Pozible Crowdfunding is about community and i am appealing to ours to help us make these Wayside Ballads complete as we dreamed it. Being independent is hard work but totally worthwhile when your music makes a connection. That's what inspires me to never give up. So here is the story and I hope that you can see value in supporting this project.

I have been visiting the US since 2008, playing and recording and have built up an excellent network of friends in the Nashville Music Community. For a songwriter it is a very inspiring environment and I feel that it has brought out the best in me throughout those visits. During 2014 my brother Ross and I were writing lot's of new songs with a view to recording two albums under the guise of 'The Wayside Ballads' - one in Australia and one in the US. One electric / One acoustic - nevertheless, both with the song at the center of the narrative. The Wayside Ballads Vol 1 has been completed in Melbourne and completely self funded, however I need your help to complete Vol 2. These 10 songs will be produced by Thomm Jutz at his studio, TJ Tunes just outside of Nashville. Thomm is an incredibly gifted musician/producer. He has been a sideman to some of the best like Mary Gauthiere and Nanci Griffith as well as producing brilliant albums for folks like Nanci Griffith, Otis Gibbs, Jon Byrd etc. It is his connection with the hardworking singer-songwriters of the East Nashville community that really appeals to me and the credibility and love that he gives the songs. We have been talking about this for a few years now and the opportunity/songs have finally aligned to make it happen.


Many of these songs we have been playing 'live' for a while now and those who know my music will recognise 'Rollin' into Rosine', 'Three China Ducks', 'Every Day's a Drinkin' Day', 'Come As You Are' etc - so I am really looking forward to finally recording them. Thomm has a fine array of the finest acoustic and bluegrass musicians ready to jump onto this project and I can't wait to get started, get it done and get the music out to you.

THE BEST NEWS IS THAT PETE FIDLER WHO HAS BEEN SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY MUSICAL JOURNEY WILL BE CENTRAL TO THIS PROJECT AS WELL. AS SOMEONE ONCE SAID 'PETE HAS A CONVERSATION WITH OUR LYRICS....' I heard him described recently by an American music aficionado as a 'black belt Dobro player - that's gotta be cool!

(Note: There will also be a Vol 3 of our songs recorded by some of Melbourne's finest singer/songwriters with proceeds going to the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre - this is ticking along in the background)

Meanwhile it is Vol 2 we are talking about here and ...

HERE ARE TWO OF THE SONGS WE WILL BE RECORDING for Vol 2 in the US - We hope you can get on board and thanks in advance for your Support - BJ


How To Pledge:

1. Once you have chosen your desired reward (right-hand panel), click the blue ‘Pledge Now’ button.
2. Login with Facebook or email, choose your reward and enter your payment details.
3. Tell all of your friends about how excited you are about the Project and your Reward by sharing the project link! www.pozible.com/billjackson
4. When the target is reached your payment will be processed and you will be asked for your postal details (if your reward requires shipping).
5. I will send your reward when it is ready.

NOTE: EVERYONE WHO MAKES A PLEDGE WILL ALSO RECEIVE A COPY OF THE LIMITED EDITION SINGLE 'TRY / SOMEBODY'S DARLIN' IN ADDITION TO THEIR REWARD. This includes the 'Single Mix' of 'Try'.

If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask me via my Pozible email (see THE ‘Message’ button under the ‘Project Team’).

The funds raised through your generosity will be used for:
1. Recording
2. Mixing
3. Mastering
4. Musicians Fees
5. Production Fee (Thomm Jutz)
The above will account for approximately AU$8000. 

Travel and related expenses (post recording) like artwork and manufacturing will account for at least another AU$5000 so it doesn't take long to get into the red.

Songwriting is a magical process and you have to take your chances with those ideas when they float by you. With the songs intended for this project, I have been road testing them for quite a while now and people have been connecting with the stories and feels.

I have been meticulously planning this project for quite some time now and culling the song choice down from around 20 to 10 for the recording.

As well as being incredibly talented, Thomm Jutz is a very organised person and has laid out a schedule for the sessions from Pre-Production through to Mastering.

Thomm Jutz Testimonial:
'I toured the world with Thomm Jutz by my side for several years. We had a hell of a lot of fun, clocked more miles than I could measure, and managed to keep the car between the white lines. Thomm is a true gentleman, a brilliant musician, and a team player. He never complained, always showed up early, and took great care of me out on the road. I was lucky to have been able to work with him for the years we had together, he made my music and the touring life so much better by his being in it. He is a gem, and a hard working supporter of the artists he works for. He's an amazing human being, and a stellar, world classmusician.'- Mary Gauthier (Singer-Songwriter, Nashville/TN).

More About Thomm Jutz


I don't envisage obstacles and prefer to focus on the 'what can make it even better' scenario.

The biggest challenge is that Pozible is all-or-nothing crowdfunding: if I don't reach my target, well I don't get the funds to complete the project.

BELOW - THE SONGWRITING TEAM: BILL JACKSON / ROSS JACKSON (Yes, he is REAL and larger than life!)