In this episode of Power Grid Talks, host Thomas Williamson sits down with Darren in the Oklahoma heat to talk about his start at a small rural co-op, working Katrina, and why "you sign everything you touch, from a shovel handle to a hoist handle." Darren shares the story behind his songs "Line Life," written for linemen everywhere, and "What I Gave the Whiskey," a hard look at what the trade can take from you and the phone call that showed him why it mattered. He also has advice for apprentices, explains why "slow is fast," and talks about losing friends to line work and where he hopes his music goes next.
Heads up: the heat knocked out our cameras that day, so this one is audio only. The conversation was too good not to share.
Presented by Tallman Equipment Company.
0:00 - Intro
1:20 - Episode Preview: Audio Only from the Oklahoma Heat
2:11 - Show Intro & Welcome
2:48 - 39 Years on the Line: How Darren Got Started
4:07 - Storm Work, Katrina & the Brotherhood
6:03 - Retirement Plans & a Return to Songwriting
8:09 - The Story Behind "Line Life"
10:27 - "You Sign Everything You Touch"
10:54 - "Line Life" (Song Excerpt)
11:55 - Lessons from the Old Foreman
13:35 - Line Work Isn't for Everybody
15:55 - A Catalog of 35 Songs & 200 Poems
17:55 - "What I Gave the Whiskey" & the Cost of the Trade
20:22 - The Phone Call That Made It Worth It
21:39 - "What I Gave the Whiskey" (Song Excerpt)
24:01 - Advice for New Linemen: Be Humble
26:09 - "Slow Is Fast"
28:33 - Losing Friends to Line Work & Staying Focused
30:46 - What's Next: Songs on the Radio
32:20 - Performing at Lineman Events?
34:22 - Where to Find Darren's Music
37:39 - Closing & Sign-Off
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