Songs that take you back by Jodi Thomas

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Last night I went to a lecture/concert at West Texas A&M University to hear a legend, Red Steagall.

He talked about this way of life in the West and how important it is to America. He told stories of ‘Riding for the Brand’ and being loyal to the man who signs your checks and doing the best you can. He talked of ‘Working until the job’s done’ and I was reminded I’d been burning midnight oil to get my next book finished for about a month.

Now I’ve never dug a post hole or ‘Ridden the River’ but I understood what he was saying. By the way (for you city folks—like me) Riding the River with someone means you trust them with your life.

I come from five generations of farmers and ranchers. Mostly dry land and small ranches. ‘Helping your neighbor.’ ‘Being kind.’ ‘Loving your country’ were a few themes Red talked about.

As a writer I often feel I live in two worlds. One is real and the other is in my mind. Somedays Honey Creek is real to me. I know just where it is, a small town in the heart of Texas.

But last night the country music was what touched my heart and made me smile. The song took me back in time to an old Ford on the way to Hollis, Oklahoma. Four kids in the back seat and my dad singing cowboy songs to put us asleep.

Red sang a few early cowboy songs last night that my father sang on road trips. Sometimes stepping into fiction is great, but then again so is walking into the past. I’ll be playing Red’s songs while I’m writing the west.

Here are two versions of the songs:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=there+is+a+bunk+in+the+bunkhouse+tonight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCtqvGhXqt8

 

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If you’re looking for something new to read, my latest book will be out April 26. SUNDAY AT THE SUNFLOWER INN is a fun read about Honey Creek. Love must be in the air because in addition to the mystery, I’ve added lots of laughs and three love stories. Please order your copy at http://www.jodithomas.com.

I’d love to hear the name of your favorite country song. I’ll listen to them all and pick one lucky winner for an autographed copy of my new book SUNDAY AT THE SUNFLOWER INN.

Looking forward to chatting with you,

Jodi is giving away one autographed copy of

Sunday at the Sunflower Inn

Jessica Ann McKenzie—“Jam” to everyone in Honey Creek—has fulfilled her dream of owning the best restaurant for miles around. Serving candlelit dinners to every couple in town on Valentine’s Day is a reminder of another dream, one she’s just about given up on. Until, that very night, Sergeant Tucson Smith clambers out of the muddy river and onto her land, bringing the promise of something they’ve both been searching for.
 
When McCoy Mason crashes on Interstate 45, he doesn’t just bust up his Mustang, his leg, and his relationship. He also loses his prospects of a job and apartment in Houston. Honey Creek, home to his estranged grandfather, offers a temporary respite, a place to recover before moving on again. After all, what permanent use could a town so picture-perfect have for a man like him?
 
At sixty-seven, Charles H. Winston III lives by order and routine. One of his most cherished rituals is a regular lunch date with three lovely ladies at the Honey Creek Café, including the very proper Miss Lilly Lambert. But it’s not too late to surprise the whole town—or himself—by seizing a chance for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. And there’s no better season than spring, when the warm breeze blowing in from the Brazos River brings fresh hope and second chances to those who need them most . . .

About Jodi

With millions of books in print, Jodi Thomas is both a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 50 novels and countless short story collections. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world.

In July 2006, Jodi was the 11th writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. With five RITA’s to her credit, along with National Readers’ Choice Awards and Booksellers’ Best Awards, Thomas has proven her skill as a master storyteller. You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and her website – https://www.jodithomas.com/

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35 thoughts on “Songs that take you back by Jodi Thomas”

  2. Hello Jodi- it’s so great hearing from you. I love Red Steagall, I grew up listening to him. I love his song Tornado. This last weekend I went to Stephenville to see my parents for Easter. Every morning just as the sun rose, Dad & I would get in his mule and drive down into the pasture and look at his cows and baby calves.
    We even talked about bunchgrass belly high, just like Red talks about in his song Tornado.
    My favorite country song?? That’s hard, but I do love all George Strait, Amarillo By Morning, still is my favorite by him. Willie’s Red Headed Stranger is another.

    I’m reading your book Dinner On Primrose Hill, I’m loving it, I hope to finish it today and I’ll send you my review.

    Thank you for visiting, maybe one day Linda, Phyliss, you, & Rob & me can get together.
    Have a blessed Friday.

  4. Got an error the first time, let’s try it again.

    The Dance by Garth Brooks.

    Also love Crazy by Patsy Cline.

  11. I love “Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait. My grandfather recently passed and he would sing that to my grandmother when she had cancer and my father (who is a great man, but can’t carry a tune in a bucket) will belt that song out with me in the car. I have many other country favorites, but this one owns a special place in my heart. I haven’t been into modern country in a while, but I like a lot of songs by Cody Johnson and Scotty McCreery – “Stronger”, “By Your Grace”, “Water Tower Town”, “Seasons Change”, etc. I hope you enjoy your listens. My mother (who can sing) used to sing me to sleep (I’ve always had a hard time sleeping and pretty severe insomnia), as well as on long road trips to see family. My siblings and I would sing along to church songs. To this day her singing and stroking my hair can get me through just about anything.

  17. ‘If I Could Only Fly’ sung by Merle Haggard although it was written by Blaze Foley

    Jodi, I was pleased to read that you got to go to the event after you’ve been under pressure to complete a book!

  21. Welcome today. I dont know names, but I heard a lot of cowboy songs when I grew up on the farm. Lots of men would sing and think nothing about it. Funnily, (is that even a word?) the women had totally different songs. My mom and some of her friends loved to sing Johnny Cash. So I grew up loving these songs also. So cool that you got to talk to red like this. I know a couple of farmers in TX and they say the same thing that he does. It is so nice to know that not all those wonderful things have died.

  22. I really enjoyed your posting and look forward to the next book in this current series. Hard to beat the classic Amarillo by Morning by George Strait!

  26. There are so many I am not sure I can pick just one. El Paso City, Take Me Home Country Roads, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Daddy Sang Bass to name a few. Thank you for sharing such wonderful memories. God bless you.

  27. Just about anything by George Strait but especially Amarillo by Morning and How Bout Them Cowgirls. Love the book cover.

  28. “Lonesome Valley” by Mississippi John Hurt! That man was a genius. (Also “I Shall Not Be Moved”, also by Mississippi John! I can’t decide which of the two is my absolute, tip-top fave–which do you like best?)

    I love me some country blues!

  30. Poncho and Lefty by Townes Van Zandt is such an amazing story song. My favorite covers are by Emmylou Harris and Willie and Merle.

  32. Jodi, I didn’t get a chance to come by yesterday. Welcome back with another fabulous book! Your Honey Creek series is so good. I enjoyed going with you to hear Red Steagall. That was such a treat. Wishing you much success and love.

  33. My woman, My wife by Marty Robbins. It still makes me cry to this day when I listen to it. The last song I heard him sing I believe was “You’ll never walk Alone” Also a heart breaker. Marty was my favorite country and music singer. We also were privileged to see him in person at a concert in Cedar Falls, IA. A fabulous show!

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