The Verge: Ryan Bingham

That's probably what he said originally, too.

[Laughs] Exactly, yeah. Well, let's just say we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

So they're saying there's a shot "The Weary Kind" might get nominated for an Academy Award. How does that make you feel?

I don't really know what to think about it. It's great, if people enjoy the song. I guess I'm happy that people like the song, more than anything. Even if it doesn't get nominated, if it means something to somebody, that's what's most important.

It's the rare song that's part of the plot, but also comments on the plot and advances it. It deserves to be there, as opposed to some song they slap on the credits at the end. How's the thought of performing it live on a broadcast watched by millions of people around the world make you feel, though?

It's fine. It's what I do for a living is perform my songs. It doesn't matter if it's in front of a bunch of lights or on the tailgate of a truck in a parking lot -- it's kind of the same thing. You just get up there and let the song speak for itself, let the song do the work.

So no nerves.

Nah, I'm just kind of a vehicle for the music.

Are you going to write an acceptance speech before hand?

[Laughs] Nah, I'm not going to get my hopes up that high.

What's the story of that tattoo on your hand?

It's kind of a long story. I worked in this Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in Paris, France. I lived with some Navajo Indian guys who took care of me. I got these feathers on my arm as reminders of them, as well.

They were Navajo Indians living in Paris?

Yeah. It was a Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show at EuroDisney.

EuroDisney!

Yeah, it was like a dinner theater. They brought over cowboys and Indians from the States. It was full-blown buffalo, horseback, bows and arrows, all that.

And you played a cowboy on horseback?

Yeah.

And at night you'd go to sleep in Paris, France?

At night we'd go to the titty bars in Paris. [Laughs] The show was from 3 to 8. There were two shows, then we'd go out and party every night. Can you imagine a bunch of cowboys and Indians in Paris, France? ♦

"The Weary Kind":

· Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses Official Site

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