Written by Producer Donnie Lyle and Songwriter Jackie Hendon, “I Did It” builds up from struggle, trauma, heartbreak and abuse to unfold in a stirring and triumphant testimony of surviving, overcoming and thriving.  It is a real anthem of struggle and survival that will resonate with anyone who has to overcome difficulty.

I Did It

How would life be if every hope and dream came true? Would we take for granted all the wonders of life if everything always worked out? Do we need our hopes dashed sometimes to appreciate when things do work out? This song is an important meditation and counterweight to the relentless and shallow “positive” messaging we all receive on a daily basis as it seeks to tune and adjust our soul towards a more grounded and meaningful version of “Hope.”

Hope is a Tricky Thing

This song is a deathbed testimony and confession written from both a patient and caregiver experience in a flowing, hypnotic verse-chorus song form.  The story moves from struggle, grief, denial, bargaining, and then subtly shifts to wonderful words of love, acknowledgement and beautiful memories all while being driven by a subtly rising chorus of pleading and longing.  The song ends with both patient and caretaker becoming deeply immersed in a beautiful outdoor nature experience as the world becomes incredibly alive and present for them both. They hold on to each other and decide not to go…. at least Not Today.

Not Today

Johnny Nash’s masterpiece has an authentic reality of healing that gave me a new lease on life as I sang it every morning through cancer treatment.  My voice is vulnerable yet strong as it creates the feeling of hope through hardship carried through the song’s unique and memorable bridge that keeps fresh with every listen.  The band was loose, warmed up and in a great groove as Paul Bell’s solo soars over the 2nd part.  It’s a worthwhile and important cover to do as I want as many people to get the healing I experienced with this song.

I Can See Clearly Now

The boys would stare, the girls would scowl and no one would take me seriously - these were the “blessings'' in my life as a feminist woman with big breasts. My breasts hung around long enough for me to nurture my two daughters-but then a lump formed and turned out to be cancer. This unique and autobiographical ode to my breast life is interwoven with self-deprecating boob jokes and ultimately the acceptance of cancer and a final goodbye to my big ‘ole Hangy Sallys.

05 Hangy Sallys

A woman’s take on one of Elvis’ sexist songs, “All Shook Up” embraces the fun, funky side of desire and love. Arranged with elements of vintage soul, rock & roll, fat bass sounds, and warm background vocals, Rachel’s sexy vocals illuminate how a woman feels when she is really all shook up.

All Shook Up

Y’all  be  best  to  pull  up  a  barrel,  set  a  spell,  and  listen  up,  because  it’s  story  time!    Here’s  a  song  about  the  day  the  cowgirls  got  sick  and  tired  of  being  handed  the  worn-out  end  of  the  lasso.  They  told  the  cowboys  it  was  time  to  let  the  cowgirls  grab  the  reins.    This  time  around,  the  cowgirls  weren’t  inclined  to  take  no  for  an  answer.  The  Macho  Men  didn’t  realize  who  they  were  tanglin’  with,  and  it  soon  dawned  on  ‘em  that  the  sun  may  just  be  goin’  down.

Sundown Of The Macho Man

When we ever wake up from this recurring nightmare in which nefarious, yet FAKE spells are cast by our leader's teeny, tiny hands? His microscopic sticky paws keep trying to rip apart our Democracy-but can they? Will his midget digits even be able to reach far enough? If not, will his stubby fingers be able to reach down to pull up his big boy pants and go away? 👐

Tiny Hands

Where it all began. First professional recording at 5 years old.  My dad, Bill Carlson on guitar, with his own arrangement. Recorded for a promotional video for Alexandria Public Schools, March 8, 1984.  

Somewhere Over the Rainbow Rachel and Bill 1984

Sweet, yet Soulful with a dash of sass and a middle-aged ass.
🎙Singer/Songwriter🎶

Rachel Burns

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