Compare this original rocking version of ‘Two Ships’ from Charlie Jackson and the Heartland Railway version of the song:
… To this lovely classic country duet version of ‘Two Ships’ from Charlie & Amanda!
We are all winners here! Two great versions of a terrific song from the pen of Mr. Jackson!
It was a real pleasure to talk with Charlie and Amanda about their music! The new record ‘The King & Queen of Dayton Country‘ is available this Saturday! You can follow them on Facebook! Their CD release is happening this Saturday at the Yellow Cab Tavern. Check the Yellow Cab Tavern’s page for information regarding the social distancing requirements and policies.
Our sixth installment of 11 Questions with… features one of the best songwriters in the Dayton Music Scene! Charlie Jackson burst onto our consciousness with his solo record ‘These Days’ (released in late 2015-early 2016) that featured some of the most well crafted, mature and relatable songs about the problems of real life. Wanting a broader sonic textures for his songs, Charlie recruited Denny Cottle, Ricky Terrell and Brad Bowling for ‘Charlie Jackson and the Heartland Railway‘ which released their eponymous titled record in 2018. A terrific EP called well… ‘EP’ followed roughly a year later. Anyone who has had the good fortune to be able to attend some of those lives shows know that Charlie was often joined on stage with his amazing vocalist spouse, Amanda, who added not only vocal harmonies but some fantastic singing of her own to those songs and a series of classic country covers. In a more just world, these songs would be at the top of the country charts!
We especially wanted to catch up with Charlie and Amanda as they are preparing to release their first record together. The release show will be happening on July 25th at the Yellow Cab Tavern which has done a terrific job of continuing to be a safe source for local music during the pandemic.
As always we wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Charlie and Amanda who took time out of their busy schedule to answer 11 questions for our readers/listeners on YTAA! We appreciate learning about how these terrific songs came together.
Dr. J: What can you share with us about when and how you both started recording your latest record, The King & Queen of Dayton Country?
Charlie & Amanda Jackson (CAJ): We actually first started recording in Feb 2019 after just having our first show in Dec 18. After both of us (understandably) had some issues, we decided that we (and the songs) weren’t quite ready to be in the studio yet. So, we practiced a ton, and played a lot of shows and got more familiar with the material. In November of ’19 we went back in with Patrick, but the songs had all changed and evolved enough that we just started over from scratch. We had two full sessions in Nov, then another in January with Patrick and David Payne, and then a final one near the end of February with just David at the helm.
Dr. J: You have worked closely with Patrick Himes at Reel Love Recording Company here in Dayton, Ohio for several years, what first led to your recording with Patrick? How has that relationship shaped your music?
CAJ: Yes, Patrick mixed the first Railway record, and he had done such amazing work with so many artists in Dayton, I knew I really wanted to work with him in a broader capacity. We had hung out with Patrick quite a bit at shows and the Slovak Club so he had heard us play, and got to know us on a personal level. We had talked with him about what we would want a potential record to sound like, so we already had a head start toward making the album we really wanted.
Dr. J: The King & Queen of Dayton Country is a very different record than E.P. and Charlie Jackson and the Heartland Railway, how do these records compare? What influenced your work on each of them?
CJ: The two projects definitely have quite a few similarities and differences. The work I did with The Heartland Railway is far less country than this new album. My writing has always leaned more on the country side, but while working with the guys in the Railway it took more of a rock vibe to it. I have said before, we were a rock and roll band playing country songs. This new project certainly leans more toward a classic country/americana sound. Amanda and I both listen to a LOT of old country music. Like, the old stuff from the Sun Records days, 50’s and 60’s country. Stuff like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Patsy Cline. This really influenced our sound more than it did for the Railway. I have always been a big proponent of letting things progress organically.
With the Railway and with this new album. I don’t try to tell the other players what to play or how to play it. I’ve told all of them, that I’m not going to tell them how to play their instrument when they’re better at it than me. I didn’t have a bullet-pointed list of what I wanted, or where and when I wanted it. I let them feel it out and flesh it out. I could’ve said I wanted a straight Nashville sounding Tele lead guitar on the album, and it probably would have ended up sounding very Merle Haggard and I would have loved it. By stepping back and letting Casey breathe with it, he gave the lead guitar a very Knopfler-esque quality that I wouldn’t have asked for, but I absolutely dig. My songwriting across all three releases, I think, hasn’t changed a whole lot, I feel like I’ve evolved as a writer but every release combines new material with songs that I’ve had for a decade or more, and they all seem to fit together nicely. Amanda and I are even breathing some new life into some songs I wrote about 13 years ago, and they’re turning out great. Its all about letting it breathe, and seeing where it can go.
Dr. J: ‘Call This Home’ – the first single from The King & Queen of Dayton Country – addresses forms of love and support that someone finds at home – is that a correct interpretation of the title? If that is correct, did you intend to address how difficult it is to make a loving home or did the song evolve in that direction over time?
CAJ: The song absolutely reflects love and support found within a partner. We didn’t intend to address difficulties in making/keeping a loving home. Every partnership requires communication and work, but when love is there, it is just there. We do fuss at each other and we playfully argue but in our 17-years of being a couple we have never truly fought. Our love and communication have kept the big blowouts at bay.
Dr. J: How did the song ‘Call This Home’ come together musically for you?
CJ: I wrote the chorus first; I had no idea what direction I wanted for the verses yet. I told Amanda I wanted her to write her verse. She (of course) told me that she couldn’t write a verse, but then started sending me lines. They were just some insight to how she feels and how she thinks. I used those lines to craft her verse. Her verse was written before mine. But this was the first song that Amanda really had a hand in writing.
Dr. J: Where do you often derive inspiration to make music?
CJ: I can draw inspiration from just about anywhere, but my biggest muse has definitely always been Amanda. In the love songs (even if they aren’t autobiographical) I use her as the focal point of the love itself. For the sad songs and the heartbreak songs I recall back to our times apart in the rockier years of our early relationship, or I look at what I now know I would be missing out on if that love wasn’t there. Now, with this new level where I’m writing songs about her and for her to sing, she’s even more of a muse than she already was. Not just lyrically, but even the way I arrange the music revolves more around her. I write in keys that showcase her as much as possible. When I can coax her out of her shyness and get her to sing out, especially in her higher register, she has this natural vibrato in her voice that is just beautiful.
Dr. J: How would you describe the music that you typically create? How has that process evolved or changed over time (especially as you think about your journey from These Days to Charlie Jackson and the Heartland Railway to The King & Queen of Dayton Country)?
CJ: Ok, first let me just say that I think it’s hilarious that you even put ‘These Days’ in with the others. Those are really just demo tracks, at best. I really didn’t know what I was doing with any of the 4 home recorded albums I released.
Anyway, I like to think of my music as honest and relatable. I try to lean more on being clever, I don’t usually delve deep into poetic symbolism and imagery. It’s a little stripped down, a little raw. Maybe it draws from the years in Punk Rock, but I like to get to the point and make it clear. I like to tell a story.
Dr. J: What is next for you musically? Do you have plans to record again with The Heartland Railway? How would you describe your thoughts at this point for your next project?
CJ: Up next, I’m really looking to record a solo record. I don’t know how many songs yet, more than likely just an EP. I want it to be much more stripped down, kinda like Nebraska, or Southeastern, or Cheaper Than Therapy. Not much more (if any) instrumentation than just me and an acoustic. Kind of a ‘back to basics’ approach.
Amanda and I also already have several songs on deck for a second Charlie & Amanda release. Some brand new, some of them are songs that I wrote at the very beginning of my journey into country music writing. We really have the advantage of the fact that before the Railway got together, I already had 4 self-released albums worth of songs in my back catalog. Amanda has taken over the duties of figuring out which of those lend themselves to a duet format, and figuring out who should sing which verse, changing pronouns so it makes sense, etc. So, we have plenty to call back on.
I’m really focusing as much as I can on this project. We have been practicing with the other players and I’m loving the band format with Amanda in the mix. That being said, while a Heartland Railway show in the future wouldn’t be off the table, I really see this project, with Amanda at my side, is really the direction I see myself moving forward.
Dr. J: What is your favorite song to perform with Amanda? What is your favorite song to perform with the Heartland Railway? What makes it a current favorite in your performances? Do you enjoy Live Streaming?
CJ: My favorite song with the Railway, definitely ‘Sugarbeet‘. Such a fun song to play, plus it has like 4 guitar solos in it. Just a barn burner.
With Amanda, from the record, my favorite would have to be Oasis. I love the way our harmonies intertwine on that one. My favorite one to sing with her, however, would have to be one of our new ones named Carolyn. She really belts it out, it’s a whole lot of fun. Once the world opens back up, I promise it will be a regular addition to the set list.
I do enjoy Live streaming to a point, but I really miss the interactions. That was one of my favorite parts of the show. Hanging out, laughing, raising a beer. There really is no virtual replacement for that.
Dr. J: What is one message you would hope that listeners find in the unique nature of your latest music?
CAJ: Laughter and love. Its really something when you not only share a household, and share love, and share a life with your Partner, but now sharing our music together, and sharing it with others. Being a little bit vulnerable and sharing some of the truths about life and love that we’ve learned. It really helps you connect. We’ve heard people say that our voices blend so well together, and we like to believe that it’s a direct result of us trying to be so in tune with one another on every level, that it really comes forward in our music. We are not overly private people and we share real life within our songs, some of the real-life issues are hard ones that we deal with every day or issues we have overcome. We hope people can look at those and understand that regardless of what life throws at you there are always ways to help you move forward in life. One of the ways to get through muddy situations has always been, and will always be, love and support. We offer that to each other and others.
Dr. J: As a musician, how are you adapting to the challenges of the Coronavirus?
CAJ: It’s a really weird time. Especially for those in the entertainment industry. Amanda and I are lucky that this isn’t our regular gig. We don’t depend on our music to help finance our daily life. Amanda works from home, so she hasn’t missed a day over the virus, my work has been a little spottier than usual, but I’ve still worked more than I’ve been off.
We have definitely missed the shows and all of our friends through all of this. Now, on the cusp of releasing out debut album, with the Covid numbers getting worse, we are definitely afraid that our release show won’t happen the way we have planned, and that certainly bums us out. But we are healthy, and we have each other. So, we can’t complain too hard.
Thanks again to Charlie and Amanda for taking the time to answer these questions! All pictures and images courtesy of Charlie & Amanda Jackson.
Charlie & Amanda on Facebook Charlie Jackson and the Heartland Railway on Facebook
The first couple of Dayton Country Music have their first single from their upcoming debut record! Harkening back to the classic country duets and duos of classic country past, Charlie & Amanda craft songs that address and document the challenges of real life with heart, sincerity and authenticity. Their music reminds us of the legendary country duos of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rodgers and Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash and June Carter. The most appropriately titled full length album “The King & Queen of Dayton Country” is available for pre-order now at at the duo’s bandcamp page. The record will be available everywhere on July 25, 2020. You owe it to yourself to check out the first single!
They have some cool merch as well!
Hindsight is always 2020
Well, here we are, the end of another year is upon us. If you’re like I am, you are fighting to break out of your self-imposed echo chamber which you have ensconced yourself in and (possibly) you are thoroughly convinced life as you know it is falling apart. Yes, 2019 has been one of “those” years. As we all watch the worlds political systems, economies and climates stretch and strain under the forces that be, it is easy to fall into a state of hopelessness and despair. For a great many of us, however, the thing that keeps us upright and a productive part of society is an unnatural reliance upon popular music, rock n roll in particular, and the almost mystical way it seems to be able to make life bearable. Almost like a gigantic connective web covering the world, for those of us who are tuned in, music is the prime mover, the voice of generations, the highest form of expression and ultimately, the reason behind it all. Like legendary Who guitarist Pete Townsend said, “… the elegance of pop music [is] that it [is] reflective: we were holding up a mirror to our audience and reflecting them philosophically and spiritually, rather than just reflecting society or something called ‘rock n roll.’” Indeed, this is the way it was then when The Who was at the forefront of new music and the way it still is now.
Fortunately for almost everyone, I am not prone to writing long pieces extemporaneously, but initially and for reasons unknown, I was asked by my friend Art Jipson, (a Dayton Ohio music legend in his own right), to write a small piece on what I have been listening to this past year and write a couple of review lines about each of the artists. Not being someone who routinely turns legends down, I agreed to the project and found that in attempting to put the piece together I was forced into deep water asking myself why was it exactly I was listening to what I was listening to. Why was I drawn to things I was drawn to and what did they truly mean to me? The truth is, I’m not sure I came up with any solid answers and I definitely did no music reviewing in the process of writing this article, but here are some things I think are worth mentioning.
2019, for all intents and purposes, was a year of great turmoil in the United States. Social 
upheaval and political division was at an all time high and I have found that with only a few notable exceptions, artists from previous eras have become suddenly and starkly relevant again in a way that has never happened for many of us before. For instance, 2019 saw the release of the album Colorado by Neil Young, which is objectively an amazing piece of artistry and social commentary. Take into evidence the song “Shut It Down” where the venerable Mr. Young sings:
“All around the planet There’s a blindness that just can’t see Have to shut the whole system down They’re all wearing climate change As cool as they can be”
I was, and am, immediately drawn to this album for reasons other than just being a decidedly die hard and zealous Neil Young fan. There are things afoot which we haven’t dealt with in many years and they are starting to show in the edges of the musical spectrum of rock-n-roll.
The Drive By Truckers, the die hard stalwart hardest working rock band in the business, this year released a single and a teaser for they upcoming album with the titles being respectively, Perilous Night and Armageddon’s Back In Town. My friends, there are things moving, whether you want them to or not, which we have not seen in many years. In Perilous Night, Patterson Hood sings:
“Dumb, white and angry with their cup half filled
Running over people down in Charlottesville
White House Fury, it’s the killing side, he defends
Defend the up-ender, yes he played that tune
it ain’t the ending but it’s coming soon
We’re making love beneath a sputnik moon again
White House is glowing from the Red Square light
The gates at the border being slammed down tight
We’re moving into the perilous night, my friend”
These are heady and potentially dangerous times, and Rock N Roll, maybe even all of pop music, is standing in the gap ice again ready to take up the cause. Yes, there were many albums released this year and singles which have absolutely nothing to do with the general climate in the world, for instance (and I am showing my age here) Juliana Hatfield, and Swervedriver both released albums this past year. However, I find myself continually drawn back to music which is speaking to our times, even when those times are from years which have seemingly passed out of relevance.
Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Drive By Truckers are all in my rotation on a constant basis now because they are in the process of capturing a point in time for me. I need to post a disclaimer for everyone who has made it this far in the article. I am not living some sort of 60’s battle reenactment; (This is a line from a Frank Turner song, if you don’t know him you should look him up). I am suddenly and very acutely aware at this point in history we, in this country, and on this planet, are watching huge tectonic plates grinding and moving against one another in a way that has not been seen in many many moons. Put your antenna up friends, the truth is out there and it’s starting to be sung about out on the fringes.
Ultimately, however, and when I finally pull my mind away from the morass of the public spectacle in front of us, I gravitate back towards the people and places I love and am familiar with. For instance, local bands Like Seth Canan and The Carriers, The Boxcar Suite and the 1984 Draft. Artists like Charlie Jackson and Amber Hartgett, and really everything Patrick Himes touches, are always somewhere in my headspace leaving sonic trails through the synapses. I miss Tom Petty more and more every day and wish I could let it all go again but did you hear? Rage Against the Machine is coming back for one more go. Coincidence? I suspect as we roll into the next year we will see an even greater resurgence of politically and socially charged music and lyrics and I for one think it is long overdue. In this case, hindsight is truly 2020.
Jeremy Siegrist describes himself as “a no one, from no where, in a small band in Ohio called The Typical Johnsons, who are making as much noise is as humanly possible from his low low vantage point.” https://twitter.com/TypicalJohnsons @TypicalJohnsons Typical Johnsons Fan Club & Website Their latest song ‘Wreckage’ is available on all platforms. We recommend checking out The Typical Johnsons’ page on bandcamp!
Today on the show we will be talking to Lindsay Murray of Gretchen’s Wheel about her Nada Surf project ‘Moth to Lamplight’ which you can preorder in advance of the March 22nd release!
And we are joined in the studio by our pals Charlie and Amanda Jackson! They are making their first joint appearance on Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative! The perfect example of a power couple! Charlie known for his solo work and his music with The Heartland Railway makes a return to YTAA. We welcome Amanda to the show! She has been singing with Charlie for years but recently the duo have begun playing out together! We will talk about their music, fantastic singing, amazing harmonies and great songwriting!
If you have heard their amazing music than you know why we are so excited about this visit! So, make the plans, set up the schedule and do whatever you need to do to join us from 3-6pm online over on wudr.udayton.edu or 99.5 & 98.1fm in Dayton, Ohio!
One of our favorite singers in Dayton has a new record that we want to share with you! We refer to him as the “Golden Voice” in Dayton. His voice is simple amazing! And now you can pre-order a copy of his forthcoming solo record! You are a lucky person.
Harold Hensley is a staple of the vibrant Dayton music scene! His work with The Repeating Arms deserves your attention. You know it is going to be an excellent music experience when you see Harold is in the room whether he is singing his own songs or jumping up and singing with pals like Charlie Jackson and The Heartland Railway or The New Old Fashioned!
And it is indeed good news that Harold is reaching out to all of us with with a pre-sale for his upcoming Midnight Savings Time!
Shows where you can see these terrific musicians! See you all there!
Charlie Jackson and the Heartland Railway, Kyleen Downes & Alexis Gomez April 13th!
The Repeating Arms have a show on May 11th at Star City Brewing Company!
Auburndale, Me & Mountains & The New Old Fashioned on May 11th at Blind Bob’s!
On Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative this week we have planned over an hour of local musicians who have played the YTAA studio over the past several years! Expect live music from Chad & Aarika of Cricketbows, Tod Weidner of Shrug, Tom Gilliam of Ghost Town Silence, Mack McKenzie, Manray, David Payne, OldNews, Charlie Jackson, The Nautical Theme and TEAM VOID! This is part of our celebration of thirteen years of Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative!
On the shows this week we are celebrating tons of great shows in the Dayton area by playing music from The New Old-Fashioned, David Payne, Starving in the Belly of the Whale, Charlie Jackson and the Heartland Railway, The Castros, Shrug, This Pine Box, Jetty Bones, The Florals, Andy Gabbard, Jesse W. Johnson & Coyote Scream, HEXADIODE, Salvadore Ross and The Afghan Whigs!
We have some new music from Mr. Joe Anderl and a cool demo from Fleetwood Mac that has Dr. J rethinking the sound and influence of that band!
Join us from 3-6pm on WUDR tomorrow – wudr.udayton.edu. or 99.5 & 98.1fm in the Dayton, Ohio area! You can always request music by contacting drjytaa on twitter!
We also have special guest Gail Pop in the studio to talk about the important COAT initiative (Community Overdose Action Team). Our pal Gail is on the prevention branch of the team. Check out their important work –http://www.phdmc.org/coat!
On March 28, Charlie Jackson joined us in the studio for an interview! He played several terrific songs. Enjoy!
This Tuesday we have a real treat for all of you music lovers! Tod Weidner (Shrug, Motel Beds) will be on the show playing some live music during the second hour of YTAA. While Tod has been a guest on the show before we have not had the pleasure of having him play some songs for us from the performance studio. The new Shrug album ‘Age of Ashes’ is a brilliant record and we are very excited about having Tod in the performance studio to play and talk about his music and upcoming shows with us.
If that was not enough musical goodness… around 6pm we are going to have Charlie Jackson in the performance space to play and chat. We have been playing some of his songs for a while and they are terrific! If you are not up on Charlie’s great songs… well, that one’s on you because we have been playing them on YTAA.
So, you have no excuses! None. Zip on the rationalizations. Join us tomorrow for an expanded edition of Your Tuesday Afternoon Alternative from 3-8pm for some terrific new music and live performances from Tod Weidner and Charlie Jackson. That happy feeling that you have right now is because you are excited about this show. See you tomorrow beginning at 3pm on wudr.udayton.edu or 99.5 and 98.1fm in Dayton!
By G.C. Stein
Music and Interviews w/ Dr. J on Tuesdays 3-6 pm on WUDR Radio
An Uncool Podcast by two uncool guys.
College Sports, History, Music, Movies, NASCAR, Technology, Television and last but not least ... anything Southern!
Music, Family, Food, History and Life!
online hub for this least-selling author
A Glasgow view of Americana and related music and writings.
The road goes on forever
Streaming Forward, Powered By The Past - if you love the 80s music, new music, Eurovision, cheesy pop and awesome playlists then let's get this pop party started!
Music and Interviews w/ Dr. J on Tuesdays 3-6 pm on WUDR Radio
Revealing the True Origins of Silence
Photographer, Designer, Editor and Educator Ray Laskowitz talks about pictures and their back stories.
Revisiting my extensive music collection, one artist at a time
Follow my blog for books, poems, photos, music, art, education, views...
Sweet, sweet pages of blissful music
Fanblog for the Raleigh, North Carolina-based band The Connells (formerly onesimpleband.net)
www.MusicConnectionDayton.com
Music Blog
your tuesday afternoon alternative 