I didn't know that "America's Favorite Hobo" was known in England. Willie enjoyed a brief surge in popularity in the early 1980s as a bit of a curiosity when his records were advertised in humorous fashion. Slim Whitman and Nana Mouskori similarly had serious careers, but were seen as humorous novelties in the 80s because of corny tv ads.

Anyway, in 1982 I was attending a wedding reception at a hotel where Boxcar Willie was staying for a local performance. He was walking through the lobby and my cousin Dwight, who was kind of drunk, saw him and shouted, Hey, Boxcar Willie! I'm your biggest fan!" Without missing a beat, slowing down, or even tossing a glance at him, Willie mumbled, "Then blow me."

The story has lasted longer in the family than the marriage that took place earlier that day.