Essential 8: Tennessee Jed

Courtesy of the Artist

​Tennessee Jed's fifth album, Pimpgrass (March 1) features a blend of funk, soul, country, and traditional bluegrass that packs solid musical punch. A perfect stew of opposing genres, the album highlights honest lyrics, Jed's silky tenor, and dynamic melodies blended and basted into stories that are authentic, funny, and touching. Here, Jed answers his Essential 8 and talks the story behind his album's title, favorite food finds on the road, a bucket list item, and more!

What’s the story behind your album’s title? 
My buddy, Al Al “Sweet Nasty” Ingram, coined the term, “Soul-Country Pimpgrass” to describe my music a few years back. I told him I was going to use it. Then I made up the story of a dream where I try to convince a record store clerk there should be section in the record store for “Soul-Country Pimpgrass.” Preposterous! But by the end, he, and everyone else in the record store become converts. I turned it into a song, which became the title track for the new album, simplified and shortened to “Pimpgrass.” And now there’s an official music video to go with the song.

When/where do you do your best writing?
I find myself coming up with ideas while I drive with the radio off. Hooks, melodies, and concepts come through fairly uncluttered when I’ve been on the road for a few hours. I used to try and write them down or record them while driving, but I make myself pull over these days. Which happens frequently, in seemingly random, often beautiful places.

Do you write about personal experience, the experience of others, observations, made-up stories, something else or a combination?
I don’t stick to any one approach, and I often blend them, which can make for some awkward explanations for people that know me. Sometimes, I will be writing from a first-person perspective and it will be at least partially biographical. And then, in order to make the story work, or in order to emphasize a different point, I will add something or change something. Sometimes, I’m just making the story up as I go. Some songs are definitely straight up personal experience. And sometimes, I will leave things a bit vague intentionally, to leave room for listener interpretation. I want folks to take away something of their own from the lyric.

What’s your favorite food on the road?
I love to sample the local stuff. Which isn’t always good for the waistline. For example, I just had some great barbecue from a spot in Kansas City while I was there for Folk Alliance International Conference. Had to be done. They were running a special that consisted of a pulled pork sandwich with ham on top. How am I supposed to resist pig on top of more pig? My favorite discovery ever, though, was the deep fried boudin ball of southern Louisiana. 

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​What song are you tired of playing and why?
Sorry, but no more “Wagon Wheel.” It’s the “Sweet Home Alabama” of bluegrass.

Is drinking at gigs a positive or a negative?
​I certainly don’t suggest it for everyone, but I find that for myself, a drink or two before/during the show helps take a little of the edge of performing off and helps me relax and get into the zone. It doesn’t take much to overdo it, though, so it is extremely important to know your limits.

Favorite (or first) concert you have ever attended?
My mom took me to my first concert in probably 1985 or ’86. It was Great White opening for Whitesnake at Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina. Great show. I was a total metalhead. I remember the keyboard crapped out on Whitesnake for their biggest hit at the time, “Here I Go Again,” so they had to start over again and fake the part on the guitar.

Is there a professional “bucket list” item you would love to check off?
This may sound cliché, but I would love to play the Opry one day. I got to hang out backstage a few times, back in the day, but never to perform there. Maybe one day soon…

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