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Uber-versatile, musician’s musician Will Kimbrough has enjoyed a long and winding career. He’s released nine albums while fronting Will and the Bushmen, The Bis-Quits, Willie Sugarcapps, and Daddy. Just around the corner is For The Life of Me, his eleventh full-length as a solo artist.
Kimbrough’s abundant production credits include Shemekia Copeland’s last three albums, America’s Child, Uncivil War, and Done Come Too Far, which garnered two Grammy nominations and multiple wins at the Blues Music and Living Blues Awards.
As a much in-demand guitarist, Will’s played on countless and wide-ranging recording sessions, seen the world from a stage on multiple tours with Todd Snider, Rodney Crowell, and Emmylou Harris, and returned to his Nashville home with an Americana Music Association Instrumentalist of the Year award in hand.
And Kimbrough’s songs and/or session work have appeared on every Jimmy Buffett studio album released in the last twenty years, from License to Chill’s “Piece of Work” to the Paul McCartney-praised and the iTunes #1, “Bubbles Up,” on the upcoming Equal Strain on All Parts.
Want to know what these musicians know?
Just listen.
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And now my new album, For the Life of Me, will be released this Friday, May 3, 2024!
This has been a labor of love, like all my albums that came before.
Recorded with just three musicians: longtime collaborators and Red Dirt Boys Bryan Owings and Chris Donohue on drums and bass...I played and sang the rest: guitars, mandolin, keyboards, vocals.
Recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, with John McBride at the controls, mixed at Skinny Elephant in East Nashville by Dylan Allldredge, mastered at True East by Alex McCullough, art by Brad Talbott, and featuring a cover photo from the Winnipeg Folk Festival, just as a big prairie storm had just cleared, I just love this record, which takes the state of the world quite seriously while maintaining love and optimism about us crazy humans on Earth.
Some of you (Patreon Patrons, Kickstarter Backers, folks who pre-ordered vinyl and CDs) have now heard the record - I can't wait for you all to hear it!
Yes, you can still order it here!
If you really want to support me, buy the CD, the vinyl, the tee, the hat - this is a big part of what keeps singer songwriters like me afloat. Thanks!!!!!
Nashville album release show is May 10 at The Basement!
Please keep checking my tour dates page, as it is constantly changing!
peace and love!
Will
it is the last day of the kickstarter so take a look if you have not already:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/willkmusic/will-kimbrough-for-the-life-of-me
Thanks!
Will
The Kickstarter for my new album, For the Life of Me, has launched! Get on it! Become a partner with me and let's get this great new batch of songs out into the WORLD!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/willkmusic/will-kimbrough-for-the-life-of-me
That is the link...feel free to click away - and please share!!
Many of you know my long history with Rodney Crowell. I'm delighted to announce my new podcast is up and out this morning and my special guest is...Rodney Crowell! He has a new record out, a collaboration with the great Jeff Tweedy of Wilco. The podcast is on Buzzsprout and available at Apple Podcasts:
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7HEK3yrmyYR4q9jqDdKbEh?si=34d7baadcdd34546
iHeart Radio:
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-will-kimbrough-super-servi-115823123/
Go give a listen! Subscribe! Review! Thank you!
New Patreon stuff is out today as well: podcast, song, memoir writing, Lick of the Day, Anatomy of a Song, That Time I... all the good stuff:
http://patreon.com/willkimbrough
I'll see a lot of y'all is Pascagoula, Mississippi in a couple of weeks for my solo show June 16 and my opening set for Mac McAnally June 17. Can't wait!
Til then...take care and be kind!
Will
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I have been podcasting on my Patreon for 4 years now. It's been so much fun I've decided it's time to take it public. Here is the trailer for Kimbrough Super Service Podcast:
https://superservicepodcast.buzzsprout.com/1988556/12904651
The next episode will air June 1, 2023.
If you like this podcast, consider becoming a Patreon Patron:
http://patreon.com/willkimbrough
For as little as the price of a cup of coffee you can support my work on this Podcast - and all my other creative endeavors! - plus you can get a new song every month, memoir writing, my Lick of the Day, and much more!
ok...finishing up my new album...hitting the road solo, with Emmylou and with Songwriting With Soldiers...
peace and love!
Will
It's only March and it's already been one hell of a year.
30A Songwriters Festival started off our New Year 2023 in a beautiful way. All my shows were wonderful but the Friday night show with Gretchen Peters, Barry Walsh, Kim Richey, Mary Gauthier and Jaimee Harris was especially amazing. Pinch me. I get to do this for a living.
All through December and into the first 2 or 3 weeks of January, I had been songwriting over the interwebs with one Mr Jimmy Buffett.
We recorded all five of those songs, plus about nine others, the last week of January.
Yes, we had fun. We dug in, concentrated, laughed...heck we even cried. Emmylou came by one day and sang on a Bob Dylan song. It was all that and more. Pinch me.
Then it was February and I produced a new Two Tracks record - our third together! Everybody's favorite Sheridan, Wyoming Americana Jam Band came back to Nashville and Sean Sullivan and myself captured it all on the hard drive! Go support their Kickstarter and you'll get your own copy!
Started work on a new EP by our dear friend Mary Beth - this one is going to feature some really spiritual music - some deep meditation on losing parents - and a killer classic cover!
Of course I'm back at my Songwriting With Soldiers and Warrior PATHH work! I'll be traveling all year - with trips scheduled every month except for July - to turn the stories and journeys of combat veterans and first responders into song - using their words. Pinch me. i get to do this for my job.
Traveled out to Scottsdale, Arizona at the end of February to rehearse and play a benefit with an all star band to benefit Alice Cooper's Foundation - I spent the week making music with my dear friends Bryan Owings and Chris Donohue - and also Rudy Sarzo, Ellis Hall, Johnny A, Jim and Erin Carter and a Canadian choir! Ms Jessica was with me - she commandeered a red Mustang convertible and zoomed all over the desert! Pinch me. I get to do this for a living. The benefit raised a bunch of money for a great cause!
My work with Emmylou Harris cranked back up with shows in Atlanta and Tallahassee.
Yeah...pinch me. I get to sing and play with Emmylou.
Frog Pond Sunday Social concerts are back and I recently played two of those lovely soulful shows - most recently this past Sunday! If you get the chance, attend a Frog Pond Sunday Social concert! It will change your life. Pinch me, I'm in the Frog Pond Family!
Oh Boy! Records - John Prine's Label! - has reissued The Bis-Quits' 1993 album on vinyl - the first time on vinyl! - we played a packed instore at Grimey's in Nashville - sweet reunion - drummer Tommy Meyer did not play but we borrowed Joe Elvis from Government Cheese. It really did rock. Get your copy of this double LP at Grimey's, at one of my shows, or directly from Oh Boy: https://ohboy.com/collections/vinyl/products/copy-of-the-bis-quits-cd-pre-order
Upcoming shows this week: Thursday, March 23, Hey Nonny, Arlington Heights, IL (hey Chicago!!), Saturday, March 25, Tour Bus Concert Series, Destihl Brewery, Normal, IL, and Sunday, March 26, Kiki's Righteous House of Music, Madison, Wisconsin!
Check my calendar for more tour dates!
Yes, I have recorded a new album, and I am going to launch that Kickstarter! I just need a few days off! I am home this week for two whole days....
But pinch me...I'm living my dream.
If you have not checked out Patreon, I hope you will: patreon.com/willkimbrough
I have been sharing a new song each month since April 2020 - as well as a monthly podcast, memoir writing, and my LIck of the Day videos! Don't miss out!
peace and love
Will
What a year 2022 has been!
I'm wrapping it up with a Grammy Nomination for Shemekia Copeland's Done Come too Far (Best Contemporary Blues Album), which I produced, played on and co-wrote 9 of the songs!
I am finally finishing up my new solo album, tentatively titled When This is All Over, and plan to launch a Kickstarter and Pre-Order as soon as possible.
I once again toured all over with Emmylou Harris and Red Dirt Boys.
I wrote over 20 songs with amazing human beings via Songwriting With Soldiers and Warrior PATHH.
I toured on my own and with Red Dirt Boys.
We are resurrecting DADDY this Spring, with at least one show!
If you are interested in keeping up with me a little closer, take a look at patreon.com/willkimbrough
I am posting monthly songs, podcasts, memoir writing as well as the Lick of the Day - Lick of the Day is now exclusively on Patreon!
It starts at $3 per month, and if you sign on for a year, you get roughly 10% off.
I have now posted over 30 songs and podcasts to patrons on Patreon. New song, podcast and memoir excerpt are released New Years Day! And the February 1, March 1...etc...you see how this works!
It's been a blast and I intend to keep it going for the foreseeable future.
There are shows coming up and I can't wait to see y'all in 2023!
peace and love,
Will
Well, Jess and I have had a great trip to the UK - we've visited Bath, Stonehenge, the awesome coast of Wales and now London. And yes, I have my first London show in quite some time - other than playing the O2 Arena a few years back with Emmylou & the Red Dirt Boys. So i hope to see my London friends at The Green Note tonight - October 13th. I'll be playing songs from my whole catalog, including songs I've never played in the UK from I Like it Down Here & Spring Break - albums I released in 2019 and 2020.
I'm really looking forward to it - especially since Jess is with me - all those previous trips - and there were so many! - she stayed at home with our kids.
Well, she's with me this time, and y'all really need to meet her!
You'll be glad you did.
So we'll see you tonight at The Green Note, 106 Parkway, London NW1 7AN for the 8:30pm show - come early and we'll catch up!
peace and love,
Will & Jess
I'm waiting for a flight home from Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco.
Yes, it was fabulous. Of course I played with Emmylou and Red Dirt Boys.
But I also got to hear heroes like Adrian Belew, Jerry Harrison, Steve Earle, Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Dave Alvin...and new faves like Arooj Aftab and The Brothers Comatose.
Got to see MIchael Romanowski's home mastering and recording studio - and see his Three - count em - shiny new Grammy Awards - he just helped Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett finish up new music - go check it out!
My next show is at The Green Note in London!
it has been way too long since i got to play the UK - so I'm super excited - I would have done more shows, but Jess and I wanted - and really needed - to just get away and have some fun. So that's what we're doing - but come to my London show October 12 - it will be a blast - plus Jess will be there and you don't want to miss her!
OK folks...
It's the 1st of August, and as happens on the 1st of every month, my Patreon Patrons have a new song, a new podcast and a new installment of memoir writing (The Chronicles of Willbur). You can become a Patreon Patron beginning at $3 per month. What are you waiting for?
I have upcoming shows in the Midwest: Mile of Music Festival in Appleton, Wisconsin, house concerts in Illinois and Michigan, as well as at Hey Nonny in Arlington Heights, IL - hope to see you at a show soon!
Shows are all listed here: willkimbrough.com/shows
We had a great trip to Spain with Emmylou! Jess and I had a great trip out to the Pacific Northwest! And I had a wonderful home town show at Callaghan's in Mobile!
Life is good. Music makes it better.
Finishing up my 10th solo album as we speak. I'll be launching Crowdfunding and Pre-Order as soon as possible. So look out for that~!
Songwriting With Soldiers work is about to crank back up - which is always good news to me!
I hope y'all are well.
peace and love,
Will
So I'll see you tonight at Southgate House Revival in Newport KY / Cincinnati OH - love that room - this will be a great show - it's an "evening with" so no opener - I'll do two sets!
Tomorrow's show in Indianapolis is being rescheduled - get better, Irene! - so I'm playing a POLLENFEST! - yes indeed and it's going to be a blast!
Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/526016679258615
See you out there somewhere - hopefully at Southgate House and POLLENFEST!
peace and love,
will
The Other Side is now available for purchase: https://willkimbrough.bandcamp.com/track/the-other-side
I'll see you in Greenville, SC May 13: https://www.peacecenter.org/events/detail/2022-songwriters-4
I'll see you in Asheville, NC May 14:
https://www.chatthillsmusic.com/will-kimbrough-2021
There are other tour dates on the shows page - check them out! - also, will be adding new shows soon!
My first two singles of 2022, I Don't Want to Start a War & When This is All Over are available at my bandcamp page as well! Go get 'em!
Been out and about like crazy, people! Emmylou shows...like closing Merlefest with Sam Bush sitting in and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band looking on from the wings. Pinch me! Like sharing the stage with Marshall Chapman and Tommy Womack in Spartanburg, SC...what a show! ...Playing the final Frog Pond of Spring 2022 with Grayson Capps, Corky Hughes and Sarah Lee Guthrie! Total emotional catharsis when we played This Land is Your Land!...so many amazing Songwriting With Soldiers trips this year...Trish Land's Muse Art and Songwriting Workshop a few weeks back in North Georgia! Total creative immersion. I loved it! Playing on new Mindy Smith music...her first album in 10 years...that voice...those songs...! Wow.
I am ready to hunker down and finish up the last touches on my next solo album - and yes, the three singles will be on it! It's going to be a wonderful record, if I do say so myself!
Oh...and Patreon! - Patreon is rolling right along - I just posted a brand new podcast and song to Patrons - did you know you could become a Patron for as little as $5 a month - even less if you pledge for a whole year - so...less than $60 gets you a new song every month from me every month of the year! And just a little more gets you my acclaimed podcast...and there's more...just check it out patreon.com/willkimbrough
OK...see you in the Carolinas and beyond...I'm excited about what's coming up...join me and keep with it all.
And don't forget to get on Bandcamp and get that new song, The Other Side!
peace and love!
Will
Wow there is a lot going on! And I mean that in a good way. Finishing up Shemekia Copeland's next album! Playing on Outlaw Country Cruise! About to head out on Cayamo Cruise! Solo shows! Band shows! Have you heard the three singles I have released in 2022? Go listen to them! Buy them on willkimbrough.bandcamp.com
ok...planning to do a Kickstarter to get all the new songs available in one place on a NEW ALBUM! Yep, vinyl and CD! Very exciting!
Songwriting With Soldiers is busier than ever, as well, so I look forward to my next SWS trip...out to Washington State.
I'm teaching at my own sold out Songwriting Workshop in April.
Also, I am now on soundbetter.com - which makes it easier than ever to hire me to play and sing on YOUR project: soundbetter.com/profiles/276704-will-kimbrough
My Patreon is still thriving! New songs, new podcasts each month, with an emphasis on creativity, storytelling and good old empathetic communication! www.patreon.com/willkimbrough
Hoping y'all are all doing well. Let's all put our hearts together for the people of Ukraine. If you have good ideas about how to help Ukrainians, please let me know. My email is will@willkimbrough.com
Wishing you peace and love as always!
My new single, When This is All Over, is out today!
Also, Happy Valentines Day!
This is a Valentine for the whole world - a hope that when this is all over, we'll share hugs, celebrate, see the world with new eyes, show a lot more love, take that road trip, roll the windows down and blast the music loud. And never let go.
A lot of people ask me just what is the best way to get new music from artists that best supports the artist...well, the best way to support the artists you love is to buy music directly from them. You can get this new song right here:
https://willkimbrough.bandcamp.com/track/when-this-is-all-over
If you click that link, you'll see my previous single, I Don't Want to Start a War, as well - so get it, too!
Yes, I am working my way to a new album.
See you February 20 at City Winery Nashville with Jill Sobule! You don't want to miss this show! Tickets:
Yep...there is a LOT going on. And that's a good thing!
So - support me by buying my new music - or stream it on your favorite streaming platform. And come to a show!
Want to host a house concert? Give me a jingle at will@willkimbrough.com and we'll get the process started.
So...much...going...on...I can't wait to see y'all again.
Memphis w/ Todd Snider was fantastic...Chicago with Emmylou was too! (a little intimidating, since Albert Lee was in the audience!)...finishing Shemekia Copeland's new album this week!...fingers crossed that Uncivil War will get that Contemporary Blues Album Grammy it deserves!!
Ok...peace and love...hug your people...
Will
PS - yes, that wonderful artwork is by Death Nurse - look her up on Instagram!
Hello! For those of you who download music - "I Don't Want to Start a War" is available: Will Kimbrough Bandcamp
The new song is also streaming everywhere!
I just got home from 30A Songwriters Fest - played really different and wonderful sets with Paul Burch, Phil Madeira, Tommy Womack, Emmylou Harris & Red Dirt Boys, and Jeremy Lister. Hung out with Jessica, the cousins and oodles of friends.
I'm typing at the Nashville Airport, headed out to a Songwriting With Soldiers / Warrior PATHH trip.
Coming up: a very exciting recording session this weekend...another SWS/PATHH trip next week...Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and a show in Nashville, IN with Emmylou and Red Dirt Boys...then I'm opening for my dear friend Todd Snider at Crosstown Theater in Memphis Feb 4-5!...then...another SWS/PATHH trip...then...we'll be finishing and mixing the new album by the Grammy Award Nominated Shemekia Copeland ...
And then...I'm playing City Winery Nashville with my friend Jill Sobule...then it's off to the Outlaw Country Cruise (yes, I'm playing solo & with Red Dirt Boys! - as well as with Emmylou!)...ALSO will be on Cayamo Cruise - still hoping they will let me play a set of my own!! ...
I'll stop there...suffice to say 2022 is chock full of creative opportunities for all of us. I will be releasing more singles leading up to the release of a new album sometime later in the year. So stay tuned!
Peace & Love,
Will
Are y'all ready for the presale for my new album?
I'm releasing singles.
Got a whole batch of songs recorded and I'm super excited.
So...are you ready?
You can hear my new single, I Don't Want to Start a War, on all the streaming services - Spotify, Apple, etc - plus you can hear it right here on youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjJ-APXJjnQ
If you prefer to pay for your music, ha ha, here is the link to download the new song:
https://willkimbrough.bandcamp.com
I'll see many of you at the 30A Songwriters Festival
It's always a total blast.
I'm about to update my tour dates page, but let me just say that January 2022 will also include two Warrior PATHH/Songwriting With Soldiers Trips, as well as some Emmylou Harris shows: 30A Songwriters, the Ann Arbor Folk Festival, Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music (which is filling in for the to-be-rescheduled Massey Hall show in Toronto), and Nashville, Indiana's Brown County Music Center...plus I am about to go back into the studio to record four more songs for the next Shemekia Copeland album! Did I mention Uncivil War is nominated for a GRAMMY? (grammys are postponed but that's ok...)
And then it will be February 2022...I'll be releasing another new song! We'll be finishing up the new Shemekia record...I have a super fun show booked at City Winery Nashville with the great Jill Sobule...playing Outlaw Country Cruise not only with Emmylou but Red Dirt Boys are playing too!...plus ELH shows in Key Largo and St Augustine...not to mention Songwriting With Soldiers/Warrior PATHH trips...busy is good!
So...hoping y'all are well and coexisting like good girls and boys. I always say if it isn't kind it probably isn't worth it.
I will say that although I was going to get vaxxed anyway...as soon as Songwriting With Soldiers let me know they'd be requiring the SWS/PATHH writers to be vaxxed, I knew I would be gettin' that jab as soon as possible because I wanted to continue my heart's work.
Not to mention the health benefits of minimizing the effects of COVID. For instance, my Mom recently had COVID - she's in her 80s. But because she's vaxxed and boosted, she just had to quarantine and basically had cold symptoms. And then she went to her daughter's wedding. See what I mean?
Anyway, I'm busy getting my new album ready for release - new songs will be released along the way - getting the new Shemekia record ship shape - going out for SWS/PATHH work - continuing to work as a guitarist/multi-instrumentalist in studios and at home. Life is good ain't it?
wishing you much peace and love.
Will
Happy New Year!
2021 was crazy - beginning with the January 6 Capitol insurrection to my COVID diagnosis that same month, which knocked me out of a Grand Ole Opry Weekend at the Ryman with Emmylou - to high profile trials to the Omicron variant- but I am grateful - for my family and friends - and for all the music that I got to make - from Songwriting With Soldiers and Warrior PATHH (look them up!) - to my Patreon (get involved!) - to sessions and touring picking back up - I got to play and sing on a bunch of great records - got to jam with George Porter Jr in New Orleans - Frog Pond resumed shows - Emmylou went back on the road, including an awesome run with heroes Los Lobos - Shemekia Copeland's Uncivil War has been nominated for the Best Contemporary Blues Album Grammy Award - we are almost finished with the next Shemekia album, which already contains guest appearances by Cedric Burnside, Kenny Brown, Charles Hodges, Joe Cabral, Washboard Chaz, Cedric Watson and Andre Michot - and I am releasing a new single, I Don't Want to Start a War, on January 6, 2022.
Yes, this Thursday.
It will be released on all streaming services and you can buy the track on my Bandcamp page.
Yes, I intend to release a full length album in 2022. But first I'll be releasing singles. Look for a pre-order for the new album soon!
Check out my tour dates page - I will be adding dates this week!
i got a feeling 22 is gonna be a good year...
peace and love,
Will
PS - dig that artwork for my new single, by the great Death Nurse!
Inviting you all to check out my Patreon. Patreon is a membership platform that connects content creators with fans and supporters.
It's been a joy for me, a labor of love. Let's keep it going. Get deeper into my music starting at $5 per month. There's an acclaimed podcast and a bonus rock n roll podcast. Videos that take apart my favorite songs. Videos that give you some of the keys to unlock your own creativity.
To sum up...monthly new music, podcasts, videos...keep up with my new album in progress...you'll hear the songs from writing to demo to tracking to overdubbing to mixing to mastering to release...you'll get it first here.
Give it a look. I've loved it. It's pandemic-proof!
LINK: https://www.patreon.com/posts/57407811
Lots of shows coming up! Check out the tour dates page!
Thanks!
peace and love,
Will
Been on the run.
Since mid-July 2021, I've been out a lot with Emmylou. I've done my own shows. I've done a ton of Songwriting With Soldiers and Warrior PATHH work. And I've recorded the better part of a brand new solo album. Not to mention we've written the better part of a brand new Shemekia Copeland album (Uncivil War is finally being released on vinyl!). And...played on quite a few other folks' projects. So the musical life is good.
In fact, I've been too busy to figure out exactly how I'll release my new album. I'll likely do some sort of pre-order - but I might do full-blown crowdfunding - working on that.
Did you get your Red Dirt Boys CDs yet? The vinyl is taking a long time, but it will be worth it!
Truly enjoyed Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Under the Big Sky Fest, The Shed in Birmingham, Mercyland Songwriting Camp, all our tour dates sharing the bill with Los Lobos (!), returning to Grand Magnolia and Callaghan's, Wild Goose Fest w/ RDB, the Country Night Fest in Gstaad, Switzerland, and Americanafest.
Not to mention all the incredible Songwriting With Soldiers/Warrior PATHH trips - to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Arizona, Arkansas, Washington...and soon...Maine & California - this work in so rewarding I don't quite know how to put it into words - so I'll give it a shot: this work has given me a new reason to write songs and a new purpose for songwriting.
After 40 years of writing, that is truly incredible.
So...look for announcements regarding this new album.
Take a look at tour dates page for updates.
Make sure you get your hands on that Red Dirt Boys music!
See you out there...I'll be at Kentuck Fest and the Frog Pond this coming Oct 16/17 weekend.
After that it's Luckenbach, Texas with Radney Foster, Bonnie Bishop and Jay Clementi - a Songwriting With Soldiers Concert! October 24.
Then I'm back down home October 30 - TWO shows - Fairhope Music Festival with my trio and then Cold Moon Fest in Brewton, AL with Willie C Capps!
See ya!
Will
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I've been out playing live shows, including wonderful dates with Grayson Capps and Corky Hughes, Cary Hudson, GEORGE PORTER JR (!!!!), Russ Broussard, Molly Thomas and The Rare Birds...Pollenfest has resumed on the front porch, when I'm not on the road...Been doing recording sessions...Patreon is rolling along: on June 1, I will release another new song and podcast...the is a second podcast for Patrons at the $20 level and up: "That Time I...", a rock n roll memoir podcast based on my own Rock n Roll Life! My monthly podcast is now including interviews with some of my favorite music people, including Wilco's Pat Sansone! Get into it: www.patreon.com/willkimbrough
So make sure you check my Tour Dates Page and keep up with my comings and goings!
As I've said, Patreon is a great way to keep up with me creatively - you'll get 12 new songs every year, at least 12 podcasts, Anatomy of a Song videos, Live Streams. Good stuff!
Got Spring Break? Got I Like it Down Here?
If not, go to the Store on this website and get yourself some 180 gram Vinyl or find sounding CDs!
So who among you pre-ordered the new Red Dirt Boys Vinyl and CDs? Gonna be great!
It's Oh Boy! Records' 40th Anniversary in 2021 and they are releasing The Bis-Quits on vinyl for the 1st time! www.ohboy.com
Lots of shows on the books - Telluride Bluegrass Fest and Big Sky Fest w/ Emmylou...a bunch of solo shows...upcoming Willie C Capps shows...Hardly Strictly Bluegrass w/ Emmylou...
Great stuff!
peace!
Will
In case y'all missed this...The Red Dirt Boys have a Crowd Funding Project Going on!
We are going through Indiegogo this time. We have reached our initial goal of $15,000 but we're hoping to raise more.
The more the better when you're mixing, mastering and manufacturing Vinyl and CDs - having the artwork put together - designing tees, manufacturing them.
This is a super special project to me, as it takes our first album, the self titled Red Dirt Boys from a couple of years back and combines it with our new album, plus a song Phil Madeira and I wrote for country phenom Doug Seegers a while back...so the whole thing, entitled, The Real Deal, will be released as a 2 album vinyl set as well as on CD and digital. We have designed a killer tee, with a nod towards jazz funk greats The Crusaders, and we're offering that, along with a whole slew of desirable perks, right here:
https://igg.me/at/reddirtboys/x/3418601#/
So click that link, and get involved with this band of dear friends who make joyful, funky music in the spirit of The Meters, Allen Toussaint, Randy Newman, Little Feat, Professor Longhair, Ry Cooder and The Band. The album features the worlds coolest boss, Emmylou Harris, as well as the boy genius of Nashville, John Mark Painter, on killer brass sections.
Can you tell I'm excited about this project? Can you feel my excitement? I sure can.
I have a lot going on right now. I hope y'all have checked out my Patreon as well: patreon.com/willkimbrough
For the price of a cup of coffee, you can get monthly new music from me.
For the price of lunch at Cracker Barrel, you can get monthly new music plus my much-loved monthly podcast.
For the price of lunch plus a beer at your favorite cafe you can get monthly new music, the podcast, a bonus podcast all about my favorite memories on the road over the past 35 years, plus exclusive live streams.
For a little more there are instructional videos that will help you on your own creative journey.
And for a little more than that, I add one on one lessons.
Songwriting With Soldiers is growing by leaps and bounds and I'm proud to be a part of this amazing program.
I have some live shows coming up - check my Tour Dates Page.
And If you don't have I Like it Down Here or Spring Break on Vinyl and CD - get it at the Store right here on willkimbrough.com
Appreciate y'all.
peace and love
Will
It's been too long. It seems the world lives on social media these days, so I no doubt spend too much - or too little - or just the right amount of...time on there. There is a lot going on I would like to share with you all.
1) Patreon is going really well. I have now shared at least a dozen, but probably more like about 20 previously unreleased songs to my Patrons. I have published a dozen or more Podcasts. The same for videos that take apart songs word by word, note by note. Videos that demonstrate how I do what I do as a songwriter, producer, studio musician, singer-songwriter and live musician. Here is the link:
https://www.patreon.com/willkimbrough
And a link to a free short podcast about my first year on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/48298883
2) I had a band called The Bis-Quits, with my dear friends Michael "Grimey" Grimes, Tommy Womack and Tommy Meyer. We made one album, for John Prine's Oh Boy! Records. That album is finally being released on Vinyl! Here is the pre-order link:
And here is a video that tells the story of The Bis-Quits:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DcY97jI_ps
3) The Red Dirt Boys were formed by the great Emmylou Harris. They have been her backing band since about 2008. I joined in 2011, and have been a member ever since. We - Phil Madeira, Bryan Owings, Chris Donohue and myself (with a little help from Emmylou herself) made an album a couple of years ago, but schedules, life, fate, whatever...conspired to delay the 'official' release. Anyway, we have made an amazing 2nd album (with a little more help from Emmylou and fiddler/mandolin picker extraordinaire Eamon McLaughlin) and have decided to release both albums on Vinyl, CD and digitally. Here is the link:
I still play every Saturday - with occasional Saturdays off - on Facebook Live - on YouTube - On Instagram Live - I'm doing literally every format I can to allow you to check out a Live Stream - I mix up the set lists - I try to have themes from time to time - it's super fun - I KNOW it isn't the same as an actual live show - but nevertheless, I am going to play music. If you want to check it out, I encourage you! There are always tip links - right here on willkimbrough.com/store but also over at venmo.com/WillKimbrough and paypal.me/willkimbrough
So...new music is flowing over at PATREON. Check it out!
Bis-Quits on vinyl...a dream come true. Check it out!
New Red Dirt Boys combined with the original, joyful, New Orleans-inspired debut album on vinyl, CD and digital...more dreams coming true. Check it out!
There are a handful of live dates that might actually happen this Spring, and Pollenfest Porch Concerts will no doubt ramp back up as it gets warm enough!
So...hang in there, wear your masks, get hour vaccines, be kind. If it isn't kind, it probably isn't worth it. Take care of yourselves. Be grateful. Create peace by practicing peace. And get into those new Musical Projects listed here!
much peace and much love,
Will
PS - LB the Wonder Dog says Hi
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In less than 12 hours it will be the most awaited day of 2020...the first day of 2021!
Of course, we all know that the clicking over from one numerical year to another won't make it all go bye bye...COVID rages...COVID deniers rage on...a new President will be inaugurated in three weeks...election deniers rage on...Congress might allot $2000 instead of $600...and relief package deniers rage on...
I could go on...and on...
But instead I will offer gratitude for family, friends, dogs, music.
For folks who have supported what I do and allowed me to support my family throughout the roller coaster ride of 2020.
I have not forgotten that the 1st Quarter of 2020 included finishing 4 songs for the new Jimmy Buffett album - then flying to Key West to play on that album, Life on the Flip Side. It was a #1 record!
I have not forgotten that I had the honor of producing, playing on, and helping to write a whole bunch of songs for Shemekia Copeland's fantastic Uncivil War album.
I will always treasure the Australian tour of early 2020. Jessica went with me. For every gig day - and the gigs were fantastic! - there were two days of amazing travel. The Great Ocean Road! Twelve Apostles! Sydney! Melbourne! Geelong! Lorne! Apollo Bay! Wattamola Beach at Royal National Park! Port Fairy Folk Festival! Manley Beach with li'l Hank!
It was Friday the 13th of March that our world shut down and we flew home early from down under...
I will never forget all the folks who have tuned in to my Facebook/YouTube live streaming concerts. Poillenfest will no doubt be ressurected as soon as the yellow-green stuff coats the sidewalks and windshields again in just a few months hither.
I'll always remember starting up my Patreon and how much I've loved sharing new songs, helping folks get into playing music and writing songs, playing the live streams, creating the Anatomy of a Song videos, creating my Kimbrough Super Service Podcast...it's a great collaboration - and there's always room for another Patron!
I will never ever forget all the preorders and orders for the Spring Break (Spring 2020, when the world broke and we all took a break...) album that I had so much fun creating - recording it was lonely yet fulfilling - creating the cover art was a family (daughter Emma drew the cover illustration, daughter Sadie took the photos) and neighborhood (dear friend Brad Talbott designed the package and the tees/hats) project.
I will never never ever forget getting back to work for Songwriting With Soldiers - my heart and soul is in that good work.
I will never forget David Olney, John Prine, Mike Zanger, Thomas Thomas, Leeann Camp, Lynsey McDonald, Andy Gill, Neal Peart, Lyle Mays, Joseph Shabalala, McCoy Tyner, Bill Withers, Ellis Marsalis, Adam Schlesinger, Henry Grimes, Lee Konitz, Tony Allen, Little Richard, Jimmy Cobb,
Bucky Baxter, Ennio Morricone, Peter Green, Julian Bream, Justin Townes Earle, Gary Peacock, Toots Hibbert, Eddie Van Halen, Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, Charley Pride, Tony Rice...too many.
Friends who have been ill beyond COVID...family and friends battling cancer and other life threatening diseases...our hearts are with you.
I will never forget that we cancelled Christmas in Mobile and Tallahassee...heartbreaking but seemed totally right. And totally wrong.
The Nashville Kimbroughs have been truly blessed with love, work, health and relative happiness in 2020. I am thankful. Grateful.
Hope it hasn't been too awful for y'all!
NPR's Sound Opinions co-host Jim DeRogatis just named Shemekia Copeland's Uncivil War Best Album of 2020 - https://www.soundopinions.org/show/785
Grateful for that nod. I hope you all have heard the record. I like what Jim says - "Uncivil War is both angry and empathetic, and that is a rare combination".
I have been doing a lot of work for Songwriting With Soldiers
We have resumed a few, COVID-safe SWS retreats - I recently worked with combat veterans in Northern Virginia and Southern Arizona. SWS is also partnered with the Warrior PATHH Program
...I have worked with Combat Veterans and other First Responders dealing with the affects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) quite a bit since the program resumed this past Summer. Most gratifying and deep work.
Touring and regular 'gigs' are still a rarity - COVID is of course raging through the United States and other countries - so we're dug in for now. It is certainly a relief to know that a COVID vaccine is now being administered in the UK. I am not the boss of you, but from what I have heard from doctors, as well as one of the foremost Coronavirus scientists in the world (he happens to live in our 'hood), wearing a mask, staying physically distant as much as possible, washing hands, sanitizing hands...helps a lot.
Spring Break feels like a success...folks seem to genuinely like my first all-acoustic solo studio album. No Depression had this to say:
"Kimbrough stands in the company of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Woody Guthrie as writers and musicians who capture spots of time in plainspoken lyrics that reveal complex truths about disappointment and hope, life and love, as well as the ragged ways we move through a world divided in search of some common ground."
I'll take that.
The Red Dirt Boys have recorded 10 new songs! We convened at Blackbird Studios, where I recorded I Like it Down Here, to work with the able engineer/instructors and the eager students of Blackbird Academy. Two days later we had 10 new tracks. This is an exciting collection of fonky uptempo numbers that address everything from weed to Dr King to my Daddy in Heaven to...well, everything that was on our minds.
Anyway...just checking in...hey: Christmas season is here. If you need gifts, don't forget willkimbrough.com/store - my webstore!
We have Vinyl Records, CDs, Tees, Hats...for your music loving friends and family - or simply for someone who otherwise "has everything".
Anyway, it's been a rollercoaster of a year. We Kimbroughs have more or less thrived, all things considered. We are healthy. We pay the bills. We do our work. I have daily opportunities to be creative. And that is good. We are thankful.
I hope you are well.
peace and love,
Will
Hey I'm Live Streaming From My Porch for Halloween - on facebook.com/willkimbrouighmusic AND https://youtu.be/oyD98bUbXC4
So you nonfacebook peeps...get on there! Tips: venmo.com/WillKimbrough, paypal.me/willkimbrough AND willkimbrough.com/store
Hope ya enjoy! Happy Halloween!
Will
For those of you who listen to your music digitally, but don't do the streaming services, here is Spring Break, the Download:
https://willkimbrough.bandcamp.com/
You may notice a bonus track, a 15th song...yes I've included a bonus track, a 15th song. I hope you enjoy it!
The new album is getting great reviews. Henry Carrigan's No Depression review was real nice:
https://www.nodepression.com/album-reviews/will-kimbrough-makes-the-most-of-unplanned-spring-break
I was happy to pull this quote:
"Every song on Spring Break showcases Kimbrough’s creative genius and his ability to turn any situation into an enduring song. He plays every instrument here — guitar, resonator guitar, mandolin, harmonica — revealing once again his versatility. He’s made an album for our times, and he stands in the company of Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Phil Ochs, and Woody Guthrie as writers and musicians who capture spots of time in plainspoken lyrics that reveal complex truths about disappointment and hope, life and love, as well as the ragged ways we move through a world divided in search of some common ground."
That would certainly sum up what i was aiming for with Spring Break.
Hope y'all are well and getting through this strange year as well as you can. The Kimbroughs are doing mighty fine, considering.
If you get bored, check out my Patreon:
I have continued to put up new music there, as well as my very well-received podcast, live streams, videos and lessons. Don't be afraid, just go check it out!
There is a great video for "All Fall Down" and it will premiere in Elmore Magazine in the next week. I'll post the date (I'm thinking it's 11/2/20...but I'll post to be sure!)
Great fun - beyond fun, really, it was a spiritual reunion - playing Cold Moon Fest in Brewton, Alabama with my dear friends Grayson Capps and Corky Hughes. Sugarcane Jane bowed out of all the Willie Sugarcapps shows that were on the books, and they are on their own quite singular journey - so Grayson, Corky and I have carried on as Willie C Capps. No one knows what the future holds.
For now, the best I can do is play online, stay up with my Patreon music, write and record new stuff, play the few live gigs that can actually happen...and do lots and lots of Songwriting With Soldiers retreats - that has been a soul salvation, to say the least.
Ok, folks, keep up...there are a ton of new songs and podcasts on Patreon...you can get new music from my every month starting at just five bucks a month. You can get all that new music plus podcast for just ten bucks a month. It goes on from there. You'll love it.
ok...peace and love
Will
OK. I just saw an art exhibit that made my heart soar and tears flow. The Keep Abreast Nashville Exhibit is near and dear to us Kimbrough's hearts, and if you're in Nashville during the month of October, do yourself a favor and go see it. Our eldest child painted my wife's breasts cast in plaster and wrote such a powerful tribute to her mother's resiliency before during and after her winning battle with breast cancer. I'm a lucky man.
Spring Break is officially released October 23. Get your vinyl and CD copies at The Store
Or your local record store, like Grimey's in Nashville! Tell 'em I sent ya!
I've released several singles - Trains was the first.
My Right Wing Friend was premiered by The Bluegrass Situation
The Late Great John Prine Blues was premiered by Elmore Magazine
Home Remedy will be premiered this coming Tuesday, October 6 by Glide Magazine!
I just released two songs (one never before released and one early version of a favorite Willie Sugarcapps song), a new podcast and a video that tells how one song became two songs, and how those two songs became cowritten songs - one with Mac McAnally and the other with Jimmy Buffett and Peter Mayer - and how those songs wound up on the new Buffett and Mac McAnally albums! I'm helping folks get into songwriting, production and guitar playing...I'm live streaming the whole Americanitis album Friday October 2 at 7pm Central...all on Patreon! Five Bucks a month...come on!
You gotta become a Patron!
Shemekia Copeland's new album comes out the same day as my new one! I produced Uncivil War. It is a powerful, soulful and rocking collection - a very worthy followup to her award winning America's Child album! If you haven't heard the title track you need to!
I was interviewed by NPR's Debbie Elliott yesterday, as was Shemekia and Jason Isbell - we all collaborated, along with The Orphan Brigade and ace rhythm section Lex Price and Pete Abbott with Louisiana music great Steve Conn on B3, on Clotilda's on Fire - a fiery song about the last ship to bring enslaved Africans to America. The freed slaves later founded Africatown in the Mobile Alabama area. It's an epic purely American story. I helped John Hahn write the song. Shemekia of course made it her own. Jason contributed burning electric guitar...it's on the upcoming new Uncivil War record. The NPR piece is supposed to air October 19. I'll holler back and remind y'all to listen!
Songwriting With Soldiers has been back up and running and I'm writing with combat veterans every month, at retreat centers in Florida, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina and Arizona. It's crazy traveling but I just slap that mask on and grab the guitar and hand sanitizer and get my butt on the plane to go do this vital, inspiring and utterly fulfilling work!
So much going on! I'm so grateful to everyone who has become a Patreon Patron, tuned in to online shows, bought merch, come to a live show, and to Songwriting With Soldiers for keeping me working with these amazing veterans...thank you all.
peace & love
Will
Save the date: 9/25.
It's Jessica's birthday.
And I'm releasing a new single, "The Late Great John Prine Blues", from my upcoming "Spring Break" album (10/23 release).
John Prine is special to so many people. First of all, there are the songs. There's the easy, natural charisma and charm of the man himself. If you've lived in Nashville, as I have for the past 32 years, you may have met and gotten to know John, and found him to be even more kind and lovely in person. I shared this photo because the first time I saw John Prine in person was early 1978, Mobile Municipal Auditorium, and he looked just like this - like he'd just rolled out of bed and had something funny from the night before on his mind he was about to share with you if he could just get that first cup of coffee. Only it was 8 o'clock at night. That's the kind of thing that makes a 13 year old guitar player want to become a musician for the rest of his life. There is romance in that. Thus began my romance with the idea of John Prine, my love for his songs, which survived punk rock, new wave and grunge. Survived all my years trying to be a small-time rock star.
I wrote this new song the day after John passed. I'll never forget taking one of those Spring 2020 quarantine walks with my wife and 19 year old youngest daughter. It was a beautiful Spring night. We strolled and talked. My phone blew up with the news that Prine had passed. I didn't want to spoil the walk so I kept it to myself.
When we got home, I let my family know the news. Tears flowed. Spent the rest of the evening and the following morning reading everyone's online tributes, playing John's records, sharing memories.
Then I just starting singing this tune.
I guess I wrote "The Late Great John Prine Blues" because I needed to process the loss of someone I had idolized since childhood. Someone who had signed my band to his record label. Someone I had joined onstage for encores of "Paradise" with Todd Snider. With Emmylou Harris.
John and I both played Max Barry's memorial at the Belcourt Theater, at the request of Megan and Bruce. I played "Goodnight Moon". John played "Souvenirs".
Jessica and I have an indelible and joyful memory of The Bis-Quits playing the grand opening of Oh Boy! Records' office on Music Row. John played a set sitting on a hay bale. It was the most charming thing we will likely ever see.
Our kids know his kids.
Fiona was always so kind to us.
Recording John's duet with Shemekia Copeland on her cover of his "Great Rain" is another wonderful joyful memory.
I could go on all day.
The last time I saw and spoke with John was at his All The Best Festival in Domican Republic. I was coming off the stage with Emmylou and the Red Dirt Boys. He was going onstage to close the evening.
As you guessed, it was lovely and charming. We smiled and laughed. Who could have guessed all these scruffy old musicians would have ended up at this tropical paradise, playing before an adoring audience?
That's why I wrote this song.
Presave it here: https://ffm.to/wktlgjpb.btu
peace & love,
Will
PS - I have a LIVE DRIVE-IN CONCERT IN NASHVILLE THIS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26 WITH MARSHALL CHAPMAN! 5:30PM show! TICKETS AND INFO HERE!!!
Playing TONIGHT 9/20/20 at Grand Magnolia Ballroom on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast with Cary Hudson and Lynn Drury! You saw right - it's a live show - don't worry it's socially distanced. But come on out and let's do this music thing together! I can't wait!
Also online tonight is my show with Marshall Chapman and Tommy Womack - https://www.visitmusiccity.com/music-city-bandwidth#schedule
So if you can't make the Grand Magnolia Show - you can tune in! And that helps Nashville venues stay open during this difficult time!
Playing Saturday 9/26/20 at Nashville Craft Distillery with Marshall Chapman - Drive In Show!
YES - LIVE SHOWS.
Don't miss them.
Go to my Tour Dates page and get tickets. I will be there with bells on.
peace and love,
Will
The Bluegrass Situation is premiering my new single today:
I hope you will give this piece a look and this song a listen. This is a love song to friendship. Enjoy!
Released "Trains" a week or so ago, as a single on digital streaming formats. Here is the song, with single artwork, on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys4vuagStJ4
Don't forget to preorder "Spring Break" on Vinyl & CD, plus new tees and trucker hats: willkimbrough.com/store
Ok...take care and don't be a stranger. See tour dates page for the occasional, actual...tour date!
peace & love,
Will
Click that link and preorder your Vinyl and CD copies of my new Spring Break album - plus Spring Break tees and trucker hats!
You'll also notice that most of my previous releases are ON SALE!
So get on it - I know you want to get Spring Break in your collection - and I know someone's birthday is coming up - so order up.
There are also TIP links at the store now - if you've enjoyed the live online shows - or you just want to show your support - there are five different tip links - and your tips make a difference - and we appreciate you.
I have an actual live show this Friday, Sept 4 - Black Box Theater, Columbiana, Alabama - limited seating for safe social distancing - but won't it be good to attend a live show? I know I'll be there. I hope you will too - if you're in the Birmingham area, West Georgia, etc...you aren't far away - come celebrate the interaction between a performer and an audience - we all miss it. See you there.
http://patreon.com/willkimbrough
Click that link and get to know what Patreon is - for me, it's a way to share my prolific output of the past few years and in real time - through monthly new music - a very much loved podcast - instructional and creative videos - one on one lessons - live streams - I dearly love Patreon and it has been a fantastic addition to my creative life. Check it out. It's free to look - and you can get in for as little as $5 a month - that'll get you new music from me every month. Price of a cup of coffee, y'all. You'll dig it. Check it out.
http://songwritingwithsoldiers.org
Click that link and get to know Songwriting With Soldiers - an incredible organization I have worked with since 2017.
SongwritingWith:Soldiers is a nonprofit organization that operates from a simple principle – pair veterans and active-duty service members with professional songwriters to craft songs about their military experiences. With a focus on collaboration and building trust, this innovative program offers a unique path to helping soldiers, their families, communities and our nation cope with the aftermath of combat duty and the challenges in returning home.
Through songwriting retreats -
I have mostly been working with the Warrior PATHH program lately - https://bouldercrest.org/warriorpathh
Warrior PATHH is a transformative, lifelong, Posttraumatic Growth-based training program for combat veterans and first responders. The training begins with a 7-day on-site initiation that is followed by 18 months of training delivered by our instructors through our myPATHH platform.
Warrior PATHH enables these remarkable men and women to transform times of deep struggle into profound strength and growth. All Warrior PATHH instructors have walked this road from struggle to strength, and the blended team of trained combat veterans and civilians leverage their own experiences to guide attendees.
Testimonials from PATHH veteran/students:
"I went from a man who was not connected with himself to a man who knew himself and recognized the beauty in his own gentleness and strength. This program was amazing. I am endlessly grateful for the experience. I will be coming back and bearing witness to those who walk the PATHH in the future."
"When I thought there was no hope left for me, the program opened doors and opportunities for me, as well as transformed my life forever. I have many new tools to keep on the right path. Thank you, BCR, for giving me my life back."
"My whole outlook on life has done a complete 180. I could never thank the staff of Warrior PATHH enough for what they’ve done for me. They gave me my second chance."
As you can see, SWS and PATHH are incredible programs near and dear to my heart.
It's interesting just how quickly I created a whole new full-time work schedule for myself in the month of March 2020 - we came home early from my Australian tour due to the pandemic shutdown. Soon I started up my Patreon. I began playing weekly Saturday night shows on Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/willkimbroughmusic - and those have been not only good for my heart and mental health - they have become a weekly gathering for our neighborhood. In addition, we have had guests show up from as far away as California, South Florida, South Carolina, Virginia and Alabama! The tips from those shows have paid the mortgage more than once - so please use those tip links on my Store page - it makes a difference to our family.
I am grateful for your support. I will always be creating - writing, recording, performing, producing (hey did you see that the new Two Tracks record I produced is headed up the Americana Charts? I love it!) - but it is so much richer and sweeter to have a fan base to share it with. Thank you.
OK - back to it - I have recording work to do - I need to plan my next Patreon Live Stream (I think I'm going to play the whole Home Away album this time! I played all of This last time - telling the stories behind all the songs - what a joy) - work on my book (that is a long long process...wow) - work on my next Podcast (which is based on the book)...and get ready for my Black Box gig this Friday!
I hope y'all are well.
peace AND love,
Will
Got my new Mac McAnally CD in the mail today. It is just wonderful. Absolutely thrilled to the gills that there is a song we co-wrote on there: "Just Right"! You can find it on the Videos page of this site - but let me make it even easier for ya - here it is:
Yep, mighty fine. Here are the lyrics:
Just Right
Just right is the opposite of uptight
Let’s get together and feel all right
Bonfire on the beach at night
Yeah just right
Gulf Coast the sunny beaches that I love the most
The sunny beaches that I love the most
Sweet memories and friendly ghosts
Have a party and drink a toast
To the Gulf Coast
In between the high and low
A little break from the to and fro
The universe says I told you so
In the sweetest way
Depending on your point of view
What you love and dream and do
An ordinary average day is just right
Key West the coral island that I love the best
The destination of a good time quest
Bring a smile and leave behind the rest
That’s Key West
St Barth feel your happiness jump start
Mother Nature made a work of art
It’s always gonna be in my heart
Talking bout St Barth
Chorus
Just right - I think it’s gonna be a good night
A little melody and words that rhyme
Living easy in the Summertime
Yeah - it’s just right
Easy going it’s just right
I wouldn’t change a thing - it’s just right
(2020 Mac McAnally/Will Kimbrough)
You can buy the album here:
https://store.macmcanally.com/
And I encourage you to do so!
I've been playing on Facebook most days of the week...guess I've been preaching a littlle, too. Go on ahead and 'like' my Will Kimbrough Music page:
https://www.facebook.com/willkimbroughmusic
I'm just home from a great Songwriting With Soldiers/Warrior PATHH writing retreat - nothing more rewarding than creating from real life stories - and opening up minds and hearts to telling their stories and doing some healing. Find out about Warrior PATHH here:
https://bouldercrest.org/warriorpathh
0k..take care!
will
Here's what's happening on Patreon in August - https://www.patreon.com/posts/39746518
Yep, new songs, live streams, video collaboration with a very special guest, new podcast!
It's all there at https://www.patreon.com/willkimbrough?fan_landing=true
Rave reviews for podcast - and I guess if you're reading this, you already like the music - so there's a ton of new music there too...every month...usually several times a month.
There's a new song, "When This is All Over", that's getting a lot of comments. Guess who already has it in their collection? Yep, Patreon Patrons.
I have a couple of shows on the books. Hopefully they happen! Meanwhile, tune in to Facebook and hear me live every Saturday night, 6pm CDT.
Did you get your Pollenfest Tees?
Ok...take care now...be kind...take care
Will
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So...how are you? We are pretty ok here.
I'm playing Facebook Live this Saturday July 11, 6pm CDT. The Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/582076412482593/
Facebook Live shows are based on viewers tipping the performer. I just did a couple of Facebook posts reminding folks of that. Got a good response. So just a reminder - the tip jars are:
and
in addtion, if you don't 'do' online payment like Venmo or PayPal, you can send us a check. Just email me at that same email address: will@willkimbrough.com, and I'll give you our mailing address.
The revenue from Facebook Live is small but it makes a difference. I am amazing and inspired to see as many as 15,000 people take a look at one of my Facebook Live shows (last week it was 8,000!) - but if only a handful of folks tip, that feels a little disheartening. Your tip can be as small as you can afford. There is no obligation. I am simply obligated to remind you that tipping makes a difference to musicians!
I'm going to experiment with playing other live streaming platforms - would any of you be interested in that?
I do Live Streaming shows via Patreon, but you have to become a Patron for that. However that is really easy! www.patreon.com/willkimbrough is the link.
Patrons are really enjoying the content - which is of course musical in nature. But there are also Podcasts, Live Streams, performance videos, instructional videos (showing how a song is put together. showing how to get a good guitar sound, record production, creativity in general). Also doing one on one teaching - I have a guitar student and I am mentoring a college music/studio production student as well. Good stuff.
I am still available to play on your recording, your project. My email is will@willkimbrough.com - if you want me to play on your project, email me.
Also wanted to say this: I play music because I love it. I love telling stories through song. I love the feeling of expressing myself. It makes my life better, plain and simple. I am going to play live online whether you tip me or not - but your tips make a big difference in our bottom line.
Check out Patreon. Hire me to play on your recording. Enjoy a Facebook Live show - Saturdays at 6pm CDT!
peace & love to all,
Will
Take a look folks:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/38708271
I hope you will consider joining me on Patreon. It's been a super fun and creative ride so far. New songs, Podcasts, Videos, Live Streams, early access to new merch and releases, Lessons, Creative Mentoring. Good stuff! Great stuff!
Ok...cheers...
Will
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I hope you are all getting to watch these Porch Concerts I've been playing on Facebook!
They are on Will Kimbrough Music Facebook Page
Yes, that was a link! Click it, like my page, watch the shows. There were 10 Pollenfest shows. Tomorrow, June 26, I will play my second SummerLong Porch Concert. We usually get between 5000-15,000 views, which is really encouraging!
My Patreon thing is going great. I have now shared a whole bunch of new songs. Three Podcasts that spring forth from the pages of my book-in-progress, Barefoot on the Moon. Song videos. Instructional videos. I have a guitar student. I am mentoring a college student studying music and production. I've dialed in the Live Streaming and doing exclusive Patreon Patron live streams.
If "Patreon" is just mumbo jumbo to you, let me explain.
Patreon is a way for people who are interested in what I do to subscribe to my creative content.
For $5/month, I will send you at least one song per month that has never been released before.
For $10/month, I will send you at least one song per month that has never been released before, plus the monthly podcast. Fans love the podcast!
For $20/month, I will send you at least one song per month that has never been released before, plus the monthly podcast, the Live Streams, and videos.
For $50/month, I will send you at least one song per month that has never been released before, plus the monthly podcast, the Live Streams, videos, and exclusive instructional content - videos and blogs detailing songwriting, creativity, playing and singing and production.
For $100/month, I will send you at least one song per month that has never been released before, plus the monthly podcast, the Live Streams, videos, and exclusive instructional content - videos and blogs detailing songwriting, creativity, playing and singing and production. PLUS a 30 minute monthly one-on-one online lesson!
ALL patrons get first access to new merchandise and releases. Did you like the Pollenfest Tee? Me too! Patrons got theirs first!
My first studio solo acoustic album, Spring Break, is about to be available here at willkimbrough.com as a preorder - but yep, you guessed it, Patreon Patrons will get theirs first! In fact, my first 150 patrons are getting their CDs/downloads free as a thank you for getting my Patreon off the ground!
There will be more "thank yous" to come - hope you will take a look and take advantage.
---
That sums up Patreon. I try real hard not to share too much! I have so many songs that are either brand new or simply have never seen the light of day. I love it so much - getting to share what I do as I create it. It's a dream come true.
When I was a kid, I dreamed I would have a record deal and live in the studio and on the road - like I imagined The Beatles, The Stones, The Allmans, Hendrix, Dylan, Willie, Hank, Cash, BB, Bonnie Raitt...all the mythical heroes...then I grew up and got a record deal and it wasn't quite so magical (my book will get down and dirty into the details!).
I moved on and the internet made it easier for independent artists to be more creatively independent.
Crowd Funding helped a lot.
Then I discovered Patreon.
Now I can more or less constantly create and there is an outlet for this inspiration.
The Podcast is an enormous help with the enormous task of compressing 40 some odd years of making music into a book.
Anyway, I love the Patreon experience and I hope you will take a look.
So we are going to pick up Pollenfest Tees today. We will pack up and ship Patreon Patrons tee orders immediately, and then get them up on this site! - UPDATE: We shipped Patreon Patron orders! Tees are up on this website now, on the Store Page - keep scrolling down...til...you...see the Pollenfest tee! Get ya one or two!
The artwork for the upcoming Spring Break album is coming along and it looks great. It is a collaboration with my daughters (one drew the cover image, the other took photographs) and longtime friend, neighbor and incredible artist/designer Brad Talbott! That collaboration is especially sweet during this strange time.
Pollenfest X is this Saturday, June 6, 6pm Central over on Will Kimbrough Music Facebook. As I have said before, Facebook - whatever you think of the platform - makes it easy for the independent artist to perform live, post a virtual tip jar, interact with the audience - and viewers have the least paywalls between themselves and the performer(s).
I am performing a special show online at one of my favorite and most intimate London venues, The Green Note - June 19, at 8pm GMT (2pm Central/3pm Eastern) - with Mary Gauthier & Darden Smith - not only two of my very favorite artists and writers - but my comrades on the Songwriting With:Soldiers team!
I have been writing a lot of new songs - and as the Spring Break collection will show - I have been recording as well. Spring Break is a tip of the artistic hat to personal favorite solo singer-songwriter albums like Skip James Today!, Nebraska, Pink Moon and Mississippi John Hurt Today! - it's one man, a guitar, National guitar or mandolin, a harmonica on a rack, his voice, his songs. I am very excited to share this music. There will be a presale for CD and vinyl as soon as artwork is ready.
Meanwhile my first 150 Patreon Patrons will be the first to get the new music - just as Patrons had first opportunity to order new tees - this will continue - it's part of the Patron Perks: early access to new Merchandise and Music.
It is free to look and I know this platform was absolutely made for an artist like me: Will Kimbrough's Patreon
wishing you all peace & justice,
Will
Hello!
As I write, I have 149 Patreon Patrons, which means that one more fan will become a Patron and be among my first 150 Patrons...and will receive my new Spring Break CD and Download. Artwork is underway as well as plans for a preorder here at willkimbrough.com.
Pollenfest Tees have been designed - Patreon Patrons have first dibs on those - it's one of the benefits of Patronage - early access to new merch and releases (we'll be offering Pollenfest tees here on the website soon, too). But there's more - it starts at five bucks a month for monthly new music - y'all know me...I'm prolific and I love to share...so there is a lot of previously unheard music being shared - brand new - and some that I always wanted to see the light of day. My podcast has been well-received, and it's a big help with writing my book (a rock n roll memoir with a focus on how I've stayed inspired to keep creating for over four decades - but there are plenty of shaggy dog road stories!). I'm taking songs apart and giving production/studio/recording tips on instructional videos...doing Live Streaming shows exclusive to Patrons...I even have a couple of students! I love it.
Take a look. If you try it for a month and you don't like it, you are not obligated.
Pollenfest IX is tonight, May 30, 6pm Central on WILL KIMBROUGH MUSIC FACEBOOK PAGE
Have you heard that new Jimmy Buffett record, Life on the Flip Side? It's getting great reviews - I'm a little biased, since I helped write 4 songs and played on the whole album! Anyway, it was released yesterday, May 29, 2020 and it's on all streaming services - better yet you can get a hard copy of the vinyl or CD at your local record store, like Grimeys
Or get it straight from Mailboat Records: https://www.mailboatrecords.com/collections/life-on-the-flip-side
I hope you'll join me at Pollenfest and on Patreon (and get that Buffett record) - in such chaotic and uncertain times, music is one of the things that actually brings people together. As the song says, "Gather round me friends, I have a song to sing..."
peace & love
Will
OK, I have 145 Patreon Patrons. That means five more of you will be among the first 150 Patrons and you will be the first to get my new album, Spring Break.
Starting at five bucks a month, you can get exclusive new music from me every month! There is more - podcasts, videos, live streams and masterclass style lessons. Check it out.
We have picked our awesome design for the new Pollenfest tees - and Patreon Patrons will be the first to be able to order. Yet another reason to at least take a look at the link above! The tee will appear on this site after Patrons have ordered.
As far as Spring Break... working on the cover art now. As soon as the first 150 Patreon Patrons have their downloads and CDs, I will be able to start shipping to everone else. There will be a preorder - trying to figure out how I can put this record on vinyl. It is definitely in the spirit of the classic Folkways & Vanguard Records...and Springsteen's Nebraska.
Other big news - the new Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band album will be released tomorrow, May 29, 2020 - you can order here: New Buffett Album!
I've written about it, but I have to say this is the sixth Buffett record in a row I have not only written for but gotten to play on. It was a joyful week of creativity and big fun. Honored to play a role and cowrite songs!
Also in news: there is a fabulous new Mac McAnally album coming out this Summer, and I helped Mac write one of the songs. What an honor to work with Mac! Preorder the album here: New Mac Album!
Tour dates continue to be postponed and shuffled around.
Pollenfest IX is this Saturday, May 30, 6pm Central on WILL KIMBROUGH MUSIC FACEBOOK!
For my UK - and all -friends, I will be playing an online show for The Green Note in London, with Mary Gauthier and Darden Smith, June 19. Details TBA - link: The Green Note
BUSHMEN FANS TAKE NOTE: I have shared some very special music on Bandcamp. Two links for you:
Working on reissues, but for now this is at least access to our catalog - GAWK is still available digitally. I hope to get the whole concert from which the Suck on This Live EP was culled up and available somedays soon...
Ok...to sum up...Patreon is doing well and you would do well to check it out! New album is wonderful and artwork is in the works! Pollenfest has been a big and fun success...tees are gorgeous and soon available! New Buffett Album released Friday May 29! New Mac McAnally has a song we cowrote! Pollenfest Nine this Saturday May 30 6pm Facebook Live! Online show for UK time zone upcoming via The Green Note in London - with Mary Gauthier and Darden Smith! Will and the Bushmen news!
Big doin's! Get on Patreon! Stay healthy!
Peace&Love
Will
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Click this link and listen to my new song My Right Wing Friend, from my upcoming album, Spring Break: A New Song For You!
Don't forget #Pollenfest VIII is happening this Saturday, May 23, 2020, 6pm Central over on facebook.com/willkimbroughmusic
If you don't do Facebook, consider becoming a Patreon Patron, because there is monthly new music, a great podcast, exclusive videos, Live Streaming Shows, and private lessons. It starts at about the price of a cup of coffee. So click that link, enjoy my new song.
Note: my first 150 Patreon Patrons will get the first 150 copies of Spring Break, as well as early access to our upcoming awesome #Pollenfest Tees!
Get into it, Get involved!
peace & love,
Will
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I'm fascinated by the lack of interest in the artist website these days.
Luckily, folks do engage on Facebook, so I live there more than ever. Have y'all seen and heard any of my Facebook Live concerts?
Have you checked out my Patreon? That's one of the best things that has happened to me in a long time.
I understand - especially now doing all-request shows on Facebook - that a lot of folks have their favorite songs and eras...let's face it, I've had a really long career releasing music, so some people just want to hear old Will and the Bushmen songs. Others want their "Goodnight Moon", "Piece of Work" and "Three Angels". Parrotheads want their "Nobody From Nowhere". It's a fantastic thing to have people ask for songs you've written. The other night I did all requests and the songs ranged from 1984 to 2019. That will not only test the brain's ability to remember but also make a person feel like they've been doing the right thing with their life. I appreciate it.
I did a 15 song set last weekend - the concerts are called Pollenfest (and yes t-shirts are being designed and manufactured!) - looks like their will be ten Pollenfests - anyway, last weekend I did 15 songs that are on my upcoming Spring Break album. Master fiddler and mandolin man Eamon McLoughlin joined me, and boy was it awesome - but it was interesting that people seem to get more excited about me doing requests and older material. It doesn't bum me out or anything. As I just said, it's incredibly heartening to know people like your songs over the course of a lifetime. And I know when I've been to a Stones, McCartney or Petty show, I certainly expect to hear all the old hits.
Not that my songs have been hits. My ego is pretty much in check. I just love getting to be a creative artist and continue to write, record and perform.
And this shutdown has not shut down creativity.
That's why i urge you to click this Patreon Link
And to tune in to a Facebook Live show. Let me tell you: I play every Saturday on Facebook Will Kimbrough Music 6pm Central Time
This week, master drummer Bryan Owings is joining me. You may have seen, heard and felt Bryan's groove with Delbert McClinton, Will and the Bushmen, Emmylou Harris and her Red Dirt Boys, Ray LaMontagne, Tony Joe White, Iris Dement, Webb Wilder...so many great artists have depended on Bryan's beautiful beat and spirit.
Check out the Red Dirt Boys album! It's HERE!
Yep, even in quarantine there is so much happening creatively: if you join Patreon (five bucks a month gets you new music every month - dirt cheap and exclusive! - it goes from there to ten bucks a month to get my podcast - that's been a blast! - twenty bucks and ya get the live stream and video - fifty bucks ya get it all plus instructional video...and at a hundred bucks a month, a private lesson from me), you get the new album, Spring Break FIRST - before anyone else can get it. Red Dirt Boys is up on bandcamp - did you click that link? Click it! Facebook Live shows have been awesome - it ain't live in person, but it is LIVE. Guests so far have included Phil Madeira, Chris Donohue and Eamon McLoughlin, and this week is Bryan Owings. I think the last three Pollenfest Facebook Live shows will be solo so I can make sure I get all the requests in!
I do wonder if anyone reads this stuff...
but either way, I hope y'all are safe and sound and healthy.
peace and love,
Will
Just reaching out to poll who reads these blogs?
I've started a Patreon page and that's been truly gratifying - I create new music and Patrons get to hear it - I blog about creativity and Patrons get to read it - I make a video about the songwriting process and Patrons get to see it - I write a blog and Patrons read it and respond - I am about to start Live Streaming Concerts for Patrons - I release a podcast and Patrons get that too. I'm sharing progress as I write my book. So that's been a great thing - something that really feels like The Future - click it: Will Kimbrough's Patreon Page!
I'm excited to say that a Pulitzer Prize Winner is among my Patrons! Better yet, a bunch of music loving people who want to belong to a creative community!
Have you watched a Pollenfest show? Click it: Will Kimbrough's Pollenfest are every Saturday at 6pm Central Right Here!
Those have been wonderful, too!
Not on Facebook? Become a Patron. Don't want to do either? Wait til the world opens back up.
I see the future including regular performances online, on Patreon, of Facebook Live - I see not so much Kickstarter, but ongoing Patreon...where I'm literally serving my patrons by writing the songs, recording and mixing them, having the music mastered, creating artwork, and releasing songs individually and as EPs and Albums...for the rest of my time here on this beautiful blue planet.
I'm serious. This Patreon and Live Streaming stuff is here to stay as far as I'm concerned!
I'll get back on the road...but life is not to beat one's self up. I've paid my road dues. It is what it is...I've loved it...and judging from how much joy our Australia trip brought us, Miz Jessica and I will be traveling to whatever exotic places that come calling. As long as there is a Frog Pond, we'll be there. As long as there is a Songwriting With Soldiers, I'll be there, writing with Veterans, listening for the songs in their epic human stories.
But I'll be dedicating a lot of time to creation of new music, to improving Live Streaming, to writing my book, Barefoot on the Moon, a rock n roll memoir with a lot of insight into how I have stayed inspired in a creative career that is now in it's fourth decade. Ipe
So...do you read this blog? Let me know: will@willkimbrough.com
Want to hear my new music? Become a Patron. Click on that link. Want to see a show? Click on that Facebook Live link. Won't do Facebook? Become a Patron. Live in the Present...and the Future
Peace and Love!
Will
ps...that black and white shot by our friend and neighbor Mary Beth Cysewski!
I am doing a Patreon page: Will Kimbrough's Patreon!
And I absolutely love it - it feels tailor made for a 21st Century writer/artist with too much good material for the standard record label/release schedule. 20 years ago, I would have a publisher for my songs - but that relationship has become extremely rare - even for someone with 15 Jimmy Buffett cuts!
So Patreon offers you the opportunity to subscribe to my creative content for as little as $5 per month - at that level, you get a new song each month - something that is exclusive to Patreon and has never been released before!
Tiers go up from there - I am podcasting, and response to my April podcast were really inspiring - patrons loved it.
I will be doing my first exclusive Patreon Live Stream in the next couple of weeks, too.
In addtion, I am blogging as part of my work writing my book - the working title is Barefoot on the Moon - a rock n roll memoir of over 30 years on the road and in studios, writing songs and creating something out of nothing but my imagination (with a lot of help from talented friends) - so it's filled with personal history, shaggy dog stories galore, as well as a lot of insight into how I have stayed inspired to maintain a creative career now into its fourth decade.
And at the upper end of Patreon patronage, there are lessons, group and private - to be honest, for private lessons, my asking price is right in the middle of market value - so take a look - lessons can include playing guitar and other stringed instruments, recording and production, getting tones in the studio, writing, and general creativity work.
Patreon really feels like a good fit for my future - I'm doing this for the long haul, not just to get through this shutdown time.
Take a look and join my creative journey that goes on and on!
Have y'all been checking out my Facebook Live shows? They've been so joyful.
Here's another to check out my Patreon: If you don't do Facebook, you can enjoy my monthly Live Streams via Patreon!!
Peace & Love
Will
Launched my Patreon page today: https://www.patreon.com/willkimbrough?fan_landing=true
check it out...I'm super excited...feel like it's going to be a good thing for us all!
live on Songwriting With Soldiers Facebook Page Tonight 7pm Central! link: Songwriting With Soldiers!
Pollenfest IV This Saturday 6pm Central! See you there!
Peace and Love!
will
Pollenfest 2 was a worthy followup to the OG Pollenfest! Both are archived on my Will Kimbrough Music Facebook page - which I assume you have all 'liked' by now anyway...great times and wonderful interaction with folks from all over - California, Australia, the UK...all over! Thank you!
We all love John Prine and that's why we miss him so much.
We miss Bill Withers, too.
There are silver linings to this otherwise tragic time - time slowing down - neighbors being neighborly - random acts of kindness. Singer-songwriters, writers, artists...we have chosen a certain amount of isolation in life just to get our work done. So we have a bit of a leg up on the world's social butterflies - I thrive in relative isolation: I can go out to the studio and make music. i can go on Facebook Live and make music. I can cook in my kitchen. I can read a lot. I can write. I can spend time with my wife and youngest child. But I can't be with my eldest child, my mother, my sister, my cousins, aunts, uncles, friends.
Red Dirt Boys on Bandcamp: Red Dirt Boys' Debut Album!
https://www.songwritingwithsoldiers.org/ has changed my life for the better. I sure hope to write with soldiers soon!
I can play and sing on your project! My usual price for home studio work is $400/day, $50/hr, $150/song, whichever works best. These are not typical times, so email me will@willkimbrough.com and we'll work something out. Artist who have recorded in or used my home studio include Shemekia Copeland, Emmylou Harris, Rhiannon Giddens, Radney Foster, Jim Lauderdale, Doug Seegers, Elizabeth Cook, Michael McDermott, Katie Pruitt, Steve Poltz and many others. Thanks.
Hope we come out of this with changed hearts and minds for a better future.
and some new songs...!
Stay healthy and safe.
Be kind.
Practice peace and you will create love
Cheers y'all...
Will
Happy to announce that you can now listen to and download the wonderful debut Red Dirt Boys album on Bandcamp! Here's a video explaining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cna0JPzFEHo&t=4s
And here is the link to the music:
https://reddirtboys.bandcamp.com/releases
Red Dirt Boys are Chris Donohue (bass, vocals), Phil Madeira (piano, organ, accordion, guitar, vocals), Bryan Owings (drums, percussion) and myself (guitar, mandolin, vocals), with a little help from Emmylou Harris (vocals) and John Mark Painter (horns). Sean Sullivan recorded us. Todd Robbins mixed the record. Jim Demain mastered (Yes Master!).
We've played some festivals. We're dear friends. Our music is inspired by the great beacons of American Music: New Orleans, Nashville, The Mississippi Delta, Chicago and Tin Pan Alley. But mostly just our friendship.
Have a listen. It's free. If you want to own the music, pay what you can. There are some pre-release "Cayamo Edition" CDs available too, at a modest cost. I know you have time, and what better way to spend some unexpected free time than listening to great music? Ok, it's a deal.
Thanks and I hope you all stay healthy and we'll get through this.
Peace & Love,
Will
Hello out there. I've been posting daily songs and Lick of the Day Lessons. Do you have requests? Let me know at will@willkimbrough.com.
I can play and sing on your record. Same email for information and pricing. My home studio has been used for projects by Jimmy Buffett, Radney Foster, Steve Poltz, Doug Seegers, Michael McDermott and many others, including Willie Sugarcapps, DADDY, Red Dirt Boys and my own solo albums. I've had Emmylou in here singing, Rhiannon Giddens in here playing fretless banjo, Katie Pruitt has sung here...Shemekia Copeland...Jim Lauderdale...Anyway, I do good work from my soul, so send me some songs.
If you need to buy someone a gift, consider merchandise from an independent musical or visual artist, such as my daughter, sister...or me. Or my friends. The gift of music or a cool tee, hat or work of art will be special to someone.
I'm here. Are you there?
Please stay healthy and be kind.
Peace & Love
Will
(nice shot Scott Willis!)
Happy Sunday. Hope you're responsibly staying home. Worshipping in the house. I posted a new video, a live version of "Another Train", taped straight into the old iPhone yesterday. Turned out great! I hope you enjoy the music. I'll keep it coming. I will not turn down tips. The link is here:
I am not ashamed to say I make music to stay alive, and that I make a living for my family making music. That is why I post the link. I'll have the Venmo link up soon.
I have been blessed with home studio work every day since we returned home from our wonderful Australian tour that was cut short by the Coronavirus situation. We are all in the same boat, folks. I hope when this is all over, we will all have our consciousnesses altered to remember that we are always in the same boat. It's like Cathe Steele says at the Frog Pond: we're all frogs in the same pond. What happens to one person happens to us all - except for maybe wealth - but we have philosophical and religious texts that cover greed: a camel passing through a needle's eye, all that wisdom. Of course, we ignore that wisdom often times. That's human nature. Either way, I love making music, sharing songs and stories. As Joan Didion says: "We tell ourselves stories in order to live". Exactly.
So stay home. Get out and walk if you can - keep your six feet from folks, sneeze into your elbow. Be kind. Use your turn signals. Check on your neighbors. Check in on friends and relatives who live alone. Don't hoard food or paper goods. Did I say be kind? Yeah, be kind.
We all hope to get back to some sort of normal as soon as possible. I am lucky enough to have a home studio, so I will continue to go out there and create something musical, be it for clients out there, just to keep myself occupied, or to share with all of you. So far, I've been grateful to have all of the above occupying the days.
We took a great hike yesterday, at one of Nashville's Warner Parks. Felt fantastic to get my shoes muddy on a trail, on a cool early Spring afternoon. The trees in bud, the fields greening. You know Spring's first green in really gold. We saw it yesterday. I was elated for the rest of the afternoon. Right before bed, I watched some scientists' and doctors' videos - they were very informative - but I recommend watching stuff like that in the morning or early afternoon, not right before bed - the reality and factuality - which we all need right now, and always - made me a little anxious. Had to turn off the lights and breathe before I could drift off into sleep.
I am tremendously grateful for my ability to express myself, and therefore calm myself, with music. I hope you will indulge in some music too, and I hope it soothes the savage beast! Sending love and hoping for peace - from Nashville. Sending greetings and fond hopes for togetherness to family and friends. I'll keep sending music. Thank you for sending tips. Thanks for hiring me to play on your records. Thanks for the kind words. It all means so much.
Ok then...til next time...wash your hands...keep your social distancing...be kind...Lord make us ever mindful of the needs of others!
Peace & Love
Will
Happy Friday!
This is NOT the new normal!
This is pandemic time, friends, and we all need to stay home. Take a walk outside. Keep your distance. Get your news from a good source. Skip Spring Break, for God's Sake.
Anyway. The Kimbroughs are well. I appreciate the web orders - keep 'em coming - do your shopping for my records, CDs, tees and hats ONLINE! Thank you. Folks have kept me busy since we got back from Australia with home studio work. Keep that coming! Also, the tips via PayPal - I'll put up Venmo too - are much appreciated (that's paypal.me/willkimbrough & www.venmo.com/WillKimbrough). I will continue to put up musical content here and on social media.
I can only imagine there will be no April live shows. I will let you know for sure. Thanks for keeping up with me and my family.
One thing I can control during this time is creativity - and I have been working on new Willie Sugarcapps music. There is Red Dirt Boys music in the pipeline! There is a new Will Kimbrough solo album in the works. We finished up the new Jimmy Buffett album - I helped write songs and played on the sessions. Same with new Shemekia Copeland record, which I produced, helped write and played on. Produced the upcoming new Two Tracks record, which Trina Shoemaker mixed!
Good things happening, as we keep up with often not so good news.
Stay safe and healthy - this thing is real folks - we pray for our friend who was diagnosed---we pray for all how have contracted this virus - we pray for ALL PEOPLE, Animals, Plants and Mother Earth!
Peace and Love y'all!
Will
Tonight 12th March 2020 I'm playing The Spotted Mallard https://www.spottedmallard.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIgJ2UhLOT6AIVhHZgCh33tgunEAAYASAAEgLCUPD_BwE
Melbourne Australia
I've decided to give all proceeds from the show to Stacie Huckeba's Nashville Tornado Relief efforts, which have been so effective and immediate---she has Amazon wish lists, donors purchase and ship needed items to Stacie's home, where she and volunteers/friends distribute. I am going to go over there and help when I get back from Oz - meanwhile this is something we can do together here in Victoria...Melbourne...Brunswick...come see a great show...I have lots of songs, stories and music for you.
And we can help the wonderful community of Nashville together. See you tonight at The Spotted Mallard. #Melbourne #Australia #Nashville #TornadoRelief #TheSpottedMallard
I'm so happy about how well received I was at my first Australian gigs in 8 years---Folk Alliance ExChange in Geelong was such a pleasure---the beautiful house concert at Peter and Jane Crone's in Melbourne---and wow! just wow! The Port Fairy Folk Festival was just a joy.
In that spirit I'm hoping to pack my shows in the Melbourne area. This Thursday 12 March I'll be at the beloved Spotted Mallard.
Next Thursday 19 March I'm playing the equally beloved Caravan Music Club.
In between, of course, I'll be at the Blue Mountains Festival
Other gigs coming up, too, like my Sydney gig - Leichhardt Bowlo 23 March!
So...in short...to be brief...come to a show in Melbourne or Sydney. My house concerts are sold out. The festivals will be packed. Come to a club show!
I'm excited to be on my first solo tour of #Australia! Actually, I'm not solo, because Jessica is with me! In case ya missed it...here are the dates:
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Tonight, 3 March - Geelong - https://folkexchange.org/
Thurs 5 March - Eaglemont House Concert - Melbourne (contact petercrone@petercrone.com.au)
6-9 March - Port Fairy Folk Festival - https://www.portfairyfolkfestival.com/
12 March - The Spotted Mallard - Melbourne - https://www.spottedmallard.com/
13-15 March - Blue Mountains Festival - https://www.bmff.org.au/
18 March - Mt Franklin House Concert - contact jeff@wildwoodinstruments.com.au
19 March - Caravan Music Club - Bentleigh, East Vic - https://www.caravanmusic.com.au/
20 March - Bond St Event Centre - Sale, VIC - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/will-kimbrough-tickets-93475235947
21 March - Piping Hot Chicken Shop - Ocean Grove, VIC - https://www.pipinghotchickenshop.com.au/upcoming_gigs
23 March - Leichhardt Bowlo - Lilyfield, NSW - https://leichhardtbowlingclub.com.au/ (ya might just win the meat raffle!)
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ok. see ya at a gig! can't wait! cheers!
Author's note: this is a wonderful photo by Cookie Lamie Twilley of our Mardi Gras float in the Joe Cain Parade way back. It brings me joy.
#WillKimbrough #Australia #tourlife
My first solo tour of Australia is right around the corner!
I'm in the studio this week with my dear friends The Two Tracks, a wonderful band from the mountains of Wyoming. Just finished Shemekia Copeland's powerhouse followup to the titanic "America's Child" album. Before that, we made a joyful new Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band album in Key West. And I've recently played awesome shows - with Todd Snider and Tyler Childers New Years Eve - at 30A (where we lost our dearly beloved and much admired friend David Olney...Rest in Peace, Master Poet!) - The Lost River Sessions in Kentucky - a home turf blowout at Manci's in Daphne, Alabama - the Green Room at the truly magnificent Crosstown Arts in Memphis Tennessee!
So much going on it makes my head spin. With a smile on my face.
So...check out the tour dates page on this website and I'll see you in Australia!
But not before one more Frog Pond epic show before we head over (that's right, the real star of the Aussie Tour is Miz Jessica!)...Feb 23 Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm!
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But that's not all...Spring 2020 is around the corner and I'll be in Alabama, Mississippi, at the Bluebird Cafe with Kim Richey, Grant-Lee Phillips and Dean Owens (what a show, eh??), in Louisiana, South Carolina...and so on and so forth!
---
And I really will have a big announcement about a new album coming up real soon!
Cheers, y'all!
All the best to ya!
Will
Well would ya look at that fine photograph by Scott Willis of Kentucky? Skot Willis of Gov't Cheese?! Yes! Ran into Scott in Bowling Green KY for my Lost River Sessions show at the theater there. Great night. Scott's getting good with that lens!
OK, it really has been a minute on this blog. Apologies all around.
Wrapped up tracking a new Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band album a few weeks back. Yes, I helped write some songs, and I was talking to Michael Utley the other day...we both agreed that the vibe in the studio was just plain joyous...I'm the new guy, and I've now been writing, recording and performing with those guys for 17 years! We are a family now, and the joy shows.
Been super busy with Songwriting With Soldiers, including my new gig, writing with veterans in the Warrior PATHH program. More about that as time goes on. Look it up. Such an amazing thing to be part of...amazing people all around. My heart is full.
Headed to Memphis this Thursday February 13, back at the Green Room at Crosstown Arts - what a cool place - the old Sears building - 1920's grandeur - now committed to the arts in Memphis Tennessee. I was hoping I could do a Radio Memphis visit, but the timing did not work out...ironically I was just listening to the podcast of Lorette Velvette, talking about the vinyl release of "Don't Crowd Your Mind", a collection of her 90's music - featuring cool Daddy-O's like Alex Chilton and Ross Rice! Anyway, love ya Memphisto, see you soon.
Playing Nashville with Phil Madeira on Saturday February 15 to celebrate the release of his wonderful new record, "Open Heart" - Cindy Morgan will be there. We might get to sing a song or two of our own, too...
After that, I'm producing a new Two Tracks record! The last one turned out fab, we figure, why not do it again? Looking forward to that.
Taking the new Shemekia Copeland record to mastering this week, too...yep, the followup to her titanic "America's Child" release that won all the big awards last year. Buddy let me tell ya, this new one is powerful. Pow-Er-Ful. Yes indeed. Big stuff. Heavy. Rocking. Soulful. Oh yeah.
The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm February 23, and then...Miss Jess and I are off to AUSTRALIA! Yep! Super beyond excited about this one. We'll be reporting from down under.
I have a new project cooking under the hood, and will be announcing news about that real soon.
Meanwhile, did you hear "I Like it Down Here"? Did you hear the Red Dirt Boys? Hmmmm...good stuff!
Be good to each other and yourselves. peace and love....
Will
What a Summer! Jess got through all her medical treatment and surgeries with flying colors! Our youngest got moved in to college. Our first born got moved into a new house. i enjoyed opening theater shows for Sonny Landreth and Paul Thorn. We had a blast in Colorado for the Frog Pond shows out there, including an epic Willie Sugarcapps show with no amplification on the banks of the Colorado River. I'm still part of Songwriting With Soldiers and we taped a show for PBS - I'm told it airs October 25! That was incredible and I can't wait for you all to see and hear that show. Got up to Ohio for killer shows, then over to Hilton Head for a private gig and some nice walks on the beach before the hurricane rolled in. And then it was Red Dirt Boys and solo/band shows at Sisters Folk Fest in Oregon (we missed Chris Donohue by every cloud has a silver lining and our silver lining in Oregon was Denny Bixby subbing more than admirably and sharing his boss Les Paul Special and dialed in 70s Princeton Reverb with me---and as added super bonus got to hang with Sally! And Susan! Wow! And then Summer - at least by the calendar - was over, although it was in the 90s for about 90% or September - was over. And along with that change of calendric season comes Americanafest. That behemoth of roots music that lands with a bang every September in Nashvegas. It was a doozy - and our shows were fab - especially the Red Dirt Boys' 3rd and Lindsley joint with American Hero Delbert McClinton and his band for the ages. Get this: we had Lisa Oliver-Gray, Louise Goffin and Laura Donohue on vocals! What a total blast. Played Sarah Potenza's Sunday School Gospel extravaganza - more than played - we were the house band! And it was a joy to back those killin' wailin' singers singin' for Jesus! And then we left for California---had a weird gig in LA (are gigs always weird in LA?) but hung with dear friends and laughed our faces off. Hiked canyons out West Malibu...went to the beach...looked for Joan Didion and John Gregory Dunne's 70s house out there...played the sweet Mill Pond Festival in Bishop California and took full advantage of the wonders of California Hwy 395 - hiked at 10,000 feet in the Eastern Sierra...hiked the desert at Red Rock Canyon...took in the psychedelic sunset at Mono Lake...immediately followed by Miss Jess' birthday (and we celebrated a lot: she's been through the wringer and stood up to it with courage and joie de vivre that only Miss Jessie can pull off!)...followed by a quick trip to play with Emmylou at the nice new City Winery in Philadelphia, which was lovely...came home to finish off a ton of recording work on wonderful new songs by Michael McDermott and Heather Vidal...and now headed back to Cali for an Emmylou show in Cerritos near Long Beach and of course the mother of all roots festivals, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park - and this year, I'm playing my own set: Friday Oct 4 3:40 PM Bandwagon Stage! See you there! Of course, Miss Emmy is closing it all out on Sunday at the big stage...so we'll see about 100,000 of ya there...oh and Frog Pond Sunday Social Season starts up Oct 13 in Silverhill Alabama...see your beautiful smiling faces there too...and Oct 14 Pascagoula I get to open for my dear friend Rodney Crowell, a national treasure and one of my dearest mentors in life/career....Love you Rodney! Oh snap! I also did Phil Madeira's Mercyland Songwriting Camp and that was fantastic! Y'all should check that out if you want to get creative and up your writing game...and have a lot of fun...
Ok folks, have a good one and see you in California
Hey, so my new video for "Hey Trouble" (which happens to be on my fabulous new album, "I Like it Down Here") premiered here:
https://www.cowboysindians.com/2019/07/video-premiere-will-kimbroughs-hey-trouble/
Big thanks to cowboysindians.com! Huge hugs and thanks to Jim Demain and Price Harrison for directing and shooting the video, Joshua Britt for color grading, our superstar guest stars Gowa, Hayley and The Altered Statesman. That was a fun video to shoot. Our very own technicolor film noir.
Oh Colorado! Willlie Sugarcapps finally got to play that song last night at Muse Performance Space in the Boulder/Broomfield/Lafayette area. Great venue, great show! Headed up to the dude ranch for a private gig tonight, then we're way up at Trapper's Lake and Rancho Del Rio for our final Colorado shows. This has been an amazing trip, full of great music, renunions with dear friends, mind boggling drives and hikes...just a love fest all around.
Don't forget the Songwriting Camp is happening very soon in Hot Springs NC w/ Phil Madeira, Cindy Morgan and myself --- if you're a songwriter, or just want to enjoy and learn more about songwriting, this is going to be a wonderful week to remember!
Lots and lots of great stuff coming up...including an amazing Songwriting With Soldiers event...and shows, shows, shows...I'll be updating and reaching out --- I wanna see your smiling face at a show!
peace and love,
Will
It's been an amazing first half of 2019.
Got Miss Jess healthy.
"Southern Wind" won Song of the Year at the UK Americana Awards (I co-wrote the song with Dean Owens - it's the title track of his fine new album).
Shemekia Copeland's "America's Child" won Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Blues Album at the Blues Awards in Memphis.
Released "I Like it Down Here" to good reviews, lots of airplay and great shows.
I played on several new projects in the studio. I'll give a heads up when they get closer to release.
Headed to Colorado this week for 5 shows and one secret jam on a dude ranch!
---
July 5 Rancho Deluxe at Avogardo's in Fort Collins
July 6 Rancho Del Rio Saturday Night Social on the Colorado River
July 10 Willie Sugarcapps Muse Lafayette, CO (Denver/Boulder area show!)
July 12 Willie Sugarcapps Trapper's Lake, CO
July 13 Rancho Del Rio Saturday Night Social on the Colorado River
---
July 21-25 Songwriting Workshop in Hot Springs NC w/ Phil Madeira and Cindy Morgan!
---
Great stuff coming up!
Come see me!
Peace and Love!
Will
Hey kids rock n roll rock on.
Wondering if anyone reads a blog anymore.
Feel like these have gone out in a vacuum.
Email me if you want me to continue blogging - will@willkimbrough.com
I mean, I'll continue posting news. Just wondering if anyone gives a rat's ass if I blog.
Been packing up Kickstarter Backer Rewards as fast as I can - some of them take a bit of time to put together - and shipping for a tiny home business such as mine, well it is unforgiving. Luckily my Backers are a patient and kind group of folks. Anyway, getting it done.
Which reminds me, I need to hit the post office!
See you in Live Oak, Florida this weekend for Suwannee Springfest w/ the one and only DADDY Duo!
-- Will
My new single, I'm Not Running Away, is released today---we made a cool acoustic video of it: https://youtu.be/6ZhR61I3p-4
(thanks to Sean Sullivan and The Butcher Shoppe Studio, to Jim Demain and Price Harrison---great video!)
Wide Open Country debuted the song: https://www.wideopencountry.com/will-kimbrough-im-not-running-away-song-premiere/
And Music Fog just posted THIS video of the title track! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI1YaGbUvPo
This would certainly qualify as a red-letter day!
The new album will be released April 19, 2019.
So excited about it all! Shows coming up. Kimbrough household getting healthy and healed! Nothing but good stuff---keeping our eyes on the future and living in the present!
---
Been in the studio all week at Skinny Elephant in East Nashville (Dylan Alldredge's awesome place) with Irish Singer Songwriter Ben Reel---thrilled to be playing and creating as well with ace drummer Evan Hutchings and E Street Band veteran Garry Tallent on bass! I'm a lucky guy!
---
Just checking in folks...lots going on --- getting those Kickstarter Backer Rewards filled --- taking pre-orders now for the new album --- getting press and radio mailouts ready --- gearing up for all the shows coming up --- got sessions too, and doing some writing. Life is amazing, ain't it?
hope you all had a happy Mardi Gras!
Peace and Love!
Will
Went in to The Butcher Shoppe Studio the other night in Nashville's Germantown neighborhood, with Sean Sullivan recording, Jim Demain and Price Harrison filming---shot a few acoustic videos of some of my favorite songs from this new album, "I LIke it Down Here" (4/19). Kickstarter Backers and Partners will get their downloads, Vinyl, CDs, Tees and Hats first---but on 4/19, it's released to the public---we've already released "Hey Trouble" and "Alabama (For Michael Donald)" as a digital single---so give a listen wherever you stream music! Meanwhile, here is a live acoustic version for you to enjoy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZij4IZIuD4&feature=youtu.be
Have a beautiful day!
Will
Had a couple of singles drop this week, so if you missed it---
http://www.2lin.cc/ILikeItDownHere
I got written up in Rolling Stone! Here is the link:
One song is pure fun -- playing with language and musical forms --- putting blues language to music that pays tribute to the late great Tom Petty and his great band, The Heartbreakers. That's "Hey Troube".
"Alabama (For Michael Donald)" is a heavy story song --- the ghost of Michael Donald tells his story in song form --- audacious, I know --- but after all I learned reading Laurence Leamer's book "The Lynching", I knew I would write about it. Dean Owens (ain't it just peachy that we won UK Americana Song of the Year for "Southern Wind"?!) sent me a little melody and he kept singing (in and Edinburgh brogue) - "Alabama...Alabama..."
Give a listen or several!
What a great whirlwind I'm on...!
My first Cayamo Cruise was mind bogglingly wonderful! Jess got to come with! We had sweet beach days in Montego Bay and Costa de Maya! Jess got to see Kasey Chambers TWICE! They are, of course, now best of friends. I got to play with Emmylou twice! Red Dirt Boys had two shows! My solo band show was one of my faves EVER. Songwriting workshop with Phil Madeira was awesome---I played guitar and sang at Brady Blade's drum workshop! Sat in twice with Steve Poltz (have you heard his new record yet??? Do yourself a favor and GET IT). Sat in with the Wood Brothers! Man...just pure joy.
Headed for San Diego this weekend to open for my brilliant friend Steve Poltz at the Bellyup Tavern in Solana Beach! No doubt I'll be sitting in on his show too...rumor has it Dan Bern and the Rugburns will make appearances???!!!!!!!
HEY! I don't want to forget to let y'all know that "Americanitis" and "Sideshow Love" are back in print---working on "Live at Coast" and "Godsend"! But if you've never heard those records---grab one from me this weekend. Sure seems like time for "Americanitis" to be heard again...and "Sideshow Love" is one of my all time faves...one's like soap--shampoo for your dirty soul---the other is like conditioner---Human Conditioner!
All right, I gotta run---there are SO MANY details to keep up with right now! lord have mercy....but Jess is healthy! Our kids are pretty much growed up and thriving! I have a new record coming out!
And...I might just have a few copies of the Red Dirt Boys' special "Cayamo Edition" CDs with me as well---so while I can't sell "I Like It Down Here" until the Kickstarter Backers' Rewards are all shipped---and that is going to start up next week!!!---I will have the Red Dirts' spankin' new music ---I'll have "Americanitis"---I'll have "Sideshow Love" . and more. But mainly---come to a show as soon as possible---let's get together and feel all right!
Frog Pond shows coming up...release show at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta APRIL 19! Working on other release shows in Nashville, etc.
Peace and Love to all!!
Will
So much news...! Where to begin..?! OK...those of you who know that my dearest better half has been ill...and those of you who don't---well, she's doing great! We've gotten nothing but good news, and that's really great! So thanks for your prayers, gifts, benefit shows, visits, meals...we are humbly grateful and ready to rock n roll!
My new album, "I Like it Down Here", is in manufacturing---vinyl records...CDs, tees, hats, posters--the manufacturing is happening---the record sounds and looks great! Getting ready for shooting some video, etc...getting dates on the books so y'all can hear me play these new songs and you can get your copies.
Kickstarter Backers and Partners come first! You guys will get your stuff and all will be well in the world!
I have tour dates coming in, beginning with Nashville, TN, Wednesday Jan 23--I'm special guest with James House and the Blues Cowboys at City Winery Nashville! If you haven't heard James' new blues incarnation, you've probably heard his songs on Joe Bonnamassa's massive hit records. Anyway, I've been playing on James' blues stuff---good Lord can that guy sing his brains out! And what a great song writer...but y'all already knew that---anyway, come see us!
And January 31---another Nashville appearance!---Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge (the name alone makes ya wanna go there!) with Lisa Oliver-Gray and Tommy Womack---which means both Mama AND DADDY gonna rock it out til it begs for mercy. Right? Right! So be there!
And then I'm going on that renowned Cayamo Cruise to play solo, to play with The Red Dirt Boys (did I mention that WE ALSO FINISHED OUR GREAT RED DIRT BOYS ALBUM RECENTLY??!!) and to play with the one and only Sweetheart of...the Sweetheart of Everyone and Everything, including the Rodeo---Emmylou Harris! Who knows who else I might jam with? It's going to be a blast---you may see me with a tan for the first time since 1977!
And on and on from there...Very excited about this new year. Big Doin's in 2019. Huzzah!
My show in East Tennessee - the show I was going to play tonight! - is being rescheduled. So stay tuned.
I hope all is well. Lots of big news here - the new album - "I Like it Down Here" is mixed (big thanks to the brilliant Brad Jones and Alex the Great Studio!) - mastered (kudos to Jim Demain at Yes Master! and Cameron Henry at Welcome to 1979 - it's mastered for Digital, CD and Vinyl and it sounds great.
Artwork in process. Proofreading credits. Great cover image shot by Chad Edwards at New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival a little while back.
Soon there will be boxes upon boxes of CDs, Vinyl Albums, Tees, Hats, Posters in our home. It will make me smile and drive Jessica crazy. And we will start packing boxes and mailers with all the Kickstarter Backers' Rewards! Pretty darn exciting if I do say so myself.
Shows coming up after a much needed break from the road - I worked about 40 days in a row between late September and early November - crazy, I know, but in my line of work you do these periods of work bingeing---who wouldn't want to tour with Willie Sugarcapps, play with Shemekia Copeland, Webb Wilder, Bill Lloyd, DADDY, sing "Street Fighting Man" with Freedom Sings at the Bluebird Cafe, play festivals in Appalachia and Southern Florida with DADDY and Brigitte DeMeyer, tour with Emmylou Harris, play my BFF Eric Stracener's record release show in Mississippi, play a festival in the woods by the Coosa River with Willie Sugarcapps, the Frog Pond with Corky, Grayson, Ray Bonneville and Cary Hudson, sessions with my dear friends Daughters of Justice, write with American Heroes in Colorado at a Songwriting With Soldiers retreat, and play Meeting of the Minds Festival in Key West---all in a 40 day period? Who wouldn't want to see if they could pull it off? Guess what? I pulled it off!
So now there's a bit of time to get the new album ready for manufacturing, to get my team on the same page --- radio promotion, publicist (one for the album, one for the tour), booking shows, making the tees, hats, posters, stickers...and of course playing more shows and playing more recording sessions along the way!
Life is crazy and we'll be facing some health challenges over the next few months - more on that later - but The Kimbroughs will pull through with flying colors like we always do.
Hey I made a really cool video with Brad Jones at Alex the Great - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OF51ZsHQNtc
"It's a Sin" from "I Like it Down Here" - but there's a really interesting catch---this is a totally different totally live vocal recorded with the cameras rolling - one of a kind on the spot performance. Kinda soulful don't you think? Anyway, I love this song.
I was getting ready to make the drive down to Monroeville, Alabama. Yes, that literary hamlet in Lower Alabama, hometown of Truman Capote, Harper Lee and Mark Childress. The promoter of the show I was going to play asked, at the last minute, if I had any songs inspired by Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird". I said no I don't, and promptly wrote "It's a Sin". The recorded version pays tribute to another iconic Alabama creative institution - the country soul sound Rick Hall and the Swampers cooked up in Muscle Shoals about 50 years ago --- Fame, Muscle Shoals Sound --- Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Spooner Oldham, Jimmy Johnson, Eddie Hinton, Barry Beckett and many other musical heroes --- not to mention the artists who went down there to soak up some of the laid back soulful vibe: Aretha, Otis, The Wicked Pickett, Dylan, Paul Simon, etc etc. Anyway, I pay tribute to both literary and musical Alabama here on a song that could just as easily been a Hank Williams waltz. I hope you like it half as much as I do (cheers Hank).
See y'all at Art Jam in Selma with Willie Sugarcapps Friday November 23. See y'all at The Frog Pond in Silverhill, Alabama Sunday November 25 (pretty epic show: Gurf Morlix, Abe Partridge, Grayson, Corky, Gram Rea!).
Ok have a great rest of November - I'll be here working on my new album and working on various projects in various studio. Watch me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and right here at willkimbrough.com
Spread Love. Create Peace where you go.
Cheers...
Will
It's Thursday, do you know where your AmericanaFest Badge is?
2 days left for you to become a Kickstarter Backer! Here is the link: Will Kimbrough "I Like it Down Here
Make my day. Click that link. My goal is 500 Backers and I'm close to 400. There are benefits to being a Backer. Click that link.
So a bunch of great artists were honored at the Awards show at the Ryman last night. I was the unlikely recipient in 2004 of the Instrumentalist of the Year Award---giving rise to the strange rumor that I am an Instrumentalist.
I have enjoyed catching up with friends from Sweden, Alabama and California, etc---that's the underlying beauty of events like AmericanaFest---it brings people together from all over for the common love of great music.
I will say I had my heart set on Mary Gauthier (and ace producer Neilson Hubbard --- wait til you hear HIS amazing "Cumberland Island" album!) winning for her masterpiece "Rifles & Rosary Beads"
But big congrats to the titanic Jason Isbell and his equally monolithic producer Dave Cobb for their high level of artistry and its attending success.
Oh, and John Prine, who I first paid to see when i was 13 years old---he deserves an award every day of every year.
Molly Tuttle kills and she's a REAL Instrumentalist! What about Guthrie Trapp some damn day!!??
Excited to play tonight with my dear friend and personal heroine Shemekia Copeland---talk about Album of the Year! "America's Child" is ridiculously great---and not because I produced and such---she's just great and the songs are great (speaking of John Prine and Mary Gauthier...). City Winery Nashville 7:30PM
Playing with my dear dear pal Tommy Womack tonight at 10:25PM Radio Cafe East Nashville----dare I call it DADDY the Duo?
Playing the Bluebird Cafe with my friends Webb Wilder and Bill Lloyd tomorrow night---Friday the 14th 6PM---I know, I know...ya can't get tickets! When are they gonna expand that Bluebird to a 200 seater?
And Saturday Sept 15...I have three shows---more on that later!
Peace & Love!
Will
There are 3 days left to become a Kickstarter Backer! I have shared a whole slew of previously unreleased songs---not songs from my new album---songs you've never heard before---and a couple of completely different versions of previously released songs (one Will & the Bushmen song, one Willie Sugarcapps song). There are many other great Rewards for Backers as well---AND---if you are a Backer, you get the music FIRST.
Happy to report that it's going incredibly well---my goal is 500 Backers and that is going to be difficult to reach in only 3 days---but I believe it will happen---look, it only takes $10---Ten Bucks---to become a Backer---so what do you have to lose? Well, if you don't become a Backer, you don't get the previously unreleased songs---that's a big one. If you DO become a Backer, you get the songs, you get the new album early...win/win situation.
The Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
See y'all Thursday night, Sept 13, at City Winery Nashville with the great Shemekia Copeland at 7:30PM! At 10:25PM that same night I'll be in East Nashville with Tommy Womack jamming on DADDY tunes!
Friday Sept 14 I'll play the world-famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville with my dear friends and genius songwriters/pickers Webb Wilder and Bill Lloyd---6PM Show!
Saturday Sept 15 is a banner busy bee on a Saturday! 11AM I open Grimey's Americanarama---the last show of its kind at the 8th Ave Grimey's!!! Bittersweet! Don't miss it! BAND SHOW!
2:20PM I'll be at White Ave Studio in Nashville for the Music of Mobile Showcase---I'll be proudly joining with my fellow Lower Alabama artists Eric Erdman, Ross Newell (of the Mulligan Brothers), Molly Thomas and Rare Birds (could that be the great Rick Hirsch of Wet Willie??), Lisa Mills and Paw Paw's Medicine Cabinet! Amazing lineup and not just your average everyday Americana---this is the real deal from Hank Williams' neck of the woods!
8PM have your butts at City Winery and be prepared to shake that tail feather to a full band DADDY Show! Lord Have Mercy!
Sunday Sept 16 I'll be at Ascend Amphitheater with the one and only Emmylou Harris and her Red Dirt Boys for Woofstock! Uh...hello?! John Hiatt, Lee Ann Womack, Jamey Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, Jerry Douglas, The Lone Bellow, Ashley Monroe, Elise Davis, Margo Price and John Paul White are playing, too?? Holy Rolling Jesus Lord! I guess I'll be seeing EVERYBODY at that one.
OK Peace & Love!
Will
#EmmylouHarris #JohnHiatt #LeeAnnWomack #JameyJohnson, #TommyEmmanuel #JerryDouglas #TheLoneBellow #AshleyMonroe #EliseDavis #MargoPrice #JohnPaulWhite #ShemekiaCopeland #TommyWomack #Grimeys #EastNashville #Nashville #Americanarama #Americanafest
It's the final week of this "I Like It Down Here" Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
For as little as $10 you can become a backer, be sure to get the music first, and choose from a good selection of backer rewards. Take a look. Thanks.
Americanafest is upon us. Impressive lineup. Lots going on. I have a bunch of shows and such. It's going to be great. See you there! Here. In Nashville.
Have a great week. I'll be checking in. Be sure to check out the Kickstarter and consider becoming a Backer---if you have already, thanks. See you at the Fest.
Peace & Love
Will
7 days left in the Kickstarter Campaign----September 15 is the last day. My goal of 500+ Backers is reachable---but only if you become a Backer---
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
For as little as $10 you can become a Backer---do you know I've released quite a few previously unreleased songs to my Kickstarter Backers? And Backers will get the music before the general public. There are a bunch of cool rewards. Check it out! Share it with a friend.
Americanafest is coming up---what a week it always is...! In 2004 I was delightfully shocked to be named Instrumentalist of the Year at the Awards show. I've gotten to perform on the awards show several times---and alway play as part of the festival. If you're planning to be in Nashville, take a look at my tour dates page and come out to a show! This year I'll have the pleasure of performing with DADDY, Shemekia Copeland, Emmylou Harris, the Wild Ponies, Lisa Oliver-Gray and as a solo artist---one true solo performance, one with my band!
And there are lots of tour dates outside of Nashville coming up---including Frog Pond shows, an Emmylou Harris tour and much more.
Life is too good. I love it. Have a beautiful weekend. See you tonight---early---6PM---Douglas Corner, Nashville TN---for a super fun show w/ Lisa Oliver Gray and Tommy Womack, playing our songs plus a few choice covers with the great Kevin Hornback on bass and "Fleetwood" Bryan Owings on drums---we're going to groove and rock...and roll too, baby.
Peace & Love
Will
(photo by the amazing Stacie Huckeba!)
Song by Song
Installment Three
I Like it Down Here
Wrote this because I had fallen in love with playing the Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Lower Alabama. I was either headed for or leaving there, and the spirit moved me to write something like maybe JJ Cale would have written - after all, he won't be writing any more. So I wanted to paint a Very Southern Picture. With the lyrics. With the music.
"She asked me when's the bad luck stop?
When do we rise to the top?
It's awful hard work pulling up the rear"
This is a blues that's a whole lot less "my woman left me" and a whole more "bat chain pullers and the shiny beasts", if you catch my drift.
"I want a woman with a face like a question mark
Who cleans up good when it's nice and dark
In a railroad flat with a monkey called Belvedere
I like it down here"
The art of exaggeration is part of storytelling---and this story is chock full of it. It's the title track to my new album.
I really do like it down there---way down South---but I'm not the guy in this song. I'm pretty boring by comparison. But I love this song and I'm very happy it is on this new record. Chris Donohue on bass, Bryan Owings on drums. I played my old Fender Jaguar on here (thanks Bill Stagg!) and it sounds appropriately noirish. Princeton Reverb, anyone?
So get into this Kickstarter - I have the lofty goal of 500+ Backers. Here is the link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
Thanks to Jason Stewart and the good people of Louisville, Mississippi for such a wonderful show last night downtown. As always, a soul-filling blast playing with Grayson Capps and Corky Hughes.
Peace and love
Will
I Like It Down Here
Song By Song
Installment Two
I’m Not Running Away
I have been on the road pretty much since I graduated from Murphy High in Mobile Alabama. So my people have had to live without me a lot of the time.
It’s a strange life. I’ll never forget Tom Petty talking about it in the Running Down a Dream Documentary. It hit me like an arrow to my heart.
But this really is what I’m cut out for. I mean, I am really good in the studio, and I write good songs…But performance—the immediacy—the interaction—to be honest, the improvisation, whether it by musical or situational—I need that too.
But life is real and we think about our lives. So I’m constantly trying to make my life make sense in my mind. Don’t we all do that? I know I do.
So this song came out as an explanation…an excuse?
I’m not running away
I’m just running
I never could sit still for very long
It’s not the highway calling me
Or the wild blue yonder
It’s just a chance to pick a while and sing a song
On a personal level—when I say I always did like running in the song—I’m being literal—I wish I could run 10 miles a day—I used to! But my legs won’t let me.
Hell, my schedule won’t let me. But I always loved moving fast, on my feet and in a vehicle. And I’ve been given ample opportunity.
But Jessica and I have been raising a family for 23 years. Married 25 years. Kids. Mortgage. College tuition. The American Dream: we actually live it. We don’t take it for granted.
So this song, lyrically, is a bit of soul searching by an old road warrior. Have I chosen the right path? Why am I the way I am?
Musically, it’s classic country rock—somewhere between the Stones and the Byrds. That makes me happy.
Anthony and Savana—Sugarcane Jane—-also of one Willie Sugarcapps—are singing and Anthony is playing pedal steel. Did you know he plays pedal steel? What doesn’t he play?
Thanks for considering becoming a Kickstarter Backer.
Here is the link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
Have a good one.
Peace & Love,
Will
I Like It Down Here - Song By Song - Installment One: “Hey Trouble”
This is most likely the opening cut on “I Like It Down Here”.
I wrote it with Rich McCully in my home studio one fine day a while back. I told him I was interested in writing a song that had 100% blues language and 100% catchy rock music.
Rich said, sure, let’s do that.So I played an E minor chord and sang, “I woke up this morning…”
Rich played an A dominant seventh chord and sang, “And my good girl was gone…”
Me: “A black cat crossed my…path…no…mind!”
Rich: “I ain’t superstitious…”
Me: “But I’ve thinking…”
Rich: “I was born on the wrong side”
We realized this song was going to take a decidedly Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers direction. I’m so glad this happened, especially now that we’ve lost the great man himself. We knew this kind of song would have to have a great chorus and go right into it—so we thought of where a blues might go.
We decided wherever it would go, it would go by train.
So…
And the train has left the station
And it’s gone on down the line
Heaven knows I’ve been forsaken
I’ve got trouble by my side
Hey Trouble
Let’s go for a ride
This is wonderful blues language: the train is gone—is his woman on it, or did he leave town on the train? He’s forsaken; with only one friend—trouble.
I love this song as an album opener, and I can’t wait for you to roll the windows down on a Spring morning and blast this in the car while you head out on a road trip.
Track notes include the fact that Dean Owens of Edinburgh, Scotland sang marvelous harmonies. I played acoustic and electric guitars, 12 string electric guitar (a tip of the hat to Mr Petty and Mr Campbell!), harmonica…Bryan Owings and Chris Donohue are the fantastic rhythm section.
This is going to be a fun road trip.
Here’s the link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
I have only had one person tell me they’ve had trouble becoming a Backer/Partner --- and we've resolved the problem—it seems to be easy—take a look—for as little as $10, you become my Partner and Patron…my Backer…in exchange, you choose from the many rewards I’m offering…you get the music first…Soon I’ll also be sending Backers some exclusive music and content that only Backers will get…stay tuned!
Thanks y’all.Will
The great No Depression Magazine has given my Kickstarter Campaign for the new album some much appreciated ink:
http://nodepression.com/article/radar-will-kimbrough-guess-who-and-mindy-gledhill
As of this writing, I am at 260 Backers! Doing easy math, I can see that I now seek 240 more Backers. That's right---240 more of you are going to get these new songs first, and choose from a whole slew of excellent Backer Rewards. Visit my Kickstarter page:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
I thank you for you consideration. You can read in previous blogs why raising $20,000 helps the project so much more than $10,000---and of course, $30,000 is even better. Not because the money will go to support the family here at Chez Kimbrough; instead, "I Like It Down Here" will have proper publicity, radio promotion & posters to promote its release. I hope for my best release publicity and more radio play than ever before. For the first time since the 1st Willie Sugarcapps album, I will release on vinyl---top quality vinyl with world class mastering---this kind of work does not come cheap. So I will begin the touring in support of this new album with proper promotion and highest quality vinyl. And yes, all those things do cost that much. Just the facts, ma'am.
In addition, we'll be shipping out rewards---CDs, Vinyl, Tees, Hats, handwritten lyrics, etc---to the Backers---I hope there are 500 rewards to be shipped---that's a lot of shipping---but it'll happen properly and in a timely fashion---and this record will already be a success upon release. I love that. Do you realize how great it is for an independent artist and household breadwinner to release a new album in the black?! It is a wonderful thing.
I thank you in advance for this privilege.
OK---kudos to existing Backers!---welcome to new Backers!---potential Backers...get into this!
Got to run...see you on TV Wednesday morning in Nashville---I'm playing with my friend Rod Picott --- a couple of great songs from his great album "Out Past the Wires" --- on local TV here in Nashville---I'll update with info as soon as I have it.
See you in Louisville, Mississippi for the Down on the Corner Out in the Street concert with Grayson Capps and Corky Hughes this Saturday August 25. Show is downtown and free. Come on out, Tupelo and Starkville!
peace and love! ---> Will
#crowdfunding #Mississippi #Nashville #NoDepression #RollingStone #WillieSugarcapps #GraysonCapps #JimmyBuffett #EmmylouHarris #ToddSnider #RodneyCrowell
I'm going for 500+ Backers on this #Kickstarter Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
You can read my post about what I am funding---you see, it's the post-production that actually costs the most to the independent artist. But the wonderful thing about living in this time for and independent artist is this: The digital world lets us connect directly with fans and patrons, backers and partners. Crowdfunding allows us to directly fund projects through sharing in the actual process of taking the process from beginning to release.
For someone like me, who has been through quite a few of the various experiences of living and working a musical artist's life, this is fantastic.
I was in a band, Will and the Bushmen, who released a 7 song cassette EP called "Gawk", a 2 song 7" 45 of "500 Miles" and #AlexChilton tribute "Dear Alex", then the cassette EP was fleshed out into a 10 song LP by Tuscaloosa, Alabama's Mustang Records (Happy Birthday, Rob Trucks!)---all of these releases got great support from college radio (which was a bigger deal, sadly, than than it is now. We got great press---Spin Magazine, College Music Journal (which actually was a thing, and it actually helped your band), lots of newspaper reviews...and most importantly, word of mouth from fan to fan, musician to musician. We toured constantly (I still do...!). We moved to Nashville. A manager took us on. Major record labels started sniffing around. We drove to New York City several times just to play for the record companies---Island, Atlantic, Sire---as a record geek, I was thrilled to know that the labels of U2, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin (RIP!!!!!), The Ramones, The Pretenders, The Flaming Groovies...these labels wanted to hear OUR BAND. Eventually, we were signed to a Capitol/EMI label, SBK Records---I was once again, in my geeky little mind, thrilled to be on the Beatles' label! Later, I was slightly horrified to be label mates with Vanilla Ice, Wilson Phillips and The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But our A&R guy was a cool old stoner, who thought the Bushmen would be the "next" Buffalo Springfield or Lovin' Spoonful.
Fun facts. But the label moved on to more commercial pastures. And the Bushmen moved out to pasture. I love that band, i love that I was part of something that folks recall with fondness. We did rock n roll many a night away in the rock clubs. We wrote some damn good songs. We had way too much fun.
But while we were in the cheese grater that is known as the record business, I was not real comfortable with guys in Miami Vice suits telling us how we should sound. I argued back as best as my 24 year old self could argue with wizened New York record biz veterans. My Southern boy/nice guy techniques were not very effective compared to these Bronx-raised, Brill Building hustlers---don't get me wrong, I admire what these guys have accomplished, including a bunch of killer music that lives on---The actual Lovin' Spoonful (although John Sebastian told me, when we met in Woodstock in 1989, upon hearing me say who we were signed with, "Keep you wallet firmly stapled to your ass"), Blondie, Marshall Crenshaw, Richard Hell and the Void Oids, "My Boyfriend's Back", "I Want Candy", Lou Reed's "New York"...cool stuff to me. Nevertheless, I was uncomfortable with folks who didn't want to let us make rawer, rougher music than the music we eventually released---in retrospect, we did pretty well. It holds up just fine.
But now I can do things the way I want to. And that's beautiful. Get into this Kickstarter Campaign. For as little as $10 you can by my partner and help me see this project live up to its potential.
Thanks and peace...
Will
#AlexChilton #WillandtheBushmen #RollingStones #LedZeppelin #ArethaFranklin #Kickstarter #newalbum #music #RT
This is what being an independent artist is all about: creating new work and engaging with your patrons. And that’s what you are: patrons of the arts (and, as Grayson would say, pillars of the community). It’s an exchange of ideas and emotions. No one is likely to get rich. No one is going to get hurt. No one is going to get screwed. Together we create a small flurry of commerce: I write a batch of songs, I record them with my friends, who I pay as much as I can afford. I launch a crowd funding campaign. I raise the funding through the partnership, patronage and collaboration of backers. I give the recordings to a very skilled friend to mix. I take those mixes to a very skilled friend for mastering—one for digital, another for vinyl. I commission artwork, photography, graphic design. I hire publicists, one for touring, one for the new album. I hire radio promotion, so the songs have a shot at getting on the air. I commission tee and hat designs, and have the shirts and hats manufactured. I pay all these fine people for their fine work. I pay the manufacturers for the goods they have made. Then packing and shipping to all the Kickstarter backers. As my late great Daddy would say, it ain’t no small time operation. And yet it is a very small business. And that is what being an independent artist is all about. Making this dream come true. And so it shall be: “I Like It Down Here” will come into existence, with the backing of some very loyal and special friends. I'm hoping for 500 very loyal and special backers.
Peace and love y’all.
Will
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
#dosomethingpositive #collaboration #community #good #music
215 Backers on Kickstarter as of 7:30PM tonight---that is very encouraging. I'm seeking to reach 500 backers by the end of this Kickstarter Campaign. So consider sharing the link---
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
Thanks for that...And yes, the Fiesta Red Stratocaster is up as a backer reward. Yep, the guitar that took me all the way from Ground Zero at Doctor Feelgood's in Mobile to Will and the Bushmen at CBGB in NYC to Austin City Limits in...you guessed it...Austin. I'd love to keep it around. The neck of that guitar is so comfortable in my hand...It's kind of like home...But---I'm an artist who releases new music into the world, and it's high time I released "I Like It Down Here" into the world---it's been a prolific time---but this record has been growing in my heart and mind for years. So get into the Kickstarter, let's get to 500 backers before September 15th!
And I'll see you in Mississippi real soon...
Peace and Love
Will
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here
That's my Kickstarter Link.
I'm still at it. I made my goal early. In addition, it occurred to me that my #Kickstarter Campaign for "Sideshow Love" had over 400 backers and partners. I'm only human; of course I want to equal or increase the number of backers for THIS project! In addition, I now have access to better promotion of this album, and access to world-class vinyl mastering for this music so near and dear to my heart. So it only makes sense to keep plugging away to meet my new goals: 500 backers, the best promotion I've ever had for a collection of songs, and killer-sounding vinyl records.
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A huge thank you to the music lovers of #Texas who came out and made my shows so wonderful! I saw old friends. I ate tacos. I drove over 2000 miles. I'm slightly worn out but full of #Gratitude and #humility.
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Next stop is a free show in Louisville, Mississippi w/ Grayson and Corky---that should be a blast. August 25---on tour dates page of this website!
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Then on Labor Day Weekend, Willie C Sugarcapps will play 4 shows ---- Nashville, the St Louis area, Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Atlanta --- you heard me right: #williesugarcapps is going on a li'l ol' TOUR! You know that's going to be epic.
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Played on Jamie Freeman's album last week---man, that was big fun at East Nashville's Skinny Elephant Recording, with Neilson Hubbard producing, Dylan Alldredge engineering, Michael Rinne on bass, Evan Hutchings on drums---just a wonderful three days making music! #jamiefreeman #americanauk
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Shemekia Copeland's new album, "America's Child", continues to garner press raves and tons of Americana, AAA and Blues airplay---what a killer record...I'm humbled and honored to have taken part in it---along with heroes and heroines John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Rhiannon Giddens, Steve Cropper, Lex Price, Pete Abbott, Al Perkins, Paul Franklin, Gretchen Peters, Tommy Womack and Katie Pruitt!
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Thanks for keeping up!
Peace & Love,
Will
The Kickstarter for my new album "I Like it Down Here" has reached its modest goal of $10,000. I like modest goals---I'm a small business, after all.
My next goal is to collaborate with at least as many partners and backers as I did with my one and only previous Kickstarter, "Sideshow Love"--- i had 401 backers for that project, and I felt like it was a total success---the album turned out just as I wanted, it made the top 20 on Americana Radio, the album got really great press and I got feedback from all over the world about how much people got out of it. In addition, Jimmy Buffett recorded my song, "Soulfully" on his "Songs from St Somewhere" album. All in all, a great sucess---congratulations to all you partners and collaborators.
This is why I want to equal or better the number of backers and partners for "I Like it Down Here"---there was never a better time to come together to make a little something positive---music that tells stories, carries on history, expresses love for humanity---and that's exactly what this collection of songs is: a love letter to my home, a true love story that spans generations, and true love is tough love. This album rocks and grooves. And tells a complicated story of soulful people doing their best---and sometimes ending up doing their worst---so I hope its an interesting group of stories as well. Lets get together and make this thing at least as successful as "Sideshow Love"! My goals include hiring the best PR---for promoting the album as well as tour dates---radio promotion---getting my packaging looking great---CD cover, Vinyl Album cover, as well as posters and digital artwork---manufacturing the highest quality CDs and Vinyl---not to mention great sounding digital download version of the record---and everything that goes with it.
Don't forget: when you back our project on Kickstarter---you aren't "contributing" or "helping me out"---you are a collaborator in the creation---and whatever you've signed up for --- whether its the download, CD, tee, hat, Vinyl Record, House Concert...all of the above...or whatever!---you have become by partner in this creation.
Thanks for sticking with me!
I'm in Texas this week!
August 9 - The Mucky Duck - Houston, Texas
August 10 - Ft Worth Live - Ft Worth, Texas
August 11 - Wyldwood Shows - Austin, Texas
check out my tour dates page for info and tickets!
I love this time of my life! Let's rock while we can rock.
Will
Tonight’s show in Serenbe #Georgia is only 25 miles from #Atlanta! See you there:
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3467032
The Kickstarter to get “I Like it Down Here” out into the world is on! Consider becoming my backer, partner, collaborator here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here?ref=543709&token=6b867a37
Great things going on! Keep your eyes on this space—tell a friend, share a link, get into it, get involved! I have Facebook pages, Twitter and Instagram accounts—and I share content constantly!
It’s crazy! There are tour dates on the books, recording sessions planned, mixing, mastering, artwork, manufacturing…so much is going on—I hope you will take a minute or two from time to time in your own crazy busy schedule and keep up with mine!
This new album is 100% inspired by my life as a Southerner from Lower Alabama, who moved to Nashville, who has traveled the world, but remained in the South—So this album celebrates the South, its characters, it’s places…and questions some of the juxtapositions that have always been here. Definitely a love letter…with a touch of come-to-Jesus. I can’t wait for y’all to hear it.
Have you seen all the press for Shemekia Copeland's new album, "America's Child"? And it's on the charts on THREE radio formats: Americana, Blues and AAA! Amazing. The Chicago Tribune says, "Shemekia Copeland, the magisterial Chicago blues singer, comes on stronger, harder and wiser than ever in her incendiary new album, “America’s Child.”
Damn straight.
Thanks again for giving me a look-see. Talk soon…see you in Georgia!
Will
#emmylouharris #jimmybuffett #toddsnider #rodneycrowell #realmusic #singersongwriter #guitar #blues #storytelling #thesouth #alabama #gulfcoast #williesugarcapps #nashville
I have posted a new Lick of the Day---
"Hey Trouble" the first song from my new album, "I Like it Down Here", to be previewed for Lick of the Day---I'm really happy about these new songs, this new album.
Consider becoming a Kickstarter Backer---
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here?ref=user_menu
I need your collaboration and partnership to get this new album out properly and sounding as great as it can sound---in digital form, on physical CD and on high quality Vinyl!
Cheers y'all...thanks for keeping up with me!
I'll be in Serenbe, Georgia, tomorrow night August 4,---
http://artfarmatserenbe.com/events//chatt-hills-music-event-willkimbrough
...
The event is indoors, and only 25 miles from #Atlanta! Come on out!!!
The new Kickstarter's first day has been fantastic! Getting towards that goal. Here is the link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here/posts/2253328
Consider backing this project. Be my collaborator and partner.
Shemekia Copeland's new record is tearing up the airwaves and the press is loving it! I was fortunate to get to produce "America's Child", to play on it, and to co-write some of the songs. It's a great album. I hope you love it too.
Cayamo Cruise announced the performers this week, and I'm delighted to tell you I am among them in 2019. I'll be performing with the great Emmylou Harris, with The Red Dirt Boys, and solo!
I'm playing Serenbe ArtFarm this Saturday August 4---it's indoors, so don't let the weather forecast hold you back! Only 25 miles from Atlanta---get out of town and come to this beautiful location for a great show.
OK---have a good one, thanks for taking a look at my new website---become a Kickstarter partner and let's get this record out RIGHT!
Cheers...
Will
The new Kickstarter is now launched!! The link:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1406820508/i-like-it-down-here#
Super excited to collaborate with everyone on this new project: I Like It Down Here!
it's been a great week---Shemekia Copeland's new album, "America's Child" is getting tons of airplay at Americana, AAA and Blues Radio, as well as great press (superb reviews this week in the Chicago Tribune, American Songwriter, No Depression!)!
The Colorado Tour was amazing! Of course, The Rocky Mountains were in all their Summer glory; but the shows were the real star---gatherings of such cool people, such wonderful artists, such great friends. We loved it!
My recent show at The Shed Series in Birmingham was totally excellent! Thanks Axel and Susan! Also, I played a private event at the Existentialist Congregation in Atlanta---it was a blast! I'm glad I exist!
I'll be joining Emmylou Harris and Her Red Dirt Boys on the fabulous Cayamo Cruise this February! In addition, Cayamo has asked The Red Dirt Boys to play---and they've asked me to play solo as well...and our buddy Phil Madeira! Wow!
Thanks in advance for taking a look at my Kickstarter --- I hope you decide to be my collaborator on this labor of love!
One last thing---The day isn't even over, and it's been an amazing first day of this Kickstarter! Hooray! I'm grateful. And ready to get this album out into the world....See y'all at Serenbe Chatt Hills Georgia, this weekend!!
Peace & Love y'all!
Will
So...I'm going to launch another Crowdfunding campaign this Summer...we did a sort of DIY project with the DADDY album "Let's Do This"...and thanks to all who made that work out so well!---but this one will be a more traditional campaign/project along the lines of what I did with "Sideshow Love". So needless to say I'm very excited about this---I can't wait to share what I'm working on ---- and I'm super excited to partner up with you all again and get this new collection, "I Like It Down Here", out into the world in the best way possible. I'm finally going to be on vinyl again, and this partnership between us all will insure that both the digital and analog verysions of this new album will be sounding killer. Cheers and all the best...see you in July...Will
I had a great tour through DC, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, Ohio! Solo shows, DADDY shows, saw Ry Cooder, Jon Cleary, The Mulligan Brothers, Peyton Tochterman...good stuff! Headed to Ireland tomorrow with my Mama, my wife and both daughters---man I'm excited to have my family together---family togetherness is so great! When I get back I'm headed right back out for two shows w/ Emmylou AND Ry Cooder. Wow! Tanglewood and Mann Center, July 1 and 3---then I have shows w/ Willie Sugarcapps and Red Dirt Boys and a real nice Colorado tour in July---including all Cathe Steele's shows at Rancho Del Rio and Trapper Lake! It's a great summer! Be kind and remember, families together are the way it should be!
Welcome back to willkimbrough.com.
It's been a minute.2017 was an eventful year, to say the least. And 2018 has kept me busier than a one legged…you get the point.
I worked a a producer with the likes of Radney Foster, Jimmy Buffett, Shemekia Copeland, Steve Poltz and Kate Campbell. I played a a whole slew of records, including Mary Gauthiers "Rifles and Rosary Beads" and Gretchen Peters' "Dancing With The Beast". I toured with Emmylou Harris and the Red Dirt Boys.
Brigitte DeMeyer and I released "Mockingbird Soul" --- Americana Radio loved the record, writers loved the record---best of all, fans loved it!
DADDY released "Let's Do This" and it has been hanging around the Top 40 of the Americana Radio Chart ever since.
Willie Sugarcapps is hanging in there like a hair in a biscuit---Grayson Capps and Sugarcane Jane are working excellent new releases---of course I hope Willie C Sugarcapps makes another album someday…we shall see…
My musical relationship with Emmylou Harris and the Red Dirt Boys continues…we'll be doing limited tour dates in 2018, but we will be out there somewhere, some time…meanwhile, the Red Dirt Boys have recorded an albums' worth of new songs! Stay tuned for news about that.
OK - back to brass tacks - I've recorded a new solo album - that's right: a Will Kimbrough record! It's called "I Like It Down Here", named after one my favorite songs I've written. The whole album is set in my home - the Deep South. I've sought to capture the mood of the Deep South, the Gulf Coast in particular. There' s a lot of hazy, beautiful light. There are shadows, too. I'm currently trying to pare it all down to the length of my favorite old records---I want "I Like It Down Here" to play like a classic LP record. Working on it…
I'll be launching a Pledge Music campaign soon, too. For all you friends who supported my Kickstarter Campaign for "Sideshow Love", and all you friends who supported my DIY pre-sale for DADDY's "Let's Do This"---this time I'm dipping into the Pledge Music thing. I'm looking forward to it. Very much.
There are lots of live dates happening. Of course, they are all here at willkimbrough.com. There will be continual updates about the new album and the Pledge Music campaign. There will be blogs. Enjoy. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Peace and love, y'all
