The Songs
On the Songwriting Process
The process of songwriting is on a case by case basis. Some songs take 45 minutes to write, some songs take a couple of years or more from start to finish, from vague idea, writing a title and going from there, new beginnings to a premier demo. Writing for me in any form started as a creative outlet, expressing one’s emotion in various form. In the early 90’s when I started playing guitar, songwriting sort of subconsciously came along with that process and evolves over time — but you have to dedicate the same time and effort with songwriting as on a musical instrument to be proficient. In the world of guitar and songwriting, there are all levels of talent and musical ability but for me it’s a mix of growing up listening to gospel, southern rock, blues and pop music in the 80’s and 90’s.
Click on one of the title links below to jump to a specific song:
Storms of Life
Dance in Heaven
“Dance In Heaven” is a heartfelt tribute to my grandparents, Janet and Morris Carruth, and came to life through a collaboration with Nashville pro writer Marc Alan Barnette. After phone consultations and song critiques from Marc, I traveled to Nashville where we co-wrote the song in the morning of May 11th, 2021. Later that day, I headed to Franklin, TN to jam with other musicians late into the night at Kimbrough’s Pickin’ Parlor downtown.
We recorded “Dance In Heaven” at Beaird Music Group in November 2021. The song went on to win 1st prize in the Gospel/Inspirational category and 2nd prize overall in the 2022 USA Songwriting Competition, marking a significant accomplishment for me. Working with Marc Alan Barnette, a veteran songwriter with six Major Label songs to his credit, was an unforgettable experience.
Beautiful From Here
“Beautiful From Here” just sort of came out from traveling to New Mexico late summer of 2021. We arrived at “The Lodge” in Santa Fe, New Mexico early in the mid July morning and I wrote most of the song while waiting for a room in the hotel lobby. I can only describe the song as somehow influenced by listening to legendary songwriters while traveling from Texas to New Mexico. The desert southwest theme was also inspirational in writing the song. A sort of long distance love song with the theme that although the relationship is long distance, “your love is beautiful from here.” The song turned into a classic country ballad upon recording a premier with Beaird Music Group in Nashville on December 15th and 16th 2022.
Tears of Yesterday
“Tears Of Yesterday” is an uptempo song that I’ve had in various phases of rewrites for quite some time. I wrote down the title one day as I was reflecting back on some of my travels to Europe in 2001. The 1st verse of the song paints visual imagery, what is going on, what the character is going through, thinking and feeling. The chorus of the song is fairly straightforward in stating not to look back on the past, that was then, this is now, don’t look back on the tears of yesterday. The bridge of the song I wrote in the summer months of 2018 and basically the philosophical analogy that one’s life is like a dramatic play that is on a linear curve of time, there’s a beginning point and everything is moving forward in time. Tomorrow is a new day, you begin again, and the analogy that experiencing the good in life is like a fine whiskey that is new to you, and you want to keep on living that good life, drinking up the cup of life over and over again. There’s elements of Country, Pop, Rock & Top 40 in the song and really comes out in the premier demo we recorded at Beaird Music Group in Nashville on December 15th & 16th 2022.
Let’s Go to Nashville
“Let’s Go To Nashville” is a fun, uptempo Country/Rock song that I co-wrote with JD Cox & Arctic Jungle Band in early 2021. I first met JD all by chance down at The Peabody Memphis in late July of 2018 while the Tommy Emmanuel & Jerry Douglas Guitar Camp was going on. He was there for that event and I just happened to be in the lobby writing a song. JD was one of the best overall talents there and we stayed in touch after that musical experience at The Peabody. I finally had the time to work with him more than two years after that Guitar Camp. We threw around some songwriting ideas and I emailed him a scratch demo of the songwriting idea to start the co-writing process of “Let’s Go To Nashville.” Amazes me to this very day how the song turned into a really great song about Nashville, and all of the fun places to go there for country line dancing, things like that. I owe that to JD Cox & Arctic Jungle Band, some of the best musicians in The State Of Alaska. The song was recorded in Anchorage, Alaska and definitely one of my best songwriting collaboration experiences.
Who’s Gonna Be There For You
“Who’s Gonna Be There For You” is a song idea that I started writing in April of 2018 so when I started networking with JD Cox & Arctic Jungle Band in 2021, this song came about as our initial song collaboration. JD helped me round out the song, words, some of the melody and the key change in the outro was a really nice touch to uplift the song going out. There’s some old school R&B elements in the song along with Country and Pop that are really nice. The song was recorded in Anchorage, Alaska by some of the best musicians in The State Of Alaska and I don’t think the outcome could’ve been any better. Aside from guitar and vocals, JD Cox is also playing pedal steel on the song demo. “Whos Gonna Be There For You” is an introspective love song asking that simple question in the hook chorus. JD Wrote the bridge, very simple and to the point, and I am very grateful for our collaboration on this song, everything came out perfect in the song demo.
Emergency
“Emergency” is inspired by my vision to write for the film & tv markets. Filled with patriotic heroism, the first drafts were more poetic than song-like with the choruses singing the analogy that love was like an “Emergency” hence the theme of the song. The bridge of the song inspires imagery of a music video scene where the military veteran travels by plane flying back to see his love to be reunited with her again.
I revised “Emergency” down to 2 different versions. After recieving much acclaim for a live performance of it at the 2024 USA Songwriting Competition’s Winners Showcase, I was finally sold on recording a pre-production demo with Steve Dunn in Hartford, Connecticut. Thank you everyone for motivating me to write “Emergency” from the heart. It’s come a long way from only a song title and A Minor/C Major/G Major chord structure chorus hook!
Christmas in Gatlinburg
Inspired by the magic of the holiday season in the heart of Tennessee, “Christmas In Gatlinburg” is a country anthem that captures the spirit of a perfect Christmas getaway. It all started with a spontaneous trip to Gatlinburg in December 2023 — a last-minute holiday adventure that turned into the creative spark behind this song. Staying at the Clarion Hotel in downtown Gatlinburg, just steps away from Blake Shelton’s ‘Ole Reds Bar & Grill, we were surrounded by the best of Christmas in the Smokies. From the festive atmosphere on Parkway to unique boutique shopping and stunning mountain views, Gatlinburg was a true holiday wonderland.
The magic of Gatlinburg led me to pick up my Taylor Hawaiian Koa Acoustic on New Year’s Eve and pen “Christmas In Gatlinburg.” This song is more than just a holiday tune — it’s a celebration of everything that makes Gatlinburg a must-visit destination for Christmas. It’s an invitation to experience the charm of the mountains, the warmth of this small town, and the festive spirit that makes every moment feel like a Christmas card come to life.
Special thanks to Gene Foley, CEO of Foley Entertainment, for believing in this song, and to Steve Dunn and Tracy Walton at On Deck Productions for producing an outstanding demo. With “Christmas In Gatlinburg,” we hope to make this an annual holiday tradition for listeners and travelers alike.
