If you go
› What: Randall Bramblett Band› Where: Songbirds Guitar Museum, 35 Station St.› When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 6› Admission: $25› Phone: 423-531-2473› Online: songbirdsguitars.com
Randall Bramblett jokes that the raging Vietnam War might have helped influence him to consider entering the seminary his senior year in college at the University of North Carolina, but it's only partially the truth, he said.
"I wasn't really thinking about getting out of the draft. I was taking religion classes and I had great teachers and it was interesting and fun. I was thinking of moving to Boston and entering the seminary, but I also wanted to head down to Athens (UGA) and party and have a good time. Music was always my first love."
The 69-year-old Bramblett said he started taking songwriting more seriously around that same time. He and some friends had access to Atlanta Rhythm Section's recording studio, and when they began putting his songs to music, he was hooked.
"We recorded a bunch of songs in Atlanta and I started thinking maybe I could be a songwriter. They sounded good to us. They sounded different. Plus, I was sick of school and it was a time when everybody was dropping out and living off the land and all that stuff."
Other people liked his stuff as well, and Bramblett became a session player for acts like Gregg Allman, with whom he would also tour, Elvin Bishop, Steve Winwood, Sea Level, Widespread Panic and Traffic.
"I feel honored to have played with some of these people, especially with Gregg at Carnegie Hall and Steve Winwood and Levon Helm. A lot of it was just luck and having been at the right place with enough talent.
"But, eventually I got tired of being a sideman and I wanted to see if I could make it on my own and build my own audience. That's what I'm trying to do now."
Bramblett, known as a top-notch vocalist and multi-instrumental, released his 11th solo record, "Juke Joint at the Edge of the World," last year. It's a collection of songs he recorded with the same band members - Nick Johnson on electric guitar, Michael Steele on bass/vocals and Seth Hendershot on drums/vocals - he will play with Saturday, Jan. 6, at Songbirds Guitar Museum.
"I wanted to use this four-piece band and let them stretch," he said. "This record has the feel of our live show. I also just wanted to make it fun to play."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.
What others say about Bramblett
› “You can’t do better than Randall Bramblett.” - Bonnie Raitt› “One of the South’s most lyrical and literate songwriters.” - Rolling Stone› “See this guy? He’s only one of the most original and profoundly satisfying artists around today. His name is Randall Bramblett.” - Mike Greenblatt, Goldmine Magazine› “Randall Bramblett is the William Faulkner of Southern music.” - Hittin’ the Note Magazine