Great post. I have had more Econolines than you can count on all your appendages. As well as a couple of buses and sprinters. We played with you one time at the Iota in Virginia and I have been a fan of yours ever since. Thanks for writing the post and the song.
One of my favorite moments of your show is when you and James let the spring loose with the dual guitar harmonic break. And of course the audience shouts the two word chorus "Ford Econoline" Heaven.
I've painted many gallons of paint out of an Econoline! 👍 You'll know that painters are using it by the extension ladders they cary on top. If the ladders have rags taped to one end, then yes, those are pintores aboard! 😉 And they had better be wearing painter whites too or else they're probably just "ain'ters"...😁
I don't know if was an Econoline, but, for many years, my late uncle David, who lived in San Diego, owned a full-size for reasons I've never been able to figure it out. He was a musician, but he was a horn player, and he just played locally. Maybe it had something to do with having two dogs and two cats. I don't know. This is a guy who thought it was appropriate to give his 13-year-old nephew's Portnoy's Complaint, so I kind of have to just waive my hand at it. Even the people in my family who I like are still deeply weird.
You'd have liked him -- he got over a coke habit, too.
Speaking of vans, well, yours in particular anyway, the last time you played Shank Hall in Milwaukee (I think it was last summer), we ended up getting this primo parking spot near the front of the Hall behind what I assumed was the then-current incarnation of your Econoline van of legend and song. Not sure if you’ve gender identified it, but with my vehicle nosing up to the rear of yours, I made sure to tell him to be a good boy. Oh, and as usual, the show was great.
One of my favorite songs. It was fun to see you van parked outside the Turf Club a few years ago when I caught your show there. Pretty sure o have a picture of it here somewhere.
I drive a little Ford Transit Connect LWB. It’s my daily commuter and home away from home when I travel.
Jaimie Harris performs a song called "Ford Econoline" too--though it may be a cover of the one Kate mentions by Nancy Griffith. As a Ford owner (albeit an Escape), I fully endorse such titles.
I went to high school with Benjamin Bratt and he drove a SuperShuttle for a bit.
And there was the time the u-joint broke on the Movie Stars econoline in the middle of a heavy rainstorm near Vermont and Damon the drummer got under there and fixed it with gum and sillystring or something...don't ask me...but it worked. And that van kept rolling. :-)
Great post. I have had more Econolines than you can count on all your appendages. As well as a couple of buses and sprinters. We played with you one time at the Iota in Virginia and I have been a fan of yours ever since. Thanks for writing the post and the song.
many classic gigs at the Iota.
One of my favorite moments of your show is when you and James let the spring loose with the dual guitar harmonic break. And of course the audience shouts the two word chorus "Ford Econoline" Heaven.
To Quote The Vehicle by Ides of March:
"I'm your vehicle, baby
I'll take you anywhere you wanna go"
cuz I Love ya, Need ya, etc...
By the time you Get to Barstow,
You're more than half way to Hell....
Stay Wheel'n and Free Wheel'n Chuckster!
Bruce Berry was a working man
He used to load that Econoline van
A sparkle was in his eye
But his life was in his hands
Well, late at night when the people were gone
He used to pick up my guitar
And sing a song in a shaky voice
That was real as the day was long
I've painted many gallons of paint out of an Econoline! 👍 You'll know that painters are using it by the extension ladders they cary on top. If the ladders have rags taped to one end, then yes, those are pintores aboard! 😉 And they had better be wearing painter whites too or else they're probably just "ain'ters"...😁
OK! I'm learning stuff. Substack is the gift that keeps giving
I don't know if was an Econoline, but, for many years, my late uncle David, who lived in San Diego, owned a full-size for reasons I've never been able to figure it out. He was a musician, but he was a horn player, and he just played locally. Maybe it had something to do with having two dogs and two cats. I don't know. This is a guy who thought it was appropriate to give his 13-year-old nephew's Portnoy's Complaint, so I kind of have to just waive my hand at it. Even the people in my family who I like are still deeply weird.
You'd have liked him -- he got over a coke habit, too.
horn players have a rep for being late. Was he punctual?
I really can't say. He lived in San Diego. We were in KC, then Akron. My time with him was limited by that distance.
He does seem to have dated Shawn Colvin, though.
He met me at the gate when I came to visit, but I otherwise don't know.
That's a good sign
Speaking of vans, well, yours in particular anyway, the last time you played Shank Hall in Milwaukee (I think it was last summer), we ended up getting this primo parking spot near the front of the Hall behind what I assumed was the then-current incarnation of your Econoline van of legend and song. Not sure if you’ve gender identified it, but with my vehicle nosing up to the rear of yours, I made sure to tell him to be a good boy. Oh, and as usual, the show was great.
Love that gig!
Jam Econo.
Chuck, I love you man, but can you top this?
https://youtu.be/X8jUA3UoJEg?si=wrYwYkBlYaAkLi1r
Man, I have a pretty good appetite from Music. But I was unaware of that song. And honestly? I’m glad.
One of my favorite songs. It was fun to see you van parked outside the Turf Club a few years ago when I caught your show there. Pretty sure o have a picture of it here somewhere.
I drive a little Ford Transit Connect LWB. It’s my daily commuter and home away from home when I travel.
Love the versatility of a cargo van.
Always a fav as a (now former) Econoline owner - the last of the 7.3s
Another lovely read, fantastic song sir. Keep them coming….the songs and the stacks
Jaimie Harris performs a song called "Ford Econoline" too--though it may be a cover of the one Kate mentions by Nancy Griffith. As a Ford owner (albeit an Escape), I fully endorse such titles.
All these memories like dirty plates
Stacked up in the sink of time
Fabulous.
I went to high school with Benjamin Bratt and he drove a SuperShuttle for a bit.
And there was the time the u-joint broke on the Movie Stars econoline in the middle of a heavy rainstorm near Vermont and Damon the drummer got under there and fixed it with gum and sillystring or something...don't ask me...but it worked. And that van kept rolling. :-)
Didn’t you fly to Texas and bring them a part or something… I love that story
I did! Except that was for the drummers hearse (same guy). That wouldn't make it cross-country...and barely made it to Austin. :-)
Nanci Griffith has a great Ford Econoline song also. 1987.
My second husband was a van guy. He liked the 4 wheel drive for fishing on the beach.
And lest we forget, Bruce Barry was a working man. He used to load that Econoline van. (Thanks Neil Young)