Following the passing of Austin musician Jon Dee Graham, his son, William Harries Graham, has taken on the role of custodian for his father’s cherished guitar, affectionately named Zeus. This iconic Fender Stratocaster, a patchwork of history and sound, must be kept alive, and for William, that meant transforming the instrument from its right-handed configuration to suit his left-handed playing style.
“I don’t think any other guitar could sound like Zeus and do what Zeus did,” William expressed, just hours before performing at The Continental Club, a venue where he and his father often shared the stage with their band, The Fighting Cocks. “It’s definitely my most prized possession. To be able to even play it or touch it … there’s an uncanny kind of spiritual element where it feels almost like … a guitar that has a mind of its own.”
Although Wednesday’s performance was not designed to be a formal tribute, it naturally became the first in a series of events celebrating Jon Dee Graham’s extensive legacy as a beloved figure in Austin’s music scene. The 67-year-old musician passed away last week following a fall at home, compounded by ongoing health issues that had limited his ability to perform, despite his continued passion for writing and recording music.
For those who knew him, his death resonates not as the conclusion of a musical career but rather as the loss of a constant presence in the local community. Musician Kevin Russell, frontman of the band Shinyribs and a frequent collaborator with Graham, first met him in the 1980s while still a young fan in Louisiana. “He lived 1,000 lives, that guy,” Russell remarked, pointing to Graham’s struggles with health and sobriety that often inspired his songwriting. “That’s what fueled him.”
Beyond his extensive catalog of songs, Russell noted that Graham’s unique intensity informed his interactions with others. He recalled a moment when Graham noticed a regular audience member who was dealing with the emotional fallout of a divorce. “He came straight up to him and said, ‘What’s wrong?’ And then the next day they had dinner. And then they kept doing that. He helped that guy through his life,” Russell shared. “He had a sixth sense for suffering. He could feel it.”
Graham’s understated nature also manifested in subtler ways. Russell recounted how Graham would often join early Shinyribs shows at Threadgill’s under the condition that he would not be introduced, preferring to appear and disappear like a ghost. “He said, ‘I’ll come play, but don’t introduce me. Don’t even acknowledge me,’” Russell remembered. True to his word, Graham would quietly contribute before slipping away to his regular Wednesday night performance.
Throughout his career, Graham was known for his willingness to support fellow musicians. In recent years, as his health deteriorated, this support was reciprocated by the Austin music community, which rallied around him during his recovery periods following several surgeries. Russell mentioned that for Graham, accepting help was a challenge. “He was a proud person … the way we’re raised, we don’t wanna ever ask for help. We help others, right? And so when we need the help, that’s a hard thing for a lot of people,” he explained.
In the final months of his life, Graham remained committed to his craft, continuing to write and perform alongside William, who reflected on the incredible opportunity to learn from his father. “I got a literal front-row seat to him and everything he could do,” said the emerging songwriter, who has released multiple albums and is collaborating with local label Shrinking Bones Records. “It’s unbelievable that I got to play with my dad like that.”
As William prepared for the Wednesday performance, he found himself delving into his father’s songs, uncovering the depth hidden within Graham’s seemingly simple guitar riffs. “They’re the most simple little guitar riffs. And they’re the hardest things to play,” he noted, observing that his father’s talent lay in his ability to blend rhythm and lead into cohesive musical phrases that often went unnoticed. “He was doing all these little things that most people would never think about.”
Even as his health declined, Jon Dee Graham continued to write and record music. He and William were in the process of completing a new album titled Lloyd, named in honor of Graham’s father and reflecting their relationship. The album was nearly finished at the time of his passing. “He wasn’t ready to put the guitar up, but he was really, really tired,” William said.
Now, as William carries on the legacy of Zeus, he feels an enduring connection to his father’s music. “It’s like the guitar is begging to play those songs,” he remarked, emphasizing the bond that transcends even death.
