Tribute to a major influences in my early years, Pop Roebuck, Mavis and the Staple Singers. Great Gospel voices and guitar with a little wiggle. Featuring Emily Musolino and Lucy Lawrence Kilpatrick on keys. Perhaps your best chance ever to hear me preach, Emily wail, Lucy on ivories, and Bryan Carter playing like Pops.

03 The Fools & The Faithful M&M 10 - 1

Who says 80s Country and satire don't mix?

Thanks But No Thanks

This is a song written by an 81 year old songwriter who got tired of hearing the same old Birthday song.That's me! The standard has served long and well. This is an alternative. It also has a touch of humor. The version here is an MP3 recording to allow you to share freely among email formats, or social media based massaging platform without being told it is too big! You are encouraged to send to or share with the next somebody you want to wish a Happy Birthday to rather than having them listening to the same old song a million times or a few expected words or HBDs. The tune also has a secondary pie theme, and who doesn't love a Birthday pie? Best yet, it is totally free!
Lyrics:
Itty Bitty B’day Ditty (2023)
V.	We wrote you a B’day song, made it work for a girl or guy
And since we don’t know how how to bake a cake
Stuck a candle in a peach fried pie
Then we went ahead and ate it up, ‘cause you live so far away
But in spite of that, put on a party hat
We’re wishing you a best Birthday!
Chorus:	It’s true, we wrote this song for you!
It’s a itty bitty B’day ditty 
		It’s short, and it don’t waste no words
Gets down to the nitty gritty.
Bridge:	Now you might get your heart’s desire, and a cake big as the sky
And you might get a ton of presents, but not that Birthday pie!
Tag: We ate it uup but not this tune
	Your itty bitty B’day ditty!

Itty Bitty B'Day Ditty V3 Short

I was blessed to be able to sing this directly to my mom at an Open Mic when she visited me in Big Sur, where I lived at the time.

Note Attached to All My Songs Here: I had a prolific period of songwriting at one point in my life. Strictly therapy for me. Very healing. Although I don't have a great voice that does not matter to me. The healing from my songs came from the writing of them and all the feelings that went along with that, as well as sharing them with others who knew/know and care about me. There were some songs that once completed and shared brought about a magical 'letting go' of whatever I was singing about. Hard to explain haha

DNT Songs

Mama

Continuing with the opening of Porch Music season, my buddy Mark and I wrote this brand new, never been posted, tune that fits the bill for gathering out back and picking. My other buddy Zoltan, who I call Jazz Man, gave it, and other bluesy-grass numbers like it, the Custom Genre tag of Bluesgrass. The tune illustrates how much words and their arrangement, in this case in the title itself, can drive the rhythm of the song. It is upbeat, foot stomping, music that features a fiddle, and Bryan (on things with strings) and Mark ( with background and accent vocals) join me in performing this debut cut. Much fun was had by all involved, we all got caught up in the meaning. Dance or sing along if it moves you. We hope something in it causes you to grin! That's intended.
Lyrics:
Don’t Forget To Not To Clock In
C. Don’t forget to not to clock in
     Don’t forget to take another day off
     Spend a little time with your friends
     Not working has a different kind’a pay off
     The trick is in the knowing 
     While we’re so busy rowing
     Our time is just a blowin’ in the wind, my friend
     So don’t forget to not to clock in.
V1	I got a buddy, works 88 hours a week
	His eyes are all buggy, ‘cause that boy hardly sleeps
	He’s got a two week vacation
	That he’s debating takin’
	And I’m debating calling him out
	What’s that about?
C. (As above)
V2	I got a girl , so busy that she couldn’t see
	She was my world, but she had no time for me
One day she saw me fishin’
And she said I’ve been a wishing
That I had a little time to play
( Got us a baby sitter, to stay home with our litter, and we satisfied some wishes, That next day! Okay! )
C. (As above)
Solo
B.	I know a workaholic when I see one, But y’all you know I never want to be one
	Don’t mind the work, but every now and then
	I’d rather call my boss and say, I’m too well to come in…
C. (As above)  / Tag: Tick tock, It’s all we got!

Don't forget to not to clock in Mp3

This song has been coming together, slowly but surely, over a pretty large span of time. It began with my friend, Tray Pa, writing partner for years, sharing the hook line that the song was built on ("You Drive Me To Drinking"), first with me and then with my amigos. When the idea blossomed to use conversational like spoken lines throughout the track, my daughter Amelia Faith stepped up to become the she in the couple that this song brings to your attention, a kind of unfolding story song. It's bluegrass with a touch of blues, and my buddy Bryan on dobro to bring that touch of blues into the mix. My friend rob completes the list of co-writers, having come up with the bones of this music and by playing standup bass on this brand new, never been posted track. With all the tag like spoken lines, it's a structure that marks a first of a kind to my knowledge. We all hope you like what you hear!
Lyrics:
You Drive Me To Drinking: Amelia (A)& Pop (P) Version
1.	I’d like to curl up with my book book (A)spoken
Let’s watch something on TV (P) spoken
I saw you give that girl a second look (A) spoken
Awww, she don’t mean nothing to me (P) spoken
I don’t feel much like cooking today (A) spoken
I want that roast you got at the store (P) spoken
Sometimes you act like a jerk, baby (A) sung
Good thing I not keeping score. (A) sung
Chorus: (Amelia sings)
If you don’t blame it on me, I won’t claim it’s on you
We make each other crazy, with the crazy little things we do
I don’t understand your way of thinking, but that’s okay
There’s just gonna be days, when you drive me to drinking.
2.	Let’s grab a quick bite at the café (P) spoken
I’m craving some gourmet food (A) spoken
I like the way that guy don’t play (P) spoken
Don’t ya’ think he was a little crude? (A) spoken
Have you heard about Billy and Bobby Joe? (P) spoken
You know, I’d rather not say! (A) spoken
Then I won’t hold it against you, baby (P) sung
Not in a negative way. (P) sung
Chorus: (Pop sings)
Solo: (into bridge)
Bridge: (swap lines and both sing
We’re not always like minded (A) spoken
Or even on the same page! (P) spoken
But being together’s like fine wine (Both Sing)
It just get’s better with age! (Both sing)
Chorus: (Together)
If you won’t blame it on me (A) sung, I won’t claim it’s on you (P) sung
When we make each other crazy, with the crazy little things we do (Both sing) 
No, we don’t understand each other’s way of thinking, but it’s okay! (Both sing)
We’re gonna have days, when you drive me to drinking! (Both sing)
Tag: 	There’s gonna be days, when you drive me to drinking! ( both spoken)

You Drive Me To Drinking WAV

Thanks to my friend George for our favorite picture of us, my sweetie and me down on the farm. The title suits him. The tune is a 2004 Edit of a love song that she figures into too. It's about a couple who discover each other just like we did, in our own way! My daughter, Amelia Faith, did the girl parts and did me proud!
Lyrics:
The Eye of the Beholder (Male - Female Duet) 2004 Edit
1.  Maybe no one would have said, “there goes Prince Charming”!

But just one look, and I was in a fix!

There was something about this boy, that simply was disarming

And I fell for him just like a ton of bricks!

Chorus:   Folks say “beauty’s in the eye of the beholder”

And “handsome is as handsome does”, they say

If I’d’a had the nerve I would’ve told her

And I might have brought him home right then to stay

2.  Maybe no one would have said, “there goes a beauty queen”!

But with one look, I could not get my fill!

There was something about this girl, my eyes had rarely seen

And she knocked me out like I took a knockout pill!

Chorus: (repeat as above)

Bridge:

Maybe not , maybe so / the way things go, you never know

Maybe no, maybe yes / the way it works, it’s your best guess

3.  Maybe no one would have said. “they’re a matched set just like bookends”

But on second glance, someone might have seen

And poked the person next to them and chanced to share

”There goes Mr. Prince Charming, with a knockout beauty queen”!

Chorus:   Folks say “beauty’s in the eye of the beholder”

And “handsome is as handsome does”, they say

If I’d’a had the nerve I would’ve told her

And I might have brought him home right then to stay

 Tag: I got up the nerve, and then I went and told her

        And I took him home with me that day to stay

Eye Of The Beholder Edited

Here’s a tune that Mark, Bryan, and I (a three amigos production) put together to share with you. The picture captures Mark playing guitar and singing background vocals with the band. The song is about the times we are living in, a bit of advice. We are preaching y’all! A lyrics video is in the works.
Lyrics:
A Little Too Little, (2023)

1.	Let’s not let it be said we did / A little too little too late
A  big bunch too much crooked / And a tiny bit going straight
A little too little moving off of the middle / And way too much tempting fate
Let’s not do a little too little / And wind up being too late.
Chorus 1:
A little too little / A little too not enough
A little too much half fast trying / And a little too little hanging tough
A little too little coming in late / Not enough being on time
A little too little give it all we got / And too much running behind.
2.	Let’s not say it’s all about me / And forget it’s all about us
Too much being on the right side / Not enough staying in touch
Gonna take me and you to solve this riddle / Not near enough cooperate
Let’s not be a little too much me / And winding up being too late.
Chorus 2:
A little too much me / A little too not about us
A little too little working together / Too much making a fuss
A little too much choosing sides / Not enough showing we care
Meeting in the middle / Just enough learning to share. 
Bridge:	Side by side / Hand in hand
		I might not be able / But we can!
Chorus I:

A Little Too Little

This week we did a final mix and master overhaul on this tune which has existed over time for several years and incarnations. The lyrics and participants have held steady over the entire time. A good time was had by all of us! We hope you will enjoy as much as we did!

It’s Just Me Lyrics:
1. I tried so hard to be the one, I thought you hoped to find
Somewhere in those trying times, I left myself behind
‘til I ran slap out of trying, Into who I had to be
Baby, what you see is what you get, It’s just me.
Chorus: Yeah baby it’s just me, Darlin’ can’t you see
I’m not no carbon copy, I’m who I used to be
I’m a bonified, original, Vintage, no repro fool
And baby I’ve come back to you, Ain’t that cool?
2. I tried so hard to be somebody, I thought you had in mind
But I couldn’t make that work for me, You know I’m not that kind
And baby I’m done with tryin’, here’s how it’s got to be
What you see is what you got, (do you want me or not?)
It’s just me!
Chorus: (same as above)
Bridge:
No more makeover, No slick disguise
No more undercover, No telling big fat lies
No fixer upper, No need for new paint
No more bein’ somebody, Who I ain’t.

Bridge: (same as above)
Chorus: (same as above)

It's Just Me Edited

The words for this tune were  written in 1960 while in high school, and years later my friend Merritt (pictured with me) and I ganged up on bringing it to life musically. Another buddy, Howard, dropped by to play some tasty harp as always. Bryan plays guitar, and Lucy is on keys on this edited track This 2024 edit combines elements from song incarnations over 64 years. This tune tells the story of a young man with s monster crush on his teacher. It is fictional and by no stretch confessional. Turns out he's got a bit of a smart mouth too. Take it with a grain of salt and a sense of humor as well. It's a DaddyO's classic to those of us still around. Enjoy.
Lyrics:
A Thing Or Two Edited
1. You know my teacher tol’ me, back when I was still in school
Your grades been steady slippin’, you been acting like a fool
You never get your lessons, and you won’t apply yourself
Its like you’re just daydreamin’, got your mind on somethin’ else

Bridge: But…But…
	Miss Teacher you’re so fine, and I got my mind on you
	Let’s you and me trade places, and I’ll teach you a thing or two

2.	That teacher had her mind set, and she never cracked a smile
	She handed me my folder, said its all here in your file
	You’re always in detention, or else you’re late to class
	If you never pay attention, how you think you gonna pass?

Bridge: But…But…
	Miss teacher you’re so fine, and I’m payin’ attention to you
	Let’s me and you trade places, and I’ll teach you a thing or two

3.	She knew I wasn’t listenin’, but she gave it one last try
	She got her fine self in my face, and she looked me in the eye
She said you got a good mind, but you sure ain’t thinking straight
And I hope you get the message, before its just too late

    Bridge: But…But…
	Miss teacher you’re so fine, and I sho’ been thinking ‘bout you
Let’s me and you trade places, and I’ll teach you a thing or two

      Repeat 1st Verse and Bridge (double last line of bridge)

A Thing Or Two Edited

If we are honest we have to cop to the fact that this is a "spoof" country song in search of grins and giggles. When talk about self driving cars got hot in the media, someone suggested that soon there would be a song about that. We took that as a challenge! Country seemed to be the way to go, so it had to be a truck. Hope you all enjoy where it went from there and find reason to laugh or smile.
Lyrics:
Self Driving Pickup Truck – Edited
1.	Car and driver, what’s up next 
Gonna cost me a bundle’a bucks
But there’s a lot a man could do
With a tricked out techno truck
I could drink, she’d drive, no DUIs
I could get me some girls in the back
In short cutoffs and bikini tops
Knockin’ down some shots’a Jack
Pre Chorus:	I’d be the coolest thing that you ever seen
		Ridin’ around in that thing
Chorus:	I got the first self driving pickup truck
		To roll off that factory line
TV, a bar, and Jacuzzi in the cab
Like a limo with a bed behind
Post C:	You know I couldn’t be more satisfied
		All the girls are saying, “I wanna ride!”
2.	Things went bad, must’a made her mad
Bossin’ her around and stuff
She got jealous, wanted TLC
Then one day she’d had enough
Met a mechanic who would change her oil
Keep her clean and maintained right
Shut off the GPS, so I couldn’t find her
And she ran off with him last night
Pre Chorus:	I was the coolest thing that you’d ever seen
		Ridin’ around in that thing
Chorus:	I had the first self driving pickup truck
		To roll off that factory line
TV, a bar, and Jacuzzi in the cab
Like a limo with a bed behind
Post C:	But now I see that I’m outta luck
		All the girls’re askin’ me “Where’s that truck?”
Pre Chorus:	I was the coolest thing that you’d ever seen
		Ridin’ around in that thing
Chorus:	I had the first self driving pickup truck
		And Buddy I was havin’ a ball
But soon she got her fill of me
And she found someone else to haul
Post C:	Yeah Buddy, I was havin’ a ball
		‘Til she found somebody else to haul

07-Self-Driving-Pickup-Truck-Edited

I spend about half the year in an RV, going from friend to family to special spots I love (Maine, FL Keys...) I have a magical spot, with special people, in Carrollton the rest of the time. I spent my work life in a world of psychology, growth and spirituality.  At the core of all my work (with kids and adults of all ages) has been encouraging the willingness and courage to ask "Who Am I REALLY?" which can lead to the discovery of deeper, more authentic parts of ourselves than our unintentional brainwash since birth may have led us to believe we are. Authenticity Heals. As does music. And meditation. And Gratitude. And Service.

Mama

dnta11

Related tracks