By Brian Landa
@BrianLandaLawyer
Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted. Indeed, he does. And so much more. Not to be confused with Snoop Dogg (who also makes an appearance here in praise of one of his mentors), Swamp Dogg the man is a legend beyond the beyond, and he is still very much with us.
I was fortunate to be at the Oak Cliff Film Festival screening of the new documentary Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted, directed by Isaac Gale and Ryan Olson. It may very well be the most creative treatment of a documentary subject I’ve ever seen. With a combination of narration and animation in several styles, we dive (swim-related wordplay intended) into exploring Swamp Dogg’s world.
Active in the music industry as Little Jerry since the 1950s and through the hippie era, Swamp entered the 70s fully entrenched in the Swamp persona as performer and producer. There is perhaps not a known genre that this man (born Jerry Williams, Jr. in 1942) hasn’t touched. His most recent project involves “blackgrass” which is bluegrass with an urban tinge. Part of the evening’s offerings included a full concert. Swamp’s ensemble played some of the blackgrass, and it was mind-blowing.
The late great legendary Guitar Shorty was of course not among us. Swamp and Shorty were the best of friends for decades. Shorty asked to move in with Swamp for a few days during a rough patch and didn’t leave for nearly twenty years!
Another of Swamp’s longtime collaborators goes by the chosen name MoogStar, an incredibly talented musician in his own right and someone who has been through the ringer more than most. After a humiliating situation on national television, Moog that very night drove to a secluded location ready to end it all, but realized that the world needs his talents, and decided to flip the switch to joy.
Moog does not know me, but he jumped off that stage and greeted me after the live show with such energy and friendliness. Took a selfie with his phone and sent it to me. He was just so happy to be there and that we were there. A few hundred people “Behind The Screen.” There is literally a music performance space with a full stage and room for a hundred or so people behind the main screen, so there are often shows tied into screenings throughout the year.
The Texas Theatre has certainly earned a place as one of the best independent theaters in the world, not just a historically protected landmark. Although if you’re ever at what those of us in the know fondly call “The Texas” (built by none other than Howard Hughes himself. Well, his minions anyways), it is very worthwhile to take time to read the markers outside.
It was like Moog and I had been friends forever. He gives me hope for humanity. He was quickly spirited away by the Swamp family though. Swamp’s daughter leaned to me and said “We haven’t seen Moog in a while. This is family time now.” As it should be. This was a reunion for the ages.
Swamp’s daughter is very much a part of the documentary and was present for the Q&A and concert as well. She is a neurologist and loves that her father is keeping his brain sharp with lyrics and music and such. Even has her own “Dr. Jeri” button in the gimme souvenir button swag pack we were given going in.
She and a gaggle of close friends and family were offstage to the right, beaming at the adulation. During the Q&A, Swamp marveled how “There sure are a lot of white folk in this room.” Which is quite something if you know the area. That’s why I love this particular fest. It’s in a slightly gentrifying (but not too fast for comfort) somewhat gritty part of town, that primarily screens at this movie theater where Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested on 11/22/63. And it draws the most eclectic diverse audiences. A place for true cinephiles.
Oh yes. Swamp Dogg actually does get his pool painted. Throughout the runtime, various colorful personalities come by with paint and samples and eventually the real work begins. And what a piece of art it is. Based on one of his most notoriously absurd “low class” album covers. He was known for some crazy ones. Spinal Tap before Spinal Tap was Spinal Tap.
A couple hundred people stayed after the Q&A for a live performance by a five-piece ensemble, including MoogStar, enthusiastic as ever on keys. Moog was having great fun with a literal monkey on his back. He was wearing a form of backpack that also looks like a monkey draped over the shoulder. Monkey (Moog confirmed that his name really is Monkey) is such a part of the family now that he got his own button in the gimme souvenir swag pack too, which I also hope will be pictured.
Although Guitar Shorty has passed, he gets a lot of screen time in the documentary. But his presence was felt on that stage in words and song. Swamp can’t quite hit all the high notes anymore, but some songs are such that sing-alongs could be created on the spot. So the enthusiastic audience made up the difference, and then some! That was definitely a night to be remembered, and a new documentary not to be missed.
