The Early Years

Here’s the story behind this collection at music:

Before the story teller there was the writer, before the writer there was the artist. As Papa Jack the singer-songwriter-storyteller my art is all about the uniqueness of America, it’s past, my past, and the people l’ve bound inspirational and intriguing. Story songs gre my true passion and in today’s world not sa very commercial in nature. But before the old storyteller there was a younger version of me who lived on the road as a performer during the outlaw years of country music.

As that younger person l enjoyed some regional commercial success as an independent artist who wrote and sung his own songs. The master tapes from my past recordings were actually tapes! I went through a box of them and chose the songs I thought were the mast bun to listen to. Even lack then I was a little off center of the then current commercial trends with an affinity towards songs with a plot.

The state of Texas has always been a great place for artists a little wore alternative to make a living. I owe the lone Star stale a great debt of gratitude for the many years I was privileged to perform there.

It is strange hearing a younger voice of your own and remembering the sessions that produced these recordings. It is personally nostalgic to remember Sam Weedman (of Dr. Hook fame) whom I met as an engineer at Pete Drakes on 16th Avenue, Father-in-law, the legendary steel player Hal Rugg, and guitarist Bill Hullet, who made some great demos in his own studio. These and the others who I had the joy of making music with are bond memories.

I hope you enjoy this trip into the pre-Papa Jack years when a writer named Jack Klinebelter wrote these songs and his alias, entertainer J.W. Kline, performed them.