BY LESLEY HASTINGS

A mainstay of the Texas music scene for several decades now and well revered by her peers (Willie Nelson once dubbed her “an undiscovered superstar”) it’s always great to hear new music from the prolific singer-songwriter Kimmie Rhodes. 

Hailing from Lubbock TX and now based in Austin, Kimmie has announced that her newest album of all original songs “Hypnotized”, recorded at her own Sunbird Studios, will be released on 29th March. Following on from the lead single/title track which came out last month, the second single taken from the project , “No Tom Petty”, is available now and is a co-write with fellow Texan Junior Calistro Vasquez and UK’s own Robert Vincent. 

Talking of the inspiration behind the song, Kimmie says “On the morning I heard that Tom Petty had died I sarcastically mused ‘Oh great! Now we will be living on a world with no Tom Petty!‘ Then I said, – ‘Oh wait, that’s a song‘. It has a fun sing-a-long chorus and crowds are loving it. ‘Where do we go? Where do we go from here?’ “. 

She further explains that she held on to the title and waited for the moment of inspiration to write the song, which came the day she joined her two co-writers for a songwriting retreat in Lubbock ….. she knew as soon as Junior played the opening lick on his guitar that she had the song’s melody right there. 

Kimmie’s raft of UK/Irish fans have the chance to sing along in person with the chorus she mentions above when she plays a few select dates here in early May,  including London’s Water Rats. 

Further artist details and ticket links at https://kimmierhodes.com/#

Stream/download “ No Tom Petty” here https://found.ee/kimmierhodes_notompetty

Oh and belated congratulations Kimmie on your recent induction into the West Texas Walk of Fame!