On the new disc, Journey’s End, I thought it might have been the end of the road, but the title track is a song in tribute to his beloved Blue Mountains, where he lives, loves and writes.

A true storyteller, Jim gets you in with his words and weaves a spell so you really do take a journey out of your lounge room. 

I sat down to write this column at 11.30pm on Tuesday – Half An Hour From Midnight – and when the words wouldn’t come, I decided to get up early and attack it again.

That is the title of the album’s opening song, and tells of the autobiographical tale of Jim travelling home late at night from a gig along a lonely mountain road:

At Bogan Gate by a cattle grid/ That leads to the farm’s front door/ There’s a cardboard box of children’s toys/ The buyers have ignored.

Jim took the words of a poem by Jim Butler to convey the desolation felt when a farm is sold off by the bank.

Jim’s songs reveal more than a little of Australia’s history. If you were to gather together the albums he’s produced to date, you would have a fairly accurate picture of some of Australia’s significant places, people and events.

The Loch Ard tells of a shipwreck, where only two souls were saved of the 53 on board – Tom Pearce,  an 18-year-old ship’s apprentice, and Eva Carmichael, the woman he rescued.

If you didn’t love Smoky Dawson, you’d better check your pulse. What’s not to love about this remarkable man who painted pictures with words and song?

Jim salutes his hero, Smoky Dawson, in The Man With The Smile and Song. He’s old enough to remember hearing The Adventures of Smoky Dawson on radio, and to have cheered on Smoky and Flash in the Waratah Festival parade in Sydney.

Take a wander through Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park with Jim and discover The Broken Soldier  – a little piece of Egypt under Australian skies ...

Just Fair Game is a chilling tale of the mistreatment of a Chinese gold prospector in the late 19th century.

It’s a real history lesson, listening to a Jim Low album. Perhaps his music could be introduced into high school curriculums to make stodgy old stories come to life, as he does, like his hero, Smoky, painting word pictures in song.

Each track of the 15 is a gem in itself, with the album not surprisingly dedicated to the late Gary Shearston, who had been a great inspiration and encouragement to Jim.

Much kudos to the young couple, Chloe and Jason Roweth, who have become true friends and champions of this gifted man from the mountains.

Jump on Jim’s website www.jimlow.net and have a listen to a track or two. You too, will be entranced.

AS YOU are reading this column, Shelley Minson is trying to figure out how many pink outfits she can squeeze into her suitcase for their trip to America on Tuesday.

Lawrie and Shelley are taking the big bird to three very cool cities – Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Los Angeles, California.

No surprises for guessing it’s music that’s luring the Tamworth twosome stateside, along with the chance to check out a rockabilly/ honky tonk festival, Nashville Boogie, from May 12-15.

There’s some great talent on the bill, too: Chris Isaak, Reverend Horton Heat, Pokey LaFarge, Dale Watson and his Lone Stars, Rosie Flores and my old mate from out Chattanooga way, Jason Lee Wilson.

It sounds like a heap of fun. There’s an indoor car show, pin-up pageant and fashion parade, and a vintage vendors’ market. 

Happy wife, happy life, eh Loz? Shelley will be in honky tonk heaven strolling around there.

This celebration of mid-century America is being held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Centre, which is a must-see in itself, festival or no festival.

I’ve enjoyed a band or two at the nearby Nashville Palace, owned by the same folk who have Robert’s Western World on Broadway.

Of course, they’ve booked to go see the Time Jumpers at 3rd and Lindsley while they’re in Nashville. You’re mad if you don’t. They’re the world’s best western swing band.

I think Loz has plans to catch up with a few musical mates while he’s over there, so I’m sure he’ll have a yarn or two about their travels upon their return.

Happy trails, Mr and Mrs Minson.

WERRIS Creek songbird Marie Hodson is just about jumping out of her skin.

After four weeks in, she’s one little two-step away from the top spot on 88.9FM’s National Country Music Top 20 chart.

Oh Lord I’m Tired (which sounds like it could easily be an anthem for all mothers-of-seven, like Marie), is from her new, Stuie French-produced album, Chances Are.

If the song does reach that elusive #1 spot – and I don’t see why it shouldn’t – this will be the first time she’s ever achieved that feat.

As it is, #2 is the highest any song of Marie’s has ever climbed on an Australian country chart.

No wonder the little redhead is a tad excited. 

I won’t pretend to know how these things work, but if you get on the blower and ring 88.9 and request the song, it would have to help get the little pocket rocket over the line. Give it a go.

The album is available at The Big Golden Guitar gift shop and from Marie’s website, www.mariehodson.com 

Tune in tomorrow from 6pm, when Ray McCoy counts down the new Country Autos’ Top 20 and see if she’s cracked it.