Neal Lucas: has guitar, always traveling
Neal Lucas chipped his tooth “bushwhacking” on his dad’s land, but it doesn’t stop him from smiling. From Talbot County, Ga., the singer-songwriter appeals as much to the “long-haired hippy people” as the “good ol’ boys,” with original tunes like “I Don’t Want No Other Love.” He writes, produces and records his own music, and has played with too many bands to mention. He juggles these roles by setting aside time each day to write while maintaining a cool demeanor and salt-of-the-earth integrity. Like most entertainers, Neal travels, and like most travelers, the road can be a weary place. When I met with him, he was working on a then-untitled song with lyrics like “this town is full of vampires. Still, Neal admits, “I used to be one,” reflecting Neal’s introspective songwriting that ones in on who he was and where he’s come from.
Neal often visits Nashville to work and record, where scheduling between different projects can get complicated. “When I go to Nashville,” Neal explained, “there is usually a set time to meet with other songwriters, but of course if we hear of someone that’s playing we will try to meet up and jam with them.”
While Neal enjoys playing for large crowds, he is the sort of performer who you quickly sense would play behind a Circle K if two or three people were hanging out back there. It’s not uncommon to find him playing at grocery stores, private parties, bars and churches. While he plays the occasional crowd-pleaser, most of his sets are original music, songs which get people dancing as much as any of the covers. It’s a demanding life, and balancing travel, writing and family is no easy act.
“I’ve had a 9 to 5 a time or two,” Neal said. “You gotta make money, that’s how we all live. It’s part of my job. And performing is just one thing I do. It’s not all I do. I also teach. Usually, I can get a gig while I am playing a gig, but also I have people who depend on me. Also, I don’t think we were born to live without the help of our community,”
As a singer, I always love watching musicians. Neal’s fingers move around the fret board of his guitar as if each had a mind of its own, and I wondered how long it takes to develop his level of mastery. Neal says he has been playing since he was eleven or ten years old and grew up surrounded by music, watching his dad play piano. His music is influenced by southern rock, blues, country and gospel, and like so many players, you can usually trace something back to the Beatles. He has no serious interest in fame or fortune, or at least the trappings of it. As Neal explained, “working with other artists is my favorite part.”
Of course I hit Neal with my favorite question: who’s invited to his fantasy dinner party? The list was surprising.
“Mike Tyson, because the man has done it all. Joan of Arc; what really happened there? And Willie Nelson, and the reason is irrelevant,” he said, laughing and showing off his chipped tooth.
Neal is currently recording a solo album, and he can be found playing every corner of our community. If you’re interested in booking Neal, for events large and otherwise, you can try to catch him with a message on Facebook, or just attend one of his shows and lockdown a date in person. Because however cool, Neal is a busy, busy man.
by April Norris