My first paying project as a composer was for a corporate video. I wasn't really prepared when the opportunity came along and went out and bought a keyboard, a mixer and a MIDI program so I could record on my Mac SE. It was definitely a "earn while you learn" situation and after a couple of all-nighters I was able to record a simple track. I did a ZZ Top style blues rock song to accompany a Silicon Valley company rally that used a vintage Cadillac as a prop, and it was a success. I was on my way.
Over the next decade I produced tracks for other videos, including Silicon Graphics, Hewlett Packard, Visa, Apple and others as well as starting to record some songs of my own. With each project I expanded my capabilities and equipment until I had a commercial recording studio. In Nashville I used the equipment to record my song demos in a home studio. At first I didn't seek out projects with others but eventually I started working with friends and over time built up a clientele, including other songwriters, did some tracks for cable tv and a couple of projects with the local PBS station that earned regional EMMY nominations.
My time in Nashville was rewarding, even though I didn't place any songs with established acts, which was my main goal professionally. I'm glad I went if only so I could be sure I tried my best to break into what is arguably one of the hardest aspects of the music business: songwriting. It's a small group who can consistently make a living at it and there are many obstacles that must be overcome to achieve success. As I learned about the business I became better and found my voice, something I'm not sure would have happened had I stayed in California. Now on the West Coast I'm coming back to playing and performing again after a long, long break, as well as making some new music.
The latest project is "Loveland" which was just released. Here's the Spotify link:
My discography consists of three other albums of original songs:
"homemade" (2000) is an EP with 6 songs that are commercial country song demos for other artists. These tracks are the first ones I recorded that feature pedal steel guitar which opened up a whole new world for my sound. These are some of the first songs I felt expressed a personal style with an ear for what I heard on the radio.
"Limited Edition"(2013) is a six song EP, each having a special meaning as representing milestones in my songwriting development, in particular "Baby Don't Cry". It came from direct experience, written in the moment and resonates deeply for me.
It's available on Spotify and is also the last record that I put out on CD, with a few in a "limited edition" metal case.
"Home for Good" (2016) has 10 songs that fall solidly into the Americana genre. They all explore themes that look at our culture from a personal point of view and is somewhat confessional and opinionated. It's on Spotify and other
platforms as well.
So those are the "official" releases. I've done three other records that weren't put out formally. Some of those songs made it onto later albums, and some are still "in progress". In addition I have others that are reserved for pitching to country artists. They follow the radio format and don't quite reflect my personal style, though I do play them live sometimes just to showcase that side of my writing. It's a real challenge to write in the commercial radio format, and the competition is inspiring.
