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“I don’t know how they talked me into doing this. All I really wanted to do was drive the forklift,” Tom Waits

In this legendary issue, Waits discusses the following with Hank Williams III: reconciling musical personalities; how to create “a death metal hillbilly invasion;” meeting Minnie Pearl; haunted houses; and why Hank Sr. must be reinstated as a member of The Grand Ole Opry. Elsewhere, Joe Henry interviews Harry Belafonte, one of Tom’s lifelong heroes, while artist Kellesimone Waits, Tom’s daughter, is featured along with her work.

Also included in this edition:

TOM’S ULTIMATE PICKS: A huge, carefully compiled selection of his essential songs, films and books, featuring James Brown, William Burroughs, Alex Chilton, Jack Kerouac, Charles Bukowski, James Dean and David Lynch, among others.

FREE CD—STEP RIGHT UP!: A 15-track musical journey compiled and sequenced by Waits highlighting Bob Dylan, Howlin’ Wolf, Ray Charles, Harry Belafonte, Cliff Edwards, Big Mama Thorton, The Prisonaires, Hank Williams and many more.

MORE WAITS: Tom’s favorite one-hit wonders and ultimate buried treasures. Plus Mojo’s guide to all Waits’ albums.

Currently, Tom is working in the studio with his longtime collaborator and wife, Kathleen Brennan writing songs for a new album.