For
years people have talked about legendary "Texas"
songwriters like Eric Taylor and Willis Alan Ramsey. Well
the folks in Oklahoma have a legend of their own and he is
none other than Bob Childers. Never heard
of him? You probably have and just don't know it.
The
story of Bob Childers begins with his birth in West Virginia. Bob
grew up in a decidedly non musical family. He discovered music in
his early teens and has been at it consistently for over thirty
years.
The
sixties found Childers studying music at UC Berkeley. Though California
was the center of commercial music, he knew something was missing.
So began the gypsy travels of Bob Childers. In 1972, while traveling
through Stillwater, Oklahoma, Bob discovered the music of Chuck
Dunlap (a legendary local artist). He had finally found a home.
Childers would later put it this way: "California had the money
and the reputation, but Oklahoma had the magic."
Bob
began playing his music throughout the area and built a solid reputation
as the finest songwriter in the state. By 1978 his music came to
the attention of of a star Jimmy Lafave, and a lasting friendship
ensued. With Lafave's help, Childers recorded his first album in
1979. I Ain't No Jukebox was released to critical
acclaim and greatly expanded his fan base. He signed with Cimarron
Attractions and his follow-up album, Singing Trees, Dancing
Waters, came in 1982. by this point, Bob was touring nationwide
and had even played at the White House.
The
lure of Nashville was too much for Bob Childers to resist and in
1986 he made the move. Early success there convinced Bob to encourage
his protégés to make the same move, and he was followed
by several other Stillwater musicians including Tom Skinner and
Garth Brooks. Childers released two albums that year. Four
Horsemen was another strong effort and was quickly followed
by the all instrumental King David's Lament. Though
friends like Garth Brooks were thriving in Nashville, the gypsy
in Bob led him to the burgeoning music scene of Austin, Texas.
With
the continuing support of Jimmy Lafave, Bob recorded his strongest
effort to date. Circles Toward the Sun (1990) even
yielded a couple of minor hits with Restless Spirits and Mexican
Mornings. But just as Childer's music was gaining the acceptance
he had worked so hard for, the rest of his world started to collapse.
Personal and financial concerns led Bob back to Stillwater where
he continued to write and add to his catalog of over 1500 songs.
"Childers'
unique bend of country, folk and roots-rock rings with a clear authenticity.
His laid back casualness and traveled, weathered, voice are well
suited to his songs of love, loss, regret, promise, betrayal, fun
and just hanging out." - Greg Johnson, No Depression
Early
in 1996 Childer's songs came to the attention of Binky Records.
A contract followed, and Bob proceeded to make his best selling
record, Nothin' More Natural. This obscure masterpiece
garnered him his largest following ever, including great interest
from the European Market.
Hat
Trick, Bob's 1999 CD, contained another stellar set of songs
including co-writes with Mike McClure (The Great Divide), Brad Piccolo
(Red Dirt Rangers), wild man Randy Crouch, labelmate Greg Jacobs,
and even mega-star Garth Brooks. Bob also contributed a couple of
songs to the gospel CD Dirt & Spirit by The Great
Divide and Friends (check it out at www.thegreatdivide.com).
The
new Millennium saw the fan club only release of La Vita e
Bella - Outtakes, Demos and Jams 1980 - 1988. Many of these
treasured rarities were thought to be lost in Childers' well publicized
house fire. As luck would have it, Jimmy Lafave had seen fit to
store master tapes and pristine copies of much of Bob's early work.
In
2003 Bob emerged from a self imposed retirement with a new
CD. Live at the Blue Door teams Bob with legendary
guitarist Terry "Buffalo" Ware and a set of all
new Childers originals.
|
Restless
Spirit - A Tribute to the Songs of Bob Childers
 Bob
Childers once wrote, "it's a long time from seed
to the grain." Nothing could be more true when
thinking about this project. The idea for a CD of
Childers songs by other artists has been around for
years. Early this past Spring Jimmy LaFave, Marie
Burns and I came up with the possibility of doing
it as a tribute to Bob with the goal of raising a
bit of money for Bob's medical bills. Bob, like most
artists, has no health insurance and the life of a
music man has taken its toll.
Not
knowing where to start, I began by sending e-mails
to artists that had already recorded a Childers tune.
The pitch was simple; we have no budget, please donate
a song. To my surprise everybody said yes. to my amazement
many offered to record new versions at their own expense.
In no time we realized our goal of 20 songs and began
preparations to press the disc. But a funny thing
happened along the way. The songs kept coming, and
coming, and coming...
In
the end we collected 56 songs by over 50 different
artists. Some of the participants are huge stars while
others are everyday gigging musicians, but all are
part of Bob Childers scope of influence. I often refer
to Bob as "an obscure legend." Only the
music world seems to know he exists. Hopefully, this
collection will find its way into hands that can help
spread the word.
Many
people need to be thanked in a project this large.
First of all, let me thank Bob's close friends Jimmy
laFave and The Red Dirt Rangers. These guys are the
real heroes at carrying the torch for so long. You
will notice that they are on this disc as featured
artists and backing musicians more than a dozen times.
Next, let me thank all of the artists who participated
in the project. Many went to great effort and expense
to be a part. Thanks to Greg Johnson, Bryan Peterson,
Pete Lacker, Jim Dirden, Tina Nelson, and Mike West
for all of the hard work that went into creating this
CD (all volunteered their talents). Thanks to all
of the labels who allowed their artists to participate
in this thing, Bohemia Beat (many thanks to Mark Shumate),
Universal, Compadre, Texas Music Group, and a host
of great independent labels.
Much
appreciation goes to my daughter Sara "Binky"
Maxwell for the many hours she helped on the computer
(hey, I'm an idiot, I admit it!). To my wife Liz,
thanks for putting up with several hundred hours of
loneliness during this obsession. And lastly, thanks
to Bob Childers for giving his life to the songs.
--
Binky's Dad, Chris Maxwell, Binky Records, November,
2004
|
| THE
TRACKS |
| Disc
One:
1.
Elvis Loved His Mama - mp3
Jimmy LaFave, From the CD Texoma
2. Mexican Morning
No Justice, From the CD Far from Everything
3. Back to You
The Red Dirt Rangers
4. Soul Satisfaction
Coyote Zen Featuring Tahlina Nofire
5. Back to You
Jason Boland and the Stragglers, From the CD Somewhere
in the Middle
6. Restless Spirits
Peter Dawson Band, From the CD Copeland
Live
7. Just Like Tom Skinner's Blues
Steve Ripley
8. Chapter Two
Mike Mcclure, From the CD Twelve Pieces
9. Dance with the Gypsies
Marie Burns, From the CD Free Little Bird
10. The Jail Burned Down
The Great Divide, From the CD Dirt and Spirit,
the Great Divide and Friends
11. Slow Train
Terry "Buffalo" Ware and the Shambles
12. Woody's Road
The Dusty Children, From the CD Jesus Took
Me Fishin'
13. If I Could Bottle This
Dale Pierce
14. Nothin' More Natural -
mp3
Gene Williams
15. Enjoy the Ride
Larry Wilson and the Space Heaters, From the
CD Enjoy the Ride
16. Turn the Train Around
Zen Okies
17. Whiskey Avenue
Van Marsalis
18. Dust on the Bible
Danny Click, From the CD Elvis the Dog
19. Memphis After Midnight
Beverly Mays, From the CD Keep the Good Earth Whole |
Disc
Two:
20.
Love Never Tested
Brandon Jenkins
21. Don't Be Afraid - mp3
Jimmy LaFave
22. Centerville
Myshkin
23. Mexican Morning
Mitch Cason, From the CD It's About Time
24. Help Me Lord
Truckstop Honeymoon
25. Blue Diamond
Monica Taylor
26. Ride for the Cimarron
Bill Erickson
27. Bluer Blues
Jeff and Vida
28. Your Gift to Me
Michael Fracasso, From the CD World in a Drop of
Water
29. Desert Flower
Nathan Clewell
30. Good Morning Mary Ann
Don Morris
31. Wylie Coyote
Chuck Dunlap
32. All for One
Leeann Atherton, From the CD Only Glory
33. Rattlesnakes
Hosty Duo
34. I Got Me A Girl
Randy Crouch
35. Anytime You Say
Amanda Cunningham, From the CD Gypsy's Daughter
36. Low Profile
Zach Childers
37. Luck of the Draw
Bob Childers, From the CD Hat Trick
38. Growin' Pains
Mark Lyon
39. Introduction to Burning Still
40. Burnin' Still - mp3
Bob Childers, From the CD Dirt and Spirit, the Great
Divide and Friends |
Disc
Three:
41.
No Sad Country Song
Elizabeth McQueen
42. Dance with the Gypsies
Stoney Larue, From the CD Downtown
43. Rainbow Rocker
The Red Dirt Rangers, From the CD Rangers Command
44. Sunshine, Wind and Water
Scott Evans
45. The Drifter's Dream
Greg Jacobs, From the CD South of Muskogee Town
46. Times Have Changed
Tom Skiner, From the CD Times Have Changed
47.
Ragged Red Bandana
Mark Sweeney
48. Cold December Wind
Mr. Dr. Rev., From the CD Road Atlas
49. The Ghost of Wiley Post - mp3
Brad James
50. 2200 Miles
The Mad Cat Trio Featuring Cindy Cashdollar, From the
CD The Songs of Route 66
51. The Lone Wolf
Jimmy LaFave, From the CD Trail recorded live
at Pearl's Oyster Bar, Austin, TX
52. Headed South
Cross Canadian Ragweed, From the CD Live and Loud
53. Outlaw Band
The Burtschi Borthers, From the CD Live in Oklahoma
54. Make Yourself Home - mp3
Medicine Show
55. Under the Radar
The Damn Good Cowboy Band, From the Red Dirt Radio
Hour, Eric Wayne, DJ, KVOO FM 98.5, Tulsa, Oklahoma
56. Woody's Road
Jimmy LaFave
57. Restless Spirits
Farmboy |
|
|
Restless
Spirit
A Tribute to the Songs of Bob Childers
|
|
Kindred
Spirits
with Randy Crouch
(Binky 1043CD)
|
1.
Help Me Lord
2. The Epic
3. Rattlesnakes
4. Jesus Was a Refugee
5. She's a Red Dirt Girl
6. Free Again
7. Safely On The Way
8. Tonto
9. The Untold Story |
|
|
Two
Buffalos Walking - Live At The Blue Door
with Terry Ware
(91702)
|
1.
Intro
2. Daily Bread
3. I Walk the Wire (mp3)
4. No Sad Country Song
5. A Better Place to Be
6. Turn Away
7. Bluer Blues
8. Hound Dog Blues
9. Sing the Song (mp3)
10. Forever Young
11. Always More
12. Restless Spirits
13. Blue Diamond
14. Summertime
15. Elvis Loved His Momma
16. Times Have Changed |
|
|
La
Vita e Bella
Out-takes, Demos & Jams 1980-88
(Binky 1021CD)
|
1.
The Callin' (mp3)
2. Home
3. Snake Oil
4. There Ain't Nothin' New
5. Pennies From Heaven
6. When I Go Home
7. The Kind of Love You Give
8. Pathfinder
9. Song About a Lady (mp3)
10. Golden Temples
11. When The True Light Shines
12. Cowboy Bob
13. Little Bird
14. The Phantom
15. Four Horsemen |
|
|
Hat
Trick
(Binky 1016CD)
|
1.
More Than Gold
2. Just Like Tom Skinner's Blues (mp3)
3. Outaw Band
4. Ragged Red Bandanas
5. I Dreamed That I Had Wings
6. Luck of the Draw (mp3)
7. My Daddy
8. Never, Never, Never
9. She's Close
10. What's Done is Done
11. Dust on the Bible
12. Desert Flower |
|
|
Circles
Toward the Sun
(Binky 1014CD)
|
1.
Slow Train (mp3)
2. Do You Understand
3. The Least We Could Do
4. Friend of Mine
5. A Regular Guy
6. Mexican Morning
7. Growing Pains
8. Centerville
9. Restless Spirits (mp3)
10. Kite Fliers and High Wires
11. Anytime You Say
12. A Face Like Yours
13. Sunshine in Your Smile |
|
|
Nothin'
More Natural
(Binky 1007CD)
|
1.
Dance With the Gypsies (mp3)
2. Texas Eagle
3. Headed South
4. Wile E. Coyote
5. Kingston Town
6. Memphis After Midnight
7. Ain't No Way (mp3)
8. Can't Help Wonderin'
9. Woody's Road
10. Nothin' More Natural
11. Good Mornin' Maryanne
12. Love Never Tested
13. Poncho Villa's Gold
14. Rainbow Rocker
15. Kind of Cowboy |
|
|
