Original Nudies - Great Performances

This is how it IS done -- the Flying Burrito Bros. in first run Nudies giving a first rate performance -- watch and learn!

Nudie Knockoffs

I really don't have much to say about all the Nudie knockoffs - except they really are exactly that - cheap imitations that really don't work. Case in point - this Wilco video - I can't get through more than 30 seconds of this song before stopping it. . . even though the suits are referenced in the pre-song patter . . . maybe they hope the Nudie knockoffs will make up for the lack of songsmanship or musicality, I don't know. Anyway, here is how it is NOT done . . .

Gram and Emmylou Duet on "Love Hurts"

So, to bring it full circle, I'm going to end tonight with another tear jerker from Gram Parsons -- this time with the incomparable Emmylou Harris... their live take of the classic "Love Hurts."

And Speaking of Hank Snow

The video here is of poor quality, turning Hank's Nudie Suit into a muddled melon mess, but the audio is clear on this classic Country hit.

Hank was managed by Colonel Tom Parker, and we all know that the Colonel had an eye for talent . . . and Nudie Suits. The Colonel and Nudie were very dear friends and always kept in touch through thick and thin. Mr. Parker wrote a very touching letter to Nudie when Elvis passed, urging him not to believe the things about Elvis and the Colonel that were circulating in the press.

Here Comes Hank Snow

Dolly must have really resented being the understated accessory to Porter Wagoner's incredible Nudie Suits . . . still, she coordinated without competing with his resplendence. Was it any wonder, this partnership was doomed to fail? Here is a lighter version of "The Last Thing on My Mind," by Porter and Dolly, followed by any early rendition of Gram Parsons' version . . . where he is in fine, fine voice if I do say so myself.

I loved him like a father, and I loved him like a friend

This really tears me up -- and goes right to the heart. Grams lyrics of "In My Hour of Darkness." Gram should've outlived Nudie, but tragically he didn't. Nudie lived to the ripe old age of 81 . . . he lost many friends young and old along the way . . he took Gram's passing especially hard.

Bobbie Nudie who outlived them all, always said "there was a sadness about Gram." That may seem like an understatement, but what else can you say?

Gram on Labels

Gram really loved his Nudie, but that is where his love of labels ended. It irked him no end to be called "Country Rock" and even though he is widely thought to be a founding pioneer in that mash-up of a genre -- he HATED the term. I'll let him explain . . .

Nudie Loved Gram

I look at these pictures of Nudie and Gram, and they just break my heart. Nudie really loved Gram, and Gram really loved Nudie. It was a sort of father/son relationship . . . and Nudie knew Gram was at risk, much like Hank Williams was . . . but what was Nudie to do?

He posted Gram's bail, he mentored him, he tried to keep him from teetering on the edge, he gave him the second most famous Nudie Suit of all time -- one that would take the shaggy haired country/folk/rock singer from this world into a whole 'nother cosmic dimension. He immortalized Gram . . . and Gram gave Nudie that wide-eyed hero worship a son gives a father.

They were quite a pair, Nudie and Gram. So sad, how it ended. . . still we have the few still photos, moving images, and the recordings to live forever. I want to thank Raeanne Rubenstein for being there . . . those are her photos of Nudie and Gram, she rarely gets credit for them.

Merle Travis Sings His Signature Song

Merle Travis wrote "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke, That Cigarette," and that in itself would be enough for any songwriter, but he also wrote "Sixteen Tons," "Dark as a Dungeon," "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed," and "Nine Pound Hammer."

Merle also pioneered his legendary finger picking style on the guitar, and will always be remembered for his amazing flair and virtuosity.

To top it off, he and Nudie were great friends, and Merle certainly knew the value of stage presence. Hence, he wore many Nudie Suits. Nudie and Merle got on so well, Merle was married in Nudie's backyard in an outbuilding on Nudie's compound that became known as "The Wedding Chapel."

In this clip of Merle singing his signature song, note that his Nudie Suit matches his big signature sunburst guitar, and don't miss the very ending where he reveals who he really owes his soul to.

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The Guy That Started it All with his Signature Song

When Nudie was new to Hollywood he would go out to clubs to see the hottest Western Swing acts to try to convince them to buy his duds. At the top of the pack were Tex Williams and his Western Caravan.

Nudie stalked Tex, and engaged him in conversation one day at his home. Tex and Nudie instantly hit it off, and Nudie proposed that he make new suits for Tex and the band. The only problem was Nudie didn't have a proper sewing machine to get started.

Tex had a horse he wasn't particularly fond of, and made a deal with Nudie to auction off the horse and a saddle, to get the proceeds to get Nudie started. With $150 Tex put Nudie in business, a sewing machine and fabric was purchased, and Nudie got to work.

Nudie was so happy to get the job, a party broke out during the initial fitting to take the musicians' measurements. Tex and the Western Caravan were a numerous and a boisterous bunch, so soon there was a full blown hillbilly soiree atmosphere. Nudie had enlisted a friend or two to help take all the measurements, and everyone got pretty liquored up. Quite a few of the measurements like waist and inseam sizes got mixed up in the revelry.

When Nudie made the suits and presented them to the band a couple of days before the show, disaster for the tailor reared its ugly head. Few of the suits fitted properly and Nudie had to remake many of them. With less than 48 hours to work, and depleted of fabric, Nudie staged a sit in at the fabric store, until they would give him the gabardine to make the new suits on credit, just to get rid of him.

Nudie and Bobbie worked frantically to complete the suits for the show, and were rewarded for their efforts when over 3,000 folks arrived to witness Tex and his Western Caravan in their new spiffy threads. The Nudie Suits were a spectacular success and the relationship between Tex and Nudie was cemented.

This amazing clip of Tex in action late in his career shows Williams doing his signature song "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette" in a wonderful fully rhinestoned and embroidered Nudie Suit.

Ironically Tex would lose most of his Nudie Suits in a house fire, and yes, Tex died of lung cancer. Still as his deadpans in this performance - "I ain't dead yet - quite."

And anyone who wore as many Nudies as Tex did certainly lived more than most.

The Most Fun You Can Have with Your Nudie Suit On

The Rodeo Tailor outfits Rex Allen for the Rodeo Twist. If you don't smile watching this clip then you better check your pulse.

Rex Allen in a Very Understated Nudie Suit Sings An Outrageous Song

Rex Allen was known to sport some of the wildest Nudie Suits ever, but in this clip he tones it way down, and lets this crazy song steal the scene. You'll never guess the ending to this song, so you'll just have to give it a listen and enjoy. It is pretty twisted . . .

Robert Redford Lights Up the Vegas Night in his Nudie

Another Nudie Suit parody -- Robert Redford gets sick of the "Electric Horseman" schtick, and Sonny Steele steals his famous horse. Incredible footage of vintage Vegas, and a truly inspired get-up and getaway.

Another Nudie Suit Gets Groped on Film

Ann Margret doesn't do the fondling this time, but many girls in her presence can't keep their hands of Conrad Birdie in his gold lame Nudie Suit. Watch for the one who gets a good feel of his posterior as he is walking up the stairs to get the key to the city and sing "Sincere."

Nudie made many suits that parodied his other suits, he was more than happy to make fun of himself, and he laughed all the way to the bank.

Ann Margret Feels up the Governator in his Nudie Suit

Nudie made a Lone Ranger - esque suit for Arnold Schwarzenegger to wear in the early 1980's screen gem "the Villain" aka "Cactus Jack." As this clip shows, Ann Margret really appreciated the cut of his jib.

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The Nudie Nixon Connection

Last week I featured Elvis meeting Richard Nixon wearing Nudie, and this week I feature Clayton Moore, the Lone Ranger meeting the president wearing Nudie.

I always wondered what was happening in the photo. It looks like some weird drug deal, except I think those are postage stamps being exchanged. Clayton Moore signed this photo to Nudie "You're the Greatest" and dated it 1969. I'm not sure how many Lone Ranger outfits Nudie made for the masked man, but from the opening of the Lone Ranger you can see that they took quite a bit of abuse in the form of dirt, dust, and sweat.

Nudie and Marilyn

I've always loved these two pictures of Nudie & Marilyn as they both wave to the crowd. I've started a new blog "Marilyn for Sale" so mosey on over and check it out. http://marilynforsale.blogspot.com/

Michael Jackson will not Join Nudie at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

The news is Michael Jackson will not be laid to rest at his beloved (Okay, he came to hate it apparently, but only after he lost it to debts and bad press) Neverland Ranch, or near the Nudie family at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills.

He will be interred at Forest Lawn, Glendale in the private "Holly Terrace" Mausoleum, final resting place of such Silver Screen Golden Age luminaries as Clark Gable, Carol Lombard, and Jean Harlow.

For the moment, MJ is still on ice in a freezer at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. I had heard that he was in Berry Gordy's mausoleum there, which certainly seems fitting, but reports that he is in a deep freeze seem plausible too.

Forest Lawn kept Bobbie Nudie looking fresh as a daisy for a week until she was interred next to Nudie -- so I don't doubt they can keep remains in tip top form until the day of burial arrives.

The weird thing is, he is finally being laid to eternal rest (I still vote for an Elvislike Graceland type burial at Neverland) on what would have been his 51st Birthday, August 29th. Weird, maybe, but my friend's mom who was tragically killed by a drunken driver was also buried on her birthday -- October 31st -- Halloween! Now, THAT was creepy.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/08/glendale-will-bill-michael-jacksons-family-for-public-costs-of-burial.html

Nudie and Bobbie are in the Courts of Remembrance Mausoleum at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. Liberace and Bette Davis stand guard at the entrance to the Courts, if you walk through toward the East, and then turn North you will find them about midcourt, midwall. Barbara Nudie is across the court.

Please feel free to visit them, and bring them flowers, or leave a note on their Find a Grave sites.

Unfortunately, where Michael will be is a private area of Forest Lawn, though I hear it is lovely, I think he should be accessible, like Marilyn Monroe. You can even buy the space above MM on eBay, if you have 5 Million dollars or so to pay for the privilege http://www.popeater.com/2009/08/19/for-sale-ebay-marilyn-monroe-crypt-grave-obits/. Note, that Hugh Hefner owns the space next to her, so you might want to think about your neighbors for eternity . . . if the afterlife is anything like the third act of "Our Town" then this is something to be seriously considered.

The Nudie Elvis Hilton Attendance Gold Belt on Display

The Famous Nudie Elvis Gold Hilton Belt used to be displayed with its special Nudie leather tooled case across the street from Graceland, but now they have teamed it together with the complete outfit Elvis wore when he met Nixon.

In true Nudie style it features an oversized trophy style Cowboy type buckle, and medallions featuring bears, and elk, and other manly animals. Nudie worked with many of the finest silversmiths in California, and this belt is in a Bohlin style, but I am leaning towards Sunset Trails as the silversmithing company that helped Nudie complete this vision. Nudie stamped his silverwork with Nudie's Rodeo Tailors, and although most of his items were made in house in his extensive workshop, the welding necessary to work silver and gold was not condusive to a shop full of fabric, so these large scale pieces were often done off site.

The King is Dead

This is August 16, the anniversary of Elvis Presley's death in 1977. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. I was at the 7-11 across from the Sonoma
County Fairgrounds buying Mystic Mint cookies with my friend. We were teenagers photographing the big California State Horseman's Show (know then as "Convention") and sleeping in the jockey room underneath the grandstand of the race track. We were vaguely aware of Elvis, of course . . . that fat guy in a jumpsuit some of our mothers listened to and adored, but we really didn't understand the magnitude of his stardom and influence on popular music. We were listening to Elton John, and Boz Skaggs, and the rumblings of a new music set to turn disco on its ear -- Punk.

Later of course, I would get the whole Elvis thing . . . in my life his death will loom large as a "where were you?" moment.

In honor of Elvis and Nudie today I am featuring the Famous Gold International Hotel Belt Nudie made for him. It commemorated Elvis breaking attendance records at the hotel. Elvis loved this belt. Unlike the belts that matched the jumpsuits made by Bill Bellew, Elvis could wear this Gold and Silver western wrestler style creation with everything.

In this famous photo Elvis was meeting with Richard Nixon to accept a postion as a soldier in the war against drugs. Ironic, isn't it?

The story follows:

Meeting and entertaining kings is one of the jobs of U.S. presidents. On one famous occasion, a U.S. president -- Richard Nixon, met the king of entertainment -- Elvis Presely.

On December 21, 1970, three men got out of bed in rooms 505-506 & 507 of the Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C. where they had registered under the names of Jerry Schilling, Sonny West, and Jon Burrows.

Schilling and West were along for the ride, but Mr. Jon Burrows had a definite agenda -- and a pistol. Right after breakfast, the trio set out to visit the White House.

Three weeks earlier, Burrows had spoken in Palm Springs, CA with Spiro Agnew, the Vice President of the United States and had come away with a burning desire to fight the drug culture, hippies, the SDS, and the Blank Panthers.

Early that morning, Burrows simply walked up to the White House gates and handed the guard a 5-page letter addressed to President Richard Nixon. In his hand-written letter on American Airlines stationary, Burrows asked to meet with the President to give him a present and have the President appoint him "Federal Agent at Large" in the war against drugs.

Was Mr. Burrows immediately hustled away by the Secret Service, never to be seen again? No. A few hours later, Mr. Burrows stood in the Oval Office of the White House speaking with the President Richard M. Nixon.

How could this have happened? "Mr. Jon Burrows," you see, was far better known by his kingly name -- Elvis Presley.

During the brief Oval Office meeting, Elvis presented Nixon with a commemorative World War II-era Colt .45 pistol and told Nixon he felt the Beatles promoted an "anti-American" theme appealing to violence, drug use, dissent and protest. [See: Memo summarizing the meeting (National Archives)]

The Colt. 45 pistol is now on display at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda, CA.

Complete Text of Elvis' Letter to President Nixon

Dear Mr. President.

First, I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley and admire you and have great respect for your office. I talked to Vice President Agnew in Palm Springs three weeks ago and expressed my concern for our country. The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS, Black Panthers, etc. do NOT consider me as their enemy or as they call it The Establishment. I call it America and I love it. Sir, I can and will be of any service that I can to help The Country out. I have no concern or Motives other than helping the country out.

So I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position. I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large and I will help out by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and foremost, I am an entertainer, but all I need is the Federal credentials. I am on this plane with Senator George Murphy and we have been discussing the problems that our country is faced with.

Sir, I am staying at the Washington Hotel, Room 505-506-507. I have two men who work with me by the name of Jerry Schilling and Sonny West. I am registered under the name of Jon Burrows. I will be here for as long as long as it takes to get the credentials of a Federal Agent. I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and Communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing where I can and will do the most good.

I am Glad to help just so long as it is kept very Private. You can have your staff or whomever call me anytime today, tonight, or tomorrow. I was nominated this coming year one of America's Ten Most Outstanding Young Men. That will be in January 18 in my home town of Memphis, Tennessee. I am sending you the short autobiography about myself so you can better understand this approach. I would love to meet you just to say hello if you're not too busy.

Respectfully,
Elvis Presley

P. S. I believe that you, Sir, were one of the Top Ten Outstanding Men of America also.
I have a personal gift for you which I would like to present to you and you can accept it or I will keep it for you until you can take it.

Michael Jackson's Original Rhinestoned Nudie Glove

Michael Jackson had many, many rhinestoned gloves in many colors and configurations but there can only be one first.

Nudie made this glove for Michael, for his groundbreaking performance of "Billie Jean" at the Motown 15th Anniversary special.

Michael gifted it to Walter "Clyde" Orange, a founding member of the Commodores, who continually asked Michael for his autograph, which Michael would decline on the basis that he should be asking Clyde for HIS autograph.

Under the circumstances Mr. Orange now finds it fitting to get the glove out of his collection and on display for all the world to see. He will be auctioning the glove off in a few months and hopes that it will find it's way into a venerable museum like the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.

Nudie was adept at covering just about anything with rhinestones but this glove is a little unusual in that he used mesh set smaller rhinestones and attached it to the glove instead of his traditional prong set technique. What screams Nudie to me is the pearl snap at the base of the glove.

Many other items from Nudie's would find their way onto Michael's costumes. The western buckles in multitude that adorned the sleeves of his Bad leather jacket came from Nudie's . . . but what is really fitting is that Nudie gave not only the King of Rock 'n Roll his signature flash, but he bestowed it upon the King of Pop as well.

I wonder what happened to the rest of the outfit? At any rate it was the gimmick of the one glittering glove that really stuck and Michael used to great affect.

Elvis in Black Leather & Naked Cowgirl Nudie Label

The Black Leather Elvis Nudie Racer jacket has an unusual feature - an original naked cowgirl Nudie label. By the time this jacket was made Nudie had switched to the "classic cowgirl" label with a bolero and skirt giving the cowgirl a more conservative look, less risque look.

Apparently, Nudie thought Elvis could handle his hot muse in all her glory . . . the original model for the racy logo was none other than Bobbie Nudie herself. One night she emerged from the boudoir in nothing but a hat, boots, and holster, and coyly asked Nudie "when do I get the rest of the outfit?"

The Nudie's Rodeo Tailors label was born, and about 15 years later in the early 1960's the Nudie girl on the label finally got the rest of the outfit.

Some say it was Dale Evans who convinced Nudie to fully clothe the cowgirl, and some say it was Nudie's conversion from Judaism to Christianity. Either way, it gives collectors a way to date and value their Nudie Suits.

But, as we see here, sometimes Nudie mixed it up and put the older label on a newer item. I'm guessing Nudie made this black leather jacket for Elvis sometime around 1970, and also begs the question "Did Nudie also make Elvis' '69 Comeback Special Black Leather Suit?" We'll explore that one later . . .

Another Iconic Nudie Piece for Elvis

Well, when I was looking for a photo of the Clambake "Millionaire Suit" worn by Elvis -- I found this!!! Another iconic Nudie piece made for Elvis just sold for $13,000. Quite a bargain, considering the provenance. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

http://www.gottahaverockandroll.com/LotDetail.aspx?lotid=3437

This black leather "Cafe Racer" jacket made for Elvis by Nudie, fit him like a glove. And as a bonus the lucky high bidder received one of Elvis' mini cigars in the pocket. Elvis loved his palomino Tennessee Walking Horses, and this photo of him wearing the jacket and riding is so "Elvis at Graceland." When I visited Graceland in 2004 one of his horses was still alive and hobbling around (do the math, the horse was nearly 30 years old) the back 40.

Elvis would have been really, really old now

Yes, we are right in the middle of Elvis week in Memphis, leading up the anniversary of his death in 1977.



The famous "Clambake" Nudie Suit Elvis wore in this flick (cream with black signature Nudie "frankenstein football stitching") sold last year for over $100,000.

If anyone out there knows who bought it, let me know.

The West Coast Woodstock

This weekend is the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock. I happened to grow up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we had a little Woodstock of our own on the left coast . . . which, well . . . admittedly didn't turn out so well. It was called "Altamont" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altamont_Free_Concert, and although I didn't attend as I was too young and busy watching "the Partridge Family", "the Monkees", and "the Brady Bunch", my older radical leftist liberal sister did.

Altamont was a barren, windy, hilly place out east of the Bay Area on the way between the Livermore valley and Tracy, and to this day is a barren, windy, hilly place out east of the Bay Area on the way between the Livermore valley and Tracy. Considering the growth that has occurred in the last 40 years this description is telling of the general bleakness of the spot. Add Hell's Angels and drug riddled Rock musicians and fans to the equation and well, I think you know the solution.

Woodstock had its share of Nudie wearing artists - Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone, the Grateful Dead -- and Altamont had a few as well, the Stones, Gram Parsons and Gram Parsons.

If you are a Gram Parsons fan you know exactly where I am going with this post, and if you are not, then what the hell are you doing reading this? My point is, if you don't know the story, then educate yourself. Here, let me help you.

George Jones Sings "White Lightning"

Hey, mosey on over to my Redneckonomics blog at http://redneckonomics.blogspot.com/
for another topical George Jones post. Here we are honoring the possum singing White Lightning is a marvelous red Nudie Suit.

Hank Thompson's Hat Defies Gravity

Hank Thompson always looked swell in Nudie, but what really amazed me was the way he could balance his hat way on the back of his head. Makes you want to hoist a Falstaff and salute his ingenious way of wearing a cowboy hat, and still showing off his coif!

In later years that hat finally left his head, and he compensated with every more elaborate Nudie Suits. Drink in the deep, dark lyrics to this Hank Thompson penned classic, and enjoy how the rhinestones on his Nudie Suit catch the light, even in black and white they put on quite a show.

Webb Pierce's Signature Nudie Suit

I'm rather partial to this Nudie Suit -- it hangs in my closet. Yep, I own Webb Pierce's signature spider web Nudie Suit.

Nudies for the Ladies

A curious thing about Nudie's business is that 90 % of his flashy rhinestone Nudie Suits were made for men. I guess you could chalk this up to the "peacock" effect, and I will present Nudie's literal peacock suits in another blog.

Nudie began his career as a shopkeeper and designer with "Nudies for the Ladies" off Times Square in the 1930's. He made outfits for the girls in the chorus, vaudeville and burlesque queens . . . i.e. the strippers of the day.

His brother sold ligerie and Nudie fell in love with rhinestones, so the stage was set for Nudie's later work in Hollywood -- when he married rhinestones with his love of the American West, it's myths, legends, and clothing.

But, in the beginning it was "Nudies for the Ladies". Ladies always loved Nudie and his creations, but the men seemed to steal the show for most of his life.

Still, some lovely talented creatures lit up the stage and screen in Nudie Suits and dresses. Here is Goldie Hill (who later married Carl Smith, years after he divorced June Carter) in a fetching Nudie number. This tailored suit with heart piping was one of Nudie's very popular designs in the early 1950's, and really shows of Nudie's skill in fitting and accentuating the human form. Goldie was a great customer and also had the rhinestoned dress made in many colors. Enjoy.

The Man in Black

In the fifties Johnny Cash wore hep cat rockabilly clothes like Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee. He didn't stray too far from his Sun records roots until once again Nudie had a gimmick for J.R.

It was basically a hipper version of Hopalong Cassidy's getup, and to boot, it was relatively inexpensive and slimming (!).

So Nudie began making black suits for Johnny Cash, and every now and again for special event like America's Bicentennial he would sneak in some color (red, white & blue), embroidery (eagles and stars of course) and yes, even rhinestones.

Johnny Cash memoralized his new iconic status with the classic song "Man in Black." The lyrics are powerful and moving, and don't mention the slimming effect -- but everyone knows the camera adds ten pounds.

Nudie knew his craft, and he knew even celebrities downplaying their star power, needed a little extra help now and then.



For an extra dose of Johnny and June check out my Redneckonomics blog!

The First One is Free

Well, you can't talk about Nudie for too long without highlighting Porter Wagoner. Porter was not the first guy to wear Nudie, and he certainly won't be the last, but during his golden years he was loyal.

You see, Nudie (hustler that he was) gave Porter his first suit for free. Legend has it, Porter tried that peach colored suit on 11 times the day he got it. Porter was hooked.

Nudie would make Porter dazzling wagon wheel emblazoned suits in every color of the rainbow, and outfit the rest of the Wagonmasters as well. Here is Porter performing one of his biggest hits "A Satisfied Mind."

The Cherokee Cowboy in Full Nudie Wardress

Nudie always love Indian (Native American) stuff, and when Ray Price formed the Cherokee Cowboys after Hank Williams died the two of them made history with their themed dress.

At first Ray took up where Hank left off, and mimicked his hero and friend's singing style.

Nudie knew, as Nudie always did, that the trick was to establish your individuality and to craft a unique gimmick that would set you apart from the pack.

The world had Hank Williams for too short a time, but Ray's devotion to his mentor was stifling his own artistry.

Nudie ran with the Cherokee Cowboy (Ray renamed Hank's band the Drifting Cowboys the Cherokee Cowboys when he continued to play with them after Hank's passing) theme and loved making Ray's ever more elaborate rhinestoned Indian motif embroidered suits. Hank's long lean frame looked great in Nudie's clothes, but with Ray Price Nudie could really go hog wild with a riotously colorful and meaningful palette.

Eventually Ray found his own voice, and made his own path in Country & Western music, pioneering the Ray Price shuffle, and even taking serious heat for "crossing over" to pop music with monster hits like "For the Good Times".

This video may seem politically incorrect today, but in 1956 it illustrated Ray Price and Nudie paying homage to Native American style and customs with a humorous bent. Oh yeah, it also includes Hank Snow and a little gal by the name of June Carter, who doesn't look half bad in her Nudie get-up.



Ray is still an awesome singer -- don't miss the chance to see him in concert if he is coming to a town near you. He might even smoke a peace pipe with you.

And the Award for Best Matching Nudie Suits (Duo) Goes to . . .

It's a tie! The winners are Carl and Pearl Butler AND the Collins Kids!





Chin up Wilburn Brothers, Roy & Dale, Johnny and Jack, and the Hager Twins! There is always next year . . .

Riding in Horny Cars with Boys

I have no idea what this song is about, but it is strangely moving. Bobbejaan Schoenpan is very famous in Europe for his yodeling, singing, comedy, and his Belgian theme park Bobbejaanland, and he certainly loves his Nudie Mobiles (he has two, like Buck Owens).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8VQnDxY8Yw (this is one of those you'll have to copy and paste into your browser)

Nudie used to refer to his cars by different names -- the Nudie Mobile, the Horny Car, or simply "The Horns", as in "We'll be taking the Horns tonight." Imagine having a closet full of Nudie Suits, and a garage full of Nudie Mobiles to wear and drive at your beck and call. That was Nudie, and that's how he rolled.

Enjoy this wacky animated piece featuring Bobbejaan and his "Mouth Full of Tricks"!

Rhinestone Cowboy

Nudie was the inspiration for the song everyone loves to sing - from Radiohead, to Cher, to Soul Asylum, to David Hasselhoff.

Larry Weiss wrote and recorded Rhinestone Cowboy in 1974, and it became a monster hit for Glenn Campbell a year later. Glenn has said that what really attracted him to the song was the lyrics "There's been a load of compromising on the road to my horizon" that changes later to "There'll be a load of compromising . . . "

Anyone who struggles to succeed knows that road only too well. The lyric that really ties the song to Nudie (other than the obvious) is "I know every crack in these dirty sidewalks of Broadway" -- Nudie shined shoes in front of the Palace Theatre on Broadway in New York desparate to break into show business.

Nudie, however, when designing and making the Rhinestone Cowboy Suit for Glenn Campbell to wear deferred to his idol, Tom Mix. Instead of the usual rhinestone encrusted signature Nudie Suit that would be expected of the song, Nudie replicated a simple white bibbed riding suit with floral embroidery that Mr. Mix was known to wear. For the video and album cover Glenn was placed on a white horse, and the one nod to rhinestones was in the form of a Nudie rhinestoned holster.

This act speaks volumes of Nudie's love of old time silver screen cowboy stars, and his reverance for their legacy.

Nudie and Bobbie Nudie would tell the story of hitchhiking and being passed in a whirl of dust by Tom Mix in his famous Cord. Bobbie exclaimed "Someday they are going to eat my dust!" and later Nudie would make every more fabulous Nudie Mobiles for Bobbie, himself, and his friends to drive.

So enjoy this original music video for Glen Campbell's "Rhinestone Cowboy."

Nudie always wanted to add his special touch to his heroes, and in 1975 he did just that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atHY8rDBhtI

Looks like you will have to cut and paste this one, but again it is worth it.

Monkees in Nudie Suits

Check out this clip of Michael Nesbith of the Monkees and his split personality lamenting on the current (circa 1969) climate of pop music. Classic as the peacock and star themed Nudie Suit.

Buck Owens and Don Rich in All Their Glory

Who could ever forget Buck Owens and the Buckaroos in their matching Nudie Suits? The California Country Music scene was very independent, and didn't really give a hoot about Nashville.

Nudie, Buck, Merle Haggard, Merle Travis and their cohorts began the Academy of Country Music in the early 1960's to establish and honor their special brand of music.

The Golden West and the promise of inventing yourself in it's wide open spaces really appealed to these mavericks and they certainly made the best of it.

So, because it is the weekend and you may have a little more time on your hands, enjoy another heaping helping of the beauty of Nudie.

ZZ Top with Willie Nelson

ZZ Top has always been just a 'lil ole band from Texas who knows the importance of dressing sharp. Natch, they wear Nudie.

Here they perform "She Loves My Automobile" at Willie Nelson's Birthday Party.

Hank Williams Glimmers in Nudie

Hank Williams wasn't the first Hillbilly singer to wear rhinestones. It was Lefty Frizzell that Nudie convinced to try shimmering crystals on his stage wear. Still, the vision of Hank Williams in his glittering Nudie Suit is iconic and strangely bittersweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pYTOHernds

I can't Embed this video into this post, but the extra copy and paste and click or two is worth it. Luke the Drifter was married and buried in a Nudie Suit, and in his short life he defined Country Music for generations to come.

David Allan Coe The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy

Nudie didn't mind sharing his Rhinestone Cowboy or Rock Star status, and he was more than happy to promote David Allan Coe's chosen title "The Mysterious Rhinestone Cowboy" through amazing clothing.

Sometimes I look at Nudie pieces, and I just think "How the Hell did he do it?" How did he cover entire hats, jackets, boots, and even saddles in rhinestones? It isn't easy, and it isn't cheap. I've set a lot of rhinestones in my day, but even with all my experience I can't begin to match the sheer amount and craftmanship of Nudie's setters.

So check out this vintage video of David Allan Coe singing "the River" in prison, the song is great, the outfit is pure Nudie, and the combination is a knockout.

Janis Joplin Rocks her Purple Nudie Suit

It never ceases to amaze me how Nudie adapted to the times, and made just the right thing for the myriad of artists who walked through his doors.

Janis shines in her purple Nudie Suit with swinging vest and bell bottoms. Again enjoy the music and the scenery. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - Nudie - he gave the sound a look.

The Famous $10,000 Gold Lame Nudie Suit

In late 1956, Colonel Tom Parker hatched a plan with Nudie to make a very special suit for Elvis Presley. The Colonel and Nudie were great friends, and went back quite a few years as Parker managed Hank Snow before exploiting the talents of young Elvis. Nudie made Hank some pretty wild and spectacular suits, and had already worked with Elvis on the costumes for "Loving You", but the Colonel had something in mind that would make history.

Elvis was just starting to really sell records in 1956 with Houndog, Love Me Tender, and Heartbreak Hotel going gold. He was the Golden Boy, and Nudie decided he needed a Golden Nudie Suit. Instead of a cowboy cut, he opted for a modified hepcat tuxedo style with a shawl collar and cuffs covered in rhinestones. A nice ruffled shirt with gold tie, a gold rhinestone belt, and gold kid shoes completed the ensemble.

As spectacular as the suit was, Nudie and the Colonel (huckster showmen that they were), added a gimmick. The suit would be valued at an astounding $10,000. Nudie would later joke that $9,500 was pure profit, and the actual bill of sale for the suit was for $2,500 -- but the suit would officially be touted as the Famous $10,000 Gold Lame Suit.

Elvis wore the whole suit for photos, and only a time or two in concert. It was so heavy and constricting that Elvis took to matching the gold lame jacket with black pants so that he could really move in his signature style.

The one and only original $10,000 Gold Lame Nudie Suit is safe on display at Graceland in the Hall of Gold.

Nudie was 55 years old when he made his most famous creation, and he took full advantage of the fame it brought him. This film clip from 1957 shows Elvis singing "Hound Dog" in Tupelo, Mississippi before adoring, screaming fans. It is one of the most famous film clips of the 20th century. Pay careful attention for the split second the camera shows Gladys in the audience -- it is priceless.

The Sistine Chapel of Nudie Suits

The Sistine Chapel of Nudie Suits - that is what Gram Parsons' famous "Sin City" Nudie Suit has been called. You know it, you love it.

I'm certain I will posting many times on Gram and Nudie, and what they created together.

Until next time, and because this blog is called "A Nudie A Day" instead of "Two or Three Nudies a Day,(lest you overindulge)" this video will have to suffice for your fix.

From Sly Stone to Sylvester Stallone

Well, we go from one extreme to another. Nudie makes fun of himself and Stallone in this clip from "Rhinestone."

This Nudie Suit is perfect for the scene, and the song "Drinkenstein" is pure genius.

Sly Stone is Resplendent in Nudie

Sly Stone. What else can you say? He takes your breath away, especially when he is decked out in a white form fitted Nudie Rhinestone Cowboy suit with matching boots. He's the funkiest cowboy you have ever seen. And slick, and lean and clean . . . this outfit is perfect for him. It's the Nudie knack. Somehow Nudie knew exactly how to dress these dudes, and bring out the star power in each one.

Mike Douglas' hip sidekick gestures and tries by blurting out "That's what I call looking GOOD!" and Mike says "That's really together!" but really, in the presence of a vision like Sly in Nudie, the seasoned talk show host knows he needs to get to talking, instead of being caught like a deer in the headlights.

Watch the video and learn how to dress -- impeccably. Resplendent. What else can you say?

Bootsy Collins on Being Black in America

I just love a man who wants to be exactly who he is.

Nudie had a rare knack for helping people invent themselves. Nudie would take his own signature style and bend and twist it into new and different creations that would become the signature of his clients.

Case in point is Bootsy Collins. The Rhinestone Cowboy begat the Rhinestone Rock Star and Bootsy continues to wear his amazing Rhinestone Rock Star hat with pride. Check out this video of Bootsy talking to CNN about being black in America.

Even though being black ain't always the easy thing, Bootsy wouldn't have it any other way.

It helps that his crown has more rhinestones than you will ever see on a hat. With a chapeau like that, a man just couldn't imagine being anything other than what he is. Thanks to Nudie.

CNN-Black in America