Tomorrow I’ll be playing my last set in the UK (my second home, it seems) for awhile. The usual scrapes, bruises and bumps – proverbial and actual – aside, the road has treated us well. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to play with this incredible band. I’m a little emotional about this tour coming to an end; even more so than usual, for reasons I’ll explain below.
I’ve been touring hard for ten years now, with very little in the way of breaks. So in 2017 I’m going to take some long overdue time off. I won’t be touring for the rest of the year after we get off the Cayamo cruise in late February. It’s time to rest, to be still, to think about what’s next. I’m going to be tending to family matters, doing some writing – I may even get a houseplant. During this hiatus I’ll be sending the newsletter out about once every couple of months – no tour dates means less news, and there’s no point in taking up space in your inbox unless I have something to share. I WILL still be posting a new free download every month – I’ll post a reminder on Facebook and Twitter when it goes up. I do hope to stay in touch with you via social media, and I’ll let you know what I’m up to every couple of months or so via email. There’ll be news I’ll want to share; I just won’t be sharing it quite as often. I so appreciate your support, encouragement and love. I’m excited about taking a break and I know it’s the right thing – but I will miss seeing your faces in the audience and I’ll be back before you know it.
x G
In case you missed it, Barry Walsh and I dropped in at BBC Radio Scotland in Edinburgh to visit with Edi Stark on the Janice Forsyth Show. We had a chat and played “Five Minutes” live. You can listen at the link, which will be available for the next 27 days. Many thanks to BBC Radio Scotland for having us!
Peters is renowned as a fantastic songwriter, having penned hits for the likes of Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Etta James and Trisha Yearwood. And oh, did the songwriting shine. Her ballads conjured up images of an America now lost; of working class families, love and loss, heartbreak, and everything in between.
The Grammy-nominated folk/country/Americana star was accompanied by partner Barry Walsh on piano and accordion for a set of beautifully vivid songs. Together they created a very warm stage presence, helped no end by Mareel’s simple yet cosy lighting setup. It was an evening of rich storytelling, with material from her most recent album Blackbird – the title track, a powerful murder ballad co-written with Irish songwriter Ben Glover – as well as songs from a back catalogue that spans some 20 years.
To read this review in its entirety, visit The Shetland News.
Grammy-nominated songstress Gretchen Peters delivered a tear-jerking, spine-shivering setlist at Mareel on Tuesday evening.
Accompanied by partner and polished pianist Barry Walsh the pair interwove tales of love, last-gasp cigarettes and heartbreak in a profound and moving collection of songs.
At times Peters left her soul bare under the cosy stage lights, with such searing honesty it left a lump in the throat.
To read this review in its entirety, visit The Shetland Times.
On June 4, 1996, my debut album, The Secret Of Life, was released, and we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary with a live Facebook event! Join me and Barry Walsh this June 4th at 1pm Nashville time (Central Daylight Time) for a live chat on Facebook – we’ll answer your questions, reminisce about recording TSOL, play a few requests from the album, give away some free stuff and have some fun. Be sure to “like” my Facebook page, tell your friends and tune in at 1pm on Saturday June 4th to join the party!
2017 marks the 10th edition of Cayamo – the grandaddy of roots music cruises – and I’m excited to announce I’ll be onboard! Cayamo sails from Tampa on February 19th – stops include Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico – and the lineup is incredible: Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Patty Griffin, Richard Thompson, Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Kacey Musgraves. Paul Thorn, Shawn Mullins, Aoife O’Donovan, Parker Milsap, The Secret Sisters, Amy Helm, Angaleena Presley, American Aquarium, Sam Lewis, Gretchen Peters, Randall Bramblett, Ruby Amanfu, Beth Woods, Brian Dunne & more TBA. I’ll be joined onstage for all our shows by Barry Walsh on keyboards and accordion and our dear friend & bandmate Christine Bougie on lap steel, electric guitar and drums. More info about the cruise is available at the Cayamo website – join us!