After 35 years spent running a welding business, building bridges and raising a family, Jim Avett (father of two fairly famous Brothers) got a second chance to build upon a lifelong passion for music. His third album, a collection of country originals chock full of honeyed harmonies and shuffling twang, touches on love and loss, family and faith. It’s called, appropriately, Second Chance.

But Avett isn’t concerned with making a career of his songs. He just wants to share them as long as he’s able. “I feel an obligation to both tell stories of life to younger people and to encourage them in music,” he says, citing a litany of classic country icons that inspired him.

Shuffle‘s Bryan C. Reed emailed Avett to find out about what went into making Second Chance, and what inspires him to keep making music for us.

Shuffle: Tell me a little about the making of Second Chance. Who are the musicians backing you up, and how did you come to work with them?

Jim Avett: Second Chance was a response in part to my family encouraging me to make something of myself. (That’s a joke actually.) They think more of my musical ability than they ought, but I am grateful they did urge me on to stay active with writing and recording. The accompanying musicians come from a network of very talented people that I have been introduced to and grown to know, respect, and enjoy making music with each. Some of these were through the ranks of the boys’ contacts, some of them through chance meetings. I think most musicians who are active in music live in a world where other musicians travel so it’s not unusual to have such contacts. Jon Shain and Ray Morton are excellent lead guitarists and shine in different situations. Diane Reed Cox can do almost anything with a cello and is amazing in her ability to respond to my perceptions of the various songs. John Culbreath is a fiddle/violin player who works hard to bring exactly what I wanted to the record in the area of quick strings. Charly Lowry is a lead singer with her own band (Dark Water Rising), and was recommended by Dolph Ramseur (my manager). Each of these people are top-shelf talents on their own, and were willing to risk their own careers by appearing on my CD! I am grateful to each for their contributions.

Shuffle: I notice a lot of the songs on the album are sung as duets. What was your process in developing the vocal arrangements? What attracted you to having so many two-part arrangements?

JA: I grew up in an era of beautiful harmonies. On the one hand was gospel music, which had the most intriguing four-part scores (some of it shaped note music). And it was a time (I’m speaking of the 50s and 60s primarily) when country music had awards for great duets (George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens and Susan Ray, Kenny Rogers and anybody, Dolly and anybody!) It greatly shaped my appreciation for music and my thoughts of beauty in music. I like harmony in all things — lyrics, instruments, life. That’s why we have chords! A well-rounded life is harmonic in nature.

I generally start in the studio with only a lead guitar and myself (doing rhythm guitar and vocals), which gives me good control of the basic tracks. The process of developing the vocals is based on the premise that I employ some of the most creative people (both in vocals and with instruments) doing what they do best. I generally ask that they come to the studio with an understanding of the particular song and something they think will make it better. I have an idea of what I want, but do not drag that out unless it just has to be done that way. I think creative people (with instruments or vocal) don’t have to be pushed to be creative…leave them alone and we’ll create it together.

Shuffle: How did you arrive at the title, Second Chance, for your third album?

JA: One of the Avett Brothers (I think is was Scott) said in an interview that their Dad had given up a musical career so that they could have one. That’s being very generous and complimentary. I have always picked on the porch (mine and a hundred others) and loved making music. This is another chance to get some music in front of people. The point of being a singer/songwriter is to influence folks with your tunes. Success has nothing to do with money or fame, but rather touching or connecting with others… Thank goodness!!

Shuffle: Music has been sort of a lifelong pastime for you, but now that you’re three albums in and playing fairly regularly, does it ever start to feel like you’re coming out of retirement with this new career?

JA: Never felt like I left it! I have kept musically active over the years playing with several throw-together bands from many points of the country. Age will eventually end all things including music for me. I’m just not ready to quit quite yet!

Shuffle: Obviously your sons cast a long shadow on music in the Carolinas. How does it feel for your musical projects to, almost by default, be attached to theirs? Or has that ever even been a consideration?

JA: to be truthful it never was a consideration. I certainly hope that whatever I’m doing has no detrimental effect on the lives that our children live. (One of the good things in life is that children are not responsible for the sins of their parents). I write songs and do shows from the perspective of a 65-year-old who has lived a lot of days. Heidi Schmitt, (my PR agent), explained when you see the Avett Brothers you see a lot of energy and when you see the Avett dad you see a lot of ballads!

Long shadows of popularity/fame never have been real impressive to my family, and is not something I dwell on.

Shuffle: Your first record was a collection of Gospel songs, and sung with family and friends. But since then, you’ve really focused on originals. What do you get out of playing original songs, as compared to singing the traditionals?

JA: I do hope to do at least one more Gospel CD (possibility with Dave Childers, a N.C. singer/songwriter) on the list of future projects. I think a lot of great Gospel gets lost in the name of musical progress. I have always been drawn to the B-sides, that is the less popular tune on the backside of a record.

I’m taking these questions in order and probably have answered the question about what I get out of writing songs but will add… it is affecting others’ lives. For me the easiest form is storytelling. I was fortunate enough growing up to have aunts, uncles, parents, and neighbors who told life experience stories that had great impact on me. I feel an obligation to both tell stories of life to younger people and to encourage them in music. The songwriters who stand out in my memory as great influences on my songwriting are Tom T. Hall, Hank Williams, Sr., and Merle Haggard. For me they were the real deal and they epitomize the art of songwriting. If possible, I insist on covering some of their songs during my shows.

Shuffle: How do you feel your songwriting has changed over the years? What is it that makes you want to pursue music at this point in your life?

JA: I think you change in all things, whether you like it or not, as life progresses. I have perspective now that wasn’t possible until now! I remember how some of the emotions felt and can describe the feeling perhaps for me in an easier manner. I have to choose words carefully that mean exactly what I mean as I have seen the English language evolve and words and phrases change through the years.

I do find myself writing much more complicated musically than previously. Over the years I have learned, mainly through playing with others, new chords and progressions which open new possibilities. Whether it’s “better” is certainly up for judgment… but it is more satisfying.

I think I have in me another song to sing and maybe enough to record one more round.