Biography of Joe Ely

In the '70s, C&W was full of artists referred to as "outlaws," mavericks who bucked the stodgy Nashville music establishment by writing their own songs, recording with their road bands, and producing their own records. The genre produced a slew of acts, but it was Lubbock, TX, native Joe Ely who best epitomized the form. And unlike most of that era's big names, Ely remains a viable artist. He got his start back in the early '70s, working with Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore in a group called The Flatlanders. Their only album didn't go far, and the group broke up. (The album was reissued in 1990 on Rounder.) Around the mid '70s, Ely formed an eclectic group that was able to swing from Cajun and western to honky-tonk stomps and rockabilly; they were signed to MCA in 1977. Ely released an eponymous debut that year, using songs written by ex-Flatlanders Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore and throwing in some of his own road-worn, oddly poetic originals. The next year brought Honky Tonk Masquerade, the cornerstone of Ely's legacy and one of modern country's most ambitious albums. Further albums (especially Live Shots, recorded during his European tour with The Clash) brought Ely to the attention of rock fans and netted ecstatic reviews in country and pop magazines (but, mysteriously, no hits were produced). Ely was dropped by MCA in 1983 and woodshedded until 1987, when the independent Hightone label signed him and released Lord of the Highway. Another Hightone album followed, before Ely (whose influence was being felt in the new breed of country neo-traditionalists) re-signed with MCA and released another live set. He's yet to top his late-'70s achievements, but Ely remains an energetic and passionate live performer and an occasionally inspired songwriter. Writing him off could be perilous. ~ John Floyd