Disgraceland is a production of Double Elvis.

This is a story about a songwriter, an incredible talent who toiled in obscurity.

He had a number one hit, but most people don't know his name.

He released a dozen albums during his lifetime.

None sold more than a few thousand copies.

He spent his entire career waiting to die,

knowing that he would only become a legend after

he was gone, just like his idol, Hank Williams.

Because just like Hank Williams, he lived in pain.

And also like Hank Williams, he sacrificed everything to chase the muse.

This is the story of Towns Van Zand,

a songwriter's songwriter who lived his art.

And his art was some of the saddest, most mournful songs ever committed to tape.

Songs that were so real and relatable and funny and fucked up

that they had a magical power

to make you feel better about your own fucked up life. Great music. Unlike that loop I played for you

at the top of the show, that wasn't great music. That was a preset loop from my Melotron called

Texas lighter fluid MK1.

I played you that loop because I can't afford the rights to Tony Braxton's Unbreak My Heart.

And why would I play you that specific slice of blistering heartbreak cheese could I afford it?

Because that was the number one song in America on January 1st, 1997.

And that was the day that Living on the Road finally killed Towns Van Zand, 44 years to the day after Hank Williams died under similar circumstances.

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