Shooting Star

Rough draft again... It needs more "space" symbolism I think.

Shooting Star

Verse 1:
If men are like Mars, and women like Venus
There are 70 million miles in between us…
But I’d like to close the gap one step at a time
Keep walking towards me, one day you’ll be mine

Pre-Chorus:
But this universe is so big
That I’m feeling pretty small
If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl…

Chorus:
Tell me, everything’s gonna be
Ok, that’s all I really need
Because I am a shooting star
Headed straight for where you are
This galaxy…
Can’t keep you from me

Verse 2:
I am revolving round
The same Sun that’s shining down, on you…
And I pray that someday
That your stars will align with mine too

Pre-Chorus
But this universe is so big
That I’m feeling pretty small
If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl…

Chorus;
Tell me, everything’s gonna be
Ok, that’s all I really need
Because I am a shooting star
Headed straight for where you are
This galaxy…
Can’t keep you from me

Bridge:
I breakdown, done walking
I’m running, headed straight for you
Please turn around, to the path I’ve found
Our atmosphere is turning blue

Chorus:
Tell me, everything’s gonna be
Ok, that’s all I really need
Because I am a shooting star
Headed straight for where you are
This galaxy…
Can’t keep you from me

In My Mind

In My Mind

Verse 1:
On the outside I look strong
But on the inside I’ve lost control
I feel like I’m living underwater, holding my breath
And I’ll never understand the things you don’t regret

Chorus:
Well this is me, finally
Breaking down, hope you see
All the pain I can’t believe
Turn around and set me free
I wish I could go back in time
In my mind

Blood on my hands
A knife in my back
Red sky at night
Has faded to black
I can only go back in time
In my mind

Verse 2:
Your pretty little eyes covered your cold and twisted heart
I wish I would have seen right pass your mask from the start
Next time save someone some time
And walk away before he is blind

Chorus:
Well this is me, finally
Breaking down, hope you see
All the pain I can’t believe
Turn around set me free
I wish I could go back in time
In my mind

Blood on my hands
A knife in my back
Red sky at night
Has faded to black
I can only go back in time
In my mind

Bridge:
When the storm came rolling in
The waves came crashing down
I never thought it would be this way

I was too busy listening
To your lies, and eyes glistening
To hear what my heart had to say

Chorus:
Well this is me, finally
Breaking down, hope you see
All the pain I can’t believe
Turn around set me free
I wish I could go back in time
In my mind

Blood on my hands
A knife in my back
Red sky at night
Has faded to black
I can only go back in time
In my mind

The Vampire

Here is one from the binder I found today. This was written by myself and my good friend Brad Jordan. Not a song really, more of a poem.


The Vampire

Here he comes down the hall
Silently creeping against the wall
His body is slender and tall
Silently creeping down the hall

Slowly he walks toward your bed
Wondering what dreams run through your head
Thirsty is this lover of dead
Sleep tight dear child, it’s all in your head

You hear a tapping at the door
Could it be the wind and nothing more?
Then you see the shadow on the floor
You do not think it is the wind anymore

As the tapping gets louder, your heart starts to pound
You lay in your bed, not making a sound
You stare silently at his shadow on the ground
Your time has come, it is you he has found

The door opens, and he steps inside
You still lay quietly, with your eyes open wide
Your body is frozen, you couldn’t move if you tried
It is too late now, you have nowhere to hide

He searches your neck, looking for the vein
His bite is quick, you do not strain
His eyes fill with wonder as your blood drains
Your body falls limp, you feel no pain

He smiles happily when he is done
His thirst is quenched, he’s had his fun
But now he and you have become one
Your life as a vampire has now begun

Here you come down the hall,
Silently creeping against the wall
Your body is slender and tall
Silently creeping down my hall

A Great Find

I helped my brother Kyle move today. We went to our family's storage unit and got some of his things out of there. While in there, I found a box of mine, and it had a binder in it. Not just any binder. This was the "Lineage" binder.

Lineage was the first band I ever played in. It consisted of myself, Wil Anderson, Daniel Taylor, and Brad Jordan. Four friends that went off to college together and started a band. We wrote our own songs and even recorded a few. I still have a lot of those original recordings. But, back to the binder. We had a 3-ring binder where we kept all of songs the we had written. Some of the songs we completed, others were works in progress. I looked through the binder tonight to find the original hand-written copies of most of our songs. There are other songs in there that I don't remember writing. Some are typed up, and others are just a chorus jotted down on a scrap sheet of paper.

I think I'll post a few of the songs on here. Finding this binder was really cool. I have been writing a lot of songs lately, and reading some of these songs that we wrote nine years ago really takes me back.

All About Me

Rough draft of a new one...

Verse 1:
I don’t know where I’m going
Only know where I’ve been
Looking for a new path
That won’t lead to you again

I’m broken down and empty
Torn apart inside
Darkness overcomes me
I fight the urge to hide

Pre-Chorus:
But today is a new day
It’s time for me to change
I won’t hesitate
You’ve made me who I am

Chorus:
I’m moving on, the time has come
Gotta move on from where I’m from
And you better believe
This is all about me
I finally see what I need to see
Can finally be who I want to be
And you better believe
This all about me
All about me

Verse 2:
Time to take a new course
A road less traveled down
Gonna hitch my ride to a new horse
Gonna get out of this town

Finally less empty
Heart filled with love
Don’t have to walk so gently
It’s time to rise above

Pre-Chorus:
Today is a new day
It’s time for me to change
I won’t hesitate
You’ve made me who I am

Chorus:
I’m moving on, the time has come
Gotta move on from where I’m from
And you better believe
This is all about me
I finally see what I need to see
Can finally be who I want to be
And you better believe
This all about me
All about me

You Make a Man Wanna Love Again

Kind of a redneck country song here... Sounds pretty cool

Chorus:
You make a man wanna love again
You got something I don’t understand
Come on baby take me by the hand
Cuz you make a man wanna love again

Verse 1:
I don’t need no first date
Let’s skip to the wedding cake
Girl you know this is gonna be great
You make a man wanna love again

Chorus:
You make a man wanna love again
You got something I don’t understand
Come on baby take me by the hand
Cuz you make a man wanna love again

Verse 2:
I’ve been cheated on and ripped apart
Had more than one woman break my heart
But your smile is off the charts
You make a man wanna love again

Chorus:
You make a man wanna love again
You got something I don’t understand
Come on baby take me by the hand
Cuz you make a man wanna love again

Verse 3:
I don’t care what your daddy said
He could pump me full of lead
I’d still love you till my face is red
You make a man wanna love again

Chorus:
You make a man wanna love again
You got something I don’t understand
Come on baby take me by the hand
Cuz you make a man wanna love again

I'm Right Here

I’m Right Here

Verse 1:
Tell me little girl what did your daddy do?
Was it his words or did he lay a hand on you?
Hush now little baby, don’t you cry
I’m right here by your side

Tell me baby girl are you strong enough
I know your life has been kinda rough
But I know you can make it on through
Cuz I’m right here with you

Chorus:
I’m right here, there’s nothing to fear
I know you can carry on
I’m by your side, wiping the tears from your eyes
Don’t wait for a moment that never comes
Scars never heal, but I’m right here

Verse 2:
Tell me little boy what did your momma do?
Did she deny any love to you?
Quiet now, there’s no reason to cry
I’m right here by your side

I know this world can be kind of tough
Going through the motions not knowing love
But I know you can make it on through
Cuz I’m right here with you

Chorus:
I’m right here, there’s nothing to fear
I know you can carry on
I’m by your side, wiping the tears from your eyes
Don’t wait for a moment that never comes
Scars never heal, but I’m right here

Bridge:
I’ll be here when you need me
I’ll be here when you don’t
I hope that you can see
You’ll never be alone

Chorus:
I’m right here, there’s nothing to fear
I know you can carry on
I’m by your side, wiping the tears from your eyes
Don’t wait for a moment that never comes
Scars never heal, but I’m right here

BrokenRail

So I’ve recently joined a new band called BrokenRail. The guys are all living in Auburn currently and we play “rock” music. I’d say the sound is similar to bands like: Nickelback, Alter Bridge, Creed, Theory of a Deadman…etc. The primary focus of the band is to write and record original songs and eventually get signed to a major record label. We have a 7 song “EP” out currently entitled “Welcome to the Escape.” You can find it on iTunes and other music download sites.

Although I have been primarily a guitarist over the last 10 years, I’m playing bass guitar for BrokenRail. I have enjoyed playing bass for a change of pace. I find that it is easier to relax on stage and enjoy the music. With bass I don’t really have to concentrate as hard, because it is easier to play. I have found that I am a pretty good bass player… maybe even better than I am at guitar.

Blake Clawson is the lead vocalist of the band, and Jacob Fine is the lead guitarist. Both are very talented. I thought I was a pretty good rock guitarist until I heard Jacob for the first time! The man can really get after it on lead guitar. Blake plays rhythm and sings, and he is very good with making connections and dealing with the business aspect of the band. We are currently seeking a full time drummer that matches our level of abilities.

Currently we are playing some shows here and there while we work on writing our first full album. We have been accepted by the award-winning producer Elvis Baskette to do our first album. Elvis has produced albums for many of the major rock bands. He is credited with the success of bands like: Chevelle, Incubus, Story of the Year, Three Days Grace, Eve 6, and just finished the new Alter Bridge album. He doesn’t usually agree to record unsigned bands, but he has agreed to record and produce our first full album. The only hang up is the money. Elvis requires about $50k for his time and efforts. So we are kind of in a holding period until we can either find a private investor or get a record company to back the album. Roadrunner Records has expressed interest in either signing us or backing the album with what is called a 360 deal. Only time will tell if we can make this happen or not. If we can get an album done with Elvis, we will be well on our way to a full time career in my opinion. Everything he touches turns to gold. While there are many bands out there that never “make it,” we at least have some open doors for an opportunity. Even if it isn’t meant to be, I have enjoyed the journey thus far.

If you want to help us out, you can go to http://signmeto.roadrunnerrecords.com and register to be a “scout.” Then you can find us on there and give our songs good ratings. This is a site that RoadRunner uses to find unsigned talent. We are currently sitting at #8 on their All Time Charts, and have been as high as #2. Also, if you have and extra $50k laying around that would work as well =)

While I have enjoyed playing with BrokenRail, I still play guitar with Josh for a few shows a month, and I play for the church youth group each Wednesday night. I also have been on a song-writing tear as of late, which has brought me great joy. I am happy with the mixture of types of music in my life right now. With BrokenRail I get the loud rock, with Josh, we play acoustics and play familiar cover tunes, and with the church band, I get to do my best “Edge” impression and play that famous U2 sound (which is my forte when it comes to playing lead guitar). With my song writing, I get to express myself, and my thoughts however it comes to me. I have been writing some songs that are country style, some that are rock, and others that more of a light rock/pop style. Whatever the mood strikes I guess.

While the hours are long, and all this playing can wear on me (my sleep schedule is all jacked up), I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It has been difficult to be on the go so much while holding down a full time job. But, so far I have managed it pretty well in my opinion. My wish is that I could do the band thing full time one day, and not have to worry with a “real job.” You know, “money for nothing, and the chicks for free.”

Nevertheless, my hopes are not set too high. I am in fact a realist (some would say a pessimist). “Making it” with a band is like winning the lottery. There are thousands of other bands out there that are just as good and many are probably better. Like anything, it is all about who you know and the connections you can make. Luckily, we have made some of those important connections already, but we shall see if anything comes of it.

Down

Before you start to call me and/or pray for me, this is not a song I wrote about me... This is based on the T.V. character "Dexter." If you've seen the show you'd understand it. If you haven't seen the show, you should check it out.


Down

Verse 1:
This mask hides the monster
Living inside of me
My eyes hide the darkness
I hope you can’t see

A wolf in sheep’s clothing
I hide in plain sight
But I’m not hiding anymore
I’m going down without a fight

Chorus:
I’m going down, a little a time
I’m going down, it’s no crime
There’s no stopping me now
I’m going down, down, down, down, down

Verse 2:
Underneath this shell
There’s a better part of me
Looking past the darkness
There’s a dim light I see

I can turn this around
Or I can give in right now
There’s no point in fighting
I’ve already made my vow

Chorus:
I’m going down, a little a time
I’m going down, it’s no crime
There’s no stopping me now
I’m going down, down, down, down, down

Bridge:
Don’t get too close
Stay out of my way
You can’t stop me now
My dark passenger awaits

Chorus:
I’m going down, a little a time
I’m going down, it’s no crime
There’s no stopping me now
I’m going down, down, down, down, down

All I Need

I love this new song. Very minor chords and mellow... reminds me of Beck's music. It is about how we can sometimes feel hopeless and lost, and we just need a little help to get by.

All I Need

Verse 1:
Gentle breeze, sail me away
My ship’s at sea, no reason to stay

Wasting time, sleepless night
Born to love, but live to fight

Chorus:
My ship sails on an empty sea
Just your breath, the wind I need
The waves crash down, the raging sea
Your breath of hope, all I need

Verse 2:
Without a sail, I drift away
On a giant ocean, so cold and grey

Lost at sea, no end in sight
All I need, is a guiding light

Chorus:
My ship sails on an empty sea
Just your breath, the wind I need
The waves crash down, the raging sea
Your breath of hope, all I need

Bridge:
All I need, is a light to guide me
Someone to find me
All I need, some wind behind me
Someone to find me

Chorus:
My ship sails on an empty sea
Just your breath, the wind I need
The waves crash down, the raging sea
Your breath of hope, all I need