Anthony Simpkins ft. Sam Shackleton & Lucia , “Abilene” // GemsOnVHS™
When I was in Scotland, there was a little spot Matt Heckler had told me about. The Pianodrome, it was a called. A venue, a colosseum of used and neglected piano parts, in a warehouse outside Edinburgh. They let us drop by for a visit and a song, and we filmed this one of Anthony together with hometown hero, banjo playin’ Sam “Scotsjitsu” Shackleton on harmonica and Lucia, visiting from Sweden.
This is an old cover of a song my friend Ezra introduced me to. I always thought it was about Abilene, Texas, which was strange because there’s nothing all that nice about that town. Later I found out it was written for some old western movie and was actually about Abilene, Kansas. Go figure. Never been. Anyway, here is the version I heard;
https://youtu.be/gu4XsZo005I
Anthony just recently dropped an a few singles on all streaming platforms, including this song. You can find his tunes on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/album/7HLMP1R6FxRH2MY2a6pYPc?si=1c1ZLXguQD2d8J9UxeYRww.
Our undying love and gratitude go to our executive producers for making this project possible: Brad Sirois, Mitchell Davis, Keith McQuillan, David Jameson, Lisa Galvan, Irvin Maddox, Josh Collins, Brady Jones, Julie Nestoroff, VJ Arizpe, and Rusty Shackleford.
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GemsOnVHS is a long running series of intimate, off-stage performances by songwriters we love.
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@GemsOnVHS
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
This is streaming on Spotify, along with other tunes from Anthony, Sam and more. https://open.spotify.com/artist/7CIGCjhzfdqdx2f7R81yaA?si=BnrIg5ZTRSqElz62Cf_Xew
We also just dropped our Monthly Playlist on Spotify! Be sure to check it out if you haven't already. Love ya!
@bgabriel6532
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
We need more Simpkins!
@Doanaboar
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
How do I only see this now?
@cindyherbert7733
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Y’all’s video remind
me of something
@Pirate_Wiggins
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
You have obviously never been to Abilene. 😂 One of my favs. Thanks Y'all!
@juliuscaesar6748
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Zomboid Brother! Rome salutes you!
@koyo3376
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
I thought Rusty Shackleford died in the third grade.
@lukecowie40
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Honestly beautiful lad, glad to see Sam on this channel, he’s a class lad
@reddwing4368
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
❤
@shia3231
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
New favorite song 🤯🤯🤯
@KeepinItChill
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Got that harp sounding like a train too! Perfect
@cedarriver
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
I have a heavy weak spot for those honky-tonk pianos, love that sound. Great recording, great location, enjoyed this!
Chords and lyrics below
Standard tuning, Capo on 4
This is in the key of B originally, so it's easiest to play with Capo 4 in standard and the chords below.
You could also play it with the guitar tuned down a half step in C (C-E7-F-C and so on).
Intro G B7 / C G / A7 D7 / G C G
Verses G B7 / C G / A7 D7 / G C G
Chorus G B7 C G / A7 D7 G C G
Interlude G B7 C G / A7 D7 G C G
[Intro]
[Verse 1]
I used to sit most every night
And watch them trains boys pull out of sight
Oh how I wish they were carrying me
To Abilene, my Abilene
[Chorus]
Abilene, Abilene, purdiest town, boys, that I've ever seen
Oh how I wish that I could be in Abilene, my Abilene
[Interlude]
[Verse 2]
Crowded city, there ain't nothing free
Nothing in this town for me
Oh how I wish that I could be
To Abilene, my Abilene
[Chorus]
Abilene, Abilene, purdiest town, boys, that I've ever seen
Women there, they don't treat you mean in Abilene, my Abilene
[Interlude]
[Chorus]
Abilene, Abilene, purdiest town, boys, that I've ever seen
Women there, they don't treat you mean in Abilene, my Abilene
Abilene, Abilene, purdiest town, boys, that I've ever seen
Women there, they don't treat you mean in Abilene, my Abilene
@joekeys8918
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Weren't you tempted to sing Aberdeen?
@therealbigballski
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
I love this video so much, a new favorite song and performance.
Thank you so much for sharing!!!!!! Love you guys!
@juleswinnfield9334
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Nothing good can come of Abilene, Texas. I should’ve known better. Love the channel and everything it’s brought to your supporters.
@JoLoneyMusic
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Your voice is getting better dude 👌
You almost have that lonesome Hank tone in some parts.
We need more from you. I’m sure a lot of people appreciate knowing the man behind the camera a bit more.
@niperiodic3372
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Been a fan of Lucia since I first saw her cover of Using Again and it is fantastic seeing her on the channel.
@aaronwood6485
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Can’t watch this enough. Keep trying to emulate it on guitar.
@KTM390XXX
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Love to see you in the vids Anthony, your talent shines
@michaelsongs
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
You are a true Gem Anthony! ❤ To have this talent & choose to spend the bulk of your time & focus on shining a light on other musicians & songwriters. Wonderful work my friend!
@elbe
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Bester Randy Newman SingSang.
GemsOnVHS schafft immer wieder solch musikalisches Kleinod aufzutun und fantastisch an fantastischen Orten abzulichten.
@johnfjones8961
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
The Pianodrome! Excellent choice for venue. Wish I knew you were going to be in Edinburgh
@sethmountain
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Great song, great playing, great place, great group, and great suit!
@muttandjeff5213
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
What was the name of that town again?🤔
@MattStrom
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Great seeing you in front of the camera Anthony. Sounds great.
@Zac_bynxbets
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
all this time putting out other people's music and you've been keeping this banger from us?
@basstrammel1322
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
That hit my heart harder than most songs.
@67wing
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
I will watch any with Sam in it
@devonsants
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Good stuff as always.
@DerKaiserBrazil
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
My friend, you play the piano and sing splendidly, a hug from your friend here in Brazil !🇧🇷🇺🇲🙋🏻♂️
@alexgray8804
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Dope
@TJ-jx6dx
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
This is what its ABOUT BABE! out of tune pianos ,busted up guitars and the soul of the streets.
@Tokinjester
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Me, in Scotland hearing a Scottish accent on gems: 🤯
@casualdrifter1989
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
just hit Abliene, KS can confirm it is pretty purdy! Women there did not treat me mean neither!
@arcane3622
September 14, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Such an amazing sound! They're voices mix so well together.
Comments are closed.