Dear Joe Nick Patoski, Bill Crawford and Jimmie "Lee" Vaughan,

Joe and Bill,
I'm again reading your book about Stevie Ray, called "Caught in the Crossfire". I haven't read this book as often as I have some of the other ones I own, but I have read it a few times.

One thing about this book that drives me NUTS each time is your seeming "need" to apologize every other paragraph for the fact that Stevie didn't look like Jimmie. In fact, you constantly state that Jimmie looks like a matinee idol and use the word "ugly" to describe Stevie.

This bullshit is very distracting, to the degree that it surpasses and ultimately LOSES the point.

Which is this: In all brutally truthful honesty, Stevie Ray was a much more talented and much, much better guitar player than Jimmie, even to this day. Jimmie has had 16 years to improve and maybe get as good as Stevie was and... he hasn't.

Now, don't get me wrong. Jimmie is good, but he ain't his brother. Not by a looooong mile and a half.

I love the song he did in "Tin Cup". When I first heard it, I wasn't even thinking about who it was, I was just drooling over Kevin Costner. Then, about the 47th time I watched the movie, that song started to sink in. I could hear that either Stevie had been a BIG influence on whomever it was or they were, like... related, or something.

Which led me to look into it.
Oh, wow... Stevie's brother. Okay...

I had, by that time, owned "Family Style" for a few years, but I didn't recognize Jimmie's playing from that, oddly enough. Or, maybe not so "oddly", as Jimmie has never been my focus. In fact, I did buy one of his CD's and it just kinda laid there, ya know?

Anyway, I figured out that that song in "Tin Cup" was being played by a Vaughan. That's when I started paying attention and I've come to the conclusion that Stevie was clearly superior to his "big" brother.

THAT'S the point. Stevie's talent, gift and the gifts he gave us. Not his looks.
In fact, to put it in words you two may understand, he was so "ugly", he was fuckin' adorable.
Know what I mean?

Good book.
WHEN y'all find and manage to stick to the point.
Shame it wasn't more often.

Jimmie,
I don't know what's up with you these days, but maaaan... I hope you've gotten over yourself a bit. Dude, you ain't ugly but, no way are you "all that and a bag of chips". Not even...
You look.... kinda mean. Kinda constipated. Kinda like what you are, or were, which is a bully. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that you have a (well-hidden) mean streak a mile wide.

When I look at Stevie's photos, I feel warmth and love. Looking at yours sometimes scares me and almost always makes me uncomfortable. I'd never want to be alone with you. By the same token, I wouldn't want you behind me on the edge of Hoover Dam or any other such precipice.

I don't know why, exactly. I don't know you personally. But, that's the impression I get from your pictures and from "Caught".

You really were horrible to Stevie when he was a kid. Beat the shit outta him time and again, just because he wanted to be like you and to play your guitar.

God, what a bastard, ya know?
You really were. Admit it to yourself.

You can plainly see the truth of what I say, if you look at the "big picture". Follow me, here:
As kids, you were "it", the big dog. You were brutal to Stevie, when you didn't really have to be. You both got your "breaks" and had your careers. Stevie's was cut short, yours still soldiers on.
And... whom is the legend? Who is it people will never forget? Who's the "big dog" now?
Yeah.
Stevie is and always will be from now on.

Was it worth it, this karma you bought and paid for all those years ago?

Somehow, I doubt it.

Now, I know Stevie wasn't hard-hearted, like you and I are... he'd have never said any of this to you, even if he'd have lived and blown your doors off, like he undoubtedly would have.

If he hadn't been killed, within a year, you'd have been asking him for job.
No... actually, he'd have probably offered you a job, before you had to ask. That's the kinda guy he was.
But, you know that now, don'tcha?

Well anyway... I just wanted to say that "to you". I don't hate you or anything. In fact, I hope you're doing really well. But, I also hope you think about this once in a while and that, in thinking about it, you find a way to heal yourself, because, seriously, it hurts my heart to look at you.

"Tick, tock", Jimmie and...
Peace, man.

This has been one opinion and I'm sure there are plenty more.

Posted by: Stevie at 11:37 AM

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