Mother Blues

The Zoo Crew is spinning Mother Blues by Ray Wylie Hubbard from his 2012 album The Grifter's Hymnal, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this gritty, autobiographical tale. The song is a true story, as Hubbard shared in a 2020 X post, recounting his days as a young man in Dallas chasing a stripper girlfriend and a Gold Top Les Paul guitar. The track centers on a nightclub called Mother Blues, where legends like Lightnin’ Hopkins and Freddy King played, and where a 16-year-old door girl caught Hubbard’s eye. That door girl, Judy, later became his wife in 1989, and their son, Lucas, grew up to be a talented guitarist who now plays that very Gold Top Les Paul alongside his father on stage. Hubbard has called the song a reflection of “gratitude higher than expectations,” a mantra that resonates in its closing lines about finding joy in life’s unexpected twists.

Another layer of Mother Blues comes from its nod to Tony Joe White’s Polk Salad Annie, which Hubbard cleverly weaves into the narrative. In the song, a dancer asks if he knows the tune, sparking a flirtation that leads to a whirlwind romance. Hubbard admitted in a 2012 Lone Star Music Magazine interview that he didn’t know all the lyrics but channeled enough to charm her, adding a raw, spontaneous vibe to the story. The song’s recording features Lucas Hubbard on lead guitar, with George Reiff on bass and Rick Richards on drums, creating a bluesy, roots-driven sound. Hubbard’s performance of Mother Blues on The Late Show with David Letterman in 2013 was a high point, which he jokingly noted on X came at age 66 because he “didn’t want to peak too soon.”

Ray Wylie Hubbard got his start in Soper, Oklahoma, born on November 13, 1946, before moving to Dallas, Texas, in 1954. As a teenager, he soaked up the folk scene, playing in hootenannies during summers in Red River, New Mexico, with a trio called Three Faces West. There, he wrote Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother, which became a cult hit after Jerry Jeff Walker recorded it in 1973. This success led to a deal with Warner Bros., and in 1976, Hubbard released Ray Wylie Hubbard and the Cowboy Twinkies, though he was frustrated by the label’s “Nashville-ized” production. He spent the next decade recording for various labels, blending country, folk, and blues, but struggled with sales and personal challenges. After getting sober at 41, Hubbard found his stride, releasing critically acclaimed albums like Loco Gringo’s Lament in 1994 and cementing his status as a Texas songwriting legend.

Fans can connect with Ray Wylie Hubbard through his Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where he shares updates, tour dates, and witty insights. His official website, raywylie.com, offers music, merch, and tour info. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the Ray Wylie Hubbard Fans Facebook group is a vibrant community where fans discuss his music, share concert photos, and celebrate his legacy. Another fan-driven spot is the Ray Wylie Hubbard Online Fan Club on Facebook, perfect for swapping stories and staying updated on his latest gigs.