Guy Clark, Grammy-winning musician, dead at 74

(AP) — Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter Guy Clark, who wrote hits like "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting for a Train," has died.

Born in 1941, Clark's upbringing in west Texas inspired the scenes and characters for many of his songs, including "Desperados," based on an oil well digger who once stayed at his grandmother's shotgun hotel.

After his split with Susan, he met painter Susanna Talley and they moved to Los Angeles to pursue his music career.

[...] I just quit wasting my time thinking about it.

Because the best work always comes from writing for yourself and writing stuff you know about, rather than, 'What would George Jones like?' or 'What would George Strait like?'

A tribute album to Clark, "This One's for Him," which featured recordings by Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and John Prine, won album of the year at the Americana Music Association's Honors and Awards in 2012.

The title song was inspired by his wife, who died in 2012 and who is featured on the album's cover.