Written in 1983 on acoustic guitar. I originally played the horns part on guitar over the chords. Over the yrs it sounded like steel drums or horns playing that part. So I got Komplete 10 Ultimate for Session Horns just for this track. I finally got it finished. I played the guitar and sang and programmed everything else. Ableton is my friend.
©2016 by Pete Hinkley

The Only One For Me

I decided to finally finish up all the songs I wrote in the 70/80s that I had copy written but never polished up the recordings. This was the 2nd song I wrote to another poem written by a family friend, Bonnie. So around 1976 or so when I was 12. My trusty Fender Gemini acoustic left and right and my Strat in center. My $50 Samick Jazz bass I played for the bass lines. A shaker/triangle sample and a cajon too. I did use my new AKG C214 for the vocals.
Performed, recorded, engineered, produced, and mastered by Pete Hinkley at Chapel Hill Recording Studios.
Lyrics:
Hard to give up, hard to let go
When your heart feels like its being towed
I know where to go, and what to do
Take off the old shoes and put on the new
--Teach me O Lord
I took back an old sin I left at the cross
Forgetting that it was forever lost
You can’t do that; it’s no good for your life
It brings back pain, hurt, and strife
--Teach me O Lord
Jesus wants us to strive on our way
And living the victory every day
So don’t let your past get you down in the dumps
‘Cause that’s when the Devil is ready to jump
--Teach me O Lord
© 2016 by Pete Hinkley
From Teach Me Oh Lord-p16-voxDUP3z5-sooth16-oZone-YouTube

Teach Me Oh Lord

I wrote the words to this in 1981 and put music to it in 1987. I finally recorded and sent a bunch of songs I wrote in the 80s to the Copyright office in 2016.
I was noticing all the non-finished songs I had sitting around. So I re-recorded the guitars and vocals. There's a glorious intro that sounds like the farm when you're getting up. I've had Jew's Harps since I was a kid. So I dug one out for this. The "Washboard" sounds are me using a mechanical keyboard keys to get the same sound. I'm used to playing this song out with my trusty Fender Gemini 2, and a G Hohner in a neck brace.
This is my modern take on the The Parable of the Sower from Jesus found in the Bible in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15.
Written, performed, recorded, produced, engineered, and mastered by Pete Hinkley at Chapel Hill Recording Studios.
©2016 by Pete Hinkley
From The Happy Farmer-2Q7-oZone

The Happy Farmer

I was in high school in the late 70s/early 80s. I love guitar based 80s, but also vocal based and New Wave/synth music. With the Covid-19 lock down, many companies gave away free synths. So I put this together with some of those. The lyrics refer to the wasted time spent on self-centered adventures. Then there’s the work mending the relationships wounded by those actions as you gain a heart of empathy and compassion. I feel like I'm charging across a field in battle only to find that the goal was empty and the field is strewn with wounded loved ones. Then I have to go back and pick them up, apologize and hope to heal their wounds.
© 2020 by Pete Hinkley
Vocals produced by Eric Novroski of Novro Studios, Shavertown, PA www.novrostudios.com/ and Pete Hinkley. Vocals engineered by Pete Hinkley. Thanks Eric for the icing on the cake when I was stuck with the vocals.
Written, performed, programmed, produced, and engineered by Pete Hinkley.
Lyrics:
Guess that I may never learn, the secrets of your Grace.
Putting on the armor, and running in the race.
Time after time, I’ve walked so far from here.
Time after time, your hand has pulled me near.
Chorus:
I’ve ignored all the signs on the road of Fear.
Deafened by the sound of my voice in my ears.
Looking in the mirror at the sea of tears.
If I could turn back the clock, I’d stop the bleeding of these wasted years.
Guess that I may never know, the damage that I’ve done.
To those around me, the ones I said I loved.
Time after time, I turn like I don’t care.
Time after time, I call and you are there.
Chorus
Time after time, I fall upon my knees
Time after time, your mercy’s all I need
Chorus
From Wasted Years 5-22-20p-COMP1R-fix11-YouTube

Brave 8-27-17ChorusFills5NoVox

Chapel Hill Recording