Nick Shoulders, "Bound and Determined," // GemsOnVHS™

Another installment of our journey through the diverse lands of Arkansas, with our esteemed host (and Fayetteville local) Nick Shoulders. This week, he takes us a stones throw from his childhood home, to the confederate cemetery he grew up wandering. In turbulent times such as these, I can't think of a better place to reflect on what happens when we let wealthiest leaders and loudest mobs lead us directly into armed conflict. It leads straight to a graveyard, where all glorious causes go to die. As someone who, similar to Nick, was born and raised here in the South (i'm writing from good ole Smithville, TN), it is quite the history to grapple with. In this song, Nick does just that grappling. From the perspective of a lifelong southerner, he writes of contemporary issues in a form blazed by the likes of Woody and Phil Ochs, with that signature warble of his carrying the melody along. I love topical folk songs, ones that sound like they're ripped from the headlines of the news and given a tune. I imagine folks from the 22nd century uncovering this one, learning about our time from it, like we do today listening to songs about the old songs of the dust bowl, or medieval ballads. Here is what the artist, Nick, had to say about his song, "This is a song about inclusion. The chorus reads, "I keep the door, open for you" and I mean it. I truly don't want to shame you for your beliefs, but we need to be reminded occasionally that our opinions have consequences." Check out more of Nick's songs here, https://nickshoulders.bandcamp.com/ Special thank you to VJ Arizpe, Josh and Beth Collins, Edward Siple, Kenny Schmidt, Aaron Brown, Drew, Brady Jones, Richard Harmon, Jonathon Hammond, and Kurt Busness for making this episode possible. Consider becoming a Patreon contributor to help sustain this project. For the price of a cup of coffee every month, you let us continue finding and filming amazing artists.   / gemsonvhs   GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love. We're on instagram (@gemsonvhs or @anthonysimpkins) Like us on FB too! (  / gemsonvhs  ) www.gemsonvhs.com