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The Christmas Trigger
For a lot of people, this season is not the jolly one that it is supposed to be. Songs and movies that give comfort and joy to many, pull a decidedly nasty trigger for others. It is no coincidence that suicide rates rise during the holidays. The days are as short as they get… Read more
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Bloggiversary and break
Five years ago today I started this blog as a new artistic project after I quit my band of 30 years. In the days since I started Words & Music I wrote a novel, became a poet, and composed most of my favorite original songs. I have posted about 650 poems, stories, songs, reviews, and… Read more
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I Love You So Bad It Hurts (LIVE)
The second song I played at an open mic recently is one of my favorite originals of the past few years. Musically, it’s a simple progression that’s made a little fresher by putting a capo on the 10th fret so that the guitar almost sounds like a mandolin. Lyrically, each verse repeats the first line… Read more
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The silence that Tuesday night brings
I I went to the place where blisters were blooming on fingers that felt pride in putting them there. A woman named Mary provided a fishbowl, a backdrop for dreamers, and pint after pint. There were masters of melody, rakers of rhythm, and teller of tales about freight trains and fears. It’s easier to listen… Read more
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Giving Thanks
Thank you for trusting me with your secrets I will do what it takes to make sure they’re kept safe Thank you for listening to my stories And for knowing which ones were for you alone Thank you for helping me guide my strength And overcome my weakness Thank you for letting me into those… Read more
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I’m Not Afraid (LIVE)
I Fear is the challenge to overcome or to succumb and either way your work’s not done Once you think you’ve got it licked you’ve only learned half of the trick Just because you lose, or win, doesn’t mean a goddamn thing the next time that the fear begins II They say the fear of… Read more
Words & Music 