Biography of Jesse Winchester

The country/folk singer/songwriter Jesse Winchester first gained notice for his debut album, Jesse Wincheter (1970), produced by the Band's Robbie Robertson. It featured such songs as "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz" and "Yankee Lady," which were covered by a wide range of performers. The subtext of his appeal, however (and of songs like "Yankee Lady"), was that Winchester was an American living in Canada to avoid the draft. Born in Shreveport, LA, he had grown up in Memphis and attended Williams College, from which he graduated in 1966. While studying in Germany in 1967, he received his draft notice and moved to Montreal. Winchester's second album, Third Down 110 to Go, was released in 1972 and got into the charts briefly, but he was hindered by his inability to play in the U.S. In 1973, Winchester became a Canadian citizen. He released more records, but it wasn't until 1977, when President Jimmy Carter instituted an amnesty for draft resisters, that Winchester was able to appear in the U.S. His appearances made his next album, Nothing but a Breeze, his biggest seller yet. A Touch on the Rainy Side (1978) was a more moderate success, while Talk Memphis (1981) featured the Top 40 hit "Say What." This was his last album for seven years, until the independent Sugar Hill label issued Humour Me (1988). Winchester continues to tour. ~ William Ruhlmann