Skinny Dennis Sanchez was a country musician in the Los Angeles area. He played the upright bass, most famously accompanying Nashville legend Guy Clark

Guy Clark

Guy Clark is an American Texas Country artist. In his career, he has released more than twenty albums, primarily on major labels. He has also written singles for other artists, including Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner and Rodney Crowell....

 during Clark's stay in Los Angeles. His nickname is in reference to his having Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue. People with Marfan's tend to be unusually tall, with long limbs and long, thin fingers....

; Sanchez stood at 6'11", and weighed 135 lbs.

He is most famously mentioned in the Guy Clark song "L.A. Freeway" from Clark's 1975 record Old No. 1

Old No. 1

Old No. 1 is the highly influential 1975 debut album by Texas singer-songwriter Guy Clark.The cover of the original LP featured a painting by Susanna Clark and liner notes by Jerry Jeff Walker. It was reissued on CD by Sugar Hill. Both Old No. 1 and Texas Cookin were re-issued on CD on the Camden...

. In it, Clark sings:

"Here's to you ol' Skinny Dennis

The only one I think I will miss

I can hear your low bass singin'

Sweet and low like a gift you're bringin'"

Sanchez was also friends with many in Clark's circle, including Townes Van Zandt

Townes Van Zandt

John Townes Van Zandt , best known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American Texas Country-folk music singer-songwriter, performer, and poet...

, Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell

Rodney Crowell is a Grammy Award-winning musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music....

, Steve Earle

Steve Earle

Stephen Fain "Steve" Earle is an American singer-songwriter known for his rock and Texas Country as well as his political views. He is also a producer, author, a political activist, and an actor, and has written and directed a play....

, Richard Dobson

Richard Dobson

Richard Dobson is an American singer/songwriter.He was born in Tyler, Texas. He spent time in the 1970s with Townes Van Zandt, Mickey White, Rex "Wrecks" Bell, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell and "Skinny" Dennis Sanchez....

and others. A documentary featuring the aforementioned songwriters, "Heartworn Highways," is dedicated to Sanchez. Richard Dobson recorded Sanchez' song "Bus Stop Coffee" for his albums In Texas Last December and One Bar Town.

Sanchez died at age 28 of heart failure on stage, playing the bass on Sunset Beach with John Penn.