Songwriter Sunday
I'm sorry I missed last week's Substack post, but this one is technically a day early!
Not “Are You Afraid of the Dark? Part 7”
Don’t worry. There will be more installments. I need some more time to feel ready to share more chapters of my life (that part at least). I appreciate your patience, friends.
Day 24
The days got away from me, and I’ve gotten behind on my song a day writing. I’m only 18 songs in but I intend to catch up.
To be honest, I was proud of myself. I kept up with a song a day until our final day in Memphis.
That’s right - Weary Ramblers were just in Memphis. We were competing in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. If you don’t know that is, here’s a link to learn all about it: The Blues Foundation
Over 130 acts competed in the 4 day competition (all of them had also won their regional challenge like we did). Musicians came from every state and from all over the world to compete in the IBC. When we advanced from the quarter-finals to the semi-finals, we were so excited. They cut a little over half the acts at that point. When we advanced from the semi-finals the finals, we were shocked. Only 11 acts were left at that point - 6 solo/duo acts and 5 bands. And when we won the whole thing, we were incredibly honored.
Yes - Chad Elliott and I won the International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category! We are so proud to represent Iowa as the 2026 IBC champions!
We knew that we were underdogs going into the challenge. We take a unique approach to the blues and stayed true to who we are as Americana musicians and writers. Although fiddle is part of the history of the blues, many people don’t see it as “fitting in” to the blues community. We did all original material with our Weary Ramblers sound and were so grateful to be accepted with open arms and hearts.
The first night of the quarter-finals, we were booked for the King Biscuit Blues Festival. It felt so good to be respected at an early stage in the process.
I couldn’t believe that I was only 1 of 2 women in the finals at the IBC. 1 of 2!
I was the only woman in the finals playing an instrument and singing.
I have a lot of opinions about this…for another time…
I feel so much gratitude for where life has and is taking me and Weary Ramblers. But, I have to admit, it’s not always glamorous.
There are many folks that say hurtful things to us about our music...the way we look…you name it. It can be challenging at times to quiet the voices of the nay sayers…
But I’ll keep holding onto the ones that support us because I truly believe in what we’re doing…what we’re creating.
There’s so much good coming our way, and I can’t wait to keep you all updated.
It’s a beautiful road we’re traveling down in the Wildervan.
Curtain Calls
I wrote this one on day 11 of my writing journey this month.
No words
No need
This heart alone can always read
Your voice
Your eyes
Can you see the mountainside?
We’ll get away
From it all
Quiet all the curtain calls
And lay back
And breathe
Can you hear the birds singing free
Oo…
Sharing time
I’d like to share an unreleased song of mine with you all, titled “Curtain Calls.”
I can’t wait to share the back story to more of my songs with all of you, as well as my journey in music and life. Until next time.
See you in a week
If you’re reading this, thank you. I’m honored. And I can’t wait to continue on this journey via Substack with all of you! We’ll see what next Sunday brings.
To learn more about myself, follow my show schedule and hear my music: Kathryn Severing Fox's website
Photo by Chad Elliott
To paraphrase Frank Sinatra’s song, “I Did it My Way” and it made you a winner. Us Iowans are mighty proud!
After listening, re listening, then listening again and again..I’m lulled into a a flowing rhythm of tranquility and peace…is this the beginning, an interlude, an ending or a gentle stand alone tune that continues or connects with similar or transitional parts of other songs and.. not certain..and in any case one way or another, not really sure or that important