John David Souther performing Doolin Dalton in April 1973
As the Eagles celebrate over 40 years of American music history, a multi-platinum mystery man celebrates alongside them. You may have seen Jack Tempchin's featured interview in the Alex Gibney-produced 'History of the Eagles' rock documentary, or quite possibly have heard his name referenced from the stage by the late Glenn Frey on the 'History of the Eagles' World Tour...
Jack Tempchin is a legendary hit songwriter whose two compositions, "Peaceful Easy Feeling" and "Already Gone", are now synonymous with the Southern California Sound. Both songs are on 'Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975', awarded *Best-Selling U.S. Album of the 20th Century* by the RIAA. Tempchin has five Eagles contributions total, including "The Girl From Yesterday" from the 'Hell Freezes Over' reunion release, plus "It's Your World Now" and "Somebody", both on their latest double disc release, 'Long Road Out Of Eden'.
Tempchin was first signed by Clive Davis to Arista Records along with Jules Shear and Richard Stekol in a band known as The Funky Kings. Retro-rocker Johnny Rivers heard the Funky Kings' solely composed Jack Tempchin track, "Slow Dancing (Swayin’ To the Music)" recorded the song and made it Billboard Top 10 track for U.S. and Canada in 1977. That same year, country crooner Johnny Duncan had a Top 10 hit with it on the Country charts.
​
In the 1980s, Tempchin co-wrote a dozen radio hits for Glenn Frey's solo career including "True Love", "The One You Love", "Sexy Girl", "Party Town", "I Found Somebody", "Soul Searchin", "Livin' Right". More Top 40 hits are Tempchin/Frey co-writes "Smuggler's Blues" & "You Belong to The City" for the original 'Miami Vice' TV show soundtrack. These two songs were later sampled in the 90s by platinum rappers Coolio (Nature of the Business) and Jay-Z (City Is Mine), respectively.
THE DUDE ND THELMA & LOUISE Famously, Tempchin's tune "Peaceful Easy Feeling" was featured in a notorious taxi scene in the Cohen Brothers cult classic, 'The Big Lebowski' starring Jeff Bridges as 'The Dude', who is unceremoniously tossed from a cab. "Part Of You, Part Of Me" another Tempchin/Frey classic was the end title theme song for the Oscar-award winning film, 'Thelma & Louise'.
Jack Tempchin songs have also been performed and/or recorded by George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Glen Campbell, Chris Hillman, Jackson Browne, Dwight Yoakam, Linda Ronstadt, Patty Loveless, Trisha Yearwood, Tanya Tucker, Jim Lauderdale, Johnny Duncan, Richie Havens, Randy Meisner, Sammy Kershaw, Kate Wolf, Tom Rush, The Paladins, New Riders Of the Purple Sage and Jim James of My Morning Jacket. And Jack Tempchin enjoys co-writes... with Tom Waits, J.D. Souther, Jim Lauderdale, Beth Nielsen Chapman, John Brannen, Bobby Whitlock (Derek and the Dominos), Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Alex Woodard, Kim Richey, Joel Piper, Joe West, Clay Mills, Chris DuBois, Dennis Morgan, Gary Nicholson, Jules Shear and others.
Performing live, Jack Tempchin has recently shared the stage with songwriting greats J.D. Souther, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Phil & Dave Alvin, Kim Richey, Jules Shear, Jimmy Webb, Dave Mason, Tom Rush, Barry McGuire, and Al Kooper. He's played opening sets for three current Eagles Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit and for Jackson Browne, Chicago, Poco, Karla Bonoff, Dolly Parton among others. In the 90s, Jack toured as the opening act for Ringo Starr and his All Star Band at major venues like The Hollywood Bowl.
PEACEFUL EASY FEELING DAY PROCLAMATION On December 1st, 2012, the Mayor of San Diego, California, officially proclaimed a 'Peaceful Easy Feeling Day' for America's Finest City, to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Tempchin's song having originally been released as a single by the Eagles in 1972.
To celebrate, Tempchin has released a new DVD/CD titled 'LIVE AT TALES FROM THE TAVERN'. Filmed at the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez, CA by famed rock photographer Henry Diltz, it contains several of his original hits performed by the man who composed them, including 'Peaceful Easy Feeling',' Already Gone', 'The One You Love', 'You Belong To The City' and 'Slow Dancing' all available now on iTunes, CDBaby, eMusic, Amazon, and Google Play.
Jack Tempchin's also recently released 'Peaceful Easy Feeling Cabernet Sauvignon' & 'Peaceful Easy Feeling Chardonnay' in association with three-time California State Winery of the Year Award winner South Coast Winery. He'll continue to perform live and autograph bottles of his 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' wines at Whole Foods, Sprouts and Costcos in Southern California.
Jack's lyric manuscripts for both 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' and 'Already Gone' and his original Stella guitar have been on display in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH and were also on view at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, CA. He was interviewed and delivered a live performance at the mueum's Clive Davis Theatre for the Grammy Museum exhibit, "The Sounds Of Laurel Canyon 1965-1977".
In 2015, Jack Tempchin signed a record deal with new L.A.-based label Blue Elan Records and released his 4 song ROOM TO RUN EP in May to great critical reviews from NoDepression, Elmore Magazine, Boomerocity, All Access and others. His full length, LEARNING TO DANCE was released on August and is available on both CD and 180 gram vinyl AND on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, eMusic.
In 2016, Jack Tempchin toured Japan, played Kate Wolf Music Festival in NorCal and KaaBoo Festival in San Diego. He released his third release for Blue Elan Records, ONE MORE SONG, on September 2nd, 2016.
John David Souther performing Doolin Dalton in April 1973
In Memory of Johnny Duncan October 5, 1938 – August 14, 2006
Jackson Browne Solo Acoustic Live at Centennial Concert Hall Winnipeg Performing ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ Recorded 2011-04-02
The Paladins – 15 Days Under The Hood (Jack Tempchin) – Moulin blues Ospel (nl) 2010, with special guests Rick Estrin (harp) and Kirk Fletcher (Guitar),
The Desert Rose Band – Official Video 1991 Written by: Chris Hillman/ Jack Tempchin © Bar None Music, Inc. 1991 (BMI)(Admin by Bug) © The Desert Rose Band – …
Dwight Yoakam plays the Eagles song with pictures from live concerts and Stagecoach.
“Peaceful Easy Feeling” as told by Jack Tempchin Written by Jack Tempchin. Recorded by the Eagles. Released as a single on Asylum Records 12/1/72 “I was playing the coffee house circuit, folk music clubs, in San Diego where I grew […]
Sung by Kim Richey. Written by Kim Richey, Jack Tempchin, Joel Piper, Bobby Stein. VIDEO by Bob Tempchin.
Co-written with Alex Woodard. From his FOR THE SENDER Book/CD FOR THE SENDER: Four Letters. Twelve Songs. 1 Story. OUT NOW: http://www.amazon.com/For-The-Sen…
Jack Tempchin With I See Hawks in L.A. live on KPFK’S Head Room with host Barry Smolin in August 2012, All rockin’ their new Peaceful Easy Feeling lighted hat!
No Depression depends on reader support to bring you top-quality roots music journalism on our website and in our quarterly journals. Donations large and small are greatly appreciated, and will help us hit our goal of raising $15,000 by Dec. 31.
Can you help us get there? Donate or subscribe using the buttons below. Thank you for your support!
Please consider becoming a subscriber or providing a donation. With your help, No Depression can continue to grow and cover roots music the way it deserves.