God’s Outlaw
by Dan Vierck
July 2008
Milwaukee's tribute to Johnny Cash and other traditional country favorites, God's Outlaw
God’s Outlaw is Timeless, Old Fashioned Country
The first time I talked to Brian Smith, aka God’s Outlaw, I interrupted a pleasant afternoon he was having grilling out on his porch, having a couple beers with his friends and family. The next time I talked to him, after we’d exchanged a round of e-mails, you’ll never guess what he was up to - back at the grill with some steak and more beer. As far as grassroots country-living and playing goes, God’s Outlaw is as real as it gets.
The Outlaw’s last musical adventure ended with the implosion of the Wisconsin metal band, Double Life. Smith had recorded two albums with them, one of which was helmed by a Mr. Steve Albini. Nonetheless, the experience put him in a sour musical coma of sorts for about a year until he sauntered upon a revelation.
“I was walking my dog and saw a garage sale with tools and fishing poles and engine parts. It caught my curiosity so I started poking around and stumbled across a Johnny Cash cassette tape named, ‘Would Like to See You Again.’ It reminded me of my grandfather because he would take me on trips and play Cash, Waylon, Box Car Willie and stuff like that. I bought it for $2 and the moment I listened to it, I was hooked.”
It’s a straightforward, no-frills, but almost mythological type of story from then on. Smith says,” I taught myself how to play guitar and began singing and playing at the same time and practicing on the porch every day. I was revived because I didn’t need a band to make music. The neighbors told me that people would enjoy hearing me play.”
His neighbors were right. He played around when opportunities showed up and then people started calling. The friends he was making would suggest other opportunities and now he reached where he is with some thirty Johnny Cash songs in his set plus a smattering of Hank Williams, Waylon Jennings and the like.
“I started playing just for the appreciation of the music. I never intended it to get out of hand but, well, my buddy Eric Bulgrin (aka E-man) started getting me back into trouble and playing Luther Perkins-style pickin’ which really added energy and fun. I continue to perform solo shows but I would rather not play without him. Many of the Cash fans out there tell us they’ve never heard anyone play some of the songs we play,” he says.
With his near dead-on Cash-style baritone, just listening to the clips at www.godsoutlaw.net can give a person chills. With ample energy coming through any speakers it’s played on, the live show can only be experienced. Smith says, “A typical God’s Outlaw show has a whole lot of yelling, dancing, spilling beer and laughing. Many people sing along and it’s always a big happy party.” God’s Outlaw will be playing on our very own stage at the Atwood Summerfest, June 26 at high noon.
Though tentative to start playing out with originals, he does have one that allegedly documents the careful process of rattlesnake hunting. Maybe somewhere down the line we’ll hear it, but for as long as he wants to go with this, neighbors and strangers can expect real deal outlaw country music from a real deal, steaks, beers and country guy.
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