The Baker's Dozen #41 Jerry Leger

In 2005, nineteen-year-old Jerry Leger cut his first independently released album. Since then, the prolific singer-songwriter has recorded 10 additional albums under his own name, with the last 4 released via Cowboy Junkies' label, Latent Recordings. His latest release is a four-track EP 'Latent Uncovers' that features his take on songs by Lou Reed, Jeff Tweedy, Leonard Cohen and David Bowie. Red Guitar Music caught up with Jerry for a brief chat about his influences, and he reminds us it doesn’t get much better than Gordon Lightfoot.

1. What is your earliest musical memory?

That's hard to pinpoint because I grew up hearing a lot of music. It would probably be listening to The Beatles in the car with my family.

2. Do you remember the name of your first band?

Yes, it's still the same name, “The Situation”.

3. Which current artist do you find the most impressive and why?

Any artist out there surviving, sticking to their guns and isn't playing the game.

4. Do you sit down to actually try to write songs or wait until inspiration strikes?

I don't always necessarily wait til inspiration strikes but I'll sit down to see if some words or songs come. The only thing I try to do is stay open and fearless.

5. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give your younger self?

Probably a bit of a cliché, but I'd tell myself to be more patient and in the present. I'm still trying to remind myself of that.

6. You're stuck in a lift with your musical hero (living or dead) and they ask you to play them something - who is it, what do you play and why?

Roy Orbison and I'd play him a song I wrote with him in mind. I still haven't recorded it, I hear him singing it and nobody can sing like Roy.

7. On the road, do you have any pre-show rituals/superstitions?

Not really, a little glass of wine or beer is always nice though. I get antsy to play beforehand.

8. Should music be free?

Can we make everything free, so nobody needs to worry about money and surviving? Food, water, shelter and music.

9. Can you remember the first record you bought and what have you bought recently?

The first record I bought with my own money was Mind Games by John Lennon. I just picked up Ron Sexsmith's new record, which I've been enjoying.

10. What was the last song that made you cry actual tears?

I've known the song my whole life but I was listening to “If You Could Read My Mind” by Gordon Lightfoot recently and that usually gets me to that point.

11. In the digital age, we have more music and video at our fingertips than ever before. Do you have any guilty pleasures or recommendations in film or TV?

I recently watched the TV show Dark, which I really liked. I'm big into old horror movies and I just saw Phantasm for the first time the other day. That was pretty cool. Of course, The Beatles Get Back.

12. Your house is on fire. You already have your loved ones slung over one shoulder and your guitar in one hand. With your other hand you can rescue three CDs or LPs...What are they?

Wow, that's a really difficult question. In this moment, I would say Soul Men by Sam & Dave, Hard Rain by Bob Dylan and A Date with The Everly Brothers. I'd rather take a milkcrate though!

13. What is the most important thing to you that you can see from where you are right now?

An old trunk that my Dad refinished for me years ago. It's where I keep my old writing books,recordings, promo stuff, etc..basically what I've gathered over my career so far is in there.

You can catch Jerry Leger live on his May 2023 tour:

May 8 - Kingsmead House Concert, High Wycombe
May 9 - Green Note, London
May 10 - Running Horse, Nottingham
May 11 – Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
May 12 – St. Mary's Creative Space, Chester
May 13 – The Glynne Arms, Hawarden
May 14 – House Concert, Sheffield
May 16 - Spirit Store (backroom), Dundalk
May 17 - The Court House, Bangor
May 18 - The Doublet, Glasgow

May 20 - TAIGH Festival - Glen Dye Estate Strachan, Aberdeenshire

May 21 - Leith Depot, Edinburgh