To begin, I want to share a piece I wrote 10 years ago. Since we are approaching the 10th anniversary of 9-11, I thought it would be interesting to dig it out and post it as the first one for my new website. When I re-read it, it took me right back to that time and those places like a little time machine. So, here you go…….
From September, 2001
I, like every other sane (well, you know the sane I mean), rational being on the planet, am trying to come to grips with the events of September 11th. It really puts everything in perspective.
Having a new CD, a new tour or picking up a little airplay somewhere doesn’t amount to a hill of beans compared to the real, life changing events we are going through. My heart is so sad for the people who have lost loved ones or co-workers to the hands of the maniacs who did these hellish acts. My heart is lifted by the courage shown by all those who stepped in harm’s way to try and save as many people as they could. I can’t do much alone to make things better, but I can stand with everyone who tries to help bring this kind of thing to an end. I believe we can and will make a better world. I’m going on with my plans as much as I can and I hope everyone does the same. I’m making myself available to every event that’s trying to help the people most harmed by the tragedy. Here’s to the end of the stupidity and a beginning of compassion.
I’m going to write a short review of each month, recounting the gigs, places and most of all the people I get to meet. “Don’t Count Us Out” is shaping up like it’s going to be very well received, maybe even the most popular record I’ve ever done. All month the gigs went really well, and all in all, as far as my little world goes, a good start to being back on tour and getting back into the life of being a performer after the years of publishing, writing and studio work.
I started right on the 1st with an In the Round at the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Danny Flowers, Marshall Chapman, Bill Lloyd and I played our tunes to an enthusiastic audience. As always in Nashville, things just happen that bring the magic out of the night. Bill throwing in a lick here, or Danny with one there. Some harmonies coming out of nowhere that make the performance sparkle. One really cool thing was when Marshall asked a friend of hers in the audience to play a song. Turns out he was Peter Cooper. Peter writes for the Nashville newspaper, has written a book on the music makers of Spartanburg, SC and on this night played a fantastic country song that could be a smash right now on the radio. What a night.
Friday the 7th we flew to Philly and were picked up by Pete and Jan Prydybasz and Mike “Magoo” McGovern. They rented a LIMO to pick us up and didn’t let the fact that I’m not a rock star slow them down. We drove to Reading, passing some beautiful hills and scenery I didn’t remember about Pennsylvania when I lived in New York and went through the area occasionally. That night we went to a local institution called Stoudts Brewery for some great food and cool atmosphere, and after that to Pete and Jan’s for a mini jam session in the bar downstairs. The next day Jerene and I went to Brian Kunkelman’s studio to see his work. He makes awesome pottery that goes around the world to clients everywhere.
On Saturday, just as the sun was setting and The Rudiments had played their part of the show, I went on and played about an hour, took a brief intermission and then played another show. The crowd treated me like I was some sort of royalty, buying all kinds of CD’s after the show and wanting an autograph on each one. Siobhan Christiansen drove all the way from Springtown, NJ to be with us and help Jerene with CD’s and whatever else she needed. The Rudiments and I decided it would be fun to play on so after we were both officially “off” we went back to the stage and jammed for almost an hour. I was tired as a dog but I loved every minute of it. On Sunday, Pete, Jan, Jerene and I went to a super cool diner in Adamstown named Mom’s Diner for brunch. After brunch, and seeing some of the world class antique shops, Jeff the limo driver met us back at Pete and Jan’s and drove us back to Philly. It was a great trip for me and I hope everyone who was involved feels the same. Many thanks to Pete and Jan and “Magoo”.
On the surrealistic morning of the 11th Jerene phoned old friend Rusty Mathis to see if the convention we were playing for Ben E Keith Food Service was still on. Rusty said almost everyone who had planned to come was already there so, yes, it would go on. A few who planed to fly in were not going to be there, but this was set up months in advance and it would not be right to cancel it. As Jerene and I drove to Hot Springs, AR the details kept coming over the radio. Our disbelief was overwhelming and I could feel us both slipping into some sort of strange autopilot mode to get us through this thing.
Rusty and the people from Ben E Keith he works with, and in fact everybody, were doing what we would normally do, but in the back of everyone’s mind was the tragedy. I think we all handled it as well as people can. The show went well, the setting was beautiful and we all tried to not let crazy people take it all away. Hats off to Rusty Mathis for always being a pro.
The 18th was my first Tuesday night at the Sidecar Cafe. The Sidecar is new and sits right beside Bumpus Harley-Davidson on Whitten Road in north east Memphis. I don’t like to play in restaurants, but owner Mike Robilio assured me he wanted to start something, music-wise, that would take it to the level where it would not be some guy singing off in the corner while people sat and talked while eating and drinking. Well, Mike and I go way back, and I know he means what he says. And, sure enough, he had Chef Harvey Field come up with a special just for the night. You could have a great meal; two glasses of wine and my music for one price. People said they loved it the way you know they mean it and Mike asked me back for three more Tuesdays and I said yes. It seems every gig has a cool surprise to it and the Sidecar show was highlighted by my friend Mike Hays driving over from Little Rock, AR to hear me play. Thanks Mike!! Also, some old friends came in I knew from high school. It was great to see Buddy Webb and Sammy Howell. Thanks for coming in guys!!
The 20th was off to the Texas Tour. Well, not a huge tour but a cool one all the same. Kelcy Warren (co-writer, “Sweet Emily” and co-producer of the new CD) and his wife Krista set up a house concert in conjunction with the Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters Charity Golf Classic. My plane to Dallas was late and this was the night President Bush was to make his brilliant speech from Congress. The plan was to do one show and then hear the speech. When the speech was over, I would do one more set and that would be the night. Even though all the folks who came to hear me would be out a little later than they had planned, everyone agreed we should delay the show so we could all hear the president. The best, most reassuring speech I have ever heard. What a great country we have. They put chairs in the Energy Transfer Company lower meeting room and there ya go. Instant concert setting. For the first time that I can remember, there was no PA so I sang straight to the people. I must admit I hide behind a microphone a lot more than I’d like to admit. But I think I did a good show and CD sales were very good. One of the highlights was having Kris Leitzman get up and sing “Lavender Blue” and “It’s Just You” with me. It was almost like having Iris sing with me. Thanks Kris, you were great!! Thanks to Kelcy and Krista for all their planning and preparation. We went out for a bite to eat and a nightcap at a place called Avanti’s where a cool jazz trio played some very impressive music. A way cool night all around.
The 21st we were off to Hallsville, TX to the home of Jon and Ree Stephenson for the Friday night show. Jon and Ree have a wonderful home and it was a joy to play my songs there. Set on almost 300 acres, the house has a view that’s completely outstanding. I didn't know there are hills like that in that part of Texas. They have a bar downstairs that I’d go to anytime, except they’d probably get a little tired of me hanging out every night in their home. I did two shows, sold a bunch more CD's and met some way cool people. Saw some folks I haven't seen in while like Jim Byrd and many others. They’re always fun to be with. This house concert thing has come along at a good time for me. Meet cool people, go to cool places and do cool things. After the show we hung out at the bar for a while and it was the perfect end to a great evening.
On Saturday Jon and Ree and Jerene and I took it quite easy. Jon walked me around and I saw the big shop with the farm implements and the horse barn and the lake. What a place. Around 3 or 4 pm John Crawford came to take us to Timpson, TX for the Saturday show. Before we left we said our thanks Jon and Ree for the having me play in such a unique place. I could tell they really put a lot in to getting the house concert together and we had a great time.
On the drive to Timpson I asked John Crawford how far it is to El Paso and he said, “Nobody knows”. He also said there are people in Timpson who have never seen other people. Oh. This was going to be fun. And we did have some fun. The weather tried to get us but we prevailed. Outside of keeping some of the expected guests away, a little rain didn’t slow us down. We’d met John Crawford in Belize the first night we were down there. We went down to be with Jerry Jeff and Susan Walker, and they knew this first night we wanted to use up some nervous energy and explore a little before we turned in, so they directed us to the Victoria House Bar just down the beach from their house. John Crawford was there and overheard us talking to the bartender and struck up a conversation. He has a golf cart rental shop down there and took us on a tour of San Padro Town. We’ve been friends ever since. The next year or the year after, we met his ex wife Robin. We just all connected and whenever we are together we have a BIGTIME. So, when Robin found out about our Texas trip she put this Saturday night house concert together. Anyway, before I took my customary nap before show, John took me down to the “liquor store” not far from the house. It was a little concrete block building way out in the country, but they had beer!!!! The Windham Sisters, Stacy and Tracy, played before I did my shows and were just beautiful. Great harmonies. If they want to, they can go as far as they want in music. This was my third night in a row and I felt like I was getting it together like an old pro again. You see, it’s been years since I played three nights in a row. I had a great time. Some highlights were having Conrad and Trish Olson come see me play. They drove all the way from Houston to be there. And after the show John, Conrad, Tommy Lee Williams and I stayed up late and picked all kinds of tunes, but Jerry Jeff Walker and Guy Clark were very well represented in the mix. Oh, and I can’t forget Stanly Amos. He cooked for the party and stayed up with us for the late night jam. Again, it was easy to see all the effort that Robin and John had put in to make that night happen. I hope they were as happy as I was with the results.
Sunday, the 23rd, John and Robin drove us to Dallas to do the songwriter night for Cliff and Charly’s charity, this year benefiting the National Diabetes Foundation. For the past five or six years I’ve helped out by putting together a few songwriters to come in and play some songs and tell some stories. This year was Alex Harvey (“Delta Dawn”,” Rubin James”, “Come Hell Or High Water”), Roger Cook (“I Believe In You”, “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress”, “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing”) Teenie Hodges ( “Love and Happiness”, “Take Me To The River”, “Eleven Months and Twenty-Nine Days”) and me. I’m not exaggerating when I say this was the best one since the year before!! Poor David’s Pub was the venue and by all accounts it was a resounding success. The songwriter all were on top of their game and the people came to listen. The sponsors seemed very happy with the show and that makes it for me. We of course sat up too late after the show, but sometimes that’s when some of the best magic comes. The Double Tree Hotel was very accommodating and after the bar had to close (about 10 minutes after we got there) they gave us a Concierge’s room so we could have a cool after show get together.
Monday morning at 8am I had to roll out to do an on air at the Range radio station in Dallas. That’s the station where they play the best music in Dallas. Artists like Iris DeMent, Steve Earle, Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff Walker and Towns Van Zant to name a few are found there on the Dallas area airwaves. Bret Dillon interviewed me by playing Buffett’s version of Volcano, and after a few questions I played live on air versions of “Sally Got Jack” and “Lavender Blue”. He ended it with the CD version of “Country Morning Music”.
The rest of the day was the golf game for the diabetes foundation. My team would have been happening had it not been for me having my usual game. In other words, they got no help. One really cool thing happened at the awards banquet after the game. Cliff and Charley got a local media hero to get a signed uniform shirt from super star Alex Rodriguez and before it was all over, Roger Staubach and one of the golfers got in a bidding war over it and at about $3,000.00 or so Roger said he would sign a jersey and match who ever had the highest bid. Awesome!! Now that’s charity doing all the right things. Everyone involved should be proud.
The 25th found me back at the Sidecar Cafe and it was quite cool that evening so I played indoors. Gene and Betty Holmes were there as well as Bob and Cindy Watkins. It’s always so good to see friends come out and support the music and the club. If you’re in Memphis or close by, come check it out. It’s on Whitten Rd off I-40 right beside Bumpus Harley-Davidson. Tons of bikers come in over the course of the evening, some to listen to the music, some just to stop in and have a brew or a full meal. Either way is cool because the music is always set up to be its own thing.
The 27th was the last Thursday of the month and that means Songwriters on Beale St. I do this nine times a year (Feb. thru Oct.) and I’m always amazed at the way it turns out. I gotta say a thank you to the people who help out. The Black Diamond is the club where we do it, and every time they treat us like we are The Beatles or something. The Talbot Heirs Guest House is the place we put the songwriters when they come to town. It’s hands down the coolest place to stay downtown in Memphis. Radio WEVL 90 always mentions our show, and more likely than not The Commercial Appeal and The Memphis Flyer newspapers give us a mention. Our guests for this month were Fred Knobloch, Bill Lloyd (co-writer of the title cut on my new CD “Don’t Count Us Out”) and master harmonica player Jelly Roll Johnson. I also want to note that Tony Arata didn’t get to make it this year for the first time in six years. Sorry to not be able to have him this time but Bill was excellent. Fred never fails to blow my mind with his singing and playing, Jelly was great as always and Bill was right there every time with a great song. Sterling and Lillebeth Withers come up from Tunica, MS again this month and brought more of their friends to show them what this songwriter night thing is all about. Thanks guys, you rule!!!
Friday, the 28th, I was set to do an on air appearance with Steve Conley and Ron Olson of FM100, two of my favorite Memphis air personalities and damn, I missed my wake up call. I did hate that. I haven’t heard from either of them so I guess they are mightily PO’d at me. I was to be there to promote the Saturday night show at Overton Square’s Food Fest. All I can say is I’m sorry guys, and I’ll make it up and that’s a promise.
Saturday, the 29th was the end of my September gigs and what a way to finish off the month. We played to thousands of people from the big stage that night and, with the exception of a sound snafu (the power went off a time or two until they fixed the breaker) it was a fantastic gig. I hadn’t played with the band all month so playing with Dave Cochran, my regular bass man, and with drummer Harry Peel and multi-instrumentalist Tommy Burroughs was a blast for me. Thanks to all the people who came up after the show with all your complements. That’s why I’m out there doing it again. The live component is what I’ve missed a long time. Here’s to being back!!!
Check out the schedule for the upcoming tour dates. Hopefully I’ll be somewhere near you soon. I’ll be back the end of October with another update. LOVE and PEACE to all......
Keith
Well, if you’ve read this far you know quite a bit about what I was doing back in the time of 9-11. I’d forgotten about the seeds of my song “Keith Sykes is Sorry”. I still never hear from Steve Conley or Ron Olson. I hope they both are doing absolutely fabulous. I’ll be in and out of here often as this new site is easy to post new things, delete old things and hopefully bring me closer to you, the folks who listen to my music. If you have pictures, send ‘em in. I can post as many as I like on the “photo gallery” page. Drop me a line. Review shows. Make yourself at home. I consider this place as much yours as mine. We’ll have us a BIGTIME!
