Previously Appearing at Wickham was...
Gretchen Peters
Over the last three decades, Peters has proven to posses one of the most indelible voices in country and roots music in addition to wielding one the genres’ most enduring pens. But in 1996, as she crossed the invisible Music City barrier between writer and performer, few could have predicted what lay ahead. On ‘The Essential Gretchen Peters,’ she combines career-defining tracks with rare outtakes, demos, and B-sides to provide a two-disc snapshot of her remarkable journey as a singularly fearless and creative talent.
Peters first arrived in Nashville in 1987 and quickly established herself as a songwriting force to be reckoned with, with tracks recorded by some of the biggest names in country music. She landed her first #1 with George Strait’s rendition of her “Chill Of An Early Fall,” garnered her first GRAMMY Nomination and CMA Song of the Year win with Martina McBride’s recording of “Independence Day,” and penned hits for Patty Loveless, Shania Twain, Bryan Adams, Trisha Yearwood, Jimmy LaFave, and Etta James among others. “If Peters never delivers another tune as achingly beautiful as ‘On A Bus To St. Cloud,’” People Magazine wrote, “she has already earned herself a spot among country’s upper echelon of contemporary composers.”
All the while, though, she had bigger plans for herself.
Gretchen Peters is a songwriter and an artist. Both sides are essential to her identity, and one listen to this collection makes it clear that her extraordinary body of work is indeed essential listening for the rest of us.
Gretchen Peters appeared in 2016
Recent Facebook Posts
All the coverage of the 50th anniversary of the moon walk got me to thinking about this video, which begins with some of that footage.
I was 11 years old that summer, and was visiting my father and stepmother on the island of Grenada in the West Indies. We didn't have a TV - I don't think there were more than one or two TVs on the whole island. Instead, my father and I walked down to the beach with a transistor radio and stared at the moon while listening to the faint, scratchy sound of the radio broadcast, which itself sounded as if it were coming from the moon. Somehow, listening to it on the radio while staring at the moon hanging above the Caribbean Sea was perfect. I suppose being the only person I knew who didn't see it on the TV could have made me feel left out - but I felt lucky to have experienced it that way. It seemed even more unbelievable, even more like magic.
"We think we're special/we think we're golden
We think we're walking on the moon, but we are dancing in the dark"
youtu.be/6DIzYBLXpp4
I think all of your songs are terrific, but there is a special place in my heart for Idlewild, I love how oblique it is, truly a mood piece for the age, it wraps up this listener in a soft fine cloak of memory and hope and regret, every time I hear it, I especially enjoy it live, it works the magic of the history of my life and my generation on me like no other, thanks.
Lovely memory. I lived without a TV in the period after 9-11, and my experience of listening to NPR and reading about it is so different from most people's experience of being slapped in the face with repeat images on TV for weeks.
Beautiful song. Beautiful memory.
This is such a wonderful song and I know how much it means to you. I reminisce (time travel) every time I listen to it and it makes me think of your Dad as well. Thank you Gretchen Peters for sharing so much of yourself with all of us fans & friends. That means so much to us!!! Much love & light being sent your way! <3
Beautiful story Gretchen
What a wonderful memory of that momentous day, Gretchen. Yesterday, I purposefully watched the “Idlewild” video, for the very reason of your inclusion of the moon landing & spacewalk in it. It encapsulates those exceptional times, both in history, and social history. Of course, it is a superb song, one of my favourites.
One of my favorite songs by you, Gretchen, and how magical to hear the backstory.
I"m sorry, it's my absolute favourite. It's the essence of songwriting! <3
Brilliant song, great lyrics and I was only a baby when Apollo 11 landed on the moon - yet it is my earliest child/babyhood memory as I have a recollection of being sat in front of a TV and my Mum saying "the man in the moon" to me. And as a little kid, looking for that man as I stared up at the night sky.
Idlewild is one of my favourite songs . I was so pleased you sang it when we saw you in Leeds last year xx
Thank-you for sharing this great memory Gretchen!
Beautiful memory.
My favorite song of yours
I was staying at my grandparents. They could have transmitted it upside down ( I think they did) and we couldn’t tell. They woke me in the middle of the night and I remember sitting on the sofa falling asleep looking at a snow storm on the 📺
I was in Borneo, school holidays from boarding school in the UK, with my parents. I listened on AFN ( American Forces Network) on my dad's shortwave radio and you're right, there was something very special about listening rather than watching on TV.
Love this song and the video.
I love this song so much. X
Wow!!!! What an amazing way to experience the moon landing xxx
Still one of my favourites of yours x
Love it, Gretchen. Wonderful story and great memories. xx :-)
Haunting. Brings back a lot!
Such a touching and magical memory!❤️
Fantastic memories! I was 15 and watched on tv - in the middle of the night UK time - then went straight to my first day at my first school holiday job. And I stayed awake!
Sehr schön! Erinnert mich ein bisschen an Leonard Cohen !
One of my fave songs of yours. ❤️
West Coast, you're next! See you 8/7 - Michael's On Main in Soquel CA, 8/9 - Sutter Creek Theatre in Sutter Creek CA, 8/13 - Freight & Salvage Berkeley CA, 8/15 - The White Eagle Portland OR and 8/19 PitchFork Social on Salt Spring Island, BC. More info at gretchenpeters.com
Finally back in Portland! Last show in Portland was the weekend Whitney Houston passed
Come back to. ENGLAND PLSEEEEE XX
See you in September - Americana Music Association Festival lineup has just been announced!
waiting for you in Italy!
