You Asked, Todd Answered, Part 5
More of our readers’ questions and Todd Snider’s answers
By Daryl Sanders
The subscribers to The Snider Files surpassed the response to the first “Ask Todd Anything” thread with the questions they submitted for Todd Snider in “Ask Todd Anything, Part 2.” Once again, Snider has kindly given his time and answered all the questions submitted, as well as a couple left over from the first “ATA.”
In part five of “You Asked, Todd Answered,” Snider shares his thoughts on a variety of topics, including Donnie Baker, the best wine with weed and who he wrote the song in his jacket for.
Ted Guy: Hey, Todd, would enjoy hearing any stories you may have on Donnie Baker. I sure miss the Bastard Maker. You and DB, two of my favorite performers, did shows online for the fans during Covid which I thought was awesome. Your and Donnie’s colors don’t run. Do you do small, historic venues like the Delphi Opera House in Delphi, Indiana? Hint, hint.
Todd: Well, I haven’t been playing anywhere lately, although I think am on the mend. Standing for an hour and a half is what I am working towards. I didn’t really know Donnie. We emailed some but he knew that I adored him. I thought the Donnie Baker character was really deep and layered and even profound in a way. The way he captured “that guy” was fucking amazing. And the back story with Amber Skinner and Scotty Winkler — it made me laugh out loud. But I could actually get kinda serious with him about where that came from. Everything about Donnie Baker was well thought out. And he’d make me laugh till I’d cough. He always said he had all my tapes — he’d say, “We got that on tape” or “state law.”
Myranda Cole: Do you like to cook? What are some of your favorite things to make?
Todd: I can’t cook. I eat chips, cereal and those protein drinks. But I like to make a big deal out of nothing — crazy demands and a mockery of situations.
James Henry: Do you also believe that somewhere up there, on random Thursday nights, there is a guitar pull that is so epic that it gives heaven its very name? Prine, Guy, Townes, Jimmy, Jerry, Billy Joe, Tom T, etc.?
Todd: Maybe so, if there wasn’t anyone watching. But also if they are sitting around picking, it will eventually turn to songs they love over songs they wrote. And they’d be kinda pissed when Townes played the same new song he played on his last turn, and it was long and sad. They’d be gacked on blow, drunk as fuck and talking shit on commercial songwriters — and whichever of their own crew wasn't there. Jerry or Guy or Townes or Billy Joe could get some fighting words going. It would eventually be a hassle to get one of them to leave and wherever it happened would say, “Never again.” As would they.
Elaine: Who did you write the song that was in your jacket about?
Todd: Shires.
Samuel Reddick: The Riddler on the TV version of Batman had a jacket with question marks on it. What article of clothing and what punctuation mark best suits your satorial and satirical style?
Todd: Hmm. You know, Daryl was just explaining those words to me before we even saw this. I thought they were they same thing and thought it was more like Blues Brothers or Spinal Tap but he said it was different thing. But hash tags on the jacket I got from Bob Weir. I have a small collection of famous jackets. I have one of Hunter S. Thompson’s that his son Juan gave me, and I’ve got a Billy Strings’ one that I mistook for mine either at a festival or backstage at Widespread. Also I have a blue velvet jacket Warner Hodges gave me and a fishing vest that Kevn Kinney gave me.
Randy: What is the best wine with weed? Can you stick it to the man without taking The Blind Lemon Pledge?
Todd: Great questions. Big House Prohibition Red from just above Santa Cruz. Made by prisoners, screw-off top; it’s perfection with weed. You know, I think you can stick it to the man without taking The Pledge, even by accident sometimes, but when you take The Pledge and stick it to the man, it won’t end until hilarity ensues, someone has commanded someone to stop you, news cameras are there and people like us are rooting for you even though we don't know what your doing.
Rick McEachern: Did you enjoy the classic Twilight Zone. If so what was your favorite episode?
Todd: “Time Enough At Last.” The one with the guy who survives a nuclear blast and finally has time to read all the books he wants, but then breaks his glasses and can’t see to read.
Joshua: Todd, as one of the biggest influences on me as a musician, I struggle to find questions as you have already given me so much guidance, growth and direction not only as a musician, but as a human being. Nevertheless, I can’t pass on the opportunity to inquire. One thing I’ve struggled with over the years of playing your music is the picking of the chords. I’m sure more talented folks could tell me how, but ya’ll asked, so: Is there any instruction you could give someone like me on how you pick out the chords when you play? I thought I was hot shit when I learned to play “Beer Run” on the guitar and “Broke” on the piano, but any insight into your picking style would be adored, as I love playing your music.
Todd: I play guitar when I watch TV. Derek Trucks said that was how he developed his style, too. Play while your doing something else and your own natural way of playing will come out. My way of playing is pretty janked up, but I am also getting pretty good at finding notes and haven’t strummed chords since I was in the HWA, and I honestly don’t know what I am doing other than not thinking. Sometimes if I am in a groove, I will start playing the notes I am singing, but I don’t know how to do that — and can’t do that — when I am out of that sorta trance-like place that music goes when you’re not thinking. Play while your reading, and you will hear yourself play like yourself. Then keep practicing that way, practice not being aware of the way you are playing. That’s my advice to get your own sound. My thing is probably easy to cop by slowing the album down but I usually play it without knowing it, and once I do, I can usually do it again.
Matt Devlin: What would it take to set up an Aimless Inc. comedy division with a monthly residency at the Purple Building and a looping roadshow of curated/approved talent? And I can start September 1. Or tomorrow. Thank you.
Todd: Hey, Matt. Good to hear from you. If you came and organized it, I am sure we could do that. This town has a major comedy scene.
Adam: I love the record Agnostic Church of Hope and Wonder. It sounds like a cross between George Clinton — and Bill Clinton. Did you ever meet either or have any stories about them?
Todd: Nice one. I have not met them but I like them both. Especially George Clinton. He is an incredibly creative human being and his book is great. He was probably the biggest influence on that album, especially the background vocals. My friend Ben Greenman wrote an amazing book on him, Sly Stone, too; but check out his novel Please Step Back. I like Bill Clinton. In fact, my new thing is politicians. I'm for them. If only to be unique. It’s the least rewarding gig in show bizness. The easiest way to end an argument is to say they are all bullshit human beings in general. I mean, poor fuckers start out wanting to cut a ribbon, fix a pothole and raise a family, and we throw the abortion debate at them like they fucking know when life starts or what our maker, if we have one, wants us to do. In addition, whatever local problems we might have, we can get drunk in bars and call them idiots for not figuring it out — if only to keep us from beating each other senseless over it. We overpay them for it, and we’re not sure what it is they do, but enough already. Poor fuckers have to wear suits to everything. I wish they could all get a ribbon. And don’t get me started on what fake preachers have to endure for their art. George Clinton lived like a cherished king for combining parts of them together with drums and better clothes in a way that inspires people to want to be fruitful and multiply. And you know Bill Clinton wanted his funk uncut. That’s just known.
Gabe Waters: Hey, it’s time for me to add a tattoo. Wanna give me a little sketch (maybe East Nashville themed) to go along with my Ryman window? If not, I have a simple back-up question, frogs or toads?
Todd: Of course. And toads. Did you hear about the toad who saw the lion looking in the water at itself and saying out loud how handsome he was. So the toad looked in the water and started saying how handsome he was, and the lion laughed and laughed and said, “You’re not handsome.” And the toad said, “Fuck you. I’ve been sick.”
© 2024 Daryl Sanders
Toads are handsome in their own way! 👸🏽💋🐸
Thanks guys!!!