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Even by his own standards, which have grown increasingly bizarre over the past ten years, the show Doug Supernaw was putting on in an April pretrial hearing in Brazos County Court at Law No. 2 was pretty strange.

The one-time country star, whose early 1990s run of hits included the No. 1 smash “I Don't Call Him Daddy” and the Top 5 songs “Reno” and “Not Enough Hours in the Night,” saw his career slip off the rails in dramatic fashion in the late '90s. Beginning in 1998 and intensifying after 2002, his arrests and trials have grown more numerous while his concerts, save for drunken karaoke performances, have dwindled and his albums have ceased.

His rap sheet since 1998 includes arrests for nonpayment of child support, driving while intoxicated, public intoxication, assault of a police officer and several incidences of possession of marijuana. He has been acquitted of some of those charges and juries have hung on some of the others, but he has compounded more than a few of those remaining by allegedly jumping bail and skipping hearings.

According to a report in The (Bryan-College Station) Eagle, Supernaw was on the docket before Judge Jim Locke for allegedly evading arrest after a wee-hours incident in Bryan in 2004 that also resulted in a public intoxication charge of which Supernaw was acquitted.

Supernaw's version of that night's events is as follows: He was walking down the street singing the Gourds' country-fried cover version of the Snoop Dogg hit “Gin and Juice,” a song that contains several profanities, whereupon he was apprehended by a man in pajamas who claimed to be a policeman but could have been anyone. That was why he ran from the man, you see.

Arresting officer Brent Boswell, who was in fact off-duty at the time of the incident, had a different take. According to The Eagle, he says he showed his badge to Supernaw, who was “obviously intoxicated” and loudly screaming curse words and gesticulating obscenely. Supernaw then ran from him and wheeled around in what Boswell characterized as a fighting posture. Boswell had no choice then but to level his pistol at the singer.

Of course Boswell would say that, Supernaw contends. He is one of them. According to The Eagle's report, Supernaw believes that Boswell is a cog in an immense international plot to silence him, “a political economic conspiracy” the existence of which Supernaw claims to have proved “time and time and time again.” According to Supernaw, the details of this scheme were many and various, and, after telling the court that he had ridden to this hearing from The Woodlands on a bicycle, he went on to detail these shadowy dealings.

In The Eagle's telling, Supernaw hinted that it began with his birth as the secret love child of John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, and that things started to intensify in 2002, when he was, as he put it, “held hostage in Paris” for two weeks in a top secret “mentally retarded home for terrorists.” Since then, he served as a “test monkey” in an experiment studying the effects of marijuana on baseball players, and was later attacked by two police officers from the town of Montgomery, who wanted to break his arm and thus bring about an end to the 46-year-old's professional pitching career.

Judge Locke heard all this testimony and sent the jury pool home. Supernaw, he ruled, was not fit to be tried. He ordered that Supernaw undergo psychiatric evaluations. This was dropped after Supernaw pled no contest to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.

A few days later, a similar hearing was slated for Supernaw in Houston. For weeks, Supernaw has more or less politely dodged meeting with the Houston Press for this article, but he has been sending us the occasional e-mail, some of which are lucid, others less so. The one tipping us off about the hearing was in the latter camp. It was his response to Steve Jackson, his attorney in the Harris County case, which Supernaw copied to us. Jackson sent along a reminder that Supernaw would have to be at court at nine in the morning on April 13 — Friday the 13th — to discuss his competency. As his e-mail made clear, Supernaw had other ideas.

“I need more advanced notice as that my only transportation at present is a bicycle,” he wrote. “I was planning on leaving Magnolia on Sunday to make it there for my trial on Tuesday morning. As I do not like to pedal in long britches, hopefully it will be OK if I were shorts in court. Also, at present I have a flat on my bicycle and about 14 cents in my pocket, and of course I am not competent to stand trial, as I have read in the papers that I am an alchaholik, bi polar, not fit to be a father, MF.”

And true to his word, he didn't show up in court the next day, long britches or no. As a matter of fact, that very day found him up in Montgomery County getting arrested for public intoxication. Again.

“As I travel down that blue bonnet highway /I'm thankful I was born a lucky man /And I know that I will live and die my own way / Somewhere between the Red and Rio Grande”

— Doug Supernaw, “Red and Rio Grande”

I'm sitting in the Harris County downtown jail, shouting at Supernaw through a hole in plexiglass. After my aforementioned weeks of e-mails and traipsing around Central Texas trying to find him, I wrote my story. Two days later, I got a tip that Supernaw had just been arrested — in Houston of all places — and was only a few blocks from my office.

Having nothing else to do, Supernaw agreed to see me. The last time I saw anything other than a photograph of him, he was filling my TV screen, singing “Long Tall Texan” with the Beach Boys. It was an apt choice, for he is well over six feet, and back then, in his cowboy duds, he looked as Texas as smoked brisket on grease paper. He was clean shaven and had the features of a guy Hollywood would cast as the white-hatted sheriff who finally ran the bad guys out of Llano.

Write Your Comment show comments (16)

  1. Doug Supernaw - Six Degrees of Separation

    I graduated from Eisenhower High School with Doug Supernaw and I saw his picture on the cover of the Press and thought to myself well, well the popular "golden boy" of high school has fallen, and proves that Karma is there for the not so popular kids in high school.

    However, as I was reading the article I was saddened by the fact Doug obviously has some serious mental health and personal accountability issues that only he can address.
    I worked briefly in 1999 with Yvonne Tisdale and like the rest of us she was looking for a boyfriend or a husband, although her heart may be in the right place but based on Doug's previous relationships with women maybe it is a good thing for Yvonne that Doug is not so sure about the "boyfriend" thing.

    Susie Mimnaugh

    Comment by Susie Mimnaugh — May 15, 2007 @ 12:31PM

  2. for the past few days i have had the pleasure of getting to know Doug while on his visit down here to southern illinois after the passing of his mother.i have found Doug to be a very sincere,generous,and very down to earth person despite all of his success.sitting around the fire the other night i was awestruck by the thought i was sitting next to Doug Supernaw!!!!!!!! a great singer,songwriter and person. dont be surprised to see doug in the spotlight again!!!!!

    Comment by rebecca meneese — October 16, 2007 @ 04:26PM

  3. I knew Doug back in the Mo's Days in Katy Texas when he was big with Reno. He would always stop and talk to me and my husband David...he always remembered our names. We moved to Spring Branch Texas several years later, I lost my job and started bartending at a bar here in Spring Branch. I was working one night and I here this song coming from the stage that sounded just like Doug....I look up and theres Doug up on stage singing Reno....When was through singing he came to the bar to order a drink....And he remembered my name after all those years...He even ask were my husband was....As a mater of fact he was living with a good friend of ours that happened to live right down the street from us....We never had any problems from Doug....Nicest guy I ever met....He doesn't let the fame get to his head... Love you. Doug.. Be careful out there.
    Sissy

    Comment by Sissy Bozant — October 20, 2007 @ 09:27AM

  4. I JUST READ THIS STORY ABOUT DOUG SUPERNAW AND IT JUST BREAKS MY HEART , I ALWAYS LOVED HIS MUSIC . I WENT TO SEE HIM MANY TIMES IN CONCERT BEING IN THE FIRST ROW MANY TIMES . I EVEN GOT MY EMAIL NAME FROM HIM AND HAVE HAD THAT NAME FOR AT LEAST 10 YRS NOW . I WISH HIM ALL THE BEST AND HOPE THAT ONE DAY HE CAN REGAIN HIS LIFE AND START NEW .
    A FAN !! FOREVER KRISTI SCHWOCHWERT

    Comment by kristi schwochert — January 14, 2008 @ 05:42PM

  5. I was thinking about Doug Supernaw today and decided to search his name on the internet and came across this article. I saw Doug in concert around 13 years ago and he put on a great show. I also remember that he was one of the best looking men I've ever seen. This deeply saddens me to hear what his life has become. I hope he gets the help he needs and one day makes a comeback.

    Comment by Christy — January 20, 2008 @ 04:09PM

  6. i hope he gets better a good singer shouldn't be wasted we miss him there's nobody like him his music should be played more on the radio. Everbody deserves a second chance.

    Comment by cowboy — January 26, 2008 @ 06:44PM

  7. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE KNOWS OF WHERE I CAN READ ANY UPDATES ON DOUG SUPERNAW, I AM IN SUCH AWE OF HIM AND WANT TO FIND OUT WHATS NEW WITH HIM AND IF HES GETTING ANY BETTER ETC... MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS; KLFSUPERNAW@YAHOO.COM .... I AM SUCH A FAN OF HIS I HAVE EVERY CD HE EVER PUT OUT AND WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN FOR HIM TO GET BACK HIS LIFE , AND MAYBE ONE DAY PICK HIS CARRER BACK UP . HE HAS SUCH TALENT ITS UNBELIEVABLE ! I WISH HIM NOTHING BUT THE VERY BEST AND HOPE TO HEAR SOMETHING ON HIM SOON .. I KNOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE WOULD ALSO LIKE THIS ALSO.
    KRISTI SCHWOCHERT FLORIDA

    Comment by kristi — February 2, 2008 @ 05:51PM

  8. They are finally letting me use the computer in the Nuthouse. i would just like to tell my children that I love them very, very much and maybe one day they will let me out. 1 Dios Botik, Douglas Anderson Supernaw

    Comment by Doug Supernaw — March 8, 2008 @ 06:30PM

  9. I have said many prayers for Doug Supernaw. When he was in trouble in Amarillo TX I wanted so much to try to see him and tell him how he and his music had affected my life and to tell him thank you. I wore out one tape and finally got a CD. I was living a pretty successful life in San Diego CA but missed my home in TX more than I can say. I played Red and Rio Grande over and over. Now I'm back home in TX and happy. I also want to add that I'm a 63 yr old woman not a young chick by any means. I've seen a lot of singers come and go in my lifetime and Doug Supernaw is one who really needs to make a comeback - and please make it soon before I kick the bucket. Thank you Doug Supernaw and God bless you. Judi

    Comment by Judi M — March 9, 2008 @ 06:25AM

  10. I met Doug back in the '90's when I had a morning radio show in TX and Doug, along with Steve Wariner and others did a concert for our troops stationed at Ft. Hood, TX, called the Dog Days of Summer. He was awesome, handsome and a real gentleman. This story breaks my heart to see such a larger than life man reduced to a feeble, deeply disturbed child. I can only hope and pray that he's able to get on the wagon, stop the b.s. and get his act together again. I miss his sense of humor, great music and voice. Hurry back Doug as you are missed.
    Kari

    Comment by Kari — April 1, 2008 @ 05:53AM

  11. Sorry to hear about Doug being back in the hospital. After the southern Illinois incident I was hoping he would get some counseling and get better. He has a tremendous amount of talent. Hopefully someone can help him, help hisself. You are in our prayers.

    Comment by Glenda — April 3, 2008 @ 08:44AM

  12. I feel sorry for the guy, I was one of supernaws biggest fans. I hope that oneday he will get back up on his feet. I have seen it too much in my family and the only thing that gets them through is family and themselves. please give me info on how he is doing and if he is going to sing again?

    Thanks
    pat schiro

    Comment by Patrick Schiro — May 1, 2008 @ 09:19PM

  13. Fell in love with Doug's music when RED AND RIO GRANDE came out when I was 18. "Reno" clicked with me so much about a girl in my life that I felt as if I was singing the song as well. Best of luck Doug and remember that your fans still love you and your music. God bless.

    Richard
    South Carolina

    Comment by Richard McClellan — May 26, 2008 @ 07:10AM

  14. I met Doug back in 97 I think, my band and I opened up for him in Fallon, NV. The guy was a real Gentleman to me, and really gave me the encouragement I needed as a singer/songwriter not to mention everyone else who was present. Being an entertainer I know the harshness life can have on you from people being jealous to judge mental to just plain old mean. Doug if you can read this, hang in there bro, you'll get through all the garbage that's coming down on you now. I'm active duty Air Force and I'll retire in a couple of years. I'm heading for Texas (love it down there) and I hope I'll run into you and that God will find favor in you again and that you'll be living better days. Today you're just down, but you're not out..."Roots and Wings" will lead you to a better day. You're still a good Man even though there are some who think not. I...happen to think you are a good Man. God speed bro!
    Rick Hays in Reno, NV.

    Comment by Rick Hays — May 26, 2008 @ 10:57PM

  15. Doug, I hope this posting will find you doing well. Like most people that have posted comments on here I was influncened by you music growing up. I met you once when you played the local county fair here in Courtland, Virginia and ever since then I have been a Supernaw fan. I hope you pull through this and I look foward to seeing you once again. Your friend J.R.Holland Courtland,Va

    Comment by J.R. Holland — June 1, 2008 @ 06:42PM

  16. HEY , I KEEP LOOKING ON HERE TO SEE IF I CAN FIND ANY NEW NEWS ON DOUG SUPERNAW, I WISH HIM THE VERY BEST ... HOPE HE CAN GET THE HELP HE NEEDS SO HE CAN POSSIBLE COME BACK TO ALL OF US " HIS FANS" WHO LOVED HIM AND HIS MUSIC SO VERY MUCH. DOUG IF YOU GET TO READ THESE COMMENTS I JUST WANT TO SAY .. HANG IN THERE THINGS HAVE TO GET BETTER FOR YOU. SOMETIMES THINGS GET WHERE YOU THINK THEY JUST CANT GET ANY WORSE ... THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERES A LITTLE RAY OF LIGHT ...SOMETHING TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH . I DO WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AND HOPE TO ONEDAY HERE MR DOUG SUPERNAW BACK AND IN FULL SWING .... WAITING FOR YOUR COME BACK ..... KRISTI SCHWOCHERT...

    Comment by kristi — June 4, 2008 @ 07:13AM

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