High school hero
My grandmother meant the world to me.
In the air force
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 1 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Doing my best in a Nashville studio
New deejay in town
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 2 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM My first wife, Martha, a good woman with a great spirit
My children with Martha — Lana, Billy, and Susie
Beautiful family portrait of Lana, Billy, Martha, and Susie
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 3 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Shirley and me, in perfect harmony
Sweet memories of Connie, Amy, and Paula
Wedding day for my son Billy. I was proud to be best man.
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 4 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Sister Bobbie, the real musician in the family
Leon Russell, one of the greatest entertainers of our time
Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 5 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Annie, love of my life
On the beach in Paia, Hawaii, with Micah, Annie, and Luke
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 6 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM My musical mainstays — from left, Paul English, the late Bee Spears, and Mickey Raphael
Mickey Raphael, a hero of the harmonica and a forever friend (Danny Clinch)
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 7 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM The family and crew. I couldn’t make it without them.
A crazy crowd — from left, Poodie Locke, my stage manager (in a woman’s wig); Owen Wilson, Bo Franks, my daughter Paula; and just below her, Jessica Simpson, Dan Rather, Woody Harrelson; and, on top, director Jay Chandrasekhar
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 8 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Jamming with my good friends Rosalynn and President Jimmy Carter along with my sons Luke and Micah
My main man, manager Mark Rothbaum, with Hillary Clinton
Governor Ann Richards and Dennis Hopper honoring my hometown
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 1 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM His Holiness the Dalai Lama enjoying a good laugh
A happy man behind the wheel of a pickup
A happy man with a happy horse
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 2 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM One of life’s enduring pleasures — playing poker with Merle Haggard (Danny Clinch)
Kris and Merle, buddies for life (Danny Clinch)
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 3 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Back alley of the Apollo Theater, NYC, with two blues masters: B.B. King and Eric Clapton (Photographed by Jonathan Becker)
Miles Davis, a creative giant
Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, American originals
I have great respect for Neil Young as an artist and a humanitarian.
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 4 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM Jack White, superb guitarist, producer, and musical preservationist
Honorary degree at Berklee School of Music, with Kris, Carole King, and Annie Lennox
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 5 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM The great Ray Charles: I cherished his music, I cherished our friendship. (Courtesy of the Ray Charles Foundation)
Harmonizing with beautiful Bonnie Raitt
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 6 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM As much as I like George Clooney, I liked the singing style of his aunt Rosemary even more.
Relaxin’ at home in Hawaii with Woody and Owen
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 7 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM I earned my 5th degree in Gongkwon Yusul at the Master Martial Arts school under Tae Kwon Do master Sam Um.
Trigger, my closest ally and best friend
ItsLongStory_HCinsertF1.indd 8 3/17/15 9:57:26 PM