Thanks for this, Kelly! I just finished reading as I’m listening to my vinyl copy of the album that arrived earlier today.
This album means a lot to me, and it still sounds so good in 2024. I was just a kid who had graduated from college and moved to Houston, TX from small town Alabama when it came out. In fact, I had discovered your work during a trip to Austin while one of the employees at Waterloo recommended your Fading Fast EP to me because I was wearing a Son Volt tshirt. Those record store employee recommendations were so much better than the algorithms that we live with these days. And wow, I loved that EP. Still do!!
This record and your shows at the Mucky Duck in those days provided me with just that extra bit of comfort I needed as I built a new life and grew up a little bit. And those memories are rushing over me all these years later as I listen again right now. And I moved away from Houston several years ago, but maybe I need to schedule a return trip to see old friends and see you perform at the Mucky Duck the next time you are there!!
Thank you for taking the time to put down the backstory to What I Deserve. Very intriguing stuff, Ms. Willis. I ordered two copies of the CD, One for my cabin and one for driving. I was in the music business (on the business side) and also a consultant for Barry Poss' Sugar Hill Records. I know very well about artists and producers clashing over creative control. That's how we managed to sign Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, and Townes Van Zandt. They couldn't make the records they wanted to make due to being on major labels and, hence, creative control issues. Lyle Lovett told me about his college pal Robert Earl Keen, who was looking for a label. Soon afterward, I hand carried his demo into Barry Poss' office and said, "You need to listen to this." He did, and and Robert had found a label to launch his his formidable career. I remember your move to Rykodisc. I thought, damn, it could have been Sugar Hill possibly if I had known you were label shopping. Arrogant, you? Make me laugh because I doubt it. To wind this up, during my decades of Training & Development in the music business, I utilized handwriting analysis (secretly) to assist my decision making with upper management candidates. Ha! Now that you have provided me with a sample of your handwriting albeit from 25 years ago in the sweet letter to your mom, I am going to have to pull the manual out and get my own professional opinion of who you really are-or were 25 years ago. Thank you sincerely for never giving up. I hope our paths eventually cross.
Thanks, but it was always about the artists. They were allowed to do the great stuff. Founder and former owner Barry Poss was a treasure to work with. Funny, funny man. I wish Sugar Hill could have had you on the roster. but you've done more than okay. Do things really turn out the way they are supposed to?
Really a fantastic album. I remember being thrilled that you did (another) Paul Kelly tune. He is one of my favorite songwriters to0. Can't believe it has been 25 years!
I’ve been lucky enough to have gotten the vinyl about 10 days ago….Been playing the hell outta it!!! Love 🥰 the 5 unissued live tracks included on this expanded edition as well. One of my all-time favorite albums!!!
This piece on Substack is one of the many reasons I subscribe….Kelly is a voice, both in song and print, that is genuine, and brings an elegance to everything she does. Been blessed to see Kelly over 6x this year alone….with 2 upcoming shows to go….Can’t Wait!!!
First country album I ever bought. I saw you open for Beth Orton in Philly and the control you had over your voice was so much more... *professional* than what I was used to. Kept the CD sorta hidden away from my metal/grungey crew. (Despite the big bonus points for being on the same label as Zappa.) Within a few years, I was deep into the classics.
I remember happening upon it at a little shop in LA called Aron’s Records & being blown away by how amazing it was. It became the soundtrack for learning my way around the city, and it’s forever bound to some of the happiest memories of my life. So excited for its vinyl release. ☺️🩵
What I deserve was playing on KGSR . Went to Waterloo and picked it up along with a couple of Patty Griffin albums. Played yours non stop! Have seen you several times... including standing at La Zona Rosa in my neck brace and you were maybe 7 months pregnant...?! Definitely will check out this anniversary version out! Think I had been in Austin about 2 years before this record. My best friend Anne told me about it. When I think back to all that was magical in Austin, I think of Kelly Willis and What I deserve, and patty griffin, and Shawn Colvin.... thank you for still being here and making music and performing! I just missed your show at the 04 center. Don't ever stop! And good for you to trust your instincts and leave San Fran. What a great group of musicians to have worked with.
This is a core album in my collection. Gringo Honeymoon, Redheaded Stranger, Purple Rain, Brothers in Arms, What’s Going On, Something More Than Free, Purple Rain and What I Deserve. In no particular order.
It’s such a great part of getting older, looking back on the days of Finding Footing, spotting those times when walking away was the right thing. Thanks for sharing this Behind the Scenes story. Congrats on the reissue. It really is what you deserve.
This record is the way I found you, and I am so glad I did. It remains my favorite with the possible exception of cheaters game. Your voice and your vibe and your delivery is so true and on this record. So much you I am guessing and that is pretty special. So so glad you made the record!
Thanks for this, Kelly! I just finished reading as I’m listening to my vinyl copy of the album that arrived earlier today.
This album means a lot to me, and it still sounds so good in 2024. I was just a kid who had graduated from college and moved to Houston, TX from small town Alabama when it came out. In fact, I had discovered your work during a trip to Austin while one of the employees at Waterloo recommended your Fading Fast EP to me because I was wearing a Son Volt tshirt. Those record store employee recommendations were so much better than the algorithms that we live with these days. And wow, I loved that EP. Still do!!
This record and your shows at the Mucky Duck in those days provided me with just that extra bit of comfort I needed as I built a new life and grew up a little bit. And those memories are rushing over me all these years later as I listen again right now. And I moved away from Houston several years ago, but maybe I need to schedule a return trip to see old friends and see you perform at the Mucky Duck the next time you are there!!
I love this. Thank you so much!
Thank you for taking the time to put down the backstory to What I Deserve. Very intriguing stuff, Ms. Willis. I ordered two copies of the CD, One for my cabin and one for driving. I was in the music business (on the business side) and also a consultant for Barry Poss' Sugar Hill Records. I know very well about artists and producers clashing over creative control. That's how we managed to sign Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, and Townes Van Zandt. They couldn't make the records they wanted to make due to being on major labels and, hence, creative control issues. Lyle Lovett told me about his college pal Robert Earl Keen, who was looking for a label. Soon afterward, I hand carried his demo into Barry Poss' office and said, "You need to listen to this." He did, and and Robert had found a label to launch his his formidable career. I remember your move to Rykodisc. I thought, damn, it could have been Sugar Hill possibly if I had known you were label shopping. Arrogant, you? Make me laugh because I doubt it. To wind this up, during my decades of Training & Development in the music business, I utilized handwriting analysis (secretly) to assist my decision making with upper management candidates. Ha! Now that you have provided me with a sample of your handwriting albeit from 25 years ago in the sweet letter to your mom, I am going to have to pull the manual out and get my own professional opinion of who you really are-or were 25 years ago. Thank you sincerely for never giving up. I hope our paths eventually cross.
Sugar Hill was always a dream label for me. You did great stuff! ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks, but it was always about the artists. They were allowed to do the great stuff. Founder and former owner Barry Poss was a treasure to work with. Funny, funny man. I wish Sugar Hill could have had you on the roster. but you've done more than okay. Do things really turn out the way they are supposed to?
Really a fantastic album. I remember being thrilled that you did (another) Paul Kelly tune. He is one of my favorite songwriters to0. Can't believe it has been 25 years!
I’ve been lucky enough to have gotten the vinyl about 10 days ago….Been playing the hell outta it!!! Love 🥰 the 5 unissued live tracks included on this expanded edition as well. One of my all-time favorite albums!!!
This piece on Substack is one of the many reasons I subscribe….Kelly is a voice, both in song and print, that is genuine, and brings an elegance to everything she does. Been blessed to see Kelly over 6x this year alone….with 2 upcoming shows to go….Can’t Wait!!!
First country album I ever bought. I saw you open for Beth Orton in Philly and the control you had over your voice was so much more... *professional* than what I was used to. Kept the CD sorta hidden away from my metal/grungey crew. (Despite the big bonus points for being on the same label as Zappa.) Within a few years, I was deep into the classics.
Love Beth Orton! Saw her on a small stage at ACL Festival years ago, back when it was cool, before it got corporatized...
Such a special album to me. Thank you for sharing these stories, and for sticking to your guns.
I remember happening upon it at a little shop in LA called Aron’s Records & being blown away by how amazing it was. It became the soundtrack for learning my way around the city, and it’s forever bound to some of the happiest memories of my life. So excited for its vinyl release. ☺️🩵
I LOVE this! Seizing control of your destiny, you proved everyone who held you back, or underestimated you, wrong; that is the greatest kind of story!
What I deserve was playing on KGSR . Went to Waterloo and picked it up along with a couple of Patty Griffin albums. Played yours non stop! Have seen you several times... including standing at La Zona Rosa in my neck brace and you were maybe 7 months pregnant...?! Definitely will check out this anniversary version out! Think I had been in Austin about 2 years before this record. My best friend Anne told me about it. When I think back to all that was magical in Austin, I think of Kelly Willis and What I deserve, and patty griffin, and Shawn Colvin.... thank you for still being here and making music and performing! I just missed your show at the 04 center. Don't ever stop! And good for you to trust your instincts and leave San Fran. What a great group of musicians to have worked with.
This is a core album in my collection. Gringo Honeymoon, Redheaded Stranger, Purple Rain, Brothers in Arms, What’s Going On, Something More Than Free, Purple Rain and What I Deserve. In no particular order.
I love that album! By the way. Glad to see you on the 30A Songwriters Festival happening next January in my area. How do I wrangle an interview?
It’s such a great part of getting older, looking back on the days of Finding Footing, spotting those times when walking away was the right thing. Thanks for sharing this Behind the Scenes story. Congrats on the reissue. It really is what you deserve.
What wonderful reminisces! Thank you for sharing.
Are the Son Volt sessions how you and Jay met? Any news on the collab you two did recently?
Holy F TVZ, Kelly!!!
This record is the way I found you, and I am so glad I did. It remains my favorite with the possible exception of cheaters game. Your voice and your vibe and your delivery is so true and on this record. So much you I am guessing and that is pretty special. So so glad you made the record!