Tim Rogers says many things in life rely on connections. His most recent networking experience connected him to some Nashville legends.
Rogers, of Lucedale, Miss., grew up in a musical family and has been a musician since he was eight years old. It started with a set of drums from Sears, Roebuck and Company and church performances with his two sisters. Today he is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and recording artist. A favorite of local fans is “Small Town America.” He also wrote the song for Lucedale’s WRBE Radio Station Swap Shop episode. Throughout the years he has recorded eight records in local studio settings. However, this spring he recorded in a top-notch Nashville studio. This latest collection of tunes is scheduled to be released on a variety of platforms and streaming services in June.
The collection is compiled as an Extended Play (EP) titled Kind Words &Cool Water with seven songs, including the title song. Some he wrote years ago. Some he wrote recently. Most of the songs center on George County places and people. The genre is a mix of country and southern rock. An EP is longer than a single recording and shorter than a Long Play (LP).
“The phrase “kinds words and cool water” was something a dear farmer friend of the family always said when somebody asked him if he needed anything. He’d say ‘kind words and cool water are all I need’ so I wrote the song off that saying,” Rogers said. “The song is about how today we need more love and understanding and less anger and road rage.”
The EP’s cover image features a young, blonde-haired boy sipping water from a garden hose. The youngster is four-year-old Ason Smith, son of Rogers’ daughter Makayla Smith.
Rogers, 65, retired last year from Ingalls Shipbuilding. He expected to spend his retirement years taking care of his mother, playing with his grandchildren and playing music for his church and local gigs. Howard Lips, Jr. is Rogers’ pastor and manager. Lips serves White Plains Methodist Church in Saucier where Rogers is pianist. Lips is a multi-hit songwriter and musician who was discovered by Porter Wagner and Dolly Parton decades ago. He wrote numerous songs for country and gospel music artists including gold and multi-platinum recordings for The Platters. Lips recognized Rogers’ talent and encouraged him to pursue a recording in Music City. “I’ve always wanted to record in Nashville but never had the time or the money,” Rogers said.
Lips’ successful track record with Nashville artists opened the door for Rogers. He has connections with Cinderella Sound Studio, Nashville’s oldest surviving independent recording studio. Cinderella was founded in 1961 by guitar virtuoso Wayne Moss, who still runs the studio at age 86. The list of artists who have recorded at Cinderella include Linda Ronstadt, Charlie Daniels, Steve Miller Band, Marty Stuart, Grand Funk and Ricky Scaggs. Lips sent a few of Rogers’ songs to Moss, and Rogers’ adventure began.
Cinderella is a sessions studio where Moss brings in the best musicians in the business to play for each recording alongside the vocalist. These musicians include artists like Bill Cooley and Glenn Rieuf who have played for Reba McEntire and John Anderson. Cooley and Rieuf, along with other big-time talents played the instrumentals while Rogers sang the lead. “We recorded the whole EP in one day with a live band,” Rogers said. “We started at 10:30 a.m. and were done by 6 p.m.”
The next day Rogers went back to the studio and recorded the background vocals. That was March 26 and 27. Lips made the trip to Nashville with him. On their drive back to South Mississippi, Rogers mentioned to Lips he thought a harmonica would sound good on a few of the tracks. Lips suggested Rogers get Charlie McCoy.
McCoy, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, has played for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Roy Orbison and Barbara Mandrell. McCoy plays multiple instruments but is best known as a harmonica virtuoso. He still plays at the Grand Ole Opry. Rogers went back to Nashville on April 30 to meet McCoy. McCoy ended up playing harmonica on every song. “The only overdub was bringing on Charlie McCoy. Afterwards he took me to the Opry backstage all night! It was all a dream come true for an old player like me,” Rogers said.
“It’s all about the connections we make in life. And all it takes is one,” Rogers said.
