Beth Wood

Artist Information

Biography

Picture a home-body with an ever-present wanderlust, an introvert with a passion for performing, a creative free-spirit with enough discipline to rework her dream year after year, calloused little hands and a big pile of curly hair…and you’ve got Beth Wood, modern-day troubadour.

Picture a tumbleweed blowing across the plains of west Texas, and another musician-songwriter is born! Beth Wood began her musical journey in Lubbock, a high plains Texas town with a uniquely rich musical heritage that includes Buddy Holly, Natalie and Lloyd Maines, Mac Davis, and Joe Ely to name a few. When she wasn’t dodging tornados and dust storms, Beth was studying classical piano, violin, harp, and voice and contemplating the greatness of her Dad’s Willie Nelson records.

With grandiose dreams of becoming a musician, a baker, or a cowgirl, Beth left west Texas to study voice and piano at Brevard College in North Carolina. A detour from her classical studies led her to Austin, where she picked up a degree in literature and a guitar. Beth began writing her own songs and quickly discovered a feeling of musical freedom that she has been hooked on ever since. Sixteen years, thousands of shows, nine albums, three cars, and numerous awards later, Beth has never looked back. Beth's exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, and engaging, energetic stage presence have been winning over audiences from coast to coast.

“The Weather Inside”, Beth’s eighth studio release, is a case study in contrast. A coming-of-age statement record from a veteran artist, Beth’s latest work embraces strength and tenderness, the polished and the well-worn, the broken and the hopeful heart. Produced by Billy Crockett at Blue Rock Studio in Wimberley, TX, “The Weather Inside” delves deep into Beth’s creative reserves and delivers a strong collection of songs and performances to remember.

Beth is one of the featured artists on "Troubadour, TX", a nationally syndicated documentary-style singer-songwriter reality television series produced by Dallas based London Broadcasting and 41 Entertainment and airing in almost 40 million households and 140 U.S. markets. “Troubadour, TX” provides an intimate, behind-the-scenes look into the lives and careers of more than a dozen passionate and diverse singers and songwriters as they chase their musical dreams across the Lone Star state.

Beth and her husband and their sweet dog Marble now live in beautiful Eugene, Oregon. Beth is settling in to the Northwest music scene, and she has been featured on OPB's "Artbeat" tv show, Ninkasi's Northwest Music sampler, and the Sisters Folk Festival and Song Academy.

Instrumentation

Beth plays many of her gigs with acoustic guitar and vocals. She often uses two guitars for alternate tunings when travel permits. She also incorporates piano into her set when one is available. Beth is occasionally joined by a combination of assorted players (drums, bass, guitar/mandolin).

Discography

THE WEATHER INSIDE (2011). Developed and produced at Blue Rock Studio by Billy Crockett. This epic project presents Beth's most mature, complex, emotionally resonant work yet.

BEACHCOMBER'S DAUGHTER (2008). Self-produced project highlighting Beth's musical versatility, songwriting craftsmanship, powerful voice, and collaboration with Dallas's finest studio musicians.

MARIGOLDS (2005) furthered Beth's collaboration with producer Chris Rosser. A heartfelt collection of songs about family, life, and love, featuring guest musicians Shawn Mullins, Heather Morgan, Bandon Bush (Train), Greg Horne, John Felty, Matt Mayes.

YOU TAKE THE WHEEL (2003) is a fan-driven solo acoustic project that highlights Beth�s solid work as a strong, dynamic solo artist. Beth�s fans chose the songs for this project.

GHOSTWRITER (2001). Beth�s first collaboration with producer Chris Rosser signaled a return to more elemental production and showcases Beth�s vocal prowess and her continuing exploration and growth as a songwriter.

WOODEN COYOTE (2000) is a side-project live album with John Felty and Matt Mayes of Jupiter Coyote.

LATE NIGHT RADIO (1999), produced by Don McCollister (Indigo Girls, Sister Hazel). Featuring a full-band rockin�sound and Beth�s popular rendition of Richard Thompson�s song �1952 Vincent Black Lightning�.

NEW BLOOD (1998, Automonous Records) made a much stronger statement, featuring a darker and more complex sound. Charted top 20 at the national AAA radio charts.

WOODWORK (1996) introduced Beth's clear and compelling voice and the promise of an emerging artist. Her single 'Geometry' was featured on FOX television's 'Party of Five.'

AWARDS...
Winner - 2006 Sisters Folk Festival Dave Carter
Memorial Songwriting Contest
Winner - Kerrville Folk Festival 2005 Songwriting
Contest
Winner - 2nd Place - Rocky Mountain Folks Festival
2005 Songwriters Contest
Winner - Wildflower Festival 2004 Songwriting
Contest
Finalist - 2007 Telluride Troubadour Contest
Winner - Top 20 Acoustic/Folk Category - 2006
Unisong International Songwriting
Contest
Honorable Mention - 2006 Mountain Stage
Newsong Contest
Honorable Mention - 2005 Billboard World Song
Contest
Campus Activities Magazine 2000 Coffeehouse
Entertainer of the Year
Campus Activities Magazine 1999 Club Performer
of the Year
Campus Activities Magazine 2000, 2001, and 2002
Contemporary Music Artist of the Year Finalist

FESTIVALS...Music Midtown (Atlanta, GA)
Bele Chere Festival (Asheville, NC)
SXSW (Austin, TX)
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival (Lyons, CO)
Mandarin Folk Festival (Jacksonville, FL)
North Texas New Music Festival (Dallas, TX)
Kerrville Folk Festival (Kerrville, TX)
Sisters Folk Festival (Sisters, OR)
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Tucson Folk Festival
Riverbend Festival (Chattanooga, TN)
Wildflower Festival (Richardson, TX)
Buddy Holly Music Festival and Symposium (Lubbock, TX)

MANAGEMENT:
Steve Garvan
Garvan Management
PO Box 737
Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-265-1718 (Pacific Time)
steve@garvanmanagement.com

BOOKING:
Renee Gebhardt
Mountain Time Booking
406-587-9318 (Mountain Time)
mtntimerenee@msn.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Doing This Dance
  Listen  
• Beachcomber's Daughter
  Listen  
• Little Hands
  Listen  
• Funeral Day
  Listen  
• The Weather Inside
  Listen  
• Our New Century
  Listen  
• Everything Falls Away
  Listen  
• Suitcases
  Listen  
• Coyote Prayer
  Listen  

Lyrics

• The Weather Inside
• Doing This Dance
• Everything Falls Away
• Coyote Prayer
• Funeral Day
• Beachcomber's Daughter
• Little Hands
• Our New Century
• Suitcases

Video

Beth Wood Montage from Blue Rock Studio

BethWood_WebClip5_HI

Photo Gallery

Press

• Wood makes herself at home in Eugene [+ Show ]
  

  By Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard Published: (Friday, Feb 24, 2012 05:00AM) Midnight, ...
  By Serena Markstrom
  
  The Register-Guard
  
  Published: (Friday, Feb 24, 2012 05:00AM) Midnight, Feb. 24
  
  
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  Those who follow the local Americana and folk scene likely have acquainted themselves already with Beth Wood.
  
  The singer-songwriter moved to Eugene in the summer of 2009 when her husband, Marty Ochs, took a job at Ninkasi as the fast-growing brewery’s national sales director. The pair moved from Colorado with their dog, Marble, and have started to put down roots.
  
  “It’s a little challenging touring out of here,” Wood said during an interview in the Ninkasi tasting room. “We feel like this is home.”
  
  Wood and Ochs just returned from the Cayamo cruise, where she was on the boat as an entertainer — as were the likes of Lyle Lovett, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, Shawn Mullins, Keb’ Mo’ and many others. It was a working vacation, but she said that event has been a highlight of her career the last three years.
  
  Wood recently completed “The Weather Inside” and is hoping to find a recording label for it before doing a formal CD release tour.
  
  It is her eighth studio album — the first came out in 1996 — and it will be available to the audience Saturday when she plays at Tsunami Books.
  
  Local English teacher Jeffrey Martin, who also is preparing for a CD release, will open the show.
  
  Before moving to Oregon, Wood, 40, had played at the Sisters Folk Festival and networked with a number of musicians from this area. Since relocating, the performer, originally from Texas, has joined a songwriters group that includes Martin.
  
  Not surprisingly, Wood played the Ninkasi patio on its opening day. But even without the obvious “in,” it’s still hard to argue that she is not one of the best solo performers in this area.
  
  Started writing songs as a teen
  
  Wood started writing songs on piano as a teenager who already had some classical training. The songs were an emotional outlet for her.
  
  During college, she realized the classical route was not for her. She switched schools and picked up an English degree at the University of Texas.
  
  “Then I freaked out because I didn’t have music,” she said.
  
  Wood joined a band, and when it came time to step into the spotlight with her own songs, it was a natural transition. Picking up the guitar opened a world for her. It gave her not only a blank slate, but freedom, she said.
  
  After all these years, she finds that inspiration can still strike at any time. She doesn’t have a set method when it comes to writing songs.
  
  “I’ll get ideas when I am sleeping and, in the morning, it’s gone,” Wood said. “If the muse taps you on the shoulder, you have to get out the pen and paper.”
  
  On the song “Close Your Eyes, Here We Go,” she shares a story about her grandfather leaving for World War II and her grandmother taking the kids and making a long road trip to see him off.
  
  As a writer, she faced the challenge of wanting to share the human aspect of their story, but not exploit it.
  
  “The Weather Inside” is another song like that, dealing thematically with war and the way people handle emotions after their return from it.
  
  “People of his generation and my parents’ generation really connect with that,” she said. “Sometimes I worry, is this too personal? I find those are the ones people really identify with.
  
  “My radar is no good. The songs I think no one is going to like are the ones people freak out about.”
  
  She’s comfortable on stage
  
  The balance between being a creative spirit and running the small business that is your career is another ever-present challenge for Wood. She tackles both sides head-on.
  
  Wood’s impact on the Oregon roots scene was almost immediate. She already has been a featured artist on Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Oregon Art Beat” program.
  
  In addition, she is one of a handful of songwriters being followed on the syndicated television show “Troubadour Texas.”
  
  Staff members for the show, which features writers with Texas roots, have come to Oregon to film Wood in her home environment.
  
  Wood describes herself as a bit of a homebody, but also said she’s always been comfortable on stage and found the energy exchange between her and the audience a rewarding phenomenon worth leaving home for again and again.
  
  “It’s so fun coming here after being out on the road,” she said of Eugene.
  
  Call Serena Markstrom at 541-338-2371 or you can reach her by e-mail her at serena.markstrom@registerguard.com.
  
  
  “I’ll get ideas when I am sleeping and, in the morning, it’s gone. If the muse taps you on the shoulder you have to get out the pen and paper.”
  
  Beth Wood
  
  On songwriting
  

• Review of "The Weather Inside" [+ Show ]
  

  The term “recording artist” has become somewhat devalued in an era where any singer/songwriter with ...The term “recording artist” has become somewhat devalued in an era where any singer/songwriter with garageband, a little gumption, a couple hundred bucks and a cdbaby account can get their music heard. But it’s one thing to be heard, and quite another to be noticed. So when you come across a recording like Beth Wood’s “The Weather Inside” you take note and recognize that this is the work of a genuine artist with a remarkable voice determined to make meaningful and lasting art. The West Texas native has been doing just that since her 1996 debut album Woodwork, proving that the vaunted Lubbock musical genius gene isn’t just an XY chromosome kinda thing. Of course, the degree in literature from the University of Texas in Austin also has served her well.
  
  
  
  
  
  With The Weather Inside, produced by Billy Crockett and recorded at Wimberley’s Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio, Wood stakes her claim to the lofty heights occupied by the Gilkysons and Griffins of the world. The songs here deal with the various coping mechanisms humans use to deal with life’s stark realities, disappointments and setbacks with gritty resilience and the kindness of strangers. On the title track, Wood sings the tender story of a woman who considers leaving the domestic storm of living with a troubled veteran but opts instead to “find some place to ride it out.” She uses the feelings of insecurity that “The New Kid” in school always feels when uprooted and placed in new environments as a springboard to the other experiences life and love throw our way and which we survive when “somehow someone always reaches out a hand, someone always says “I understand, are you okay? I guess I am.” And Wood paints a beautiful picture of the “The House That Made Me” in that city on the Texas plains recalling “here’s where we would hide when tornados came, huddled in the hallway like it was a game, up above my reach there was a record playing, Willie with his blue eyes crying in the rain.”
  
  
  
  ?by D. C. Bloom

• Feature [+ Show ]
  

  "Beth Wood is a musical triple-threat -- a thoughtful songwriter and talented multi-instrumentalist ..."Beth Wood is a musical triple-threat -- a thoughtful songwriter and talented multi-instrumentalist with a supple, soulful voice."

• Live Show Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Acoustic singer/songwriter Beth Wood has a mix of stylistic distinction and classy restraint, exud..."Acoustic singer/songwriter Beth Wood has a mix of stylistic distinction and classy restraint, exuding a natural vocal flair without getting into any of
  that dramatic eye-squint/pinching-the-air business. Her voice delicately curls over into itself, like shaving soft wood off a long, massive plane."
  

• Review
  

  "A superb singer/songwriter whose versatility discourages labeling."

• "Ghostwriter" Review
  

  "Lord have mercy...Wood is a down-home, old-fashioned girl with a wicked streak."

• Live Show Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Wood's real calling card is her voice - a soulful, opera-strength instrument that can do justice to..."Wood's real calling card is her voice - a soulful, opera-strength instrument that can do justice to Aretha Franklin's hit "Dr. Feelgood" or pull off a show-closing a cappella segment with minimum effort. Yet as strong and flexible as her pipes are, she rarely makes the mistake of oversinging. She has a keen sense of humor, but she also showed a knack for finding poignancy in simple things - such as the comfort of a car radio during long drives in "Late Night Radio", a brand new song that recalled the mind-set of Van Morrison's "Wavelength". A voice and songs this strong are bound to persevere."
  

• Live Show Review
  

  "Wood is about as good as it gets if you appreciate the singer/songwriter genre."

• "New Blood" Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Deliciously" begs to come bursting out of radios. Beth Wood's supple voice romps around teasingly, ..."Deliciously" begs to come bursting out of radios. Beth Wood's supple voice romps around teasingly, while the melody bounces atop a giddy banjo riff. Meanwhile, the lyrical hook is just deadly."
  

• "Late Night Radio" Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Now comes 'Late Night Radio', which is sure to fulfill the promises of her first two efforts. As yo..."Now comes 'Late Night Radio', which is sure to fulfill the promises of her first two efforts. As you hear, the songwriting is solid, the musicianship is top-notch and her voice is confident and versatile."

• "Late Night Radio" Review [+ Show ]
  

  "(Late Night) 'Radio' takes the same basic musical blueprint of soulful, jazzy folk Wood created on ..."(Late Night) 'Radio' takes the same basic musical blueprint of soulful, jazzy folk Wood created on last year's disc ('New Blood'), and refines it tenfold. The songs shimmer with a vibrancy, enthusiasm and warm passion that frames Wood's powerfully expressive voice."
  

• "Late Night Radio" Review
  

  If you have a hankering for soulful blues/rock a la Bonnie Raitt, look no further than Beth Wood."

Setlist

Beth has eight full-length CDs worth of original material. A cover song will occasionally pop up in her set -- "The Water is Wide", Lyle Lovett's "North Dakota", Aretha Franklin's "Dr. Feelgood", and Richard Thompson's "1952 Vincent Black Lightning", and Carole King's "Natural Woman" are some of her favorites. A typical solo acoustic performance would include two 45-minute sets. Here's a list of Beth's original songs:

Geometry
Mean Time
Love Letters
Still
Here is a Rose
Two Years or Three
Heaven Help Her
Raindrops
Pablo
Thin Line
String of Hard Luck
Rip it Up
New Blood
All Yours
Nearness
You and Blue
Deliciously
Dangerous Kiss
Highway Water
Fingernail Moon
Simple Man
Snowbird
Uncover You
My Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue'
Late Night Radio
Unraveled
Grenadine
Guilty
Ghost of a Man
Rusty Nail
Hero's Almanac
Holiday
Said and Done
Company Man
All the Way from Here
Earthbound
Mouth on Me
Poison Arrow
Ghostwriter
Down Again
These Arms of Mine
Emily's Dream (Instrumental)
Elephant Song
You Take the Wheel
1500 Times
Right on Time
Skeleton Tree
Someday Somebody Will
These Good Graces
Ordinary Birds
Little Hands
Church of Melody
Louise
Good for You
Completely (Baby Girl's Lullaby)
Hurricane Caroline
Marigolds
Travelin' John
Don't Give Me Diamonds
Beachcomber's Daughter
Suitcases
At Last
This Sanctuary
Our New Century
Strangest Angel
Funeral Day
Handsome Sparrow
Here on the Ledge
Clean up (Before I Change My Mind)
The Weather Inside
The New Kid
All I Can Do
Back Roads
Calico
Coyote Prayer
Doing This Dance
Everything Falls Away
The House That Made Me
Close Your Eyes, Here We Go
Get Good
Goodbye, Blue
Miles For Breakfast
Wildest Dream
January Rain
Whippoorwill
Moses on a Runaway Train
These Simple Things
Map of California
Wide Mouth Jar

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