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A Conversation with The Drive By Truckers' Patterson Hood

A Call To Patterson Hood

"I don't know God but I fear his wrath
I'm trying to keep focused on the righteous path."
                 --"The Righteous Path"
                      Patterson Hood

Today I called The Drive By Truckers' Patterson Hood. He was on the Truckers' tour bus somewhere in New Jersey killing time until soundcheck when I called. Patterson and I will be conducting an extensive interview in the near future. Known for his honesty and fearless perspective, Patterson stands as an open, friendly and humorous guy. I called today to get him to talk about our friends Bloodkin's new CD, Baby They Told Us We Would Rise Again.

I reminded Patterson we first met in 1996 in Athens' Georgia Bar and were introduced by Bloodkin's Danny Hutchens. I told Patterson I wrote liner notes for almost half of Bloodkin's albums and if I wasn't writing them for this new CD, he was the best candidate. "Yeah, I remember your name from the old, old days," Patterson told me. "I hope you like those liner notes. I tried to keep them short. I think Bloodkin has made a tremendous record. I never thought they'd top the Community Gospel Rehab record, but I think they did..."

Patterson told me The Truckers enjoyed great fun recording with STAX legend Booker T. Jones on his new solo CD where the Truckers serve as the back-up band due out in April. Patterson is releasing another solo CD this summer. "That solo record has just been lost in the music business hassles." I talked to David Barbe a couple of weeks ago at the Athens Bloodkin show, and he told me the following Monday the Truckers were beginning a new studio record. "Yeah, that's been a lot of fun," Patterson chuckled.

We discussed the Truckers ability now to take their musician friends out on the road with them. "I'm lucky I get to do what I do and now carve out a pretty good living without compromising. At the end of the day, we really don't have anything to complain about. We've always had friends in Athens who wanted us to take them out on the road. We've got Don Chambers opening now, this weekend and next it's Bloodkin and then Hayes Carll who I love. I've had a lot of fun the last year taking out local artists on the road."

We discussed Patterson contributing to Mystery And Manners and he was receptive to the idea. I mentioned how he represented our generation's musical spokesperson...a token southern musician whose wits transcend the stale business. I said only Luther and Cody Dickinson's rich musical heritage, upbringing and education (taught by Jim Dickinson) rivalled his own. Afterall, Patterson's father, David Hood, served as a centerpiece player in the Muscle Shoals sound. "Yeah, even though they are younger than us, I have a deep kinship with Luther and Cody. There are a lot of parallels. And our dad's are friends..."

Patterson said they were in the middle of New Jersey somewhere. He said it was pretty cold up there. I also mentioned to Patterson our Athens friend Bruce Burch, and Patterson replied, "Bruce is a really great guy." I told Patterson I looked forward to our upcoming interview, and that I hoped to see him soon at an upcoming show. "Well, we'll talk soon. Man, keep in touch..."

I'll run an insider's review of the Truckers-Bloodkin Richmond show--coming this Saturday--next week. Until then...

James Calemine

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