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.

In 2006, with the help of good friends Jason Boland & the Stragglers, Bob released a full band CD, Ride for the Cimarron. Although his health continued to deteriorate, Bob continued participating in the Ribbon of Highway – Endless Skyway tour which was organized by his close friend Jimmy Lafave. On April 22, 2008 Bob passed away. A beautiful tribute page can be found at www.bluedoorokc.com.

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