Doug E. Rees: Continuing to find his niche

~ Doug E. Rees has spent most his life in pursuit of his passion for music

Singer-songwriters are a talented bunch -- the kind of artists who write, compose and perform their own material. They are closely associated with the folk-acoustic tradition, and notable singer-songwriters include Bob Dylan, Kris Kristofferson, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell.

Doug E. Rees of Jackson has yet to be included in the ranks of famous singer-songwriters, not that he minds. He's built quite a following in Southeast Missouri. He currently is taking his act on the road to promote his newest effort, a full-length CD titled "Nature Boy."

Rees has been hitting the road for the last two years, performing in Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska and, most recently, Florida. He also found time to record "Nature Boy," his fourth CD, which released in January.

"I've been a musician forever," Rees said in a telephone interview from Fort Myers, Fla., where he is performing. "I love what I do and I can't see doing anything else."

Rees is on the road promoting his newest album, “Nature Boy.” He plans on returning to his usual venue, Stooges Restaurant in Jackson, by April 25. (Submitted)

It might seem that Rees, 55, has been a musician forever. He learned to play guitar at an early age, and he was 10 years old when he played his first gig, the Fruitland school chili supper. Rees also played during assemblies at Jackson High School.

"I wasn't going to be an athletic fellow," he said. "Performing was a way to find a niche with my peers. It was a way to fit in."

After his graduation in 1975, Rees spent a semester at Southeast Missouri State University before he made his first sojourn to Nashville, Tenn., to see if he could fit in in Music City.

"I was in a band called Crystal Blue at the time," he said. "We were signed by Johnny Morris Productions to be a back-up band for a guy named Paul Plunkett. I'm sure we all went to Nashville with visions of fame and fortune, but it just didn't go anywhere."

Rees returned to Jackson and, like his father, became a barber. Coming home also afforded him the opportunity to meet his wife Carol, to whom he has been married for 34 years.

"We've raised three children together," Rees said. "She's given so much support for me and my music."

Rees also became an international sales representative for RapcoHorizon in Jackson, a company that manufactures cables for microphones, speakers and mixer boards. In 2000, after 12 years in sales, he decided to give Nashville another try.

"I moved back to Nashville by myself -- with my wife's approval, of course," Rees said. "I was focused on what I wanted to do, which was songwriting. I thought I'd be there for maybe six months, but it turned out to be for two years."

Rees said that between trips home during his second stint in Nashville, he composed and pitched songs to music publishers.

"It's a tough business," he said. "I learned that a song doesn't have to be good; it has to be great for it to make any kind of penetration in the music scene. It was a learning process for me, one that is continuing. I'm still learning how to get my songs out there."

Back from Nashville in 2002, Rees continued to write songs and was able to get CDs of his recordings released. He found a venue where he could perform, Stooges Restaurant in Jackson.

"Every Thursday at Stooges is Singer-Songwriter Night," Rees said. "It's all original music with no cover songs. I'm always there except for when I'm on the road."

Ted Clark, owner of Stooges, said having Rees and other singer-songwriters perform at his restaurant has lasted longer than he thought it would.

"I talked Doug into doing this seven years ago," Clark said. "We thought it would last about two years, but we're still at it."

In addition to playing his own set, Rees also serves as host for Singer-Songwriter Night.

"He's a great performer and host," Clark said. "People who call and ask about playing at Stooges ask if Doug E. Rees is still there."

Rees said while he is happy to be performing in Florida, he is looking forward to getting back home and playing at Stooges again.

"I should be there on April 25," he said.

For more information on Rees and his music, go to dougrees.net. For information on the music schedule at Stooges Restaurant, go to stoogesrestaurant.com or call 204-7187.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

507 W. Main St., Jackson, MO