Local songwriter earns spot in showcase

A song about a man and his tools earned a local songwriter a spot among the songwriter showcase finalists for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass 2020.

Jeff Hovis said he was “absolutely” surprised he and his song, “This Old Man’s Tools,” were among the 10 finalists chosen by the IMBA Songwriter Showcase selection committee.

“I try to do a lot of writing,” said Hovis, whose day job is as a Poplar Bluff police patrolman, serving as the school resource officer at Three Rivers College. “Bluegrass is one of my favorite kinds of music.”

Hovis said a songwriter friend in Nashville, Tennessee, urged him to enter.

“So, I did, and I didn’t really expect anything to come of it, and then, I was notified that I was one of the 10 people that were going to be performing at the event,” Hovis explained.

Hovis was supposed to perform in the Songwriter Showcase during the IBMA World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, North Carolina, Sept. 29 to Oct. 3.

Hovis said he recently was notified that “they are going to have to change it, make it a virtual event” because of concerns about COVID-19.

“I don’t know how that all is going to take place,” he said. “ … I hope it’s not a missed opportunity (but) they have not made an announcement about what is going to change about the event. “

Hovis said he is disappointed, but “it’s so early in their changing the dynamic of it, it could work out better.

“ … I’m just honored to have the opportunity, no matter how it works out.”

Describing his song as unique, Hovis said, it was one he had the idea for over about a year and a half.

“I kept thinking what would make the title work,” he said. “ … It basically talks about how there’s some kind of sentimental value in these tools this man has used throughout his life.”

The set up, Hovis said, is the old man catches a thief breaking into his shop.

“He was able to catch the thief, and the story line is basically him telling this thief, don’t mess with my tools,” This (tool) is what my dad built his house with. This tool here is the tool I used on my daughter’s crib,” Hovis explained. “… Every time he picks up a tool, he thinks of all the memories that are wrapped up in some of his tools. …

“It’s like he’s reminiscing as he tells the thief, you’re not going to mess with these tools.”

Hovis said he can relate.

“I’m kind of a hoarder when it comes to tools,” Hovis explained. “Honestly, that’s how I thought of it.

“There might be a tool I do not use much anymore. My wife will say you don’t use this, why keep it around.”

Hovis said his response is “you have no idea everything I have done with that tool. That tool helped me out.

Jeff Hovis is a showcase finalist for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass 2020.Photo provided

“It’s justified me being partial to my tools. It’s hard for me to get rid of anything.”

Then, Hovis said, he thought about all the years he has seen his dad “use all the tools he’s partial to, and that’s kind of what sparked the idea for the song.”

Hovis said his wife has told him this song is not her favorite among all that he has written, but he tells her now, “see, someone else likes this song.”