A tribute to Malcolm Holcombe

I love this guy. I met him 3 times at 3 different performances he performed in Savannah, Georgia, 1 in the First Presbyterian Church, cerca 2001, and for 2 separate performances at The Sentient Bean, cerca 2005 and 2006 or 7, respectively. I bought his CDs A Hundred Lies, in the former setting, and I Never Heard You Knockin', in the latter. I have fond memories of spinning both, especially the latter, which I associate with a bacon, strawberry, and macademia nut salad on dark lettuce, with strawberry vinaigrette dressing my mom was making frequently at the time I used to spin that one, frequently. That record and that salad are forever linked in my mind.

I love the way he played guitar. His performance style was always an inspiration to me: so candid, a dedicated entertainer, genuine, honest, and sincere. Every time we would talk for a minute, and when I told 'im I played guitar, he told me to 'keep on pickin'' He was clear, kind, and truthful. Humble and down-to-earth. He was totally approachable. He didn't dress like some pompous performer, but in work boots, as I recall, flannel, I believe, and torn jeans.

I loved the way he played and moved and his impromptu style of throwing in a comment here and there that was relevant to the circumstance as well as an entertaining story here and there. He told stories of being a cook in Nashville backstage of a joint that played artists on the stage up front, and he would sometimes steal an opportunity to pop up up there.

He was like a barely contained storm up there on the stage; he looked like he was about to fall off of his chair quite a few times, or that his guitar was just about to drop out of his hands, but he always managed to regain a good grip on his seating in the chair and his guitar. I also love his songwriting, so much of it is so melodic and classic, and his lyrics have a way of skipping the bullshit and cutting straight to the point. I believe he was actually a musical genius: it's apparent in the way he could pick a guitar.

He was a great inspiration and I feel fortunate to have rubbed shoulders with 'im a few times, as it gives all of his music I hear a deeper meaning and a deeper resonance that I feel must all come from some deeper understanding of what he was really at as an artist.