Typing “Doug Seegers” into the AUK search brought up only two mentions, both just listed his name among many others in a festival announcement. That is possibly because he would be classified as country, but Seegers has an extraordinary story to tell, which he does in his songs that are pure americana. Based in Nashville, Doug Seegers is someone who most certainly has lived life. To be more precise, he’s been to the brink of life itself, looked over the edge and lived to tell the tale, something he does with his very aptly titled third album, “A Story I Got To Tell”. Seegers tells of his descent into a world of alcohol and drug abuse on the streets of Nashville, which for him were definitely not paved with gold. His story is one of redemption as he finds recovery through his own faith, his music and the sheer kindness of others.
If not a household name in the US, Seegers is a big name in Sweden. Why Sweden? Over a decade ago, Seegers had been a regular at a Nashville food bank whose manager discovered that a film crew from Sweden were making a documentary about the less shiny side of Music City. Having heard Seegers busking and undeterred by the fact he’d kicked his habits only three weeks previously, the manager contacted the crew’s presenter, Jill Johnson. Country music has a wide following in Sweden, where Johnson was a leading light. Initially, Seegers wasn’t enthusiastic, but played ‘Going Down to the River’, a song he’d written about getting clean. Johnson was completely overwhelmed, immediately recorded Seegers, and next stop was top of the Swedish Billboard 200 equivalent chart. It seemed an obvious next step to replicate that success back home in the US, but Seegers was unenthusiastic, remaining very grateful for his Swedish success. He was happy to do his best and hope for the best. He certainly does not seek fame.
How had he reached such a grim predicament? Seegers went back to his childhood growing up on Long Island, where he soon inherited his parents’ love of music. But then his dad walked out. A few years later, at a local gig, Buddy Miller invited Seegers to join his band in Austin. Seegers did not enjoy life on the road, so went back to Long Island, where he raised a family. Music never went away, but became merely a weekend hobby. He got divorced but stayed around until his children had grown up before deciding to give Nashville a try. Not thinking he was making the grade, he drank more and took drugs as depression also took hold. Soon, he was homeless, singing on the streets.
An addict disgusted with himself, whose girlfriend, also an addict, had walked out on him and feeling like dying, Seegers admitted, “All I could do was put my hands together and ask God to help me kick my addictions. I woke up the next morning and realised immediately I was in a different world. This must sound unbelievable to those who don’t believe in God, and sure, it does sound unbelievable, but like I say, there’s no bull in my story”.
That didn’t mean all was fine. Temptation lurked around every corner. Seegers may have found success in faraway Sweden, but he was still on his own back in Nashville with the usual suspects trying to lure him back to old ways. While still busking, he got an opportunity to play one song at the Ryman Auditorium, after which someone came up, shook his hand and said that he was the best of the night. This person turned out to work for a record label and signed him immediately.
And all this appears on “A Story I Got To Tell”. Opening track, ‘White Line’, one of the record’s two covers (written by Canadian Willie P. Bennett), could have been made for Seegers in its depiction of his previous life. Seegers pleads, “Standing by a midnight highway, excuse me, sir, are you going my way?” ‘Give It Away’ goes to the heart of Seegers’ life. In a reflective, almost plaintive voice without an ounce of self-pity, he recognises he had hit rock bottom. But armed with his newfound faith, he began his recovery and redemption. In comparison, ‘Demon Seed’ has a fast, almost frenetic pace to match Seegers’ pain and anguish, both at losing his girlfriend then his inevitable desperation to clinch his next high.
While never entirely leaving his story, Seegers does explore his musical roots, venturing into other styles, blues, gospel, soul and rock, describing the whole package as “what’s now labelled americana, with a country feel”. Among his influences, he lists Hank Williams (check out “Doug Seegers Sings Hank Williams”, released 2017), Willie Nelson and Gram Parsons. Seegers keeps good company too, having duetted with Emmylou Harris, and he has worked with top producers too; Joe Henry for “A Story I Got To Tell” and Will Kimbrough produced “Going Down to the River”.
Much of the best in country or americana music revolves around hardship and determination, but it must be authentic. As Doug Seegers confirms, “I’m the real deal. I’m not a star or big shot. People who treat me as if I’m special make me uncomfortable. I’m a humble man, and the greatest thing I can accomplish is to save another man. That’s what I call rich”.
Pete played Perth’s Southern Fried Festival a couple of times, always put on a great show. I was surprised to see him, a day after one of the gigs, sitting in the high street busking, just for the fun of it. A genuinely nice guy.