Sunday, November 30, 2008

Gram



On a recent trip home, the ole man and I went out of our way up Airline Highway to find the burial place of Gram Parsons.

In researching how to find it, I came across the Gram Parsons Project. In actually going out to find the spot, I found that, not only was the site very old and in desperate need of updating (the place marker at the time the website was last updated was merely a bronze vase holder), but also that the only real information that was helpful was 1. that Gram is buried in the Garden of Memories in Metairie, Louisiana, and B. that his burial marker is R-12 11-3. (No offense to the owner of the site.)


In following the directions from the site, which will now be redacted from conversation, we spent about 45 minutes wandering around the wrong area. So, I'm taking it upon myself to help any Gram fans out so they don't have to:

When you head into the cemetery, take your first right. The road's gunna fork, at which time you head to the right. After doing so, the road will make a nice sharp left. I'd say about 75 feet after the curve, stop. 

To your left, in the distance, you'll see a big white bas-relief of the Last Supper - start walking towards that. About halfway up the hill, past the 9th line of grave markers, you'll see a white bench. Just past, and between the tree to your right and that bench, is Gram. 

He has the largest grave marker (as you see above) in the area.

In my oh so wonderful OCDness, I took the liberty to also create the exact location (or within 5 feet of it) on google maps. Happy hunting, if ever you go out looking for Mr. Parsons.

1 comment:

Maryana Lucia Vestic said...

Gram is my favorite country boy with a sweet, sad heart and long brown hair. Thanks for making it feel like I got to be there to see him.
my favorite example of his high lonesome songwriting:

"Juanita"
No affection were the words
That stuck on my mind
When she walked out on me
For the very last time
Oh, mama, sweet mama
Can you tell me what to say
I don't know what i've done
To be treated this way

In a cold dirty room
That's where i found myself
With a bottle of wine
And some pills on the shelf
Oh, mama, sweet mama
Can you tell me what to say
I don't know what i've done
And i'm feeling so ashamed

Then an angel appeared
She was just seventeen
In a dirty old gown
With a conscience so clean
Oh, mama, sweet mama
Can you tell me what to say
She's brought back the life
That i once threw away
She's brought back the life
That i once threw away