Jack Tempchin: Get Your Peaceful Easy Feeling with One More Song

You may know one of his songs better than you know “the man,” but that will change when you read more about legendary songwriter, artist and musician Jack Tempchin. He’s also known as the co-architect of the “Southern California” sound. Chances are you sing along to his Peaceful Easy Feeling and a mega-hit he co-wrote, Already Gone, both on the best-selling U.S. album of the 20^th century: The Eagles, Their Greatest Hits, 1971-1975.

He co-wrote Glenn Frey’s best-sellers, Smuggler’s Blues and You Belong to the City. Jack’s also written hits for George Jones, Randy Meisner, Glen Campbell, Emmylou Harris and others. He’s opened for Ringo Starr, Jackson Browne, Poco, Dolly Parton, Chicago and Kenny Loggins, among others.

Now he’s proud to announce his newest solo album, One More Song, on Blue Elan Records. You’ll hear his Slow Dancing, a hit for Johnny Rivers and Song for You, co-written by Keith Harkin of Celtic Thunder. You can order the new music right here or on Amazon.

From a harmonica player writing tunes on the beach, Tempchin later made fast friends at the famous L.A. club, the Troubadour, established in 1957. He hung with the likes of Frey, Tom Waits, Randy Newman, J.D Souther and others. Jack has such a fascinating history in music, and you can read all about him here.

Making Music and Wine

He lives in the San Diego area and loves it—always has—and he recorded most of the latest album there. At 69, he says he feels “fantastic.” That may be due in part to living the good life with wines that he makes himself. They’re called Peaceful Easy Feeling Cabernet and Chardonnay. Yes, he makes music and he makes vino.

In fact, Jack is playing this Sunday, September 18 at KAABOO. See my recent story for Parade.com about this classy music and arts festival here. Then see Jack at the KAABOO VIP Hang 10 Tent, immediately followed by a Peaceful Easy Feeling wine tasting at 6 p.m. Raise a glass with him!

If you miss that, catch him at the Hotel Café in Hollywood, California, on October 16 and at the La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas, California, on October 22. Let’s get to know Jack a lot better with a few questions and his answers.

How would you describe your style?

For this new album, I tried to return to the powerful experience of those early coffeehouse days. You just went in and it was folk music: just the person and the song, with powerful emotions that had to get out. It reminds me of what inspired me about music in the first place. So, I’d say my focus is folk.

There are a couple of videos, we understand?

Yes, shot by my friend, Jim Shea, who did a lot of work with Glenn Frey. These give you a look behind the scenes. We call them “The Making of…” (One More Song.) You can see Part I and Part II on YouTube.

What do you want us to take from your music?

Emotions. I miss that nowadays. It’s the record I wanted to make. It’s very simple production all about just the heart of the music: two songs that have been recorded and nine songs no one has heard. Please enjoy!

Are you planning to tour?

I don’t have one locked down, but I do expect to be on the road. I like that. I want to tour for a  few more years.

What life lessons have you learned?

Saying “no” to yourself can be very useful. Things that worked at one point may not continue to work at another point. It’s very hard to say, “Hey, what do you mean I can’t do that anymore?” I like to quote these lyrics: “These days I need more and more less and less.” They’re from the song More and More, Less and Less by Delbert McClinton and Glen Clark. It’s really about how you can change your attitude as you age.

How are you taking care of Jack Tempchin now?

I swim every morning, and I go to the gym. I also like to walk. Unlike most of my life, I wake during the day now! I used to be “Midnight Jack,” who stayed up all night. I didn’t drink though—other people were imbibing, but I was just born like that.

What do you “think” these days?

Every day at sunset I cruise down to the beach. I play guitar for a while, watching the ocean. A lot of people can’t do that—find somewhere peaceful. I like getting back to the source of things.

What’s on your gratitude list?

I’ve had the great fortune to write songs that became hits and everybody knows them. It’s been wonderful, but a big thrill for me is to have people hear the new stuff I’m doing now. I am having the wonderful experience of “being a new artist,” to write and sing songs for people to really enjoy.