What a pleasure it was meeting Billy Swan today, a musician and songwriter I admire very much and whose songs I’ve performed countless times. Thank you to my friend @monsieurmatt for inviting me to stop by his truly stunning @southerngrooves studio in @crosstownconcourse for my first visit. I cannot wait to hear what they are cooking up, I know it’s going to be very special. Many people know “I Can Help”, but real ones know “Lover Please”, a rhythm and blues hit in 1962 for Clyde McPhatter. I played guitar on my friend @jackoblivian’s version on his Rat City album. Billy also worked with Kris Kristofferson during some of his peak early work, including classics like The Silver Tongued Devil and I. One of the many cool things about Billy’s original hit recording of “I Can Help” besides the trademark organ sound is the unforgettable guitar work of Reggie Young and Chip Young (no relation), two of the most-heard session guitarists of all time. Both the intro lick and the solo are throwback rockabilly guitar master strokes, required reading for any guitarist interested in the style, and a lot of fun to play. For years I’ve performed regularly at the @guesthousegraceland in the lobby lounge as an acoustic duo, playing many Elvis songs, naturally, and a variety of Memphis classics, along with a few of my own tunes here and there. But one song I make a point to play every single time is “I Can Help”, because it was of course recorded by Elvis Presley. Being a songwriter myself, I like to share with the guests what I know about the many songwriting greats who composed the music that comprises the Elvis Presley repertoire, people like Otis Blackwell, Lieber and Stoller, Pomus and Shuman, and Billy Swan. So it was really cool to meet him today. Thank you, guys. I love Crosstown Concourse and enjoy my experience there every time. What a cool thing we have here in Midtown. I’m always happy for any excuse to stop by. #BillySwan #songwriters #songwriting #rockabilly #rockandroll #rockhistory #Americana #Memphismusic #Elvis #reggieyoung #chipyoung #clydemcphatter #kriskristofferson @elvis (at Crosstown Concourse) https://www.instagram.com/p/Co0R6aZvTOI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
