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