This is a cover of a Kris Kristofferson song, made popular in the 1976 version by Johnny Duncan and Janie Frickie. Kris also recorded a nice version. I combined elements of both and gave it a Jimmy Buffet-style reggae beat. Featuring Albert Lee (lead guitar,) Dana Shaw (guest vocal,) Robert Heft (rhythm guitar, bass guitar,) Mark Brown (keyboards) and Mike Tempo (drums, percussion.) Engineered and mixed by Robert Heft at Songwriters Studio Services. @robert-heft @dlshaw08 @mike-tempo @musik-haus-llc

Stranger

Little Briar Rose is an emotional jazz ballad retelling Sleeping Beauty from the prince’s perspective. Featuring a swingin' piano, storytelling vocals, and a simple jazz interpretation, it’s a heartfelt song about awakening, love, and redemption.  
(c)2025 Ggreg Snyder

[Verse 1]
She lay in the tower, the briars grew tall,
A kingdom enchanted, asleep through it all.
A hundred years waiting, her fate was composed,
The name on their lips was Little Briar Rose.

[Chorus]
But the kiss was not for her awakening,
It was mine, it was mine, the heart inside me breaking.
Cold as stone, I’d never known what love could be—
Little Briar Rose, you awakened me.

[Verse 2]
I thought I was mighty, a prince made of steel,
No sorrow could touch me, no kindness to feel.
I kissed her in duty, or so I supposed,
But she opened my heart—sweet Briar Rose.

[Chorus]
And the kiss was not for her awakening,
It was mine, it was mine, the heart inside me breaking.
Cold as stone, I’d never known what love could be—
Little Briar Rose, you awakened me.

[Bridge]
The thorns have all melted, the kingdom can sing,
But I found the treasure no crown could bring.
It wasn’t her beauty, it wasn’t her hand,
It was learning the joy of helping to stand. 

[Verse 3]
Now I walk in sunlight I never have known,
Her laughter beside me, it softens the throne.
For the gift that she gave me will ever be shown,
That a heart is worth more than a crown of stone.

[Chorus]
The kiss was never for her awakening,
It was mine, it was mine, the heart inside me breaking.
Cold as stone, I’d never known what love could be—
Little Briar Rose, you awakened me.

[Outro]
Little Briar Rose… you awakened me.

Little Briar Rose

A jazz song in the Ella mode about a woman shooing off a potential suitor.

LYRICS
[VERSE 1]
You tell me ’bout your penthouse view,
Your yacht in Capri, painted blue.
You flash that diamond, sparkle bright,
Say you’re the man for me tonight.
I nod and grin, I sip my gin,
But sugar, you can’t get in.

[CHORUS]
’Cause I’m otherwise committed,
Baby, my heart’s already fitted.
Got a man who treats me fine,
Don’t need your champagne or wine.
So sing your song, but you can’t win,
I’m otherwise committed, not to him.

[VERSE 2]
You drop big names from here to Rome,
You brag about that car you chrome.
You strut and boast, you play the part,
But darling, you can’t buy my heart.
So tip your hat, go tip the band,
This lady won’t take your hand.

[CHORUS]
I’m otherwise committed,
Baby, my love’s already knitted.
He’s no millionaire in gold,
But he’s got a hand to hold.
So play your game, it’s just a whim,
I’m otherwise committed, not to him.

[BRIDGE]
My baby’s not flashy, his paycheck’s not tall,
But he’s home every evening, he gives me it all.
He’s steady, he’s ready, he builds what will last,
While you’re just a story, a line, and a laugh.

[FINAL CHORUS]
So I’m otherwise committed,
Boy, your name’s already omitted.
You shine real bright, but not for me,
I’ve got my man, and that’s the key.
So close the book, the story’s dim—
I’m otherwise committed…
Shoo-bop-bop committed…
Otherwise committed, not to him.
 

(soft, playful tag)
Mmm… otherwise committed…
doo-doo-doo, committed…
otherwise committed…
not to him.

Otherwise Committed

Everyone has their ideal woman, and for me, this might just be it. 

LYRICS
(C)2025 Ggreg Snyder


[Verse 1]
Neighbors talk across the fence,
Sayin’ she’s lost all common sense.
Threatenin’ to call animal control,
But she’s got a big yard, so she can roll.
They're never shy to lick her on the face
And they never give her any personal space

[Chorus 1]
13 dogs, none of them are fixed,
13 dogs, 12 of them are mixed.
13 dogs, they like to go on hunts,
13 dogs, they always bark at once.

[Verse 2]
They say she puts out fourteen bowls,
A Catholic thing for hungry souls.
She don’t know where they all came from,
They just show up and call it home.
She’s starting an Insta to pay the bills,
For kibble and shots and expensive pills.

[Chorus 2]
13 dogs, ain't no show dogs here
13 dogs, they're sweet, have no fear.
13 dogs, tails beatin’ like drums,
13 dogs, sniffin' all the crumbs.

[Verse 3]
I hear ‘em howl when the moon gets high,
Sounds like a choir in the midnight sky.
The town all curses, but I don’t mind,
I think that girl’s the rarest kind.
I never met her, but I’ve got a plan,
I’ll knock on her door with a shovel in my hand.

[Chorus 3 / Final]
13 dogs, none of them are leashed,
13 dogs, my heart’s been reached.
13 dogs, raised by a girl so sweet,
13 dogs, I can’t wait to meet.


Chugga, Chugga, Hey!

The Girl With 13 Dogs

A mushy song about the lessons that parents teach us. Featuring Tom Bedlam on vocals and Robert Ruby on the instruments. Produced by Robert Ruby. @tom-bedlam-music @robertrubymusic

LESSONS AND BLESSINS
©2018 Ggreg Snyder

VERSE:
It’s such a shame that you’ll never meet
The two folks who thought that I made them complete
Though the time they spent in my life was quite brief
They gave me a simple set of beliefs
PRECHORUS:
Their wisdom is something I’ve found
To guide me, when they’re not around

CHORUS:
Eat all your vegies, take off your hat
Yes please and thank you, mom taught me that
Don’t ever hit girls, I got that from dad
The lessons and the blessins I’ve had

VERSE:
Sometimes I objected, it’s hard to behave
But still I remember, the judgement they gave
They wanted to teach things important to them
Though looking back at it, they weren’t all gems

PRECHORUS:
Your folks got their own point of view
But it looks like they raised you right, too

CHORUS:
Don’t talk to strangers, give grandma a kiss
Tell your brother your sorry, mom taught me this
Don’t smart mouth your mother, I got that from dad
The lessons and the blessins I’ve had

BRIDGE:
Been thinkin’ about what you mean to me
And that we should consider our own family

CHORUS:
Take the dog for a walk, don’t tease the cat
Wash your hands before supper, you’ll teach them that
Finish your homework, they’ll get that from dad
The lessons and the blessins they’ll have

Lessons And Blessins ft Tom Bedlam

This is a song about a street in Los Angele County's AV, which runs through Lancaster, Palmdale and Quartz Hill. Featuring Robert Heft on lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass, Roberto Diana on banjo, Mike Tempo on drums and percussion, and Nick Echols & Rachel Hirshee on backing vocals. @rachel-hirshee-768986806 @mike-tempo @robert-heft @robertodiana

LYRICS

AVENUE N
©2015 Ggreg Snyder

Jean drinks gin in the morning, he’s feeling misérable
At ten he interviews for a another stupid job
The questions he is asked, leave him perplexed
The man says, “Hey, you start on Monday next.

	The benefits package is contained herein.”
	He peruses it all as he drives down Avenue N

Brad leaves the office, his HR day is through
He walks into a bar, it’s called “The Office”, too
He argues with the losers, jokers with no life
And 8-ish he ubers home to his wife

	He's got a boring 9 to 5, she teaches yoga and spin
	They got a 5 bedroom house off of 60th West and N

(solo)

		You can pour it in a glass or chug from a cup
		Drink it all down, or throw it all up
		Buy it from a can, or distill your own
		Maybe misery is better homegrown

Debbie watches Brad fall asleep on the floor
and drives to a mobile home, she’s been there before
She and Araceli drink tequila and beer
They relate in a way that’s strictly peer-to-peer

	They go to the biggest church on Avenue N
	But they like to live life on the other side now and then

Avenue N

This is a new version of an old favorite, written in the mid-80's. Robert Heft is playing guitar and singing background, Dana Shaw is also singing background, Charles Lim is on double bass, and Ed Eblen is the drummer and percussionist @robert-heft @dalenickey @dlshaw08 @ed-eblen-music

Born Cool (Die Warm)

No matter who or how you love, you are bound to have a moment of truth with the other party. Tara Alise Cox is singing the contralto part, with Molly Cotten singing the high soprano.  Artem Zhulev plays saxophone. Robert Heft plays lead guitar, rhythm guitar and bass, Ed Eblen is on drums. @tara-cox-167632375 @molly-cotten-573748187 @robert-heft @ed-eblen-music

Gehenna

That Dare Not Speak Its Name

In this tune, the character of Evelyn encourages her girlfriend Lisa that they should come out. Alfredo Reed plays most of the instruments, Tara Alise Cox sings the lead as Evelyn, and Molly Cotten as Lisa sings harmony on the bridge. Engineered by Robert Heft, who plays acoustic guitar. @tara-cox-167632375 @molly-cotten-573748187 @robert-heft @alfredococo10 ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

End Of The World

This song is for the finale of Act 1. It is sung by a visiting National Guard troop, who have a very important person to guard. Vocals by Philip McBride, Eric Seppala and Cameron Gilliam, with backing tracks by Michael Tjanaka. Robert Heft plays guitar and baritone solo and mixed and engineered the song. Artem Zhulev plays tenor and baritone saxophone. It is meant to be done in the style of Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons. @michaeltjanaka @robert-heft @philip-mcbride-679152285 @camgilliam

Service

This number opens Act 2, with Agent Guy Miller singing about how special he is. Lead Vocal by Philip McBride, singing the role of Agent Miller. Solo by Dana Shaw, backing vocals by Matt E. Allen and Troy Barboza. Drums by Ed Eblen, lead guitar by Robert Heft, all other instruments by Freddy Parra. Engineered and Mixed  by Robert Heft. @robert-heft @parra_guitar @philip-mcbride-679152285 @dlshaw08 @matthew-hocutt @troyarmandbarboza @ed-eblen-music ©2019 Ggreg Snyder

Man Of The Hour

Ggreg is a native of San Jose, CA, currently living in Las Vegas, NV. He is a singer/songwriter, as well as an actor, playwright and voice over artist. Member SAG-AFTRA, AEA, ASCAP, NSAI.