. Adventurous person. Shot, though. That's tough.
- [12:23]
Interviewer
Loss is such a terrible part of life. And obviously with John's loss and Jerry Jeff's loss, and then most recently, the loss of another friend who I know you spoke with all the time, Richard Lewis. Tell me what Richard meant to you.
- [12:38]
Todd Snyder
I was closer to Richard, really, than any of them because he. We don't. He and I mostly stay to ourselves and we get on and off the phone multiple times. We talked a lot every day. And then I knew he was getting. I mean, he didn't die of what he was saying. He just had a heart attack. But he was tired from fighting. He'd had a really bad couple of years with his health. Like, I called him about everything. And that's kind of the last guy, you know, the last mentor. I think I'm 57, so it's my turn to ask. There's this kid named Josh Morningstar who's really good, that just was. Wrote me this morning, you know, some. He's going through some. Some issues and stuff. And he called me and I'm like, I guess it's my turn to. To listen.
- [13:26]
Interviewer
And how did you first meet Richard?
- [13:28]
Todd Snyder
He wrote me a letter on the computer, just out of the blue. It was. Oh, I know what it was, too. He had a group of this adorable. And this is him, too, his wife, Joyce. And him. Well, she still means a lot to me. But he had a group of about four guys he talked to every day, all the time, and, like, two of them died. And he's really Neurotic. He couldn't deal with that. He had his four people, and his wife said, you gotta. You have to replace them. And he sat around thinking about. And he wrote me a letter. I was like, I literally, like, kind of looking for someone to talk to every day. I had this little group. My wife says I should replace the guys that were in it. He knew all my albums and stuff, and I knew everything about him. And I have this story I tell, called about taking mushrooms. And I got home from tour, and he had left it on my machine. Like, he told it on my machine. And that was the biggest compliment. But he. He'd like who I'd talk to about girls and stuff. Anything. Anything. Yeah. Yeah. Like, I had this. I had a lady break into my house. And, like, he's. He has that kind of stuff all the time.
- [14:42]
Interviewer
Just the oddities of life, right?
- [14:44]
Todd Snyder
Yeah. Yeah.
- [14:45]
Interviewer
Tell me about your songwriting process, how it works. How do you turn an idea into a finished song?
- [14:54]
Todd Snyder
Oh, okay. I'm enjoying this. Thank you.
- [14:57]
Interviewer
Me, too.
- [14:59]
Todd Snyder
When I started, it was like this healing thing. Like, I was. I think it was angry at. Like, my parents had gone through a divorce, and I sang about it. And it's like mantra almost. Of course, usually you're repeating something. It's like, good. So I learned to use it as a tool like that, to get moved past things. And then. So if it felt like it helped, I thought it was done. And then it became this thing I could use at work. Then there's another thing. Like, which ones go to work? Which ones show up for work? And those are, like, harder. Like, to know if a song is going to move other people. That's hard. I try not to play songs that I don't think other people relate to because I make up some that I know are too singular or whatever. Well, let's see. There's some that I just. It takes a long time, and then one day it's. That's a. That's a good question. It takes a while, and then it feels like at some point, I know that it's done. I wonder how other people do. There's this guy named Kent Finley who showed me how to do it. Like, meter and everything, trying to say exactly what you're trying to say and be concise about it. And trim as Loretta used to. Take the poetry out and ask yourself why you're really saying this. And, you know, make. And make sure there's a. It has either a rock, that there's something in it that, for me, it's like, even D.B. cooper. It's just a story about the guy that jumped out of a plane that I don't know. But there's a part in there where I talk about how my dad and I disagree on what we hope happens to him. And for me, that's the rock I put my foot on when I sing that song. And if I don't have something like that in there, why am I telling people about DB Cooper? It doesn't move me until I get to the part where I realize me and my father starting to see things differently. And that's what DB Cooper is. So I always want there to be something like that in there somewhere. Or if there's nothing. It feels like a year after I start playing it, it feels heavy. Feels like it goes on a very long time. I've got songs that are about girls. I don't really know that. Like, on my first or second record, I got a couple rep songs. There's a song called Turn It Up. Just made it up out of Thin Air. I don't know who those people are or what they're talking about. Just some words I said because I had a riff in that song. Feels like it goes on for hours on my play.
- [17:40]
Interviewer
But you eventually tire of some of your songs, don't you?
- [17:44]
Todd Snyder
Huh? Most. I. Yeah, some of them, yeah.
- [17:48]
Interviewer
And why are you so tough on yourself in that regard that you tire of them and kind of just aggravated at them?
- [17:56]
Todd Snyder
Yeah, I. I don't. I think that might just be. Yeah. I don't know. I wish I could stop there, because some people are like, these are my kids. Some of them really bug. In fact, this thing that's coming out, that's out, I think four of them. There's songs where I'll play and I'll talk about why I don't like it, and then I'll play. Which I was glad to get the chance to go on record like that.
- [18:21]
Interviewer
It gets it off your chest, right?
- [18:22]
Todd Snyder
Yeah. There's something called positively negative. That's just this thing I felt for about 10 minutes, just long enough to get the song, you know? And then by the time the song came out, I wasn't mad about that.
- [18:36]
Interviewer
But you blend so brilliantly. Social commentary and humor. How do you sort of balance that? Or do you.
- [18:46]
Todd Snyder
Thank you. I think I try to. Like, I don't feel like anyone knows, like, when it comes to politics, the reason why we argue about these things because we don't know for sure what to do. There's, like, two really basic people like, it's science. There's like, a certain person who's sort of moving forward or thinks tomorrow is going to be great. There's another type of person that thinks yesterday was great. And we get separated on that, like. And so for Democrats, they market we are the people, what they call bourgeois or whatever. And then there's people that think, yes, it was so great in general. And they get. I think it's like you. I don't even know if it's your choice which of those sides you lean on or whatever. So, like politics, I don't take that seriously. It's like a form of entertainment or a racket. Like, it's a lowbrow form of entertainment and it doesn't pay as much as it should for as much as their lives as they have to give to this act or whatever. I feel sad for them because they're a punching bag. The politician is like anyone. We can all say politicians are bullshit, lying pieces of shit. That's the way to stop an argument. They're all pieces of shit, and it's just a racket. And so I don't take it seriously. I look at them all like they're wrestlers, and I hope their kids get that they're pro wrestlers. Sometimes they fix potholes every once in a while, or sometimes they talk things up but don't really do a ton up there, say, in Washington. And so when I sing about it, I don't feel like I don't get angry about it. Like, Trump doesn't make me angry. He's amusing. I am Democrat, so I don't want him to be the president. I didn't like it when he was before, but just because. Because I think tomorrow is going to be terrific. And they got me. I love Bob Dylan, Hippie Woods. It smells like hippie. I'm just that. And I can admit it. I don't even care, you know. You know, like half the time if it's a protest and there's a good band, you don't got to tell me. I'm coming. The tip, shit.
- [21:06]
Interviewer
But you are the unofficial mayor of East Nashville. So if you were handed the keys to making decisions as a political leader, what would your motto be?
- [21:18]
Todd Snyder
Oh, that's the whole time for our side. I love what's happened on the east side of town. Feel like. Because that's like Billy String, Sierra Farrell. I think Jelly Roll even look over on our side of town now. Hmm, let's see. Because it feels like those cats on the mainstream, people, they're. They don't know. I mean, I'm just watching. As a fan, I'm not part of it. I think maybe I'll get a song cut sometimes, but feels like that's the thing on 16th Avenue where they have this system that's worked for over forever and ever and ever. It got rattled by a few guys that didn't go through it, I think, and then they're huge. This is, like, broad. I don't know. I think some of the big stars don't have any friends on 16th Avenue, so I think they're kind of calling time out and trying to. I think they're, like, studying Jason Isabel for a minute. And I'm not sure where country music's gonna go, but right now it seems like that cat, Jason Aldean, who said something racist, I guess, or something that offended hippies, and then so did this other kid. There's another kid who offended hippies. And they're the. They're the only people making it happen right now in that I think 16th Avenue has got itself caught up in whatever's going on in America, you know what I mean? They're gonna have to get themselves out of politics, I think, because I don't think they meant to get there, you know?
- [22:52]
Interviewer
Yeah, Morgan. Morgan Wallen, maybe you were talking about.
- [22:55]
Todd Snyder
Yeah, yeah, that kid. That kid, he up, I think, threw something at somebody or. Or. But I know he said did something racist. I don't know what. What it was or if he. I mean, but like, they're rallying around that kid like that as if they're rallying around those cats as if they shot a protester. Like they're standing up for them. You know what I mean? It's like, you know, redneck people who don't like people that don't look like themselves. And to the point that they're angry about it. They wanted the fan. They're like, they're coming to the rescue of these two guys. And the rest of the town's getting kind of artsy.
- [23:39]
Buzz Knight
We'll be right back with the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [23:43]
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- [24:09]
Buzz Knight
Bring the Boom XBoom this episode of Taking a Walk is brought to you by Chase Sapphire Reserve. Whether I'm booking my next vacation or going to a concert, Chase Sapphire Reserve is my gateway to the world's most captivating destinations. Travel is one of the most precious things in my life and the memories of each of the experiences live on forever. Chase Sapphire Reserve allows me to travel with ease with a $300 travel credit and access to a curated collection of of hotels through the edit. So no matter where I'm walking, travel is more rewarding with Chase Sapphire Reserve. Discover more with Chase Sapphire Reserve@chase.com SapphireReserve cards issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank NA member FDIC subject to credit approval terms apply.
- [25:06]
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- [26:07]
Interviewer
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- [26:36]
Ryan Seacrest
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- [27:06]
Buzz Knight
Welcome back to the Taking a Walk podcast.
- [27:09]
Interviewer
What do you think Jerry Jeff would have thought about what's going on these days?
- [27:14]
Todd Snyder
Oh, God. I think he would like what was going on with music, but I don't know. Well, would really depend on if he was drinking or not. Because if he was drinking, whatever is causing chaos, it doesn't matter if it's positive or negative. Negative. It's hard to understand. Let's head for. So he'd like all the chaos, even though some of it has been. Of course, a lot of it's been violent. But, man, he had a way of letting go of everything in a way that didn't make you think that he was ignoring people's troubles. You know, sometimes it's the let go of your own for a second. He was a gifted at free in his mind. Yeah.
- [28:01]
Interviewer
Yeah. Did your father impact your storytelling? Unbelievable abilities. Was he one of the greatest influences in that regard?
- [28:09]
Todd Snyder
I think so. The first time I saw Jerry Jeff, I thought, that's my dad. Except my dad was a grifter for real. So I remember saying, he's not hurting anymore, you know, And I remember thinking, yeah, my dad would have been a good troubadour. He was a criminal, but, like, a very successful one. He died when he was only 54. He was part of this guy named George Deborah, say, in Oregon. He brought heroin to the great Northwest in, like, the early 60s and set up his team in Beaverton, Oregon. And that's what my dad was. My dad worked for him. And it was weird way. It was a little soprano, like, without that, the way of sounding. It didn't sound like that, but there was always a couple of guys standing around. People don't believe me, but so they asked my. It's true.
- [29:03]
Interviewer
Oh, I believe you.
- [29:04]
Todd Snyder
Yeah.
- [29:05]
Interviewer
What do you think is the most significant milestone to date in your career?
- [29:10]
Todd Snyder
Right off the bat when you said that? I thought I went on the tour right before or after. I think it was right before the pandemic with rambling Jack Elliot and spent like two weeks on the bus with him. And I felt like that confirmed a lot. I mean, I felt like I learned a lot. I felt like I confirmed a lot about what we're doing. And he was always, like. Would always put me to bed. He was always ready to get off the bus and go do something. He's 92, and he was really into traveling. And so we would go find cars and buses and boats and things to look at during the day it's just really active and just seeing somebody who jumped in head first to this lifestyle being so. Still so glad that he did, still so free, still so amused and interested and that it made me think that like there's a sports portal, there's a little bit left, you know.
- [30:09]
Interviewer
Tell me what Townes Van Zant has meant to you.
- [30:14]
Todd Snyder
When I met, the first time I saw him was Keith Sykes took me to a Christmas party at a bar. He chose to hold them family and I didn't know what that meant. And when we went into the back to. We went in the kitchen and when we walk in the back kitchen of this bar, it's Guy Clark and Town Van Zant, John Prine and Nancy Griffith. And they're playing the game where you throw dice on the wall and they have money in their hands and they're shouting, you know. And I'd never met, I only knew John. And then at a certain point, guys, I mean Towns came and sat down next to me and grabbed my arm and I could tell he was starting to cry. And he said, I said, what's the matter? And he said, this is all fucked up. And I said, what's all fucked up? And then they all roared in laughter and he was like, this is all fucked up. I never knew what he meant, you know that. But it hurt me for him. And then after they all went to John's and traded songs, I was the only other person there. I just got a record thing, but I didn't play any songs. And then after that, guy in Towns were really nice to me. They called me Keith or Sykes as a kid and you know, they take you in now. I get it, you know, you have to. I was the first person to tell me that like the people that came after me were going to make me jealous and if only for being younger and that you just can't, you can't be that. You can't do that. You have to go the other way. You have to give everything you have to everybody that's doing this. And it works. It really is a. It's a not a lot of people that just want to be a troubadour. Not very many at all. And those guys really looked up that were just good to each other. They weren't rivals.
- [32:03]
Interviewer
Don't you think there's people who pose as troubadours and then there's people who really are troubadours.
- [32:10]
Todd Snyder
I think so. Probably so you could sniff them.
- [32:14]
Interviewer
I bet you could sniff them a.
- [32:15]
Todd Snyder
Mile Away, though usually I. Sometimes I feel like I can. First time I met Isabel and the first time I saw Sierra Farrell, I knew. And like, yeah, there is a. It's a calling or something. It definitely doesn't feel like a thing that you can plan. I didn't. I didn't have a goal, you know, and then I was living like this first, and then it was like, look at these guys. They live the same way, but they have a guitar. Seems like they get an extra. Extra scoop of everything.
- [32:52]
Interviewer
You know, what's the biggest challenge in your career that you faced or that.
- [32:58]
Todd Snyder
You face to this day right now, I feel like in the last couple of years, I haven't. I'm played because of my spin. What they call, like a. It sounds darker than this, but they call it a dark matter of the soul where you. Where. I'm like, not sure how much I'm going to be able to play again. Haven't played in a couple of. Almost a couple of years. And I'm trying to get healthy, you know, not. Not off drugs. I'm not on drugs. If I. If I was on drugs, I could go play, but I can't live like that. And it's gotten. I'm in a lot of pain all the time. Not today, though. And I. And I'm going to the chiropractor after this. And there's this guy that is. I think it's starting to help me. I want to play game. But that. So that part of it, like, trying to figure out who I'd be if I wasn't that I'm not so far, come up with nothing. And then I think meeting heroes, and not because of. Not because. All because they turn out to be jerks. Just. It's intimidating. It's like being around. Like, it was intimidating to be around John, Jimmy Buffett, those people, like, Buffett in particular was somebody like. I really wanted to be a friend to him, but. And he needed friends. But they. You'd have to be a genius. You were gonna have to be one of those guys. Steve Jobs. And those were his friends. People that were running on. I mean, I've been around that. I mean, now I'm battling about him, but that guy knew a lot of languages. For starters, he was a master surfer, master fisherman, master golfer, pilot. Not like the rest. Wasn't like people that was. He was hard. Like, not hard to be around, but you felt like, you know, I wasn't slapping him on the back or telling them jokes. I was just like, damn, you want to Fly now. Okay.
- [34:59]
Interviewer
And he kept, you know, having this zest for his performance and connecting with his fans and, you know, kind of keeping that fire always burning.
- [35:09]
Todd Snyder
Right. I think of him as the best troubadour that ever lived he had. And he learned it from Jerry Jeff, who learned it from Ramon Jack. And Jerry Jeff took him to Key west even, and he was a sailor. He could parallel park a pirate ship. And I'm not kidding, he can cat sail. So he went down there and found more than music. Yeah. He found a way of rocking people. He created Jimmy Buffett out of nothing, out of thin air, and then got to be him the whole time.
- [35:40]
Interviewer
Miss him dearly, I'm sure, Like crazy.
- [35:42]
Todd Snyder
I'm still really close to his niece, and that has been a really hard one because he's like. There was like, for me particular, like, he just said, you can be a singer now with me. I'm talking to you. Because he decided one day to let me. And he's doing that 20 times a year, ever since the song came out, just like, you can have this, you can have that always.
- [36:08]
Interviewer
Are you happy how you have evolved as a musician and a troubadour?
- [36:13]
Todd Snyder
Thank you for asking me that. I am really happy with the guitar playing and the harmonic playing. That makes me. I feel like I've really come a long way on those things. And then Troubadour, I feel like I threw a no hitter. And then I've been like, I took my first. Like, this is the first break I've ever taken. I ran away at 15, went on the road at about 27 and never stopped. And I feel. I know that Ramblin Jack is proud of that lifestyle. There's a camp where I'm supposed. I'm teach. Like, I teach it, which is a grift in itself. But there's a camp in Woodstock where last year I did it. It was supposed to be a songwriting camp. And this year it's a freewheeling troubadour camp. So I'm like, there's way more to it than just making up songs. You got to learn to sleep anywhere or you've got to learn how to jump in the car just because the door's open, all that. I love that.
- [37:18]
Interviewer
I want to ask you about some of your favorite venues and then some of your least favorite venues. Right?
- [37:26]
Todd Snyder
That is fun. Let's see. I. I can do that. Let's see. Green Hall. Because I saw Jerry Jeff there and I was like, this is what I am. And then there's a Place called Alice's Champagne palace in Homer, Alaska, that it's like that town, if somebody was looking for a travel tip, that's the kind of town you can go and meet everyone there and become, you know, everyone there come back, sound like that community. And I feel like I'm part of it. And then Santa Cruz, they used to have these fat fries outside. And that town, too, the radio station in that town, there's a community around that that's fun to go fall into. Just see what they're doing tonight, you know? And then let's say. What was I going to say? Oh, the last one would be Key west, because I first time I went down, there was a Jimmy. So I've got that place dialed in pretty good. And it is the troubadour. In the 90s, when I went down there, there was, like, music on all the streets up and down Duval. But now if you go up and down Duval, it's one guy telling stories and singing his own songs, and people are paying attention to the guy. It's like, there's a buffet. There's somebody doing my shit. There's 12 gigs to do what I do every night on one street. So if you're into that, too, if you're into, like, bullcrastinating songwriting types, there's a shit ton in Key west, and they're working at lots of gigs. And so I go down there for a while, and I know those guys.
- [39:05]
Interviewer
Do you have any hobbies other than being a troubadour and a musician?
- [39:11]
Todd Snyder
I'm a good gardener, flower gardener. And I'm a walker. Like, I think this. I walk a few times a day and garden. Meditate. I like to meditate, which means just sitting there. That's about it. Those are my things, I think.
- [39:29]
Interviewer
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians that are listening to this podcast?
- [39:36]
Todd Snyder
I will go into it. If you're see, some people go into it to succeed, and other people go into it to escape the part of the world that is focused on success. You can go try to be a star, or you can be Vince Herman, which is like, he's just like, I've kind of been allowed to. I don't know if you know what I'm talking about. He's leftover salmon, and he's a bona fide. What do you call when people figure out their ego and shake it? He used his time on earth to do that and got away with it by playing mandolin and singing, not making a big fuss, you know, so it's like I Went into it because I felt like I had already what they say, tune in, drop out. So it's like if you want to have kids or be responsible or be. Don't do it. Don't try to do. You're not going to succeed in a way that you're going to send your kid to private school or whatever. And if you do like Hamlin Jack said music is good for like a horse or a truck. And the rest is grab ass. And if you know that you might end up with your own ranch accident, you might end up like Jimmy Buffett accident. But if you think you're going to end up like Jimmy Buffett, you're just gonna be a drunk. You gotta like. When I started being a singer, it's cause I knew that I was never going to have any money. I was never going to do anything like that. I was never going to have to sit down and meet with anyone or anything like that. That was the payoff. And then like Tsikes was like, you can go to Europe if you just get your shit together for six months. That's what I told Sierra.
- [41:31]
Interviewer
Todd, in closing. What have you not learned about life or being a musician that you're still.
- [41:39]
Todd Snyder
In search of that thing Vinnie did. And like do think I'm getting closer. I would like to run out of things to say and shake my personality completely. Even though it's pretty warm. Like he and then guy named Alan Watts, who in the last few years I was left. He didn't really talk anymore. And he only really just laugh and made funny sounds and stuff. And I could see that happening to Benny. And I'm trying to get right in line behind me. I would like that. I would like to go be like. Go completely mad, I guess is what some might say. Or just get rid of shake my name, you know, get back to. Before you take on a. There's. I think. I don't know that sounds just some hippie shit. But music. I think someday they're going to figure out frequencies and like dn. Like music is like a magic thing. I think you can do that. I may be talking about, you know, how some people like will just take a drug over and over because they're certain that any day now it's gonna. They're gonna not need it anymore because it's. They saw it, you know. I guess I keep hoping to get it whatever it is, you know, whatever it is to get with it. I want to get with it.
- [43:02]
Interviewer
Thanks for getting with it with me, man.
- [43:04]
Todd Snyder
Thank you, man.
- [43:05]
Interviewer
I so enjoyed this.
- [43:07]
Todd Snyder
Thank you man. I did too.
- [43:09]
Interviewer
Thanks for being on.
- [43:11]
Todd Snyder
Right on man. I can't wait to hear it.
- [43:13]
Interviewer
Yeah, I'll keep you posted. Thanks for everything. Seriously.
- [43:16]
Todd Snyder
Thanks brother.
- [43:16]
Interviewer
Good luck at the dock too.
- [43:18]
Buzz Knight
Thanks for listening to the this Taking a Walk episode with Todd Snyder. A quick shout out A thanks to one of our Ohio friends and supporters of Taking a walk, Buck McWilliams. Thanks for supporting Taking a Walk, Buck. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
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- [47:15]
Todd Snyder
This is an iHeart podcast.