Folk singer performs songs from the heart

By Emily McFaul

Nashville-based folk star Taylor Pie will take the stage this week to sing not only beloved favorites, but also new songs from the heart with fellow folk singer and friend Jim Clare.

Clare, a Canandaigua resident, arranged the dates for Pie, whom he first heard in the 1960′s when she was performing with the Pozo-Seco Singers as Susan Taylor.  The group’s song, “Time,” a wistful ballad about the fleetingness of life, was a hit both in the Pozo’s hometown of Corpus Christi, Texas and at radio stations in major cities.

“They were a pretty well known group,” recalls Clare.

It was a song that Clare- a folk aficionado since college- often played with his friends in performances at bars and parties during their down time from Naval training near Corpus Christi.

“They sang all of our songs at beach parties,” says Pie, who connected with Clare a few years ago on Facebook.  “We might have even been partying next to each other on the beach!”

These days, Clare has returned to songwriting and performing, releasing an album called, “Old Empty Hall” in 2009.  Last year, he joined Pie for a gig in Pennsylvania, and he’s looking forward to performing with her again.

Not only is Pie an accomplished guitar finger-picker, says Clare, but her voice, songwriting skills and stage presence hit home with her audience.

“She has a very compelling voice and way of singing the songs,” says Clare.  “She has a real way of connecting with local folks.”

For her part- despite a busy schedule that includes a stop at WXXI for a chat with “Open Tuning” show host Scott Regan – Pie is hoping for a chance to sit down and collaborate with Clare.

I totally admire his songwriting style, because he’s a storyteller,” says Pie.  “For me, songs were always something that evolved from life itself, as we live it in the emotional body.  I don’t know how to write anything unless it comes from the heart – I have to feel the feeling first.”

For instance, Pie’s song, “When All That’s Left To Say is Good-bye,” grew out of watching a close friend die of cancer.  It took two years after her friend’s passing to be able to perform the song in public -but for Pie, putting her heart and soul into her work and her performances is a kind of emotional catharsis.

If I can write a song, then it’s like exorcising that feeling out of me,” she says.  “I can just move on.”

Fans are similarly touched by those heartfelt emotions – and another song Pie released in 2007 called, “So Little Has Changed,” also strikes a chord with many listeners.

While some label it an antiwar song, Pie likes to call it a peace song.  Inspired by the memory of her father, a decorated World War II pilot, telling her about the uselessness of war, the song came together when Pie saw a new report on yet another group of soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

“It took me back to the days of Vietnam, when I lost quite a few friends,” says Pie.  “And I thought, ‘Here we go again!  For all of our progress technologically, so little has changed.”

With a wellspring of emotions to draw from, and the music of antiwar folk songwriter Tom Paxton as inspiration, Pie says the song was an easy one to write.

“The words just came,” she recalls.  “The song just poured right out.”

Those catching one of Pie’s local performances can expect to hear some of her more recent songs, as well as several of Clare’s works.  His song “Old Empty Hall” actually pays tribute to one of the venues – Fatzinger Hall at the Waterloo Library, a well-known boyhood stop for Clare.

“The first thing I had in my little plastic alligator wallet was a Waterloo library card,” recalls Clare, who grew up on a farm in Waterloo that’s now the site of a housing development.

Of course, audience members can also expect to hear “Time,” still considered Pie’s biggest hit.

“They won’t let me get away with not singing it,” she laughs.

Windows: Totally Texas
by Phil Houseal
Jan 12, 2011

What started as a spark of an idea in 2002 has become an event that lights up January with the blazing talent of Texas music. This weekend marks the 9th season of Windows on Texas, a showcase for music that is totally Texas.

“This event is about and for music,” said Dawn Dale, Program Director of founding sponsor KFAN radio. “It is supporting the Texas music industry, bringing independent Texas artists to the forefront. We go to great effort to bring in the music industry and acquaint them with artists we believe in.”

Jayson and Jan Fritz of Fritz Broadcasting first put together the mid-winter event at the urging of Ernie Loeffler of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. One original goal was to add an event to draw visitors to Fredericksburg during a traditionally slower time of year.

It has grown to include 17 musical acts performing at 10 venues over four nights, according to Dale. It is also more than that.

“The whole point with Windows is not that we are featuring bars; we are featuring everything Texas,” Dale said. “We are trying to highlight all of the beautiful industries of the area, as well as venues that support these artists.”

This year, some of those artists include Bad Rodeo (“We couldn’t be more excited about that one – those guys are incredible and they are a KFAN core artist”), Taylor Pie, Melissa Ludwig, and Charlie Montague.

Another goal is to put Texas artists in front of music promoters and record labels. According to Dale, this interaction has benefited both artist and the music business.

“Often, just our booking a group for Windows leads to activity before they get here. By July and August as we are beginning to release the names of people to be included, quite often the industry has reached out to these artists.”

So what exactly is Texas music?

Dale laughed and quoted the icon of Texas Music – Willie Nelson. “He said, it’s music out of Texas, then he shrugged and raised an eyebrow.”

Of course that now encompasses everything from country to blues, rock, swing, light jazz, and Americana. “We have something for everybody,” Dale said.

The event now also garners national attention. Texas music is hot everywhere, and Dale notes there are people from outside state of Texas who have made this their annual vacation past several years.

“They come seek us out,” she said.

Music fans are still surprised that every performance is free. This largesse is thanks to generous support from underwriters and sponsors.

“There are expenses, but everything is still free,” Dale confirmed. “That’s due to a huge thanks to our sponsors; without them we can’t do it. It has become a year round project.”

The “Fabulous Sunday Night Wrap-Up Show” will be held for the first time at The Crossroads in Fredericksburg, from 5-10pm. It features Elliot Park, Madison Monroe, and Bad Rodeo. It is also free, but due to the limited venue guests must pick up tickets at any of the other venues.

Dale urges music fans to get out to at least one of the Windows on Texas events.

“I think the Hill Country enjoys a tremendous opportunity to have music brought to them year round,” Dale said. “I really thank our fans for this being our ninth year. They fill every venue, and it is their enthusiasm and their energy that helps bring these artists who bless our lives every day.”
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