Self Portrait in an Outlaw Amish Barn
"Lonesome Liz is more than just Outalw Country, she's the female Robert Johnson." - Hank Hart, Southern Fried Magazine

video and song adaptation by Lonesome Liz

live in Richmond, video by Ron Thomas Smith

Outlaw Blues

photo by Kate Black , featured by Nothin' But the Blues  ...


At Hubert SumlinThe Iridium, NYC...
The performance also featured the Levon Helm Band's Brian Mitchell
Read my interview with Brian Mitchell at GratefulWeb.com, El Diablo ...
Since I Fell, A Tribute to Bessie Smith...

video by Ron Thomas Smith


Minnie the Moocher, Live in Richmond, Va

video by Ron Thomas Smith


Lonesome Liz Blue Originals...
photo by Ron Thomas Smith
 The Only Me Worth Keepin' You Kept

video by Wayne Titsworth and Cathy Pippen


You and your carnival eyes, you bitterly slippery prize,
you attract every passer by,  I hang my head and sigh.
Because I'm willin' to bet someday I'm gonna get left.

You don't imagine the way you're draggin'
my heart down like an undertow, everyone else does though.
To them it's no secret someday I'm gonna get left
and I know it's gonna feel,
I know it's gonna feel like the only me worth keepin' you kept.

And nonbody's blamin' me, although they can plainly see
there's no guarantee of you permanently.
They'd all do the same I'd bet and that's why I'm gonna get left
and I know it's gonna feel,
I know it's gonna feel like the only me worth keepin' you kept.
Yes I know it's gonna feel like the only me worth keepin' you kept.

More L. L. Blues Lyrics...

photo from AllPulp.com by Ron Thomas Smith
Featuring my Great-Uncle the Pulp Fiction Writer's Fedora, 
pointing his .22, both c. 1930s

Insult to Injury

You're right again. I can't win.
I screwed up, blame luck.
You're nearly flawless and I'm a total mess.
Yea, what's wrong with you is me.
All you make easy is to see.
Quit addin' insult to injury.

You can't stand me or undertand me.
You were doin' fine when you weren't mine.
Leave me behind, I won't mind.
'Cause what's wrong with you is me,
all you make easy is to see.
Quit addin' insult to inury.

You're right again. I can't win.
I screwed up, blame luck.
I'm the reason you're life ain't pleasin
I'm the solitary cause of your very few flaws.
What's wrong with you is me.
All you make easy is to see.
Quit addin' insult to injury.


The Morning After, the second song featured in my Redneck Minute interview...


Every day I wake up and I'm drunk from the night before.
Every day I swear I'll never drink no more.
Then I smoke two packs of cigarettes.
Then I swear I'll kick my habits.
I usually do what I say I'll do
and one of these days, boy I'm gonna kick you.

'Cause it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.
Yes it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.

I wake up mad at everything. I'm mad at nothin' too.
I'm mad at the sun for risin' and most of all I'm mad at you.

'Cause it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.
Yes it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.

I know it don't do me a bit of good.
I don't think I'd take you back if I could.
I know you're not my whole problem,
but I've got a lot and it's hard to solve 'em

when it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.
Yes it feels like the mornin' after you left me forever every time I open my eyes.

My favorite Cab Calloway Tribute...


St. James Infirmary

From my Self Portraits in an Outlaw Amish Barn series.

live with the Goddamn Gallows, video by Ron Thomas Smith

with Jesco the Dancing Outlaw, video by Ron Thomas Smith

with the Richmond Blues Society, video by Ron Thomas Smith