It's called Rebels, Rogues, and Exiles. I recorded it at the beginning of this year and released it through Prairie Phoenix Music. It's a folk/rock album with a twist of country. I did all the guitar work, all the singing, and wrote all but two of the songs. The two songs I recorded but did not write are: "Stolen Car" by Bruce Springsteen and "Wildflowers" by Dolly Parton.
Deciding to record an album was a big step, but it was actually the capstone of a multi-year path that started a longs ways back when I decided to try taking guitar lessons. Soon after, I began writing songs. After that, I forced myself to take classical voice lessons so that I could learn to sing so I could perform my songs. After that it was a couple years of getting used to performing when I'd spent my whole life terrifying people if I ever opened my mouth to sing.
Little did I know that the real work would begin after the recording process was completed. I had to deal with copyrighting, getting a distributor, and the 'business side' of releasing music. At the same time, I had to learn to use various computer programs to design and create my logo, cover art, promotional materials, video clips, and social media presence. It often seemed like I'd complete one step only to find three steps later that I had to redo it based on new information I learned. A lot of fumbling and groping in the dark, which is really what our entire life ends up being when all is said and done.
Rebels, Rogues, and Exiles - and most of my songs - have an underlying theme. They are about the people who don't fit in. The outsiders and misfits. Some songs are about the stratospheric triumphs that come from being authentic to yourself. Others are defiant. Others describe the loneliness and frustrations that come with going against the grain. I also feel that many of my song lyrics - to one degree or another - bear the influence of my Zen Buddhism (I suppose it would be strange if they didn't!).
The release was an especially scary step because, despite knowing that simply completing the album meant I'd reached my intended goal, there was a part of me - as there probably is with any musician or songwriter - who wants people to listen. From that standpoint, if I'd released the album and only got three listens, I'd have been a bit disappointed (okay, a lot disappointed!). Unfortunately, releasing an album independently is a bit like walking into a football stadium during the Superbowl and hoping someone in the crowd - who are all entranced by something far more interesting to them than you - notices. Luckily, the response - while modest in absolute terms - was more than I expected, and so that part of me was satisfied.
Anyway, it was quite a journey during 2025 to conceive of and complete this very big project. I was even a bit sad when the process was over, and it was time to move on to other things. Crazily enough, I have every intention of going back into the studio - perhaps in 2026 - to record a follow-up!
When I started learning guitar (nearly ten years ago?), I had absolutely no idea it was the first step of such a long adventure. But that is what life can be when we let ourselves do something we're interested in without worrying about where it will go (or whether it will go anywhere at all). We never know if a seed we plant will fizzle out or sprout and grow and eventually become a giant oak tree.
Hope you will give Rebels, Rogues, and Exiles a listen and, if you do, I hope you enjoy it!
