Singer-songwriter Jeff Plankenhorn returns to Susanna’s Kitchen June 20. First recognized for his chops as a guitarist, singer-songwriter Jeff Plankenhorn has crafted an impressive body of work with his short list of solo releases. His latest CD, “Sleeping Dogs,” is distinguished by the artist’s impeccable musicianship, expressive vocals and openhearted conviviality.
An Ohio native from the Columbus area, Plankenhorn’s discovery of music began by singing in church choirs as a young boy. “I got a taste of how music can make people feel. Coming from a pretty broken home, with my mom having to work a lot, I got a sense of community through music and a sense of something through which I could give back.”
Plankenhorn explored jazz, funk and classical music while studying at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. When a friend put together a bluegrass band, each member chipped in $20 to purchase a Dobro for Plankenhorn to play. “They gave me Jerry Douglas records and said, ‘Play this.’ At the same time I was also playing in a 12-piece funk band,” he recalled. Moving to Nashville, he continued in bluegrass bands.
From Nashville, he found his way to Austin. In a Geo Prism with $100 and seven guitars, he stayed at the home of friends Judy and Ray Wylie Hubbard, the latter a legendary figure in a town famous for its songwriters. It was there, as a guitarist, that Plankenhorn learned how to back up singer-songwriters in performances. “To not get in the way of the words. To listen to what was going on in the song and try to complement it,” he said.
“I had this education where I had reverence for the song,” he continued. “It was daunting when I started writing my own songs. Not only did I have this legacy of people to hold myself up against, sadly, but everyone else who was playing was pretty damn good. It’s still a wonder to me that I’m doing this when I played with people like Joe Ely, Eliza Gilkyson and Willis Allan Ramsey.”
Hubbard joined Plankenhorn to co-write the track, “Tooth and Nail,” from the new album. It includes a divulging line about songwriting, “Like an old cat having kittens, you just crawl under the porch and do it.” Plankenhorn credits Hubbard as a teacher. “I’m attracted to writers who are better than me at a lot of things. One thing Ray is really good at is imagery.”
His song “Heaven on Earth,” Plankenhorn said, was inspired by his wife, a horticulturalist, arborist and gardener. “Most of that song is how she might have written it; things she talks about, like these birds on our back porch that nested in her gardening hat. The second verse and bridge are her favorite things in nature.”
The performance is part of Susanna’s Kitchen coffeehouse concert series at the Wimberley United Methodist Church, Corner of RR 12 and CR 1492. Doors open at 7 and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults and $5 for kids. Tamales, pizza, pie, coffee and soft drinks are available for purchase. Proceeds benefit The Barnabas Connection, Bright Beginnings Preschool scholarships and other nonprofits.
