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I Never Met a Story I Didn't Like: Mostly True Tall Tales
For years, Todd Snider has been one of the most beloved country-folk singers in the United States, compared to Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, John Prine, and dozens of others. He's become not only a new-century Dylan but a modern-day Will Rogers, an everyman whose intelligence, self-deprecation, experience, and sense of humor make him a uniquely American character. In live performance, Snider's monologues are cheered as much as his songs. But never before has he told the whole story. Running the gamut from personal memoir to shaggy-dog comedy to rueful memories of his troubles and triumphs with drugs and alcohol to sharp-eyed observations from years on the road, I Never Met a Story I Didn't Like is for fans of Snider's music, but also for fans of America the broad, wild country that has produced figures of folk wisdom like Will Rogers, Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Tonya Harding, Garrison Keillor, and more. There are storytellers and there are performers and there are stand-up comedians. And then there's Todd Snider, who is all three in one, and something else entirely.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2014
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488 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
April 20, 2014
I'm loving this book. Todd Snider isn't a writer, but he's a great storyteller. Reading this book makes me feel like I'm just hanging out with a guy who's done all of these crazy things and he he's saying "oh, did I ever tell you about the time I...." But it's not all just funny stuff. He really opens up and if you're a fan of his this will make you feel like you know him a little bit better. I think people who haven't heard of him would still enjoy this book, but I am such a fan that it's hard for me to know if I'm right about that. You'll just have to find out for yourself I guess.
March 29, 2014
A "must read" for Todd Snider fans. And a "should read" for most anyone else.
January 19, 2016
Monday, January 11th was a weird day, it was the day everyone in the world found out David Bowie had died the previous evening.
It seemed only right to go home and finish a collection of short stories by a prolific, often satiric but deeply heartfelt songwriter who worships music and rock n' roll in his bones. I honestly do not know what to say beyond that, he strikes a chord in my emotions, because so many emotions live in my funny bone.
What I recommend for you to do is simple. Buy the album East Nashville Skyline, play it repeatedly, go see this man live in concert, and then buy this book and read it. You will have answers to questions you never knew you had, written by a true traveler who was willing to live life without a net, a kind of bravery bestowed upon few of us. David Bowie had it, and as I mourned him while playing his music loudly, Todd Snider helped me sojourn on.
Two days before David Bowie died, I had the good fortune to spend a Saturday night with many dear friends, one of whom was in town from Louisiana. He's a traveler and a music lover, and it was wonderful to see him as always. While I'm still nursing the hangover a week later, it was my great privilege to pass this book along to him, with the instructions that once he reads it, he is to pass it along again. That's the mark of a great book, Todd Snider, the fact that people who worship you're music are willing to let it go for free, in order to pass your words along.
You'll notice in this review that I've mentioned David Bowie a few times, and while I had his greatest hits album, I did not worship him the way many of my peers did, not by intent, just by omission. I feel poorer for that, and I recommend future generations give him more of an ear, and to play his rock n' roll loudly. Do the same with Todd Snider. They may have had nothing in common BUT Rock n' Roll, but in my experience, that's often good enough.
It seemed only right to go home and finish a collection of short stories by a prolific, often satiric but deeply heartfelt songwriter who worships music and rock n' roll in his bones. I honestly do not know what to say beyond that, he strikes a chord in my emotions, because so many emotions live in my funny bone.
What I recommend for you to do is simple. Buy the album East Nashville Skyline, play it repeatedly, go see this man live in concert, and then buy this book and read it. You will have answers to questions you never knew you had, written by a true traveler who was willing to live life without a net, a kind of bravery bestowed upon few of us. David Bowie had it, and as I mourned him while playing his music loudly, Todd Snider helped me sojourn on.
Two days before David Bowie died, I had the good fortune to spend a Saturday night with many dear friends, one of whom was in town from Louisiana. He's a traveler and a music lover, and it was wonderful to see him as always. While I'm still nursing the hangover a week later, it was my great privilege to pass this book along to him, with the instructions that once he reads it, he is to pass it along again. That's the mark of a great book, Todd Snider, the fact that people who worship you're music are willing to let it go for free, in order to pass your words along.
You'll notice in this review that I've mentioned David Bowie a few times, and while I had his greatest hits album, I did not worship him the way many of my peers did, not by intent, just by omission. I feel poorer for that, and I recommend future generations give him more of an ear, and to play his rock n' roll loudly. Do the same with Todd Snider. They may have had nothing in common BUT Rock n' Roll, but in my experience, that's often good enough.
July 11, 2014
As a big fan of Snider, I expected to like this book. I expected to find stories that I have heard the singer/songwriter tell on stage, or on record. All that is true, and as I was reading, I could hear his distinctive voice in my head with every word. What I didn't expect to find is a strong and strident statement of an artist declaring and embracing his choices, as controversial as they are, and unveiling his vulnerabilities. Snider is living exactly, the life he has chosen, and if we are to believe him, and why wouldn't we, he is happy with his choices. The book is funny as hell, easy to read, and if you love music, you'll love the cameos (Jimmy Buffet, Garth Brooks, John Prine, Tony Bennett, Darius Rucker, Kris Kristofersson). Snider is a helluva story teller, and it's clear he's perfected the craft as carefully as he crafts his songs.
May 25, 2014
I've said this on numerous occations, and I'll gladly say it again: Todd Snider is the best live act on the road in our time.
His stories makes his shows so utterly enjoyable, and the best bootleg in the world is called "Tales From Moondawgs Tavern", where 5 cds of these stories are collected.
And in this book he embelishes on those stories, giving them life and tells us the backstory to the backstory of his fantastic lyrics.
AND at the same time he tell's his life story. Or at least a small portion of it, like only Todd Snider can.
I've read hundreds of music biographies, and this might rank as the best of them all.
Just do yourself the favour and read this. If you don't laugh, please seek professional help.
His stories makes his shows so utterly enjoyable, and the best bootleg in the world is called "Tales From Moondawgs Tavern", where 5 cds of these stories are collected.
And in this book he embelishes on those stories, giving them life and tells us the backstory to the backstory of his fantastic lyrics.
AND at the same time he tell's his life story. Or at least a small portion of it, like only Todd Snider can.
I've read hundreds of music biographies, and this might rank as the best of them all.
Just do yourself the favour and read this. If you don't laugh, please seek professional help.
January 12, 2015
Witty, funny, entertaining stories, but they are better when you hear him actually TELL them. Listen to any of his live CD's and there you go.
July 31, 2018
First, I love Todd Snider. At my wedding, our first dance song was "All That Matters." I think his live album, Near Truths and Hotel Rooms is one of the funniest things I've ever heard--the intros to "Sideshow Blues" and "Ballad of the Devil's Backbone Tavern" are as funny as any comedian. And he's written and sung some of the best angry and funny songs --sometimes both at once--and I urge you to go out and find the following: "Is This Thing Working?" "The Devil You Know," "Age Like Wine," "Incarcerated," "Good Fortune," "Long Year," "Beer Run," and "Happy New Year." May he be my generation's John Prine and live and perform as long as possible.
Secondly, this book is a lot of fun. A lot of the stories are ones he tells on stage, and many of the others are ones he probably will tell on stage, and you can hear his voice throughout. I'd rather hear him read them out loud, but the whole book works both as a personal history and a collection of anecdotes. He is very good at celebrating people both famous and obscure while telling you the story of his own mistakes and triumphs--which are sometimes both at the same time.
Thirdly, I'm not a stoner, and Todd is, in case you miss that. He mentions pot so often that you understand how important it is to him, and how he is an advocate for the entire stoner worldview. That's just fine, since he also is an advocate for humanism, kindness, humility, acceptance, and humor. At certain points, the pot stuff becomes as tiresome as if he were a vegan or a health nut, but it's fine. But I find more troubling his belief that "it's got to be insanity all the time. I don't want to be grounded. I'm not looking for that. It doesn't help." Though he realizes that his choices may occasionally affect other people negatively, it doesn't stop him from making them, in the quest for his best art/life. Which leaves him in the hospital at the end of the book, recovering from pills, alcohol, and cocaine (and something else). He's aware enough to quote the doctor telling him he's stupid, but he's stupid enough to maybe not get that he could kill himself. Or not care.
I realize that this is my problem, and Todd might be trying to tell me something. I'm personally bad at extremes. I've never looked at Hunter Thompson and thought of that person as any kind of hero. And I never thought John Prine was better when/because he was destroying himself. So I just wish Todd would keep writing and performing and wish he wouldn't always blow everything apart. But in his case he seems to think it's necessary. Too Soon To Tell.
Secondly, this book is a lot of fun. A lot of the stories are ones he tells on stage, and many of the others are ones he probably will tell on stage, and you can hear his voice throughout. I'd rather hear him read them out loud, but the whole book works both as a personal history and a collection of anecdotes. He is very good at celebrating people both famous and obscure while telling you the story of his own mistakes and triumphs--which are sometimes both at the same time.
Thirdly, I'm not a stoner, and Todd is, in case you miss that. He mentions pot so often that you understand how important it is to him, and how he is an advocate for the entire stoner worldview. That's just fine, since he also is an advocate for humanism, kindness, humility, acceptance, and humor. At certain points, the pot stuff becomes as tiresome as if he were a vegan or a health nut, but it's fine. But I find more troubling his belief that "it's got to be insanity all the time. I don't want to be grounded. I'm not looking for that. It doesn't help." Though he realizes that his choices may occasionally affect other people negatively, it doesn't stop him from making them, in the quest for his best art/life. Which leaves him in the hospital at the end of the book, recovering from pills, alcohol, and cocaine (and something else). He's aware enough to quote the doctor telling him he's stupid, but he's stupid enough to maybe not get that he could kill himself. Or not care.
I realize that this is my problem, and Todd might be trying to tell me something. I'm personally bad at extremes. I've never looked at Hunter Thompson and thought of that person as any kind of hero. And I never thought John Prine was better when/because he was destroying himself. So I just wish Todd would keep writing and performing and wish he wouldn't always blow everything apart. But in his case he seems to think it's necessary. Too Soon To Tell.
July 3, 2014
I read this based solely on the title (and the decent reviews it got.) I had never heard of Todd Snider before, and my goal was to read the whole thing before listening to his music. (I almost made it through but caved...no comment on his music, because that's not what this is about.) This is about, as the preface suggests, "smoking grass and dropping names." And there is a lot of both- from Hunter S. Thompson to Kris Kristofferson, and if you don't recognize those names maybe this book isn't for you.
The book reads like some guy telling a story - I mean, some guy you met at a bar orating a story to you. That's my only criticism - that he could have better adapted his storytelling to written format - but it actually makes for a quicker read once you know the cues and understand his storytelling structure.
Todd Snider has a lot of self-awareness and worldly experience and it comes out through stories of debauchery and rubbing elbows. He learned at an early age to be himself and not give a damn. He has no qualms about opening up - in comical ways - about his battles with drug addiction. He has so many stories of being in the right place at the right time that it does seem incredulous at times - being in treatment with a celebrity's wife right before she killed him, for example.
That said, he also puts himself out there - walking to the 'bad part of town' in Alaska and befriending the ne'er-do-good crowd there and bringing them to his show, for example. Nevermind that he could take a story about the most boring person you've ever met and make that person sound like the mayor of his town. Todd Snider can see the positive, crazy, uniqueness of people - or maybe his personality is such that he brings out those qualities from other people, or maybe it's all in his drug-induced state of mind.
I may never go to any of his concerts (and he won't ever care), but I would definitely read another book if he wrote one.
Recommended if you like good storytelling, if you're an aspiring musician, or if you like reading about the glorification of drugs and alcohol. I think I fit two of those categories.
The book reads like some guy telling a story - I mean, some guy you met at a bar orating a story to you. That's my only criticism - that he could have better adapted his storytelling to written format - but it actually makes for a quicker read once you know the cues and understand his storytelling structure.
Todd Snider has a lot of self-awareness and worldly experience and it comes out through stories of debauchery and rubbing elbows. He learned at an early age to be himself and not give a damn. He has no qualms about opening up - in comical ways - about his battles with drug addiction. He has so many stories of being in the right place at the right time that it does seem incredulous at times - being in treatment with a celebrity's wife right before she killed him, for example.
That said, he also puts himself out there - walking to the 'bad part of town' in Alaska and befriending the ne'er-do-good crowd there and bringing them to his show, for example. Nevermind that he could take a story about the most boring person you've ever met and make that person sound like the mayor of his town. Todd Snider can see the positive, crazy, uniqueness of people - or maybe his personality is such that he brings out those qualities from other people, or maybe it's all in his drug-induced state of mind.
I may never go to any of his concerts (and he won't ever care), but I would definitely read another book if he wrote one.
Recommended if you like good storytelling, if you're an aspiring musician, or if you like reading about the glorification of drugs and alcohol. I think I fit two of those categories.
June 18, 2014
I Never Met a Story I Didn't Like: Mostly True Tall Tales by Todd Snider (finished 5/6/14): I am a long-time lover of Todd Snider's music and storytelling, so I of course had to pre-order this one. My friend Dave calls Todd a "stoner savant", which is the most accurate description I've heard of the balance between his drug use and his brilliance. Since I've seen/heard Todd (both in concert and on CD) multiple times, I expected this book to be a rehashing, but it actually elaborated on many of the stories with which I was already familiar, and there were many new ones I had not. His homage to Kris Kristofferson alone is worth the price the book. Very entertaining as well as enlightening, only reinforcing my love of "tree huggin’, peace lovin’, pot smokin’, barefootin’ folk-singin’ hippies like [him]".... :-)
"If you want the job where you open your heart for people and then they cheer you for it, that's really what you have to do. When they say that the greatest singers are broken hearted, there’s a reason: you are going to be breaking your heart. You can’t just make up a song about some car you saw when you were driving down a road; it’ll be like carrying a piano up a mountain when you have to sing it live, and no one will give a shit.
I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't enticed by the idea of playing music in order to get wasted, have a cool scarf, and have chicks tell me I was deep, even if I wasn't. But the thing I was wanting to be, which was what you might call a lifer, wasn't going to be about coming up with a cute melody once. It was going to be about daring to be humiliated, over and over again. And when your heart finally starts to heal up, that's when you're in trouble. Contentment, not rejection, is the enemy."
"If you want the job where you open your heart for people and then they cheer you for it, that's really what you have to do. When they say that the greatest singers are broken hearted, there’s a reason: you are going to be breaking your heart. You can’t just make up a song about some car you saw when you were driving down a road; it’ll be like carrying a piano up a mountain when you have to sing it live, and no one will give a shit.
I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't enticed by the idea of playing music in order to get wasted, have a cool scarf, and have chicks tell me I was deep, even if I wasn't. But the thing I was wanting to be, which was what you might call a lifer, wasn't going to be about coming up with a cute melody once. It was going to be about daring to be humiliated, over and over again. And when your heart finally starts to heal up, that's when you're in trouble. Contentment, not rejection, is the enemy."
June 27, 2014
If you're a fan of Todd Snider's, you know that he's as much a storyteller as he is a singer/songwriter and this collection of stoner fables is as indispensable as a new album. It's all here: Moondawg, Bill Eliot, Tony Bennett and more. And lots of drugs. Tons. High five!
If you are not a fan of Todd Snider's, you should still read the book. You might not get it. You might not like it. But the guy wrote it, you might as well read it, right? Right.
Somewhere in the mess of Hunter S. Thompson-style madness there's a message about being true to yourself and following your dreams for the love of it all. Unfortunately I missed that part and mainly took away the lesson: You'll never lose your shoes if you walk around barefoot. Or some deep shit like that. High five!
If you are not a fan of Todd Snider's, you should still read the book. You might not get it. You might not like it. But the guy wrote it, you might as well read it, right? Right.
Somewhere in the mess of Hunter S. Thompson-style madness there's a message about being true to yourself and following your dreams for the love of it all. Unfortunately I missed that part and mainly took away the lesson: You'll never lose your shoes if you walk around barefoot. Or some deep shit like that. High five!
September 28, 2014
This collection of tales from Todd Snider was thoroughly enjoyable. I've seen Todd in concert a number of times, so I've heard him tell quite a few of these stories already, but that didn't make them any less interesting. Throughout this book I could clearly hear every word in Todd Snider's voice. Bottom line: a very funny, irreverent, and worthwhile look inside his mind. High five!
December 5, 2023
I've been a big fan of Todd Snider for nearly twenty years now. The wit and wisdom of his music and storytelling have gotten me through more than one dark period of my life, and the through-line of hope and wonder in his lyrics have helped change my perspective about life. I owe a lot to Todd Snider, and I hope someday to be able to thank him for all that he's done. His book, a lot of the contents of which have been drawn from stories he's shared over the years with captive audiences, was sure to be a winner for me.
I loved this book. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. It helped get me into the music of Jimmy Buffet, and for that alone, it's well worth the price. Todd Snider is as adept a writer as he is a storyteller, and I challenge anyone to read these pages and not hear Todd telling them in his laconic drawl with a grin on his face.
Any fan of Todd will love this book, and although some of the stories are sure to be recognized to anyone who's given Tales From Moondawg's Tavern a listen, I guarantee there will be some stories here you've not heard before. They're good ones, all of them. Todd's self-awareness goes far beyond what you'd see in many a musician. He grows and changes, much as he still seems to be doing today.
I hope Todd turns his pen to another book at some point, he has so many interesting stories to share.
I loved this book. It made me laugh, and it made me cry. It helped get me into the music of Jimmy Buffet, and for that alone, it's well worth the price. Todd Snider is as adept a writer as he is a storyteller, and I challenge anyone to read these pages and not hear Todd telling them in his laconic drawl with a grin on his face.
Any fan of Todd will love this book, and although some of the stories are sure to be recognized to anyone who's given Tales From Moondawg's Tavern a listen, I guarantee there will be some stories here you've not heard before. They're good ones, all of them. Todd's self-awareness goes far beyond what you'd see in many a musician. He grows and changes, much as he still seems to be doing today.
I hope Todd turns his pen to another book at some point, he has so many interesting stories to share.
February 20, 2022
As if Kurt Cobain and James Taylor had a secret love child…in walk Todd. Any fan of music would find this story entertaining.
March 16, 2022
Absolutely perfect traveling musician memoir
This book has everything you want. Story after story after story. It is a constant stream and you can't put it down.
This book has everything you want. Story after story after story. It is a constant stream and you can't put it down.
January 18, 2023
3.5 stars. I’m not a fan of his music, didn’t really know who he was until I heard about him on Pamela Des Barres’ podcast, but he has some interesting stories.
February 28, 2020
Spectacularly fun book! When I couldn't find access to this book, a lovely friend gave me her copy. I am forever grateful. I will read it, again, before I pass it on to someone else. It's that good.
May 29, 2019
I'm a relatively new Todd Snider fan. Todd recently came to a city near me, and when my concert-going consort found out Todd was headed our way (we were standing in line to see Patty Griffin at the time), he made a funny noise ("Yieeepe! Todd Snider -- I gotta have a ticket!") and bought his ticket, all within 20 seconds of seeing the Todd Snider-is-coming sign. I waited until the day before Snider's concert to buy my ticket, figuring 'What the heck. My buddy music-loving loves Snider, and I've already got the afternoon off to go to a doctor appointment. I'll go.' I fell in love with Todd Snider; his dog, Cowboy; his unique, quirky worldview and humor; and, most of all, his music that night. I bought Snider's newest CD, "Cash Cabin Sessions, Vol. 3" and this book. I came home from my first-ever Todd Snider concert and read the book cover to cover before falling to sleep. The next day, I read it cover to cover again. It's that good.
Like another reviewer here, I was slightly put off by Snider's frequent references to drugs and how wonderful they are. I admire his forthrightness, but I can't help but wish he had been less effusive about drugs. I worry he'll burn out and something bad will happen to him, frankly, and I would hate that. But Todd Snider is not a follower of most people's rules of behavior. And Snider takes obvious delight from recreational medications. Taking them often certainly hasn't impeded his intelligence level; he's a brilliant phrase man and a sagacious, loving observer of life. Plus, he seems to be a super nice guy. He is accountable for his mistakes from the get-go, and he makes it clear that any mistakes he has made, HE has made. He does not blame anything bad that happens to him on anyone else. I really like that, especially in this age of celebrities and nearly everyone else complaining that life has been bad to them and avowing that they would have done better had everyone not picked on them ("Hangin' around down on Somethin’ To Do Street / I'm like the first dollar bill that they frame / I'm watching media coverage of media coverage / Of some kid who can’t make peace with fame / It must be tough, man / The paparazzi and stuff, man...." ~ from "Framed," by Todd Snider). Snider is kind, complimentary of other musicians and people, and just plain nicer than most people I've ever known. This book made me wish he were my personal friend, as Snider sure has taken care of his friends in this life, from the famous all the way down to the lowliest and most difficult to like (Tony Bennett, for one, but not THE Tony Bennett).
I enjoyed the stories about Snider's fellows, too, some of whom are my own favorites, some of whom are not: Kris Kristofferson (a favorite of mine), John Prine (also a favorite), Guy Clark and Susanna Clark (favorites, especially Guy), Keith Sykes (a favorite), Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett, Garth Brooks, and more. This book made me laugh out loud OFTEN, and that's a drug I'll take every chance I get.
I wish Todd Snider would write another book of life stories, stat.
Like another reviewer here, I was slightly put off by Snider's frequent references to drugs and how wonderful they are. I admire his forthrightness, but I can't help but wish he had been less effusive about drugs. I worry he'll burn out and something bad will happen to him, frankly, and I would hate that. But Todd Snider is not a follower of most people's rules of behavior. And Snider takes obvious delight from recreational medications. Taking them often certainly hasn't impeded his intelligence level; he's a brilliant phrase man and a sagacious, loving observer of life. Plus, he seems to be a super nice guy. He is accountable for his mistakes from the get-go, and he makes it clear that any mistakes he has made, HE has made. He does not blame anything bad that happens to him on anyone else. I really like that, especially in this age of celebrities and nearly everyone else complaining that life has been bad to them and avowing that they would have done better had everyone not picked on them ("Hangin' around down on Somethin’ To Do Street / I'm like the first dollar bill that they frame / I'm watching media coverage of media coverage / Of some kid who can’t make peace with fame / It must be tough, man / The paparazzi and stuff, man...." ~ from "Framed," by Todd Snider). Snider is kind, complimentary of other musicians and people, and just plain nicer than most people I've ever known. This book made me wish he were my personal friend, as Snider sure has taken care of his friends in this life, from the famous all the way down to the lowliest and most difficult to like (Tony Bennett, for one, but not THE Tony Bennett).
I enjoyed the stories about Snider's fellows, too, some of whom are my own favorites, some of whom are not: Kris Kristofferson (a favorite of mine), John Prine (also a favorite), Guy Clark and Susanna Clark (favorites, especially Guy), Keith Sykes (a favorite), Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett, Garth Brooks, and more. This book made me laugh out loud OFTEN, and that's a drug I'll take every chance I get.
I wish Todd Snider would write another book of life stories, stat.
May 8, 2017
The genre of "Memoir" is challenging. Snider is not afraid of such challenges. To become who he is, a singer-songwriter who has been compared to Bob Dylan and John Prine, a teller of tales that go to the heart of the American story, he has seldom backed down. In "I Never Met a Story I Didn't Like", he tells his story by telling the stories of his encounter with others along the way. These stories are unvarnished and surprisingly moving. They travel like arrows directly to the heart. His journey is not unlike that of other adult children of alcoholics who have found fame. And his fame is fueled by alcohol and whatever other "stimulants" he can get his hands on. And by the "mentoring" of idols like Jimmy Buffet and Jerry Jeff Walker. One slice of his encounter with Jerry Jeff Walker is especially moving. Walker, the composer of one of the most recognizable songs of his generation, "Mr. Bojangles", and Snider are bar hopping Vegas deep into the morning when they come upon a familiar sound. A homeless man with an acoustic guitar, his hat on the sidewalk before him for donations, is playing and singing "Mr. Bojangles." They are drawn to the man, and Walker leans forward and listens to him sing the song over and over again. Then he reaches into his pockets and takes out every last dollar he has and puts them in the man's hat. And then they move on to the next bar. So it goes. And goes. And goes. It is a splendid little book, if you like little books. And if you like memoirs. And if you delight in discovering people of unusual talent whose names you may have never heard before.
You may even be inspired to listen to him on YouTube. Or even buy one of his many CD's. Or, better yet, make it a point to go and listen to him sing his songs and tell his stories when he comes to your town.
You may even be inspired to listen to him on YouTube. Or even buy one of his many CD's. Or, better yet, make it a point to go and listen to him sing his songs and tell his stories when he comes to your town.
July 11, 2014
I'll never forgot the morning many years ago when my clock radio woke me up with I'm an Alright Guy. I laughed my ass off before i got my head off the pillow. Then I hightailed out of bed and wrote TODD SNIDER on apiece of paper for future reference. Over the years, I've been a fair weather fan, meaning I always go to hear him play in my hometown, Bloomington IN. Great songs for the dance floor. He lost me on a couple albums, but Todd is still one of my perennial faves. It's not what he says--it's how he says it. He's got the storytelling gene, which makes this book so dang fun. He's like Garrison Keillor and Mark Twain in a sad way--The boy spent way too much of his life drowning his poet's gift in chemicals. But back to the book, it was a darn good afternoon he gave me. I love his voice, the way he talks. Todd's favorite songwriters are my favorite songwriters, and I thank him for taking the time to spin some tall tales.
December 25, 2021
I knew this book would be humorous and entertaining going into it, and I expected to read a few of the stories I've already heard from going to several of his shows. I didn't expect to get so emotionally attached to some of these people through his storytelling, but I truly felt like I missed out by not knowing some of these folks he encountered on the road over the years. There are also plenty of new stories and more background to anything that was familiar. The whole book played out in my mind in his voice, making it feel like Todd Snider was right here in the room, and if you play the songs at the point where the lyrics are written in the book, you'll feel like you're at one of his shows as the stories build up to the songs the events inspired. I am obviously a fan, so biased as my review may be, I think this was a great, pretty quick read and interesting even if you go into it unfamiliar with him and his music (which won't last long).
June 17, 2015
This was a book full of comic, outrageous and possibly true tales that was a joy to read. Todd Snider is a born story teller whose written word matches his spoken word and even his sung word. But just as important as the comic in this book was the touching. Todd Snider also has a knack for introspection and telling us publicly when he screwed up and whose life he might have affected with his screw-ups. And he's just as quick, maybe quicker, to give others credit as he is to take the credit himself...even while he's major name dropping. But it was great to read about his interaction with his heroes. It was also great to read about the unknowns he befriended over the years. His book tries to shatter some myths about being a music star. It also reinforces some.
October 9, 2017
This is heading to my All-time Favorites shelf.
I've come to hate the term "LOL", but this book will make you do it.
If you like Todd Snider, you'll love this.
Music and songwriting... John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark... behind the scenes in the music industry... great stories told by a great storyteller... life on tour... finding love in strange places. All wrapped in a completely candid and self-aware bio.
I've come to hate the term "LOL", but this book will make you do it.
If you like Todd Snider, you'll love this.
Music and songwriting... John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark... behind the scenes in the music industry... great stories told by a great storyteller... life on tour... finding love in strange places. All wrapped in a completely candid and self-aware bio.
March 31, 2018
Rolling stone gave it a 5 star review. Just kidding. It’s a line from a song off the first album. I’m a fan and have been since that first album. The book had all the humor, self-awareness, and stories that I would expect. It’s not an objective review.
March 7, 2015
This book actually made me laugh out loud a dozen times.
December 29, 2016
Great stuff. I would give it a 4 star, but I've seen Todd so many times, that I had heard already heard half of these stories.
August 20, 2019
Fantastic book written the way he tells stories. I laughed a lot and I cried a little too. Todd is just the best.
May 23, 2021
This is my current Favorite Thing That Exists.
November 11, 2022
An absolute joy to read. Filled with wry asides and comic stories that shine with self-awareness and irony, this autobiographical tome by one of my favorite singer songwriters was even better than I expected. Snider's music is filled with laughs and hard luck characters. So is this book. A running theme is addiction--the man has spent the last 40 years pretty much high and drunk, and it's only when he becomes addicted to opiates, or does a few too many lines of cocaine, that he finds it memorable and worth addressing at length. He scarcely mentions a family after his origin, and there's an odd reference to a "divorce" from his mother, and brother, towards the end. And he is aversive to much discussion of his then wife, Melita, for the most part (they divorced right as the book was published I think).
But he is not averse to talking at length about his music family, so you are treated to stories of Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffet, Kris Kristofferson, Garth Brooks, and many more. He is self-deprecating and also willing to be self-critical.
It's also a master class in how to write songs.
But most of all, it's a fun read.
But he is not averse to talking at length about his music family, so you are treated to stories of Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffet, Kris Kristofferson, Garth Brooks, and many more. He is self-deprecating and also willing to be self-critical.
It's also a master class in how to write songs.
But most of all, it's a fun read.
July 9, 2022
I admit that during the 3 days that I carried this book around with me to various restaurants and places I felt like my "cool factor" went up a little. I wanted someone to walk by and say "Are you reading that?" or something stupid and obvious. I was convinced that I was reading modern-day Kerouac like I had been let into the secret club of cool.
For those of you who don't know (like me before I read the book), Todd Snider is kind of a blend of John Prine, Dylan and any other troubadour/folksinger you want to insert here, with Warren Zevon type lyrics and the spoken word of Henry Rollins.
I don't know if the dude is "gifted" or a "genius" or any of that shit but he made me laugh out loud many times in this book.
If you have never heard of Todd Snider, you are not alone. Do not let that stop you from reading this book. If you like music (or doing drugs...or not doing drugs) or you like to laugh or you like stories from a modern-day gypsy, make this your next book.
I will start making this a book that I recommend.
For those of you who don't know (like me before I read the book), Todd Snider is kind of a blend of John Prine, Dylan and any other troubadour/folksinger you want to insert here, with Warren Zevon type lyrics and the spoken word of Henry Rollins.
I don't know if the dude is "gifted" or a "genius" or any of that shit but he made me laugh out loud many times in this book.
If you have never heard of Todd Snider, you are not alone. Do not let that stop you from reading this book. If you like music (or doing drugs...or not doing drugs) or you like to laugh or you like stories from a modern-day gypsy, make this your next book.
I will start making this a book that I recommend.
January 8, 2024
Todd Spider isn't " stupid" Todd is a peoples poet especially for us White Republicans.
Todd Snider lived in Memphis and played frequently at the now closed " Daily Planet" which was also during my law school daze at the University of Memphis. I caught his gigs on plenty of school nights and he is considered a musical genius inspite of himself. The book moved too fast and I was sad when I read his last , really funny , insightful chapter. While we worry about Todd tempting fate once too many times this book reveals that under all his hippy happy persona there is a thoughtful and caring person who makes life a little easier to swallow. Note to Todd, if you put out a paperback you have to bring us up to date on his " dream career" by adding another chapter. Catch Todd everywhere as he tours constantly with about 100 concerts each year.
Todd Snider lived in Memphis and played frequently at the now closed " Daily Planet" which was also during my law school daze at the University of Memphis. I caught his gigs on plenty of school nights and he is considered a musical genius inspite of himself. The book moved too fast and I was sad when I read his last , really funny , insightful chapter. While we worry about Todd tempting fate once too many times this book reveals that under all his hippy happy persona there is a thoughtful and caring person who makes life a little easier to swallow. Note to Todd, if you put out a paperback you have to bring us up to date on his " dream career" by adding another chapter. Catch Todd everywhere as he tours constantly with about 100 concerts each year.
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