Sometime early in 1989 I wrote Coffee For The Blues as an ode to sobriety and a love song for my new sweetheart Debbie Collins. She had come into my life at a time when I was struggling to make ends meet, working at a monument company in Fort Dodge, playing a few gigs with a country band, and trying to raise two small children. It had become obvious to me that I needed to cut back on the alcohol and focus on keeping the boat afloat at home. We made it through those early years, married in 1990, and have been together ever since. She is truly my soul mate.
On March 11, 1989 I went out to Junior’s Motel Studio in Otho, Iowa, and with the help of owner/engineer Kirk Kaufman and bassist Brian “Big B” Nelson made a demo of the song. I played guitar and sang the song while Brian played bass, then I overdubbed some piano, mandolin, and snare drum.
Brian “Big B” Nelson. Photo by Maureen Powers
Here’s what that first recording sounded like:
1. Mornin’s easy, with you baby, you make me feel at home
Nothin’s missin’, from your kitchen, for a mind that’s blown
And if I seem, somewhat distracted, and can’t lace up my shoes
Give me kisses, rub my shoulders, and some COFFEE FOR THE BLUES
2. I used to find, myself at night, closin’ down the bars
I used to think I was doin’ all right, if I could just find my car
But now I’m older and my head is too….and we can’t take that booze
So make a pot, black and hot, give me COFFEE FOR THE BLUES
INSTRUMENTAL VERSE
3. Darlin’, I’ve been such a fool, and treated you so bad
If you’re ready, let’s go steady, and try to get back the love we had
Honey, give me one more chance, and you will never lose
Those eggs you’re makin’, go so good with bacon…
And some COFFEE FOR THE BLUES,
And some COFFEE FOR THE BLUES, YEA, YEA, YEA
© 1990 Shadric Smith
All Rights Reserved. Supposed To Be Music
In September of 1990 I went back out to Junior’s Motel….this time with a group of musicians I had hand picked for the session….Kris Karr on drums, harmonica & harmony vocals….Denny Osburn on piano, lap steel & mandolin, Dave Steen on lead guitar….and Todd Mason on bass. Kirk Kaufman engineered again…live to 2 track, and we cut ten of my original songs in one night. These tracks became my Dogtown Blues “album”…..released on cassette tape first, and later ( 2002 ) on CD. These musicians were all amazing, and after a quick run through of each song we cut the tracks “live” with no overdubs. Coffee For The Blues became the opening song on the album, and Denny Osburn created the “Dogtown Cowboy” on the cover. This project is still available online via all the streaming services. Check out my Substack posts for Prayin’ For Rain, Red Guitar, and The Bullfrog Boogie for more background on the Dogtown Blues session.
The Dogtown Blues version sounded like this:
There was only one picture taken that night, I believe by Kris Karr.
L to R Todd Mason, Dave Steen, SS, Denny Osburn & Kirk Kaufman
In 1992 I booked another session out at Junior’s Motel primarily to utilize the talent of a local singer named Nicki Thoma. She had a powerful voice and agreed to demo several of my original songs. Kirk Kaufman engineered the session.
Nicki Thoma cutting a vocal track at Junior’s Motel, Otho, Iowa 1992
Jeff Foreman played drums, Dave Hearn played piano, Brian “Big B” Nelson on bass, Rick Roeder on pedal steel, and Tommy Shadonix on fiddle. They all did a fine job….especially Nicki. Here’s what her version sounded like:
Fast forward to 2005 when I occasionally hosted a jam session on Wednesday nights at a bar called Spanky’s in Fort Dodge. Some of my band director pals started showing up with their horns and would create some cool arrangements on the fly as we rolled through the tunes. Coffee For The Blues is the only song I ever remember writing in the Key of Bb….which is one of the horn players favorite keys….so we had to play it! Curt Klein played flugelhorn, Dan Cassady played trombone, & Jon Holmes played tenor sax. We started calling them The Buffalo Horns.
The Buffalo Horns. L to R Jon Holmes, Dan Cassady & Curt Klein
The rest of the band was Brian “Big B” Nelson on bass, Kris Karr on guitar, Herb Dreasler on guitar, and Paul Reisner on drums.
So that’s the story so far on Coffee For The Blues. I would love to hear your version of this song, when you try it out. Thanks for reading and listening this far. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to help support my musical efforts.