Bar Stools And Beach Chairs

I am very fortunate to be able to make a living doing something I love to do. But most importantly it affords me the time to do what I really, really love to do.

Whiskey Drinking Madman

For years I have tinkered with writing a book, and this song grew out of a scene in the book. Cool Man Henry is a man with a lot of connections and he runs an open-air bar called the Jazz House Outback. There is a shack for a storefront, but the bar is literally spread out under a dozen huge water oak trees. The main character goes there looking for information and is surprised to see a former lover with a very shady character.

The Writer Guy

One of my neighbors in New Orleans was a fledgling reporter and aspiring novelist. He had a huge crush on the girl who lived above him, but she was way out of his league: he was a bookish nerd and she was an attractive party-girl who dated a variety of men. She kept him awake many nights with her noisy lovemaking.

That's When I Think About You

When it is time to recharge my batteries, there is nothing better for me than to spend some time on the water. I like to head to the back country to take in the scenery and do some fishing. The question was raised about whether I was thinking about my wife or the fish. I think I'll let that remain ambiguous.

Running From A Woman

This is another song inspired by my book. The main character carries some heavy baggage due to an altercation with a former lover and some very bad people. Will he stop running and deal with the situation, risking life and limb and old friendships? Stay tuned.

Mardi Gras

This song took shape after Mardi Gras in 1993. The hangover I had as I left New Orleans is currently ranked number 3 on my Lifetime Hangover Rating (LHR), but it was a terrific week. I had to crew in a sailboat race the next day, and I was absolutely worthless. Everyone should go to Mardi Gras at least once. I think I'll graduate to Carnival in Rio.

Montana Moon

Shortly after finishing college, I took a job assignment in Montana. One night the full moon seemed to rise right out of the hills surrounding Butte. It was so big and bright and seemed so near that it was almost frightening. Unlike the guy in the song, I did return. While I was gone the girl moved to Europe.

Island Daze

Have you ever been to a tropical island where everything seemed perfect? Even the things that would normally incur your wrath are rendered inconsequential. After a few days you wonder what it would be like to live there. Hell, money is not that important anyway, right? You could always be a bartender. All you would need are a few pairs of shorts, some T-shirts, a shack on the beach. If at the end of the week you get back on the plane, then you've survived the island daze. If you stay, there is hope for a cure.

Camp Street Winos

When I wasn't "just getting home" I liked to go to the French Quarter early in the morning. On my way I would pass the winos lined up for breakfast at the missions on Camp Street. This was in the days before they were considered the "homeless." These guys had some dignity and some great stories about how they had arrived at their current predicament. It almost always involved a woman and/or a foreign government.

Palm Tree Farm

Due to a series of bizarre mishaps, I missed the weddings of two good friends. It caused me to consider the nature of friendship, and after some reflection I realized that I was a low maintenance friend. I vowed that from now on all my friends would be low maintenance.

Untimely Passing

Hell, I don't know where this song came from. I was reviewing the songs I had recorded for this project and felt I needed a funny song. I had about twenty-five minutes before I had to leave for a gig, and this is what came out. It made me chuckle.

If You Don't Know Where You're Going, Any Road Will Take You There

I was never good at dating. Invariably, every time I made a commitment, fifteen things would come along that I would rather do. This did not endear me to a lot of women. So my social life was pretty much a roller coaster ride. But that's OK. I really like roller coasters.

Tuna Colada

This song is a 'hidden track' on "Bar Stools And Beach Chairs" about a very tasty island drink.