Folks recently I featured a brand new album by Americana “newcomer” Jaime Wyatt now Newcomer is in quotation marks because she’s not technically a newcomer. She just had a few personal “setbacks” that kept her held back for a little while. But to be honest during her 8 month stint in the County Jail, helped lay the groundwork fer her triumphant latest album aptly dubbed “Felony Blues”.
I took quite fondly to her lyrics and her style because being a 21 year clean former addict myself from a heroin addiction, lyrics like hers truly hit home. She is beacon of light and hope for those out there suffering. This young lady is the REAL DEAL, and after you read what I chatted with her about you will see..she’s a TOTAL music junkie like I am. Some of her responses made me smile like a kid at Christmas, I cannot wait to meet this woman and give her a big ol Kentucky hug. She’s a truly wonderful person with a bright positive spirit, and the music scene is blessed to have her on our side.
She’s playing Tumbleweed Music Festival on the Saturday late night stage, and I found out just how completely enthusiastic she is about the entire situation. I think everyone involved in this ordeal pretty much is grateful and feels blessed to be a part of this event. So without further adieu this is what she had to say Saturday night as we spoke on the phone.
GHC:
You got your first deal at an early age, how did you get started playing back then?
Miss Jaime:
My parents used to play games with me called making up songs, and I actually started writing songs as a young kid. I got truly serious about it, and learned what a song truly was around twelve or thirteen. I taught myself pretty much, and I started playing out around fourteen in coffee shops and closer to fifteen I was playing in bars in town.
GHC:
Whom influenced you more than anybody else?
Miss Jaime:
Well ,Bob Dylan had a major impact on my songwriting, I loved his wordplay and they way he told stories in his songs. I also liked the Rambling Jack Elliott thing they had going, John Lennon, and the Rolling Stones, and Otis Redding.
GHC:
Otis Redding man that’s a good one!
Miss Jaime:
Oh yes he literally gave his music EVERYTHING, (sighs) yes he and Merle Haggard were just everything.
GHC:
I figured You would say Merle Haggard, because you really did a good job on Misery And Gin. That is a real special song to me because I have always admired Snuff Garrett, and everything that he has done for Country Music.
Miss Jaime:
Yes, all those wonderful soundtracks on those movies didn’t come out on records until later. I recently scored Bronco Billy on vinyl. Merle was pretty much everything to me, his lyric were a little bit less traditional in a Country sense. I’m simple, but I like to add on things to make it more complex.
* (Snuff Garrett wrote that song specifically for the movie Bronco Billy).
GHC:
After you had your personal troubles, you recorded your album Felony Blues. Who produced it and how did it come about?
Miss Jaime:
My friend Drew Allsbrook produced it at his studio in California. He’s extremely brilliant and he knows how to work with what’s in front of him, in order to get really nice tones. And also I felt so comfortable around these people, very laid back. He took time to understand me and he can play EVERY instrument you can imagine.
I brought him this cover of a Rhianna song I like and we started recording it, and it sounded so good so I started slowly making this record. So whenever I had money from going on tour, and whenever we had gigs whether it was playing duo or solo. I would always go back and put some money down, and eventually we finally finished it in about a year.
GHC:
Let’s talk about Tumbleweed for a few minutes, what are your feelings about it?
Miss Jaime:
I was completely shocked that I got that gig, because these are all my heroes and people I look up to. As far as songwriting and being on the road, and making beautiful music. I always like to see Whitey Morgan, I recently saw Jamey Johnson and that was amazing, he’s like a beast and his voice is SO SO GOOD.
I’m VERY excited to play with all my heroes, and also I’ve never been to Kansas City. I drove through on tour but I have never in the city. One of my best friends is from the area, it’s her hometown, so she’s pretty excited about it.
GHC:
I was pretty excited to be a part of it too, when they emailed and asked me if I wanted the job, I said SURE I’ll take it. Most of these side articles these are all my idea, and a lot of the people that are going they know Jamey Johnson pretty well, and I’m trying to get most of the people that they might not know.
You are one of the top ones I wanted because I have never ran across you actually, yet. There was one time you were in town and I had to work that night, and our paths have never crossed. I plan to soon change that for sure.
Miss Jaime:
ME TOO, Are you covering the event?
GHC:
I am, I’m going to write articles about the event as it happens and I’ll probably break it down into two different articles, I’ll be writing things I observe and the good and bad about the festival. The set lists and who plays what. My website specializes in festivals, and I cover 175 of them a year. I write individual articles for each one and let the consumers know about location and what bands are there. I include maps and nearby hotels.
Miss Jaime:
Well I’m certainly excited to be a part of Tumbleweed and it’s very shocking, and it’s going to be awesome meeting you there. We’ll see you at the end of the month, nice to speak with you.
GHC:
Absolutely, and Thanks for letting me do this with you.