Insider Info

First off, special thanks and big ol' hugs to my Wifely Wendi for singing with me on the background vocals. I love her (and her voice, too.)

The story of the song:

From the time we were young kids, the four of us were the best of friends and remain so to this day. Dennis, Dallas, Don and Ron. The three D's and an R.

The three "D's" have all had a lifelong love of fishing.

Me... not so much.

I don't mind sitting at the edge of a lake and watching a float bob up and down in the water, but I don't want to catch a fish. Maybe I saw Bambi too young as a child and now project cartoon feelings onto fish, but I digress...

One day on Facebook, I saw a photo that Don had posted of a recent fishing trip. There he was with a goose down parka, a wool beanie on his head, gloves on his hands, snow on the banks and a smile on his face - fishing.

Crazy!

With that photo in mind, I immediately started writing this song and picturing what would happen. There's Don, fishing and smiling in the cold, cold weather. Dennis would show up and Dallas would, too. I'd be there, as well, because what are three D's without an R? The only difference is the three of them would be fishing and I'd be freezing.

It sure is good to have such great life-long friends, though.

Even if they're crazy.

I love you guys.

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As far as instruments go, on this song I played my new Larrivee C-10E guitar named "Angel", my old Kentucky KM-180S mandolin, a truly ancient clavietta that my sister gave me about fifty years ago, and a cheap old Dean Playmate acoustic bass that has swell, rubbery strings on it. :o)

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You'd Have To Be Crazy (To Fish In This Weather)

Words & Music by Ron Hall - All Rights Reserved Worldwide

You'd have to like ice to fish in this weather,
I don't know how Donald does it.
Just look at him, smilin' and reelin' 'em in,
While I'm just sittin' here frozen.

I can't bait the hook 'cause I can't feel my fingers.
My thoughts freeze before I can think 'em,
I'm wearin' two pairs of gloves underneath goose down mittens,
So why do I feel frost bitten?
Oh, why? why? why?

Well, Dennis shows up with his hands in his pockets
And calls out, "Hey guys, what's bitin'?"
His breath looks like big puffs of smoke from a fire,
A fire I wish we was lightin'.

But Donald shows off all those fish on his stringer,
So Dennis goes back to his truck.
He comes back with his rod, he comes back with his reel
To try his cold, cold luck,
Oh, to try his cold, cold luck.

Well you'd have to be crazy to fish in this weather,
I don't know how Dennis does it.
Just look at him, laughin' and reelin' 'em in
While I'm still sittin' here, frozen.

I can't bait the hook 'cause I can't feel my fingers.
My words freeze before I can speak 'em,
I'm wearin' two pairs of gloves underneath goose down mittens,
So why do I feel frost bitten?
Oh, why? why? why?

Oh, I got so cold that I can't feel my feelings,
I don't even know why I'm here.
Somethin' 'bout spendin' some time with my friends,
But no one can drink frozen beer.

Well Dallas appears with a cooler in tow,
And all I can do is just stutter.
He pops the top on a cold one
And the next thing you know,
We are all warmly toasting each other.

You'd have to be crazy to fish in this weather,
I don't know how anyone does it.
I just looked in the mirror at my icycle ears
And I hoisted one more to my brothers.

Well, we're all still here after all of these years,
So let’s raise a glass to each other.
'Cause even old cold friends are worth more than gold
So friends, let's meet again - in the summer.

You'd have to be crazy to fish in this weather.