I sent the following message to several media outlets yesterday with the subject line "Nashville Loses its Brightest Hope...Maybe":

Dear Nashville,

My name is Chuck "Southpaw" Jones, and I am a local performing songwriter/provocateur.  Some of you may not know who I am, and that's understandable if not wholly expected.

You see, I moved here from Houston, Texas almost five years ago.  Granted, I spent four of those years in an oppressive educational institution, but I used every chance I had to promote my music and creativity in town.  I have performed solo, with a band, with guys, with girls, at the illustrious Bluebird Cafe, on the sidewalk of the not-so-illustrious 2nd Avenue, at Guido's (under four different owners), at the 22nd Street Cafe (after it was the Owl's Nest, before it was Abstract Cafe), at Henry's Coffeehouse/Gibson Guitar Cafe, at Radio Cafe, at Sam & Zoe's, at motels, at bookstores, under my real name, under a fake name, with an acoustic five-string guitar, with an electric, and with a guit-board (or key-tar).

I have danced, I have worn a uni-tard, I have proposed to a young lady on stage, I have sung "Lady in Red," I have been struck multiple times with metal shelving, I have shared a first date publicly, I have thrown a bloody Halloween rat at a good friend, I have written poetry, I have spontaneously shaved my head, and I have physically gone through two tables all for the entertainment of you, the fine people of Nashville.  Did I mention I also write consistantly above-average tunes?  I have made your fellow citizens laugh, cry, gasp, cheer, boo, yawn, shriek, and even sing along from time to time.  Waiting for my turn at writers nights, I have sat patiently and stayed awake enduring hours and hours of mediocre songs about mama, songs about God, and songs about antique furniture.  Such things can add many years to a man.

Now, as I approach my five-year mark, I find that for all my effort and all my "critical acclaim," I am just as poor, just as unknown, and just as powerless as I was when I pulled into town a shivering 18-year-old in 1995.

I'm not going to complain, however, for now is the time to act.  How, you ask?  By packing up and leaving, that's how.  But I can't just forsake my small band of supporters without a fight, so I'm giving this fair city one more chance.  Actually, three more chances.

I'll be performing at Guido's New York Pizzeria on three Wednesdays: June 21, June 28, and July 19.  Each show will begin at 8:30 PM and there will be NO COVER CHARGE.  I am humbly demanding that at least fifty people show up for each of these diversion-offerings.  I don't think that's too much to ask in a populous city of people who love "original" music, even on a hump day.

If my demands are not met, quite simply, I will leave Nashville.  No hard feelings, no rotten eggs, no spilled milk.  It's just time for me to bring the same seriousness to myself and my talents that I expect from others.

Maybe this town just isn't for me, and no one's to blame.  Frankly, I no longer think of creativity, innovation, and depth when I think of Nashville.  I envision giant malls, used football teams, and pre-teen country stars.  Are my impressions inaccurate?  Am I wrong?  Then prove me wrong, Nashville, at my Ultimatum Shows.  Come see what you have been (or will be) missing.

I am including my contact information below.  I will make time for more detailed discussion, encouragement, counseling, or brief farewells.

Thank you for your time,

Chuck "Southpaw" Jones

Attend or stay home.  Either way, you'll make history.

I think that about sums it up.  Please feel free to forward (or cut & paste) the message to anyone who may have power, influence, or just interest.  I want to make somewhat of a spectacle out of all this.  You guys are, after all, "my small band of supporters," and I'd appreciate any help you might offer.

In other news, I've added a Guestbook to the web site.  It's looking pretty pathetic now because I'm the only participant, so if you get a chance, check it out at https://southpawjones.tripod.com/feedback.html.  Oh, and reviews...keep sending those precious Starter Kit reviews.

At peace,
Southpaw
 
 

Chuck "Southpaw" Jones
southpawjones@peoplepc.com
http://www.southpawjones.com
P.O. Box 150938
Nashville, TN 37215-0938