Kate Tucker

Musicians on Call: Reflections from the hospital room

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 20:41:00 -0600

I just got home from volunteering for Musicians on Call in Nashville and I had a particularly rich experience this time. I’ve been working with MoC since summer, but I haven’t yet had the chance to write down any reflections on it. After a night like tonight, I figured it was high time I do that.

Going room to room with my guitar at a long term care medical facility, I meet the most beautiful people who are in many cases facing the end of their days, or at least the end of their days in the outside world. Their lives now take place within the confines of the hospital walls and yet still they worry over their families and their former jobs, the classes left for someone else to teach, the choir left for someone else to lead, the land they’ve left for someone else to farm. They dream of the lovers they have lost and the friends who don’t come around as often as they used to do. In short, there is a lot to be sad about in a long term care facility.

But even these broken people seem to respond very deeply to music. Those who cannot speak sometimes tap their feet. Those who cannot hear sometimes do all the talking. Those times are especially wondrous. Tonight there was a woman who warned us that she couldn’t hear well, so after a few lines of me trying to sing extra loud, she just broke in and started preaching her story. And it was a grand story. She had a strength of presence that rested in immense gratitude. She said over and over, you give, you get. She said: “People are taking care of me. I’m alive. I broke three of my fingers the other day and I’m still sitting here eating my dinner. I’ve mothered three daughters and led the church choir and always tried to kind to everyone and now they are kind to me.”

Another woman called out from across the hall asking for the music and as soon as I started singing, she joined in, as if she were my backup singer, or Aretha Franklin’s rather, she had so much soul. I’d take her on the road in a heartbeat.

There was a man who talked about his seven John Deere tractors and the 2,000 acres he could no longer farm because he’d lost his legs. And a woman who, after I sang “To Make You Feel My Love” said: “You gotta meet The Oak Ridge Boys. Now you listen to me, you go on down to Hendersonville and find William Lee Golden, the barritone. Tell him I sent you and you see what he can do for you. Cause honey, you have a voice.” She had named her all of her boys after all of The Oak Ridge Boys.

Some people don’t want to hear music when we go by, or they’re sleeping, or they’re in quarantine. On the way out of the building, a young man in a wheel chair chased me down asking for a rock and roll tune. I played “Sweet Jane” and I could tell he was remembering how to play the chords himself. Maybe he still has a guitar. I really hope he does.

What a privilege to sing with @mpjmusic and the @nashvilleballet...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:53:56 -0600

What a privilege to sing with @mpjmusic and the @nashvilleballet at Schermerhorn. Cannot WAIT for ATTITUDE 2/15-2/17. See you there #nashville

@nashvilleballet ‘s ATTITUDE features the live music of...

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:36:36 -0600

@nashvilleballet ‘s ATTITUDE features the live music of @mpjmusic Matthew Perryman Jones Feb 15-17. I cannot WAIT for this and am so proud to live in a town that knows how to mix art with art. #nashville

Happy Christmas - New Song / Nashville Indie Spotlight / Free Downloads

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 12:44:00 -0600

The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful… Whereever you may be this season, I hope you have lots of good music to keep you company.

We’re hibernating in the studio so we can come out next spring with a brand new record. In the meantime, I’m excited to let you know that I’ve released new song on the Nashville Indie Spotlight compilation. The Itunes comp features 22 previously unreleased tracks by 22 Nashville-based independent artists, including Matthew Perryman Jones, Mindy Smith, Katie Herzig, Paper Route, and more. You can pick up my song “Hard Believing” for just 99 cents and while you’re at it, buy all 22 tracks for just $7.99. We made a video cause we are so excited about it and you can check it out here.

Looking for last minute gift ideas that won’t break the bank? For only $3.99 you can give someone the 8 song deluxe version of my latest EP, Ghost of Something New on Itunes through the holidays. The Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden full length and my solo LP, White Horses are also available on itunes, amazon, and bandcamp.

Want something for nothing? Pick up these tracks for free:

I’m on Fire - Alliance Sessions

Revolution - Ghost of Something New

Faster than Cars Drive - Kate Tucker and the Sons of Sweden

And as my personal gift to you, I’ve made a Spotify playlist of some songs I’ve been loving of late. I will get a rdio version up over the holidays for those of you using that service. Hope you find some new jams!

We’ll be touring a lot next year, so I’ll see you soon, but in the meantime, I’m always posting playlists on Spotify, photos on Instagram , videos on Youtube, daily musings on Twitter, and my blog is at KateTuckerMusic.Tumblr.com . Official word is always at katetucker.net

Thanks again for another great year in life and listening!

Kate

NEW SONG on NASHVILLE INDIE SPOTLIGHT I’m so grateful to...

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:18:30 -0600

NEW SONG on NASHVILLE INDIE SPOTLIGHT

I’m so grateful to be part of this awesome community of artists including Matthew Perryman Jones, Katie Herzig, The Vespers and more. I wrote and recorded the song “Hard Believing” exclusively for this Itunes mix and all of the songs featured on this compilation are first releases, so you’re getting a whole lot of bang for your 7 bucks. AND as if that weren’t enough, you can buy all of these artists’ albums for a discounted price for the next three weeks. Christmas gifts?! Do it!!!

Thanksgiving Benediction: Prayer at Winter Solstice by Dana Gioia

Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:36:16 -0600

Blessed is the road that keeps us homeless.

Blessed is the mountain that blocks our way.

Blessed are hunger and thirst, loneliness and all forms of desire.

Blessed is the labor that exhausts us without end.

Blessed are the night and the darkness that blinds us.

Blessed is the cold that teaches us to feel.

Blessed are the cat, the child, the cricket, and the crow.

Blessed is the hawk devouring the hare.

Blessed are the saint and the sinner who redeem each other.

Bessed are the dead, calm in their perfection.

Blessed is the pain that humbles us.

Blessed is the distance that bars our joy.

Blessed is this shortest day that makes us long for light.

Blessed is the love that in losing we discover.

Welcome rOctober: Here's What I <3 Right Now.

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 14:27:28 -0500

Hey there,

I’m sitting at Barista Parlor drinking some thick dark tonic that steams its way upward into the chill fall air, thanking my lucky stars that I ended up here in Nashville at this exact moment.

I’m happy to be sinking into preparation for new record, writing and thinking and playing every day with newness. In the meantime, I’m enjoying staying in one place to see what comes to me. And here’s what’s been coming around of late.

Angel Snow releases her beautiful eponymous offering of songs to the world today and tomorrow, Wednesday Oct 3, she’ll play an album release show at the Basement in Nashville to kick off a month long tour with Mark Scibilia, another wonderful artist we are lucky to have here in town. Check out Nashville’s own Native Magazine covering Mark in the September issue, and be sure to pick up Angel Snow’s record. It boasts a stellar lineup including my fave Seattle drummer Matt Chamberlain keeping it real way back in the pocket. All-star crew aside, Angel’s voice and song are worth every Itunes penny and more.

As if these two aren’t enough to get you out of your seats, SHEL will be joining them at the Basement October 3. I had the good fortune to meet the sisters in SHEL earlier this summer and have enjoyed writing and singing with them. If you haven’t seen them perform, it is an other-worldly affair entirely. They have a beautiful new album produced by Brent Maher and if you’re looking for a little magic in your hat, you best get your hands on this quick, cause they are moving fast.

Other exciting shows and bands I’ll be checking out this week live and in stereo include

Antibalas at Mercy Lounge tonight

Charlie Peacock’s Album Release Show tonight at 3rd and Lindsley

and The Shins at the Ryman Sunday October 7

And finally, my favorite new release is Neil Halstead’s Palindrome Hunches. Can it get any better than this?

I’d love to hear what you’re loving right now. Send me new songs to sing in the shower.

Kate

Thanks to all of you who came out to our Nashville shows this...

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:49:58 -0500

Thanks to all of you who came out to our Nashville shows this weekend! We had a ton of fun and can’t wait to see you again! We’re working on a new record, but you can keep up with the latest @twitter.com/katetuckermusic and @youtube.com/katetuckersongs and @facebook.com/katetuckermusic Come say hello. Let’s be friends…

Being Able to Hear Music for the First Time Ever

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:12:30 -0500

Being Able to Hear Music for the First Time Ever:

nprmusic:

joshsternberg:

I’ve never understood it.

My whole life I’ve seen hearing people make a fool of themselves singing their favorite song or gyrating on the dance floor. I’ve also seen hearing people moved to tears by a single song. That was the hardest thing for me to wrap my head around.

I was born profoundly deaf and all music sounded like trash through my hearing aids.

That is until a couple days ago when I put on a new pair of hearing aids for the first time in years.

The first thing I heard was my shoe scraping across the carpet; it startled me. I have never heard that before and out of ignorance, I assumed it was too quiet for anyone to hear.

I sat in the doctor’s office frozen as a cacophony of sounds attacked me. The whir of the computer, the hum of the AC, the clacking of the keyboard, and when my best friend walked in I couldn’t believe that he had a slight rasp to his voice. He joked that it was time to cut back on the cigarettes.

That night, a group of close friends jump-started my musical education by playing Mozart, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Elvis, and several other popular legends of music.

Being able to hear the music for the first time ever was unreal.

read this.

Beautiful. —Lars

New Shows: Nashville's East-Centric Festival and Musicians Corner

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:31:00 -0500

Got some exciting shows coming up in Nashville, including a special acoustic set at Musicians Corner on September 8. Also playing that day is Matthew Perryman Jones, Goodbye June, Marie Hines and more! If you haven’t been out to Musicians Corner in Centennial Park, it’s a lovely way to spend your Saturday afternoon, and it’s FREE!

More info at musicianscorner.com

Later that night I’ll be heading to The 5 Spot in East Nashville for another killer lineup with The Lonely H, Magnolia Sons and Quiet Company. Special guest Michael Shepard will join me on some songs.

The following weekend, Sept 15 we’ll be playing a full band show at the first East-Centric Music Festival in East Nashville. You can catch some great music from noon- 8pm all for free! We’ll go on around 5:30pm. Hope to see you soon Nashville!

Everyone MUST SEE Beast of the Southern Wild. If you are lucky...

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:28:14 -0500

Everyone MUST SEE Beast of the Southern Wild. If you are lucky enough to live in Nashville, @Belcourt is playing it this week. GO!!

The summer sun is hot and heavy here in Nashville, so...

Fri, 27 Jul 2012 12:34:55 -0500

The summer sun is hot and heavy here in Nashville, so we’ve been spending most of our time underground, writing new songs and escaping the heat.

We’ll be surfacing for a few shows coming up. This Saturday July 28 we’ll be at The Rutledge for the Tennesee Fire Educators Association benefit. On September 8, I’ll be playing a special stripped down set at the 5 Spot with the Magnolia Sons and we’re super excited to be part of the East Nashville Music Festival on September 15. More info at facebook.com/katetuckermusic

In other exciting news, Bullet Train, the short film/music video by Miriam Bennett, is an official selection of the Indie Gathering International Film Festival and winner of Best Rock Video 2012. Produced by Moving Studio and Red Valise, Bullet Train was filmed in and around Akron, Ohio and features Cleveland-based filmmaker and actor Darryl Dickenson, so it’s especially awesome that this year’s festival takes place in Hudson, Ohio! Bullet Train screens on August 18, 2012. More information on the screening at theindiegathering.com.

If you haven’t heard my latest release, Ghost of Something New, you can always take a free listen at bandcamp. If you like what you hear, you can get yourself a copy of the deluxe version at Sonic Boom, Grimeys, or Square Records or order online at amazon and if you really want to geek out, you can read a little feature American Songwriter did on the song, “Revolution.”

“Revolution” has been getting some radio love thanks to the good folks at Nashville’s Lightning 100 and of course my fave hometown station, Akron’s 91.3 The Summit. If you live in either city, please take a moment to tune in and kindly request more Kate Tucker. It makes a difference!

If you haven’t yet subscribed to youtube updates or ‘liked’ my fan page on facebook, today is a good day to get on it. Thanks again for listening!

Kate

At Crema in Nashville for my morning cup of joe and the walls...

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:16:54 -0500

At Crema in Nashville for my morning cup of joe and the walls are lined with the work of Eden Frangipane, my newest favorite local photog. I must save my pennies for one of her Cuba prints. Her name is EDEN FRANGIPANE. I mean, how cool is that?!

jimherrington: Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells - musicians -...

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 22:10:56 -0500

jimherrington:

Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells - musicians - Nashville, TN

© Jim Herrington

Very sorry to hear that Kitty Wells died today. What a great woman and her husband Johnny Wright wasn’t any slouch either. Here’s my photo of them in late 2001 (he died last year).

American Songwriter Daily Discovery

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 10:52:00 -0500

American Songwriter Daily Discovery:

The good folks at American Songwriter are featuring me as their Daily Discovery. Check it out and pass the word! Hooray!

The short film/music video Bullet Train is an official selection...

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:42:44 -0500

The short film/music video Bullet Train is an official selection of the Indie Gathering International Film Festival and winner of Best Rock Video 2012. Directed by Miriam Bennett, produced by Moving Studio and Red Valise, Bullet Train features indie filmmaker and actor Darryl Dickenson, Kate Tucker, and Luke Tucker. Bullet Train screens on August 18, 2012. More information on the festival and screening at theindiegathering.com.

NATIVE - Nashville's New Culture Mag is Pretty Darn Rad

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:35:50 -0500

NATIVE - Nashville's New Culture Mag is Pretty Darn Rad:

I’m pretty psyched to be living in Nashville, as you may already know, so I was pleased as punch to get my hands on the first issue of our brand new local mag, Native. The photos, the coverage, the writing, all of it is top notch and I was proud to see friends and neighbors featured alongside some of my fave local haunts. Extra points for putting Tristen on the cover!! Gonna get me some Jackalope Number One Frog tonight! And hooray for the Red Tailed Squirrel.

Opening for Damien Jurado in Nashville tonight and I’m...

Fri, 25 May 2012 15:37:12 -0500

Opening for Damien Jurado in Nashville tonight and I’m reminded of how sweet he was to sing on a record of mine a few years back. Here’s the video for “In the End” directed by Miriam Bennett, featuring Damien Jurado.

Nashville Scene on Damien Jurado Tonight @The Basement

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:42:10 -0500

Nashville Scene on Damien Jurado Tonight @The Basement:

Couldn’t agree more with this little write-up and can’t stop listening to Mariqopa, Damien Jurado’s new masterpiece. We’re so excited to open for him tonight!

Nashville Tonight, Exit In 6/2, Radio Love, Free Songs, and Movies!

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:06:31 -0500

Just a little note to say hello, what’s happening, summer’s almost here, hope to see you soon…

I’ve got some shows coming up in Nashville this Friday, May 25 at the Basement with Damien Jurado and JBM andSaturday, June 2 at Exit/In with Matthew Perryman Jones and Escondido. We’re very excited to play with such amazing artists. If you’re looking for some new music, they’ve all got new records out this month, and I’m loving all of them.

As for summer soundtracks, Brite Revolution has a killer little mix-tape that you can download for FREE and among the list of songs, you’ll find “Revolution” the first track from Ghost of Something New, my latest EP. If you haven’t ordered yourself a copy of the deluxe version, head over to Sonic Boom, Grimeys, or Square Records or order online at amazon. Irene Barber and Miriam Bennett did the artwork and that alone makes it worth a little spot on the shelf.

Ghost of Something New has been getting some radio love thanks to the good folks at Nashville’s Lightning 100 and of course my fave hometown station, Akron’s 91.3 The Summit. If you live in either city, please take a moment to tune in and kindly request more Kate Tucker. It makes a difference!

As always, I so appreciate your support, whether it’s coming to shows, buying albums, or just simply subscribing to youtube updates or ‘liking’ my fan page on facebook. Your emails and posts help me keep going and every person you share my music with is one more person I would have never reached without you.

On that note, I want to thank all of you who donated to the Kickstarter campaign for Everything Went Down, the forthcoming feature film directed by Dustin Morrow. You should be receiving your goodies shortly and more news of the film’s release is coming soon!

Here’s to a great summer!

xox

Kate