"Hill Country Girl" - Will Kimbrough (2010)

Corn flower blue were her eyes and her hair
Spinning gold in the hot summer wind.
Soft were the words which she used when she told me
She wanted to still be my friend.

I said don't misunderstand me
She said I don't as she turned
Into the haze of the twilight and walked
down the road without shame or concern.

Her name was Martha and her mama died
the year before, she'd been sick for awhile.
I helped her Daddy that summer with work
on the farm, she was shy with her smile.

One night we talked until sun up
The next night we kissed until the dawn
These days I dream of my Martha
'til daylight comes hard now that Martha is gone.

Her daddy was quiet like men get to be
But his eyes said he knew everything.
One afternoon he put his arm round my shoulder
And said don't get hurt son you're still green.

That night I asked her to marry,
she laughed out loud until she wept
She said you saved my heart with your kindness and comfort
and care but I will not be kept

Some say she ruined me forever
Left me heartbroke and stubborn with pride.
Some say she made me the loner I am
I say her memory keeps me alive.

Now I keep up with her as she moves through the world
With a grace I admire from afar.
From Austin to Nashville to LA and back
to the farm in her dirty old car.

Her eyes are still my horizon
and her smile still a fine rope of pearls.
I can't  help it I guess though it's made me a mess
I'm in love with the hill country girl.

And though she don't love me yet I will never regret
All my love for the hill country girl.

"Telephone Road" by Rodney Crowell (2001)

This video is from Rodney Crowell's 2001 release of the "Houston Kid" album, which would turn out to be the beginning of a trilogy for Mr. Crowell. "Houston Kid" was followed with "Fate's Right Hand" in 2003, and then with the sensational album "The Outsiders", in 2005. This video starts off with a very young Dan Rather doing the weather report out of Houston during a hurricane in the late 50's, or early 60's.

The whole video is a veritable snapshot of life from when Mr. Crowell was a kid. Interspersed, as it is, with footage of his band recording, and performing, lends an urgency to the song, almost as if the artist wants you to step inside his head and share with you all of the things he has seen while growing up.

All three of the aforementioned albums were eventually distilled into Rodney Crowell's landmark autobiography, "Chinaberry Sidewalks", which was released in 2010. If you haven't read it, you are missing out on a real treat. And, if you have never been to one of Mr. Crowell's concerts, you are doubly deprived.

NoDa- Charlotte's Alternate Music Scene

This is The Neighborhood Theatre, located on 36th Street in the heart of Charlotte's "NoDa" district. That's North of Davidson Street for all you out of town folk. A former local movie house, it has become a center for alternative music and some older acts, such as Leon Russell, Johnny Winters, Doc Watson and The Allman Brothers Band, just to name a few.

This 600 seat venue is about the largest place that I go to hear and see music. Tickets range from $20 to $35 depending on the act, and compared to the $65 or more being paid for the "top 40" type acts at the larger venues, is quite a score.

The inside of this non descript theatre is also a versatile place, seats can be removed or set up as shown in this photo, which is from the Neighborhood Theatre website.

Across the street from Neighborhood Theatre is an even smaller venue, The Evening Muse. With about 12 rows of seats in front of the raised dais, which is something like 12" above the floor, this is the penultimate place to see and hear some very good acts. My favorites are Will Kimbrough, Michelle Malone, and Darden Smith.

When filled to standing room only, the Muse holds almost 100 people. This is artistic intimacy at it's finest. They also hold open mic nights and an annual "Tosca Music Party", which allows local artists to showcase their talents.

The sound is superb, and when there is no act booked it doubles as a recording studio. With the brick walls bouncing back the sound, it is a unique and intimate place for recording. The owner, Joe Kuhlmann, is a musician as well as a sound engineer. In addition to that, he loves music and thrives on the alternate music that one is exposed to within his club. New sounds are the norm for this venue and the music never ceases to surprise me.

This photo of Darden Smith gives you an idea of how up front and personal the performances are at The Muse. Mr. Smith, as well as others, frequently step off the dais and away from the Mike. This photo was taken by Sue from her seat 18 inches from Mr. Smith. The sound of the guitar and vocal without mikes is so natural and pleasant. It actually becomes a personal experience.

So, this is where we go to hear music and watch people. It's a real loss to the communities when areas like this are overtaken by developers. They come in, and buy it all up, then sell it back at 5 times the former rate. And when all is said and done, the ambiance and flavor of the area are gone. So far, here in Charlotte, we are lucky. We still have our NoDa.

"Wings" - Will Kimbrough

Got the newest Will Kimbrough recording today. It's called "Wings" and contains some of Mr. Kimbroughs best writing since the release of his 2008 CD "EP."

He kicks this one off with a ballad, "Three Angels", about his family. Melodic and soothing it sets the tone for most of the CD. "Wings", the title track, is introspective and thought provoking, and is also co- written with Jimmy Buffett.Mr. Kimbough has worked closely with Mr. Buffett on several of his past hits, including "I'm A Piece of Work." ( You really haven't seen or heard it right until you see and hear Will Kimbrough do it live.)

"It Ain't Cool" is co-authored by Todd Snider. They are a natural together. And the song creeps up on you just like JJ Cale. A real snakey song that captures the feeling of a sultry summers night when trouble could be brewing. "It ain't cool to talk about people when they're not around..."

"Open to Love" is a bluesy number with some brass to accentuate it. Very tasteful and understated guitar work by Will on this one. The band really carries itself and Mr. Kimbroughs' vocals are plaintaive.

"Let Me Be Your Frame" (co-written with, and harmonies sung by Sara Kelley) along with "A Couple Hundred Miracles" (written with Irene Kelley and performed solo by Will) round out the album for a fine and mellow finish. I have enjoyed Mr. Kimbroughs' work with Rodney Crowell as well as his more recent work with his band Daddy. But I have always most enjoyed him as a solo act. He is just so human and states so beautifully the many things that we all have in common.

And that is the beauty of his work, he is truly one of America's great modern day troubadors. If you ever get the chance to see him you will know what I mean. You can follow him on Willkimbrough.com and myspace.com/willkimbrough as well as on Reverbnation and Twitter. And for a look at Will Kimbrough in action you can bring him up on You Tube. Get a taste of Will Kimbrough, you will be glad you did.