Pretty Paper

December 24, 2010 1:13 PM

Many people here in the U.S. have heard Willie Nelson's Christmas song, Pretty Paper (first made famous by Roy Orbison). But few know that it was based on a disabled man who sold pencils and paper in front of Leonard's Department Store (the one with its own subway). Or was it a blind couple? His name has been lost to history even as he is immortalized in song.
posted by TedW (4 comments total)

Lovely, thank you.
posted by quarterframer at 3:27 PM on December 24, 2010

I was working myself up to post this very story as my first FPP. Very interesting and touching.
posted by tamitang at 3:37 PM on December 24, 2010

Sorry about that, tamitang. The only reason I thought to post it was that I am here in Ft.Worth for Christmas and saw the article in the Star-Telegram. I was hoping to flesh it out some more, so if you found some other links feel free to share them.
posted by TedW at 6:02 PM on December 24, 2010

there just can't ever be too much about willie, kristofferson or orbison. Thanks for this.
posted by toodleydoodley at 9:42 PM on December 24, 2010