Jim Lauderdale | Zen There, Done That

If it’s one thing that we love here at americana podcast, it is the concept of the artistic process. We’re not alone in this, it seems that when anyone speaks about artists, musical, visual, conceptual- you name it- one of the first things people will go into or ask about, is how a piece of art came to exist.

We’ve been doing it for three years on this show. 

And even when you ask an artist “how did you do this?” There’s no guarantee you’re going to get a straight answer. If anything, in the interest of mystique- you’re more likely to be left with more questions about creation than you are to be given clarity. 

Our curiosity about the subject is inherently curious. If it present, if it already exists for us to view, or listen to or think about, why do we care how it got there? 

That feels like a much deeper question that a philosopher would probably be able to answer. But as a semi-professional music lover with a microphone, I think it’s because the artistic process reminds us that art, no matter it’s shape, is still inherently human. That it is subject to the time, and strengths, and limitations, and abilities of the one who makes it. The artist lives a life, inherently creates based on that experience, and then puts those creations out into the world to say “I’ve made this”.

It’s a very human process. And even when it’s difficult to like humanity, it is easy to love that which reminds us that we’re still human. 

On today’s episode, we welcome an artist who embraces that humanity and pursues creation and the artistic process. Enough to have made 34 records so far in his career. Jim Lauderdale, a native of Troutman, South Carolina released his first record in 1991. A natural collaborator, he’s worked with the likes of Rodney Crowell, Buddy Miller, Nick Lowe, and Roland White. And he’s had songs cut by everyone from Elvis Costello to George Straight. And like anyone in the music industry, he’s had ups and downs. And he’d be the first to tell you. 

In just a few moments of being in a room with Lauderdale, it is difficult not be struck by his kindness and forthcoming nature (he’s also a bit of a prankster, I found out the hard way). 

So Join us on this episode as our host Robert Earl Keen, speaks with Jim Lauderdale about the artistic process, the documented phenomenon of “the Jim Lauderdale effect”, and more.

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