Rust & Shadows" is more than just an album, it's a journey through dimly lit bars, empty roads, and lost dreams. Each track carries the weight of time, echoing in the raw guitar slides, moody basslines, and soul-stirring vocals.

From whiskey-soaked regrets to midnight whispers, this collection of slow blues tells stories of love, loss, and the ghosts that never fade. Let the melodies sink in, and let the shadows speak.

Press play, close your eyes, and let the blues take over.

Dust and Broken Dreams

[Verse 1]
Back then,
Was a different world, 
In different times,
With different rules.
Right now,
Can’t speak your mind,
Can’t cross the line,
Can’t waste the fuel.

[Verse 2]
Back then,
You drove a truck,
Five hundred miles,
Only cost you twenty.
Right now, 
Can’t fill her up,
Can’t afford a trip,
Passed the county.

[Chorus]
I remember we were free, didn’t need much to get by.
Now we’re chasin’ every dollar, in a world runnin’ dry.
We were livin’ for the moment, without fear in our eyes.
Now we’re barely holdin’ on, as our time slippin’ by.

[Verse 3]
Back then, 
You drank the water, 
From a garden hose,
And you’re still breathin’.
Right now,
You read the labels,
You wash your hands,
And you’re still thinkin’.

[Verse 4]
Back then,
you went to church,
Listened to a prayer,
And asked for mercy.
Right now, 
You’re wastin’ time, 
Waitin’ for a sign, 
But you can’t see.

[Chorus]
I remember we were free, didn’t need much to get by
Now we’re chasin’ every dollar, in a world runnin’ dry
We were living for the moment, without fear in our eyes
Now we’re barely holdin’ on, as our time slippin’ by

[Verse 5]
Back then,
Was a different world,
In different times,
With different rules.
Right now,
It’s a whole new world, 
A whole new time,
And too many rules.

[Chorus]
I remember we were free, didn’t need much to get by
Now we’re chasin’ every dollar, in a world runnin’ dry
We were living for the moment, without fear in our eyes
Now we’re barely holdin’ on, as our time slippin’ by

Back Then
Back Then
Back Then

Terence Hart – All Right Reserved

Terrence Hart

Back Then

Good, Better, Best

Break the ice ‘neath this lonesome sky,
Bite the bullet, let my old heart cry.
Costs an arm to roam this rugged land,
No cuttin’ corners with a drifter’s hand.
Hit the sack when the campfire’s low,
Come rain or shine, where the wild winds blow.
A penny for thoughts, but they’re all I own,
Actions speak louder when you’re ridin’ alone.  


Break the ice ‘neath this lonesome sky,

Worn-out shoes, fading skies, full hearts – and you at the end of the road.
“Coming Home” is an emotional road song about late nights, second tries, and the pull of a place – or a person – that feels like home. With imagery of neon towns, falling stars, and blurry eyes on empty highways, it’s a track about finding clarity in return. For everyone who’s ever run far just to get closer.

Ausgetretene Schuhe, offener Himmel, volles Herz – und du am Ziel.
„Coming Home“ ist ein emotionaler Roadtrip-Song über späte Nächte, zweite Chancen und das tiefe Gefühl, unterwegs zu sein – und trotzdem zu wissen, wo man hingehört. Zwischen fallenden Sternen, flimmernden Straßen und leisen Erinnerungen erzählt der Song von der Kraft, heimzukehren. Für alle, die losfahren, um endlich anzukommen.

Coming Home

Keeping It Country, Kinda is a genre-bending bold blend of country, Red Dirt, rock, soul, blues, pop, and more. With cheeky lyrics, heartfelt grit, and a sound that refuses to be boxed in, this record is a love letter to musical freedom. From honky-tonk anthems to backbeat ballads, it’s country... kinda.

Bless Your Heart (But I'm Outta Here)

How I Like My Women

This is the opening track of My Goggles, an album of songs built from the truths that have shaped my life. This one’s about perspective—how each of us sees the world through the lens of our own life experience. I call those lenses “goggles.”

I used to think there was one truth, one right way to see things. But life taught me different. When I can look past someone else’s goggles, I almost always end up seeing a little bit of myself in them. That shift—from judgment to understanding—changed everything for me. This song is my way of passing that truth along.

"Just remember… your goggles color what you see."

Written and produced by Brook Stanley.
Music created and performed by Hal Bishop and The Scout Line—a music group created in the studio by TopMedia.ai, blending real Southern storytelling with AI music tools.

All vocals on this track are AI-generated using TopMedia.ai. We describe vocal style using creative prompts (e.g., “gritty,” “female country,” “male rock.”), but we do not select or control the underlying TopMedia.ai model. Any resemblance to real artists is unintentional, and we have no knowledge of the source data used to generate these voices.
This track is offered for non-commercial use only.
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🎧 Caption:

“The truth ain’t fixed. Ain’t just one way to be.”


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🏷️ Tags:

Brook Stanley, Americana, Folk, Acoustic, Life Lessons, Perspective, Forgiveness, Healing, Southern Songwriting, Porch Philosophy, TopMedia.ai, Hal Bishop and The Scout Line, Acoustic Truth, First Person Narrative, AI Music

Goggles

Driving along one day and a big truck snaked me out, pulled over and wrote this song.

Rednecks Wanna Have Fun

Because She’s Mine.mp3

Feels Like Home

Stephen Ryder is a country artist with a storyteller’s heart, weaving real-life experiences into heartfelt, powerful songs. His music blends traditional country with modern influences, creating songs that speak to love, life, and the journey in between. 

With a growing catalog of music, Stephen continues to share songs that resonate with listeners, whether it’s a heartfelt ballad, a foot-stomping anthem, or a reflective tune about life’s unexpected roads. His dedication to authenticity and storytelling makes his music a perfect fit for country radio and beyond. Follow me on Spotify!  

https://open.spotify.com/artist/60jKjrPsJ9Z43m0qF60S74?si=ayZTWLy5T5udCZ1y1hhYlA

Good, Better, Best

Stephen Ryder

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