And wouldn’t have it any other way.

How is it that 2021 feels like last year?..Not almost 4 years ago!? I confess I’ve been so busy launching my podcast and working with gigging bands in these “post-Covid years” that I really have put my songwriting on the back burner, time-wise. But a large piece of my heart has remained tethered to it.

After making the “2021” EP, some strong melodies or lyrics would come to me every- other month or so. By the end of 2022, I had a vision for an album. In January 2023, I made about 10 twitchy demos with a drum machine. About 6 were strong enough to be “keeper songs.”

With two exceptions, the demos were not for for public consumption, and I was conflicted about a musical direction to take: folky Americana OR power-trio Pop Rock?

Enter the wall mural project at the end of our street in Angola.

My wife’s close friend, Janelle Sloan, professional artist, was commissioned by our city to paint nature images on a 65 foot long retaining wall.

The project took all summer. During which, our mutual kids would play in the yard above the wall (thank you Jim and Vicki.) into the evening. Elizabeth would go and chat with Janelle while she painted – often long after sunset, working by lamp light.

One night, I walked over, too, and brought my little nylon string guitar, quietly strummed, and sang the “keeper” songs mentioned above. The vibe was perfect. They sounded relaxed; my voice was understated and comfortable in my own skin.

I knew then I was not going to use a studio approach to share these songs. I’d record them solo, out of doors and at night – with good mics, of course. The session felt amazing, but I didn’t mix it til fall and wanted a warm weather release. So a year went by and now they are ready. By Sept 20 “the last day of summer” the “Summer’s Ending“ project should be on all my streaming.

Lyrics to Summer, Your Love:

She stayed until the flowers petals fell

and by Labor Day, weren’t feeling too well

And now my eyes are all shot through with red

numbers on a digital clock…wish I had…some of your love

I wish I had some of your love

Marching band trumpets sound in the morning

As I get out of bed, I hear their drums

Does the Holy Ghost haunt the suburbs

If Cathedral windows get bored?…wish I had…some of your love

I wish I had some of your love

Plastic succulents growing layer of dust

In the mason jar you filled with coffee beans

Background music softly plays

out of my old phone…wish I had… some of your love

I wish I had some of your love

Song are all I have now, they’re as close as I come

All I have…are some of your songs