"My guitar has allowed me to develop a magical grift as a free-spirited king of the bums, giving a middle finger to the world."
This was the sentiment modern folk hero Todd Snider relayed to The Tennessean earlier this month, as he reflected on his decades-long music career.
Known for his off-the-cuff wit and humorous songs, Snider has developed a reputation as one of the premier folk music storytellers of the latter 20th Century and into the 21st. Mentored by the icons who paved the road before him such as Jerry Jeff Walker, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, and Billy Joe Shaver, his songwriting has earned admiration across the music industry. His music has been recorded by legends like Tom Jones, Robert Earl Keen, and Pat Green, and he's co-written with greats like Loretta Lynn and John Ingram.
The Oregon-born and Nashville dwelling songsmith has released a limited-edition vinyl box set aptly titled All My Songs, released through Aimless Records. This exclusive set includes 35 of Snider's best live acoustic songs and stories across six discs, showcasing the heart of Snider's performances.
The box set features cover art by Jon Griffin, along with a 20-page 12"x12" booklet showcasing Scramble Campbell's vibrant artwork, created during live performances at The Purple Building in East Nashville. Additionally, it includes a framed print of one of Scramble's real-time paintings, making this a truly unique collector's item.
After Snider witnessed the late great Jerry Jeff Walker perform in Texas in the 80s, a switch flipped, and he heard his calling loud and clear. After he was struck with that realization, he would soon light up barrooms throughout Austin and beyond, building his own audience and following. He would develop a reputation for going against the grain, with a "commercial success be damned" approach to his way of life.
After he made his mark in The Lone Star State, he shipped east to Memphis, and sought to enrapture eyes and ears in the home of Graceland. This would lead to Snider meeting John Prine in 1991, thus forging a bond until his passing in April of 2020. He would go on to sign with Prine's label -- Oh Boy Records -- in the beginning of the new millennium.
Snider released his debut album, Songs for the Daily Planet, in 1994 -- which featured arguably his biggest hit "Alright Guy" among others -- hence the 30th Anniversary collection that's out today.
His modern beat poet style lends itself to something of a Jack Kerouac-meets-Woody Guthrie-meets-Iggy Pop amalgam. If he wanted to seek commercial stardom, he probably could have, and have his name attached to some tacky dreadfully overpriced Broadway bar. But that was far from the person and artist he is -- thankfully.
Now a long-time resident and staple of Nashville, Snider continues to make his mark with this latest mega-release and bonus EP to match.
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