Since I began writing this column about six years ago, I’ve met loads of musicians and written about most of them.
Many I’ve seen, and many I haven’t. As for the ones I haven’t seen, it isn’t because I ignore them, it’s simply because they don’t play out that much. I’ve learned there are plenty of musicians who are fine playing select shows here and there, and letting the regular nightly bar gigs go to someone else. Thom Chacon is one of those musicians.
Chacon will play one of his rare shows tonight at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, opening for the Austin, Texas, rock trio Los Lonely Boys. The show was rescheduled from the spring, when Los Lonely Boys had to cancel a series of shows for a band member’s medical issue. Chacon has been a tour mate of Los Lonely Boys in the past; when Colorado dates are booked, it’s likely he’ll be called as the opener.
The Northern California native, who came to Durango eight years ago, has been a traveling folk musician, songwriter and storyteller for years. Since settling in Durango he’s picked up fly-fishing to go right alongside songwriting, and he’s made the town his home after being a couch-surfing folkie for years. It’s possible his years as a couch surfer have influenced his current schedule that includes fewer live performances.
“Being a singer songwriter, I’ve been doing this for a long time, I even went homeless for a couple years,” Chacon said. “Not in the cardboard box sense, but sleeping on couches and touring. It’s nice to be part of the community here. I love it.”
Chacon is playing in support of his latest release, a self-titled folk collection that walks the line between Bob Dylan and acoustic Neil Young. The similarities with Dylan move beyond sound; Chacon had the opportunity to make this record with Dylan’s current touring rhythm section. Chacon’s producer, Perry Margouleff, who also owns and runs Pie Studios in Glen Cove, N.Y., where Chacon has recorded his last four records, happens to be friends with Dylan’s bass player Tony Garnier. Garnier was asked, and they made a record with Dylan’s touring drummer George Recile.
“My producer approached Tony to record on my first studio record,” Chacon said. “Tony said to George Recile, ‘You should do this with me.’ It worked out great. They’re great guys.”
The record was recorded the old-fashioned way, which for some musicians continues to be the only way; all analog and live in the studio, with very little overdubs. All in all, it was a five-day process; four to record and one to mix.
Aside from tonight’s rescheduled Los Lonely Boys show, Chacon’s live appearances are limited. As a fly-fishing guide, he’s keeping himself more busy bushwhacking along the Animas or the San Juan, thinking about insects and fish. Yet he remains open to the nontraditional venue.
“I play kitchen tables and campfires around town,” Chacon said jokingly. “So I’ll be here.”
Liggett_b@fortlewis.edu. Bryant Liggett is a freelance writer and KDUR station manager.
Bryant’s Best
Today: Los Lonely Boys with Thom Chacon, 7:30 p.m., $35/$45, Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, 247-7657.
Saturday: Rock music with The Formless, 9 p.m., $5. The Summit, 600 Main Ave., 247-2324.
