Thread of Change
A Change of Shirt I've known about Burning Man, an annual event that takes place in the Nevada desert north of Reno, for a number of years. I even know a few 'burners.' It looks like quite a party and a celebration, even if it's smaller than Woodstock was back in the...
Four Corners
As with some other songs of mine, I was inspired to write Four Corners by my observations of and inspiration by the natural world around me. I wrote it during the end of year holiday season in 1989. https://youtu.be/qd3cRlZ97Vg Flying Over Four Corners The song came...
Older and Wiser
Older and Wiser was written in the late 1980s during my 'coffee house' period of inspiration. Even though I was in my late 30s at the time, my personal experiences of youth had already faded. I had already left my teens and my 20s well behind me in the rearview mirror...
It’s OK to Play
All Work and Not Enough Play... I have learned that all work and not enough play, is not conducive to my positive mental health. Further, all play, and some enjoyable work makes for positive pastime. Earlier this month, Dena and I attended the annual Feathers of...
Beauty Rises Forth
Beauty Rises Forth was born out of a visit to the Garden of Saints which is located at the Vedanta Society of Sacramento. https://youtu.be/8YhUt8F9LVw I think it was either in the spring or the summer of 2009 that I heard from a friend about an open meditation garden....
Earth Changes
Earth Changes was written back in 1990 during my coffee house period. I don't recall any specific inspiration at the time that may have sparked this tune. I've been a Nature appreciator and lover since growing up as a boy in southern Indiana....
Angels Here
I wrote Angels Here in the late 1990s. I had experienced a dry spell around songwriting during most of the 90s and wasn't playing much guitar at all. https://youtu.be/_1_SmL3-huU At the time, I was married to my second wife, Patti. We lived in a nice house in the...
The Unbroken Circle
The process of creating an album is a cyclical journey, an unbroken circle spiraling through a series of musical experiences. I had another great session in the studio this week with the cookin' rhythmic duo of Brian Roger (drums) and Frank Huizar (bass). They laid...
Moonlight
I wrote Moonlight during a very active period of songwriting back in the late 80s. It's one of the songs I included on my Older and Wiser album. I've always been fascinated by the moon; the way it appears and disappears each month. I like to make a game of tracking...
Brand New Day
I have learned that every day is a brand new day, full of possibility and promise. I sing this song as a positive affirmation to remind myself and others of this. I can re-start my day when it's going sideways or not the way I would prefer....
Living My Vision
How do I live my vision? Just as summer gardens are providing lots of yummy and nourishing food to the folks who tend them at this time of year, working in the studio on my album, In This Circle, continues to feed my soul in so many ways. I've come to the realization...
Thread of Love
I wrote Thread of Love in the early 2000s. It was the first song I co-wrote with Doug Von Koss of the Noah Project. I had heard of Doug from a friend. Immediately, I began driving over to the San Francisco Bay area to join in the men's singing circle. I have come to...