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 Preface to Lyrics

It was 1971, when I was 18, my cousin Mark and I found Jesse's first album in the record bin at Wal-Mart. It lay there staring up at us from the miscellaneous W's stack. After reading the titles of the songs, we shrugged our shoulders, and decided to take the $4.99 plunge. It turned out to be one of my best investments!

Here I am now, 19 years later, still listening to that first album, along with the other eight, regularly. It's a part of my "mental exercise routine." I use Jesse's work to regulate my moods. His music covers all the bases.

With Jesse, the mellow ain't too mellow, and the hard ain't too hard. It always seems to be just the right dose. I'm hooked, I must admit. It's, to borrow his line, the punch that "this ole' head needs."

I called around the states to try to track him down last week. I found out from his manager that "he's retired from public performances, but he may cut another album." That felt good and bad, both at the same time. With over 90 songs under his belt, I couldn't conceive of "no new stuff," and I have too many friends that needed to "see it to believe." (Sorry again, Jesse, for the pun).

In 1978, Mark, my friend Geoff, and I, got to see him perform at a little place in Nashville, Tennessee called the "EXIT INN." His band was tight, and his singing was superb. We were glued to his every song, hanging on to an experience, that I hoped would last. He sang songs in a way, that I could not forget, now I know that as part of his magic. Jesse put so much into each song, that sometimes tears ran from his eyes, and ours too!

In 1980, I saw Jesse on a 1978 re-run of PBS's "Austin City Limits," and again, the performance was superb. Wish I had it on tape for memories sake, but it's clear in my head.

If I may speak for everyone; "Jesse, you have been an inspiration to all of us, and I hope by putting your songs down in writing, I can share the excitement you have given me, with others that have yet to experience it. God bless you, and I thank Him for sharing you with us."

I wish I could have seen Jesse perform live before he retired from the road. I did manage to capture him on a video in April 1990 on American Music Shop, on The Nashville Network. He sang the "Brand New Tennessee Waltz", one of everyones favorites. If you can, watch for a re-run. The one line that grabs me the most, is from that very song: "Love is mainly just memories, and everyone's got him a few."

Jesse, we're glad we have yours!

December 1990

Copyright Notices and Such

All songs presented in this collection are copyrighted by Jesse Winchester and/or used by permission for this private collection. I have included a copyright statement with each, stating the album, date, and who wrote it, if it wasn't a Jesse original.
I originally put this collection together for a few close friends. I am very pleased that Jesse has decided to share it with the rest of his fans. Please do not duplicate, copy, or reproduce any of these songs or pages for distribution to anyone else or for any other reason. Since this is a gift to you, cherish it as such. May you read it and enjoy it for years to come.