I bought my first twelve string when I was 16 My biggest regret is that I didn't start playing out recording Writing songs sooner.

It's only been going on Now for maybe 5 or 6 years, because life got in the way You got to get a job, as some people say A real job.

They don't understand That music is a real job If it wasn't a real job you wouldn't have it.

I actually think it is more difficult Because you've already covered of genres, a lot familiar Chords changes and all of the sudden Using the same keys over, G,D, or C, and all of the sudden you're trying to break those patterns Because it real easy to fall back into those patterns, but then everything Starts sounding the same, so the trick is to say What can I do to change it up so it is different than anything I've ever written And now you're at a whole different place, and that's so challenging, but that's what you have to do To break ground.

Some gigs Are more exciting than others, like a 3 hour bar gig it's not the most exciting Creative thing, but if it is good energy in the bar The patrons are having a good time, then that lifts me up But if I have something more intimate and kind of speaks to me That is a very exciting boost of creativity And I guess appreciation of the music I write for my Myself.

I've been singing most of my life Like my Uncle Deano.

He sang lead in the First church that we went to.

He passed away When I was a kid, ok...well...I would see him sing the lead It was just like it was natural For me it has always been an angle just like watching over me And so, it's like I think his voice is there inside of me Because of the pain of losing him and the Losses that we have naturally in life.

I would rather go into The studio and know that we are paying money We got like a couple hours today to do something and then You can kind of get the blood flowing and kind of do that first take and it's like Just keep it...it was kind of rough, but it was kind of cool I kind of like that as a musician and as a songwriter rather than the I have to be this tech genius, because I don't want to do that Even with drum machines, I just got a little Korg And you could just turn it on and it's kind of like the old one I had in the 80's If you just turn it on and let it go and use the pedal Because I didn't want to sit there and be programming and setting up the kit I just didn't want to do it.

I just wanted sing and perform.

If people would go out and listen to people, you're going to find some very good Ones and not so good ones.

You got to find the people that are struggling To get better and then you got to find the ones who are sitting on Top and they rest on their laurels.

I think everybody Who plays and sings can always get better.

Self included, and we do that by Rehearsing and going out and performing in front people.

MUSIC: Time, what have you done for me now Oh, time, what Have you taken from me now You stole the spring from a step and now I just shuffle Can't see my feet or get my belt buckled on time I don't appreciate that Oh time, what have you done To me lately Oh time, what have you done to me lately The wrinkles on my face Among other places, they could fill in fat my wide open spaces, oh time I don't appreciate that I worked in a medical office for 30 years and this one gentlemen Came in, coming in with a walker He wasn't doing well, I said 'how you doin'?

He says, not worth a crap.

I said, oh bad day?

He says, you cannot imagine.

I said, what happened?

He said, my family just put me in a home I said, really?

He says, yeah.

My knees are messed up, I can't walk, and my back is in terrible shape I can't see.

Just the age is catching with me.

Then he said something I will never forget, he says, "this getting old stuff ain't for sissies."

Think about all of the stuff as you get older, it kind of follows suit That's what happens.

Your body starts to wear down And I thought, I'm going to do this, but I am not going to make it dead serious Because, it's too funny too.

This getting old stuff Just ain't for sissies.

So I tried to put a little humor in there To kind of lighten the load of that aging process I believe you have to be regimented, and as a writer once Said I read online 'your waste basket is your best friend' And if you find something that's worthwhile keeping, you know it, just know it On to something, so you have to savor that and embrace it MUSIC: If I had to choose a favorite month It would have to be May Cause that's when I pick flowers for you Most everyday.

A stroll through the park on a Sunday in June I smile every step of the way We all see happens when love is in bloom We reach for the stars from where we are They're not too far, so count me all in Count me all in Your tender heart, I hold in my hand A gift from above You have a way as only you can speak The language of love I know Pinnochio, he was made out of wood But he was just a marionette The way we're put together is how God only could Reveal himself to someone else like Me and you, so count me all in I have a lot times where a guitar will come up to me and he'll ask me questions They work so much they don't have time to practice or to play or get better Here's what I always tell them, no matter what level you're at Find enjoyment in it and if it's five minutes In your day, then enjoy that minutes And if you have 30 minutes, and I know it's a struggle sometimes getting to the next level We've all been there, I've been there, we all start from zero I try to say, try to break through the wall and get a little bit better And do it that way.

MUSIC: We all need someone to love So come on everybody, won't you give love a chance, oh we can do Better than that.

I see too many people who just sit on the fence, and maybe one day We can love there way, they'll stand up and say Count me all in Count me all in Count me all in We all need, someone to love That song is just about, you're out having a good out walking Kind of what the title says, whatever is happening, count me in to the process Of living this day Whatever you're doing...just finding enjoyment In your life.

I'm a part of it, count me all in.

We released a cd on a Milwaukee label Of a group I had in the 80's, so we just released A retro cd, which has been kind of fun, so I am learning BandCamp and all of this other stuff that I should know how works So that's been an interesting process, so I would like to keep playing live, keep writing Then I would like to do some recording As myself.

New experiences give me something new To think about, cause it's weird Especially after the Mile of Music...I'm friends with people That are in Rolling Stone magazine now because of this festival Some of them are like...my buddy Is going to be opening later this year I think for 2-3 shows We connected over a similar background.

When you leave the place you are always in, Then you are going to have some sort of creative spark, and hopefully emotional Spark too, right?

You're so good to me MUSIC: and I think you know it to, you got to Make little games just to see what you will do.

Been thinking about myself and I think I know what to do Much, I'm back Tell me now, what am I to do I just can't admit I just can't admit You're the best at everything And you've got it all.

You can look so big, and I feel so small I've been feeling mighty down and its getting pretty deep You say you should really rest and try to get a little sleep Tell me now what am I to do?

I just admit I'm not the better one compared to you.

Can't say that we are the same, because that would be lying And I'm lying to myself to much, got the time, can't say No it's right, no it's not enough, who the hell cares if You don't sweat the small stuff, tell me now what I to Do, I just can't admit some I'm not the better one compared to you Better is more of a Blues Feeling song.

It was about When I was in relationship with just a wonderful guy But then I felt lesser than in comparison They were just a very charismatic, big person Felt like I really couldn't compare MUSIC: I just can't admit I'm not the better one compared to you.

Oh, compared to you A song I am finishing now, I started writing probably 15 minutes years ago And I just didn't know to go with it.

You have a verse and a chorus, and now All of the sudden, I am going to finish this, and I'm close to finishing it.

I've learned how all the different Variations of how a producer just does their thing, or The different sounds that you start to get used to Someone mixing or mastering, or whatever they're doing And its just like, such an other art form That I can on Spotify and be like 'hey' This is the idea that I have, this is what I'm hearing, But if it's not what you're hearing, then you go with that You're like...never mind, I really do enjoy what you just did there.

They say it's all the rage the now To cry I felt just like A foolish child Thinking of a day out messing around and stop and care Let us talk about me I still have my own They come and go Know what I mean, know what I need.

Know what i Mean, know what I mean Know, oooh I would confused about Because I It's something that's almost indescribable.

It just kind of happens A painter on a canvas will all of the sudden through paint on And go from there.

Songs kind of come from the same place.

You're not really sure.

It's actually kind of magical A lot of times, I will wake up in the middle of the night And I have lyrics running through my head If I don't get up and write them down, they're gone.

When this started happening on a regular my wife would get up I'd wake up 2:30-3 in the morning, and go the kitchen Turn on the lights, sit down at the table with a pad and start writing She would come out 'what are you doing?'

About that time, the train of thought is broken, so now I gotta Put it all back on the tracks and start moving again, and a lot of times it's not In the same direction, but it's in the same track But, it's you've reached that junction where the train Tracks separate, where occasionally the song will go in one way When I intended it to another way.

A lot of people don't understand artists outside of artists because They don't understand the behind scenes stuff a lot.

MUSIC: sitting on park bench Wishing I could reconnect, riding on the Night train, wishing I could get away Sitting the light screen losing my Identity, implant Feel like there is no turning back, but I'm not A machine.

I've got dreams I bought a lifevest Hope its not an albatross She works the night shift, scanners can see through her dress Smart car, smart phone, answer for You on their own.

Lights flash overhead Who's the android in your bed, but I'm not a Machine.

I've got dreams To dream.

I'm not a machine, more of a futuristic apocalyptic And that was a song where I had a lyric But I wanted it more like future images Of androids and this stuff Implants and human beings and that stuff That I'm not a machine, then have a durge Then with the chorus, you hit that one note that comes up a little bit It's kind of the humanity rising above the machines So when I was done with that, it's kind of like a Gary Neuman with Roy Orbison in the background or something Sitting on park bench Wishing I could reconnect.

Riding on the night train Wishing I could get away Sitting by the light screen, losing my identity Enhance, implants, Feeling there's no turning back, but I'm not A machine I've got dreams To dream.