Barbara Nesbitt

Artist Information

Biography

Written by Lizzie Wann

You can just never be sure where you’re going to find home. For Barbara Nesbitt, a fair-haired Georgia native, she’s found hers in music. Her life is reflected in the songs she writes which are about the ways, large and small, we abandon and seek that elusive safety of home.


Nesbitt’s childhood home in Georgia didn’t include her mother, but Nesbitt felt close to her through music. After finding a hidden stash of 45’s by Sam Cooke, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and others in the basement of her father’s house, she snuck them up to her room and sang along night after night, imagining the darkness beyond her window was the audience.


At fifteen, Nesbitt ran away from home, landing herself among a group of jam- and groove-oriented musicians in Virginia. She met Bernie Lee who put a guitar in her hand and encouraged her to step behind the microphone. Before long, they were playing gigs to large groups of people, and Nesbitt found a new home on stage. She thrived and started writing her own songs but made a great living doing cover gigs in a succession of bands including Rare Daze, Cradle, and The Perpetrators, a duo with Lee. Nesbitt was recognized with nominations for female songwriter of the year, and a win for acoustic performer of the year.


In late 2005, Nesbitt followed her heart to San Diego where she quickly found performance showcases hosted and promoted by Listen Local San Diego’s maven, Cathryn Beeks. Nesbitt developed fast friendships and fans among the supportive network of musicians. Not long after getting to town, she entered and won the San Diego Music Scene Cream of the Crop singer/songwriter competition and was nominated for best female singer for the inaugural H.A.T. Award. Inspired by her new surroundings and everything that came before, Nesbitt wrote the words and music for her debut album, “A Million Stories.”


Backed up by stand-out players Marcia Claire (Citizen Band, Cindy Lee Berryhill) on bass, Bill Coomes (Deadline Friday, The Grams) on drums and vocals and Mike Spurgat (Deadline Friday, Citizen Band) on guitar and vocals, Nesbitt also had San Diego legend Jeff Berkley on board to produce the album and to add vocals and guitar. With special guests including Dennis Caplinger, Freebo, Ben Moore and John McBride, there’s no doubt that Nesbitt surrounds herself with the very best as she continues to mesmerize anyone within listening distance. Upon its release, “A Million Stories,” was nominated for a San Diego Music Award, and a San Diego HAT (Honoring Acoustic Talent) Award.


In the last year she has performed/recorded with Berkley Hart, Tim Flannery, Dennis Caplinger, Freebo, Marc Ford, Cathryn Beeks Ordeal, Doug Pettibone, Gregory Page and more. She has shared the stage / opened for artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keene, Lisa Loeb, Hootie & The Blowfish, Meredith Brooks, Nickel Creek, Jerry Garcia Band, Keller Williams, and more.


Not since June Carter Cash or Emmylou Harris has there been such a unique voice. At once plaintive and harrowing while sweet and melodic, Nesbitt’s power is drawn from the shadows she’s known and overcome. Her voice conveys a confidence and a hopefulness that’s tempered only by a small wisp of sadness. She’s ready to tell you all her stories; ready for anything that lies ahead and ready to call the world her home.

Instrumentation

Barbara Nesbitt - Guitar and Vocals
and sometimes:
Mike Spurgat - Guitar and Vocals
Marcia Claire - Bass
Bill Coomes - Drums and Vocals

Discography

My debut record - "A Million Stories" was nominated for a San Diego Music Award
My new record, "The Bees," was released in January 2011

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• Reverbnation

Audio

• Don't Bother
  Listen  
• Broken Girl
  Listen  
• Come to Find Out
  Listen  
• The Bees
  Listen  
• Good for Something
  Listen  
• Never Been In Love
  Listen  
• Dancing On A Trap Door
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Don't Bother
• Broken Girl
• Never Been In Love
• Come To Find Out

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• San Diego Union Tribune [+ Show ]
  

  Warm, evocative vocals...Nesbitt...seems to be honing her own style. And its refreshing to hear a de...Warm, evocative vocals...Nesbitt...seems to be honing her own style. And its refreshing to hear a debut that boasts so many accomplished songs with such a keen sense of purpose and personality

• San Diego Reader [+ Show ]
  

  There's no reason Barbara Nesbitt is still unsigned… in a sultry, sugary, softly gritty voice compet...There's no reason Barbara Nesbitt is still unsigned… in a sultry, sugary, softly gritty voice competition, she'd give Bonnie Raitt a run for her money

• Troubadour
  

  This is simply a girl with a tremendous, angelic voice singing wonderfully crafted songs

• San Diego Troubadour [+ Show ]
  

  "With a stop-in-your-tracks voice and captivating style, Barbara is already on her way to becoming a..."With a stop-in-your-tracks voice and captivating style, Barbara is already on her way to becoming a local favorite"

• North County Times [+ Show ]
  

  Barbara Nesbitt has established herself as one of the hardest-working and most well-liked performers...Barbara Nesbitt has established herself as one of the hardest-working and most well-liked performers of the local singer-songwriter community. Her debut album, "A Million Stories," shows she's also one of the most talented. She has a rich, full voice (Tim Flannery had her sing on his latest CD, issued earlier this year), and writes solid, catchy songs

• The Virginian Pilot
  

  "Vibrantly creative"

• Music Monitor
  

  "Nesbitt has a voice that belies her young face, strong and mature, and sweet"

• Rock Flash Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "Barbara Nesbitt could be the phoenix of the local music scene. Like the mythical Greek creature, th..."Barbara Nesbitt could be the phoenix of the local music scene. Like the mythical Greek creature, the former vocalist for Rare Daze has emerged from the ashes of her old band and is now flying high with her latest project"

• Nine-Volt Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  "[Barbara] has the ability to belt out a song and whether she be singing solo lead or sharing harmon..."[Barbara] has the ability to belt out a song and whether she be singing solo lead or sharing harmonies has a totally mesmerizing style"

• Bluesbunny Review [+ Show ]
  

  San Diego-based songstress Barbara Nesbitt captures all that’s pretty and earthy on “The Bees”, a ca...San Diego-based songstress Barbara Nesbitt captures all that’s pretty and earthy on “The Bees”, a carefully-nurtured album that ought to ensure that her popularity extends across the Atlantic Ocean. Simply put, this is an album of all-round Americana splendour.
  
  Through the soulful opener (“Come to Find Out”) to the absorbing title track, an immediate confidence is detected in Ms Nesbitt’s approach to her craft. Backed by a stellar cast of contributing musicians, Ms Nesbitt has suitable license to exercise her lyrical and vocal talents. A major part of this is knowing how to achieve maximum effect with vocals and lyrics and Ms Nesbitt certainly scores high.
  
  “Losin’ Time” is commendable as a modern-day take on the Bakersfield sound with Dennis Caplinger also laying down some delightful fiddle. There’s some old-time sentimentality on offer, too, on “Good for Something”. In either instance, Nesbitt’s voice is wholesome and warm; so much so that you may need to convince yourself that “Message to You” is not in fact addressed to you.
  
  “The Big Picture” is almost anthemic, benefitting from some delightfully rootsy instrumentation, while “Give In”, by contrast, takes on the form of a sombre (yet melodious) intervention in a situation concerning one’s struggles with love. Once again, Nesbitt has the listener by the heart.
  
  There’s a genuine feeling of sadness on “When Summer Is Over”, and such reflective tones carry into “Quicksand”, on which imagery is more important than ever. A borrowed song (“Like Strangers” by Boudleaux Bryant) proves to be a winning end to the album. Sang as a duet with Bill Coomes – whose influence on the musical side of the album should not be overlooked – it caps off an album that doubles as an emotional round-trip on a positively sweet note.
  
  A point that shouldn’t go amiss is that this album has been released by no label but Ms Nesbitt herself. Listening to the album does not give that impression, however. Plaudits should also go to Jeff Berkley for some excellent production work.
  
  It could be said that the “Americana” scene has been waiting for an album like this for a long time. While never straying far from a surprisingly mature country-folk sound, this album could easily propel Barbara Nesbitt into mainstream country fame. A truly excellent release.
  Available from CD Baby.
  
  Review by: Peter McGee
  

• China Daily Review [+ Show ]
  

  Providing entertainment with a different kind of music, the Lobby Lounge at the Intercontinental Hot...Providing entertainment with a different kind of music, the Lobby Lounge at the Intercontinental Hotel usually features a 5- to 6-piece band along with a singer to complement the best view of the harbor in the city. It is a great spot to catch the "Symphony of Lights" show on the Victoria Harbour at 8 pm every night. At present, audiences are also being entertained by the unique vocal styling of American singer and songwriter Barbara Nesbitt on Tuesdays through Sundays from 9:00 pm to 12:45 am.
  This fair-haired Georgian native is a talented artist with a unique voice, which has been likened to Emmylou Harris. Her voice, while sweet and melodic, conveys a confidence and strength drawn from her life's experiences. Her successful albums include "A Million Stories" nominated for both the San Diego Music Award and San Diego HAT (Honoring Acoustic Talent) Award, and Best Americana 2008
  

• Northern Sky UK Review [+ Show ]
  

  Second solo album release from Georgia-born, San Diego-based singer-songwriter Barbara Nesbitt, whos...Second solo album release from Georgia-born, San Diego-based singer-songwriter Barbara Nesbitt, whose strong assured vocal delivery dominates this collection of a dozen original compositions and just the one cover, Boudleaux Bryant's timeless Like Strangers, previously known through the singing of the Everly Brothers and Emmylou Harris. With a steady musical development that has seen terms with such diverse bands as Rare Daze, Cradle and The Perpetrators, together with an impressive solo debut in 2007, A MILLION STORIES, Nesbitt appears to have found her stride as a solo performer. Produced by Jeff Berkley, THE BEES demonstrates a fully developed personal style, which deserves to be brought to further attention.
  With a core band of Marcia Claire on bass and baritone guitar (Citizen Band, Cindy Lee Berryhill), Bill Coomes on drums (Deadline Friday, The Grams) and Mike Spurgat on lead guitar (Citizen Band, Deadline Friday), the album also includes contributions from Dennis Caplinger, who takes care of banjo, Dobro, mandolin and high strung guitar. Doug Pettibone provides some tasty pedal steel, lap steel and mini 12 string guitar, whilst Jeff Berkley adds rhythm guitar to his production duties.
  These musicians more than adequately flesh out the songs with some startling instrumental fills, particularly Caplinger's fiddle on Losin' Time and the guitar work on The Big Picture, not to mention the clever Dobro buzzing sound effects on the intro to the title song. Without dwelling too much on the puns, THE BEES is reportedly creating a buzz Stateside and there is no reason why Barbara Nesbitt shouldn't be doing some overdue cross pollination over here (musically speaking). As far as I'm concerned, she's the bee's knees.
  

• Rootstime Review [+ Show ]
  

  Het fragiele stemmetje van zangeres Barbara Nesbitt is het allereerste wat de luisteraar opvalt bij ...Het fragiele stemmetje van zangeres Barbara Nesbitt is het allereerste wat de luisteraar opvalt bij de eerste noten van de beginsong “Come To Find Out” uit haar tweede plaat “The Bees”, de langverwachte opvolger van haar debuutalbum “A Million Stories” uit 2007.
  Zes jaar geleden vestigde Barbara Nesbitt zich na ettelijke omzwervingen door Amerika uiteindelijk in San Diego waar ze met vallen en opstaan probeerde om een carrière als singer-songwriter uit te bouwen. Met haar eerste album slaagde ze er meteen in om ettelijke prijzen in de wacht te slepen en lovende perskritieken te verzamelen. Het stimuleerde haar om nog intensiever achter de schrijftafel plaats te nemen in een verwoede poging om er nog betere nummers te componeren.
  Het resultaat van die noeste arbeid werd nu verzameld op het album “The Bees” en bestaat uit dertien nummers, waar zij er zelf 12 van heeft geschreven. De enige coversong is dan wel een zorgvuldig geselecteerde interpretatie van het door Boudleaux Bryant geschreven nummer “Like Strangers” dat de echte muziekliefhebber zeker nog zal herkennen in de versie van de ‘Everly Brothers’ of van Emmylou Harris. Barbara Nesbitt brengt dat prachtige countryliedje hier in een beklijvend duet met haar drummer Bill Coomes.
  Tussen het lijstje van muzikanten die meewerkten aan dit tweede album vinden we naast haar vaste begeleidingsband (Marcia Claire op bas, Bill Coomes op drums en Mike Spurgat op gitaren) enkele opvallende gasten terug zoals Dennis Caplinger die banjo, fiddle, dobro, mandoline en gitaar speelt op diverse tracks en ook Doug Pettibone die excelleert op pedal steel en lap steel.
  De vergelijking met grote countrystemmen als June Carter Cash of Emmylou Harris dient zich al gauw aan bij het horen van songs als openingstrack “Come To Find Out”, country-tearjerker ”Good For Something”, het trieste liefdesliedje “Message To You” en de nog meer aangrijpende songs “Give In” en “When Summer Is Over”.
  Telkens opnieuw slaagt Barbara Nesbitt er in om de luisteraar mee te slepen in het verhaal van de songs en haar snikkende stem bezorgt je soms zelfs een oncomfortabel gevoel alsof ze je het besef toewerpt dat je zelf de oorzaak van al haar pijn en lijden bent. “The Bees” steken en doorboren je tot in de kern van je hart maar ze doen je toch geen pijn want de honingzoete liedjes verzachten steeds opnieuw het leed en maken van deze tweede cd van Barbara Nesbitt een zeer mooie plaat in dit bij het publiek zeer breed geliefde muziekgenre.
  (valsam)
  www.rootstime.be
  

Setlist

Original music:

A Mile or Two
A Million Stories
Always Want Love
Broken Girl
By the End of the Night
Can’t Fall In Love
Change My Mind
Chattahoochee
Chick-Fil-A
Climb The Stairs
Come to Find Out
Dancing On A Trap Door
Don’t Bother
Don’t Make Me Wait
Don’t You Know
Down Side
Drive
Egor
Everything I See
Feel Free
Flicker
Fly
Get Lucky
Give In
Good For Something
Goodbye
Graceless
Graduation Day
Here
Horrible Moon
I Want To Kiss
I’m Alright
Into The Sun
It Is What It Is
Just Friends
Just Give Me Tonight
Keep Walking
Like a Good Girl Should
Losing Time
Lost in the World
Lucky Number
Make a Killing (and Call it a Day)
Make Me
Many Miles to Go
Martha
Mean, Meantime
Message to You
Mile High Monkey
Momma Didn’t Raise No Hell
Money
Neenie
Never Been in Love
Not So Close
Nothing
Old Photograph
Over Now
Peaceful Way
Perfect Stranger
Quicksand
Resolution
Save Me
Save Your Love
Someday
Static
Stranger Things
Summertime
The Big Picture
The Game
The High Road
The Long Road
Three Between Us
Time To Fall
Try This Again
Used to Be
Waiting For You
Waiting On The Rain
Weightless
What it Means to Me
When Summer Is Over
When You Go
Whitewash
Who Are You Now
Why I Play
You Know Better



Here is a list of covers I play depending on the gig (there are more i can't remember right now, I'm sure):

Accross The Universe
Angel From Montgomery
Annabelle
Blue Kentucky Girl
Best I Ever Had
Big Yellow Taxi
Brand New Key
Buddha
Bury Me Beneath the Willow
Celie’s Blues
Change
Charliesomething
China
Chrome Plated Heart
Closer To Fine
Come Together
Creep
Creeps Like Me
Dead Flowers
Dear Abby
Difficult Kind
Dock of the Bay
Don’t Be Cruel
Don't Think Twice
Dreams
Dukes of Hazard
Every Little Bit
Everyday People
Fake Plastic Trees
Family Reserve
Fire On the Mountain
Going Down the Road
Gold Dust Woman
Have You Ever Seen the Rain
Hide Your Love Away
Home
I Can Forgive You
I Feel the Same
I wish
I’ll Follow You Into the Dark I’m on Fire
I’ve Got a feeling
Ice Cream
If I Had a Boat
If it Makes You Happy
In my life
Imagine
Jane Says
Karma police
King Of Pain
Learning To Fly
Let Him Fly
Long, Lonesome Road
Louise
Louisianna
Love Has no Pride
Makin’ Pies
Me and Bobby Mcgee
Mellow Yellow
Mercedes Benz
Midway
Mighty Tight Woman
Mil Besos
Morning Dew
Moses
Mother and Child Reunion
Needle and the Damage Done
Nobody’s Girl
Not Fade Away
One More Dollar Only Living Boy
Paradise
Proud Mary
Quicksand
Rain
Red dress
Rhiannon
Rider
Ring of Fire
Run, Baby, Run
Sober
Son of a preacher man
Stand By You
Stillhouse
Suzanne
Sweet and Shiny Eyes
Sweet Carolina
Sweet Child
Sweet Jane
Sympathy
That’s Alright Mama
The First Cut is the Deepest
They Love Each Other
Country Roads

Those Memories
Time After Time
Tony
Under my thumb
Useless Desire
Volcano
Washing of the water
We Are Family
White Wedding
When will I be Loved
Who’ll Stop the Rain
Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Screw
Wild Horses
Wild Side
Women Are Smarter
Women Be Wise
House That Never Was
Sweetest Waste of Time

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