I grew up on a small farm in Nebraska and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from high school. This career took me from Texas, to Alaska, to California, and even Viet Nam. Living mostly in metropolitan areas was a sharp contrast to the simple, but often hard times on the farm as a child in the 1940's. Although I would not want to go back to those times, it makes me appreciate what I have now. As I grow older, I choose to reflect on the happy memories on the farm which are more meaningful to me. Even though we were poor in the material things, we were rich in experiences.
Reliving the good times are like threads weaving in and out through the lyrics of my songs. This home spun originality reveals itself in a style all my own, with various themes including down-home Country, Patriotic, and Gospel. One of the songs about my childhood portrays emotions I know I'll have if I see the home I was born in dozed down. Another, a Gospel song, celebrates the end of a traumatic period in my adult life. Yet another is in response to the September 11th tragedy, which I compare to December 7th (see comment on right). Another encompasses the unique experiences of being a "Snowbird" in Arizona, now that I've retired, where my wife Betty and I entertain in the "Snowbird Communities" near Phoenix.
Betty also grew up on a small farm in Nebreaska in the 1940's having had similar yet differing experiences. She has been a partner/co-author in several of the songs, fine-tuning the lyrics and music so the song conveys the message and the mood I desire. |
