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Lyr Req: 16 Words (parody '16 Tons', Thom Bresh)

17 May 04 - 04:28 PM (#1187415)
Subject: Politcal Parody
From: GUEST,Arkie

I tried to get this info out but with another title that pretty much went overlooked. Thom Bresh was in town this weekend and as usual had a surprise or two. This year he was using his dualette guitar, a dreadnaught on one side and baritone guitar on the other along with Keith style tuners to take the low E down to D and back. The performance included some incredible picking and several songs worth notice, Hillbilly Hell, Guitar In The Window, and Sixteen Words. There was also another about prying the guitar from his cold,dead hands, but I did not get the title.

"16 Words", complete with Thom's fingerstyle picking, the wireless dualette, and a touch of humor is a playful non-partison look at US presidents of recent history and is only 99 cents to download.

You can get a look at Thom's guitar and find the song at
Sixteen Words


19 May 04 - 05:17 PM (#1188806)
Subject: RE: Political Parody: 16 Words - Thom Bresh
From: Joe Offer

Here's the chorus:

    They Say 16 Words and What Do You Get?
    They Promise You A Bushel and Deliver A Peck..
    Madame Cleo Won't You Tell Me Which Way To Go
    Gotta Cast My Vote In 2004..
This Political Satire, based on the song "Sixteen Tons" written by Thom Bresh's father Merle Travis, is meant to give a few chuckles during this election year in a far too somber world.

Complete lyrics here (click)


19 May 04 - 05:47 PM (#1188852)
Subject: RE: Political Parody: 16 Words - Thom Bresh
From: GUEST,Arkie

Joe thanks for fixing the title spelling and the lyrics.


19 May 04 - 06:55 PM (#1188940)
Subject: RE: Political Parody: 16 Words - Thom Bresh
From: Mark Clark

Arkie, Thanks so much for having Thom Bresh at your event. I loved seeing him in person. What an amazing musician! I also loved the songs. He's a great showman too. We'll definately be back for the Tribute to Merle Travis: National Thumbpicking Guitar Contest at the Ozark Folk Center next year.

      - Mark


20 May 04 - 04:55 PM (#1190082)
Subject: RE: Political Parody: 16 Words - Thom Bresh
From: GUEST

That dualette must be a hefty instrument, I suppose!


20 May 04 - 09:10 PM (#1190323)
Subject: RE: Political Parody: 16 Words - Thom Bresh
From: GUEST,Arkie

Since it has two necks and head stock it would be a little heavier than a more common guitar and it also had a bit of electronics which would add to the weight, but it was about the thickness of the usual dreadnaught. One side had a spruce top and the baritone side was of some type of cedar. It was around Thom's neck when I visited with him and I never had the chance to touch it. I suspect the price was the heftiest part.