- Skinny Dennis
Infobox musical artist
Name = Skinny Dennis
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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Dennis Sanchez
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Born = Birth date|1946|09|03|mf=y
Died = Death date and age|1975|03|20|1946|09|03
Sunset Beach,California ,United States
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Instrument =Double bass
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Genre = CountryFolk
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Years_active = 1970–1975
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Notable_instruments = Skinny Dennis Sanchez (September 3 1946 –March 20 1975 ) was a country musician in the Los Angeles area. [Interview with James Szalapski done by Thomas W. Campell, 1996.] He played the upright bass, most famously accompanying Nashville legendGuy Clark during Clark's stay in Los Angeles. [Michael K Harris: Booklet Heartworn Highway DVD.] His nickname is in reference to his havingMarfan syndrome ; Sanchez stood at 6'11", and weighed 135 lbs. [Graham Lees: " [http://www.noshow.freewire.co.uk/dvdheartwornhighways.htm Review of DVD Heartworn Highways] ".]He is most famously mentioned in the Guy Clark song "L.A. Freeway" from Clark's 1975 record "
Old No. 1 ". In it, Clark sings:"Here's to you ol' Skinny Dennis
The only one I think I will miss
I can hear your low bass singin'
Sweet and low like a gift you're bringin'" [ Cowboy Lyrics: " [http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/clark-guy/la-freeway-74.html L.A. Freeway] "]Sanchez was also friends with many in Clark's circle, including
Townes Van Zandt ,Rodney Crowell ,Steve Earle ,Richard Dobson and others. A documentary featuring the aforementioned songwriters, "Heartworn Highways," is dedicated to Sanchez. Richard Dobson recorded Sanchez' song "Bus Stop Coffee" for his albums "In Texas Last December" and "One Bar Town".Sanchez died at age 29 of heart failure on stage, playing the bass on Sunset Beach with John Penn.
References
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
