Happy birthday to one of the greatest singer/songwriters to ever walk this planet… Evan Felker.
The Oklahoma native turns 37 today, so naturally we had to take the opportunity to celebrate with some of his performances both individually and as frontman for the great Turnpike Troubadours.
Felker’s talent is something that comes along once in a generation, his ability to craft a story through the art of music… unmatched. Whether the story includes working on the Illinois River, surviving a housefire, a prodigal son returning for his father’s funeral, a runaway couple, rodeo cowboys, or a small-town romance, it’s as if you can depict every song so clearly in your head. Like a movie going off in your imagination… and that’s the mark of an incredible songwriter.
There’s no telling how many people he’s touched through his music, and personally, I can’t thank Felker enough. If it weren’t for Turnpike’s 2010 Diamonds & Gasoline album, I’d probably still be stuck in the pits of bro-country hell.
And as you probably all know, Turnpike has been on hiatus because Felker needed some time to get his personal life back in order. But now, from everything we’ve seen, it appears as though he is doing better than ever. He’s sober, re-married to his wife Staci, and the proud father of a new baby girl… all we can hope for now is a return to music.
So here’s to Evan and the big three-seven. Let’s sit back, grab an ice-cold beer, and enjoy some great moments from Mr. Felker himself.