Tri-County Alumnus Jeff Durham Releases CD of Original Songs

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/9/2001
(By Lisa Garrett)

SENECA --- Local musician Jeff Durham used to arrive 20 minutes early for his 8 o'clock classes at Tri-County Technical College just to soak up the scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains which form a backdrop for the back of the campus. "The scenery is breathtaking – and inspiring while walking from the car to classes," said Durham, who eventually penned a song, "Memories and Dreams," about the morning landscape.

Check out the area's local clubs, and it's likely you'll hear him singing "Memories and Dreams" and other original songs that are on his CD released last year. Although he wants to pursue music full time, Durham first wants to complete his college education which began in Tri-County's University Transfer program. After graduating with an associate in Arts degree in 2000, he transferred to Clemson University where he is working on a Marketing degree. "It seemed the logical way to go," said Durham, who has been playing and studying music since he was seven years old. After graduating from Clemson, he plans to use his degree, with the help of his girlfriend, Wendy, to promote his musical career.

"It made sense to start at Tri-County," said Durham, who lives in Seneca. Influencing factors included low tuition and access to where he lives. "I live 10 minutes away from Tri-County. I earned an associate in Arts degree without spending a lot of money, and I transferred with no problems. Good advising by Dr. Marianne Taylor (English department head) and others saved me time and money and led me in the right direction. I loved my experience there."

It was while a student at Tri-County that he put the final touches on "From Gods to Satellites," a CD containing seven songs written by Durham and one co-written by Durham and a friend, Don, from the local band King Friday.

His recording career began while he was working at a record store in Charleston several years ago. A friend's brother managed local bands, and he booked his sister and Durham (singing cover songs) as the opening act for a band. The friend moved, but several months later Durham fortuitously saw her brother and gave him a tape of original songs he had recorded at home. "He called me and said you must make a CD," remembers Durham. "He financed the project. It was mind blowing."

Durham recorded the CD at a Summerville studio. The project took a year-and-a-half on and off to complete the recording. "The waiting was the hardest part," he remembers. Durham, who had moved to Seneca, distinctly recalls when the UPS truck containing five crates of 1,000 CDs pulled up in front of the house. "It was fantastic," he said.

A year later, he's performing weekends at Hurricanes in Clemson, the Tiki Hut in Seneca, Corbett McGees, The Alley and Brews. "I enjoy every minute of it. It's the best and easiest job in the world," he said.

He's recently put together an acoustic duo (he plays guitar and bass and his partner plays drums), in addition to a band.

Durham is set to go on tour next May when he graduates. He will spend two to three months on the road traveling the Midwest and the East Coast. "We want to be seen by a lot of different people and to get our name out there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I hope to make it as full-time musician," he said.
-30-