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Not to be confused with one’s birthday suit, “Nudie suit” refers to the makers of the stage costumes that epitomized the dazzling Western wear that country musicians once favored — outfits whose eye-popping images of horses, cactuses, wagon wheels, etc., were drawn in glittering rhinestones on boldly colored cloth.

Kiev native Nuta Kotlyarenko, doing business as Nudie Cohn, and his wife, Bobbie, started building their business in Hollywood in the 1940s, and ultimately sold stagewear to, among others (but not including me) such as Elvis Presley, Hank Williams and Porter Wagoner (who would eventually own 52 Nudie suits).

I first learned about Nudie suits through the Flying Burrito Brothers: singer Gram Parsons, a mighty influence on country-leaning rock musicians like me, sported a Nudie infamously embellished with images of pills, poppies, marijuana, naked Nudie women, and a cross.

“Christmas Nudie Suit” is the portrait of a country singer facing some tough realities on the eve of the holiday. Incorporating sounds of the obligatory Fender Telecaster as well as a metal mixing bowl and a guitar scratched with business cards, it was written and recorded during the past three weeks — just in time for that last-minute Christmas shopping!

lyrics

CHRISTMAS NUDIE SUIT

Copyright (C) 2023 by Douglas L. Hubley

Santa calls at midnight with a sack of plastic loot
Mom comes back from heaven with a cake of nuts and fruit
An angel hovers somewhere with her halo and her flute
I’m singing songs to no one in my Christmas Nudie suit

The dance floor cleared out early and my band was glad to stop
Tomorrow’s Christmas Day and they still need some time to shop
Me, I’m going nowhere in my hat and pointy boots
My gift is just my presence in my Christmas Nudie suit

Merry Christmas spelled in sequins, C-9s shine upon the sleeves
There’s a star across the shoulders, there’s two myths I don’t believe
The bar man wants to close but I’ve been stricken deaf and mute
I’m a holly-jolly has-been in my Christmas Nudie suit

Pretty presents on the pockets, holly stitched around the cuffs
Red and green and gold and silver — too much never is enough
People love to see me wear it, but I wouldn’t call it cute
I’m an ornamental nuisance in my Christmas Nudie suit

There’s a welcome for me somewhere with a love that’s absolute
There’s a faith that I could seek but I’m a treacherous recruit
If you want that Christmas feeling, I’m a sorry substitute
A washed-up country singer in a sweaty Nudie suit

credits

from Songs by Doug Hubley: Scary Christmas Polka, released December 3, 2022
Instruments and vocal by Doug Hubley. Illustration by Gretchen Schaefer. "Christmas Nudie Suit" copyright (C) 2023 by Douglas L. Hubley.

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about

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Doug Hubley Portland, Maine

Doug Hubley is a musician and writer in Maine.

He has covered arts and lifestyle for publications in Maine and Massachusetts.

Doug began learning guitar in 1966, and hopes to finish the job one day. He has played with such bands as the Fashion Jungle, the Cowlix, the Boarders and Howling Turbines.

Today he is one-half of Day for Night, an acoustic country band also starring Gretchen Schaefer. ... more

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