Years ago, on the set of “Deadwood,” John Hawkes asked co-star Keith Carradine — who had a guitar with him at the time — to sing Carradine’s Oscar-winning song “I’m Easy” from “Nashville.” Carradine did, a memory Hawkes is eager to share when Carradine’s name comes up during an interview. “I loved that song and that movie,” Hawkes told IndieWire.
“I remember watching him perform it at the Academy Awards — probably one of the only times I’ve ever seen the Academy Awards. And I loved [director Robert] Altman’s idea of taking these people who weren’t normally singers and writing their own songs.” Hawkes himself has long written songs, but that aspect of his career is getting renewed attention thanks to a 2024 Emmy Award nomination for “No Use,” a song he wrote for his “True Detective: Night Country” character in Episode 5.
Initially reluctant to write and perform the song (he credits showrunner Isa Lopez for her genius and her persistence), he ultimately acquiesced, earning an Emmy nomination for both his performance as Hank and for Original Song. And the latter submission was his own idea. “It may have been my suggestion to toss the song into the hopper,” Hawkes wryly admitted.
“I remember speaking to my publicist, and she was saying HBO is interested in pointing you toward an Emmy nomination. And I thought, ‘That’s surprising and cool and of course I’ll help.’ I love the show and I love HBO.
And it might have been me,.