Hal Ketchum

Hal Ketchum has a bit of the gypsy in him.

Raised in Greenwich, upstate New York, he’s lived in Texas (twice), Nashville, Santa Fe, N.M., Chicago and is now back in Nashville.

His music roots go back to his childhood, growing up surrounded by music.

“I’ve been exposed to so much music my whole life. My parents were great listeners and great fans.”

His grandfather favored jazz and big band. “I was exposed to everything imaginable,” he said. “My influence as a young person, by osmosis, was just kind of wide open.”

As a teenager, he played in local bars and clubs, including the Tin ’N’ Lint, where legend has it Don McLean wrote “American Pie,” and he spent time each summer at the famed Saratoga Performing Arts Center.

“I tell my friends how lucky I was to grow up that close to such a beautiful source of music; I was exposed to everybody from Hendrix to Bach,” Ketchum said.

The range of music he was exposed to ultimately influenced his range of writing, as did his experiences. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry, paints, writes short stories and enjoys throwing tomahawks in his backyard, an experience he describes as very primal and relaxing. He recently started throwing axes.

“I write songs, it’s just whatever comes through. Sometimes it’s a swing thing, and sometimes it’s a stone country thing, and sometimes it’s a folk song ... I just write.”

His sound is varied. “Continental Farewell,” with humorous lyrics like “it’s been a honeymoon, but I may chew my arm off soon” has an older sound, akin to the Andrews sisters, while “One More Midnight” is country pop. LeAnn Rimes sings on “In Front of the Alamo.”

He points to Van Morrison as his greatest musical influence. “Van is just exactly who he is. He’s so prolific. Whatever’s happening for him at that moment, he’s telling his story, which is what artists are supposed to do.”

Ketchum’s latest album, “Father Time,” includes a cover of Tom Waits’ “Jersey Girl.” The title for the album came from Ketchum’s own reverence for time and experience.

“I nurture myself with the past a lot,” he said. “I’m a very sentimental person; I tend to reflect more than project. It’s my nature, and at 55 I have no intentions of changing it. In the words of the immortal philosopher Popeye, I am what I am.”

“Father Time” was recorded live to track in two days.

“A lot of my friends are session players from Nashville, and they talked about how the technology has excluded them from sitting in the same room together anymore,” he said of typical recording practices today. “It’s become very homogenized and not particularly soulful.”

His diagnosis of multiple sclerosis 11 years ago has slowed him down physically. “I think it’s improved my guitar playing; I’m a much more deliberate guitar player,” he said. “And it’s changed my overall perspective about life. The little stuff just doesn’t bother me anymore ... it’s a strange blessing.”

His music, he said, has evolved gracefully. “I think I’ve steadily improved in my craft, and that’s the only thing we can hope for,” Ketchum said. “I feel very comfortable about it.”

IF YOU GO

What: Hal Ketchum at Nightfall.

Where: Miller Plaza, 850 Market St.

When: 7 p.m. today.

Admission: Free.

Phone: 265-0771.

Web sites: www.downtownchattanooga.org, www.halketchum.com