By S. Pulse
At just 18 years old, Jack Barksdale carries the presence of someone who has been writing songs far longer than his age suggests. In truth, he has. He began at nine years old – not on guitar, the instrument he was drawn to – but on violin, simply because his hands weren’t large enough to wrap around the fretboard. The workaround stuck. He took to the violin, and when his hands finally caught up, transitioned to guitar, now his primary tool for composition.
His influences trace back to a different era. Shaped by Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Terry Allen, Texas songwriting runs deep in Barksdale’s songs. He also draws inspiration from a more avant-garde song-writing trio – Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, and Randy Newman – artists known for innovation.
“I kind of blend all these people along with different musical styles like Piedmont Blues and Delta Blues. I love all those old country music blues,” he says, describing a palette that pulls from across traditions.
That mix has already caught the attention of trusted industry veterans. Barksdale signed with Truly Handmade, a label tied to the estate of Guy Clark, whose songwriting legacy Barksdale greatly respects. With board members like Rodney Crowell and Verlon Thompson involved, Barksdale seems to have found a home with the label. “They’ve been giving me great support, and I’m really happy to be a part of it,” says Barksdale.
It feels fitting that he’s found a spot within Guy Clark’s circle, as Barksdale’s writing carries his same plainspoken insight. When asked what it means to be such a young songwriter, his answer leans philosophical. “Situations can bring clarity in different forms. A few years ago, I realized I wasn’t really living my life on my vision of the world. I was sort of using things I had heard from other people. Then I tried to build up my own worldview. It’s not finished, but at least I got a start on it – so I can navigate and understand things a little better.”
It’s that type of introspection that shows up directly in his writing. “I’m looking for ways to explain things – real terrible things, real beautiful things, or things that don’t mean anything at all. I’m just looking for ways to explore and see the world.”
At Luck Reunion, his listening list reflected that open curiosity. He had already caught Anna Tivel’s set, with hopes of seeing Fred Eaglesmith, Shelby Stone, and, of course, Willie Nelson. But the night had something else in store.
Following his set at the Fort Worth stage, Barksdale was invited to join a collaborative set in Luck’s Chapel. The set brought together a group of Central Texas songwriting bastions, including Willis Alan Ramsey, James McMurtry, Kelly Willis, Dale Watson, and a steward for the craft, Dallas Burrows. Barksdale stepped into the fold with ease, adding backing vocals and guitar behind Kelly Willis. Then, as the night drew to a close, the full group gathered on stage with Barksdale taking a featured guitar solo of his own.
In a room filled with decades of songwriting history, Barksdale didn’t seem out of place. If anything, he sounded like he’d been there all along.
