Jesus and James Dean

May 10, 2008
By Joe Hyde
Publisher

“Growing up, I had two pictures hanging on the wall in my room. One was of James Dean from the movie “Giant.” I am a Catholic, so I also had a picture of Jesus that was given to me at school,” Charlie Shafter says. The two pictures gave him inspiration for the current single release, “Jesus and James Dean” from The Charlie Shafter Band’s “17th & Chicago” record. Smith Publishing, who represents the band, sent the new single to radio stations in April. “They released it to Americana stations,” Shafter says, because the song is slower than traditional Texas country.

Trying to find a niche for Shafter’s music has been a blessing and an asset. They have played at Texas country mainstay Blaine’s Pub and they’ve also played at the rockin’ Steel Penny. Ed Fawcett, partner at the Penny, says he hasn’t seen a band that good in a short while. “They can play rock, and they can play covers. And the covers are good, original interpretations,” Fawcett says. Shafter, who is one class shy of graduation from South Plains College’s commercial music program, has a band of true musicians.

His song “Jesus and James Dean” (listen to a Podcast of the song linked above) was a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition in 2006. Shafter is careful to note that the song is not meant to be sacrilegious. “It’s about idol worship. False idols,” he says. “We are as a society obsessed with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. If someone of my generation [Shafter is in his early 20s] sees Britney Spears and Albert Einstein walking down the road, which one do you think they’d go for? Britney Spears,” he says.

Jesus and James Dean By Charlie Shafter I was walking down the street with Jesus and James Dean. A man yelled ‘He’s back again!’ and everybody screamed. But no one noticed Jesus in his sandals and all. Everybody went for Jimmy except a reverend named Paul. Father Paul got on his knees and asked forgiveness for his sins. Jesus just said I didn’t know that was him and with a grin. He took off running down the street towards the crowded scene. When he asked for Jimmy’s autograph, he said he’s loved him since his teens. Father Paul and I just stood there in the empty street. There was no one to consol and nowhere to preach. So we went back to the church to tell the others what we’d seen. When we opened up the door, it was just a movie screen. Everybody was eating their popcorn and drinking Mountain Dew. So we bought a couple tickets and some snacks and found a pew. When we looked up they were showing ‘A Rebel Without a Cause.’ The next thing I remember, it was over, and there was just one big applause. Chorus Say it’s all in the way that you walk. If you don’t draw attention then nobody’s gonna talk. If you’re alone in your room or in a crowded fair, I’ll be there.

The song’s lyrics are a well-formed story centering on the singer, Jesus, and James Dean. No-one in a crowd notices Jesus, who is overshadowed by the presence of James Dean. Later, the singer and “a reverend named Paul” go to a church looking for meaning, but find that the church, too, has fallen into the pop culture trap. When they open the door to the church, the congregation is watching James Dean’s “A Rebel Without a Cause.”

Also on the record is “Big City Baby,” a fast-moving song Shafter says is about getting tired of a relationship. It was released to Texas country stations.

The band’s genre-bending sound likely stems from its members’ variegated roots. Shafter grew up in Decatur, Illinois; the band is based in Lubbock. The band still takes time every quarter to tour their favorite venues up north. “Our touring schedule is progressively getting better and better,” Shafter says. “No-one in the band has a day job anymore.”

Shafter’s favorite song on “17th & Chicago” is a spooky ballad called “Medicine Man.” In the song, the singer is waiting for a medicine man to come and give him a shot: “just a little bit, I don’t need a lot.” “That chorus is all about my music,” Shafter admits. “We’ve been doing this for a long time waiting for a little break. I keep telling myself not to worry. Sometime it’s going to happen.”

And while he’s waiting, he remains confident. That is because along the way in his fledgling music career, Shafter says, he has had people and events pick him up just in time. These are his medicine men.

Shafter’s career is gaining traction. His touring schedule is packed. He’s playing for larger and larger crowds. Look for him in San Angelo at Blaine’s Pub, 10 W Harris St, on May 31 and June 7. You can hear his songs at www.myspace.com/thecharlieshafterband.