Simple Things

This song was written in 2003, so yea, It’s not a new song, but its been one I have loved and wanted to put out for years. I feel the imagery is powerful and the words have thought and meaning behind them. When we die, what do we leave behind? What do you want to be remembered for? Who have you touched emotionally in your life? Have you made a positive difference in someone else’s life? Will you be known for good or evil? These are questions we should ask ourselves frequently. If you are not going in the direction you want, its time to course correct.
This song was written after seeing the Space Shuttle Colombia disintegrate upon re-entry in 2003. I saw the impact those astronauts had on so many people who had never met them. People mourned their deaths around the world. We may not have as much of an audience to impact and touch so many lives, but we still have our local environments to make a difference. Think local. What can you do to make it a better world for the people around you, for your neighborhood, family or friends? Are you waiting around in hopes that someone else will do it? Why don’t you figure out how to make a positive change and lead the charge. That’s how lives are impacted for the better. When good people take charge and do something right. Don’t follow a crowd. Don’t participate in group think. Be a leader.

So are you just gonna sit there trolling people on the internet or will you get out there and do something truly meaningful?
Decide what you want to do and how you want to be remembered, then live your life based on that vision.
Remember, It’s the simple things we do in our lives, that manage to let people know who we are. Let those Simple things hold value and purpose in making the world a better place.

St Pattie (Bare Bones) release

This might be a surprise to some, but this song has nothing to do with St Patrick’s day. It was written on St Patrick’s day in 2021. The “Saint” aspect to the title has more to do with the having a good friend in your life who acts as a Saint to get you through a tough time in your life. We all need those people in our lives. My Best Friend Jon Hardy was my “Saint” for a long time, and I was devastated by his sudden death in December 2023, just days before Christmas. I was grateful that I got to call and talk to him the day before he passed. I had no Idea he would be gone the next day, but I was prompted to say some pretty meaningful things to him that night, to let him know why I considered him my brother and not just a friend. I was glad I got to say that to him directly.
With that, I have found good friends since then and they have acted as “Saints” in my life, and I could not be more grateful to them. This song has lots of meaning to me and I hope this “bare bones”, “acoustic only”, “One Take” with warts and all, version speaks to someone out there.
I recorded it with no click tracks, no edits. Just me playing and singing at the same time into a Rode NT-1000 Mic for vocals and an SM57 for the Martin guitar. I added some reverb and a tad bit of EQ but that’s it. It was my 9th take that I decided to go with. I left any mistakes as is and I’m good with that. If you think anyone could benefit from listening to this, please pass it along to someone you love.