Tag Archives: western music

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

In 2011 I started producing the songs for my second collection of original lullabies for kids. (psst…adults love ’em, too) Many people, who bought the first collection, Lullabye Bye, asked me to write some more with a country and western “feel.” And while I’m not a fan of what passes for country and western these days, I AM a fan of the true western “feel.” Think Roy Rogers, Sons of the Pioneers, and even Michael Martin Murphy. So, I decided to go west(ern) and high above imagination to a Dreamland for little buckaroos.

So, what could possibly be high above imagination?

As I started dreaming up lyrics for the title song, Bedtime Buckaroos, I thought about some essentials for western music. You can probably think of some. Like cactus, ponies, ropes, and rodeos. And I visualized listeners going where only imagination can go. And even way beyond that.

Naturally, since it would be a collection of lullaby songs, I knew the rest of the songs would be in that same western world of imagination. So, you’ll find titles like Mornin’ Skies and Lariat Loop and Cowpoke Lullaby.

Sure, they’re designed for kids. But don’t be surprised if you find yourself enjoying them, too. Because I didn’t use cutesy voices with over-simplified lyrics. If you prefer those kinds of songs, this collection isn’t for you.

Here are the lyrics to the title song.

If you have kids (or you’re one at heart), let it take them (and you) high above imagination to a place where cosmic cowpokes sing around a campfire constellation.

When your dreams begin,
You’ll be free again
To ride high above imagination.
Cactus silhouettes
Practice pirouettes
What a night of fancy fascination.

© 2011

With their very own Bedtime Buckaroos book, kids can listen to music and sing along as they color and draw. Because inside you’ll find a special link where you can download the songs that go with the lyrics in the book. Yep, that’s right. 10 songs to help kids fly high above imagination. And they’re included in the price of the book.

Here’s the actual link to the book: (https://www.amazon.com/Bedtime-Buckaroos-Sing-along-color/dp/B086XCX55H)

By the way. Happy New Year. Start 2024 in the right direction with the Bedtime Buckaroos book.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

What’s the “it” in “Keep It On Hold”

I’m not really a “country” singer/songwriter. But back in 1992-93, I played one on TV. Well, not TV. But I sort of played one on stages. In Nashville. For what they called “songwriters in the round.” That’s where a group of songwriters take the stage and each one plays an original song. When each one completes a song, it circles back to the first and continues. It was usually for three songs each. And I actually enjoyed it. Plus, it helped me write a bunch of songs. One of them was called, “Keep It On Hold.”

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Keep It On Hold lyrics to a Tony Funderburk country song

Nashville let me know I’m not a “country” singer/songwriter.

It was a little comical to watch me participate during those songwriters in the round. At the beginning of the evening, there’d be about half a dozen of us taking the stage. Five people walking up with their guitars, cowboy hats, and boots. And me. Setting up my portable keyboard, wearing a multi-colored vest, jeans, and usually some bright yellow Converse sneakers. Or maybe pink, blue, or red. And my hair was very long, something that wasn’t “the norm” for country music at the time. (slightly before Billy Ray Cyrus)

So, we’d all get set up. And the host of the evening would introduce us, one by one. As he did we’d sing our first song. And I can remember thinking, as the first couple of guitar players sang their songs, “Oh man. They’re not gonna like me.”

But I gotta say…I was wrong. Audiences actually did like my songs. They weren’t the typical “country” songs. And yet, listeners seemed to enjoy them. I recall one time, when a songwriter behind me was introduced after my turn, how he mentioned me before he sang his song. He said something like…

“I gotta tell you guys how much I just enjoyed Tony’s song. And I’m not even sure what key his song was in. But it was a nice change of pace.”

Off the top of my head, I believe the song was in F sharp. But that’s beside the point. The point is…audiences liked my songs. Record companies and publishers, however, didn’t think they were “country enough.” When I’d go to my appointments on Music Row, I’d regularly hear things like…

“Country audiences don’t want congas in their songs.” Or “Nice songs. But not for Nashville. You should go to California.”

So, I thought I’d share one of those songs with you. The lyrics are below. And the song is on the The Power of God’s Love Podcast. You can judge for yourself. Is this song even remotely “country”? And see if you can tell what “it” is.

Keep It On Hold

I looked around and you; you broke my heart into
Too many times you made me wonder what to do
You rode your horses wild, wild flower-power child
Child you would never let me spend my time with you

You’ve got some good somewhere inside
But you keep it on hold…you keep it on hold
I might believe you if you tried
But you keep it on hold…you keep it on hold

What do you think you’ll do
When it all comes down on you
What do you think you’ll say
At the time of the judgement day
Who do you think you’ll see
When you see things clearer
And it’s only you and the mirror

repeat chorus…inst

You say you don’t need me; me and my sympathy
Sympathy isn’t what my time is all about
I almost have to laugh; laugh at your better half
Half of the time your mind is struggling with the doubt

(chorus…bridge…repeat chorus to end)

© 1992 Tony Funderburk

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Reporting from somewhere
high above imagination

In 2011 I began work on my second collection of original lullaby songs for kids. (psst…adults love ’em, too) Several people who bought the first collection, Lullabye Bye, asked me to write some with a country and western “feel”. And while I’m not a fan of what passes for country and western these days, I AM a fan of the true western “feel”. Think Roy Rogers, Sons of the Pioneers, and even Michael Martin Murphy. So, I decided to go west(ern) and high above imagination to a Dreamland for little buckaroos.

So…what’s above imagination?

As I started dreaming up lyrics for the title song, Bedtime Buckaroos, I thought about some essentials for western music. You know…cactus, ponies, ropes, and rodeos. And I began to visualize taking the listener where only imagination go. Into the starry sky and beyond.

Since it would be a collection of lullaby songs, I knew the rest of the songs would be in that same western world of imagination.

Here are the lyrics to the title song. And listen to (better yet, subscribe to) the Rhyme and Reason Podcastto hear the song. If you have kids (or you’re one at heart), let it take them (and you) high above imagination to a place where cosmic cowpokes sing around the campfire.

Bedtime Buckaroos

Bedtime Buckaroos When you close your eyes
Under dark blue skies
And you see there’s no more time to borrow,
Rope the Milky Way”
Let the ponies play,
And tonight will turn into tomorrow.

Hi yo…in your midnight dream rodeo
You win, there’s no way that you could lose.
Ki yi…keep that twinkle in your eye.
Drift off””˜cause it’s bedtime, buckaroos.

When your dreams begin,
You’ll be free again
To ride high above imagination.
Cactus silhouettes
Practice pirouettes
What a night of fancy fascination.

Chorus”

oo…ah-oo…ah-oo
Chorus to end.

© Tony Funderburk 2011 (June 4)

Be sure to jump on the one-of-a-kind The TRUTH today, and I’ll send you some free rhymes and reasons right away. Music, a book, and lots of good faith, hope, and love stuff.

Be sure to share this with everyone you know. And don’t be surprised if they get mad at you for it.

Stay tuned,

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