The music of Mickey Newbury defies categorization. With a few jazz overtones for balance, his writing runs the gamut from pop to folk and from blues to country - - simple songs with infinitely complex layers of meaning. Most of his recordings, particularly his acoustic work, have been unavailable in recent years. Newbury's earthy vocals pull his audiences into that place that he sings from; a trance. Born in Houston, Texas, on May 19, 1940, Newbury began by singing in blues clubs in the area, opening shows for the likes of Bobby Blue Bland and the Coasters. His early literary influences ran from Cassidy to Kerouac, Keats to Wilde. Based in England during a three year stint with the United States Air Force, he hung out with buddy Kris Kristofferson, read volumes of poetry, and began honing the songwriting skills that would land him a berth in virtually every Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Newbury's songs have been recorded by Ray Charles, B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Joan Baez, among others. He once had four songs simultaneously in the R&B, Country, Easy Listening and Pop Charts. He is perhaps best known for his composition "American Trilogy", a pastiche of Civil War-era songs also recorded by Elvis Presley.