I’ll come clean and fess up.
This week’s blog post is dripping with bias. My journalistic integrity has been dashed. There is no way I can approach this week’s subject, Kingsport, Tennessee, singer/songwriter Beth Snapp, without any notion of prejudice.
That being said, rest assured this blog post is not fake news. It’s true in every sense of the word.
Last weekend, my writing world happily collided with my music promotion world. After a week or so of listening to Snapp’s second album, Write Your Name Down, which she just released, I helped host a concert with Beth at The Inn at Wise, an iconic hotel here in my hometown. Some seventy patrons turned out for our listening room show, and Beth and her band didn’t disappoint. Her quartet ripped through songs off of both her records and some choice covers, including a wonderful renditions of the traditional “I’ll Fly Away” and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.”
This was our first time putting on a show at the Inn, and it proved to be a magical evening. Beth and her band were tight, the room sounded wonderful, and we all had a delightful time.
Some five days later, I am still basking in a bit of a post-show buzz, so forgive me my bias. Beth Snapp and her new record have been heavy in my CD player lately, and I might be her new #1 fan.
I was happy to catch up with Beth to chat about the new record, creative outlets, and her favorite outdoor adventures.
BRO – Do you remember the first song you wrote?
BS – Yes, and it was horrible! However, I also remember being 23 and writing “That Can’t Be Me,” from my first album, and being pleasantly surprised that it seemed like a fairly well written piece! It was one of the first songs I sang in public, and other singer/songwriters seemed to enjoy it and be interested in me as the “new kid.” If fed my desire to see if I could do it again.
BRO – You worked with Tim Stafford, noted bluegrass guitar player from Blue Highway, on this record, How’s your flat picking?
BS – My flat picking is, well, absent. Ha! That’s why it pays to have fabulous friends like Tim to do such an amazing job. I can do a little cross picking, but I guess I’ll stick to rhythm, which is just fine with me.
BRO – We are featuring “Write Your Name Down” on this month’s Trail Mix. What’s the story behind the song?
BS – I was driving to Kentucky to see the last leg of the Eagle’s concert tour, incidentally on the same weekend that was supposed to be my wedding reception. It wasn’t, and that’s okay, but I was not in the mood to write a story that ended in a marriage proposal. The idea took itself in that direction, however, so there we went.
BRO – Aside from songwriting, what are your other creative outlets?
BS – I used to do ceramics in earlier days, and I was just talking with a friend about signing up for a wheel class. I would like to revisit that hobby soon.
BRO – What’s your favorite outdoor adventure in Northeast Tennessee?
BS – I do like hiking a lot, especially to waterfalls. This past year, I went to several in Southwest Virginia, and I plan to explore Tennessee more this year, but Laurel Falls never disappoints. I also enjoy paddle boarding and hope to get my own board soon. We are blessed to be surrounded by so much water and gorgeous scenery, and I like to take advantage of that.
Beth has a live session at the Birthplace of Country Music in Bristol, Virginia, scheduled for Friday afternoon. After that, show dates throughout Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee are on tap.
For more information on Beth Snapp, the new record, on when you can catch her live, surf on over to her website.
Be sure to take a listen to “Write Your Name Down,” along with other great tracks from artists like Otis Taylor, Nicki Lane, Annabelle’s Curse, and more on this month’s Trail Mix.
