I was part of a wave of young Americans swept into music during the Beatles invasion in the mid-sixties. My mother tells me I could sing a version of "Irene Goodnight" before I could actually speak. As a child I sang for anyone who would listen and as is the case in many small communities (Ashdown, Arkansas circa 1950's), I was called upon to provide filler entertainment for gatherings like cakewalks, church functions and school plays. It wasn't until the Beatles, though, that I learned to play the guitar and began to write. My cd "Good Stuff" is a compilation of original songs written between 1971 (Hawkins Farm) and 2013 (Neill's Benediction) telling stories about my life and times. 　　 　　After my father passed away in 1970 my music shifted from a fun passtime and way to meet girls to a means by which to stay in college and not go to war. My college band, Rivercity, was lucky enough to land a record deal with STAX records in Memphis. That happening was a sea change in my musical life. The realization that my song writing was good enough to be recorded and released by a company like STAX gave me confidence and the imputus that would last a lifetime. I am sure my story is no different than most songwriters in that I never found a song, they always found me. It was just a matter of circumstances being right and my head being in a good place. I call the songwriter part of me "The Other Guy" or for this cd "Spig". 　　 　　My music is nothing like the Beatles. The stories, tunes and rythms on "Good Stuff" are mostly those of small town Arkansas and the characters who have crossed my path along the way. As a lifelong teacher, I couldn't help but 　　throw in a little philolsphy and a few small lessons about life here and there. Making this cd was giving up the comfort of what might have been, something not easily done by a dreamer. Get something cool to drink and go with me where the honey suckle blooms. 　　 　　For Julie and the Girls.