Dex Romweber Flattered by Jack White's Fandom

Posted on Dec 23rd 2009 3:00PM by Jillian Mapes
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From playing in the White Stripes, the Raconteurs and the Dead Weather as well as running his label Third Man Records, Jack White has his hands in all sorts of pots, musically-speaking. But the Nashville-based musical marathon man was not too busy to finally work with one of his idols, Dex Romweber, earlier this year.

In 'Two-Car Garage,' a 2006 documentary about longtime rockabilly and country-blues staple Dex Romweber, famed White Stripes guitarist Jack White declares, "Dex Romweber was and is a huge influence on my music." Three years later, White declared his love for Romweber yet again in the August 2009 rock-doc 'It Might Get Loud.' In the latter film, White held in his hand a record from the Flat Duo Jets, Romweber's former band, during a poignant scene in which the film's guitar gods discuss their musical influences. "I always say, I have rock 'n' roll people that I look towards -- some of them more underground than others -- so it's flattering to know that I've inspired him," Romweber tells Spinner.

Although Romweber knew White was a fan, an offer to record with the famed guitarist came unexpectedly this spring. "We [Romweber and sister/drummer Sara] were already out on tour and Jack called us when we were cruising in our van," Romweber tells Spinner. "We were going to have a day off around Nashville anyway, so we spent it with Jack. We just drove up to these big iron gates and he let us stay at his estate."

The result of the Romwebers' stay at the White compound is a 7-inch vinyl single for Third Man Records' Blue Series, whose simple covers feature artists photographed against a blue background. The single, released back in May and comprised of Romweber original 'The Wind Did Move' and a vintage blues tune as its B-side, features Jack on vocals, guitar, bass and bowed saw. "We spent just an evening and the next day laying down those tracks, and Jack was real easy to work with," Romweber says. "We covered a lot of ground very quickly."

As for the White estate and Third Man Records headquarters, Romweber shared a few memorable details following his brief stay there. "He [White] had photos of, I believe, Keith Richards and such recording at his studio," Romweber says. "I think Jack really feels at home there."