Dim lights, friendly conversation and a good beer in hand: this is the typical setting every night at Cornucopia in downtown Eugene. Tuesday nights, however, treat burger ‘n brew fans to a little something special: Jesse Meade, a 29-year-old singer/songwriter who’s become a staple in both the local and state music scenes.
Originally from Colorado, Meade settled down in Eugene a few years ago after reconnecting with a friend in the area. Although he’s played guitar since he was 14, Meade says his musical career didn’t take off until he came to Eugene, when he started booking regular gigs at Luckey’s and Cornucopia. He writes his own music but also keeps an extensive repertoire of cover songs on hand; some of his musical influences range from Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin to Hank Williams and Elizabeth Cotten; last night he performed an impressive rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “I Love You.”
Onstage, Meade’s simplistic, honest sound shines as he croons tunes such as his own “Will You Love Me?” and The Temptations’ “I Wish It Would Rain.” His side-strumming technique impresses as his left hand expertly glides along the length of his guitar neck. His lyrics read like a journal entry, tender to the point where you want to go give the man a hug. And his singing? Meade’s raspy-yet-sweet voice sounds a little like Ray Charles and James Morrison, but also denotes a poetic tenderness all his own.
Meade recently finished recording his first album, which is available for listening and purchasing on his website. His next gig will be this Saturday at the FireWorks Restaurant in Corvallis, but Eugeneans can always catch him every Tuesday night at Cornucopia.
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