The High Way: This song was initially inspired by the concept of one of my favorite movies, The Dead Zone. I had the first verse and chorus written in 1993 and hit a roadblock (no pun intended) until I started writing for my demo, early in 2000. When I focused on this song again, it took on a second life (again, no pun intended). I referred to an experience that is unfortunately very common in my life. I have a horrible tendency to doze off while I am driving. Often, I use a tactic in an attempt to keep myself awake: I visualize crashing, the physical pain and spiritual after-effects as described in the song.  This song also touches on what I have learned of other folks’ impressions of heaven.   They say that Heaven has anything and everything your heart desires … but then I say, yes, heaven may have all you have ever wished for, except for the comfort of the people who are still living.

I would like to dedicate this song to Dale Earnhardt, whose unrelenting drive and enigmatic charisma has impacted my life so greatly.

Radio Love Song: Well, this song inspired the entire creation of FOCUS. It was the first actual, complete song I have ever written. And yes, it is, of course, about a gal. My emotional state of mind moved me to finally learn how to use my sequencer, the Korg X-3 workstation. This song's concept deals with those mushy times when your are really in 'like' with someone and all of those corny love songs on the radio seem to relate directly to you. It is as if they were written just for you and your relationship. And then, when and if it goes sour, how all of those heart-wrenching, tear-jerker tunes unfortunately tell your tale again. It sucks, but it is true.

What an inspirational experience, the birth of my first song.

Behaviorals: Conceptually, this song was created over five years ago. Lyrically, I wrote the chorus at that time as well, but the verses came along much later. They did not come to fruition until I started working in education, dealing with some 'at risk' students. The question in my mind was what has made some people, young people, so oppositional. Is this a trait with which they are born or is it something learned. This common question and debate relates to many other areas in our lives as well.

Musically speaking, my initial creation of this tune was supposed to be an exercise in learning how to use my sequencer. After a while, I decided to go the distance, digitally. I wrote the entire piece on the Korg X-3 - including the drums!! I know, I know, please don't be angry. I have live drums on just about every other moment of the cd - except here. I am happy to report that I programmed this drum part exactly how I would have played it. I attempted to produce electronically, the feel, emotion and actual drum fills I would have played live. To my surprise, programming the entire drum part was a total blast! This song was also a departure for me as a freshman songwriter, exploring the limitless possibilities of composing. I wanted to build a human percussive solo feel as part of the break-down which would then lead into a rather explosive climax. So much fun! (There is a deep personal inspiration behind the climactic build. Perhaps some day I'll tell you).

Miss Taken: "So, we've been pretty friendly for a couple of months now and I think we have a great time together. So how about we, ya know, go out sometime. What … you're married? That's a wedding band. No. I just thought it was a cool looking ring - it doesn't look like a wedding band at all - and no engagement ring. You've never mentioned your husband once! Well, yeah, that's what I said, we have a great time together. … Well, see ya 'round." I turned, got in my car, left the small town in upstate New York, and drove home. Damn.

Sleep, My Baby (Brianna's Lullaby): I knew I had a baby-song brewing somewhere within me but I was unsure where it was. I have felt my emotions swirling around for some time. Just about everyone I knew had been pumping out pups, with even more on the way. From my nephews and niece to my closest friends' children, I have been profoundly moved by these perfect little human beings. But one night out on Dan and Kristin's boat, their daughter, Brianna, would not go to sleep. She usually drops off rather quickly, but for some reason, this night, it would nothappen. I was fascinated with wanting to know what was her obstacle. She definitely had a specific reason. The melody for the chorus hit me as I watched her toddle around the boat. For fear of losing the structure of these pleasant little musical notes, I grabbed my cell phone and sang into my answering machine at home. The song was initially called Brianna's Lullaby, but as the concept thickened, I took a more global approach to the lyrics and the message to include all perfect little beings.

Chivalry Lives: It seems all too often that people are in such a hurry and old-fashioned courtesy and common respect for others is lost. This disheartening feeling occurs when we experience a failure in an act as simple and as common as holding the door for someone at a local store. I sometimes find myself as guilty as anyone else, always being in a rush, but I want to make a conscious effort to improve. So when I hold the door for a young lass, an older gentleman, or anyone, I simply bow in response to their inquisitive eye-contact, and proudly state the obvious ...

Try: There can be a million reasons why you are with someone, but only one reason not to stay. I believe it is not possible to fabricate real love.

*Drummer Boy: For me, this song was more than moving in the musical sense. It was a spiritual experience as well. Of course, I did not write this one but I did take some melodic liberty in creating my own version. Eight????? years ago, my sister, Rosemarie, with her own hands, created Christmas gifts for our family. She painted wonderful pictures for each of us. I was deeply moved by this type of personalized gift. The next year, still holding on to that emotion and not holding any money, I decided to create gifts for my family as well. I recorded an album of Christmas carols. It was not very difficult as I purchased karaoke music and recorded the vocals in my good friend Todd's home studio. After recording these tunes, I felt that this collection was still somewhat impersonal. It needed a more unique touch. I had always wanted to compose a version of The Little Drummer Boy consisting of only percussion and vocals, and now the time and feeling was right. I arranged the initial Bolero type feel, digitally, on my Roland R-8 Human Drum Composer (I love this machine), then played a live drum track on my open snare drum. I then added my vocals. It was truly a magical experience then, and after performing it many times, still holds a special place close to the heart.

I want the concept of this song to go beyond that of the immediate religious connection. *Drummer Boy is simply a song about a boy who wanted to give but did not have the money to do so. He found a way to share his wealth in another way - a more meaningful and rewarding way.

With each passing year, I relive this fulfilling emotion. What more can I ever want.