David Allen Coe

He's lived in caves, worn Lone Ranger masks on stage and made records that have sent legions of the politically correct running for the stop button. But despite the cartoon outlaw image that has grown up around David Allen Coe, it's his myriad accomplishments as a songwriter, performer, author and...

By Jason Heller

April 13, 2006

We’re $400 away from our summer campaign goal,
with just 1 day left!

We’re ready to deliver—but we need the resources to do it right. If Westword matters to you, please take action and contribute today to help us expand our current events coverage when it’s needed most.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$17,000

$16,600

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "23668565",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "23853568",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17242653",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "24956856",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25 
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18838239",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17676724",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

He's lived in caves, worn Lone Ranger masks on stage and made records that have sent legions of the politically correct running for the stop button. But despite the cartoon outlaw image that has grown up around David Allen Coe, it's his myriad accomplishments as a songwriter, performer, author and actor that are inexorably becoming his hallmark. After a young adulthood spent in and out of prison, Coe emerged as a fully realized talent with his 1968 debut, Penitentiary Blues. His hard-bitten yet eloquent songs -- not to mention his raunchy underground recordings -- brought him acclaim in the early '70s. Subsequently, everyone from Tanya Tucker and Johnny Paycheck to Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash have lucratively covered his songs. Coe's upcoming release is under the name Rebel Meets Rebel, and it's a collaboration with the Pantera/Damageplan triumvirate of Rex Brown, Vinnie Paul and the late Dimebag Darrell that miraculously kicks ass. You just can't keep a weird old redneck down.

Jason Heller is a staff writer at Westword. He's the author of the book Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded (Melville House/Penguin Random House), and has contributed to the New Yorker, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and NPR.org. His work has won a Hugo Award and a Colorado Press Association Award.

A message from Music Editor Emily Ferguson: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of Denver’s music, events and entertainment scenes.

Support Today