9/12/24 – Southgate House Revival, 111 E 6th St, Newport, KY – Buy Tickets
Kentucky songwriter and storyteller, Grayson Jenkins, releases new music today in the form of his acoustic EP Live from Elkhorn Creek – his first release in nearly two years. Recorded live in a quaint cabin on the banks of Elkhorn Creek in Frankfort, KY, the resulting tracks are vulnerable, direct, and heartfelt. Featuring a mixture of brand new and reimagined songs from his catalog, Jenkins puts his stories and sentiments at the forefront in this new suite of acoustic tracks. The EP is accompanied by live performance videos that have already amassed 50,000+ views on YouTube and Jenkins will celebrate with a May 4th release show in Lexington, KY at The Burl.
Fans can listen to and watch the full EP HERE.
With the release, Jenkins offers one of his most vulnerable songs to day by opening up about the loss of his mother on “Mother’s Day.” Written on the same holiday in 2023, the song addresses the deep hurt and grief felt on a day offering others so much joy. Hesitant to release the song, Jenkins was encouraged by those in similar situations that offered words of support and shared how much the song helped them cope. Birds can be heard chirping in the background as the gentle, rolling melody of “Mother’s Day” paves the way for a descriptive take on processing internal emotions. “Ultimately, the song is about empathy,” says Jenkins. “Empathy for others in difficult situations with their mom, and empathy and love for myself through the grief I’ve experienced.” says Jenkins.
From “Mother’s Day (Live from Elkhorn Creek)”
The little kids are laughing
Down at Shelby Bottom park
Swinging high and wetting lines
Trying to catch something before dark
I’ve missed you quite a lot
Ever since you went away
But I miss you a little more
On Mother’s Day
After spending much of 2023 touring the U.S. as a solo support act for Pony Bradshaw and Vincent Neil Emerson, Jenkins found himself with a renewed joy of performing with just his voice, guitar, and harmonica. Throughout his career, and particularly in his early days gigging around Lexington, KY, Jenkins has found himself alone on stage with the task of entertaining a crowd. Those formative years and his recent time road dogging have left Grayson with a knack for captivating audiences without a full band, something he does quite well on Live from Elkhorn Creek (OUT TODAY).
Sonically, the tracks on Jenkins’ new release are raw, uncut, and uniquely him. Accompanied by revered Kentucky multi-instrumentalists, Don Rogers (The Local Honeys, Cole Chaney) and Thomas Albert (Nicholas Jamerson), Jenkins’ delicate fingerpicking is lifted by dobro, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, and mandolin across the five songs. In returning to the 70’s Folk, Country, and Bluegrass that has long-inspired him, Jenkins and company pay homage to their heroes and deliver a distinct Kentucky sound. On the lead track “Taxes & Time,” Jenkins delves deep into his own thoughts on aging and becoming the man he is today. “It’s a very introspective song for me,” says Jenkins, “I grapple with my own aging process and often feel like time is escaping me. Writing it helped me make a little more sense of it all.”
Jenkins is a natural troubadour singing about days gone by and honky tonk nights on “Dance Away to a Country Song,” a classic country singalong in the realm of Willie, Waylon, and Hank Jr. Rounding out the Live from Elkhorn Creek recordings are reimagined versions of “Cowboy Dream” and “Little Things.” Already a fan favorite, this new version of “Cowboy Dream” offers a different insight into the rambling ways of the lonesome lead character. “Little Things” pays homage to one of Jenkins’ favorite artists, Don Williams, with a hint Williams’ easy-going delivery heard throughout.
As he gears up for more studio projects and touring ahead, Jenkins is thankful to have a renewed sense of purpose through the approach taken on this latest release. On Live From Elkhorn Creek, you’ll find the songs, stories, and vulnerability that have garnered Grayson Jenkins a lasting audience and the respect of his musical peers.
LIVE FROM ELKHORN CREEK TRACKLIST:
Taxes & Time
Dance Away to a Country Song
Mother’s Day
Cowboy Dream
Little Things
UPCOMING SHOWS:
May 4 – Lexington, KY / The Burl
May 9 – Decatur, GA / Eddie’s Attic
May 10 – Liberty, KY / Liberty Concert Series
May 11 – Nashville, TN / The Basement
June 8 – Pineville, KY / Laurel Cove Music Festival
June 29 – Asheville, NC / Hey Y’all Farms
Sep 12 – Newport, KY / Southgate House Revival (w/ Sam Burchfield)
Sep 13 – Cleveland, OH / Beachland Ballroom (w/ Sam Burchfield)
