Lucinda Williams’ Rock And Roll Heart

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Published on October 24, 2023

About This Episode

Lucinda Williams was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, a place she would memorialize in one her most famous songs. But she didn’t stay there for long, moving with her folks to a string of college towns where her father taught poetry and literature. Her peripatetic life and her mother’s mental illness led to a sometimes difficult childhood, but music gave her an outlet, and her raw, honest lyrics have made her one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters to ever come out of the South. Despite three Grammy’s and countless other awards, she’s never fit neatly into any particular genre, and she never wanted to. Now she has a new memoir called Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You, and a new album called “Stories From a Rock and Roll Heart” – her first since having a stroke back in 2020.

What Lucinda Williams Talks About On This Episode

Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana
Her new memoir, Don’t Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You
Her latest album, "Stories From a Rock and Roll Heart"
Singing with Bruce Springsteen
Getting her start in the music industry
Moving a lot during her childhood
Her parents and grandmother, Day
Grandmother's cooking
Places that had a big influence on her
Finding home in Nashville

Quotes From Lucinda Williams

"I loved the college towns. I loved growing up in those towns and that environment." -Lucinda Williams

Lucinda Williams On Her Grandmother

She had fig trees out in the backyard, and of course pecan trees and she always had some kind of thing that she'd made that day when we'd go over there in the late afternoons...My mother would drop the kids off sometimes to stay with her and my grandfather just to babysit us sometimes. And I mean, grandmas cook in the kitchen. So that's what she would do. She always had coffee going, always coffee. It was like a ritual. You'd walk through the back door and, 'Want some coffee?' 'Oh, yeah. I'd love a cup.' For somebody to say no, they didn't want coffee because it kept them up all night or something, I never heard anybody say that. Nowadays they do. It was always on and people drank it all day and night.

— Lucinda Williams On Her Grandmother

"I quickly became sort of on the fringes of things in Nashville, like along with Steve Earl, who I got to know. He ended up, of course, producing my ‘Car Wheels on a Gravel Road’ album. But a lot of artists have come to Nashville and kicked up their heels... Willie Nelson. He came here and he felt like an outlaw and he moved to Austin, Texas. That kind of thing is kind of still here... the country music industry could do with some changes... If fringes are handled the right way, you can find some strength in it, you know? It gives you something to rebel against, and I've found rebellion to be a good tonic for if you're feeling bored or listless, you find something to rebel against." - Lucinda Williams

About Biscuits & Jam

In the South, talking about food is personal. It's a way of sharing your history, your family, your culture, and yourself. Each week Sid Evans, editor in chief of Southern Living, sits down with celebrity musicians to hear stories of how they grew up, what inspired them, and how they've been shaped by Southern culture. Sid takes us back to some of their most cherished memories and traditions, the family meals they still think about, and their favorite places to eat on the road. Download and listen to this episode of Biscuits & Jam with Lucinda Williams on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or everywhere podcasts are available.

Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors

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