Crooked Road CD Series [Back]

Gin Burris: Wind & Rain

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These days, her singing, at least publicly, is limited to a few shows a year.  Occasionally, Gin will perform a few numbers with Joey’s group, The Southern Pride Band.  In addition, Gin contributed some vocals on their 2001 recording, Something Different.   Like Gin, Joey also comes from a long line of storied old-time musicians.  It is the Southern Pride Band and their friends and family who provide the wonderful accompaniment to the recordings on this record. They strike a perfect complement to Gin's singing – skillful yet understated, never overshadowing her lovely vocals. It should come as no surprise to the listener that they have won a similarly impressive array of ribbons and awards. "They win everywhere they go," Gin says proudly.

When producer Jon Lohman asked Gin who she wanted to play on her record, the choice was simple.  "Jon told me I could get anybody I wanted to play on there,” Gin explains, “I said I can't think of anybody better than my husband and his band. They played with me for a long time and kind of put up with me."  In addition to the historical importance of the songs and Gin Burris' lovely vocals, these recordings are noteworthy for their tasteful accompaniment.  No one here is "putting up" with anyone.

Ultimately, this recording gives Gin the chance to pass these songs on to another generation of singers and players.  After many generations in her family, this unbroken line of music, sadly, may not outlast Gin.  "Right now in my family, I'm pretty much the end of the line.  I've got one son and he's got no interest in it whatsoever.  My brother has two sons, and they don't care anything about it.  I really can't think of anybody in the family that has any interest in carrying it on.  I'm pretty much the end of the line...and that's a sad thing."

This point was tragically underscored for Gin shortly after these songs were recorded:

My mother died June the 7th, and my father died July the 26th.  I asked for a copy of the rough cut of the cd because they hadn't heard it, and I got it the day that my mother died.   So she never did get to hear it.  My dad did, but she never did get to hear it.  The majority of it came from her.  There's a few of them that came from my grandma on my dad's side, but the majority of it came from Mom.

I really had some great influences growing up, on both sides of the family.  Later on when I got older, I realized that not everybody had that and I really got a special gift.  I owe them for giving me the gift of music, and I just hope by me carrying it on that they're looking down, smiling on me.

This recording, then, is Gin's way of passing along the gift that was so lovingly passed on to her.  In lieu of a younger generation of family to share it with, she will selflessly and happily pass it along to anyone who wishes to share it.  "When I go to conventions, a lot of people, they're kind of weird about their songs and their music, and they don't share it readily.  And I'm not like that.  If somebody wants to learn something from me, I'm glad to let them know."  She adds, "I'd hate for the old way of singing to die out.  Everybody needs to keep it alive if they can, and you can't keep it alive if you keep it to yourself. You gotta’ give it away."

In a way, these old songs have always filled a vital need, as counsel and guide and as moral compass. They speak simply and eloquently of the seasons of the human heart and of the need to be always mindful of the effect that our lives may have upon others. As the modern world continues to trivialize and ignore the traditions that were once the highest expressions of our forebears, we would all do well to accept this precious gift of song from Gin Burris.  As Gin herself says, most poignantly, "It's good to know where you come from. You don't know where you're going 'til you know where you come from."

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