Story Behind the Song - Giving Voice to Recovery

Story Behind the Song - Clean

This was an unusual song for me. Not in the content, but in the process.

I write most of my songs in fits and starts over a period of weeks, sometimes months and occasionally years. I usually get a big chunk of the song in one burst of inspiration and then the crafting of the rest of the song is work. I just keep playing with it, trying different images and melodies and rhyme patterns until I get more of it.

I write primarily from the guitar working from chords, so I can easily move the melody around until I get it just right. I play with the key, the structure, the rhythm endlessly, but none of this was the case with Clean.

It was October 13, 2011. I know this because it was the day I was celebrating Twenty-Five years of continuous sobriety. I sat down at the piano and from simple chords the melody and lyric in it's entirety came through me in one piece, minus the six lines from the bridge. That came a few weeks later.

I love all of my songs, they are like children in that they come through me and then go on to have a life of their own in the world. This was an easy birth! I hope you find it meaningful.

Enjoy,

A special thank you to my producer Rick Barretta for capturing the essence of this song in this recording. A special thank you to Derek Jones for the beautiful guitar work! For more about this song and others Click Here

Story Behind the Song - When Grace Rains

For the longest time I wondered, “why do some people find and accept recovery, and some do not?” Unfortunately, too many, do not. I often asked myself why? One day I ask this question out loud after learning that someone “slipped”, someone I thought was going to “make it”– I felt sad.

A wise woman I’d long admired heard me and said, “Grace rains on all of us, some of us just can’t receive it.” Wow! I realized in that moment the truth of what she was saying.

If I am busy bemoaning, complaining, and blaming, I won’t recognize the “gifts”. If I believe I am being punished because I am unworthy of love, compassion, and healing then I won’t accept the grace, the "gifts", the help, and I won’t be able to accept good things into my life.

From that day on I understood the importance of gratitude and self-compassion as well as compassion for others as a part of recovery. When we hold space for those struggling and we set the example of gratitude and self-worth we invite others to do the same.

Compassion, gratitude, and "meeting people where they are" provides an environment where Grace can be recognized and accepted.

It’s easy to find things to complain about, but that is not where Grace lives.

It takes soil, rain and fertilizer to make a garden grow, and growth is what I need to love my life.

Enjoy,

A special thank you to my producer Rick Barretta for his contributions to this song and for capturing the essence of this song in this recording. A special thank you to Derek Jones for his contributions to this song and to Rob Tracey for his amazing guitar work! For more about my music Click Here

Story Behind the Song - Thank You

From addiction to recovery - One of the most inspiring things I've been witness to in my life is the dramatic changes people go through when they come into 12 step rooms and recover from their addictions.

The transformations we witness in ourselves and each other is nothing short of a miracle. From feeling “broke and broken” and often bankrupt in every area of life we find the hope and healing that helps us creative productive and fulfilling lives. We rebuild our lives one day at a time, slowly but surely with the love and acceptance found in 12 step rooms around the world. People can and do recover, I am blessed to be one of them.

This song is about the environment that makes this transformation possible. It’s the nonjudgmental, altruistic love and acceptance, encouragement, and guidance to make that 180 degree turn possible. It is antithesis of shame. It is this “powerful spiritual medicine” that helps us heal from the deep and destructive “soul sickness of active addiction”.

I wrote this song about my personal recovery community and all the beautiful people I've met along the way. It’s for the many people in the many rooms that I've been privileged to meet. And it’s for those who are still struggling to find the courage to surrender and ask for help, this song is for you. I hope to meet you soon. Thank you.

Enjoy,