Song of the Day: 'The Road Goes On Forever'

I've learned this week that the road does indeed go on forever! But seriously, this is one of Robert Earl Keen's most well-known songs, covered by a handful of other artists including Joe Ely and the Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson). "The Road Goes On Forever" is a ballad in the truest sense of the word, a story that grabs you at the beginning ("Sherry was a waitress at the only joint in town") and keeps you listening to the end.

Back when "The Road Goes on Forever" first came out in the early 1989, Robert Earl Keen wasn't as big a name as he is now and could still be seen in relatively small venues throughout Texas. In Dallas two guys named Boone and Little John (Little John was about 6'5", of course) came up with set of hand motions to act out this song, almost a pantomime of it. The effect was hilarious, and for awhile, whenever Keen played in Dallas at places like the Sons of Hermann Hall or the Three Teardrops Tavern (sadly, gone now), he got Boone and Little John up on stage to do their shtick. I wish someone had made video of that.

So this song is for the last day of a very long trip that will find me in Dallas by the end of the day, where I'll be for the next week. I'll have to get over to the Sons sometime this week, if only for old times' sake.