Lucinda Williams draws fans to Bluebird

Lucinda Williams performed for crowds at the Bluebird Nightclub on Wednesday night.

Williams is a singer-songwriter who plays country, folk and rock ‘n’ roll. Since her career’s start in 1978, she has recorded and released 10 albums.

Williams has also played with several big names, including Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Flogging Molly, Elvis Costello and Steve Earle.

Brenda Weber teaches gender studies at IU and first heard of Williams when her partner gave her a mix tape to listen to. Weber later saw Williams play live after 9/11.

“I love it,” she said.

Williams usually doesn’t play venues as small as the Bluebird, Weber said.
For Kim Hineman, a Greene county resident, it was her first night at the Bluebird.

“Not many people can say that,” Hineman said. “It’s totally what I expected.”

Hineman has been  a fan of Williams for four years and drove more than 40 miles to see her.

“I’ve got all of her CDs,” she said.

For many, the drive was worth it. Williams has received three Emmys, has been nominated for eight and was named America’s best songwriter by Time magazine in 2002.

According to Williams’s Web site, she cares about her fans, too, and when the recession hit, she began to drop the prices on the merchandise sold at her shows.

Rachel Raibley, a resident of Indianapolis, drove even further. She said she has been a fan of Williams for five years.

“I think it’s a good show,” she said. “I think she’s got a great voice. I think she’s a great songwriter.”

Nick Dalton, also made the drive from his home in Indianapolis, He said he enjoyed the show and has been a fan of Williams for 10 years.

“It’s great,” he said. “I like how real she is. She seems to sort of live the songs she writes about.”