My first album of original music, Miles of Time, became available July 24, 2026, on major streaming platforms and as a CD. This project represents songwriting going back to the late 1970s up through early 2026. The earliest song is “Missing You,” which I probably started in my senior year of high school but finished after I went off to college. The latest song is “On This Trail,” which I completed early this year. For an annotated list of the songs on this album, check out my post on my first volume of original music.
I never thought I would record an album and probably wouldn’t have had it not been for the encouragement of my very fine producer, mixing specialist, collaborator, vocalist, session musician, and arranger, Justin Larkin at Cosmic Ozarkana Records. Justin co-wrote the title song, “Miles of Time,” which makes the album even more of a treasure to me. I have admired Justin’s writing, playing, and performing since I first heard him shortly after moving to Springfield, Missouri, back in late 2018. To have his level of talent at the heart of this project is a gift for which I am ever grateful.
My friend Brian Pitts and I have been singing together at open mics and as a duo, Openly Gray, since we first met at the Sunday jam sessions at The Cellar in Springfield, probably back in 2019. He was a key person who helped me break into the music scene here. Brian spent a lot of time on this album contributing drums and percussion, but also vocal harmonies. Our voices blend so well that there are times on some of these songs, I can’t remember if the harmonies are from my tracks or his!
Clinton Houseman is another musician out of Springfield whose talent has landed him in several bands and ensembles. He is a gifted writer and performer. Among the many instruments he plays, I have always been impressed with his work on the keys, which he contributed to this album. It seems each time I hear him play keys, I decide at that moment to pack my keyboard up in its case, put it in the closet, and never pretend to be a keyboardist again.
Skyler Smith also performs in multiple bands where he is perfectly at home playing a wide variety of genres, from country to driving rock. We have performed a few shows together because he has been gracious enough to invite me to join him at some of his gigs. He has been trying his best to teach me how to play the electric guitar – his patience is legendary. Listen for his distinctive riffs and licks on “I’m Gonna Ask That Girl to Dance.”
Ryan Wallace is a fine songwriter who plays in multiple bands. He is a solo performer too. Ryan is a man of many talents, not the least of which is artistic and graphic design. He took a concept image that Justin Larkin discovered and transformed it into an album cover design that looks like a watercolor painting. This cover has already been getting rave reviews and may end up being more popular than the music!
There are plenty of other people in the Springfield music community, both musicians and faithful fans, who have encouraged me over the last seven years. There are too many to name, but they know who they are. I am grateful for their support, friendship, advice, and talents.
Finally, this album would not have been possible without the steadfast support and endless encouragement from my wife – my best friend and the keeper of my heart. She is the inspiration behind several of these songs.
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