My Singer Songwriter Demo From Back In The Day

I just found a demo I used to send out for booking my act in clubs. This particular demo showcases songs by Kenny Loggins, Smashmouth, Commodores, Sting, Sheryl Crow, and The Eagles.

Just thought it might be fun to share the “copy songs” stuff from another space/time continuum.

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A Singer Songwriter‘s Voices

Well…when I’m not singin’…I’m still talkin’

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Pardon My Spin Zone

Who do you think cares more about your life? And the life of your family?

You? Or the government?

I bet you were able to answer that question much faster than I was able to ask it. You know who cares more…YOU! So stop leaning on the government for assistance of any kind. We all need to work harder and smarter to see to our own prosperity. And we need to learn the difference between sharing and stealing. Huh?!

Yep…

Even if a majority says it’s OK to steal (tax) from me to give to someone else, that doesn’t make it right. When the government gives it a benevolent sounding name, they’re just using their own “putting lipstick on a pig” tactic. And keep this in mind…”the government” isn’t a spiritual entity. It’s made up of people. People who can’t even figure out how to keep water systems safe…much less how to distribute wealth fairly.

Don’t thirst for a bail out…

Consider this: Ana Navas-Acien, MD, PhD, assistant professor and researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and her team of collaborators analyzed data from 788 adults age 20 and older. Their urine was tested for traces of this toxin. They found…

• Participants with type 2 diabetes had a 26% higher arsenic level than people who did not have the disease.

• Those with the highest levels of arsenic were more than three times as likely to have diabetes than those with the lowest levels. Drinking water can be contaminated with arsenic in some mining areas and in areas with inappropriate arsenic waste disposal… also, air pollution can be an additional source of arsenic exposure in certain areas.

Just think how much more efficient and effective our country would be if taxes were used to keep the utilities infrastructure safe from pollutants and poisons. And if our tax dollars were used to keep bridges safe…and roads safe and smooth, and night lights shining, and a military with state-of-the-art equipment to defend us against all aggression. Personally I’d be thrilled to pay taxes for that. And it could all be done for approximately 5% of each person’s earnings. Amazing huh?

But…

• A government who takes my money and gives it to corporate idiots who’ve run their businesses into the ground? No.
• A government who takes my money and gives it to bankers and insurance company owners who’ve squandered their assets? No.
• A government who takes my money and gives it to people who won’t work, or others who spend it on abortions, or others who spend it on athletic shoes, or flat screen TV’s, or satellite radio and mp3 players for their cars…No, No, No, and No.

Those things cause envy, bitterness, and resentment. Like a famous TV doc says “how’s that workin’ for ya?”

This isn’t a partisan rant. I’m not a Re(po)publican or a Demo(lish)crat. I’m not a Liber(scare)ian or a blind and foolish anarchist. I’m just a small business owner who’s tired of having his money stolen and given to others by politicians playing Robin Hood to buy votes. It’s wrong (and it always will be) to take from one to give to another. That’s not charity…it’s thievery.

Your personal economy is where you should be focusing. And we all need to open our eyes to the lies and deception of thinking anyone in Washington D.C. gives a good hoot about how we feel. They only care about how much they can get away with. Their never-ending tax and spend agendas prove it year after year.

If you’re a small business owner, or an employee, I believe in you…the worker, the entrepreneur, the risk-taker, the dream builder. And I don’t believe that spirit can be held down for long unless we just give in. Never, ever, ever, never, never, never, ever, ever, ever give up.

Stay tuned,

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Wanna Write? Well…Unleash Your Imagination

Don’t hold it back…just let it run wild in the wide open spaces and high and pure places.

See It And Say It

Whatever way or style you’d say it out loud…that’s the way you write it down. Nothing to be afraid of here. You’re just letting the waters flow. Your mind becomes a clear, “babbling” (no pun intended) brook. Words flow between quiet banks and bump over rounded rocks. Every so often a duck or goose drops in for a splash and a snack on some minnows.

Now; you jump out of the water, dry yourself off, and run through the meadows so fast your hair starts on fire. As you turn around you see the water’s all dried up, too. Now what do you do? Blazing hair and no water…

Hey…it’s your daydream. Put it out with that honey in that maple tree right over there. Duh.

OK…now wake up.

Alright. That was just an exercise in fantasy and make-believe. Your flights of fancy don’t have to go anywhere near that far. Or they can go farther. The point is…let your mind open up and flow. You’ll almost feel the blood cells expand and take in more oxygen. You’ll come back to your white page or white screen with renewed vigor. You’ll let your words go and get it done. And the best part is…you’ll also have some more original writing to put in your notebook.

Now, get back to work you creative monster. It’s time to write.

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A Singer Songwriter Ponders A Most Beautiful Gift

Have you ever pondered music? I don’t mean thinking about the notes or the beat or the even the instrumentation.

I mean have you pondered it?

(To ponder: to weigh carefully in the mind; consider thoughtfully: He pondered his next words thoroughly.)

Think about what music is…

• It’s intangible.
• It’s really indefinable.
• It has no shape, yet it shapes thoughts.
• It has no function of its own, yet somehow helps us function

Music has the power to stir emotions…

…And of its own accord can’t fulfill any of them. It isn’t necessary to perform our daily duties, but how many places of business do you find with no music. I certainly don’t remember many. Music can’t comb your hair, brush your teeth, or tie your shoes, but it can ease you through those mundane tasks and make you forget about the time.

You don’t need words to enjoy music. You don’t need status. You don’t even need people around. It isn’t poured from a bottle, shaken from a cannister, or even dolloped from a 5 gallon bucket. Still; it can be as refreshing as champagne, spicy as cayenne, and rich and decadent as gold ring homemade vanilla ice cream. (you Texans will really know what I mean by that last reference)

Music appeals to fewer than our five senses, but it also appeals to more than our senses. When you study musical structure, it makes perfect logical sense. But when you try to explain why it “moved” you, very often you can’t quite convey it satisfactorily.

It wasn’t because it smelled, tasted, felt, sounded, or looked so good. It was what it did to your cerebral cortex. Or maybe it hit you in the “gut”, but it didn’t actually hit you, and it wasn’t actually your “gut”. See what I mean? You can’t put your finger on it. In fact you can’t touch it at all. You just know. You know?

Why in the world am I going on and on about music? Thanks for asking.

Music is an almost perfect way to ingrain an idea into the mind. Because without exception there has always been this common chord. (like my musical metaphor?) People love music! No surprise… It’s extremely versatile, dependable, believable, and yet inexplicable.

As a singer songwriter I take the same octave countless other musicans use and create my little piece of semi-immortality to satisfy…what? Me? An audience? A paycheck? All of the above? None of the above? The answer is yes to all the questions. I’ve written songs for each of those purposes. And each one was satisfying in its own way because each one involved the intangible little friend of mine. I’m not sure why I’m so moved by this unseen companion, but I do know this:

Music is a gift from God. It, and your thoughts, can never be stolen from you, forced out of you, or driven away from you…as long as you want it; you’ve got it. How incredible is such a gift. Yeah, we could live without music, but…

It wouldn’t be nearly as joyous an existence.

Stay tuned,

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A Singer Songwriter‘s Take On…”Stuff”

We humans are funny creatures. Especially those of us who’ve been fortunate to have been born in a “free” society. Americans, especially, tend to be very image-bound and sound byte- gagged.

First, we see what seems to be the definition of success, and we measure ourselves against it. When the dollar amounts are staggering, or the beauty is beyond fantasy, or the “stuff” is piled up on TV, we feel pitifully inadequate.

But we are not the sum total of our dollars, beauty, or “stuff”. We’re not the sum total of our monikers we wear through this life. We’re not the sum total of the varied opinions about us. Those don’t make us, and they shouldn’t break us.

• Work to produce…not for the money.
• Play to relax…not to escape.
• Laugh to enjoy…not to cover up.
• Love to give…not to acquire.
• And live to be thankful…not to compare.

You are the sum total of where you position yourself for eternity.

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I Became A Debt Free Singer Songwriter In 2011

You know what?

If you’re not there already, you should think seriously about becoming debt-free this year. Work on it with short term, medium term, and long term goals in mind. Not having tons of debt will make it easier to invest in yourself and/or your business. You’d be amazed at all the places you may be losing money…when you really should be paying yourself and achieving your goals of financial freedom.

If you want some inspiration, or if you think you’d like to drive “free cars”, you’ll want to see this VIDEO

I love the slogan: “drive free…retire rich”.

Stay tuned,

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You can’t be sick and inspire…at least not for long.

Oh, you think you can? Think again. You need your health. It’s not just something that’s nice to have around. It’s the core essential to any job you do or any career you have.

Now put down that diet cola and repeat after me…I want to be healthy. ( I want to be healthy) I need to be healthy (are you repeating after me?) If I’m not healthy, I’m no good to anyone. (say it…it’s true) And if I’m healthy, I can overcome obstacles in my mind, body, and work.

OK. Do you believe it?

Well…believe it. Chew on this. You eat fast food everyday. You don’t exercise. You definitely don’t drink enough water, and even when you’re drinking it, it’s mixed with tea or coffee. And you think you can take your little one-a-day so-called vitamins and keep the bad times away.

Wrong.

You gotta stay well. People are depending on you to do your best. And when you’re constantly reaching for a tissue to honk your nose…or running for an umpteenth bathroom break…how much good work are you getting done? Have you seen a recent commercial where the guy doesn’t know how to get dressed or make breakfast or even get in his car? Turns out he gave up smoking, and he’s having to re-learn how to do everything without a cigarette in his hand.

Don’t be like that guy. Stay well. Be well. Start now. Be happy. Grin. It’s good for you. And you’ll keep your mind free to think up all kinds of things to write about.

It just worked for me.  :-)

Stay tuned,

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The Cold Virus…A Singer Songwriter‘s Worst Enemy

The thing any singer songwriter dreads most has happened. I caught a cold…or it caught me.

And it’s been beating me up for a week.

I haven’t been this under the weather in a long time. I’m not telling you this to get you to feel sorry for me. (although if you do, that’s OK) I’m just posting it so you’ll know why I haven’t been around for a bit. But I didn’t wanna miss out on the chance to wish all of you a Happy New Year. I hope you’ll stay safe and have a bunch of fun ringin’ out the old year and ringin’ in the new.

I’ll be working on getting this ringin’ out of my ears.  

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A Singer Songwriter‘s Merry Christmas
And Happy New Year Wish

Well, I hope each and every one of you had a wonderful, happy, fun, Merry Christmas. Thanks to all of you who signed up to get my 3 new original Christmas songs. I hope you were able to enjoy and share them with all your family and friends. I’ll extend the offer up to 12 more days for anyone who might just now be finding this…click the “Tune In” button over there on the left, type in your email address. That’s it. Easy.

Now, my extended wish is that you’ll all stay safe this week and into the New Year’s Eve celebrations. I’m anticipating a jam-packed 2012, and I’d like to know you’re all going to be around for it.

Remember to keep in touch. Feel free to leave comments here on my blog, or connect with me on Facebook and/or Twitter using the links below. And keep listening and watching for new music. I’ve got some in the pipeline I’m excited to share. Every supporter gives me the drive and momentum to create new material. You’re awesome!

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Singer Songwriter Suggests
Simple Solutions

As we’re nearing the home stretch of the Christmas gift buying time, let me make a quick and simple suggestion…

Don’t get caught up in the frantic, hectic chaos. Remember…a cookie delights a kid more than almost anything. And smiling people are much nicer to be around than frustrated shoppers…any day of the year, much less Christmas.

So…sit down, have a nice warm beverage, a cookie or cake or scone or whatever. Think about why you’re even celebrating Christmas, and enjoy every moment you can. You probably don’t have nearly as many moments as you think or would like.

Stay tuned,

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A Singer Songwriter‘s Tongue-in-Cheek Bah Humbug

So…did you ever have one of those years when Christmas just seems to get on your nerves?

Yeah, me neither.

Still…I know people who prefer that Christmas was just pass on by without all the fuss. If you’re one of those, you might get a kick out of the lyrics I’m posting below. And just so you know…you can get the song that goes with ‘em just by signing up for my emails. See that green arrow over there on the left? Well, hit the “tune in” button, and you can type in your email address. That’s all there is to it. You’ll get links to 3 free downloads right away. And in just a little while I’ll send you 3 new Christmas songs…also free.

You’ve got nothing to lose, 6 free songs to gain, and you can unsubscribe at any time. (of course, I hope you’ll stick around for a long time)  Anyway…here’s the lyrics for now…

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OK Christmas Shoppers…
Your Time Is Almost UP!

Are you one of those last minute shoppers for Christmas?

Or are you on time, ahead of the crowd, and ready for the big day?

Well…whether you’re done or just getting started…

Just type in your name and email in that space just below the green arrow over there on the left, and I’ll send you some free Christmas music to keep you going. It’s my gift to you and a thank you for your support of my singer songwriter blog.

Stay tuned,

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When A Singer Songwriter Decides To Write And Sing
Contemporary Christian Music…Is That The End Of His Career?

Back in 1978 I went to Oklahoma for my Granddaddy’s funeral. Afterwards my Grandmother told me I should be “singing for the Lord“.  Of course, I sort of shrugged it off as an old lady’s blurry vision of the world. And I promptly went on to play music in secular venues for 25 years.

Sometime in the 80′s I started hearing “Christian singers” and a style of music I hadn’t heard before…Contemporary Christian Music. (I suppose I’d had my head in the sand prior to that)  I heard Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Russ Taff, and others. Before that I’d always heard Christian music as Southern gospel or church hymns. This “new” sound really got me jazzed.

Don’t get me wrong…I still didn’t pursue a contemporary Christian music career. No, I’m far too stubborn for that. And it didn’t seem like a viable career path anyway.

But now…as I’ve put a bunch more years behind me…and as I see considerably fewer years in front of me…I’ve begun to think about things like:

• Eternity
• Truth
• Purpose

If the truth is that there is an eternity (and there is!), then I need a higher purpose. That’s why I’ve decided to position myself in the contemporary Christian music genre.

It gives me the opportunity to sing for something more than just my supper.

Stay tuned,

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As A Singer Songwriter I Look For
Life’s Magic Little Moments

With the hectic…sometimes even frantic pace we Americans tend to keep it can be easy to forget, ignore, or totally miss those moments all around us. But they ARE there. And I like to capture them in song whenever I can.

The following lyrics have a scene from Anytown, U.S.A. at Christmas time. Maybe you’ve even seen something similar where you live. Then there’s another little “vignette” about a little cat in a big house who found great entertainment in simplicity. Maybe you’ve known an animal like Orion. Anyway…hope you enjoy the lyrics…and I hope this Christmas time finds you enjoying lots of…

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Magic Little Moments

How A Singer Songwriter Makes Sense Of It All

When you were a kid, did you ask “why” about a lot of stuff?

Or do you have a kid or kids who ask a lot of “why” questions?

It’s cool how kids have a natural curiosity about how the world works. And here’s my musical attempt at answering some of those “why” questions…

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Why

A Singer Songwriter Sings About A Dancer…

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What Do You Think?
Should I Turn These Lyrics Into Another One Of
My “Bedtime Buckaroos” Lullaby Songs?

Stay tuned,

Lyrics To Song #4 In The Music Player
There On The Left…

The Living End

How can I explain the numbers in the rain?

I’d like to help illuminate the pathways to your mind.

But I am just a man; I’ll do the best I can

I’ll show you where to look, and I’ll tell you this:

It isn’t behind

It’s a firecracker and a windchime

It’s a loudspeaker and a street mime

It’s the friction of invisible wind…It’s the living end

I should write a book; give back what I took

It’s the kind of thing that multiplies
When you give it away

The knowledge and the lack;

The rails that make the track

Tend to open doors and open hearts
To what they can say

It’s a sand pebble and the fired glass

It’s a skyscraper and a mountain pass

It’s the friction of invisible wind…It’s the living end

Oh, and I’m sure I can’t make you believe

If it’s not within your will

Oh, and it’s been around since Adam and Eve

And it never stood still

How can I extol the matters of the soul?

I was never one to shake my fist and preach in the square.

No, I just always knew that faith would lead me through,

And there has to be a larger life that lasts forever out there

(repeat 1st chorus)

© Copyright Tony Funderburk 1992

3 Tips For A Good Night’s Sleep

Just in case you’re having a difficult time getting enough sleep…

Here are 3 tips from a singer songwriter that are almost guaranteed to cure your troubles:

1. Turn off the TV…or at least only turn it to the political channel…
2. Go to bed at the same time each night (or day)…
3. Listen to some lullaby songs or nice, soft instrumental music

What? You didn’t think I’d leave out music, did you?

I’ve hidden a song to cover tip #3. Once you find it, download it and get comfortable and get ready to fall fast asleep.

Stay tuned,

Drifting Off

Singer Songwriter + Google Voice = New Connection Method

Call me crazy, but it seems like more than a few people have mobile phones these days.

And if you’re one of those…and if calling or texting is your favorite way to connect, I have something new I’m trying out.

You can leave me your messages, comments, and/or ideas simply by calling the voicemail you see below. Let me know if you like this method.

Just click on the image to try it out and see…

Stay tuned,

Two Singer Songwriters
Same Last Name…Same Initials
Same Song Title
Neither One Knew About The Other One’s Song

Cool…

Tommy Funderburk’s “King Of Hearts”

And my “King Of Hearts”

Singers And Songwriters Aren’t What They Used To Be

On this day in 1954 Nat King Cole played the first of six nights at the Apollo in Harlem.

We’ve come a long way in the music business since then. And if you read “this day in history” news items, it hasn’t been a long way in the right direction. I love listening to Nat King Cole sing…his music seemed to be full of optimism and love. Nowadays, the music and singer songwriters are so full of angst, and the lyrics…yeesh…even an adult shouldn’t be listening to them.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t live in the past or even long for the past. But I do miss the safety and positive flow of the music from back then. What do you think? Can we ever get there again? Leave me a comment with your take on it.

Stay tuned,

Should A Singer Songwriter Compose A New Christmas Song?

I’m working on some original Christmas music.

What do you think? Should I leave it alone? Is it a waste of time?

Are all the good Christmas songs already written?

Have you been listening to the Christmas music playing everywhere you go? Or is it just part of the noise.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this…

Stay tuned,

How many times have you heard a singer songwriter
sing about how birds of a feather flock together?

A lot, right? Yeah, me too.

But take a look at how these feathers of a bird flock together.

See a bunch more cool shots HERE

Stay tuned,

As a singer songwriter I’ve used a pencil or pen and paper
to write thousands and thousands of words.

But I never dreamed the writing tool could be a work of art itself.

Then I stumbled upon this…

You can see a bunch more HERE

And please…

Stay tuned,

Black Friday From A Singer Songwriter‘s Perspective

(No matter how small)

OK…admittedly I’m a guy. So maybe I’ve never been a shopaholic because I’m such a stereotypical guy on the issue of shopping. In my role as a singer songwriter, I’ve written about shopping on more than one occasion…but I don’t believe I’ve ever given it a “plus” in my ledger.

I don’t have anything against shopping, mind you. In fact, point me to the nearest Apple store, or the nearest music gear shop, and I can spend an inordinate amount of time in either one. But I don’t go often. And I don’t go merely to “shop”. I go to buy. And here’s the thing…

I really, really, really don’t like a frenzied crowd when I’m going to buy something. And I don’t want to buy simply because “it’s that time”  or  “everything’s on sale”.

And…this next part is gonna be somewhat controversial…we don’t celebrate the “holiday season” in the Funderburk household. At this time of year we celebrate Thanksgiving (hope you had a good one yesterday, by the way) and Christmas. Both of these are days we’re extra special thankful to God for our lives and for His love. We don’t need lots of presents and/or an over abundance of food to make us remember. We enjoy those things as much as anyone, but they’re not necessary to the reason.

So…I hope you won’t let yourself get all caught up in the retail “reason for the season” this year. Just love your family, enjoy your freedom, and remember Who and where the source of it all is.

Below you’ll see the lyrics and a link to a song that’s my gift to you. As always, if you haven’t already gotten the three other free songs over there on the left, fill in your email address and get those too.

Stay tuned,

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Click Here For The “Carry The Dream” MP3

My Singer Songwriter Music Is Being Added
To Google Music

I found out today from my music distributor that my music will soon be on the new Google Music service.

Cool.

I think it’s gonna be a force to be reckoned with. Of course, time will tell, but it IS Google after all. They have a few things going for them.  :-)

Anyway…just thought if you were interested and if you plan to get your music through Google, you might look me up over there.

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OK…I want to be taken seriously as a singer songwriter…
So, why would I ever write music for kids?

Hmm…let me see…

Here are just a few quick reasons:

• They’re really cute
• It’s fun to watch their faces light up
• A kid is an imaginative gift from God
• Nothing like music to bring out their cool dance moves
• They just LOVE music

I could go on an on about how I can write things that don’t make sense at all in the adult world…but kids get it. Or how a kid doesn’t typically care if someone’s watching when they dance. Or how a kid is just as happy with a song about a dinosaur as a song about a political party…because it’s simply about the music.

Kids remind us (or certainly should) how important and precious life is. I say we keep as many around as possible.

Stay tuned,

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Singer Songwriter…
Will Sing For Room & Board

I’m gonna make this as simple as I think it can be.

To survive as a singer songwriter…to actually make money and pay your way in life in this world that increasingly expects music to be free you need 3 main things. Consider this your bare bones professional musician toolkit:

1. Talent…spend your “10,000 hours” and really turn yourself into the singer or player you’d actually want to go see
2. Passion…you gotta see through struggle…and rebound from rejection…and be willing to work (and wait)
3. Marketing mindset…if you’re not born with it, get it as soon as you can because it might be most important of the three

OK…there’s your 3 piece toolkit for success as a musician. Tomorrow’s too late to start because it never really gets here. If you’d like to expand on these three points or if you’d like me to, don’t hesitate to leave a comment.

Stay tuned,

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Road Warrior Singer Songwriters…
Sound Familiar?

OK…it was bad enough that I had approximately 28 hours to get from southern Texas to Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (and yes, I do mean Minnesota, not Michigan…it’s where “Dorothy” aka Judy Garland was from)

But as we were heading into Minnesota (in January) it was getting colder and colder by the minute and mile. So cold, in fact, that the heater in my Toyota pickup didn’t seem to be heating. We finally made a stop in the outskirts of Duluth for gas. It was about 2 a.m. When I went inside to pay, the clerk told me the temperature was about -35 degrees…fahrenheit. And that wasn’t windchill…that was actual temperature. Yikes. I got a piece of cardboard to put in front of the radiator. It helped the heater to heat up the cab of my truck to less than deathly freezing.

A bit further up the road (and away from any town) the truck stalled out. Mind you it’s late Saturday night / early Sunday morning…in the middle of nowhere…in Minnesota…in January…in sub-zero temps. I thought to myself: “Hmm…thank goodness I bought those peanut M&M’s back there.”

Not! I thought something more like “Hmm…I would never have dreamed this is where my life would end.”  :-)

Well, as you might have figured out by now, my life didn’t end there that night. Just when you think the world is void of good samaritans; one shows up like an angel from Heaven. A very nice guy who said…

“You’re lucky, man. I work overnights, but I don’t typically go in on Sundays. I was fillin’ in today.”

He knew of a place where I could pull my truck inside and “warm it up a bit”. And he graciously towed me there and wouldn’t accept payment. The good news is that the only problem I had was frozen water vapor in the carb. And when the truck warmed up and melted the frozen stuff, it started right up.

We made it the rest of the way to Grand Rapids. I bought a magnetic engine heater and plugged it into the outside receptacle at the hotel for the entire two weeks of our stay. Worked like a charm. Wish the crowds would have been more like the friendly folks of munchkin land. Oh well, you win some…etc.

Stay tuned,

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If You’re A Singer Songwriter With Road Experience…

…then you’ve probably got Road Stories

Here’s one of mine…

Well, this is sort of like 3 in one.

After a long, almost 24 hour drive from Kansas to South Carolina, we pulled into the hotel where we’d be staying and playing. Luckily we had the rest of the day and night before we started. So, we caught up on sleep that evening. And the next day I needed to get a document notarized. We went to the town hall where a notary public had been recommended. I asked a guy if I could get my document notarized. He asked me what the document was. I asked him why he needed to know, and I promptly got the in-the-movies-southern-good-ol’-boy third degree…

“Boy!” he exclaimed, “we don’t appreciate smart aleck long hair types like you around here.”

I would have thought it was a joke, but he didn’t have a smile within a hundred miles of his face.

“Never mind,” I said.

And we went to a convenience store to ask where else a notary public might be. One was pointed out to me by the clerk who seemed to have the same high opinion of me I’d just experienced at the town hall. But we ignored the lack of pleasantries and walked a a few blocks to the other office. I hope I’m not being politically incorrect when I say this… A very nice black lady came to the front of the office and said she was the notary public and that she’d be glad to notarize the document for me. It took about a minute, cost less than $5, and it was all done with smiles and kindness. Nice change…what a concept.

Later that night, after the evening’s worth of music had been played, we were out for a walk in front of the motel when the owner drove up to us. “What are ya’ll doin’ out here?” he asked.

“Just goin’ for a walk before we go to bed.” I replied.

“Well, I suggest you just go on to your room. You don’t need to be out here without something like this…” and he pointed to a gun he had in his car’s console. “People end up shot or missin’ if they’re out too late.”

So, we opted to go to bed. The next day, sure enough, we heard a report of a killing in a field not far from our room and the motel. Yikes.

We played that establishment for 2 weeks before moving on to our next stop. It felt like 2 months. Pitch black walls, some guy in the back making wolf calls almost every night, and smoke so thick you could see pillars of it from the canister lighting. This story is true, so I’ll keep the name of the town and its people anonymous to protect the innocent…if there were any.

Thankfully, I’ve never gone back. Don’t expect to…

Stay tuned,

Ain’t Got Nothin’ Over Me

Impossible Odds Rarely Are

Don’t give up…because that’s really the only time you lose…

Stay tuned,

Blue Skies…Cooler Temps…Can You Say Equal Knocks?

Did you catch that little play on words there? Get it? Equal knocks…uh…equinox…uh…never mind. What can I say? A singer songwriter is always messing around with words.  

I think maybe a majority of people list Spring as their favorite season. Mine is Autumn. But they both have some great things going for them. They’re not too hot…not too cold. They both present some of the best colors of the year. Spring has all the new flowers. Autumn has all those red, yellow, orange, and brown leaves. Both are great times to get outside and enjoy some sunshine vitamin D.

Here’s a lullaby I wrote to gently celebrate both times of the year. It’s called “Blue Celtic Cloud”. I think I’ve posted this before, but this is for all the new fans. Hope you enjoy…

Stay tuned,

A Day In The Singer Songwriter Life…

Have you heard any of those marketers who talk about working on your laptop on a beach?

Of course, most of that is hype and silliness. It can definitely be done, but most hard-working entrepreneurs don’t live that life.

However; that being said…I used to live a life very much like that…the life of a full-time traveling musician. And a lot of times I found myself on a beach during the day, playing music at night, and thinking up the next songs to write. I wasn’t rich, but it sure felt like it sometimes. I’d pinch myself and say “Just think, Tony…someone is actually paying you to sing and play music!”

This evening I went through a bunch of my old lyrics and found a song I recorded in a little beach hotel near Padre Island, Texas. It’s not a high quality recording, but it’s listenable. It’s a song about a girl (big surprise that a musician would write such a song, eh) who I only saw a couple of times. It wasn’t a physical relationship, and to tell the truth, I think bicycling in the salt air did more to inspire me than anything else.

Anyway…just thought you might get a kick out of the short version of the inside story. And, if you’re so inclined, you can download the MP3 of the original recording just below. If you have the right sort of player, you should even be able to see my original handwritten lyrics with the original date of 1/10/1987 and my signature. Woo hoo!