American Songwriter Live: Jim Lauderdale

Videos by American Songwriter

The legendary Jim Lauderdale stopped by the American Songwriter office to play a few tunes for us, including “I’m A Song,” the title track from his 26th record, a double album that marks his return to traditional country music. Before he starts playing, Jim shares the story of how he got his guitar (affectionately named “Coco”) as well as some insight into how he wrote “I’m A Song,” how it inspired the rest of the record and where he finds inspiration.

“My favorite moments, it seems like, in life are these kind of, you know, times without thought, or whatever, where a melody comes to me, and a song comes out,” he says of the song. “So I just thought, well you know, that’s my essence right there. That’s really what I am.”

Read more about “I’m A Song” here, and check out our recent interview with Jim here. – BRITTNEY MCKENNA

Video shot and edited by Neal Dahlgren. Audio recorded and edited by Steve Martin.