Bush gave me writer's block
Folk singer Nanci Griffith could blame many things for her recent writer's block.
Having survived cancer twice, and spent most of her life touring the world, times haven't always been easy.
But it's not any of these things the folk singer blames for her lack of songs in the last few years.
In fact it's all George Bush's fault.
To say she's not a fan would be an understatement. In fact, Nanci's frustration with Bush's policies got so bad that, in 2004, she declared she would leave the US if Bush was re-elected.
She never did leave, after a friend talked her out of it. But, finally, seeing Bush out of the White House last Tuesday marks a new era for Nanci, and she believes her songs are starting to flow again.
"I've a new album coming out now," said Nanci, "and it feels good to have done some writing on it. I've just been unable to write because of my frustration with George Bush."
Nanci's heading for Ireland in February with dates at the Millennium Forum, Derry and An Grianan, Letterkenny.
"I love coming to Ireland," she said. "I heard you got some snow there this week. It's been snowing in Nashville, too. The crowds have always been lovely in Ireland."
Nanci's probably best known for her moving rendition of the ballad 'From a Distance.'
And she says the song today has more relevance that ever before.
"It's just the most universal song of peace," she said. "And it's the one that people always want to hear."
Although other artists later went on to record the track, including Bette Midler, it is Nanci who will be remembered for recording it first.
It was written in 1985 by American singer-songwriter Julie Gold. Gold was working as a secretary at the time for HBO and writing songs in her free time.
Gold's friend, Christine Lavin, introduced the song to Nanci Griffith who first recorded it for her 1987 release, Lone Star State of Mind. It quickly became a favourite of Griffith's fans around the world.
But Nanci's also known in her own right as one of the greatest songwriters in Nashville.
"Writing music is just important to me," she said. "It feels like I've been doing it forever. But, with me, writing songs is like compulsive behaviour, like telling stories from a lifetime.
"What's really helped me, too, are the many singers who have taken my songs and recorded them. Years ago, when I was starting out, I would drive myself around America playing my songs wherever I could."
She has penned some of country music's most enduring compositions including Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson's 'Gulf Coast Highway', Kathy Mattea's 'Love At The Five And Dime' and 'Listen To The Radio'.
But Nanci's insists she isn't even a country or even a folk singer.
"I guess I fall somewhere between the two," she said.
And even with her 56th birthday coming up, Nanci says she'll never tire of touring.
"I always have a suitcase ready at the door," she said. "That's all part of this life."
Nanci Griffith performs at the Millennium Forum on Sunday,15th February. Tickets are now available from the Box Office. Telephone 71 264455 or visit www.millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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