January 26, 2002

Hey! Good of you to visit. Even though it's almost February..Happy New Year! Here's wishing for a much-improved '02.

My last entry here was in early December (scroll down for earlier ramblings). The Lloyds had a laid back holiday season.. by choice. It was a good year to do that.. and we enjoyed it. Hope you had a good one.

In between Christmas day and New Years I played at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville with Rusty Young, Kami Lyle and Sally Barris in a songwriters in-the-round. It was a really fun night with no shortage of diversity in musical styles. Rusty sang all of his Poco classics along with some new material from their upcoming album. Kami's style could be described as kind of a jazzy pop.. think breathy Ricki Lee Jones - like vocals with a real classic songwriting style. She's a true talent.. she made one record for MCA a few years back. Sally Barris has a folky-country style that suits Nashville well but is distinctive enough to not sound like country-clone music. It was a good night.

I need to ramble on here a minute about one special night that came and went too fast.. On January 5th, I organized and hosted a night of George Harrison music at 12th and Porter here in Nashville. The proceeds went to The Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center. It was easy to find people ready to celebrate George and his songs and the charity was appropriate. We had a houseband that included Steve Allen (20/20) and me on electric guitars, Brad Jones on bass, Michael Webb on keys, Pete Finney on pedal steel (covering all the Pete Drake steel parts on "All Things Must Pass!") and Michael Kelsh on acoustic guitar. We did the two-drummer Bangla Desh trip with Ian Wallace and Paul Griffith both playing kits (and beautifully I might add!). On several songs we were graced with a horn section that included Jim Hoke, Phil Kenzie and Neil Rosengarden. It's not a huge stage at 12th and Porter and it was jam packed (no pun intended).

I had previously played music with most everyone listed a good bit with the exception of Ian Wallace. Ian is relatively new to Nashville but has a resume' that is nothing short of amazing. He was King Crimson's original drummer and later went on to play with Bob Dylan, David Lindley's El-Rayo X and was even a Traveling Sidebury appearing on "Handle With Care". He knew George so it was a cool thing to have people on the bill and in the band who had worked with George before (saxman Phil Kenzie as well).

The lineup of talent who generously offered their time was amazing too.. here's a list of who and how it went down : Steve Allen : Taxman Brad Jones : Awaiting On You All Bill Lloyd : Beware of Darkness Don Henry : Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth) Jonell Mosser : Something Pat McLaughlin: Old Brown Shoe TheTashians (Daniel /Barry / Holly): End Of The Line Chuck Mead (BR549) : I Want To Tell You Robin Eaton : Photograph John Jorgenson : While My Guitar Gently Weeps Jeff Finlin: All Things Must Pass Poco: If I Needed Someone Air Parma: Only A Northern Song Pat Buchanan: Savoy Truffle Catherine Craig : I Need You Michael Snow : All Those Years Ago Clive Gregson : Here Comes the Sun Danny Flowers : Be Here Now Michael Kelsh : Behind That Locked Door Duane Jarvis : Isn't It a Pity Walter Egan : Don't Bother Me Bill Davis (Dash Riprock) : You Like Me Too Much Kim Davis : If Not For You Doug Powell: Devils Radio Will Kimbrough : Piggies Heavywood Brand: Handle With Care Tommy Womack : What Is Life Everyone : My Sweet Lord

I do need to make special mention of the "Brit-section" of the evening since Nashville hosts some truly talented folk from across the pond that one wouldn't naturally assume as being part of our music community and aren't listed above. Liverpudlian for life, Michael Snow (onetime music exec for RSO, keyboardist for Colin Blunstone and even backup vocalist on Lennon's "Power to the People") hosted a segment of the evening featuring a Mostly-Brit lineup that was just great. Joined by Clive Gregson (Any Trouble / Gregson and Collister), Brian Willoughby (The Strawbs), Catherine Craig and drummers Dennis Bryan (The Bee Gees) and Pat McInnerny (Nanci Griffith)... it was sweet. It was all sweet.. all night long.

It's really hard to list highlights since the whole night flowed really well and everyone came well-prepared to celebrate George and his music. It also helped just knowing that we were supporting a good cause. We had a doctor from Vanderbilt come and speak briefly to the audience and thank the musicians. Bottom line success: we raised over three grand to donate to the cancer clinic (with a line around the block for the show that couldn't even get in!) and we had a splendid time. I'll stop now.

I've continued writing and co-writing both for my own next record and for material to "pitch" for other artists. Continuing the name-game, recent collaborators in co-writing over the last couple of months include Miles Zuniga (Fastball), Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Jill Sobule, Joy Lynn White, Amy Rigby, Bill DeMain (Swandive) , Hillary Lindsay, Steve Allen and Willy Mack.

Making headway towards my next solo album, Scott Baggett and I got together in late December to mix the first two of many new recordings that I hope to have out by mid-year. We're mixing again this next week.

I recorded some guitar overdubs for the upcoming Poco record last week. I ended up playing on three songs and hope my parts make the final mix! I'm also guesting as a guitarist on Lauren Braddock's album this coming week. Produced by songwriter extrordinaire Don Henry, it 'll be a gas. Lauren is the daughter of Bobby Braddock who has written many classics, including "He Stopped Loving Her Today".

Tonight, I'm filling in a spot on a Bluebird songwriters-in-the-round featuring Danny Flowers, Gary Nicholson and Russell Smith. Vince Malamed, who was originally scheduled, is out of commission. So I get to play. Always fun. Get well Vince. But not before tonight. The next in-the-round at The Bluebird for me is in February 16th with Danny Flowers, Marshall Chapman and Bill Miller.

I mentioned in a previous post that Janis Ian included our co-write, "If We Had Wings" on her most recent "Unreleased" compilation available through her website (scroll down for a link). However, I neglected to help promote Jill Sobule's latest cd through her own website (www.jillsobule.com) named "It's The Thought That Counts -Another Holiday CD". Although it doesn't include any of our co-written songs, it does feature a version of Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land" that includes Kim Richey, Robin Eaton and me on background vocals. I count myself as a fan and I like all of her records.. this is another good one!

One last piece of fandom-slash-promo.. Beth Nielsen Chapman's new album is coming out any day now on the Artemis label. Called "Deeper Still", it's an amazing album. Especially for those who listen to albums as a whole and not just a collection of tracks. However, speaking of tracks, the first single from the album is her recording of our co-written song, "World of Hurt". If you hear it and like it, please tell your friends.. or me.

Okay.. that's all for now. Check the recordings and bill for sale links for new material coming soon. Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers

Bill

March 4, 2002

Hello and thanks for dropping by.

It was late January when I posted here last. Cliches abound. Time flew. Where did the time go? Time takes time. I made good use of my time. That's all good (now THERE'S a phrase I hear a lot these days). I hope that 2002 is treating you well. If so.. "that's all good".

I think it was about a year ago that I was telling friends and whoever would listen that I had hoped to have a "new" record out.. certainly by summer of '01. Well... that didn't happen and my "odds'n'sods" collection, All in One Place , served well as an interim release but it didn't help matters that I was still piecing together a my brand-spankin' new record at a snails pace. I've been getting a little bit of "what are you working on?" recently. I keep saying it. I'm SO closing in on my new record.

As of now, I have four songs completely finished and mixed and another ten ready to go. Southern accent on these first two words : "That there..." makes up MORE than enough songs for a new record and I've just about stopped changing my mind which songs will make the cut... so the finishing of this new record would seem to be closer than ever before. Really.

I've played a couple of local Nashville gigs in the last month. The Bluebird Cafe Songwriters in the Round with Danny Flowers, Marshall Chapman and Bill Miller on February 16th was incredibly fun and a very soulful night. I also played an unannounced slot at one of Billy Block's Pot Luck Songwriters' Nights at The Basement. Along with other fine Nashville-based artists like Pat McLaughlin, Walt Wilkins and Tim Carroll, I did a few new songs down there on February 22nd. Everyone was good that night.. but Pat was especially great.

On February 11th, there was a tribute to Johnny Cash at Nashville's Slow Bar (see slowbar.com) and I performed versions of "Get Rhythm" and "Without Love". The latter was a Nick Lowe song I always loved and used to sing years ago... Johnny cut a version on one of his early '80's Columbia albums. The houseband for the gig was great and even included my old pal from the Foster and Lloyd days, Pete Finney, who was our steel player on the road. Lots of great folks played that night including Radney Foster, Mark Collie, Will Kimbrough, Webb Wilder the legendary Jack Clement. While the capacity crowd made the event exciting, it was packed tight! Here's a picture from my short set. Photo by Mary Breen from the Slow Bar's website. That's Chuck Mead (BR549) and Paul Birch singing harmony.

I've kept up a steady lineup of co-writers on the songwriting side that include Artemis Records artist (and record producer of blues-oriented acts like Susan Tedesci and Andre Williams), Tom Hambridge .. who is just great to work with. I also just finished a new song with longtime pal and Artemis Records artist Beth Nielsen Chapman. Other co-writers include Koch Records artist Amy Rigby, former Little Texas singer/songwriter Brady Seals (who's doing kind of a pop thing these days), Steve Allen who was in 20/20 and has a new solo album out and, last but not least, BR549 singer/ songwriter Chuck Mead.

A couple of records that I'm on and have yakked on about on this website for awhile have now been released and are NOW available and I would love for you to check them out.

Rykodisc has released This Is Where I Belong -The Songs Of Ray Davies and The Kinks. Along with Tommy Womack, we recorded a version of "Picture Book" for the tribute. Other artists on this disc include Fountains of Wayne, Jonathan Richman, Fastball, Josh Rouse and even Ray himself (along with Damon Albarn of Blur). If you're a Ray or Kinks fan, it won't disappoint. The website for more info on this cd is : http://www.praxisrecordings.com/thekinks.html

Also, finally available, is Lynne Me Your Ears / A Tribute to the Music of Jeff Lynne. Not Lame Records has released this double cd set that features not only my version of "When Time Stood Still" (along with Hans Rotenbury of The Shazam on guest vocals), but also an amazing cast of talented folks like Todd Rundgren, Jason Falkner, Sixpense None The Richer, Peter Holsapple and many more paying homage to Lynne's talents. Doug Powell (solo artist and member of Swag ) was in charge of putting the tribute together and did a great job.

Not Lame's website for this cd is : http://www.notlame.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=nllynn1

Beth Nielsen Chapman has a brand new album out on Artemis Records that is called Deeper Still. Her first single is a song we co-wrote awhile back called "World of Hurt." If you're a fan of Beth or her amazing writing, I would imagine you would like her new album a lot.

Amy Rigby has a "best of "collection on Koch coming out soon that features a song that she wrote that we first recorded in my home studio. The song was on her last album (The Sugar Tree) and is called "Magicians." She's using our little demo as a bonus track on her upcoming compilation. My home studio has also played a part in some other records like Paul Cotton's Firebird, Tommy Womack's new album Circus Town ,John Sieger's El Supremo, and Janis Ian's Unreleased Vol.2 Society's Child. This last month's issue of Performing Songwriter had a page long feature on me and my home studio. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are on the cover.

That's about all for now. I hope to have my album finished soon and maybe I'll even play out of Nashville! There's also a chance I may go out and play some guitar with my pal, Walter Egan later in the Spring. I'll keep it updated here. It's all good...:)

Bill

May 5, 2002

Hi and thanks for checking in. It's been another month or so since I posted anything here but things have been busy enough. There are a couple of upcoming shows I'd like to tell you about as well as my ususal ramblings.

I think time I added anything new here was back in March. Ow. Well.. both March and April were very busy in the home studio. I was working on my own tracks as well as completing work on a load of demos for songs to pitch. Highlights for me include the demo for a new co-written song with Joy Lynn White that's a country-rock barnburner ala "Luxury Liner" called "Last Flight to Vegas". Hillary Lindsay and I also finished up a new one called "That Ain't Gonna' Happen" that I really like alot.. and it sounds very radio which is supposed to be a part of the plan.. as calculated as that sounds. If you TRY to make it sound commerical, you can end up with trite-shite so I'm happy when the song that's written for it's own merit ends up sounding accessable. And we do want to continue to do this for a living! Throughout April I continued to do some songwriting along with all the studio work. Other recent songwriting collaborators include Will Kimbrough, longtime pal David Surface and Nashville-based guitar-god Pat Buchanan (not to be confused with...). Oh.. and good news from my pals in Swandive, (Bill DeMain and Molly Felder).. they're using one of the tracks we cut at my place to add on to the US edition of their album"June" ..already a hit in Japan, . The song is one that Bill and I co-wrote called "Leftover". Bill also has a great new book out called "Behind the Muse". Besides being a fine songwriter, he's also a journalist and has compiled a great book of interviews with songwriters. Check it out at your local bookstore.

NYC-based singer-songwriter, Matt Keating, came down to Nashville that second week of April and we recorded a new song of his called "I'm So Happy (I Can't Stand It) that may end up being a bonus track for the UK version of his lastest album, "Tiltawhirl". Besides the good hang in the studio, we also played a couple of shows together while he was in town. The first of the two was on April 13, with both Hillary Lindsay and Don Henry at a songwriters in the round at The Bluebird Cafe. It was a big week for Hillary as her song, "Blessed" had just been #1 for two weeks straight. We all had a great night too. The following Monday, Matt and I went down to 12th and Porter where Daniel Tashian hosts his "Twelve At Twelve" night. It was packed that night.. more like "24 At 12".. Matt and I both did a couple of songs and saw some really good stuff. If you're in Nashville on a Monday night and you want to see (mostly young) talent at an affordable price (free), then I can recommend the weekly "12 At 12" showcase. It's always different and not the typical kind of songwriters forum.

There was one show in April that I was excited to see as a spectator that ended up as a "sit-in" for me. The NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International) sponsors a yearly event called Tin Pan South where every night for a week there was a songwriters showcase in every club in town.. Of course, there are more than enough songwriters in this town to fill all of those slots and more.My personal highlight came on a Thursday night showcase featuring my pal Don Henry along with Matraca Berg (who wrote Strawberry Wine and many more) and Bobby Braddock (He Stopped Lovin' Her Today and D-I-V-O-R-C-E just to name a couple). However that fourth writer in the round was Graham Gouldman (formerly of 10CC and Wax).. so HE was trotting out HIS classics.. Look Through Any Window, Bus Stop, Heart Full of Soul, For Your Love, Things We Do For Love.. I'm Not In Love.. jeez...). While I'll take my hat off to the other writers, it was the tug of those songs from my youth that brought me out that evening. Don, being the kind soul he is, invited me up to sing a song and hang around in-the-round to enjoy one singalong with Graham. It was truly a gas.

I've been on alot of airplanes as of late. Besides a family vacation in late March (we love New Mexico), I've also been flying around on behalf of The First Amendment Center paritipating in some of their programs that involve music, multi-media and lecture. I'm a true believer in what they're doing and it's fun being the human-jukebox playing songs somebody didn't want you to hear at one time or another. I've been to Kansas City, Orlando, Seattle, New York City, Boston, Tuscon and others I can't remember now just in the last six months as a part of this program. They're not "gigs" per se... more like being a part of an event for conventions and colleges. Anyway.. when I get asked what am I doing.. this is a part of it and I'm glad of it.

"This is Where I Belong - The Songs Of Ray Davies & The Kinks" has been getting a good bit of press in the last few weeks. I'm proud to report that the version of "Picture Book" that I recorded with Tommy Womack has not only been getting some radio play but also namechecked as a standout track in the national press including Rolling Stone, USA Today and Billboard. That's all good. During a recent stay in New York, I actually got to hang out a little with Ray Davies again which was really great. There's more to that story that I can add later on. Scroll down to earlier posts for a link for more information on the cd.

Beth Nielsen Chapman is out promoting her new album, "Deeper Still". As I've said here before, the single is "World of Hurt", a song we wrote several years back. Her version is wonderful (you can look for me in the credits on guitar and bass). I sang and played with her when she played here in Nashville on April 7th. It was one of the live radio broadcasts sponsored by Nashville's Triple A favorite, WRLT/Lightning 100. I'll also accompany her when she plays Montgomery, Alabama at the end of this month. There's also a chance that I may go out on some other shows as the year goes on as well.

Other upcoming sideman guitar-duties include a run of dates in North Carolina with Walter Egan on May 17-19 in Ashville, Charlotte and Winston-Salem. When Walter helped me out playing bass with me about a year or so ago, they were all gigs in the same area. Funny how that works. I always liked Walters records alot. Played them constantly in my record retail days (yes.. both the book and movie of "High Fidelity" cuts a little too close..) so it's great fun to play on songs like "Magnet and Steel" or "Hot Summer Nights" that were trulyfine top 40 pop radio hits.

Before that, I'm opening for Loudon Wainwright lll here in Nashville at The Belcourt Theatre on May 13th. You locals come out if you can. I'll be alone and bandless but armed with some technology to help my solo set from being the normal acoustic kinda' thing. Loudon is sure to be great. Yet another staggeringly good songwriter.. who doesn't make it here to Nashville often.

So what is worth seeing and hearing these days to you? Give me an email and let me know! I've had several over-the-top emails from online pals who seem to love this new McCartney tour. I passed on the big-bucks tickets but already saw him back in '89. His new album has some nice spots but... That "Coming Up- A Paul McCartney Tribute" cd was good. Wish I could have done a track. I've really enjoyed a new cd from a young band called Phantom Planet. They're on Sony. Their drummer is the young actor who starred in the movie, "Rushmore". I just saw The Band's "Last Waltz" again in a movie theater and was totally knocked out.. it had been so long since I'd seen it, it was almost like watching it for the first time. Looked great on the big screen. I liked the latest album of XTC demos, loved a couple of the tracks from Smashmouth's new cd (I bought it for my son but it's in my car.. alot..).I really liked the new World Party cd "Dumbing Up", Nick Lowe's "The Convincer", and my pal Tommy Womacks latest "Circus Town".

Okay.. that's plenty of yak from my end. Thanks for stopping in here.

All the best to you and yours.

Until next time.

Bill

June 1, 2002

You've got to admit it's getting better.. I'm not letting two months slide by before writing an update. Almost up to my old frequency. SO.. hi and thanks for dropping by.

Since I posted here last, I've been out on the road a little bit. That weekend of May 17-19, I left the confines of the home studio and put on my sideman hat to play guitarist and sing with my pal Walter Egan. Walter had a couple of monster hits in the '70's ("Magnet and Steel" and "Hot Summer Nights"). He also wrote "Hearts On Fire" that Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris recorded. He's hitting the road this year with a new album and I had fun playing on this first leg of his re-emergence as a solo artist doing those live and in-person gigs. We went by and saw the good folks at WNCW (where I played last year)in Spindale, NC. and then did shows in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.

Last weekend, I joined Beth Nielsen Chapman and her fine band playing in Montgomery. Alabama on Memorial Day. We co-wrote her current single, "World of Hurt" and I was jazzed to get to play the whole set with her at the Montgomery Jubilee.. a huge summer city festival. Bonnie Raitt (who's a good friend to Beth) was headlining and she showed her support by coming out and singing with Beth on her set as well as inviting her up to sing "Angel From Montgomery" in her own set. My friend, George Marinelli, is Bonnie's guitarist and it was great to see him in action as well. Her set was just great and any Bonnie fans should try and catch the show this summer. Beth's show went well too and I really enjoyed being a part of it. Hope to do more as the summer continues.

Tonight (June 1) I'm playing a songwriters in-the-round at The Bluebird Cafe here in Nashville. The other folks on the bill are Wayland Patton, Neil Coty and Eric Heatherly. It should be a great time. Eric and I once wrote a song together and I liked his rockabilly tinged record that he made for Mercury a few years back.

The following weekend (June 8 )I'm back there again with another great lineup including Gary Nicholson, Fred Knobloch and Keith Sykes. Keith released a new album this last year called "Don't Count Us Out" and I was fortunate enough to have co-written that title track.

There are more live shows in the works and as soon as the details are worked out, I'll post here again soon. I have 8 songs mixed for my next record. That's 8 out of what will probably be a 12 or 14 song album. It's coming along.

One more thing... my friend, Jesse Valenzuela, is back out on the road with his old band, The Gin Blossoms, this summer. Worth going to see to hear all those great songs and with the reunited band. Jesse's new solo album, Tunes Young People Will Enjoy, is also out now and can be found at his site

http:///www.jessevalenzuela.com

I do have a song that we co-wrote on the album called "Looking For You" which he did a great job with. Go see him / them if they hit your area.

Thasssallll for now. Thanks for checking in.

Bill

September 1, 2002

Hi and thanks for dropping in. I've had some emails suggesting that I may have dropped OUT completely as it's been a few months since I posted an update here. So what did you do on YOUR summer vacation? I suppose the main news I have since the beginning of the summer is that my new album (all new songs) is all but done.This is the first "new" cd since 1999. That's a big hooray for me (as I reach around to pat myself on the back) because it always takes me so long between solo records.. they ususally happen in 4 to 5 year intervals. Why? That's a good question that deserves some thought. But while I'm thinking about what that may mean.. let me tell you about the record.

I'm pretty sure the title is going to be "Back to Even". That's also the title of a song on the record co-written with Don Henry. A good many of the songs I wrote by myself but other co-writers include Peter Case, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Clive Gregson, Steve Allen, Bill DeMain, Pat Buchanan and David Surface. While I'm name-droppin'and givin' propers, I also got some great singing and playing help from pals like Rusty Young, Kim Richey, Robert Reynolds, Ken Coomer, Bill DeMain and Molly Felder of Swandive, Cindy Bullens, Randell Kirsch, Phil Madiera, Byron House, Peter Case, Chris Carmichael, Marc Owens, Fenner Castner, Greg Morrow, Pat Buchanan, Steve Allen, Clive Gregson, Doug Carman and not to forget mixer- studio compadre Scott Baggett. I'm sure I left some folks off this list but all credit where credit is due will happen on the liner notes.

In June I played Nashville's songwriter central, The Bluebird Cafe, a couple of times. One was June 1st with Eric Heatherly, Neal Coty and Wayland Patton. We had big fun that night and Eric did some tunes from his brand new record. I just saw his video on tv last week so I think it might be out now. I played again on the 8th with Marshall Chapman, Pat McLaughlin and Amy Rigby. That was another fun night. Pat and Marshall have been two of Nashville's biggest treasures many years now. I moved here in '82 and they were both already well established. Amy's new album is a compilation of songs from her three previous albums on Koch. One of the " previously unreleased bonus tracks" is the demo version of her wonderful song, "Magicians" that we recorded in my home studio.Shifting into the now, she and I have been recording a new co-write over the last week or so.

Another June event that was a load of fun was a Tower Records live in-store performance by a bunch of the Nashville based acts featured on "This Is Where I Belong / Tribute to Ray Davies". A good many Kinkophiles showed up on June 26th to rock along with Steve Forbert, Josh Rouse, Miles Zuniga of Fastball, Tommy Womack and myself. Tommy and I got drummer extrordinaire, Fenner Castner, to come down and play and we also managed to score the talents of Will Kimbrough who was the bassist for the evening.The end part of the show (meaning the louder full band part) featured Miles, Tommy and I. Miles did "Til the End of the Day" and "Sunny Afternoon", Tommy did "Berkley Mews", I did "This is Where I Belong" and then Tommy and I did "Picture Book" and "Shangri La" together for a finale. Smiles all around.

The weekend after the fourth of July, I played down in Roswell, GA. at The Swallow in the Hollow with Don Henry and Craig Carothers. I've written here before about the Swallow.. great club for performing songwriters and extry-good barbeque for the carnivores.We all had a great time and my wife and son came along and caught some Braves games while we were down there. I even got to go to the Sunday game.. my first time ever in Turner Field (meaning the last Braves game I saw was at Fulton Co, Stadium when I was a kid...ow..). They have a thing on Sundays where the kids get to run the bases if you wait in line long enough. We did and it was great.. got to see him round second on the big screen out in center field. I realize this has nothing to do with music, but it was a highlight of the summer!

During July I did some home recording with two veterans from the "southern pop" scene of the '80s. Although my first album in '86 sort of caught the end of that trend, I didn't know them personally when I was buying their records.. So.. it was a gas to record a version of the Let's Active song, "Every Word Means No" with onetime dB's drummer, Will Rigby and Let's Active bassist / vocalist, Faye Hunter. The reason for all this nostalgia is that it's for a Let's Active / Mitch Easter tribute cd coming out later this year. We had a great time. It was the first time I'd done anything of mine with Will (although I once backed him up in one of his versions of The Unmentionables) and I'd never played music with Faye either. I loaned her my bass for the "event" and we had at it.. and had lots of fun. Will joked that we should call ourselves "Let's Retire". Ha. He's certainly not as he's out on that road consistantly with folks like Steve Earle. I'm not sure of the release date of the tribute record.I do know that Don Dixon and Jamie Hoover recorded something for it as well.

Speaking of tribute records.. the Stiff Records' Tribute that I mentioned here in previous updates, came out this summer and has gotten some good reviews and a little radio airplay to boot.I did a version of Wreckless Eric's "Whole Wide World" for the comp. Other Nashville pals on the tribute include Amy Rigby, Clive Gregson (who was ON Stiff with Any Trouble) and Pat Buchanan. Groovedisques.com

In mid-July I went down to The Country Music Hall of Fame where Webb Wilder is now hosting a radio show on XM Radio called "Cross Country." I took my acoustic down and sang a few songs for the program and we got to yak like the old friends we are. That was fun. I think it's aired already... but I'm not sure.

July also brought the NAMM show to town. I got to see some familiar faceswho usually come in for the hullabaloo. Ex-Nashvillian Al Kooper even came back down. Great to see Al. He's back playing again after a year of health issues.. so go see him! He sometimes does a one-man show that's more of a song showcase.. but he really cooks when he's got the greasy r'n'b band The ReKooperators with him.

Between working on my record and playing a few gigs, I did the obvious and kept on songwriting. Some of the co-writers from this summer include Chuck Mead from BR-549, Brian Hofeldt from The Derailers, Greg Trooper, Amy Rigby, Brian Willoughby of The Strawbs and Joy Lynne White.

In August, Radney Foster and I taped a tv show for the Great American Country (GAC) cable network. They have a show that features "country stars from yesteryear..".. these days that would include Foster and Lloyd. They did a thirty minute show that included some of our old videos, some live performance (we were a bit rusty!) and some interviews. Radney also got to do a show lookning back at his own for his solo career as well.It aired this last week.

Late July and early August, the Lloyd's suffered (and I don't use the word lightly) some computer problems and I was offline for several weeks. That's one legit excuse I have for not updating sooner.. but all is well now and we're back online.

More info on the record as it comes. Mixing the last two songs for my album on September 9th and then mastering afterwards. Lots of First Amendment Center activity this month as well. The next update will give the details.

Thanks again for checking in.

Bill

November 29, 2002

Hey there... it would seem that, once again, I've let another couple or three months slide by without an update. What's that all about?!? What's new is supposed to be what's new! Maybe we'll re-title this to "Somewhat Recently..".

This Fall here in Nashville was another beauty. It's one of the many good reasons to live here. So what has been going on? There was alot of songwriting and demoing.. co-writers include Danny Flowers, Amy Rigby, Marshall Crenshaw, Tom Hambridge, Bill DeMain, Chuck Mead , Clay Mills and Andy West.

I've continued to enjoy working with The First Amendment Center and there were a several gigs this Fall where I participated in their Freedom Sings programs. It's a multi-media presentation that they take around to college campuses that illustrates the connection between music and free speech and I can say that, in all humility since I'm only a small part of it, that it's a really entertaining and educational event. We peformed in Baton Rouge in October and Edmond, Oklahoma in November after a couple of local shows in Nashville (including a very special one at the Country Music Hall of Fame). Other wunnaful' participants include Jonell Mosser, Will Kimbrough, Don Henry, Duane Jarvis, Tommy Womack and Jason White.

On September 19 , a host of Nashville based talent played the fourth annual Freedom Sings show at The Bluebird Cafe. Not the same multi-media presentation taken around to schools, this Freedom Sings is simply an evening of music that consists of music that's been banned, censored or has content showing a political and social conscience. As the unofficial music director ( no business card ), I help put together this yearly event trying to lure in Nashville's finest for a fun night and good cause. This year was yet another good one. The house band included Will Kimbrough, Danny Flowers and yours truly on guitars, both Dave Pomeroy and Garry Tallent shared bass duties, John Deaderick on keys and Craig Krampf on drums. Not too shabby. This years guests were legion and we had a great night of music that wouldn't stop.. like the battery bunny. Particpants included Steve Earle, Dobie Gray, Poco, Walter Egan, Barry and Holly Tashian, Chuck Mead, Greg Trooper, Amy Rigby, Swandive, Jonell Mosser, Steve Allen, Don Henry, Bob Delevante, Tommy Womack, Fred Knobloch, Jason White, Danny Flowers, Pat Buchanan, Dave Pomeroy, Mack Starks, Sonia, Delores Watson, and Adrienne Young. There were lots of highlights. Steve Earle sang his controverial "John Walker Blues" while Fred Knobloch flipped the coin and did a pumped up thrashy version of that Toby Keith song, "Courtesy of the Red,White and Blue". Dobie Gray sang "Blowin' in the Wind" but we wouldn't let him off stage without doing "Drift Away" and it felt like the roof lifted off The Bluebird. I was so happy to be playing behind him on that. What a classic. Poco burned down Link Wray's "Rumble". Walter Egan brought up his son to scratch on his funkified version of "For What It's Worth". One turntable and several microphones.. We even had an unexpected performance from Maura O'Connell who just came to watch. It was one highlight after another. Everyone played and sang wonderfully and it was certainly a successful night. Big fun. Executive Director of the First Amendment Center, Ken Paulson and First Amendment Center founder, John Siegenthaler, make it all possible.

One fun afternoon in October was a songwriter lineup at The Southern Festival of Books held in downtown Nashville and sponsored by the Humanites Council. Chuck Mead from BR549, Bob Delevante and I spent an hour swapping songs under a tent. A photo of the trio is right here.

Bob Delavante, Chuck Mead, and Bill at the Southern Festival of Books
photo by Fred Stratton

Songwriting pal and fine artist, Greg Trooper, and his lovely wife Claire Mullally happen to own the coolest vintage hamburger stand in Nashville. It's Bobbie's Dairy Dip and it's become a fun hangout for musicians and families (as well as everyone else!). A fun promotion they ran in September was to ask their musician friends to come and play short sets in the parking lot. Memories of a 60's childhood seeing rock combos in the same setting help seal the deal. Those who volunteered for these career - making gigs (cough) were Rosie Flores, Kristy Rose, John Sieger and finally the cover band that I'm a part of.. The Griftones (featuring Steve Allen, Lorne Raul, Paul Griffith and myself). We spent our Sunday afternoon on October 13th covering the classics like Paul Revere and the Raiders "Steppin' Out" , The Rolling Stones "Off the Hook" and Redbone's "Come and Get Your Love". Half the kitchen staff from that afternoon came to sing in their aprons (Jen Cohen, Amy Rigby and others) In the grand scheme of things, it was certainly time well spent and it's brought our careers to where they are today. Greg and Clair do an amazing "Suspicious Minds" to boot. Complete with Elvis walk-off.

November 8th was another Bluebird Songwriter's in the Round. This time around it was my Poco pal Rusty Young, Rosie Flores, Danny Flowers and myself swapping songs in the middle of the room. It was a truly fun night. To our surprise, actress Kim Catrall best known from her role in HBO's "Sex in the City", was in the audience that night.. and she was very nice and spoke to us afterwards. It didn't really sink in as a big deal until the local papers reported it in the celebrity gossip column. On the Poco mailing list, John Norris always writes up a thoroughly fun account of the gigs Rusty and I do together so those interested can check out it out there.

I've SEEN some great music in the last month or so that I must rave on about .. briefly. I've seen Randy Newman, Elvis Costello and Glenn Tilbrook all within the last two weeks and they were all great. Pals Jon Graboff and Dennis Diken were both in Laura Cantrell's band as she opened for Costello, and it was great seeing those guys again and SHE was good too.

One more thing I've not reported on here much is the collaboration I have going with Jamie Hoover from The Spongetones. I've always been a big fan of their Beatle-esque thing and have enjoyed working with Jamie since I first met him years ago. We finally added drums from The Smithereen's Dennis Diken onto our ongoing project in September. Which makes me think we may have our buddy record done by Spring .. or so. Fans of The 'Tones or me will probably enjoy this collaboration as we co-wrote all the songs and sing and play everything (except for Dennis's drums).

As I reported in that last update, my latest record has now been finished and is currently being "shopped around". I'm still not sure where it will end up label-wise. Doing it myself (as I did with that "All In One Place" compilation) is always an option. As of now, my lawyer is on the case and we're still looking. So no pre-Christmas or even 2002 release... unfortunately.

As for now.. here's hoping you and yours had a good Thanksgiving and best of the upcoming holidays to one and all. Thanks for checking in.

Bill

December 21, 2002

Happy Holidays and thanks for checking in. This will be the last update of this year.. yeah, yeah,, time is arbitrary but I like the idea of starting over again. New Years resolutions are good too. The idea of a fresh start gives us a chance to think we can do something we might not even try otherwise. So let's go..

December kicked off pretty good. Big thanks to those who sent me birthday cards, gifts and emails. Very much appreciated. The annual John Lennon tribute concert here in Nashville always remains a wonderfully bittersweet affair and this year was no different. The event was organized by ex-Semi Twang-ster, John Sieger, nine years ago when he still lived up in Milwaukee and benefits the Brady organization in Washington. The official title is "Imagine No Handguns" and it's been going on for the last eight years here in Nashville. Always showcasing the amazing musical community here singing nothing but Lennon / Beatles songs, it's always a little different but consistantly wonderful. I would have to be hard pressed to think of a better way to spend an evening. Mr. Sieger has moved back to the frozen north but still makes it back down to lead us on.

The houseband guitar lineup has remained constant over the last six years with John Sieger, Steve Allen ( 20/20 ) and myself holding down our perennial posts. This year we were joined by Steve Ebe (ex-Human Radio) on drums, famed session bassist Michael Rhodes (Vinyl Kings / Cicadas / etc..) and John Deaderick (Pinch) on keys. As for the assembled talent, it was another stunner again this year. I'll no doubt forget someone if I try and list everyone but some highlights my brain will allow me to remember now as I type were David Mead's solo acoustic version of "Woman", Amy Rigby's to-the-bone version of "Gimme Some Truth" and Will Hoge and his bands amped up "Jealous Guy". Okay.. there was ALSO Tim O'Brien's version of "Nowhere Man" and Rosie Flores "If I Fell".. I won't go on but I certainly could. We all backed ably and those who brought their own bands rawked on as well. Other pals like Tommy Womack, Don Henry/Lauren Braddock and Chuck Mead also killed. And I sang both "Come Together" and "All I Gotta' Do" Okay! I'm stopping now. Really.

Amy Rigby and I finished up recording and mixing another one of our co-written songs this month. From what she says, it's a pretty certain bet to be on her next release. Called "Shopping Around", I like it alot and we had fun recording it here at my studio. Look for her and her records out and about. She's on my links page.

For all you Christmas music fans, I've contributed a track to a new compilation cd called "Hi-Fi Christmas Party" on Vandalay Records. It's only been out for a few weeks so it's barely squeaked into this holiday season. There's a whole lotta' power pop on there as well as some very cool musical surprises. Some of the other artists included on the compilation are musical pals like Don Dixon and The Spongetones but there's lots of folks I've never met or even heard of that donated great stuff. Vandalay Records is run by Dan Pavelich from The Bradburys who are based out of Chicago. I I honestly don't know at this point how to tell you to order copies but I'll post more when I find out. By the by, my track is NOT the one on the "Yuletunes" compilation from years gone by. It's a newer one recorded at my home studio back in '93. Called "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" it only shares the title with the traditional song.

On December 8th, I travelled up to my old hometown of Bowling Green, KY. as I was invited to guest on a radio show featuring regional music. While I've not lived there for 20 years now, it was nice of the rock station, D93, to showcase all this music I've recorded over the years for two solid hours. It was a little like "This Is Your Life". Thanks to Bryan Locke and Tommy Starr for making it enjoyable.

One more thing..as a lifelong rock fan I HAVE to mention that I got to go to the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame in Cleavland last weekend. It was the a most fabulous birthday gift ever from the wife because I never would have allowed myself the luxury. Through friends of friends, I also got to meet some of the staff there and was treated like royalty .. even getting to see some items not currently on display. Their John Lennon exhibit comes down at the end of this month, so I squeaked that visit in. I'd reccomend any rock fan to do the see the facility. Just great.

With any luck, I'll have "Back to Even" out early this coming year and Jamie Hoover and I can finish up our buddy album as well.

Have a fun, safe, holiday and a very new year..

Bill