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How Low Did He Go — The Case History of Dale Watson

By Ron Munden – 11/4/2024

This is the follow up to the article I posted titled: “How Low Can He Go” which I posted last week on my website and social media.  click here to read the first story 

Again, I want everyone to know these are my personal opinions.  No one associated with Boogie Woogie Marshall is aware of the content of this article.  I do hope everyone in Marshall, including people associated with Boggie Woogie, will read this article. It will be available on social media and the website – EastTexasExposed.com
  

As a reminder,  Mr. Watson threw a temper tantrum after hearing that he would be sharing the stage with Wes Jeans and Daryl Davis at the Boogie Woogie fundraiser. Mr. Watson announced he wanted nothing more to do with Boogie Woogie. Mr. Watson quit the Boogie Woogie Marshall project.

At that point I never thought I would write another word about Mr. Watson but the public reserves to know about Mr. Watson’s conduct during this year’s Boogie Woogie  Festival.  So here is another chapter in “The Case History of Dale Watson.”

On Friday, the first day of the festival,  Mr. Watson parked his bus facing the entrance to the festival.  The message crawler on his bus read, “FUCK BOOGIEFEST”.  Some people were offended by the sign and the police were called.  The Chief of Police and City Attorney discussed if this was a “freedom of speech matter.”  Since the bus was parked on a public street and people were objecting, they decided this was not a free speech issue.

The police contacted Mr. Watson’s wife.  She said Mr. Watson was not available.  The police said since people were complaining, they would write a citation for posting obscene material and put it on the bus.

Mr. Watson’s wife said she could turn off the “FUCK BOOGIEFEST” that was displaying on  Watson’s bus.  She did turn the sign off.

Dr. John Tennison is a practicing psychiatrist but he is also a music historian.  It was his research that led to the designation, “Marshall Texas, Birthplace of Boogie Woogie.” He is a big supporter of Boogie Woogie Marshall.

Why would Dale Watson do a thing like – bad mouth Boogie Woogie Fest?  

I contacted John by email and asked his impression of Mr. Watson’s actions during Boogie Woogie Fest 2024.  His reply addressed the topic far better than I could ever do, so I decided to make it part of this article.

John Tennison wrote:

If I am cited in your article, I would like it to be clear that I was not “outraged”.  However, I was disappointed and perplexed, in that the scrolling graffiti (“FUCK BOOGIEFEST”) on Dale Watson’s bus came across as if it was being directed globally at everyone who was participating in the 2024 Boogie Woogie Fest — artists, fans, volunteers, etc. 

 I have only heard theories as to what grievance Dale Watson might have had regarding the Boogie Woogie Fest.  It seemed to me that such a global and non-specific expletive being expressed from Dale Watson‘s bus, which was parked directly beside and with the graffiti facing the festival, could only hurt Dale Watson’s own reputation. The fact that someone would have such a strong reaction towards the festival would make many people curious and want to go to the festival all the more.  Ironically, the scrolling graffiti was probably good publicity for the festival.  For this reason, I decided to make a video of the scrolling graffiti. 

 I hope Dale Watson will make a public statement in which he specifically clarifies what he was so upset about, and I hope that Dale will publicly apologize to participants of Boogie Woogie Fest 2024, who have in no way wronged Dale; gave freely of their time or bought a ticket to be there; and were there that day only to celebrate Boogie Woogie, the most influential musical genre ever to have originated in Texas.  

I have decided on a title for my next Boogie Woogie album.  It’s going to be called “FUN BOOGIEFEST”.  Let’s Make Boogie Woogie Fun Again!

The above all happened on Friday.  However, the Watson family was not through trashing Boogie Fest 2024.

On Sunday this appeared:

Mr. Watson’s wife posted the  “Feel bad…” statement on her social media.

One of the performers, Dona Oxford – known as “The Queen of Boogie Woogie” made a quick response. She said:

“It was a great festival with great people and great musicians!  No haters there! Can’t wait to go back next year!!”

I attended the festival all three days.  I talked to lots of people.  Everyone I talked to was excited by the quality of the talent.  I only heard positive comments from the performers.  All of my social media accounts reflected positive comments.

Ms. Watson’s comment demonstrates one thing – evaluating a festival with a pair of binoculars from a second floor window one block away may not be the best way to detect the pulse of the event.

Dona Oxford is correct.  Boogie Woogie 2024 was a success.  There will be a Boogie Woogie 2025 – with or without the Watson’s looking on.

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Final Thought

In my opinion,  if Dale Watson tells you he wants to give you a helping hand – approach with extreme caution, he may just give you the middle finger.