HE SWAT THE LAW, AND THE MUSIC WON

Singer-songwriter Jeff Talmadge closed his law office in favor of singing his story songs: ‘Everything changed.’

by Dave Richards PREVIEW Staff writer

His songwriting draws comparisons to such artists as Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Guy Clark, and master storyteller Raymond Carver. But before he devoted himself to a music career, Jeff Talmadge was closer to Atticus Finch. He worked for years as a civil trial lawyer in Texas before trading in writs for a guitar-pick life as a troubadour.
The jury’s still out on exactly why he switched careers.

“I don’t have a real good answer for that,” said Talmadge, who’ll play the Spring Fever Festival in Cambridge Springs on Sunday. “It just seemed like it was time to do it. I felt the urge to do it. “I’d made a record in 1999, ‘Secret Anniversaries,’ and the critical response was really good. I was pleased with how it turned out, especially for a first record. I think, in the process of doing that, I realized I loved doing it.”

He writes story songs, rich in landscape, which paint stories through vivid details. He’s more of an observer than diarist. “I’d say most are based in some way on something I’ve seen, but they’re not necessarily biographical,” Talmadge said. “I’m a writer of stories. So, though there may be a real trigger that gave rise to the story, I wouldn’t read too much into them from an autobiographical point of view.”

Talmadge has published poetry and short fiction, and he earned his MFA in fiction from Warren Wilson College. But like other Texans, he found setting words to music can evoke even more resonant pictures. His literate, half-sung, half spoken story songs — quiet, resolute, dignified — have earned raves from folk critics.

HE HAS “AN INTIMATE STYLE that invites listeners into the worlds of his stories,” wrote a Dirty Linen reviewer. Most often, Talmadge is compared with Van Zandt, another artful songwriter who wrote understated songs. “I take it as a compliment. He’s one of the great songwriters,” Talmadge said. “If you’re a Texas songwriter, there are a few guys who really set the standard high like Townes and Guy Clark and too many to mention. Rodney Crowell and Steve Earle are from Texas.”

“Blissful,” Talmadge’s fifth CD, hit No. 1 in February on the Roots Music Report, which tracks radio airplay for Americana artists. He also has a European following, especially the Netherlands. Being a troubadour isn’t as lucrative as trying cases. Talmadge still accepts an occasional case for friends or family, but would rather stick with what he loves for a career — music.

“Alejandro Escovedo named his publishing company More Miles than Money, and some days it feels like that,” Talmadge said. “But it’s been great, I have to say, and I’m not being maudlin. I’ve met such wonderful people doing this. I’ve gotten to go places and see things I never would have dreamed of seeing.”

His career switch led to other, equally big changes as well. He recently married and relocated from Austin, Texas, to Atlanta. “I came out not knowing what to expect. I sold my house, closed my law office,” Talmadge said. “Everything changed, and it all turned out good. What are the odds of that happening?”

Probably as good as “Law and Order” spinning off another hit.

Spring Fever Festival will be held Friday from 6 p.m.-1 a.m., Saturday from 1 p.m.-1 a.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Riverside Inn, 1 Fountain Ave., Cambridge Springs. Admission is $5 each day, $10 for a three-day festival pass. For details, call (888) 803-1296 or visit online at www.springfeverfestival.com.

Singer-songwriter Jeff Talmadge will perform at the festival on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.