Kim Fox, a native of Old Forge NY, started her musical journey with her siblings in a modest bluegrass band in the late 1980s. Their self-released 1989 debut Family Portrait offered little out of the ordinary for bluegrass, but by their 1993 follow-up Follow My Lead, Kim was contributing several original songs, really good ones at that. The buzz continued with their Shasta Records album called When It Comes to Blues, which featured the #1 bluegrass hit The Dream. As the family band transcended into a vehicle to showcase Kim's songwriting, the sound adapted a variety of blues, country and swing sounds to the band's traditional bluegrass roots, and the name was changed to 3 Fox Drive to reflect this change of direction.
Kim's band has been practically inactive since the late 2000s but the songs live on and she still maintains a presence in Nashville, particularly in the bluegrass community.
For the unfamiliar listener, here are ten excellent songs to introduce you to the world of Kim Fox.
"I walked back through the woodlot to find in disbelief a cold campfire and a broke guitar string."
The sole song from the 1996 release "When It Comes to Blues" is "The Dream," which topped the bluegrass charts upon its release, perhaps because it timed perfectly with the passing of Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music. The climax may be uncomplicated but it is yet another spooky entry in Kim's catalog and a nice homage to the first generation of bluegrass music.
"He rides the rails to a new town every day, he was blue, so blue."
Kim has a wonderful knack of unraveling the curious behaviors of humans and the conditions that brought such tragedies to her characters. The only thing more tragic than death, perhaps, is unrequited love and a broken heart that never heals.
"Scared to face the future, the remainder of his life, with loneliness upon his heart and confusion in his mind."
Jesse is probably the only song about cognitive decline that I can immediately recall. Jesse is probably one of Kim's finest character studies.
"It seemed like they were standing there for hours and he knew his life would never be the same."
This tearjerker brings a wonderful couple together, only to see them torn apart due to circumstances beyond their control. Kim has said this was based on a true story.
"Always thought I'd be your one and only, now I'm the only one you never really want."
This is a sublime track and Kim's strongest take on the blues with a swing beat. For a more comical take on the blues, listen to her song When It Comes to Blues.
"Then I heard him softly whisper "It'll be alright. Run away from your papa, come and make a new life."
This incredible narrative probably has the most impactful ending of all of Kim's songs, and backed up with the vocals of siblings Barb and Joel, it really packs a punch. This is probably her most underrated song.
"It seems like forever since I've seen Cloud 9. I'm on 15 and climbing in record time."
Kim's finest love song, one you can slow dance to.
"And though he may seem humble in our ever changing world, you can't fault the simple man til you're walking in his shoes."
One of Kim's most melancholic songs has not a trace of tragedy, not a dash of death. Instead it's an observation of the paths we take in life. Some people have it all and it's never enough, but perhaps the happiest are the ones who have satisfaction with the simplest of pleasures.
"She married old John Sanders, back in 1952. They say he died of natural causes but we all know it's not true."
This classic Kim Fox tune may be her signature tune. It has been a cornerstone of her sets with all incarnations of her band. Murder ballads are common in folk music, so why not make a catastrophic? Also, the song implies Janie is evil, but perhaps she is just cursed in love but the perspective of the song is from townsfolk who perceive her unfortunate events as pure evil. Either way, better look before you leap.
"We're coming up on Macon, gonna rest here a spell, makin' idle conversation with a stranger. Without you, I've got nothing to lose."
Kim's most successful song has been covered by several bluegrass artists but it also has the notoriety of being recorded by contemporary country giants Reba McIntyre and Trisha Yearwood. It's got a keen sense of swagger that shines through when Kim performs it live.
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