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Hi, I'm Scott Brocato with KRWG Public Media, and I'd like to welcome you to this episode of Music Spotlight.

Burt Ferguson is a singer songwriter originally from South Carolina, but now based near Truth or Consequences.

His unusual path to music included various jobs while honing his guitar skills and building the courage to perform, which he finally did one open mic night in TorC.

He is joined today by his guitarist or partner Tim Thompson, and I'd like to welcome Burt Ferguson and Tim Thompson to KRWG Music Spotlight.

I didn't get to introduce you formally, Tim, but how would you describe your relationship to Burt?

Well, I've been, playing with Burt for about, what, a year and a half, maybe year and a half.

About a year and a half.

Really saw it through social media.

When I moved up to the TorC Elephant Butte area and really was very impressed with his singing, his songwriting.

And, I was playing at, a little place at the American Legion up there and right down the street.

He was playing.

And so I got off early and went up to see him.

And like so many times we play for empty rooms, or we used to anyway, he was up there all by himself just picking on his guitar.

And, I met him and we, just hit it off really well.

I said, hey, since nobody's here, my guitars in the truck.

And so we sat and jammed a little bit.

And that's how it started.

Well, when sometimes you perform solo and sometimes with your band.

And but we'll talk about that in a moment.

Burt, you I was I mentioned in the intro your, circuitous path to performing.

You did a little bit of everything.

You worked for Allstate insurance.

You, very, different odd jobs.

How did you finally get to focus on music?

Well, after a move, to Truth or Consequences, my buddy had a guitar sitting at the house that I was living at, and I started playing and started picking up, some cover songs.

And then, like you said, I finally went to that open mic and something just clicked, and, ended up writing a song shortly thereafter that and just felt like it's what I should be doing.

Was that the first time you learn to play guitar?

No, no, I started when I was a kid.

and I knew basic chords.

And then I started learning more as at about 26, 27, when I was, when I picked up that my friend's a guitar and started playing.

Well, the open mic was, Truth or Consequences Brewing Company and, I mean, that's where I started, you know, playing bass was at a local open mic, hearing a lot of artists start that way.

With me.

I don't know if you were the same way it took about a year's worth of liquid courage to finally get up there and finally do it.

Was it that way with you, or was it just that one night, you had the courage right away to go up there?

It took time.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Drinking never helped me.

It doesn't anymore.

It just, just though that one night.

But sure makes you think it does.

Yeah.

What am I forgetting?

The chords.

I, you know, I was playing this, but.

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

Go.

That's okay.

So, yeah, I, it's slowly developed over time.

it was like I did the open mic, and then I found another musician friend in town, and we started doing some duo stuff.

And then it's just developed over the years and, developed my, my setlist, my covers, my originals and figuring out what to do, what works.

And and who were some of your musical influences?

Ah when I was growing up, it was like 70s rock and roll, 60s rock and roll.

It was, you know, Beatles, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, all those guys.

And then as I've moved out here, country is is king.

So it's started to be Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, all those guys.

Well, we're going to let you, get set up to perform some of your songs.

What is going to be the first song?

So this is a song I wrote last year.

It's called A Whole Lot of Nada.

Tell me about it.

The inspiration, what it's about.

I worked at Los Arcos restaurant in Truth or Consequences for many years, and, I'd always hear somebody come in to the bar and be like, hey, what you up to today?

And they'd be like, well, a whole lot of nada, just kidding around.

And it just it was a song title in my mind.

So it, it it, it developed from there.

All right.

Well, let's, let's you to get set up Burt Ferguson Tim Thompson.

Today's guest on KRWG Music Spotlight.

All right.

This first song is called A Whole Lotta Nada.

This is one me and Tim prepared for you today.

Here it goes.

It ain't the weekend or the 4th of July its just another weekday, is going pass me by.

See I've been working my life away I ain't got no pennies for a rainy day.

You just want a whole lotta nada to go home today.

I hang on my worries up and put on display.

I don't care if it rained.

I don't care if the sunshine come my way.

I want a whole lotta nada to go home today.

Come on Tim.

Just want to sit here and pick this old guitar, but I cant I got a busted headlight on the front of my car.

Yeah, I got too much stress to play cause I got too many bills to pay.

I want a whole lotta nada to go home today.

I hang all my worries up and put em on display.

I don't care if it rain.

Don't care if sunshine come my way.

I want a whole lotta nada to go home today.

One more time.

I just want to be home and watch my little girl as she's growing up.

Wanna wrestle with her brothers out in the front yard as we cut it up.

Hang all my worries up I'll put em on display.

I don't care if it rain.

Don't care if the sunshine come my way.

I want a whole lotta nada to go home today.

A whole lotta nada, a whole lotta of nada to go home today.

All right, all right.

Whole lott nada.

You know, that's one of Burt's original songs.

There are a whole lotta nada.

Yeah, man.

Don't want to do nothing today.

That's right.

What we're doing now.

So this next song is a song I wrote is the first song ever wrote.

It's called Puerto Penasco.

This is a little song about Rocky Point Mexico.

Me and Tim have worked it up.

we've just we got out of the studio recording this one.

So, yeah, this is a good little beach song.

Excited about it?

Oh, yeah.

Come down mi amore.

Down to the coastline.

Down to the shore.

Call mi amigo.

Won't you go and sail with me out on the ocean out where were free.

The ocean breeze will clear your worried mind.

And bring your heart back around in time.

So come get lost a while.

Bring your childlike heart and that foolish smile.

The first rounds on me.

In Puerto Penasco Puerto Penasco.

Puerto Penasco come down mi amore and bring the tequila.

There's no need to say no more.

Just listen to that sunburnt silence out on la Choya Bay.

We'll get ourselves shipwrecked at the reef down in rocky point way.

It's you I'm down here waiting for.

Searchin all of this lonesome shore.

So come get lost a while bring your childlike heart and that foolish smile.

The first rounds on me in Puerto Penasco.

Puerto Penasco.

The ocean breeze will clear your worried mind.

And bring your heart back around in time.

So come get lost a while.

Bring yout childlike heart and that foolish smile.

The first rounds on me in Puerto Penasco Puerto Penasco.

Come away with me.

All right, all right.

So this next song we're going to do is a little song that Tim and I have written together.

It's another one we're going to be putting out very soon.

It's called Well Enough Alone.

What does that mean?

Well, enough alone.

What does that mean well enough alone?

Well, if you leave it alone, everything is all right.

Leave it alone everything's all right.

That's good relationship advice, right?

Okay.

Sometimes I take it.

Sometimes I don't.

All right, here we go.

Well enough alone.

Here we go.

One, two.

You're way past good enough.

Always getting better.

And you don't give up.

You're the one that's made this house a home.

As far as I'm concerned, baby, you're the best.

I gotta get this off my chest.

You can't leave well enough alone.

You can't leave well enough alone.

For the life of me I can't find nothing wrong.

With the way you love me.

You keep our home fire burning strong.

You can't leave well enough alone.

Got the kids to bed all the chores are done, its time for rest.

There you are with that sexy nightgown on.

I thank my lucky stars.

I get to be here right where you are.

You can't leave well enough alone.

You can't leave well enough alone.

For the life of me I can't find nothing wrong.

With the way you love me you keep our home fire burning strong.

You cant leave well enough alone.

Girl it always makes me smile I see you going that extra mile.

Try to be the best that you can be.

I hope you know the way I feel.

There's no doubt this love is real.

Because of you my life is now complete.

As far as I'm concerned baby, you're the best I gotta get this off my chest.

You can't leave well enough alone.

You can't leave well enough alone.

For the life of me I can't find nothing wrong.

With the way you love me you keep our home fire burning strong.

You can't leave well enough.

You can leave well enough.

You can't leave well enough alone.

Well, all right, all right, all right.

Yeah.

So the next song I'd like to invite Tim to do next two, actually, these are Tim Thompson originals songs.

someone in my heart.

Like you do by yourself if you're comfortable with that.

Want me to do it by myself?

Absolutely.

Called someone in my heart.

I knew a long, long time ago.

Right direction but I chose this winding road.

Knowing full well the destruction to my soul.

I knew the truth, but still I just could not let go.

It was like that from the start.

Had it all inside my head.

But it never reached my heart.

I turned away from love, from friends.

Now I'm wishing that I realized back then.

When it's said and done, I'm not in control.

Sometimes holding on means learning to let go.

Getting back to where it starts.

I've had something in my head.

When I needed someone in my heart.

Too many times tried my own way and always found myself alone.

But now I'm living in this new day.

And I know that when it's over, I'll be home.

That's my favorite part.

Cause I've got something in my head.

Yeah.

I've got someone in my heart.

I've got something in my head and now I've got someone in my heart.

Too many times tried my own way.

And always found myself alone now I'm living in a new day.

And I know when it's over I'll be home that's my favorite part.

I've got something in my head and I've got someone in my heart.

Yes, I've got something in my heads due.

I've got someone in my heart.

In my heart.

Theres days when I get lonely.

Times when I can only think of you.

It's when the thoughts start drifting off and holding things together.

Is suddenly the hardest thing to do.

But I still got the memories I still got those feelings.

All the pain and loneliness I put you through.

While I've been out here chasing dreams.

The question that remains, it seems, is how am I ever going live without you?

How am I ever gonna live without you?

Days are getting longer.

Dream about the way things were back then.

I know I should be moving on but darling I don't know where to begin.

I still get those fears.

And I still got the memories the loneliness and pain I put you through.

And I've been out here chasing dreams.

Question still remains it seems.

How am I ever going live without you?

How am I ever going to live without you?

How am I ever gonna live without the love you gave me back when I was just a breath away.

I wonder if it be the same if I never tried to play this game.

Go back in time change my mind.

And stay.

The road keeps calling.

And in my heart I know I have to go.

But it drives me crazy.

Cause when it's said and done.

Darling, you're the only one I miss you so.

Theres days when I get lonely at times I can only think of you.

Its when the thoughts start drifting off and holding things together.

It's suddenly the hardest thing to do.

You've got those feelings and I still got the memories.

All the loneliness and pain I put us through.

Im out here chasing dreams.

The question that remains seems is how am I ever going live without you?

How am I ever gonna live without you?

Without you.

Burt Ferguson, Tim Thompson, today's guest on KRWG Music Spotlight.

That was a fantastic set.

Well, one question I forgot to ask earlier.

You hold, you birds hold a degree in advertising with a minor, in entertainment management.

How have those worked for you in your music career?

That's led me to understand how to advertise myself and then go make a name for myself, especially using, social media tools.

And, and then.

What are some, for an artist starting out, what are some of those necessary tools?

Especially these days, things have changed so much over the years as far as yes, selling yourself, advertising yourself as a musician.

Yeah.

I had learned how to develop a press kit and then learn to understand what that meant, to put that thing together.

The key like ingredients in that, you know.

Same barbecue.

Samples of your music, a little story about yourself, you know, where you can find my music, Tim's music, all of our stuff.

And then being able to sell that to whoever, whoever would like to book us.

Well, Tim, we discussed a little bit of your background earlier.

You were also a music teacher for many years before you retired.

Yes.

Where did you teach and what did you teach?

I taught at El Paso High School, the oldest school in El Paso.

Very proud of that.

I did choir, guitar, and I started the, electronic music, rather recording studio really there at, at the school.

And, well, the two of you perform.

I was going to mention this earlier.

You performed solo together as a duo, and you have a four piece band Sierra County Line.

So tell me the differences between all of those, you know, duo, solo, full band, pros and cons, main differences.

What what do you enjoy doing more than the other?

What?

Tim.

My my favorite is is the band, by far.

Because of the interplay.

Exactly.

It's just for years I've done a solo, and, you just I love it because of the freedom I have to pretty much, you know, play any kind of music.

I want to, you know, if the audience follow the audience.

But, with the band, it's more, more structured, more structured.

We want to keep people on the dance floor and that sort of thing.

Burt what are your thoughts?

You know, I've grown to love what we do as a duo because it's more intimate.

The band's amazing too.

I'm not going to knock that.

And Tim's right.

And a lot of things that you just said.

But being a duo, it allows us to just interact with the audience a lot more.

So it's more intimate settings.

it's a lot of fun.

Is it easier or is it give you more confidence when there's somebody else on stage?

Absolutely.

Like same or a band?

Absolutely.

both cases give me more confidence for sure.

What are you currently working on now or will be working on in the near future?

We are wrapping up our first two singles as a band.

Puerto Penasco and another song that me and Tim wrote called Well Enough Alone.

And, so that's what we're working on right now.

And then just finishing out booking this year, with new live gigs.

All right.

And final question, what I usually say for all of the acts on Music Spotlight, what additional we talked about the press kit and everything and how your degree helped you with your career.

What additional advice would you give to somebody who what additional advice?

They're starting out with music.

My advice and I have to learn this through the years.

I know I look young, but I'm kind of an old guy.

But my advice to it, to younger artists is, do it because for the love of the music, do it for all the right reasons.

Not to become a star, but to.

Because you love music.

You have that in your heart.

And then you'll you'll always be satisfied with what you're doing.

So, Burt, additional thoughts of that?

I second that.

Yeah.

Just do it for the love of music.

All right.

Well, it's been a pleasure having you both on Burt Ferguson Tim Thompson, thank you both for being my guests on KRWG Music Spotlight.

Thank you.

Thank you for having us.

And be sure to catch our past performances on YouTube and like us on Facebook to keep up with future episodes.

For KRWG, I'm Scott Brocato and thank you for joining us for KRWG Music Spotlight.