Songwriter's Tale featured artist Linda Purrs
With Nashville being a town full of musicians, songwriters, and producers many get lost in the ebb and flow. Encouragement to write in similar styles, dress in likeness, and to follow the formula of mimicking those who have been successful before you is unfortunately the advice that you can get anywhere in town. Originality is a rare beauty. When I first met Linda Purrs, I was just coming out of my own similar shell and finding my own voice. In a way, I admired how brazenly original Linda is and her show stopping force.
Linda and I first met when Linda allowed me the opportunity to perform her show at Our Spot in Gallatin. When asked to describe her show Linda said," I sing and feature other songwriters, many for their first time. I wanted something a little more than a songwriter round, a place they can feel being featured. It has been a wonderful experience to be around so many aspiring artists and watch them bloom!!" That is exactly what she did for me. She provided a stage for me when I was a bundle of nerves holding a guitar, but even as mousy as I was, Linda always welcomes me back and other songwriters seeking their confidence. In fact, I will be back there with a single release party in August!
When I asked Linda about her first experiences as a songwriter, she said, "January 2020 I took my first step in getting my songs together by recording 20 of them acapella at a local music store in Nashville, but I wrote them many years earlier. I wasn't trying to write songs, they all just came to me... bam, bam, bam, in a 2-year period, so I wrote the words down. The words and music came to me at the same time. I did not know how to write the music, but remarkably, I remembered all my tunes decades later. I didn't know what to do with these songs. I was in California when I wrote them and then my life got busy traveling with work for years. They were all but forgotten till I moved to Nashville, Tennessee."
I definitely understand that "bam, bam, bam" experience. Many writers do. Some call it a spiritual experience while others say it's the connectedness of music. There is definitely something magical when music, lyrics, and emotion blend together to make original songs.
Speaking of inspiration, anyone who knows Linda, knows that she is heavily inspired by Hank Williams. One story from her musical travels that never gets old is a story involving Hank. "Hank Williams Sr is my songwriter inspiration. A couple years ago I spent 5 days in Alabama on the "Lost Highway" going everywhere Hank went. 2 museums, the street he was born on, the church he went with his mom, Lily, with, Mt. Olive Baptist Church. The Texaco Station when he got married in Andalusia, the places he played at. I had a hot dog at Chris's Hog Dog place where he ate. The radio stations and theaters he played at, the cabin where he wrote 'Jambalaya' and Ft. Payne where he got his last shave and haircut. Saw the blue Cadillac that he passed away in. Went to his burial place and the burial place of Ruphus Paine (Tet-Tot), the gent who taught Hank to play guitar."
Linda Purrs is a very busy lady. From getting nominated for the Josie Awards Songwriters Achievement award, to being asked to perform at International Singer/ Songwriter Awards "After Party", to releasing her album "Gospel Choruses According to Linda Purrs." " That album consists of 10 known Christian songs that I sing acapella, 2 original songs by artists who have come to my show: "I Found Jesus In The Sand" by Carol LaDuke (I met her at the Bluebird Cafe and we have become great friends), "Humble Yourself to Jesus" by Jamie Cauley and "I Saw The Light" by Hank Williams."
Linda also has received a 2026 Josie Awards and the 2026 International Singer/ Songwriter Awards out of Atlanta for her song, "When your Lonely". This is also Linda's latest release. When asked about the story behind the song, Linda said, "Back Story On The Song: In 1988 my husband was murdered in a car-jacking in Tampa, FL. I wanted to get back to the West Coast Ocean and moved to Coos Bay, Oregon with my two boys who were 11 and 16. For 12 years I didn't have anyone in my life. A lot was my problem because I didn't want someone who Drank, Did Drugs or Smoked... it was a rather 'Mission Impossible". 2000 I found someone... he did smoke, but went with it anyway. First part of the 12 years I was busy working and raising the boys... then loneliness set it. I got a cat. That helped, gave me someone to talk to... boys were now of the age off doing their things. I remember thinking no one is ever going to buy me flowers again. No one to hold... I use to hold the door handles on my bedroom door, close my eyes and sway back and forth pretending I was dancing with someone. Then I started 'Looking'... well, most of you probably know how that goes. But I was SO lonely... went to work, went to church... small town, knew most everyone. Then thoughts went through my head, like : 'I don't even need to know your name... I can put a bag over your head.' And more lonely, lonely thoughts. So, I lived my song and I poured my heart out into it. It touches the 1. PAST: "Thinking of your lost loves" It touches the 2. PRESENT: "No one to come home to... no one to sing a song to" It touches the 3. FUTURE: " Almost anyone will do"
Where can you find Linda Purrs next. She will be playing with her band I now have a band, the G-Town Players, consisting of J.J. Despo on guitar, award winning harmonica player Terry Bartlett, and Wayne Church on the bass. "I perform twice a month at Our Spot in Gallatin, TN (just north of Nashville). Shows are the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 5:30-8:30 pm CST and are livestreamed on my FB Live and TikTok @Linda Purrs."
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