31. Swamp Dogg

This episode’s featured guest is Jerry Williams Jr., better known as Swamp Dogg, who has been a force in the music world since 1954. His many credits include the song “She’s All I’ve Got” made popular by Freddie North and Johnny Paycheck, and the honor of having the second-worst album cover of all time with “Rat On!” He speaks to me from his home studio in L.A. about his early days as a child prodigy R&B entertainer, his career as a songwriter, recording artist and producer in multiple genres, and his recent resurgence – not a comeback – working with Joyful Noise Recordings. Hear the story of his now-famous self-portait mural in his swimming pool, which you can see from your passenger window flying into LAX.  Learn how he teamed up with synth wizard Moogstar (who makes a surprise appearance).Find out why Swamp Dogg turned down an opportunity to collaborate with Kid Rock.  His latest album “Sorry You Couldn’t Make It” was recorded in Nashville and features brand new country-soul versions of songs that span his massive career. In his words, “I got a lot done, and I ain’t anywhere near finished.”

Recommended:

Take a look at the process of recording "Sorry You Couldn't Make It" and his collaboration with the late John Prine.

This short documentary about his 2017 album includes a quick glimpse at his swimming pool self-portrait.