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Blaze Foley
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Key Information

Michael David Fuller (December 18, 1949 – February 1, 1989), better known by his stage name Blaze Foley, was an American country music singer-songwriter, poet, and artist active in Austin, Texas.

Background

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Foley was born Michael David Fuller in Malvern, Arkansas on December 18, 1949.[2] He grew up in San Antonio, Texas and performed in a gospel band called The Singing Fuller Family with his mother, brother, and sisters.[2] As a child, Blaze contracted polio, and as a consequence, one of his legs was shorter than the other, causing him to drag his foot while walking.[3] He was nicknamed "Deputy Dawg" early in his career.[4] In the spring of 1975, he was living in a small artists' community just outside Whitesburg, Georgia when he met Sybil Rosen.[4] Rosen and Foley were in a relationship and decided to leave the artist community together to support his music. He went on the road and performed in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, and, finally, they ended up in Austin, Texas.[4] Foley tried to get into songwriting, but after the move, he experienced a lot of career pressure and started drinking more.[4] The bar scene complicated his relationship with Rosen, and it eventually ended.[4]

Foley was close friends with Townes Van Zandt and was greatly influenced by him.[5] Foley's stage name was inspired by his admiration of musician Red Foley[5] and the stripper and burlesque performer Blaze Starr.[6]

Music and lyrics

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The master tapes from his first studio album were confiscated by the DEA when the album's executive producer was caught in a drug bust.[7]: 190  Another studio album disappeared when the master copies were stolen along with his belongings from a station wagon that Foley had been given and lived in.[7]: 180  A third studio album, Wanted More Dead Than Alive, was thought to have disappeared until, many years after Foley died, a friend who was cleaning out his car discovered what sounded like the Bee Creek recording sessions on which he and other musicians had performed. This was Foley's last studio album, and he was scheduled to tour the UK with Townes Van Zandt in support of the album. When Foley died, his attorney immediately nullified the recording contract and the master tapes subsequently disappeared, reportedly having been lost in a flood.

Death and legacy

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On February 1, 1989, Foley was at a house in the Bouldin Creek neighborhood of Austin, Texas[8] when he was shot in the chest and killed by Carey January, the son of Foley's friend Concho January. Foley had confronted Carey January, accusing him of stealing his father's veteran pension and welfare checks.[9] Carey January was acquitted of first-degree murder by reason of self-defense. He and his father presented completely different versions of the shooting at trial.[10] Concho January, who has since died, liked to drink and proved an unreliable witness even though he tried to testify against his son.[9]

At his funeral, Foley's casket was coated with duct tape by his friends.[11] Townes Van Zandt told a story where he and his musicians went to Foley's grave to dig up his body because they wanted the pawn ticket that Foley had for Van Zandt's guitar.[5]

Film and television

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Foley's music is featured prominently in a feature-length documentary film about him entitled Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah, released in 2011 by filmmaker Kevin Triplett.

Foley's song "Let Me Ride in Your Big Cadillac" featured prominently at the end of the 8th episode (July 2016) of the first season of the television show Preacher.

"Cold, Cold World" is featured in the 4th episode of Season 5 of The Mentalist, aired in October 2012.

In 2016 his song "Clay Pigeons" featured on the soundtrack of the movie Homestate.

In January 2018, Blaze, a biographical drama directed by Ethan Hawke,[12] premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. The screenplay was adapted by Hawke from the novel Living in the Woods in a Tree: Remembering Blaze Foley by Sybil Rosen. The film stars musician Ben Dickey as Foley, Alia Shawkat as Sybil Rosen, and Charlie Sexton as Townes Van Zandt.[13]

Season 1 Episode 8 of Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus premiered on November 10, 2017, featuring stories about Foley.

Music

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Townes Van Zandt wrote the 1990 song "Blaze's Blues" about his friend [14] and first released it on his 1991 live album Rain on a Conga Drum - Live in Berlin. He re-released it multiple times, notably on his two-disc album Live at Union Chapel, London, England.

Lucinda Williams wrote a Foley tribute song titled "Drunken Angel" for her 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.[15]

Gurf Morlix wrote a Foley tribute song titled "Music You Mighta Made" for his 2009 album Last Exit to Happyland. On February 1, 2011, Morlix released a 15-song collection of Foley cover songs titled Blaze Foley's 113th Wet Dream.

Kings of Leon recorded a Foley tribute song titled "Reverend" on their 2016 album Walls.[16]

In 1998, a various artist Foley digital tribute album was released titled Blaze Foley: In Tribute and Loving Memory...Volume One, which includes Foley's work by 15 artists (Deep State Production).[17]

His 1979 song "If I Could Only Fly" was covered on Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson's 1987 duet album Seashores of Old Mexico, with the song reaching Number 58 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs singles chart. It was covered again by Haggard on his 2000 album If I Could Only Fly. Joe Nichols recorded it as a duet with Lee Ann Womack on his 2007 album Real Things. Nanci Griffith recorded it on her 2012 album Intersection. Kimmie Rhodes recorded it on the aforementioned 1998 Foley tribute album Blaze Foley: In Tribute and Loving Memory...Volume One.

His song "Election Day" was covered by Lyle Lovett on his 2003 album My Baby Don't Tolerate.

His song "Clay Pigeons" was covered by John Prine on his Grammy Award-winning 2005 album Fair & Square and by Michael Cera on his 2014 album True That.

His song "Rainbows and Ridges" was covered by Chicago band Whitney on their 2020 covers album Candid.

In 2009, at the request of Foley's estate, Texas singer-songwriter and old-time music historian Jon Hogan was tasked with adding music to three unearthed songs from lyrics found in Foley's handwriting after his death. The three "new" songs "Every Now and Then", "Safe in the Arms of Love", and "Can't Always Cry" were recorded by Hogan on his 2010 tribute album Every Now and Then: Songs of Townes Van Zandt & Blaze Foley.[18] In 2017, Hogan and musical partner Maria Moss re-recorded "Can't Always Cry" for their album In Dreams I Go Back Home.

Quotes

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About Foley

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Discography

[edit]
Album name Year released Publisher Notes
If I Could Only Fly/Let Me Ride in Your Big Cadillac 1979 Zephyr Records 7" 45-only release; 1000
Blaze Foley 1984 Vital Records LP-only release; 7497-33
Girl Scout Cookies/Oval Room 1984 Vital Records 7" 45-only release; 7077
Live at the Austin Outhouse (...And Not There) 1989 Outhouse Records cassette-only release
Live at the Austin Outhouse 1999 Lost Art Records [8]
Oval Room 2004 Lost Art Records [8](Munic/Indigo)
Wanted More Dead Than Alive 2005 Waddell Hollow Records
Cold, Cold World 2006 Lost Art Records [8]
Sittin' by the Road 2010 Lost Art Records [8]
The Dawg Years 2010 Fat Possum Records 8 Track reissue by Sacred Bones
Duct Tape Messiah soundtrack 2011 Lost Art Records
Blaze Foley (reissue) 2012 Big Pink (Big Pink re-issue of Vital Records LP)
Blaze Foley The Lost Muscle Shoals Recordings 2017 Lost Art Records featuring the Muscle Shoals Horns, Foley's first recorded album from a 1984 session recorded at Broadway Sound Studio.[8] This album was missing for many years due to the DEA drug bust of the executive producer.[8]

Literature

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  • Carmen und Kai Nees: Blaze Foley - Ein Aussenseiter, der zur Legende wurde - Self-published in 2018; ISBN 978-3-00-058564-7 - Book in German.
  • Carmen und Kai Nees: Blaze Foley - From Misfit To Legend - Self-published in 2018; ISBN 978-3-00-060018-0.

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Blaze Foley

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Blaze Foley (December 18, 1949 – February 1, 1989), born Michael David Fuller, was an American country-folk singer-songwriter and poet renowned for his raw, introspective lyrics and finger-picking guitar style that blended spirituality, hardship, and outlaw themes. Born in , to and Louise Fuller, Foley grew up in a family of traveling gospel singers before spending much of his childhood in , where he developed his musical talents amid a nomadic lifestyle. He adopted his stage name in the 1970s and immersed himself in the Austin music scene, becoming part of the movement alongside figures like , with whom he shared a close friendship and collaborative spirit. Foley's career was marked by limited commercial success during his lifetime, as he often performed in small venues and lived transiently, but his songwriting garnered posthumous acclaim; notable works include "If I Could Only Fly", covered by and , and "Clay Pigeons", interpreted by and , among others like , , and . His distinctive persona—often seen in duct-taped boots and creating artwork under the Ezalb Yelof—reflected his bohemian, troubled existence as a homeless alcoholic who prioritized artistic integrity over fame. Foley's life ended tragically when he was shot and killed at age 39 in , by the son of an elderly friend, whom he was trying to protect from exploitation, an incident that underscored his loyalty and vulnerability. Despite dying relatively unknown beyond his inner circle, his legacy endures through reissued recordings, tribute albums, and the 2018 biographical film Blaze directed by , which highlighted his influence on American songwriting and cemented his status as a figure in folk and .

Early Life

Birth and Family Background

Blaze Foley, born Michael David Fuller on December 18, 1949, in Malvern, , entered a family deeply immersed in traditions. As an infant, he contracted , which was treated but resulted in one leg growing longer than the other, causing a lifelong limp. His parents, Edwin Fuller and Louise Fuller, relocated the family to during his infancy, first settling in and later moving within the state, as part of their itinerant lifestyle centered on religious performances. Louise, the daughter of a Pentecostal , played a central role in fostering the family's musical pursuits, while Edwin contributed to the household's dynamic through his varied presence. The Fullers formed the Singing Fuller Family, a group that traveled and performed in churches and community settings across . Fuller joined the ensemble at age eleven, alongside his mother and older siblings, including brother and sisters Pat and Marsha, after Doug's departure from the group prompted the younger Fuller's involvement. This early participation instilled a strong foundation in harmonious and religious themes, shaping his initial worldview within a devout, performance-oriented household that emphasized communal faith and vocal expression. In early adulthood, Fuller adopted the stage name Blaze Foley, initially known as "Deputy (Depty) Dog," drawing inspiration from country music icon —whose surname he admired—and burlesque performer , whose fiery persona resonated with his emerging independent spirit. This name change symbolized a deliberate shift away from his gospel-rooted upbringing toward a more secular, self-defined identity in the folk and scenes. The contrast between his childhood exposure to sacred harmonies and the raw, narrative-driven secular folk he later pursued highlighted the tensions in his personal evolution from familial piety to artistic autonomy.

Initial Musical Experiences

In his late teens, Blaze Foley departed from the Singing Fuller Family band, seeking broader musical horizons beyond the structured religious performances of his youth. Growing up in , he became increasingly influenced by the state's vibrant folk and scenes, which offered a raw, narrative-driven alternative to traditions. This shift marked his independent musical awakening, as he absorbed the storytelling ethos of Texas troubadours during informal encounters in and surrounding areas. Foley developed his guitar skills through self-directed practice, becoming a proficient player without formal instruction during the late 1960s. Inspired by figures like , he experimented with songwriting as a personal outlet, crafting initial compositions that drew from everyday struggles rather than commercial aspirations. These early efforts, often scribbled in notebooks while navigating post-high school uncertainties, laid the groundwork for his distinctive voice, emphasizing authenticity over polished production. By the mid-1970s, Foley's exposure to Austin's burgeoning music scene profoundly shaped his development, where he began participating in open-mic nights at local venues. This environment, alive with emerging and folk artists, encouraged his raw performances and honed his stage presence amid a community of like-minded wanderers. Complementing this, Foley's adoption of a bohemian lifestyle—marked by extensive travels across the U.S., including stints in Georgia and , and reliance on odd jobs like manual labor—infused his music with an unfiltered edge, foreshadowing his later style while fostering resilience through transient hardships.

Career

Entry into the Music Industry

In the mid-1970s, Blaze Foley relocated to , where he became immersed in the outlaw country movement, a vibrant scene that emphasized raw, independent songwriting and rebel aesthetics in contrast to Nashville's commercial polish. This shift marked his transition from informal performances to a more professional pursuit, as he began honing his craft amid a community of like-minded artists rejecting mainstream constraints. Foley quickly established key connections with influential figures in the Austin music world, including songwriters and , through shared appearances at local venues that served as hubs for the folk and country circuits. These relationships provided mentorship and exposure, allowing him to navigate the competitive landscape of open mics and songwriter nights. His first paid gigs emerged in this environment, including sets at establishments like Spellman's and the Soap Creek Saloon, where he performed original material to receptive crowds in the late 1970s. Despite his growing local reputation, Foley's unconventional persona—marked by eccentric attire and a nomadic lifestyle—posed significant barriers to securing interest from major record labels, which viewed him as too unpredictable for commercial viability. This led him to pursue an independent trajectory, relying on performances and self-produced efforts rather than traditional industry support. During 1976 to 1980, he recorded early demos of unpublished songs, capturing his emerging style on rudimentary tapes that circulated informally among peers; among these was the origin of "," a poignant track he composed reflecting themes of transience and renewal, which would later become one of his most enduring works, as well as his only lifetime release, the 1979 single "If I Could Only Fly b/w Let Me Ride in Your Big Cadillac" on Zephyr Records.

Key Performances and Recordings

During the , Blaze Foley established himself as a fixture in the Austin music scene, performing regularly at intimate venues that defined the city's underbelly. He frequently played at the Austin Outhouse, a gritty East Austin bar where he delivered raw, unaccompanied sets drawing from his catalog of heartfelt ballads and wry observations; his final shows there on December 27 and 28, 1988, captured his signature blend of vulnerability and humor just weeks before his death. Other key spots included the Hole in the Wall and Spellman's, where Foley's appearances often extended into late-night jams with local musicians, fostering a cult following among songwriters despite his nomadic lifestyle. Beyond Austin, Foley undertook modest tours across and the Southwest, gigging at spots like the Austin Opry House in 1985 and smaller halls in and surrounding areas, though these outings were hampered by his aversion to conventional promotion and reliance on word-of-mouth. In 1987, Foley recorded Wanted More Dead Than Alive in an uncredited Austin studio as a demo intended to shop his material, the 10-track effort featuring his and vocals backed minimally by bass from David Waddell and from Leland Waddell, emphasizing his stark, unpolished sound without overdubs or effects. The album's sparse production captured Foley's intimate style, with tracks like "If I Could Only Fly" showcasing his melodic gift for evoking longing, though its handmade nature limited wider exposure until its posthumous release. Earlier recording sessions in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including collaborations with Houston-based guitarist during Foley's time with the Beaver Valley Boys, yielded raw demos like those on the posthumous Cold, Cold World collection from 1979–1980, highlighting Morlix's complementing Foley's narratives of hardship. In 1984, he recorded an unreleased album at with Morlix and the Muscle Shoals Horns. These efforts, often taped in informal settings, preserved Foley's evolving acoustic approach amid his transient life, though many remained unreleased until later archival digs. Audiences preserved Foley's 1980s output through live bootlegs and unreleased tapes, particularly from 1985 to 1988, which circulated as cassettes among fans in the Austin scene. A standout is the full two-night recording from the Austin in 1988, bootlegged initially by club owner John Casner and featuring extended sets of originals and covers that reveal Foley's improvisational flair; these four hours of material, later remastered, include festival-like energy from his rare appearances at events such as informal gatherings, though he was notably banned from the Kerrville Folk Festival for disruptive antics. Other tapes from venues like the Cave Club in capture solo performances promoting Austin's music heritage, offering glimpses of his unfiltered delivery before larger audiences. Despite his talent, Foley faced repeated collaboration setbacks due to industry skepticism toward his eccentric persona and rejection of commercial norms; major labels and producers passed on partnerships, viewing his duct-tape-adorned guitar and bohemian habits as liabilities, even as peers like championed his songcraft. Opportunities for broader recordings or tours evaporated amid this wariness, confining his output to self-reliant efforts and underscoring his status as an outsider.[](https://www.npr.org/2018/09/18/649274538/new-biopic-blaze-explores-life-of-texas-outlaw-songwrit

Musical Style and Themes

Songwriting Approach

Blaze Foley's songwriting was characterized by a raw, unpolished authenticity that prioritized emotional truth over commercial appeal, often composed in makeshift and transient environments reflective of his . He frequently wrote and melodies on scraps of paper while staying on friends' couches or even under pool tables at venues like the , capturing spontaneous ideas amid his itinerant existence. This improvisational habit underscored his rejection of mainstream production norms; for instance, he independently recorded sessions such as the 1984 album at , which record executives shelved due to its unconventional sound, and a 1988 live cassette at the that he distributed informally. Foley emphasized genuine craftsmanship, once chiding fellow musicians who held day jobs as compromising their art, insisting that true songwriting demanded full immersion without external dilutions. His compositional style relied on fingerpicking guitar techniques rooted in folk and traditions, drawing inspiration from masters like to create intricate yet accessible accompaniments that supported narrative-driven structures. Songs like "If I Could Only Fly" exemplify his preference for simple chord progressions—typically using C, F, and G chords in —that allowed the to take center stage without ornate complexity. This approach fostered a conversational intimacy in his music, where the guitar served as a humble vehicle for heartfelt expression rather than a showcase of virtuosity. Foley's playing style, often performed with a duct-taped guitar to mend , reinforced his of resourcefulness and grit. Over the course of his career, Foley's songwriting evolved from the gospel-influenced melodies of his early years with the Singing Fuller Family, where he performed harmonious family arrangements, to the rugged outlaw folk sound that defined his output in the Austin scene. This shift incorporated personal introspection, moving away from structured gospel forms toward looser, autobiographical arrangements that captured the hardships of transient life. By the late , his work embodied the outlaw ethos, blending folk simplicity with a defiant edge that resonated in underground circles, even as it eluded broader success.

Lyrical Content and Influences

Blaze Foley's lyrics frequently delved into themes of and loss, often drawing from his personal relationships, such as those with his Sybil Rosen, to whom several tender songs were dedicated. These works conveyed emotional depth without descending into overt , reflecting his itinerant lifestyle through vivid, that emphasized resilience and human connection. For instance, songs like "If I Could Only Fly" capture the longing and quiet redemption found in fleeting moments of intimacy amid hardship. His writing also incorporated sentiment and political commentary, critiquing societal structures and urban alienation with a mix of and humor. Tracks such as "You'll Get Yours Aplenty" highlight the harsh realities of city life and call for , using wry observations to underscore the struggles of the marginalized. Similarly, "Election Day" employs ironic tones to explore personal survival and encounters with authority, such as pleading with a policeman amid hardship. A hallmark of Foley's oeuvre is the theme of redemption and freedom, evident in "Clay Pigeons," where the narrator rejects conventional existence for a nomadic, self-determined path, symbolized by lines evoking renewal and escape from entrapment. This song exemplifies his avoidance of , instead offering resigned yet hopeful motifs of starting anew. Foley's poetic, narrative-driven style was shaped by influences from songwriters like , whose mentorship infused his work with introspective folk traditions, alongside broader echoes of and in their raw, confessional storytelling.

Personal Life

Relationships and Friendships

Blaze Foley formed a profound friendship with Townes Van Zandt, marked by shared living situations and reciprocal artistic influences that shaped their creative outputs. The two met in during Foley's early travels, where they bonded over music and spent time exploring the urban landscape together, forging a connection that endured through their overlapping careers in the music scene. This camaraderie extended to collaborative performances, such as their joint appearance in the 1984 "Austin Pickers" series, where they exchanged songs and supported each other's work. In the 1970s and 1980s, Foley immersed himself in Austin's vibrant community. This circle, centered around informal gatherings and open-mic venues, offered Foley a network of peers who appreciated his raw songwriting style and provided opportunities for exposure and collaboration. Foley's most significant romantic relationship was with Sybil Rosen, an actress and writer he met in 1975 at a Georgia country bar while performing locally. Their partnership quickly deepened into an unofficial marriage, leading to eight months of cohabitation in a rudimentary treehouse on the Rosen family property, a period of intense creativity where Rosen served as Foley's muse and emotional anchor. Amid Foley's nomadic pursuits, this relationship offered rare stability, inspiring songs and artistic endeavors, as detailed in Rosen's Living in the Woods in a Tree, which chronicles their bond and its influence on his life. Beyond the music world, Foley relied on ties with non-musician friends for occasional support. These relationships intermittently buffered the instability of his transient existence, providing shelter, camaraderie, and motivation during challenging periods.

Lifestyle Challenges

Blaze Foley's lifestyle was marked by chronic alcoholism that began early in his career and persisted throughout his adult life, often manifesting in binge drinking episodes that affected his reliability and personal stability. He was known for fits of rage when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which contributed to self-sabotaging behaviors, such as erratic performances that hindered professional opportunities. This substance use exacerbated his overall health decline, leading to significant physical deterioration by the late 1980s, though specific untreated conditions beyond the lasting effects of childhood polio—a limp from one leg being longer than the other—were not widely documented. Periods of homelessness defined much of Foley's existence, as he frequently lacked a permanent residence and relied on temporary shelters like friends' couches, automobiles, a treehouse in Georgia during the mid-1970s, under pool tables at music venues, bridges, and even dumpsters. He occasionally crashed with acquaintances in Austin's music scene, reflecting a transient existence that aligned with his rejection of conventional stability. Financial instability compounded these challenges, as Foley avoided day jobs and sustained himself primarily through sporadic gig income and, later, modest songwriting royalties, leaving him virtually penniless at the time of his death in 1989. In the late 1980s, Foley's health further declined due to years of heavy drinking, including reports of that contrasted with his earlier slender frame, alongside broader physical wear from his nomadic habits and untreated lifestyle-related issues. Despite these hardships, Foley philosophically embraced his "outlaw" lifestyle as essential fuel for his artistry, criticizing friends who took day jobs as lacking true commitment to music and viewing his struggles as integral to his authentic creative identity—earning him the nickname "Duct Tape Messiah" for his resourceful, unconventional approach. This perspective underscored his dedication to living as a pure , even as it perpetuated his personal turmoil.

Death

Circumstances of the Shooting

On February 1, 1989, Blaze Foley was fatally shot at the home of his elderly friend Concho January in Austin, Texas's Bouldin Creek neighborhood. Foley had befriended the ailing Concho January in mid-1988 and frequently visited to provide companionship and support, often sharing drinks and stories. Their bond formed amid Foley's wandering lifestyle, but tensions arose due to Concho's son, Carey January, who was 39 years old at the time and struggled with drug addiction. The incident unfolded in the early morning hours during a heated family dispute at 706 West Mary Street. Carey January had been physically abusing his father and stealing his Social Security and veterans' benefit checks to fund his drug habit, leaving Concho January vulnerable and in need of protection. Foley intervened to defend Concho, confronting Carey about the mistreatment and exploitation after previous altercations had escalated their animosity. In the living room, as the argument intensified around 5:30 a.m., Carey retrieved a and shot Foley once in the chest, claiming later that he acted out of fear for his own safety. Foley was rushed to Brackenridge Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later that same day. The shooting stemmed directly from Foley's attempt to shield his friend from further harm, reflecting his pattern of loyalty amid personal hardships. Police were notified immediately following the event, initiating an investigation into the circumstances. Following the shooting of Blaze Foley on February 1, 1989, at the home of his friend Concho January in Austin, Texas, authorities conducted an investigation that confirmed the cause of death as a single gunshot wound to the chest. The Travis County Medical Examiner's autopsy ruled the death a homicide, leading to the arrest of Carey January, Concho's 39-year-old son, who was charged with first-degree murder. January was held on $25,000 bond as police examined witness statements and physical evidence from the scene, including the .22-caliber rifle used in the shooting. The trial began on September 25, 1989, in Travis County District Court, where prosecutors argued that Foley had intervened in a dispute between Carey and his elderly father, prompting the fatal shot. Key testimony came from Concho , who stated that Foley was unarmed and shot while attempting to protect him from by his son. Carey countered with a claim, testifying that he feared for his life after Foley allegedly advanced aggressively while armed with a knife. The defense portrayed Concho as unreliable, and no knife was recovered at the scene. After approximately two hours of deliberation, the 10-woman, two-man jury acquitted January of first-degree murder on September 29, 1989, accepting the argument. The Austin music community responded with grief and solidarity, organizing a at the Austin shortly after to raise funds for Foley's burial expenses, as he had no immediate family resources. Friends covered the costs and arranged his interment at Live Oak Cemetery in South Austin, where his casket was famously wrapped in —a nod to his eccentric persona. The drew mixed reactions, with some in the scene expressing frustration over the outcome, though it ultimately amplified interest in Foley's unreleased music.

Legacy

Posthumous Recognition

Following Blaze Foley's death in , his friends and supporters initiated efforts to compile and release his unreleased recordings, marking the beginning of a sustained push to elevate his profile within the scene. The first posthumous release was the cassette-only Live at the Austin (...And Not There) in , drawing from his final performances. Subsequent efforts included the album Wanted More Dead Than Alive in 2005, drawing from scattered tapes and performances to showcase his raw songwriting style. This was soon followed by Live at the Austin in 1999, a live recording from his final show, produced and released by Lost Art Records, a founded by admirers including John Casner to preserve Foley's legacy. These initial efforts were largely fan- and friend-driven, reflecting the informal network of songwriters who viewed Foley as part of their troubadour lineage alongside figures like and . Subsequent releases in the and further expanded access to Foley's catalog through archival compilations and rediscovered tapes. Albums such as Oval Room (2004), Cold, Cold World (2006), Sittin' by the Road (2010), Duct Tape Messiah (2011), and The Lost Muscle Shoals Recordings (2017) were issued primarily by Lost Art Records and Light in the Attic, often sourced from safety reels, home demos, and studio sessions unearthed by dedicated collaborators. These reissues, including multi-artist tributes like In Tribute and Loving Memory...Volume #1 (1998), which compiled covers from contemporaries such as Calvin Russell and , helped sustain fan-driven archival work and introduced Foley's music to broader audiences. The 2011 vinyl compilation (reissued in 2020) also featured selections from his recordings between 1976 and 1988. Foley's posthumous recognition was significantly amplified by covers from established artists, embedding his songs in the canon of Texas outlaw country. Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson's 1987 duet version of "If I Could Only Fly" gained renewed traction after Foley's death, particularly with Haggard's solo rerecording as the title track of his 2000 album, which highlighted the song's emotional depth and brought widespread attention to its creator. John Prine included "Clay Pigeons" on his 2005 album Fair & Square, praising Foley's lyrical simplicity in interviews and helping to cement the track as a folk-country standard. Additional covers by Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, and the Avett Brothers in the 1990s and 2000s further solidified Foley's place in the informal Texas troubadour tradition, with these interpretations often crediting him explicitly and fueling ongoing interest in his original works.

Cultural and Media Impact

Blaze Foley's life and music have inspired significant cultural works, particularly in and , extending his influence beyond the outlaw country scene. The 2018 biographical drama Blaze, directed by and co-written with Sybil Rosen, chronicles Foley's turbulent career and personal struggles, with musician Ben Dickey portraying the singer-songwriter in a debut role that earned critical acclaim for its authenticity. The , which premiered at the , draws directly from Rosen's experiences with Foley and emphasizes his raw songwriting amid the Austin music milieu of the and 1980s. Sybil Rosen's memoir Living in the Woods in a Tree: Remembering Blaze Foley, first published in 2008 by the Press, offers a personal account of her romantic partnership with Foley during the mid-1970s, including their unconventional life in a Georgia treehouse and his early musical aspirations. The book humanizes Foley's eccentricities and hardships, serving as a for understanding his creative process and the interpersonal dynamics that shaped his art. It has been praised for its vivid, non-sensationalized depiction of an overlooked figure in music history. Documentaries and local tributes further cement Foley's cultural footprint, especially in Austin where he spent much of his later years. The 2011 documentary Duct Tape Messiah: Blaze Foley, directed by Kevin Triplett, features interviews with contemporaries like and archival performances to illuminate Foley's enigmatic persona and posthumous legend. In Austin, ongoing memorials include informal gatherings at his gravesite in Cemetery, where fans leave tributes such as —symbolizing his nickname—and performances of his songs, alongside periodic events like tribute shows at venues such as the Hole in the Wall. These rituals underscore his enduring status as a among the city's music community. Foley's influence resonates in contemporary Americana, where artists draw from his unpolished, introspective style, as seen in covers and nods by figures navigating similar themes of and resilience. The 2020s have seen renewed interest through archival releases, including the 2023 double album The Complete Outhouse Sessions, which capture rare live recordings from his final performances and have introduced his catalog to new listeners. In 2025, marking 36 years since his death, this momentum continues with scattered tribute performances honoring his legacy.

Discography

Lifetime Releases

Blaze Foley's musical output during his lifetime was modest and largely confined to informal or limited distributions, reflecting his nomadic and challenges in securing commercial deals. He produced a handful of recordings in studios, emphasizing acoustic guitar-driven folk and country arrangements on tight budgets, often self-financed or supported by small local labels. These efforts captured his raw songwriting style but reached only a niche audience in the Austin music scene. His first known release was a 45 RPM single in 1979, recorded at Pecan Street Studios in , a modest facility typical of the era's independent productions. This marked his initial foray into vinyl, showcasing two original compositions that later gained posthumous acclaim. In 1984, Foley issued two related items on Vital Records, a small Austin-based label. These were pressed in extremely limited runs—likely fewer than 100 copies each—and primarily handed out to friends and supporters rather than sold commercially, underscoring the non-commercial nature of his work at the time. The single featured tracks that highlighted his witty, introspective lyrics, while the accompanying LP compiled similar material in a fuller acoustic set. No further official releases followed before his death in 1989, though he left behind numerous demos and live tapes from Austin performances that remained unreleased until later.
TitleYearFormatLabelNotes
If I Could Only Fly b/w in Your Big Cadillac197945 RPM singleZephyr RecordsRecorded at Pecan Street Studios, Austin, TX; two original tracks.
Oval Room b/w 198445 RPM singleVital RecordsPromotional copies distributed to friends; acoustic folk recordings.
Blaze Foley1984Vinyl LPVital RecordsLimited pressing, not commercially distributed; includes "Oval Room" and "Girl Scout Cookies"; given away by Foley.

Posthumous Releases

Following Blaze Foley's death in 1989, his estate, friends, and independent labels began unearthing and releasing archival recordings, live tapes, and demos that had languished for years, gradually building a posthumous catalog that highlights his raw songwriting and style. These efforts, primarily driven by labels like Lost Art Records, Waddell Hollow, and Fat Possum, have resulted in over a dozen releases as of 2025, including studio sessions from the 1970s, live performances, and reissues of limited-run cassettes. Key posthumous albums include Blaze Foley Inside (2006, Lost Art Records), drawn from 1980 Loma Ranch recordings. Oval Room (2004, Lost Art Records) is a collection of intimate demo recordings from the late that capture Foley's work and storytelling lyrics in unpolished form. Wanted More Dead Than Alive (2005, Waddell Hollow Records; later reissued by Lost Art Records) was drawn from a 1989 studio session just before his , emphasizing themes of resilience and wandering in tracks such as "If I Could Only Fly". Cold, Cold World (2006, Lost Art Records) compiles tracks from 1979-1980 featuring Foley with the Beaver Valley Boys, showcasing his folk-infused country sound on songs like "Cold, Cold World" and "No Goodwill Stores in Waikiki". Sittin' by the Road (2010, Lost Art Records) presents roadside demo tapes that reflect Foley's nomadic lifestyle and include tracks like "" and "Election Day". In 2010, issued The Dawg Years (1975-1978), a set of previously unreleased home recordings from Foley's early days under the alias Depty Dawg, featuring playful yet poignant originals that predate his outlaw persona. The same year saw the soundtrack (2011, Lost Art Records) for the documentary of the same name, incorporating live cuts and interviews to contextualize his influence. (2011, ) is a vinyl tribute album with covers of his songs by various artists. Reissues and further discoveries continued with Blaze Foley (2012, ), a remastered version of his 1984 vinyl LP debut that includes bonus rarities, broadening access to his core repertoire. The Lost Muscle Shoals Recordings (2017, End of an Ear Records / Lost Art Records) unearthed 1970s sessions from studios (recorded 1984), revealing polished takes on songs like "Clay Pigeons" with session musicians including the Muscle Shoals Horns. In 2023, Lost Art Records released The Complete Outhouse Sessions: Night One and Night Two, expanding on earlier live recordings from 1989 with full unedited performances.
Album TitleYearLabelDescription
Live at the Austin Outhouse1999Lost Art RecordsLive recording from 1989 performances at Austin's famed venue, capturing Foley's stage energy on 12 tracks.
Oval Room2004Lost Art RecordsArchival demos emphasizing solo acoustic performances.
Wanted More Dead Than Alive2005Waddell Hollow RecordsFinal 1989 studio session, highlighting mature songcraft (later reissued by Lost Art Records).
Blaze Foley Inside2006Lost Art RecordsRecordings from 1980 Loma Ranch sessions.
Cold, Cold World2006Lost Art Records1979-1980 band recordings with the Beaver Valley Boys.
Sittin' by the Road2010Lost Art RecordsInformal demos reflecting transient themes, including "Clay Pigeons".
The Dawg Years (1975-1978)2010Fat Possum RecordsHome tapes from Foley's pre-Austin era.
Duct Tape Messiah2011Lost Art RecordsDocumentary soundtrack with live and spoken elements.
Clay Pigeons2011Secret SevenVinyl tribute album with covers by various artists.
Blaze Foley (reissue)2012Big PinkExpanded edition of 1984 vinyl LP with rarities.
The Lost Muscle Shoals Recordings2017End of an Ear Records / Lost Art RecordsRediscovered 1984 sessions with Muscle Shoals musicians.
The Complete Outhouse Sessions: Night One2023Lost Art RecordsFull 1989 live session from Austin Outhouse, Night One.
The Complete Outhouse Sessions: Night Two2023Lost Art RecordsFull 1989 live session from Austin Outhouse, Night Two.
These releases, often limited in production but widely digitized by 2025, have preserved Foley's uncommercial yet enduring voice, fueled by fan-driven archival digs and estate collaborations.

References

  1. https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/blaze-foley-8517/
  2. https://www.blazefoley.com/
  3. https://www.blazefoleymovie.com/biography/
  4. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/blaze-foley-movie-biopic-songwriter-ethan-hawke-718036/
  5. https://kutx.org/features/blaze-foley/
  6. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Fuller-20401
  7. https://arktimes.com/news/cover-stories/2018/09/27/who-was-blaze-foley
  8. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/fuller-michael-david-blaze-foley
  9. https://holler.country/feature/long-read/blaze-foley-an-outlaw-lost-and-found/
  10. https://www.austinchronicle.com/features/the-ballad-of-townes-and-blaze-11674995/
  11. https://nodepression.org/blaze-foley-the-fall-and-rise-of-blaze-foley/
  12. https://nodepression.org/clay-pigeons-blaze-foley/
  13. https://www.blazefoley.com/discography/
  14. https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/a-walking-contradiction-11703090/
  15. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/Texas-songwriter-Blaze-Foley-had-a-Houston-13163579.php
  16. https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/blaze-foley
  17. https://www.allmusic.com/album/wanted-more-dead-than-alive-mw0000486353
  18. https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/blaze-foley/if-i-could-only-fly-chords-1016570
  19. https://holler.country/lists/essentials/the-best-blaze-foley-songs/
  20. https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858876251/
  21. https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/blaze-foleys-inevitable-sorrow-and-spiritual-success
  22. https://www.lostartrecords.com/stories/6802c145cd66a6a31583c7e9
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxC1utGVR2w
  24. https://longreads.com/2018/09/19/living-in-a-tree-house-sybil-rosen-remembers-blaze-foley/
  25. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/ethan-hawke-blaze-foley-movie-biopic-texas-songwriter-703024/
  26. https://www.npr.org/2018/09/18/649274538/new-biopic-blaze-explores-life-of-texas-outlaw-songwriter
  27. https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/the-making-of-blaze/
  28. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/02/02/Blaze-Foley-whose-song-If-I-Could-Only-Fly/7248602398800/
  29. https://www.michaelcorcoran.net/blaze-foley-killing-of-a-songwriter/
  30. https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-blaze-foley-1/27781618/
  31. https://michaelcorcoran.substack.com/p/blaze-killing-of-a-songwriter
  32. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11588200/blaze-foley
  33. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/artist/44795-blaze-foley/
  34. https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/blaze-foleys-lost-muscle-shoals-recordings-11674590/
  35. https://open.spotify.com/album/3nxQsQtUGlQJBTVs4roCDn
  36. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/blaze_2018
  37. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/06/movies/blaze-review-ethan-hawke.html
  38. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/blaze-2018
  39. https://untpress.unt.edu/catalog/rosen-living-in-the-woods-in-a-tree/
  40. https://www.amazon.com/Living-Woods-Tree-Remembering-Musician/dp/1574412507
  41. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1414820/
  42. https://www.blazefoleymovie.com/
  43. https://blazefoleylostart.bandcamp.com/album/the-complete-outhouse-sessions-2
  44. https://www.lostartrecords.com/about
  45. https://fatpossum.com/products/the-dawg-years
  46. https://genius.com/artists/Blaze-foley/albums
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