Reflections on my upbringing, fatherhood, and trying to be a better person.
My dad’s birthday falls around Thanksgiving. It lands square on it every few years. This is one of those years (Happy Birthday, Pops!). I don’t think he minds sharing the day with Thanksgiving because my dad likes to eat. In fact, that picture above represents my father at one of his happiest moments: four bites […]
Thanksgiving/Dad’s Birthday Story Read More »
When you self-produce and mix your own music, you lose perspective. Why? Well, you’ve been listening to all the instrumental and vocal parts that make up the entire song for so long that your ears and brain hurt. If you’re lucky, you have a friend like Jeff Linsenmaier to give you feedback and maybe even
How Jeff Made My Music Better Read More »
I’m always conflicted about adding banjo to a recording because it’s such a specific and recognizable sound. Nobody hears a banjo and thinks, My goodness, what is that instrument? But I think the sound works in “The Kindness of Strangers.” It helps keep the song lighter. I bought this banjo in Fargo, North Dakota. I
About four months ago I was excited to announce my Bandcamp subscription service. Creative freedom and autonomy, here we come! Why hadn’t I done this earlier. I hate being tied to The Man and streaming algorithms. I just want to make folk music about my feelings! But on the day of the announcement, nothing
That Time Only My Wife Subscribed on Bandcamp Read More »
My answer is in this throwback Thursday video clip circa 2013. Starting to write songs was one thing; sharing them was a whole different thing!
When Did I Start Writing Songs Read More »
I was 15 years-old. My middle-school PE teacher Mrs. Glassmann was having a garage sale. Among clothes and trinkets, I saw this Silvertone acoustic guitar (originally black with a sunburst body). Up until that point I’d been borrowing my grandpa Omer’s guitar. But what kind of grandson (or human, for that matter) doesn’t swiftly return
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Protected: Secret Songs Club (#20) Read More »
Something I don’t really want you to know about me is that I read a lot of self-help and business books. I like how the authors are so positive and encouraging. I’m used to hanging out with artists and songwriters. We’re like what I imagine a teachers’ lounge full of tenured English teachers is like.
14 Lines I Recite Every Morning Read More »
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Protected: Secret Songs Club (#18) Read More »
