Jesse Winchester

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Jesse Winchester is the stage name of musician James Ridout Winchester (born May 17, 1944 in Shreveport, Louisiana)

Winchester was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and attended Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, graduating in 1966. Upon receiving his draft notice in 1967, Winchester moved to Montreal, Quebec to avoid the draft during the Vietnam War. He became a Canadian citizen in 1973, living in Montreal, and Quebec's Eastern Townships. He later moved back to the United States and, as of Winter 2006 lives in Virginia.

Winchester has recorded sporadically on several labels since 1970. Unable to tour in the U.S. until the 1977 Carter amnesty, he has become best known for his excellent songwriting, despite being an equally accomplished singer and guitar player.

His songs include "Yankee Lady", "Rhumba Man", "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz", "Mississippi, You're on My Mind", "Defying Gravity", "Freewheeler" and "Biloxi." They have been recorded by many artists including Patti Page, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez, Jerry Jeff Walker, Wilson Pickett, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Reba McEntire, David Ball (country music), Bonnie Raitt, Everly Brothers and Brewer & Shipley.

Winchester's song "Step by Step" from Let the Rough Side Drag was used in the final episode of HBO's 'The Wire's first season.

[edit] Discography

• 1970 - Jesse Winchester
• 1972 - Third Down, 110 to Go
• 1974 - Learn to Love It
• 1976 - Let the Rough Side Drag
• 1977 - Nothing But a Breeze
• 1978 - Touch on the Rainy Side
• 1981 - Talk Memphis
• 1988 - Humour Me
• 1989 - The Best of Jesse Winchester
• 1999 - Gentleman of Leisure
• 2001 - Live at Mountain Stage

[edit] External links

• Jesse Winchester Jesse Winchester's Studio
• Wounded Bird Records 2006 reissues of Jesse Winchester's Bearsville albums on CD