DAC: Gee, I don't know. You know I never meant to be outside the establishment in Nashville. They just never accepted me, I mean I've never rejected them or what they stood for. Sometimes it bothers me that I've been a member of the CMA for so many years and have never been asked to be a presenter a an awards show. But I think it is something I just have to live with.

CoeFan: You have written so many great songs over your career, what is your favorite DAC song?

DAC: I'd have to say Jody Like a Melody it was just such a different thing for me. You know at the time I has been writing three cord straight up country songs. I wrote Jody Like A Melody, then the next day I wrote Would You Be My Lady, and next Would You Lay With Me In A Field Of Stone. It really opened up a whole new door for me as a songwriter. More cord structures, more thinking in terms of key changes and string sections. Then later on I met and married Jody Lynn and now going through the divorce and everything, I just wrote a new song called And I Still Sing Jody Like A Melody. That's why that song is so special to me.

CoeFan: During your career you have covered a lot of songs written by other songwriters. Which of these songs holds a special place in your heart.

DAC: Probably Please Come To Boston would be my favorite song. I think it's a great song. I like The Ride a lot also. Please Come To Boston was a favorite of mine even before it became a hit. One of my favorites that I recorded years ago that I really like is a Jackson Browne song called These Days.

CoeFan: You said that a lot of new songs are coming out of the divorce with Jody Lynn. Can we expect a new album with those songs on it anytime soon?

DAC: I am doing something similar to the Living on the Edge album. The new album will have a theme and all the songs will run into one another. The theme will be "There's Nothing Good About Good-byes" and each song will include lyrics from the song before it and the song after it. That's one of the things I'm working on. I'm also working on another project. You will hear a song tonight called Make The World Go Round. It's a satirical song about homosexuality and other things going on in the world today. It's message is that it takes all kinds of people to make the world go round and you just have to learn to live with them.

CoeFan: What do you think of new artists like Doug Supernaw and the rock group the Dead Kennedy's recording your songs?

DAC: I've always liked the Dead Kennedy's and I met them in England and had my picture taken with them before they were famous. I was very honored that it (Take This Job and Shove It) was the only song that they recorded on that album that they didn't write themselves.

CoeFan: With the recent invitation of Johnny Paycheck to become a member of the Grand Old Opry, do you think you will ever be invited to be a member?

DAC: I don't think so. I've been on the Opry, Bill Anderson took me on as a guest. I just think some of the things I have done are things that they would never accept.

CoeFan: Are there any performers out in "main-stream" country that you like for their singing or songwriting abilities?

DAC: Marty Stuart is a good person who has been around a long time and he has a lot of credentials and is a really good guy. I have a book out called, This is David Allan Coe, and it has a lot of people in it and Marty is one of them. I think the world of Marty. I think Vince Gill is a great singer and a wonderful songwriter. I think Garth Brooks is a great songwriter and a wonderful entertainer. The artists that people think I would like, it's kinda funny, are the artists I don't really care for.

CoeFan: I know you just finished recording your Johnny Cash Tribute album and you already have your Ghost of Hank Williams albums out, are there any more tribute albums coming up in the future?

DAC: I've already recorded a Merle Haggard tribute album that has not been released yet. There's talk of a Jimmie Rodgers albums also.

CoeFan: What about a George Jones tribute?

DAC: Well as you know George and I have written a lot of songs together and we've recorded a lot together and we've had similar backgrounds. I never really thought about doing an album of George Jones songs, if I did do one it would be songs that he wrote from his earlier years.

CoeFan: What do you think about your "alternative audience" as you call them? (The under 30 crowd, non-biker, college kids) I one of the people in that group. I wasn't even born when you recorded Penitentiary Blues. How does it make you feel to know that your music is carrying on to a whole new generation?

DAC: I don't think the things that I do are time-related or age-related. When you're talking about truth, reality, and life's situations it's timeless. In my new song, Make the World Go Round, I talk about homosexuality, breast implants, and real life. The message of the song is that it takes all sorts of people to make the world work. A lot of people won't hear that message and I'll catch a lot of flack for it.

CoeFan: A friend of mine from the net, Lonnie Lynne LaCour, wanted me to ask if you have a set playlist or if you just feel the audience out.

DAC: We used to have a set list. Several years ago a guy on my road crew came up and said to me, "David why do you have a playlist?" I said, "Well, so I know how long I've played." He said, "Why don't you buy a F***ing clock!" So that's what we do now.

CoeFan: Another friend from the net asked where the X-Rated albums were recorded.

DAC: In Nashville.

CoeFan: The X-Rated albums were DAC002 and DAC003 on David Allan Coe Records, what was DAC001?

DAC: The Buckstone County Prison soundtrack.

CoeFan: Is there any effort to re-release any more of your classic albums on CD and cassette?

DAC: CBS owns the master to most of my early work and as far as I know there are no plans to re-release anything.

CoeFan: One thing that I think would be great would be a Duets album with you and some of your friends that you have recorded with previously. I was thinking maybe Would You Lay With Me with Tanya Tucker, Take This Job and Shove It with Johnny Paycheck, and any of the many George Jones and Willie Nelson duets you have done before.

DAC: I've thought about that myself. The problem is when you record with other artists their management and record companies also get involved and make it very complicated.

CoeFan: What do you think about your popularity on the Internet?

DAC: I think it's great. It's a whole new way to market my music. Selling product is the only way to get new fans without the radio.

CoeFan: I understand that the new contract with Lucky Dog Records is for 4 albums, that's good new for us DAC fans.

DAC: Yeah, I hope that they are pleased with everything. You know it's a great opportunity for a guy my age (58 years old) to set back in there. I was really hoping to set the world on fire with the new album (Live....If That Ain't Country) and I think I can, given the chance.

CoeFan: Do you think accomplish that without the radio air play?

DAC: It would be tough. It's doubtful. I'm really looking at the Internet to introduce David Allan Coe to a whole new audience.

CoeFan: I heard that they video taped your concert at Billy Bob's (when they record the Live album). Is there any plans to market a video of that?

DAC: I don't know what Lucky Dog has planned for that. Right now they are playing 30 second clips from that in Best Buy and K-Mart stores.

CoeFan: Is there anything you would to tell your fans?

DAC: Thanks for sticking by me all these years. Also, you can check out my Official website and even e-mail me.

CoeFan: One last thing. You've been in the business for 30 years, a new album on a major record label, you're 58 years old, where do you see you career going from here?

DAC: Well that's hard to say. I'm gonna do this as long as I can. My girlfriend and I were talking today. We decided we'd do this till we couldn't do it anymore and then maybe we'll just buy a motorcycle and ride off into the sunset.

.

.I would like to thank David Allan Coe for giving me the opportunity to conduct this interview. I found him to be very gracious and nice. I wish more people could see that side of him. CoeFan

.

Don't forget to check out the concert pictures!