I really like this Dan, I am a big Merle fan and you bring me there, definitely country, I seem to hang around that flavor as well, I really enjoy your track

great lyrics for a classic country tune, totally dig it

man.  i dont know why you are not famous.  but I hope it helps to know that because of you, I have had to repent for all the times (in my youth) I ever said "Country music is not for me".   you arethe ultimate ambassador of a style I had no idea could pierce my soul so deeply.  as always what you've done here is haunting, chilling, raw, intimate, minimal, beautiful, and soulful.  blows my mind man.  thank you for sharing your talent.  i look forward to hearing what you do every time.

Haunting, high-lonesome melody, inflected in a way that echos the desperation of the singer's message.  Sounds effortless but this has taken work.  Thanks for sharing this.

Joy
Music and Words by Mark Magram (2024)

I was drowning in my tears at my lowest point
Couldn't see a my way out
I never thought I'd see another sunny day
My world was filled with nothing but doubt

I kept on going through the pouring rain
Hoping to outrun the storm
I held on to a vision of a better place
Where everything was peaceful and warm

In the distance I saw your face
And everything imagined was real
You brought me

Joy
Beyond my wildest dreams
And a love I've never seen
So much more than I expected
But always believed I could find
You bring me
Joy
In every single way
To every single day
This is everything I wanted
I'm leaving my dark days behind
...

I was lead around by passion and desire
Always ending up lost
Time and time again I gambled with my heart
Never thought about the cost

You showed me there was another way
Where love is just expected and real
And you don't ever have to fill your head with doubt
Wondering if they feel what you feel

Girl you turned my whole world right side up
Took me from the darkness to light
You brought me

(ch)

This is my new reality
Where everything I need
Is well within my reach



(ch)

Here's a song I wrote and played.

I been pacing up and down these halls
I been getting nowhere fast at all
Thinking I might throw the towel in

They tell me I should let my burden go
Chasing after something I don’t know
If it ever comes this way again

I ain’t looking for too much
I just need a little touch
And I’m just asking for a taste

Yeah it took a heavy toll
But things are good, I’m in control
And I just have some time to waste

I’m not asking for a clean slate
I’m just hoping I ain’t too late
Trying to own all of my mistakes
Lord knows I ain’t got that kind of cake

And I ain’t looking for a free ride
I’ll pay my dues and I’ll be on time
I’ll take the heat and I will bear the weight
No I ain’t asking for a clean slate
No I ain’t asking for a clean slate

Maybe I ain’t think this whole thing through 
Never got this far in, Lord it’s true
Maybe I should stop while I’m behind

But when I feel this floor under my feet
It’s like I never left, I feel complete
And every breath I take feels more like mine

I’m not asking for a clean slate
I’m just hoping I ain’t too late
I trying to own all of my mistakes
My bank account ain’t got that kind of cake

I ain’t looking for a free ride
I’ll pay my dues and I’ll be on time
I’ll take the heat and I will bear the weight
No I ain’t asking for a clean slate
I ain’t asking for a clean slate

Clean Slate

IN THE MORNINGS 
OF MY MEMORIES
WHERE A FEEBLE LIGHT
BECKONS
 I WANDER 
THROUGH THE SHADOWS
OF WHAT HAS AND MIGHT’VE BEENS
AND IF I LINGER 
TOO LONG THERE
MY WORLD BEGINS TO SPIN
AND I CAN’T HOLD ON
ALL HOPE IS GONE
AND SO IT BEGINS

AND SO IT BEGINS
ALL THE DRINKING
THE LONG AND LONELY NIGHTS
AND THE WHAT WAS I THINKING?

I’D RATHER NOT REMEMBER 
TOSS THESE MEMORIES 
IN A BLENDER
WITH A DOUBLE SHOT OF GIN
AND SO IT BEGINS

IN THE EVENINGS
I COME CRAWLING
TO THE ONE 
WHO LET’S ME IN
SHE DON’T ASK 
ME QUESTIONS
AND WE DON’T PRETEND
MY MISTRESS IS THE MEMORIES
AND SHE HURTS ME FROM WITHIN
EVERY NIGHT I FALL INTO HER ARMS
AND SO IT BEGINS

MY MISERY HAS NO END
AND SO IT BEGINS


"AND SO IT BEGINS"

And so it begins
So it begins
Rain washing over mountains
Sweeping the dead leaves away

A small little town
With bird song around
Rain washing over mountains
Sweeping the dead leaves away

First there’s an ending
That we try to get by
Like a road that’s under construction
With its great big sign

It paves over June
And leaves you in ruins
Then the only street that invites passage
Brushes the city away

To a small little town
With friends all around
Rain washing over mountains
Sweeping the dead leaves away

First there’s an ending
That we try to get by
Like a road that’s under construction
With its great big sign

And so it begins
So it begins
Rain washing over mountains
Sweeping the dead leaves away 


So It Begins

30+ years as a singer-songwriter; from east Texas, lived in Austin, NYC, Miami, St. Louis, now in Fredericksburg Texas. Recording artist for Roxie/Reprise records 2002-2005. Former member of Austin band Breedlove; produced by Lenny Kravitz for Roxie Records; produced by David Boyle for Fat Caddy Records at Churchhouse Studio; produced by Beau Bedford for two self-released albums, one at Modern Electric studio in Dallas, TX with The Texas Gentleman, the other at Arlyn Studios in Austin, TX with the Band of Heathens; recorded at FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, AL with Beau Bedford, The Texas Gentleman, Paul Cauthen and others for the Gentlemen’s TX JELLY; recorded with Kelley Mickwee, produced by Jonathan Tyler at his studio for two self-released duets; recorded countless commercials in NYC and elsewhere over the years. Currently a full time welder, intermittent songwriter and performer. Thanks for listening.

"AND SO IT BEGINS"

DANdYER

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