Jack Barksdale has been called a “musical phenomenon” (Buddy Magazine) a “Texas force" (Paper City Magazine) “a singer-songwriter well beyond his years” (Baton Rouge Advocate) an "old soul” (Fort Worth Weekly) and “amazing to watch” (DFW.com). Texas Homegrown Radio said, “He might just be Townes Van Zandt reincarnated.”
Jack Barksdale is a folk/blues/americana singer/songwriter from Texas. Inspired by folk, rock, and blues legends, Jack started performing original music at the age of nine and has already shared the stage with Wynonna Judd, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bruce Robison, John Fullbright, and Hayes Carll.
Recently Jack launched a podcast focused on songwriters and songwriting called Jack Barksdale's Roots Revival Podcast. In March 2022 Jack released his first full length album "Death of a Hummingbird." In June 2019 Jack released a live album recorded at famed Niles City Sound in Fort Worth, TX. And in September 2018, Jack released his debut EP, Revival.
Jack tours nationally and wows audiences with lyrics wise beyond his years. Jack plays guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, mandolin, piano, and ukulele, but identifies first and foremost as a songwriter. His musical influences include Lead Belly, Howlin’ Wolf, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Johnny Cash, The Carter Family, and Willie Nelson.
Alan Mercer: Jack, I must tell you that your new album ‘Death of a Hummingbird’ is a classic. Can you tell me a little about the process of creating it?
Jack Barksdale: Thank you. The Bugle Boy Listening Room in La Grange, TX gives grants to musicians to help pay for an album, and just before the pandemic, they were kind enough to give me that grant. Then the pandemic happened so it was put off for a while, but I knew I wanted to make an album. So, during the lockdown I wrote a lot of songs. I believe all but one of the songs on the album were written during the lockdown. Finally, when I got the opportunity to make the album, I decided to do it with Mike Meadows, a really great drummer who releases his own solo music as well. He’s really cool. He produced the album, and he did a really good job.
AM: Where did you record it?
JB: I recorded it at this really cool studio in Nashville, where Mike does most of his recording with Dex Green, who’s also really awesome.
AM: Did the album turn out the way you wanted it to?
JB: I didn’t know exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted Mike because he hears what will sound good. He knows what will work. He would say something like, “Hey, we should put some organ on that.” That is what he is really good at.
AM: Did you learn what you might do on the next record?
JB: I like to try all sorts of things, so I might end up at a different studio and work with different people just to hear how it sounds.
AM: That’s a good idea.
JB: It would be a whole different sound with a different group of songs and a different feel.
AM: I know you have done some co-writing now. How did you get started with that?
JB: I got into co-writing during the pandemic, and I did it over Zoom. I did a good amount of the songs off the album over Zoom as a co-writer. It was a really fun experience. I got to learn different musicians and songwriters’ styles. So, it was fun, and I think I got some good songs out of the deal.
AM: When you are co-writing, do you write more music or lyrics?
JB: I think it’s about the same. I like lyrics and music just about the same. They are both just as interesting to me.
AM: A lot of your lyrics seem so mature. You must have a large vocabulary.
JB: Well, my mom’s an English major and a teacher so that has really helped.
AM: What do you like about writing lyrics?
JB: I like words. It’s kind of annoying when you can’t describe what you’re feeling, but if you know enough words, you will eventually be able to describe how you feel. I think lyrics are always just fun, because you are trying to encapsulate a feeling with settings and stories and music, and it’s all got to fit together and make its own little story. I find that very interesting.
AM: Jack, there are people who talk about how incredibly talented and skilled you are at such a young age. How does that impact you?
JB: I’ve always been told not to let it go to my head. That’s also great advice, but I have also learned to give myself some credit as well. It’s about finding the balance in not relying on others for validation or invalidation.
AM: Do you listen to negative feedback?
JB: Of course, I do. I take it into consideration. The default response to something is generally good. People will make nice comments and that outnumbers the critical things, but I feel like taking criticism is always a good thing to do.
AM: You are very mature. Do you ever feel a pressure to be a great artist?
JB: I don’t know. I think I am still figuring out who I am. I try to write mostly about growing, I guess.
AM: That would make sense. You interview musicians too. Do you like interviewing someone or being interviewed by someone better?
JB: I don’t know. They are both pretty nerve wracking. (Laughter) It’s fun to get to ask questions you are really interested in. I like getting to learn about these people and how they make their music and who they are.
AM: You don’t go to public school, do you?
JB: No, I homeschool, even before I started playing music, but it really worked once I did start playing.
AM: Do you ever hang out with kids your age?
JB: Sometimes I do, but I find kids my age to be a little high energy.
AM: What are your other interests besides music?
JB: All sorts of stuff. Lately I’ve been getting into science, and I find it really interesting. I just started learning computer programming and it’s really cool.
AM: Do you think music will take up most of your future?
JB: Right now, this is what I want to do, and I hope that I can continue to do this, but mostly I just hope that I’m able to do what I want to do, whether it’s music or something else, or music AND something else.
