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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Saturday, August 29, 2009
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.
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 . . .
Friday, August 28, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
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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