So, I lay here in my old bedroom back at my mom and dads. It’s been a humid, hot couple of days in Oliver Springs, Tn. The smell of a distant thunderstorm is one of those experiences that will never be tainted by Los Angeles smog, and will always be a favorite welcome home. What a relief to return to the country. Life slows down long enough for a body to process; and there is a lot to process these days. I won’t drag you kicking and screaming through the dramas, disappointments, and ah-ha moments of my little life. After all, this is supposed to be a music bio. However, I would like to pair things down to three words I’m trying really hard to learn right now; simplicity, service, and surrender.
It’s hard to be simple. If I stop running around, trying to prove something, struggling to be something, I find the beauty in just being. But if my “simply being” makes me so heavenly minded that I’m no earthly good, I am reminded to drag servitude into the equation. I think I’m discovering that being of service to someone actually saves me from the crazy in my own head. Then, whatever’s left too hard to handle, I keep reminding myself that I can chose to surrender to a Power that is greater than I. These are my life lessons at present; relevant as they seem to color my music and approach these days.
Oh yeah, about music. I’ve always wanted to do music that made a difference in the life of the listener. I imagine this is because I cut my teeth on gospel music. I’ve tried many ways of doing that. Some say I’ve done it great, some I royally pissed off, but at least I can say that it’s always been at the heart of what I want to accomplish.
In my short career I’ve made some pretty cool memories. I like being able to say that I played Matthew McConaughey’s brother in a movie, even if it was a little part. I’m grateful that I have shared the stage with greats like Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, and some other major artists. I love that I got to open for Cyndi Lauper with Eric Himan at Wrigley Effin’ Field.
Here’s one major thing I guess I’m proud of. I’m really glad that instead of feeling defeated after leaving Atlantic records, I took all I had left ($400) and recorded a piano/vocal CD in one take. I figured out how to move traffic from a seven minute appearance I had on network TV to a website that sold that cheap little recording I titled “One of the Ones”. That was the do-it-yourself attitude that grew to touring over 300 cities, TV and film placement, two more albums, lots of good stories, a few mistakes, and some great successes. I thank God for Cassandra Buncie and Eric Himan for helping me fan a spark into a flame. (www.erichiman.com)
I love the music environment today. I believe all it takes is creative thinking and tireless determination. I remember the long list of “suits” that have passed on my music along the way and realize how lucky I am when you as a fan say “yes” to my life long endeavors. I’m grateful to have a direct line to those of you who support my career. And in return, I really hope and pray that I do give something of very real value to you as a listener.
So, here in the dark, in my old bedroom, tucked away in the quiet hills of East Tennessee, I think about the last 3 years and realize that it’s brought me here to this perfect moment. And in this simplicity, in servitude, and in surrender, I finally feel I am where I belong.
Those who stand beside me have exhibited a ridiculous amount of unconditional love, and for that I have to give a shout out to the best group of friends I could ever imagine. There are two I have lost along the way. I’m sure their patience wore thin, but my life was made better for their presence in it. We all have moments when we are not displaying our greatest potential, but true friends never fail to see greatness in you, and I love mine for that. Many of them are down there under my top friends. Go tell ‘em howdy.
go myspace go!!! have a great and rowdy day my friend........or week........or month for that matter! GREAT to see you..........i'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!
Hey, hope you've been taking care of yourself! I just wanted to check back in with ya and say hello. Things have been a little crazy but wanted to take some time and drop by your page!
Pick up your copy of Catch That Rockabilly Fever today.
Makes the perfect Christmas gift. For U.S. customers, you can buy it at www.mcfarlandpub.com for $39.95 plus $5 shipping or Amazon.com for
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your local bookstore.
Thanks for including us as your MySpace friend! No band can ever achieve any success without the help of their friends, so we sincerely appreciate your support... we hope to see you at a show soon. By the way, we'll be at The Playing Field in Richmond on 1/23 and at Shaka's in Virginia Beach on 1/28. Have a great Holiday! - Jim
Catch That Rockabilly Fever by Sheree Homer is a candid account of life on the road and in the studio with '50s legends and today's talent. These are personal stories told by the artists themselves. It's a soft cover biography that will be published in October 2009 by McFarland Publishers and retail for $39.95. It will have never before seen photos (strictly 1950's photos of the legends) and rare stories from the artists themselves. Catch That Rockabilly Fever will be approximately 350 pages in length. It will be unlike any other rockabilly book on the market since it will include some of today's hottest young talent plus insightful stories from 1950's backing musicians and engineers for the first time, such as James Kirkland (Bob Luman, Ricky Nelson), Richie Frost (Ricky Nelson), Steve Handford (Bobby Lee Trammell), Tony Austin (Rock and Roll Trio), Stanley Walker (Ray Smith), Bobby Poe (Wanda Jackson), Vernon Sandusky (Big Al Downing) and Bob Sullivan (KWKH/Louisiana Hayride). Foreword by acclaimed writer Ken Burke. These forty-six artists will have individual profiles and one glamorous photo per musician: Glen Glenn, Lew Williams, Art Adams, Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Bob Luman, Ed Bruce, Dickey Lee, Jack Earls, Hayden Thompson, Maddox Brothers and Rose, Sonny Burgess, Carl Mann, Ray Smith, Johnny Powers, Larry Donn, Pat Cupp, Ronnie Hawkins, Bobby Lee Trammell, Huelyn Duvall, Gene Summers, Sonny West, Buddy Holly, The Collins Kids, Wanda Jackson, Charlie Gracie, Big Al Downing, Laura Lee Perkins, The Rock and Roll Trio, Narvel Felts, The Dave and Deke Combo, Kim Lenz, Go Cat Go, High Noon, Larry Cole, Cari Lee Merritt, Josie Kreuzer, Eddie Clendening, Suzy and Buddy Dughi, The Casey Sisters, Carl Sonny Leyland, Dawn Shipley, Sue Moreno, Ruby Ann, and Tex Rubinowitz.
Hi Levi. I was just listening to your brilliant music and found myself very touched and emotional. You are a very talented and even more beautiful man. In more ways than one. :) TONS of love...
