Poet, singer and songwriter Blair will appear at 9 p.m. Saturday at Donkey Coffee and Espresso, 17 1/2 W. Washington St., performing new material from the CD he is recording at 3 Elliott Studio.
The overall theme of the work on Blair's new CD, which has the working title of Crossing County Lines
is traveling and moving from place to place. Growing up in New Jersey, living in Detroit and recording in Athens all make up part of the record's feel.
Blair, the 2002 National Poetry Slam champion, has been writing poetry all of his life, but he was reluctant to show anyone his work.
I've only shown it to very close friends until three years ago he said.
As soon as he started showing his work, he began his journey to the National Poetry Slam win. The victory at the slam brought Blair invitations to many places all over the country and opportunities to showcase his skills as a songwriter.
I never wanted to be a guitar player Blair said. He learned to play guitar for convenience so that he would not have to find a guitar player to work with in a band.
Blair's work is stripped down to his vocals and guitar playing with a country and folk sound, unlike his earlier music, which had hip-hop and hard rock influences.
Blair said he tries to incorporate his love of music into his songs, along with his feelings on issues such as social justice.
I write a lot about the hope that comes out of despair
Blair said.
True to the theme of his new album, Blair will be moving around to many places before the completion of the album. He will be traveling to London and South Africa in June and July.
In South Africa, he will perform an experimental theater piece called The Walking Project with a theater company from Detroit. The play focuses on the pleasure, politics and purpose of walking, including political protest and the Montgomery bus boycott during the Civil Rights movement.
One piece of Blair's poetry will appear in the play. The piece is based on the relationship between Huck Finn and Jim, the slave.
I don't like the actual traveling
Blair said. Though he enjoys going to new places, he said the travel can be tiring and difficult.
In addition to theater, Blair is working on a book of poetry. He would not disclose the theme because he feared someone else might use his ideas, but he said that he will be focusing on it for the next year and a half.
Chris Pyle, owner of 3 Elliott Studio, said he had wanted to work with Blair after hearing him perform a few songs.
While waiting to record in the studio, Pyle and Blair cracked jokes in a casual atmosphere.
Although Blair is a Detroit resident, he decided to record in Athens at the recommendation of his friend, Ohio University graduate Matt Hale. Blair will also record a song that Hale wrote, Athens County
for the CD, and Hale and his wife, Bev, will be opening for Blair along with Craig Saarie.
It just felt like Athens
Hale said, referring to the song.
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