As a songwriter, many songs have passed through my hands and heart over the years that when all was said and done, weren’t really appropriate for the band to take possession of. As the years passed, this collection of songs grew. As I began playing more solo-acoustic performances, the need arose for a Solo-Acoustic record to be made. I didn’t feel right selling the CSB disk after people have been listening to merely me playing solo. Choosing from “the list” was a very difficult process. There were too many songs to put them all on one CD. I ended up going with the songs I’d been playing at solo performances. The result was a collection of 14 tracks that came known to be called, “Sparing Dramas in Tiny Spaces.”

I’m trying to recall how I discovered the title for this record. In the beginning the title was “spare me the drama.” As I pondered that title more and more, I felt it had a bit of an aggressive undertone that certainly wasn’t reflected in the spirit of the music. I then moved it to “Sparing the Drama.” With this word change, the aggressive tone evolved into a sweeter mood coupled with a sense of subtle purpose. I was satisfied with this, but inspiration wasn’t through with me yet. As I pondered more another line came to me, “Sparing Dramas in Tiny Spaces.” As soon as it registered on my brain, I knew this was the title for this collection of songs. To me the title now possessed an additional tone of child-like gentleness. It seemed to capture how I was relating towards the songs. They were precious to me, and yet simple. Many of these songs came from personal experiences in my life. This title seemed very appropriate as it captured my personal thoughts and feelings towards the songs.

To me the title has come to mean, saving all the important things in life: memories, pictures, stories, relationships, and placing them in tiny spaces; the tiny spaces of our heart, or a jewelry box, as pictured on the album’s cover. In other words, sometimes the most important things in life are often the little things.

The Songs:

Come- A song that literally wrote itself. The progression came as soon as I picked up the guitar. The lyric seemed to flow out of me.It seemed I played the song for the first time in it’s entirety. I’m sure it was a little more work than that, but that’s how it seemed.

Please- A fun, playful love song.

ICLLT- I wish this was a personal experience. This song was a gift from inspiration. I love the story.

Sweetest Conversation- Some people talk poorly about “the world.” To me when I listen to what the world is saying… it’s a sweet, little conversation.

Once- I was actually jamming with a guy who was playing a Wood Recorder. I knew his instrument was in C, so I started playing a progression in C, which turned into the main progression in Once. The lyric was discovered at one sitting. I got onto this path of using well known places and people. Creativity was my friend that day. I love the lyric of this song. I love the irony, the song sounds so happy, like all is well with the world. And yet, this main voice is longing for something, once.

No Tomorrow- I can not tell a lie, as I was getting more exposed to the writings of John Mayer I became enthralled with the style of bringing something of old and making it new. This song was my attempt at a slow song in 6. I always love the mood this song creates.

Butterfly- I had just moved back to Omaha. In Texas I had a special place where inspiration would meet with me and many songs came to be. As I sat with my guitar for the first time in my new apartment I asked, will you meet with me here in this place? An hour later the result was a quirky little song called Butterfly Song. I love the story and the metaphor.

Forty Days- Now the album starts to get a little softer and darker, the emotion seems to get more urgent and profound. Forty Days is a special song to me. It’s one of those that I’d work on for a while, put it down, pick it up again later and continue working. The result was this airy, wave of emotion like the billowing of the sea. After all the heartache, all the struggle, all the pain, one day when the time is fulfilled, peace, light, healing will manifest. I love the hope.

Mine Frail Existence- I had the chord progression with no lyric. I always like picking up the guitar and playing the progression. The lyric came to me after someone showed me a passage from the Book of Psalms. Inspiration hit and this song was born. The mood of the music I feel really fits well with the lyric, frailty.

Love, Come Again- this is one of my favorite songs on the album. The chorus to me launches an emotion of longing and desperation. I guess I seem to enjoy those emotions, in some way it makes me feel alive if I’m longing for something. In some strange way it gives me hope there’s something more to obtain.

Letter for Seasons- I wrote this when I was playing a lot of coffee shops. As I was discovering the lyric, I didn’t know the meaning of any of it. I was riding the wave of inspiration, seeing where it would lead. The last phrase was revealed, then the whole song made sense. I love the surprise. I love the story.

Enter Be- I was on a road trip to visit my Grandma on the other side of Iowa. All who were with me were asleep. It was a cool, overcast, autumn day. My favorite kind! Nothing but the open road, barren fields and my friend, inspiration to guide me. It was written at a time of transition in my life. I really felt like I was becoming more aware of who I was, that the real person inside of me was beginning to manifest for the first time.

Falling Lights- probably the most delicate song I’ve written to date. I was having a conversation with a nurse who makes home visits of dysfunctional homes. The stories she told me of what these precious new babies or children go through made my heart break; the abuse, the total lack of love. Her stories moved me so much, they inspired this song. The first part is from the view point of a scared child. Then the song shifts in the last section as I begin to imagine myself singing over my own children and how I vow they will never experience a life without love from their dad.