JESSE WINCHESTER

Facts

Born: Shreveport, LA, on May 17, 1944; Jesse’s father was in the armed forces and was stationed there; the family left Shreveport while Jesse was still an infant.

College: B.A. in 1966 (major German) from Williams College in Massachusetts.

Current Home: Quebec province, near Montreal, Canada.

Mississippi Influences: Grew up in Memphis. His father, with GI Bill money, bought a farm in Mississippi.

Canadian Exile: Moved to Canada in 1967 to protest the Vietnam War; became Canadian citizen in 1973; amnesty was granted by the U.S. in 1977.

Performing Career: Played in bands in high school in Memphis, first as a drummer, then as a piano player. Later, after college, also played in Memphis clubs. His debut tour in the U.S. was in early 1977 and coincided with the release of his new Bearsville LP Nothing But a Breeze.

Songwriting Career: One of the most acclaimed songwriters in the last 25 years. He represents a school of songwriting whose songs have been cut by Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, John Denver, Jimmy Buffett, Anne Murray, Wynonna, Waylon Jennings, Reba McEntire, among others. He started writing songs after he moved to Canada in 1967; he played with a French band way up in northern Canada. The band members spoke French, no English, and when he would come home to his room, he would write songs.

Classics: “Brand New Tennessee Waltz,” “Yankee Lady,” “Little Glass of Wine.”

Recording Career: Began in 1970 with his first album Jesse Winchester, recorded in Canada. Robbie Robertson of The Band helped him get his first recording contract and produced the first album.

Pop Charts: “Nothing But A Breeze” (1977) and “Say What” (1981) (Both Bearsville).