Kevin O’Donnell shares the deeply personal story behind his latest release, Smoke Out My Window, a song born from heartbreak and inspired by the timeless storytelling of Hank Williams. Written in 2012 after a painful breakup, the track serves as a heartfelt plea to the universe for lasting love. With its simple yet evocative four-chord structure, the song carries a quiet, prayer-like hope for a future filled with warmth and companionship.
Though penned over a decade ago, Smoke Out My Window wasn’t recorded until 2022 in Florida, during the final stretch of COVID-19 lockdowns. O’Donnell envisions the song as a glimpse into an imagined future—one of contentment, shared with a lifelong partner, nestled in the solitude of the woods, far from the chaos of youth and the struggles of city life.
For the past three years, he has played Smoke Out My Window across the country in an eclectic mix of venues, from bars and coffee houses to church basements, farmers markets, and even trailer parks. His journey, lived from an RV trailer, has taken him from coast to coast, bringing his music to audiences in intimate and unexpected settings. Now based in Southern Oregon, O’Donnell has been performing locally while recording new material in Ashland.
As he prepares to return to Florida for a small local tour before hitting the road again in late spring, Smoke Out My Window stands as a testament to resilience, love, and the ever-evolving journey of a traveling songwriter. Available now on all streaming platforms, the track invites listeners to reflect, dream, and find solace in the power of music.
