The songs in this playlist were written and co-written by Gary Alan Roberts. They are not professional studio recordings. They come from live performances and practice rehearsals.  Dr. Roberts worked in higher education for 42 years, the last 27 as dean of students at the University of Central Arkansas, before he retired in 2017. While working, Gary managed a coffeehouse series at his church called Advent Arts & Acoustics Cafe. He also managed a performance series at the University of Central Arkansas called UCA Unplugged. He formed an acoustic band called The Dean's List, whose core members included Gary Roberts, Terry Love, Tammy Solberg and Frankie Stovall. They performed folk, singer-songwriter, and Americana type music. Many of the songs are originals, written by band members. There is a message or meaning behind each song.  For more information about Gary Roberts' music, you can contact him by email at garyr@uca.edu. Thanks for listening!

Songs written by Gary Alan Roberts

This song, "I've Got A Poem For You," was recorded by The Dean's List on May 22, 2000 at Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas. Members included Gary Roberts, Frankie Stovall, Tammy Solberg and Terry Love. This song is a tribute to the parents and memory of Kara Jill Black who died in an automobile accident on September 4, 1999. Kara was a student at the University of Central Arkansas. In the funeral program was a poem Kara wrote at age 10 called, "I've Got A Poem For You." We asked her parents if we could put a tune to the poem and perform it at a concert, and they gave us permission. Words to this song are from Kara Black, tune by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). What an insightful poem for a 10 year old. We hope you enjoy as we remember Kara Black.

I've Got A Poem For You by The Dean's List, Live Practice Recording Session

This song, "Daughter and Me," was recorded by The Dean's List at Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas on May 22, 2000. The song is about the reflections a father might have after the birth of a child.  Members of the group include Gary Roberts (guitar and vocals), Frankie Stovall (penny whistle and vocals), Tammy Solberg (vocals), and Terry Love (vocals). This song is written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). We hope you enjoy listening.

Daughter And Me by The Dean's List, Live Practice Recording Session

This song, "The Famine Of Ireland," was recorded by The Dean's List at Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas on May 22, 2000. This is a song about the potato famine that hit Ireland from 1845 to 1852 where many people perished, and others fled to other countries incuding America.  Members of the group in this recording include Gary Roberts (guitar and lead vocals), Tammy Solberg (vocals), Frankie Stovall (piano and vocals) and Terry Love (guitar). This song is written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). We hope you enjoy listening.

The Famine Of Ireland by The Dean's List, Live Practice Recording Session

This song, "Cast Your Sail Into The Sunset," was recorded by The Dean's List at Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas on May 22, 2000. It is about the Irish who emigrated to America, many who left during the mid to late 1840's due to the potato famine. It is a song about despair, reflection and hope for the future.  Members of the group in this recording include Gary Roberts (guitar and lead vocals), Tammy Solberg (vocals), Frankie Stovall (penny whistle) and Terry Love (vocals). This song is written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). We hope you enjoy listening.

Cast Your Sail Into The Sunset by The Dean's List

This song, "They Call It Love," was recorded by The Dean's List at Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas on May 22, 2000. It is about two individuals finding true love and deciding to get married. Members of the group in this recording include Terry Love (lead vocals) Gary Roberts (guitar and vocals), Tammy Solberg (vocals), and Frankie Stovall (penny whistle). This song is written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). We hope you enjoy listening.

They Call It Love by The Dean's List, Live Practice Recording Session

This song, "Ole Coon Creek," was recorded by The Dean's List at Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas on May 22, 2000. The song is about our mother, Loreen Ratzloff, and her reflections of her childhood growing up on a creek near Cedar Point, Kansas. Our mother passed away on November 27, 2022 at age 91. The words to this song were written by Loreen Ratzloff; with music by her son, Gary Roberts (all rights reserved).  Members who performed in this recording include Gary Roberts (lead vocals and guitar) Terry Love (vocals), Tammy Solberg (vocals), and Frankie Stovall (piano and vocals). We hope you enjoy listening.

Ole Coon Creek by The Dean's List, Live Practice Recording Session

This is a fun Irish song, "The Courtship Song," that was recorded by The Dean's List at Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas on May 22, 2000. The song is about two young lovers as they go back and forth in their courtship of each other. Members of the group in this recording include Gary Roberts (lead vocals and guitar), Frankie Stovall (lead vocals and penny whistle), and Terry Love (guitar). This song is written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). We hope you enjoy listening.

The Courtship Song by The Dean's List, Live Practice Recording Session

This song, "Live The Way I Pray," was performed live by Gary Roberts and Jack Gleason at Advent Cafe in Conway, Arkansas on January 9, 1998. It featured Gary Roberts. Joining them on stage was Allan Roisen on bass guitar. The words of the song come from a poem found on the internet (author unknown). Gary Roberts put a tune to the words. This performance was recorded by Brian Eggert. We hope you enjoy listening.

Live The Way I Pray by Gary Roberts & Jack Gleason live at Advent Cafe

This song, "Our Friend Bill," was a tribute to Bill Unger who was a long time member of Advent Lutheran Church in Conway, Arkansas. He passed away in late December 1997. Individuals performing this song included Jack Gleason (lead vocals), Gary Roberts (vocals and guitar), Brenda Roisen (vocals and flute), and Allan Roisen (bass guitar). This song was written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved) after sitting in Alice Unger's home, soon after Bill's passing, as he listened to people's comments about Bill. We hope you enjoy listening to this beautiful tribute to Bill Unger.

Our Friend Bill by Jack Gleason & Gary Roberts live at Advent Cafe

This is a song, "Watch Me Daddy," written by Gary Roberts in which he and The Dean's List performed at his daughter's wedding. The song is about being there to watch our children's activities as they grow up - to show support, tell them how proud we are, and how much we love them. Members performing included Gary Roberts (guitar and lead vocals), Frankie Stovall (piano), and Terry Love (guitar and vocals). It was recorded by Jack Gaiser. We hope you enjoy listening.

Watch Me Daddy by The Dean's List Performed Live at Rob & Jessica Catlett's Wedding

This song, Slow Dance, was performed by Grace-Full Journey at Advent Cafe in Conway, Arkansas on Oct. 30, 1999. The lyrics author is unknown; tune written by Gary Roberts. Members of Grace-Full Journey include Gary Roberts (vocal & guitar), Tammy Solberg and Kelli Moon Burnett (vocals). This song talks about our need to slow things down so we can enjoy life.

Slow Dance by Grace-Full Journey (Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg & Kelli Moon Burnett)

This song, For Lydia, was performed by Grace-Full Journey at Advent Cafe in Conway, AR on Oct. 3, 1997.  Lyrics to the song were taken from a poem off the internet (author unknown); tune written by Gary Roberts.  Members of Grace-Full Journey included Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg and Kelli Moon Burnett.  We hope you enjoy.

For Lydia by Grace-Full Journey (Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg & Kelli Moon Burnett)

This song, Father Time Keeps Rollin' On, was performed by Grace-Full Journey at Advent Cafe in Conway, AR on Oct. 3, 1997.  Lyrics and tune are by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). This is the first song he has ever written.  It pays tribute to two friends who passed away, Mary Stallcup and Richard Scott.  Members of Grace-Full Journey included Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg & Kelli Moon Burnett.  Hope you enjoy.

Father Time Keeps Rollin' On, Grace-Full Journey (Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg & Kelli Moon Burnett)

This song, With Grateful Heart, was performed by Grace-Full Journey at Advent Cafe in Conway, AR on Oct. 3, 1997.  The song lyrics were written by an Advent Lutheran Church youth group; tune is by Gary Roberts.  Members of Grace-Full Journey include Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg and Kelli Moon Burnett.  We hope you enjoy.

With Grateful Heart by Grace-Full Journey (Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg & Kelli Moon Burnett)

Gary Roberts & Brooks Walthall performed "Don't Strike Out" live at Advent Arts & Acoustics Cafe in Conway, Arkansas on September 5, 1997. The song's message is about preventing violence. This was the first ever performance at Advent Cafe, which opened in 1997 and closed in 2014. This song featured Gary Roberts. It is written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). The performance was recorded by Mitch Harmon and Jacob Brooks. We hope you enjoy listening.

Don't Strike Out by Gary Roberts & Brooks Walthall

This song, "A Gift of Time," was performed live by Grace-Full Journey at Advent Cafe in Conway, AR on Sept. 11, 1998.  Members of Grace-Full Journey for this performance were Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg, Kelli Moon Burnett & Mercedes Ray.  This song is about the need to give of our time to help others.  Lyrics and tune for A Gift of Time are written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved).  We hope you enjoy.

A Gift Of Time by Grace-Full Journey Live at Advent Cafe

This song, "He Came," was performed live by Grace-Full Journey at Advent Cafe in Conway, Arkansas on September 11, 1998.  Members of Grace-Full Journey at the time were Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg, Kelli Moon Burnett and Mercedes Ray. "He Came" is a Christian song with words by Jessica Roberts-Catlett who was 12 at the time she wrote it; tune written by her father, Gary Roberts (all rights reserved).  We hope you enjoy.

He Came by Grace-Full Journey (Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg, Kelli Moon Burnett & Mercedes Ray)

This song, "I Want To Live," was performed live by Grace-Full Journey at Advent Cafe in Conway, Arkansas on Sept. 11, 1998.  It is a powerful song with words by Kelli Moon Burnett; tune by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). It has great meaning for anyone who has suffered abuse and experienced depression and suicidal thoughts.  This song was sung beautifully by Mercedes Buller-Ray.  We hope you enjoy.

I Want To Live, Grace-Full Journey (Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg, Kelli Moon Burnett & Mercedes Ray)

Anyone who has worked in student discipline or student housing on a college campus, or lived in a residence hall will identify with this song, "Cause I'm An Idiot." It was performed by The Dean's List at Advent Cafe in Conway, AR on Oct. 6, 2000. Members included Gary Roberts, Terry Love, Tammy Solberg and Frankie Stovall. This song is written by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). We hope you enjoy this hilarious tune.

Cause I'm An Idiot by The Dean's List Live At Advent Cafe

This is a lovely song, "My Big Brother," performed by The Dean's List at Advent Cafe in Conway, Arkansas on February 1, 2002. The song is about Tim Mathis, a student at the University of Central Arkansas who passed away in a tragic car accident on December 2, 2001. His sister, Savannah Mathis-Myers, had written a poem a few years prior that was printed in the funeral program. With the parent's permission, I put a tune to the poem. The Dean's List performed it at Advent Cafe, with Tim's family in attendance. Savannah wrote another poem about Tim's passing, which she shared with the Advent Cafe audience on February 1. (That poem can be heard on a separate recording.) Members of The Dean's List for this performance included Gary Roberts, Tammy Solberg, Kristin Solberg-Demott, and Terry Love. Lyrics are written by Savannah Mathis-Myers, tune by Gary Roberts (all rights reserved). Please enjoy this wonderful song.

The Dean's List Live at Advent Cafe (2002)

My Big Brother by The Dean's List Live at Advent Cafe

I managed Advent Arts & Acoustics Cafe (Advent Cafe) Coffeehouse series in Conway, AR for about 17 years (from 1997-2014). I also managed a UCA Unplugged series at the University of Central Arkansas around this same time, and co-managed the Arkansas Acoustic Festival. Most performers were folk, singer/songwriters from central Arkansas. We recorded each performance. I am posting Advent Cafe, UCA Unplugged, and Arkansas Acoustic Festival performances on my SoundCloud account for your enjoyment. Most of these songs are originals written by Central Arkansas Musicians. You'll find a diversity of music - folk, country, Christian, rock, pop, jazz, blues, ragtime, Irish, etc. We have great singer/songwriting talent in Central Arkansas. I especially want to thank Jack Gaiser, Brian Eggert, Brooks Walthall, Allan Roisen, and Chuck Gilbert who ran sound and recorded this music. If you wish to contact me my email is robertsgary1952@gmail.com.  Please enjoy!