Auld Lang Syne

Here is a little New Year's Eve song Amelia and I recorded for the family.  Hope you like it, and Happy New Year.

Rudolph

The girls and I decided to record a Christmas song.  I hope you enjoy it, I know we did.

Story Of Life

This is a new song that, as the title would suggest, is a little look at my life.  It is a little acoustice pop, blues, slide thing.  Now there is a collection.

Come Tonight

Been recording a lot of covers lately.  However, this is an original.  One that definitely goes in the "Songs for the Girls" playlist.  Mostly for my wife, but nonetheless in the playlist.  A little slide, and less blues, more contemporary.  enjoy.

Why Not You

Wanted to try something a little different.  So, I tried the 4 chord song method.  I am happy with how it turned out.  Hope you are too.

Blue Waltz

I have always wanted to record a waltz.  In '96 while I was on tour with the Creede Repertory Theatre I was sitting in the back yard of house where we were staying and started to hum this tune.  Then last week a friend of mine helped me flush out the lyrics and here you go.  I hope you like it.

Hold On

This is a greta ballad, by a great song writer... Tom Waits.  I heard this song and immediately thought, "I should record a cover of this."  So, here is my contribution.

No More

I first heard this song in 2001 on the "Spirit of the Century" album by The Blind Boys of Alabama.  I fell in love with it.  So, I thought i'd give it a go.  Hope you enjoy.

Angel From Montgomery

I have listened to this song for years, and have always loved it.  So, I thought I would record it to share with the girls.  Hope they like it.

Whole Lotta Love For You

This song was suggested to me by a friend.  Turns out she was right.  This is a great song for me to play slide on.  So, I did.

It is also a great song to continue my "song for the girls" project.  Hope you enjoy.

Roll On

Was messing around with a riff while playing slide and decided to record it.  I hope you like it.

Come On In My Kitchen

Here is another great Robert Johnson song I just had to try for myself.  As a friend once said, "this song is kind of sexy."  Yes, yes it is.  I only hope I did it justice.  enjoy.

Rollin' and Tumblin'

This is a Muddy Waters tune that is have always loved, and it is proof of the power of the blues.  Everytime I play it my daughters dance around the room.  I know a lot of folks are tired of me playing it, but I just can't.  It is just such a great song.

I hope the girls love it like I do...

The Walking Blues

This song is one that made me want to play slide guitar.  In 1992 when I saw Eric Clapton perform this on MTV's Unplugged, that was it.  I went the next day to Cecil's Bandstand in Jackson, TN and, with some inheritance money, bought a dobro.  Unfortunatley, no one told me I was going to sound like two badgers f*%#@*!  That all changed a few weeks later when I was learning slide from Steve Patterson.  He told me exactly that.  Fortunately he also told me to work through it, and keep practicing.

I am glad I did, because this has become one of my favorite songs to play.  I hope you enjoy it, and I hope my wife and daughters enjoy it as well.

It Hurts Me Too

As I learned slide guitar, of course the road eventually lead to Elmore James, the King of the Slide Guitar.  When I heard this song I immediately fell in love with it, and it is of course a great song to include in my "songs for the girls" project.

Heartstring

After I posted Fragile I received a message from an old friend who suggested that I record a song entitled "Heartstring."  Sometimes you just have to take a friends advice.  Here is the latest installment of "Songs for the Girls."  I hope you enjoy it.

Fragile

About 12 years ago I was in a band with Bobby Oliver, and as we were practicing one night Maryah Danielle Bennett said, "why don't you make up a song."  "Ok."  I said.  "What do you want it to be about?"  She looked down and saw a box.  "That."  She answered.  Just like that this little song was born.

Now I play it for my wife; so, it kind of fits in with the "songs for the girls" theme.

 

Precious In My Eyes

I have enjoyed the last several months.  Playing more guitar, and creating music for my daughters.  It is something that has come to mean a lot to me.

Last week Amelia, who just turned 9, walked in and said, "I have an idea for a song."  My heart leapt.  This is what I hoped would happen when I started my "songs for the girls" project.  "What is it?"  I replied, trying not to squeal like one of her girlfriends.  "I will sing it for you."

She did, and I quickly grabbed my phone and open the voice memo app to record it.  From there we began to flesh it out, and then a few days ago we recorded it in garageband.  I know I am biased, but it is not bad for a 9  year old.

Crossroad Blues

I was 14 when Matt Harris told me to watch "Crossroads."  No, it wasn't the Britney Spears movie, it was the Ralph Macchio one.  The story of a young man who loved the blues, and went in search of Robert Johnson's lost song.  When I heard "crossroad blues," that was the beginning and the end.  The beginning of a life long love of the blues, and quest to learn it.  The end of searching for a sound that moves me, and that I love.  The slide guitar just resonates with my soul; anytime I hear it I have to stop and listen.  It is the music, and rhythm of my life.

So, I have wanted to play the crossroad blues for quite a while.  Well, today is the day.  I hope you enjoy.

Dulcimer Tune

About 20 years ago I took trip to Silver Dollar City in Branson Missouri.  While I was there I bought a mountain dulcimer.  Since that time I have wanted to record a song using it.  Well, my friends, today is the day.  While it is technically not a "song for the girls" I will include it as part of that project if it's all the same to you.  If it is not, don't tell me.  I hope you enjoy.

Every Morning

I am continuing my project, "Songs for the Girls."  I have always thought this might be one of the best love songs.  It expresses pretty succinctly how I feel about my lovely wife.  I hope you enjoy.

Sweet Pea

As I continue my project of recording songs for the girls I thought, "I want to see if the girls will record a song with me."

Well my friends, this is our first foray into duetism.  (If that is even a word.)

The interesting part of the song is that you can really hear their distinct personalities.  I hope you enjoy.  Love these "sweet peas."

A Song For Brandy

Last week I was talking with my friend David Marchbanks about my little "songs for the girls" project and he said,"you know you should have planned this better.  You should have recorded your song for Brandy this week so you could give it to her on Valentines Day."  In that moment my heart sank because I knew he was right.  It would have been a great Valentines gift, but alas, I missed it because I recorded Makenna's song last week.

However, I figure "it is better late than never."

A little history about this song.  I played this for Brandy at our rehearsal dinner, and have since made it her ringtone on my phone.  One afternoon she called me as I was walking in the back door of our house.  Hearing my phone she hung up, and as we started our evening conversation she said, "what is that twangy country song you set for my ringtone."  I paused for a moment, knowing that if the tables were turned I would be in the dog house for weeks.  Then I calmly replied, "this is the song I played for you at our rehearsal dinner."  

Brandy:  What?  Really?

Me:         Yes.

Brandy:   Oh.

So, there you go a little back story.  A song for Brandy.

Makenna's Song

"If everyone played the Ukulele, the world would be a better place." - Jake Shimabukuro

I have seen the magic of ukulele in my own life.  Makenna loves to play ukulele with me.  When I have the uke in hand I am like the "pied piper."  The girls come running.  So, I thought it was only appropriate that I continued my songs for the girls with a ukulele song for Makenna.

I hope you enjoy.

Emery's Song

"The most beautiful thing in the world is to see your children smile and know that you are the reason behind that smile."  This quote describes how i feel about all my girls.  Emery, however, seem to smile because of me a little more lately.  When she found out I was recording songs for each of them, she was very excited.  The others played it off as another weird thing Dad was doing.  I am excited about this little project of mine, and hope you enjoy the songs.

Here is Emery's Song...

Amelia's Song

“Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.” – Martin Luther

These words resonated with me, so, as a result I decided to do something about it.  For awhile I have been working on writing songs for the girls.  Now, I decided to “carpe diem”  this idea.  

As part of my job I got a new computer.  This computer has garageband.  No more excuses, record your songs for your girls.  If for no other reason than for them to have a record/memory of you for posterity.

So, with out further ado, here is the first installment of “Songs for the Girls.”  This is Amelia’s song.