Invisible man

Lyle Lovett calls Willis Alan Ramsey’s eponymous debut “one of the greatest albums ever recorded.” Ramsey’s songs have been covered by Waylon Jennings, Shawn Colvin, Jimmy Buffett, America, Jerry Jeff Walker and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. His most successful hit was renamed and rearranged by the Captain & Tennille into the schmaltzy ’70s novelty “Muskrat Love.” One would think that with those kind of credentials that Ramsey would be more widely known for his music. But the truth is, the enigmatic folksinger turned away from the machinations of the music industry and took the backroads to find personal success.
Born in Alabama, Ramsey’s family moved to Texas when he was a child. He always loved music, and became particularly influenced by old folk and blues artists such as Lightnin’ Hopkins, Woody Guthrie and, later, John Sebastian of the Lovin’ Spoonful. Ramsey began playing the folk circuit in Texas and surrounding states, and during his travels he crossed paths with a few famous people who liked his work, including Leon Russell, who invited Ramsey to sign with Russell’s label, Shelter Records. “I didn’t have a clue about making records,” Ramsey recalls, but we did it.”
For Ramsey, the recording process was an ordeal unlikely to occur in today’s big money music industry. “We cut the record in 1972, in five different studios. Shelter paid for it and Leon let me work on it in his home studio as well. I was trying to do the best I could, and not embarrass my friends and family,” Ramsey laughs.
“I got a lot of support from the label,” Ramsey admits, “the kind that just doesn’t exist in the music business anymore.” In retrospect, Ramsey has mixed feelings about the product. “When I listen to it now, I’m a bit embarrassed by the singing, but I like the tunes. I can still stand by them.”
Initial sales of Willis Alan Ramsey were not great, but over the years the album has become an essential component in the contemporary history of Texas music. Consisting of 11 original tunes, the record is a sweet blend of folk, country and Texas influences. Ramsey’s stories are simple and pure, with a gentle sense of humor that stays with you long after the music ends. Lovett and others acknowledge its importance in the development of their styles, and as a result of a word-of-mouth legacy the album has been re-released several times, most recently on the Koch label in 1999.
Ramsey’s story, however, took an interesting twist after the album’s initial release. Ramsey had a multi-album deal with Shelter, and the label people began asking for a follow-up. It never happened. Ramsey is somewhat vague about the reasons for this, but rather than making excuses he simply acknowledges that it wasn’t there when they wanted it. He continued to write and play shows, but could not pull the things together he needed to make another record.
“The experience of making the record was pretty overwhelming,” Ramsey says. “I had too much success too early.” When the label finally dropped him, Ramsey began traveling and exploring other types of music. He ended up in Britain in the ’80s, where he became fascinated with traditional English and Irish folk music. “There was better music in Britain in the ’80s, and I was interested in the use of language. This has had an empirical influence on my recent writing.”
After spending some time in Dublin, Ramsey returned to the states to renew his visa. He met the woman who became his wife and they relocated to Nashville for a while. They ended up back in Texas, where Ramsey met Lovett and co-wrote some songs with him. Lovett recorded one of Ramsey’s new songs for his CD Step Inside This House, a tribute to Texas songwriters. Ramsey is proud of the inclusion and sees Lovett’s album as great example of the bonds that link Texas music together. “I like the whole idea of how music is so derivational. There is a common base of reference in traditional folk music and in bluegrass. Lyle found that link in Texas music and paid homage to Texas songwriters.”
So what’s Ramsey up to now? “I’ve been writing, and want to get something out. I’m label shopping, but it’s not like it was in 1972. Production is very important to me, and I want to put out something I will be proud of 25 years later.” He says with a laugh, “I have been planning a new album for 28 years now, and it will be out when it happens.”
Willis Alan Ramsey performs at Smith’s Olde Bar Sun., Dec. 3, with Shaver. $8. For more information call 404-875-1522.