BILL MARKHAM

Bill Markham

Bill Markham got his first guitar for Christmas at age 13. He then
bought a book and taught himself how to play. He has been playing
and writing songs ever since.

His musical influences come from his mother, who was from east
Tennessee, so he grew up listening to Country and Bluegrass . But like
most teenagers of that era, he wanted to play Rock and Roll, like Ricky
Nelson and the Everly Brothers. These influences had a profound effect
on his musical direction.
Bill’s dad didn’t care much for Rock and Roll. He used to yell, “Turn that
damn Be-Bop music off!” Nevertheless, he just kept playing it anyway –
So Bill’s music is kind of a mixture of Rock, Country and Bluegrass.
   He’s been writing his own music for over 40 years. The first song on
the CD is “Kelly’s Café”. This song was inspired when he and his
brother, Rodger, would play every Saturday night at “Kelly’s Pub and
American Grill” Sandwich, IL.   Bill and his brother Rodger ( playing
mandolin and harmonizing with him throughout this CD), would play right
at the bar – strictly acoustic. “Kelly’s” has a dining area just off the bar
with a corner booth that’s off by itself. That’s what inspired the “Café”
song. The song is a sarcastic one, as one of the lines says, “What
makes you think it’s over? What makes you think we’re thru - just
because I saw him with his arms around you in the corner booth?”
   “Teddy Bear” was inspired by all children who are trying to stay
awake, even though they are sleepy.
“Before the Flowers Bloom” is a tribute to the pioneers and the
person who is waiting for each of them to come home.
“In Your Dreams” is about two people breaking up after years of
marriage, but not pinpointing the reason for it.
The song, “The Blue and the Gray” was inspired by the fact that both
sides of the Civil War had a tremendous loss of people. They were all
heroes, whether from the North or the South.
   Though Bill has never sailed on a ship or even owned a boat, the
fascination with those old sailing ships has always intrigued him.   “The
Sailors Song” and “The Wreck of the Jenny B” are about the same
fictitious ship. The dangers and hardships that those early sailors faced
are still unimaginable today. These songs are a tribute to them and
their wives.
“Steel Rail Preacher Man” was inspired by the preachers of
yesteryear, and like any man of the cloth, spreading the Word from town
to town.
    “ Reunion ” is about two very real people. Bill’s wife has an aunt
who had been married for several years and then widowed. One of her
aunts high school classmates, whose wife had also died, got in contact
with her. They dated, were married and are still married to this day.
“Cheri’s Song” is an instrumental. It’s basically a fast-moving tune,
representing the energy of a child, like Bills youngest daughter.
   “Ragged Blue Jeans” is one of Bill’s favorites. The story is about a
hard-working farmer with a loving wife and how lucky he is.
“It’s a Long, Long Road” is about a musician being on the road for
most of the year, playing on one stage after another. He knows he has
to keep traveling from one town to the next, no mater how tired and
homesick he is.

Most of Bills songs pay tribute to the pioneers, settlers and sailors of our
country.    If it were not for their sacrifice, we would not have the
blessings we have today.

   I hope you enjoy the music and it takes you back in time and gets
your imagination going. When you’re driving down the highway past
cornfields, the sea or on your way to any destination, just remember
what the early years were like without paved highways or any of today’s
comforts.

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