These are just demos for a 2024 (and 2023) weekly songwriting group. Enjoy, and don't judge too harshly as none are finished songs or recordings. Thanks! Rick --  HogBranch.com RickWatsonATX.com

Rick Watson - New Song Demos for  2024 Songwriting Group

Into Seven

Demo only. Week ending 06/17 0f 2023 Songwriting Group. (Prompt: Jump)
Pine Grove Jump (Lyrics by Rick Watson)

Where the tracks end in the piney woods
He’s making plans for making good
	on a promise
Laying steel for Southern Railway
Where Faye walked by & smiled daily
	right into Leon’s face
He asked her name, that’s all he knows,
But tells his brother with an oath
	By God, I ‘m gonna marry Faye.
Why’d he jump so far ahead?
She just made that boy see red
	from that first day.
(chorus)
No need to leap to conclusions
But when his heart jumped, there was no refusing
  The first time she turned back to smile
  He knew that it’d only be a while
  Till they left those piney woods
	honeymooning
When Friday comes & he gets paid
He combs his hair after he bathes
	& Leon goes a-courting.
It takes two years but he don’t mind
‘Cause she still smiles & he’s just fine 
	for now with flirting
When war’s declared in 41
They wed before he grabs a gun
	& he swears this to Faye
“When I return to this little town
I’ll build a home to make you proud
	of your new name.”
(chorus)
His word was bond, her trust was strong
The months passed by, war dragged on
	And he sent her letters.
He called her Dear and signed My Sweet
At last he mustered home to meet
	his baby daughter.
They raised a barn then built a house
and raised three kids who have kids now
	& grandkids of their own.
They lie together, no, never alone,
Leon & Faye, their last name is Bond, 
	engraved in stone.
  (bridge)
Maybe Faye looks down & smiles
And Leon still feels a little wild
	even up there above
And they’d jump at a chance again
To walk these woods hand in hand
  	falling back into love
(chorus)

Pine Grove Jump - Rick Watson

Stoner Girl (Parts 1 & 2)

ATX Country and Jump Blues
Recorded live in Austin, Texas, at Banger's, January 2024.
Booking: tom_u@hotmail.com

Honky Tonk Girl - The Country Clubbers - Live in Austin - January 2024

CC Rider - The Country Clubbers - Live in Austin - January 2024

Sunday Morning Coming Down - The Country Clubbers - Live in Austin - January 2024

ATX Country and Jump Blues
Recorded live in Austin, Texas, at Banger's, January 2024.
Booking: karishaff@gmail.com; tom_u@hotmail.com

Help Me Make It Through The Night - The Country Clubbers - Live in Austin - January 2024

Crazy Arms - The Country Clubbers - Live in Austin - January 2024

What’s Going On (Inside My Brain)

Words & Music by Rick Watson			
© Hog Branch Publishing, March 1, 2024
DEMO ONLY.
2024 Austin Songwriter Group. Weekly Prompt: Goin' On

Lyrics

(Verse)
I didn’t mind
not knowing what’s going on
In your mind
Till you'd packed up to run
And now	I find
You’ve moved on far past the line
It’s one more sign
I never know what’s going on inside

(Chorus)
What’s going on inside my brain
I’m out of touch with everything

(Verse)
I can’t find
A train of thought to ride 
I'm in decline
I am crawling back inside 
My head it’s drained
I’ve strayed too close to the grave
It’s strange I find
I can’t recall my own damn name

(Chorus)
What’s going on inside my brain
I’m losing touch with everything

What's Going On (Inside my Brain)

What's Going On (Inside My Brain)

And Now I'm Grateful -- DEMO ONLY
Music & lyrics by Rick Watson
(c) 2024 Hog Branch Publishing 

Austin 2024 Songwriting Group. Prompt: Grateful

And Now I’m Grateful
Words & music by Rick Watson
© 2024 Hog Branch Publishing

Lyrics

I don’t know what was wrong with me
So full of hate & self-pity
Searched all around but all I’d see
Couldn’t fill the void inside of me

Now I’m grateful
Grateful I’m grateful

I wonder was I born that way
Or’d something happen to make me stray
Searched high & low & even prayed
Drank it all in but the pain still stayed

Now I’m grateful
Grateful I’m grateful

Strangers in a basement hall
Said come on back or even call
Day one now & one for all
Got on my knees & began to crawl

And now I’m grateful
Grateful I’m grateful

And Now I'm Grateful

New recording from Austin-based blues and groove band Supergrease

Coast to Coast

Coast To Coast - Supergrease

Words & music by Rick Watson, Hog Branch Publishing, March 2024. DEMO ONLY. (A revised take on a January 2024 songwriting group prompt -- new tempo and key.)

Lyrics

Lights out tonight
My heart’s pumping double
Full moon picks a fight
Each shadow spells trouble
The wind’s howling Run, boy
Though I only stumble
My love dreams beside me
I’ll soon burst that bubble
Lights out

Black clouds roll in
Horned owl is screeching
My face in the window
The highway beseeching
Screen door recoils
Ignition, I’m leaving
God’s voice in the static
But hate’s all he preaching
Lights out

Rest would come with just one swerve
Lights out for good on dead man’s curve
That peace costs more than you deserve
Or maybe baby I just lost my nerve
Lights out

Blue highway glows
It’s nothing I’m chasing
Despair is exhausting
Fatigue I’m embracing
The causeway – last exit
The rearview I’m gazing
The horizon’s a rose
The night it’s erasing
Lights out
I’m coming home
Lights out
I’m coming home
Lights out

Lights Out (I'm Coming Home)

A surf-inspired tune for this week's Austin Songwriter Group. DEMO ONLY. 

Kissing the Menace
Words & music by Rick Watson. (c)2024 Hog Branch Publishing.

Lyrics

Loving you is like living a death sentence --
captivating, nights of terror & heartache
yet thrilling & always intense.
Kissing you is like kissing the Menace.

Loving you is like trusting a witness --
emotional, uncertain, thrilling
but potentially filled with risk.
Kissing you is like kissing the Menace.

Kissing the Menace

First and Third
Music & lyrics by Rick Watson, (c)2024 Hog Branch Publishing. DEMO ONLY. Austin Songwriter Group prompt: The Window
Thanks for drums to Michael Bahan

lyrics

I’m searching down First Avenue
Can't help but wonder Is that you?
Picking gum off of her boot
	Glaring at some tourist too
You duck into the Pak Punjab
Toting your red laundry bag
	Sunset paints this canyon blue
	You walk on past, it wasn’t you

Sitting on our Third Street stoop
Wish you’d keep me in the loop
Past the church, that looks like you
Checkered scarf & slant bangs too
Wait, I see you waving now
I lift my hand, begin to smile
	The streetlamp coughs up his gray suit
	He takes your hand, it isn’t you

A siren wakes me just past 2
A shadow lies where I wait for you
	The bridge that took you frames the moon
	The East River will swallow soon
Get up,  unlatch the window grate
Stretch out onto the fire escape
	Glance down the block & scan for you
	So many windows reflecting gloom
        Come home, Pretty, and pretty soon
        Come fill up this empty room

First and Third

Pushing West (Bonus Tracks)

Wave Shape And Form

Testing the new "Gallows in the morning" effects pedal from Recovery Effects with bass guitar. Gallows is on the 'brazen' setting.  Some slide enhancements with humbucker guitar in track as well.

Ghost Whales

Hog Branch is home-base for Austin country soul songwriter, music, actor Rick Watson.  #GulfCoastSoulandBlues #FunkfromtheFarm #CountrySoulNoLimits

Pine Grove Jump - Rick Watson

Hog Branch

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