After 40 years, Brewer & Shipley to be moving on down the Tarkio Road once again

Wherever I go, if it comes up where I grew up and I tell them Tarkio, MO, I hear over and over – “Tarkio? You mean like that song?” I have to say yes and explain it a little bit, although I’m al- ways happy to talk about our little town which is very near and dear to my heart. A lot of people just know the name. It’s cool to be a musician from a place with a unique name sort of made famous by this song.

Their story is partly our story. These guys have never quit. They’ve maintained a steady career for over 40 years. They’ve always been working as far as I know. I’ve seen their name many times over the years listed in festival and concert bills. A lot of people wear out, give up or put it in their past. Tarkio, the town, has been through a lot, a long great history, and these guys helped memorialize it in a way. Sure, the song is a statement about being different in a place where you’re not really wanted or welcomed. In the song, Tarkio is that conservative place. It’s a metaphor for a lot of small towns. That’s what it is to be from a small town. You’re wary of strang- ers, freaks and weirdos.

Back in the good ol’ days, you needed to be. You still need to be cautious; it’s a mean old world out there and not to be taken too lightly. “Tarkio Road” however is to me more of a comical interpretation of that fear or prejudice of people or things that are different. I don’t think Tarkio folks are specifically being singled out as being backwards or anything like that. At the time, and in the culture, that was just what was happening. There was a liberal freedom of expression thing going on, probably needed to go on. Our town got caught in the middle in this one song. I think that makes us even more special. Of all the towns in the world, these guys wrote a song about us.

It’s a really good song too! It’s a story you want to hear, it’s entertaining, it’s got a cool bluesy groove. The guys have a unique quality in their voices as they harmonize. It’s immediately identifiable. The guitar parts are always complimentary. I’m looking forward to hearing it live, in my hometown. I’m really honored to be the opener for them on this very special celebration of the anniversary of their record. It’s one Tarkio boy and his guitar opening for the two guys and two guitars who gave the Tarkio Road a home in American culture.