singer/songwriter
The Artist
Thank you for stopping by my website!
The word “rock” covers a lot of ground, musically. I chose to categorize my music as “rock” because that’s probably the closest to what I do, but I try to approach the creation and production of my music without specific regard for genre. Some songs don’t fit neatly into categories.
I’ve been in Nashville since 1992, making my way as a singer / songwriter / song plugger / producer. I’ve had a number of songs published, and some independent cuts, in addition to releasing six albums.
I was privileged to host a couple of writer’s nights in Nashville from 2005 to 2008, and I’ve also co-written a number of songs with several great writers.
With every album I release, my goal has always been to feature music that is honest, unpretentious and capable of crossing cultural and societal boundaries.
Music can and should be a force for good in this world. It has the power to move people in ways that nothing else can – both melodically and lyrically.
I sincerely hope you enjoy mine!
Here are some of the people who have inspired me:
First and foremost, my Mother Nancy
Buddy Holly, Irving Berlin, Henry David Thoreau, Rush Limbaugh, Keith Green, John Wayne, Stephen Foster, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Dickens, Vincent Van Gogh, Judy Garland, John Ford, and Mrs. Valorie Godwin (my high school English teacher)
Miscellaneous Quotes
“We can do no great things – only small things with great love.” ~ Mother Theresa
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“All romance is grounded on friendship.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
“Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
“When a true genius appears, you can know him by this sign; that all the dunces are in a confederacy against him.” ~ Jonathan Swift
“One will lose no music by not attending the oratorios and operas. The really inspiring melodies are cheap and universal, and are as available to the poor man’s son as to the rich man’s.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
“Irving Berlin has no place in American music – he is American music.” ~ Jerome Kern
“Those who don’t read good books have no advantage over those who can’t.” ~ Mark Twain
“I know many children to whom I would fain make a present on some one of their birthdays. But they are so far gone in the luxury of presents — have such perfect museums of costly ones — that it would absorb my entire earnings for a year to buy them some thing which would not be beneath their notice.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
“Self-plagiarism is style.” ~ Alfred Hitchcock
“Intelligence isn’t a plus in rock ‘n’ roll anyway. Most people in rock aren’t very bright. If they weren’t playing rock ‘n ‘roll, they’d be working in some factory — and probably at the bottom rung.” ~ Joe Elliot – Def Leppard
“In keeping silent about evil, in burying it so deep within us that no sign of it appears on the surface, we are implanting it, and it will rise up a thousandfold in the future.” ~ Alexander Solzhenitsyn
“A moderate is just a liberal without the guts to admit it.” ~ Rush Limbaugh
“On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend’s life also, in our own, to the world.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Quotes about Buddy Holly:
“I play Buddy Holly every night before I go on. It keeps me honest.” ~ Bruce Springsteen
“The Beatles never would have formed were it not for Buddy Holly and the Crickets. He made it easy to wear glasses. I WAS Buddy Holly. ” ~ John Lennon
“Buddy’s influence on the history of rock cannot be overestimated. Buddy Holly gave you confidence. He was like the boy next door.” ~ Paul McCartney
“I think one of the greatest people for me was Buddy Holly because, first of all, he sang, wrote his own tunes, was a guitar player, and he was very good – exceptionally good.” ~ George Harrison
“The music of the late fifties and early sixties when music was at that root level – that for me is meaningful music. The musicians I grew up with transcend nostalgia – Buddy Holly and Johnny Ace are just as valid to me today as then.” ~ Bob Dylan
“Buddy has been a fixture with me ever since the seventh grade. Buddy was responsible for long hair and a guitar on every corner. He spawned all that music in England.” ~ Gary Busey, who portrayed Buddy in the movie, “The Buddy Holly Story”
“As well as his own material, he did all the standards of the day. You only have to listen to know where a lot of the early Beach Boys and Beatles come from, not to mention the literally hundreds of groups that wouldn’t have been possible without him.” ~ Lillian Roxon, rock historian
“Yeah…Buddy Holly…check m’ out…bad (expletive deleted). Holly passed it on via the Beatles and via us. He’s in everybody…this is not bad for a guy from Lubbock, right?” ~ Keith Richards
“Over the last twenty years, I guess the person who’s made the biggest impression on me has been Buddy Holly.” ~ Elvis Presley, 1977
“I have thought about making a career out of western music if I am good enough, but I will just have to wait and see how that turns out…” ~ Buddy Holly, 1953
Featured Album Musicians
Sam Hunter
Michael Sharp
Luke Easterling
Austin Valentine
the album
Bygones
“Bygones” was recorded at my friend Chris Sanders’ studio in Antioch, TN.
Chris co-produced the songs with me, engineered all of the sessions, and mixed the album, doing his usual brilliant job, just as he’s always done.
Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the talented people who have played on my songs over the years – I apologize if I’ve overlooked anyone!
Hoot Hester, Bob Hatter, Chris Sanders, Austin Valentine, Michael Sharp,
Peter Rogers, Lisa Webb, Jimmy Self, John Catchings, Luke Easterling, Al Janelle,
Peter Young, Dave Flint, Sam Hunter, Chris Goff, John Heinrich, Janet Ethington,
Dwayne Russell, Buddy Hyatt, Jim Hyatt, Bruce Bouton, Gene Rabbi, Jim Evans,
Mike Noble, Brad Albin, Rob Solberg, Bobby Terry, Bob Williams, Mike Holmes,
Dave Francis, Jason Roller, Richard Warner, Dave Chesterman, Andy Hull,
Dow Tomlin, John McTigue, Danny Parks, Ricky Lynn Johnson, Ralph Martin,
Scott Neubert, Ralph Friedrichsen, Wayne Killius, Dave Isaacs, Joe Spivey,
Rod Young, Brad Young
the album
Made To Last
“Made To Last” features performances by three very talented musicians who are sadly, no longer with us – Hoot Hester, Bob Hatter and Ernie Sykes. I was proud to call each of these men my friend.
In no small part due to their musical contributions, the songs on this album have very fond memories for me. The album also features brilliant musical performances from Luke, Austin, Michael and Sam. As always, I’m grateful to each of these fine gentlemen!
Two of the songs were written about real people whom I greatly admired – one, world famous, and the other, virtually unknown but to her family. Three of the songs were actually written in the late 1980’s.
As with each of my four previous albums, my engineer and co-producer, Chris Sanders worked long hours to ensure that each of these songs were carefully polished, mixed and mastered. His creative contributions to my work cannot be overestimated.
the album
Old Men
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my engineer and co-producer, Chris Sanders, for his tireless efforts in recording, editing and mixing these songs, and making them sound as good as possible. And of course to Sam, Luke, Austin and Michael, and all the other amazing musicians who contributed their talent as well.
Fathers are very important in the lives of their children, more so than most of us realize. Even a mediocre father is better than no father at all. If you are a father, there are times when it might seem like a thankless job. Remember that you are helping to raise up the next generation of men and women. Your role in their lives is critical and the examples you set will stay with them forever.
I hope you (and your dad!) enjoy this collection of songs.
the album
Out Of The Wilderness
“Out Of The Wilderness”, was recorded in Antioch, Tennessee, at my friend Chris Sanders’ studio. This album features many of the same talented musicians that I had the pleasure of working with on my two previous albums, “Worlds Apart” and “Back To Basics”.
I am a Christian, and these are songs of faith that I’ve written over the years, many of which were personal favorites of my Mother, Nancy.
The theme of the album has to do with the personal journey that each of us embarks on when we choose to follow Jesus. A journey that is often replete with spiritual danger, trials, tribulations and opposition. It is my hope that these songs help to provide some small measure of comfort and reassurance to you, the listener, in your daily journey. And if you find yourself struggling through life and you don’t know Him, allow me to quote from a musical hero of mine, Larry Norman:
“Why don’t you check into Jesus?”
Enjoy!
the album
Worlds Apart
As with my previous album, we had great fun bringing in Sam Hunter on electric guitar, Luke Easterling on bass, Austin Valentine on drums, and Michael Sharp on keyboards to cut these tracks. Recording sessions with these four gentlemen are always exciting, creative, and productive.
Our engineer, Chris Sanders, spent many long hours fine-tuning the performances and mixes for each of these songs, and he deserves a great deal of the credit for the superb quality of these recordings. Let me also take this opportunity to thank Brian Lipski at the Sound Lab for mastering not only this album, but the previous release, “Back To Basics”.
2019 marks the 60th anniversary of the plane crash that took the life of rock pioneer Buddy Holly. In the process of choosing songs for this album, I felt compelled to include a song I wrote many years ago, in his honor.
This one’s for you, J.I.
the album
Back To Basics
As always, it was a blast working with Michael Sharp, Luke Easterling, Austin Valentine, and Sam Hunter – four of the most intuitive, helpful, and creatively diverse musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. They continue to help bring out the best in my songs. I can’t thank them enough!
Chris Sanders worked tirelessly to bring out the finer points of each performance and mix, making all of us sound superb, even me! As engineers go, Chris is in a class all by himself. There’s nobody better as far as I’m concerned!
I also want to thank Bob Hatter and Dave Flint for their excellent contributions to this album.
Contact Jerry for a free complimentary CD or just to say hello!
a gallery of
Fun Times
