This project started in April of this year. Many studio sessions later, in the summer of 2016, I am releasing a recording, Songs around the Digital Campfire. I first picked up a guitar and seriously tried to learn how to play in the fall of 1966. Ever since The Beatles invaded America in the early days of 1964, I wanted to be a singer and songwriter. I was writing songs even when I could barely play a melody on one string. I was playing in a band when I could barely play three chords. Now, fifty years later, I’m doing what I always dreamed of doing. I’m releasing a recording with nothing but original songs. As I approach the age of 65, I’m happy, alive, and mostly well. I have been a preacher, a teacher, and a bard. I like to tell stories with a song. As I began to prepare for this project, it was difficult to select which songs I wanted to include. The last song on this recording, “Take Me Home,” is the oldest one. It goes back to the early 70s, and reflects a different age, its original title was “I Love You All.” Back then, I thought I could. Now, I’m not so sure. It took me a long time to realize that this song was inspired by my mother. Her love was as unconditional as it can be on this side, and I’m forever thankful for the gifts she gave to me. Because of her, I will continue to try to love all people to the best of my ability. The theme and image of “home” permeates these songs. Home isn’t simply a matter of longitude and latitude; it’s a matter of the heart, a place where you’re always welcome. Robert Frost says in “The Death of the Hired Hand:” ‘Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.’ Home has been many places for me: Sandusky, Ohio; Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Fremont, Huntington Beach, Grass Valley, Sacramento, California; Los Lunas, New Mexico. These songs include all of these places, but more importantly, they include all of the family and friends that really made these places home. My brother Tim has also been one of the great supporters of my music over the years. The love of my life, Carol, and my daughters, Leslie and Erin, inspire so much of this music. I have been blessed to play with so many great musicians over the years. Many of them are on this recording. Nick Wirtz, Mike Lipuma, Chris Wood: they go back to my earliest days, and all contribute to this project. Don Lister represents my New Mexico days. Eric Brumbaugh, Duncan Elledge, Chris Watson, Jay Cavileer, John Gardner, Jim Ewing, and Lee Godfrey are my California connection. Special guest and new friend, Jessica Renee Malone, added a vocal to “Back to Rio.” And thanks to one of my newest friends, Paris Clayton, producer and engineer, who has helped so much in making this dream become a reality. I’m getting closer to home each and every day.