Category: Story Behind the Song

On vacation and stopping for a couple of days in Chattanooga Tennessee. We head to the Big River Grill for lunch. It’s a remodeled 19th Century Trolly Barn and now a craft brewery and restaurant. Our server, Cindy, takes our orders and makes a bit of conversation.  She asks where we’re from which of course our answer… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “Snake Skin Shoes”

There are particular moments in life that are milestones. First step, first laugh, first word, becoming a teenager. You get the picture. In my life (and family) one of those milestones that came and went with only a bit of fanfare was my first official date. I took Jamie Simmons to the Thompson Theater in… Continue reading The Story Behind the Songs – “Shadows in the Morning Light”

Even before the pandemic the world seemed to be in a constant state of pandemonium. I was at the Aztec Highland Games green room tent and one of the young folk who was volunteering was talking about the general state of affairs and how “nothing was going to be the same.” As a child of… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “Nothing (Isn’t Nothing)”

For my birthday a few years ago I tried to write Cynthia a song to celebrate the day and honor an old Kiowa tribal tradition where the birthday person gifts special people instead of the other way around.  I was bound and determined to write a simple song but of course that just isn’t how… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “A Simple Love Song”

Wolfwood is a registered rescue site for wolf and wolf mixes in Ignacio Colorado.  They are run by volunteers committed to the survival of wolves that can’t be returned to the wild and are completely funded by private donations.  Jaqui Jacobs is a dear friend and one of the committed volunteers and has recruited Gypsyfire… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “Wolf Song”

One of the great pleasures in my life is the opportunity to collaborate with friends in creating songs and performances.  One of the those special people in my life is Nikki Combs.  She got me my first paying gig back in 1994, was there when I met my partner in crime and life Cynthia Whiddon… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “Two Roses”

In 1877 in Aberdeen Scotland the keel was laid on a 3 masted sailing Barque and she was christened, Elissa.  She is the oldest sailing vessel still in service.  She now calls Galveston pier 21 as home.  She had called in Galveston during her years hauling freight around the world but had eventually been converted… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “The Voyage”

The Monday night open mic at the Mucky Duck was a regular hang out for a great group of singer/songwriters.  It was a place to try out new material, as well as give and receive encouragement.  I had been a regular there since shortly after I began writing my own songs.  I was bound and… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “The Troubadour”

Just for the record I’m 73 as of the writing of this post and I feel better than I did at 30 but that’s another story for another day. Some time back I had been reminiscing, as we mature songwriters are known to do, about coming from a generation that was not into disposable. Harkening… Continue reading Story Behind the Song – “Mirrors”

Cynthia and I were on the back porch and our discussion of current affairs, politics and human nature had us pretty bummed out. We decided that what we needed to do was to make a list of positive things that were just as certain as death and taxes but were positive. What we came up… Continue reading The Story Behind the Song – “The Moments Choice (Grandpa’s Pocket Watch)”