John Paul Jones
From:
San Diego
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Posted 2 Aug 2001 6:38 pm |
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Dave,
I really wanted to ask you this by email but you don't have one listed.
In 1969 Jean Shepard recorded a song I wrote called "I'm Tied Around Your Finger". It was a 'single'.
In 1989, 20 years later, she performed it on the "Nashville Now" show. I thought it rather strange that she chose to perform "Tied Around Your Finger" 20 years after she had it out. Especially in view of the fact that she has had songs that sold much better for her than mine.
Two things came to mind, either they planned to re-release the song, or the song meant something special to Jean. Since the song was not re-released (to my knowledge) it left me wondering if maybe the song DID mean something special to her.
I wrote her a letter and asked. She replied with an 8x10 picture that she autographed and said "Thanks for a great song, Tied Around Your Finger", but she didn't answer my question about WHY she performed it 20 years later.
I'm hoping you can shed some light. Have you heard her mention anything about this? Does she perform the song on her personal appearances? Or, would you ask her about this for me, then email me back.
Jean Shepard also had "Tied Around Your Finger" and another song I wrote called "You Know Where You Can Go" on her "Seven Lonely Days" album
Thanks in advance.
John Paul Jones
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Dave Robbins
From:
Cottontown, Tnn. USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Aug 2001 1:47 am
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John Paul Jones,
thanks for your question. I hope I can answer it to your satisfaction.
Right now, I can only answer you this way, but I will check for you to see if she does have any particular attachment to it. If she does, I'm not aware of it, at least it has not been brought up. But, I will try to find out for you.
We haven't done the song now in some time, but not for any specific reason. I think Jean looks at a song as to whether she thinks it is a good song or not and not necessarily whether it has any special meaning to her. I'm sure she must think it is a good song because we have done it several times in the past, such as on the Opry. It isn't normally a part of our repetoir on show dates, but sometimes Jean will throw something in for a change or if there has been a special reason for it, such as a request or something along that line. Usually, there just isn't enough time to do very many songs during a show. She will usually try to do her most recognizable hits, current selections (such as from her newest "Tennessee Waltz" album w/ yours truly playing on it!  ), A gospel song (on every show), and then usually end with "Slippin' Away." Sometimes she'll slip something in for a change or just because she wants to do it.
At the Opry, we sometimes find ourselves doing a song because it has been requested or because she just wants to do it. For example, we have done Merle Haggard songs for this reason. Before we go on we generally warm up in the tune-up/dressing room by pickin' and singin' a bit and there's no telling what she might bring up to do. Sometimes if it sounds pretty good we'll go ahead and try it on stage. That's it. Nothing magical in song selection, just what ever she might feel like doing. Also, we try to find out what the other artist on the particular spot we are on with, might do as well, so we don't wind up doing something just like everyone else. Sometimes, us pickers have to come up with arrangements right on the spot and quickly, if we're doing something we've neve done before and then go out and try to play them on stage. Yikes! I've had to learn to keep my solo's simple and easy to pull off because what you can play back in the dressing room, may or may not be what you can play in the "heat of the moment" on stage! (especially with the likes of Tommy White listening!)
Well, that's about all I can tell you for now. I hope it gives you some insight as to why she will do or not do certain songs.
By the way, "Tied around My Finger" is a good song that we enjoy doing.
Dave |
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