I want to develop some songwriting skills in order to be part of the music I love and close to my musician friends who are very tolerant of my modest music-making skills.
I grew up on, mostly, folk and blues, and also listen to a lot of instrumental jazz, rock, country and bluegrass. In my writing I tend to gravitate to Americana and new country, with a mix of influences, from The Bob and The Band to J.J. Cale to Gillian Welch.
On The Web
I’m currently not on any other social media websites.
Instruments & Skills
Vocals, guitars, a bit of mandolin and organ.
Influences
Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Appalachian and British folk, Bob and the Band, early John Mayall and Eric Clapton, The Stones and the Allmans, J.J. Cale and more recently Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin, Sturgill Simpson, The Civil Wars, Mandolin Orange, ...
A large range of lyrical influences, from early medieval poetry to Francois Villon to W. Blake to A. Rimbaud to W.B. Yeats to R. Frost to Dylan Thomas and Jack Kerouac, to name the first that come to mind. We are all 'borrowers' to an extent and in order to avoid as much as I can the excessive 'recycling' of cliches I search for inspiration, ideas and images in the works of my favorite poets. Trust me, the 'rewards' are well worth the extra digging, and a great learning experience, in addition to the joy of being in the presence of the most gifted wordsmiths of our time.
Jackson Lucas gave feedback on Leave Me Here In Alabam
Thanks for reminding me how much I still miss the South! Roll Tide (my Noles will still kick your butt in Atlanta…:-)!