Scott Newton Photo

Texans seem to reserve their deepest appreciation and respect for the ones who go against the grain, break the mold, and shatter the icons, and pull it off….. These guys, at least in 1995 when this was shot, all fit that catagory, in their own inimitable individualistic ways. Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers, Willie Nelson of “Outlaw” hyped infamy, and Roky Erickson, of, well, 13th Floor Elevators, (among other incarnations), shared their time in front of the lens backed by a Texas flag in a barn at Willie’s Western Movie Set and Village, Luck, Texas. I can’t remember why….

As I write this, it’s the first day of 2007. Before I can “boldly go” into the New Year, however, I have to pay homage to the passing of one of the finest fellow travelers I’ve known. Life is, after all, largely about those who touch us, every day. Crunchy, the smartest dog ever and a huge loving soul, died of Natural Causes after a long life, at home, right after telling everyone goodbye at Thanksgiving.. She truly made a House a Home. She was a fine example of both a well-lived virtuous life and, also, a courageous death…. And, no, this isn’t a commercial website–it’s a living autobiography vaguely modeled on Edward Weston’s “Daybooks”.. Now, let’s cover the poor dog up and venture forth into 2007.

James Brown’s death sent me searching for a Memorial image. I’d not printed any of the partial sheet of shots taken years ago…. I had seen him in the 60’s (without shooting him) , so I’d witnessed how he could move faster, longer, than anyone, ever, before or since. In ’83 he’d already been slowed by a heart attack, but he put on a vintage James Brown show, with most of the moves still there… He was one of a kind, brash and electric. ….And the man made sweating an art form.

Seems like a dream….

This image, made almost 30 years ago, is one of my all time favorites. Artistically, it’s symbolic and visually arresting. Personally, it’s that and more: This is my then wife Mary and our first son, Hawk….the first of three sons.

Years ago, I “discovered” ancient Mayan ruins. Well, they were new to me, not being part of my heritage. I was astonished and amazed….. I gave myself the assignment of documenting the visual power of their ancient ruins…so I wandered all over southern Mexico with my Hasselblad, trying to keep the tourists out of the shots. Aside from displaying prints on my own home’s walls, they’ve not been exhibited… Well over a thousand years ago, the Maya built a powerful civilization. They put great value, much more than we do, on what we call sorcery and magic. You can see some of that residual sorcery in this shot.

This is the newest addition to my tribe, born yesterday November 21, 2006 to my son Zane and his wife Karen. When this shot was made, little Kambria wasn’t even two hours old… Really newly born infants, whose mothers haven’t had any drugs to dull the newborn senses, sometimes have dramatically aware and glowing eyes, as if they’ve just come from seeing really wonderful, marvelous things…..

As I write this, it’s Veteran’s Day, 11/11/2006. This is a shot of my Dad, taken a few years ago at his home in Tampa, Florida where he still lives with my Mom, Earlene. My Dad was a fighter pilot in the Army Air Corps, and then the US Air Force, from 1943 until 1971, when he retired as a squadron commander. He’s a tenth generation American (Richard Newton 1638), with direct ancestors who fought in every American conflict including The Revolutionary War (Ebenezer Newton 1741-1814). He’s also a survivor, one of the last of his compatriots standing. I consider him to be the Cream of The Greatest Generation, and, according to many of his fellow pilots, “The best damn fighter pilot in the whole damn Air Force!” I’m proud of him, and his service, and would like to salute him on this Day of Remembrance. Thanks, Dad.

Guy Clark is just a little older than me, and I’ve gotten to watch him grow as an artist for decades. He is a wonderful wordsmith and a commanding presence. Here he spins a little magic at my favorite venue at the Festival, the “Gospel Tent”.

Van was one of the Legends whom I’d never gotten to shoot. He was worth the wait. I got to shoot him in the studio, and then, the next night, at the Festival, too. I consider him to be one of the best interpreters of the Mystical. He has a magical voice, lyrical and deft. Now, having said that, I have to share that his stage manager makes shooting Van almost impossible. I consider this shot to be a major triumph, sharing Van’s magic visually in spite of stiff and resolute impediments… But in the end it’s only rock and roll, and they’re only unarmed security guys….no big deal. Van was great.