In honor of what would have been his 67th birthday, a dozen Seattle musicians will celebrate Townes Van Zandt with performances and drink specials at the Tractor Tavern tonight.
Townes Van Zandt, the Americana singer-songwriter legend, died in 1997 but his music lives on.
"I like to put shows together where they aren’t necessarily performing their original songs but songs of artists that have influenced them in their own musical paths," said Debra Heesh, special events and booking associate at Seattle Theatre Group.
"I have on many occasions been inspired by Townes," said musician Pete Droge.
"On many a late night, I swear that I have channelled his spirit. But that may have just been the sleep depravation talking. Or maybe the cough medicine."
Droge said Townes Van Zandt was great at taking traditional music forms and patterns and turning them on their ears.
"He could make something sound so simple and pure - but when you dig into it and look closely you see that there is more than meets the eye. He could put that unique turn to the end of a phrase that would make it all his own," Droge said.
"This is something I work very hard to bring to my music."
Droge lived in Ballard in the early 1990s at a time when Hattie's Hat was a bona-fide dive bar and rent was cheap.
"I lived on the corner of Ballard Avenue and Dock above a tavern called Trader Van’s. I loved living above a tavern. I could write my songs in the corner bedroom and there were no neighbors to disturb," he said.
"In those days, The Backstage was the heart and soul of the Ballard music scene -- for that matter it was the heart of the entire Seattle scene for any of us who were more interested in the less grungy side of the tracks."
Droge played his last proper show at the Tractor Tavern in 2006 and has been playing big communal shows since. Tonight, he will be sharing the stage with at least a dozen other musicians including Star Anna & Justin Davis, Pete Droge & Elaine Summers, Kasey Anderson, Rusty Willoughby, Kevin Large, Gary Westlake, and Shane Tutmarc & friends.
"I have met some amazing people this way and have witnessed some mind-blowing performances," Droge said.
"Townes’ body of work is guaranteed to make for an amazing night of powerful performances. His songs have so much potency, and they leave ample space for a singer to make them their own."
The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Tractor Tavern. 5213 Ballard Avenue NW, Tickets are $15 and available at the door or at TicketWeb.com.
Prior to the show, Hattie's Hat will offer dinner and drink specials with a ticket or stamp to the show,
