Broadcast: 8 April 2018
Guest: Kimmie Rhodes, Austin-based singer-songwriter, playwright and author
After several years of sifting through archives and journals left behind by her late soul mate, beloved radio personality Joe Gracey, Kimmie Rhodes has just put the finishing touches on her latest labor of love, “Radio Dreams: The Story of the Outlaw DJ and the Cosmic Cowgirl,” a “duet memoir” that weaves her own poetic prose with wry and witty musings from Gracey, who died in 2011.
Slated for release in spring 2018, “Radio Dreams” invites readers into their private world, returning Joe to the conversation to help tell the fascinating story of their lives. Her trippy songwriter’s tales and his alternately hilarious and poignant writings take readers on a time-machine adventure, from Saturday mornings spent watching country-and-western TV stars to the wild ’70s era in which Vietnam war-protesting hippies, weary of the fight, kicked back with rednecks to play some music in the “Groover’s Paradise” of Austin, Texas.
Riding with some fellow outlaws Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, Cowboy Jack Clement, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Doug Sahm and other famous — and infamous — characters, they helped turn Austin into a music scene and outlaw country into a sound before facing Gracey’s final cancer battle. Through triumph and tragedy, grief and gratitude, their story speaks of the extraordinary life and inspiring love they shared.
Rhodes and celebrated radio presenter Bob Harris of BBC Radio 2 also have co-produced the book’s companion audio documentary; Harris describes the components — tapes, records, airchecks, vintage broadcasts, interviews with artists such as Delbert McClinton, Rodney Crowell, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Marcia Ball and even phone messages left by Willie and Waylon — as a treasure trove of music history. In spring 2018, Rhodes and Harris, accompanied by her son, guitar virtuoso Gabriel Rhodes, will embark on a “conversation with” tour of theaters in Britain and Ireland to share a fascinating, intimate and spontaneous evening of stories and songs reflecting on Kimmie’s rich musical history, the sounds of Austin and the legacy of Texan songwriting, in celebration of the release of her memoir Radio Dreams.
At her own Sunbird Studios, Rhodes recently hosted some of the Austin’s finest singer-songwriters to film a segment of Harris’ iconic “Back To” series for WBBC-TV. An airdate for the “Back to Kimmie’s” episode will be announced soon.
Rhodes also has been serving as an associate producer on filmmaker Eric Geadelmann’s six-part documentary, “They Called Us Outlaws.” Dedicated to the memory of Joe Gracey and Waylon Jennings, it will be presented in association with The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum “Outlaws and Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s” exhibit opening May 25 with related events to be announced.
In her role as honorary ambassador for The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, Rhodes visits Glastonbury, England annually to attend Squeeze co-founder Chris Difford’s songwriting retreat at Pennard House, where established singer-songwriters share knowledge and co-write with aspiring young talents. Foundation co-founders and Holly’s widow, Maria Elena Holly, recently celebrated Rhodes’ efforts by presenting her with a custom-made guitar crafted by famed luthier Alistair Atkin. A replica of Buddy Holly’s 1943 J-45, the guitar is encased in hand-tooled leather featuring the words “Lonesome Tears,” the Holly song for which it’s named. Fellow ambassadors with whom Rhodes shares this special honor, each presented with a uniquely titled guitar, include Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Dolly Parton and Bob Dylan.
More information is available at kimmierhodes.com
Song List:
1. We Must Believe In Magic
2. Lines
3. Raining In My Heart
4. Radio Dreams
5. Love & Happiness
6. Contrabandistas
7. Valentine
8. Like A Rolling Stone
9. I Just Drove By
10. You Don’t Know Me
Photo Gallery:
Loading ...