Picture this: a weathered red Cadillac hearse parked defiantly in front of the iconic Ryman Auditorium, serving not just as a vehicle, but as a home to one of country music’s most controversial figures. This was just one of the many unusual dwellings that David Allan Coe, the rebellious outlaw country star, called home throughout his tumultuous life.
While David Allan Coe’s music and larger-than-life persona have been widely documented, the fascinating details of his various living situations remain largely unexplored. From unconventional mobile homes to seized properties and even a cave, Coe’s residences paint a vivid picture of a life lived on the edge. This article delves into ten little-known facts about the David Allan Coe house saga, offering a unique glimpse into the nomadic lifestyle of this legendary artist.
The Early Years: Reform Schools and Prison Cells
A Troubled Youth in Reform Schools
David Allan Coe’s unconventional living arrangements began early in life, long before he could afford a proper David Allan Coe house. At the tender age of nine, young Coe found himself sent to the Starr Commonwealth For Boys reform school in Michigan. This marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in his life, where home became a series of reform schools and detention centers.
The instability of these early years played a crucial role in shaping Coe’s outsider persona and his deep-seated distrust of authority. These experiences would later fuel the rebellious spirit evident in both his music and his approach to traditional living arrangements.
Behind Bars: Coe’s Time in Prison
As Coe entered adulthood, his living situation took an even darker turn. After turning 18, he found himself residing in various correctional facilities, including the Ohio Penitentiary and Marion Correctional Institution. These weren’t just brief stints; Coe spent significant time behind bars for crimes ranging from robbery to grand theft auto.
During this period, rumors circulated about Coe’s behavior in prison, including an unconfirmed story about him killing a fellow inmate who made sexual advances towards him. While the truth of this tale remains uncertain, there’s no doubt that Coe’s time in prison profoundly impacted his worldview and contributed to the tough, uncompromising image he would later cultivate.
The Nashville Years: A Hearse for a Home
Living on Wheels: The Infamous Red Cadillac Hearse
Upon his release from prison in 1967, David Allan Coe made a bold decision that would become the stuff of country music legend. With dreams of musical stardom in his heart, Coe headed to Nashville, the beating heart of the country music scene. However, the David Allan Coe house at this time was far from conventional.
In a move that perfectly encapsulated his rebellious spirit, Coe took up residence in a red Cadillac hearse. This macabre mobile home became his base of operations as he tried to break into the music industry. Coe would park his unusual dwelling right in front of the Ryman Auditorium, the hallowed ground of country music.
From this unconventional abode, Coe would emerge to busk on the streets and perform wherever he could find an audience. This bold strategy placed him at the epicenter of Nashville’s music scene, allowing him to network and showcase his talents to anyone who would listen.
The image of Coe’s hearse parked brazenly in front of the Ryman became a symbol of his determination and unconventional approach to life and music. It was a physical manifestation of his refusal to conform to societal norms, a trait that would define both his personal life and his musical career.
The Highs and Lows: From Stardom to Struggle
The Key West Period: A Tropical David Allan Coe House
As Coe’s star rose in the country music firmament, his living situation improved dramatically. He purchased a home in Key West, Florida, a location that seemed tailor-made for the free-spirited musician. Key West, with its reputation as a haven for artists and nonconformists, provided the perfect backdrop for Coe’s larger-than-life personality.
The tropical climate and laid-back atmosphere of the Florida Keys resonated with Coe’s rebellious nature. For a time, it seemed that the David Allan Coe house in Key West would be his permanent residence, a place where he could retreat from the pressures of fame and indulge in the island lifestyle.
Financial Troubles and the Loss of Home
However, Coe’s fortunes took a dramatic turn in the 1990s. A perfect storm of personal and financial troubles, including divorce issues and problems with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), left the once-successful musician in dire straits.
The IRS, pursuing Coe for unpaid taxes, seized his beloved Key West home. This devastating loss left the outlaw country star temporarily homeless, a stark reminder of the precarious nature of fame and fortune in the music industry.
The Cave Dwelling: Fact or Fiction?
In the wake of losing his Key West property, an intriguing chapter in the David Allan Coe house story emerged. According to Coe’s own website, he spent several months living in a cave in Dickson, Tennessee, just outside of Nashville.
While some skeptics question the veracity of this claim, it’s a tale that fits perfectly with Coe’s larger-than-life persona. The image of the grizzled country star taking refuge in a cave, like some modern-day outlaw, captures the imagination and adds another layer to his already colorful life story.
Whether truth or embellishment, the cave story has become part of the David Allan Coe legend, illustrating his ability to survive and adapt in the face of adversity.
The Outlaw Lifestyle: Beyond the David Allan Coe House
Marriages and Family Life
Despite his nomadic lifestyle and unconventional living arrangements, Coe did attempt to establish some form of domestic normalcy throughout his life. He has been married at least four times, with these unions producing four children: Tyler, Tanya, Shyanne, and Carson.
However, Coe’s tumultuous personal life often mirrored the instability of his living situations. His marriages and subsequent divorces contributed to his ongoing financial and legal troubles, further complicating his housing situation.
The Biker Connection: Coe and the Outlaws Motorcycle Club
In keeping with his outlaw image, Coe’s associations extended beyond the music world. He became a member of the Louisville chapter of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club, a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang based in the Midwestern United States.
This affiliation further cemented Coe’s tough, rebellious image and lifestyle. It also provided him with a sense of community and belonging that perhaps eluded him in his more conventional living arrangements.
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The David Allan Coe House Saga: A Life on the Move
A Nomadic Existence
Throughout his life, the concept of a stable David Allan Coe house has been more of an exception than the rule. Born in Akron, Ohio in 1939, Coe’s early years were marked by constant movement between reform schools and detention centers.
After his release from prison and his stint living in a hearse in Nashville, Coe’s rising musical career allowed him to put down roots in various locations across the United States. In addition to his time in Tennessee and Florida, Coe has called North Carolina and Kentucky home at various points in his life.
The IRS and the David Allan Coe House
Coe’s ongoing battles with the IRS have had a significant impact on his living situations. Beyond the seizure of his Key West property in the 1990s, the government has targeted other properties owned by the musician over the years.
These financial troubles, stemming from Coe’s disregard for authority and sometimes irresponsible behavior, have resulted in a cycle of acquiring and losing homes throughout his career.
The Legacy of the David Allan Coe House Story
Impact on His Music and Image
The ever-changing nature of Coe’s living arrangements has had a profound impact on both his music and his public image. His experiences, from reform schools to prison cells, from a hearse to a cave, have informed the authentic, gritty nature of his songwriting.
The David Allan Coe house saga has become an integral part of his outlaw persona, reinforcing his image as a true rebel who lives life on his own terms, regardless of the consequences.
Influence on Country Music Culture
Coe’s unconventional approach to housing and life in general has inspired generations of country musicians. His willingness to live outside societal norms has become a blueprint for artists seeking to establish their outlaw credentials.
The image of Coe living in a hearse outside the Ryman Auditorium has become iconic, symbolizing the determination and unconventional methods required to make it in the cutthroat world of country music.
Conclusion: The David Allan Coe House as a Metaphor
The story of David Allan Coe’s various living arrangements is more than just a series of anecdotes about unconventional housing. It’s a metaphor for his life and career – unpredictable, unconventional, and always on the edge.
From reform schools to prison cells, from a hearse to a mansion, from a cave to wherever he lays his hat, the David Allan Coe house saga embodies the spirit of outlaw country. It’s a testament to resilience, a celebration of nonconformity, and a reminder that home isn’t always a physical place, but a state of mind.
As we reflect on Coe’s journey through various dwellings, we’re reminded of the price of living life on one’s own terms. The David Allan Coe house story is ultimately about freedom – the freedom to choose one’s path, regardless of societal expectations or consequences.
In the end, perhaps the most fitting David Allan Coe house is not a structure at all, but the open road – a place where this outlaw country legend can always find a home in the next town, the next gig, and the next adventure.