Joe Ely, February 9, 1947 to December 15, 2025

I loved Joe Ely, and I am reeling today at the news of his death, on top of all the other deaths– and I want to testify to the greatness that was Joe Ely.  

He sounded like Texas to me, like home, like the way I’d felt deep inside all my life.  Plus, he sort of looked like my father, and every time I saw him, it was like seeing an alternative version of my father, as if instead of a Baptist preacher, he’d been a hard-rocking, high energy, genre-bending, musician, singing and dancing and playing his heart out every chance he got..  

I saw him live 3 times.  Once in 1995 in St. Louis outside at Union Station, when he was touring to support Letter to Laredo.  It was a great show, and after, I was walking back to the car, when I saw him sitting by himself outside of Landry’s Seafood, just sitting there on a bench, with the light shining down on him.  I looked at him. He looked at me.  I smiled and said “Thank you!”  And then my shyness kicked in, and I walked quickly away and instantly regretted it. He looked so approachable, down-to-earth, calm, and relaxed.

Here’s a video of one of my all-time favorite songs from this time period:  “All Just to Get to You.”

The second time I saw him was sometime after I’d moved to New York.  I was going to be in Austin for a few days, and I had a chance to see him at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, which I’d heard for years was  the place to see him.  We had our tickets and a great hotel close to the hall and carved out time just for the show. Then I got sick.  I went anyway, but I had a fever and the whole experience was a blur.  It was like I had tried too hard for something, and it eluded me.

“Settle for Love” played on my stereo and through my head constantly, all this time.

I’m glad I got another chance to see him live.  The third time was at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.  Joe Ely, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt, and Guy Clark, all sitting in a row across a stage, with only their guitars. Four of my favorite musicians, all together.  Beautiful place. Great sound.  Great view.  Intimate and visceral in a huge concert hall.  He told funny stories about living in New York (briefly),riding boxcars, and working in the circus, and he sang my favorite songs. Everyone of those guys sounded amazing, and when they sang together, it was pure magic.

Rest in Peace, Joe Ely: you will surely “Live Forever.”