The legendary singer-songwriter Jude Johnstone joins the tour of the UK, Netherlands, and Ireland. She has written songs for Johnny Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, Mary Black, Laura Branigen, Trisha Yearwood…….in fact, she is sort of to Trisha Yearwood…..what Jimmy Webb was to Glen Campbell…..writing “Hearts in Armor”, “The Nightingale”, and the #hit, “The Woman Before Me”……incredible. Tickets are on sale now.
On a personal note…….her music has truly gotten me through some rough spots in my life. In one phase after I asked out of my A&M Record deal…….I was delivering papers for the Tennessean for two years, all night long, running up and down apartment steps. I probably listened to “Hearts in Armor” a thousand times……singing the Don Henley harmony part. In the days when one would pour over credits…..invariably, she would have written my favourite song on the records I was listening to.
In recent years, we became friendly and she appeared on my live stream, “Live from my dining room”. In recent months, she has been a fixture at the recording sessions for the “Good Thing” album. Having her there has been like having a sounding board. By the way, she was also present during the recording of Bruce Springsteen’s “The River” as a result of her friendship with Clarence Clemons, but that is another story and one that she can share this Sunday on the live stream.
Anyway, there are two things that I’ve always tried to do in my career. One, make EVERY song on a record be something I’m proud of. Two, have someone open the show that I’m a fan of………take Carter Wood, for instance……..”Pretty Girls Drink for Free”—stunning.
So, I’m honoured that Jude Johnstone is coming on the tour. I envision singing the Don Henley part on “Hearts in Armor” and hopefully a few other things during her set. I just want to make some beautiful music for everyone.
So, please buy your tickets in advance-it really helps take some of the anxiety of organising a tour like this! If you guy a ticket for the show…….I’ll immediately send you “Adios” from the new cd……unless I’m asleep at the time.
Here is a playlist of my songs and Jude’s on Spotify. Save it and give it a few listens.
