I learned about Jimmie Spheeris while visiting some friends in Oklahoma.  Jimmie Spheeris definitely isn't country or southern -- he's a blend of his own version of solo, classic rock and roll.  With such brilliant, excellent lyrics, and a rock solid voice that will both dazzle and overwhelm you.  Jimmie Spheeris' debut album, Isle of View, which was released in 1971, may also be the best album cover of all time, one of the best albums ever, and has one of the best songs ever written, "The Nest."  (Check out a picture at http://www.jimmiespheeris.com.  And as an aside, and Isle of View CD, now out of print, was recently auctioned on eBay for $500.)  

His songs have a strong emotional element that can't fail to touch you.  The Nest on Isle of View begins:

Come to me now, dove on your shoulder
White flame of love burns on your breath
I am ready for flight
Oh my wings are so ripe
Come wake me
Take me from the nest

Besides Isle of View, you might want to see if you can find The Original Tap Dancing Kid and Dragons are Dancing, two other excellent Spheeris albums, which are available as CDs. 

Jimmie Spheeris was killed by a drunk driver in 1984. 

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