Blackie Farrell may not be a household name, but among his peers, loyal fans, and the many soulful music venues who have hosted him, he’s considered a legend. His diesel and tear stained classic “Mama Hated Diesels”, and his achingly beautiful border ballad “Sonora’s Death Row” are hailed as classic Americana standards. His writing is heavily influenced by his early songwriting heroes. Lightnin’ Hopkins, Jimmy Reed, Ray Charles, Marty Robbins, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson. It was the gritty honest storytelling that grabbed Blackie’s heart, and soul.
At his core, Blackie is a story-teller, cutting a straight line right through life’s jagged edges not smoothing them over but illuminating their points. Some haunting, some heroic, his tales stick to your bones and conjure up lost spirits and the longings of a well worn heart.
“Anne Jones” https://www.billkirchen.com/oxford-american