The Americana and roots music authority

The Making Of A Squidbillies All-Star Musical!

For the uninitiated, Squidbillies is an animated television series about the Cuylers. The main character Early Cuyler is trying to take care of his impoverished family that consists of his son Rusty, his sister Lil and his Granny in the Appalachian region of North Georgia. Also, they all happen to be talking, anthropomorphic redneck squids who butt heads against the local establishment, like the Sheriff and Dan Halen. This Adult Swim animation features the voices of Unknown Hinson, Dana Snyder and creator Dave Willis.

On Sunday, July 18th at midnight, America’s fourth-favorite-animated-family, Squidbillies, premieres a special 30-minute all-star musical, "America: Why I Love Her" on Adult Swim. For this 5th season finale, creators Dave Willis and Jim Fortier pulled out their rolodex to reel in some of America’s bona-fide musical talents spanning bluegrass, southern rock, and country-ish / Americana. You’ll hear music from Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Jackyl, Todd Snider, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Rhett Miller, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Hayes Carll, and Split Lip Rayfield. Now that's a heap of good listenin'!

Now one might ask themselves, what goes into making songbirds of landsquids? Apparently it takes a laundry list of overqualified musical pros. Check out the behind the scenes action with Lucinda Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Jackyl (and Jesse Dupree getting crazy with his chainsaw) among others doing their thing in the studio.

Image #1: The Drive-By Truckers (playing themselves) and some of the main characters of Squidbillies from left, The Sheriff, Rusty Cuyler, Early Cuyler and Granny Cuyler.

Image #2 The Squidbillies and all of the animals in the episode. The animals include the voices of: Lucinda Williams, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Hayes Carll, Gillian Welch, Dave Rawlings and Todd Snider.

Click here for more Squidbillies and Adult Swim video.

Comment by Victoria Folkerts on July 18, 2010 at 12:59pm: My husband is a HUGE Squidbillies fan. He can't wait. Loved the clip.

Comment by Katherine Rhoades on July 20, 2010 at 8:41am: Squidbillies is by far the best animated show on TV but do they show it at a decent hour? No-o-o-o! Some people have to work for a living and can't stay up till midnight to catch it, and that's a shame cause it is such a hoot! I don't get to see the shows as they come out but we own all the DVD's. Maybe Comedy Channel could pick it up and replace that really stupid Futurama. That would truly make my day!!!

Comment by Craig Young on July 20, 2010 at 12:21pm: I hear what you're saying Katherine, but in some ways I hope they leave it on Adult Swim. I fear if it were to move to a network like Comedy Central they would try to scale down it's racey humor.

Comment by curtis w bowling on July 22, 2010 at 8:01pm: i totally agree with craig,leave it where it is,i'm a big sqid fan,although it amazes me that adult swim is on cartoon net.i was working out of town and sharing a motel room with a co worker,we got off at 1:00a.m.i was channel surfing and saw sqids were on and clicked on it,early came off with his "theres a party in my pants and your invited"my buddy j.p. was hooked he loved it.he asked what the hell was this adult swim and what channel was it on?i told him cartoon net,he said "oh my god,this is what my grandkids always want to stay up late to watch.i don't know if its appropriate for kids,but maybe people should pay more attention to what there kids are watching.for katherine i don't think it'll be moved to prime time,just have to get dvr or stick with dvd's.

Comment by Craig Young on July 22, 2010 at 8:17pm: If I'm not mistaken, Adult Swim comes on after 10pm so the little kids should be in bed while the big kids watch. The term Adult Swim means all kids out of the pool!

Comment