Inventive take-off on the "Wizard of Oz"

guitaniac · #1 02-11-2010, 12:20 PM

This inventive song is titled "Somewhere In Kansas" and comes from Nashville writer Hugh Moffatt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtjy0JvgwYY

Hugh got the initial idea for this song when one of his friends (fellow songwriter Lee Domann) happened to mention that his wife (Lee's wife) was "somewhere in Kansas" at the time. Hugh was already a successful commercial writer at the time (mid '80s), so his creative tools were well-honed enough to recognize the song potential in a phrase that would of whizzed right by a slub like me.

Gary

Bob1131 · #2 02-13-2010, 08:05 AM

Very entertaining! Man, you look like you're having fun!!

guitaniac · #3 02-14-2010, 12:50 AM

Thanks for the observation, Bob. You're absolutely correct. I am having fun. I suspect, however, that my rubbery facial expressions give some folks the impression that I'm in pain. Not so.

Gary

L20A · #4 02-14-2010, 10:24 AM

Thanks for sharing this with us.
You do look like you are having fun to me.

I'm a Hugh Moffatt fan myself.
I really like his song, Carolina Star.
Tony Rice did a very nice cover of it, before he lost his voice.

rhancox · #5 02-14-2010, 10:38 AM

You are one unique entertainer, sir. Always love your stuff.

guitaniac · #6 02-15-2010, 11:37 AM

Hi L20A,

Although I met Hugh Moffatt in Nashville, it wasn't until I heard him play a few solo gigs in New England (supporting a Rounder Records album release) that I truly appreciated his particular genius. He combines words and music in a very complimentary and evocative way. The whole is much greater than the sum of its parts, and he makes it seem deceptively easy and simple all the while.

Hugh has a high school jazz band background. I think that possibly informs the subtle sophistication in his playing which I was unaware of until I heard him solo. In any event, its nice to bump into another Hugh Moffatt fan on the AGF.

Its interesting to note that Hugh went to the same high school in Texas, around the same time, as the late, great Stephen Bruton (another impressive songwriter who was also a record producer and a Kris Kristopherson bandmate/pal). I find that to be quite the coincidence.

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the kind and supportive comments. I try my best to provide a performance which is worthy of the song.

Gary