I Don't Care
2021 International Songwriting Competition semi-finalist
Words & Music by Jeff Owens and Mike Franks

I don't care now what you said
Falls on deaf ears in my head
Like water flows down a riverbed
Won't stand still; just moves ahead

Catching arrows with my bare hands
and I'm dancing 'cross the burning sand
No one really understands
It's the heart that makes all these demands

Now you can push me far out to
where the ice is thin and I fall thru
But it doesn't matter what you do
You know I won't give up - on you

I'm not going anywhere
Let me in; I know you're scared
When you're ready, When it's time, I'll be there
And I'm not going anywhere
Just in case you think that I don't care

I don't know where you have been
How you feel 'bout ev'ry thing
the things you want or the things you need
and I don't know how this will end

But I don't care what I have to do
Tear down the wall surrounding you
ev'ry thing I've got 'til I break through
Anything there is that I can do-for you

Now I can't make you love me too
but you can't stop the way I feel-for you
and I'm not going anywhere
and if you think that I don't care - I do

And I'll be there
You know
I care

Written and recorded remotely during Covid 19
Vocals by Jeff Owens
Guitar by Jeff Owens
Cover Photo by Engin Akyurt from Pexels

I Don't Care

Justified 
By Trestle
Words and Music by Mike Franks & Jeff Owens

Johnny
 
Johnny was mean from the day that he was born 
His daddy was rich, but he was never home 
Spoiled and rotten to the core; had ev'ry thing 'n' wanted more 
17 'n' in and out of jail 

Now Johnny was a handsome lad
What he wanted he could have 
break the law, any chance he had 
one phone call; 'n' daddy would pay the bail

Mary Ann 

Mary Ann had the kind of looks you'd die for 
the kind o' looks you'd see on a movie screen
Turnin heads, know what I mean, beauty queen & just 14 
Damned if she won't be a super star 

But Johnny was determined to 
Have his way with this one too
Mary Ann, "What do you have to lose?" 
then she grew up in the back seat of his car

Darken' skies; Angels Cry
Another soul runs out of time
Mary Ann never planned to
They got married 'cause they had to

'n' th'Devil waits, just outside
for the day to come, the time is right
He'll take him home where he belongs
Th'Devil won't be denied
 
And he’ll say it's Jus- ti- fied 
And he’ll say it's Jus- ti- fied

Judgement Day

Judgement Day came ten years down the road
Drunk as sin when Johnny came stumblin' home
Beat her again, that same ol' song; packed his bag and he was gone 
it all adds up when all is said and done 

Was a cold day so the story goes 
In a cheap motel he was not alone
You could feel trouble deep down in your bones 
Well, here comes trouble and trouble's got a gun 

All those Tears of rage start to fa-a-a-ah-a-a-all
All those Years de-layed let them fa-a-a-ah-a-a-all
Watch them fa-a-a-ah-a-a-all
fa-a-a-ah-a-a-all 

Bullets Fly, Angels Cry
Another soul runs out of time
She dropped the gun where Johnny lay 
'n' thru the door she ran away

'n' th'Devil waits, just outside
till the light is gone in Johnny's eyes
Takes him home where he belongs
Th'Devil won't be denied 

They'll say it's Justified 
They'll say it's Justified
Jus - ti - fied
Jus - ti - fied
Justified

Lead Vocal Mike Franks
Back Ground Vocals Mark Peter, Jeff Owens, Randy Johnson
Guitar Jeff Owens
Bass Randy Johnson
Keyboards Mark Peters
Cover Photo by Nathan Thomas Pexels.com
Written and Recorded remotely during Covid 19

Justified

Falling Sun
Words & Music by Mike Franks & Jeff Owens

I wonder where you go
You’re like a falling sun
don’t know just what you’ve been through
felt you were the one

I can see it in your eyes and didn’t know
it was a question for sure
don’t know the reason why
you’re not with me anymore

Bittersweet like in a dream
where ev'ry thing's not what it seems
to my troubled heart
Memories like glowing beams
are all I need - to show me
the sky in the dark
I feel the light when there is none
It always leads me
to my falling sun

Time,  time could go so far today
didn’t know just what to say
had to find it’s always this way

But I know
Just what you’ll do in the morning
when I say the words and you will leave
and no-one knows the things about you
all the places you will see
everything and everywhere
your a falling sun and will never be alone

but I can see the reason that you haven’t felt the rain
it was falling down below you every time it came
it would be followed by the memories 
of the sunrise and the sunsets all again

Every time you came along and 
we would sit and sing this song, we played it again
said you were just my friend

I just want to see you here
and they don’t know the reason why
it never ends

Vocals by Erin Evenant
Guitar by Jeff Owens
Cover Photo by Pexels

Falling Sun

Falling Sun Feat. Erin Avenant

Who'll Be In Your Arms
Words and Music by Mike Franks, Jeff Owens and Randy Johnson
Featuring Chris Rettig on vocals

I read the note
you left for me
And all that you wrote 
how you want it to be.
You need some time
to find yourself.
But it all seems
like a fairy-tale
where all ends well.

(Now) I hope you find that rose
that has no thorns.
And that you'll be safe and warm
in the darkest storm
you're not alone.

(But tell me ) Who' ll be in your arms?
Who'll be in your arms?
When the days are long,
and the night comes on,
and you turn the lights down low,
(tell me) who' ll be in your arms?
Who' ll be in your arms?

You live your life
in make believe,
hoping to find
your fantasy.
And when it's not right,
you slip away.
And look for someplace
in a fairy- tale
where all ends well.

And) I hope you find that rose
that has no thorns.
And that you'll be safe and warm
in the darkest storm
you're not alone.

(But tell me ) Who' ll be in your arms?
Who'll be in your arms?
When the days are long,
and the night comes on,
and you turn the lights down low,
(tell me) who' ll be in your arms?
Who' ll be in your arms?

And if you ever turn the page,
and the magic fades away.
I will wait for you. That's what I'd do
If I only knew ...

(When the) days are long
and the night comes on
and you turn the lights down low,

(When the) fire grows cold
somewhere down the road
and you got no place to go,

(Tell me) Who' ll be in your arms?
Who' ll be in your arms?
(Tell me) Who' ll be in your arms?
Who' ll be in your arms?

Who' ll be in your arms?

Who'll Be In Your Arms

Who'll Be In Your Arms featuring Chris Rettig

The Storm
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Owens & Mike Franks

Here we go once again, I'm running on down the trail
On my own - with all my thoughts - like a train gone off the rail
I wonder if today will be a day that goes without
But I'm sure you'll come along - without a doubt

Take me out to the middle of the lake and kindly throw me in
Like the storm that follows me, Can a foe become a friend?

And you're there so close to me that your shadow never fades
Then I try to run away; it's easy so they say
There are times I wish I knew what this is all about
But I think it's better that- I don't find out

Seems like I've been runing since the day that I was born
trying to get away from here but my shoes are so damn worn - and -
ev'ry time I turn around the storm keeps gaining ground
so I keep running and you keep coming

It's getting dark. The air is still. The sky is turning green
Burning light, stinging ice, your roar bears down on me
If I cry and plead for help, no one will hear me shout
And I find it hard to breathe as time runs out

Take me out to the middle of the lake and kindly throw me in
Like the storm that follows me, Can a foe become a friend?

Seems like I've been runing since the day that I was born
trying to get away from here but my shoes are so damn worn - and -
ev'ry time I turn around the storm keeps gaining ground
so I keep running and you keep coming

Are the things that you've done define the life you've had?
Or the things that you might do when you fin'ly take a stand?

So I turn
and I run
into the storm
into the storm
the storm

Written and recorded remotely during Covid 19
Vocals by Jeff Owens
Guitar by Jeff Owens
Bass & Strings by Randy Johnson
Cover Photo by KoolShooters from Pexels

The Storm

Let the Candle Burn
Let it Burn from both sides down
& Let the light be heard 
by the shadows on the ground
And show them the way 
to find a weary bed
While the path is still firm
Let the Candle Burn

She puts plastic on the sofa till someone comes around
Her clothes are always clean, although some are hand-me-down
Got money in the mattress - where she keeps it safe and sound
Waiting on that day , when she buys that wedding gown
Someday soon,  someday soon,  just not now

Ah Let the Candle Burn
Let it Burn from both sides down
& Let the light be heard 
by the shadows on the ground
And show them the way 
to find a weary bed
While the path is still firm
Let the Candle Burn
Oh Let the Candle Burn
Oh Let the Candle Burn

Now he's workin' real long hours down at the supermart
From early in the morning, until way after dark
Gonna sing that song he's feeling; from the words inside his heart
When the time is right, that's when he will make his start
Someday soon,  someday soon,  just not now

na na na__  na na___ na na___
na na na__  na na___ na na___

Now you can find a way
for all the words unsaid
And your dreams will be heard
Let the Candle Burn

Let the Candle Burn 
Let the Candle Burn

Written by Mike Franks & Jeff Owens
Lead Vocals  Mike Franks
BG Vocals  Cat Wilson, Mark Peter, Randy Johnson
Piano/Keyboard  Mark Peter
Bass  Randy Johnson

Let The Candle Burn

One Bell Rings

Written by Mike Franks and Jeff Owens 
Performed by Catherine Wilson-Smith

You were here when I left 
and that's been for some time 
and we were close, more than most 
like no other friend of mine 

Now you were there each time I fell 
and you were there if I did well


One bell rings at the end of the line
mem'ries cling to the back of my mind 
a dirt road winds thru the brush and the pine 
to an old white church; just said "WELCOME" on the sign

One bell rings and life goes on
life goes on 

We would talk for days on end 
of our dreams and of regrets 
and step by step; piece by piece 
weave a fabric of fine threads 

When they walked out  you rushed in 
no matter where no matter when

One bell rings at the end of the line
mem'ries cling to the back of my mind 
an orange glow cast by the setting sun 
just to let you know that the day is done

One bell rings and life goes on
life goes on 

I walk down the hill in a gentle breeze
and now I stand beside this old oak tree
and I find your place, well that's why I came
so I could lay this rose beside your name 
and I hear one bell ring - just one bell ring 
and life goes on 
life goes on 

One bell rings at the end of the line
mem'ries cling to the back of my mind 
you'll never know so don't ask why 
that I re-fuse to say good-bye

One bell rings and life goes on
life goes on

You'll never know, You'll never know
that life goes on
You'll never know, I miss you so....
ooh  ooh ooh...

Lead  vocals by Catherine Wilson-Smith
Guitar - Jeff Owens
Bass - Randy Johnson
Piano/Keyboard - Mike Franks

It's Not Black & White

One Bell Rings

Katie, are you alone?
Katie, tell me what’s wrong
Talk to yourself and be free
Or you can even talk to me

Katie, what do you know?
Tell me, where will you go?
Are you here or are you there?
Oh dear Katie are you going anywhere?

Seems to me, you're like the rest-less wind. 
It's hard to tell the path you'll choose
All I know is you’re more than just a friend
You’re the one I never want to lose

I know just what your going to say
I get to know you more each day
So don’t go and throw it all away
Oh dear Katie won’t you stay?

Humm
Humm
So don’t go and throw it all away
Oh dear Katie won’t you stay?

Written by Jeff Owens & Mike Franks
Jeff Owens Vocals/Guitar
Randy Johnson Bass/Strings

Katie

Trouble seems to follow me
As I ride from town to town
If I stay too long, trou-ble tracks me down

6 gun moves like light'nin' now
Never met a faster man
Ev'ry-where I go, they know who I am 

When the guns are drawn, you're on your own
as the barrels flash and smoke drifts thru the air
They dig up the ground on a hill in town
Another cross is laid - some soul gets burried there 

(Been) plenty of men tried to put me down
(But) None of them are around When the Sun Goes Down

Stopped off in this town saloon
(That is) Where I spent the afternoon
Drink-in' cheap whis-key as the day wore on

I knew I'd stayed too long to flee
Saw a shadow stand where no one ought-a be
In the door out to the main street
stood some one to greet me
and he had to be the youngest one I'd seen

(Been) plenty of men tried to put me down
(But) None of them are around When the Sun Goes Down
When the Sun Goes Down

It went down so quickly
A bullet flew right past me
Breakin' lotta bottles lined up behind the bar

Ain't no time to stop or pray
Maybe find another way
Cos the bullet fired by me had found it's mark

On a hill outside of town
A new cross is driven down
(&) I ride out

Some will say it's nerve and skill that keep me - alive
But I know it's luck without a doubt
So I do what I must do until that luck runs out
I ride out

(Only) so many days left for me to fill
Then I will be on that hill  When the Sun Goes Down
When the sun goes down

Jeffrey Owens Lead Vocal
Randy Johnson BG Vocals
Jeffrey Owens Guitar, Banjo
Randy Johnson Bass
Alex Vo Steel Guitar

When The Sun Goes Down

At the local bar
she puts on a show
People come from miles to hear the songs she sings
She's a rising star
I knew her long ago
When that girl meant more to me than everything
I up and walked away back then
You do what you have to do - you do
As I hear the words she sings
I look back on all the things - not true

If you burned the bridge, and burned it to the ground
There ain't no use for you to turn around
For all the things I've done; regrets I can't undue
"OO" I've had more than just a few 
You see,  I didn't want to know 
how I could spoil it all, when it came to you
It was better left alone
No, I didn't want to know - now I do

Not sure what to do
She sings her last song
Pretty soon She'll be coming, down off the stage
Guess I'm leavin' soon
Best that I move on
Prob'ly does no good now, - if I show my face
Once again I cannot stay
This ends where it all began - like before
As I try to slip away
I hear the words she sings again - once more

I had a lover and I fell for him so hard
but it all came apart like a house of cards
There's nothin' you can do if they won't let you in
"OO" when you think what might have been
But he didn't want to know. 
He didn't want to know if it was real
No he didn't want to know.
Didn't want to know what he might feel

No I didn't want to know, I didn't want to know
Oh Lord!    Now I do for sure!
Oh I didn't want to know, I didn't want to know
How much I loved her

Lead Vocals Jeffrey Owens & Laura Schinler
Guitar Jeffrey Owens
Bass Randy Johnson
Written by Carl Michael Franks & Jeffrey Owens

Didn't Want To Know

Didn't Want To Know featuring Laura Schinler

Last  Time
 
Back, not long ago
Lost, and holding on
Times were hard and times were good
& We couldn't chose between.
We were on and off again
 
Now, like a force un-known
Back, where we start-ed from
Each time we're our own
Here again; it don't take long
Seems so right, then all goes wrong
Are we afraid to be alone?
 
Never here; never far apart
In love with a broken heart
And when we're out of lies
It's gonna be the last time
 
As one, but not for long
Count the days and you'll be gone
I can see; it's in your eyes
It's gonna be the last time
 
Someday, some-thing may change
And then, stop playing the game
Break the chain and ease the pain
Find a way to say we're through
That just might be hard to do
When everything reminds me of you
 
Never here; never far apart
In love with a broken heart
And when we're out of lies
It's gonna be the last time
 
As one, but not for long
Count the days and you'll be gone
I can see; (it's) in your eyes
It's gonna be the last time
 
You try to lock it - in a cage now
Hide the key but ain't it strange how
soon you realize
you've locked yourself inside
 
If you think you can control it
It won't take long until you know that
it's nothing you can tame
you never held the strings
 
Never here; never far apart
In love with a broken heart
And when we're out of lies
It's gonna be the last time

As one, but not for long
Count the days and you'll be gone
I can see; it's in your eyes
It's gonna be the last time
 
Gonna be the last time
Gonna be the last time
Gonna be the last time
Mmmm...

Words and Music by Jeffrey Owens & Carl Micheal Franks

Last Time

Depiction of brother against brother at the Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War.

By The Pond by Trestle
Words and Music by Mike Franks & Jeff Owens

Standing by the spring-fed pond
April Rains a' comin'
Smell the Earth and feel the breeze
Touched by memories

Hear the voice that calls my name
I can see you running
I see your smile and haunting eyes
On the other side

I want this time to never end
In this place of wonder
There we forged an endless bond
By the muddy Pond

For all the times we've been through
I wonder if  again I'll  ever see you
For all we said that we would do
I wonder if  again I'll  ever see you

I 've searched for you these past few years
Holding back the sorrow
Never parted ways before
Just want to see your face - - - once more

Lying by this  spring-fed pond
April Rains a' pourin'
I see the place my brother lies
on the other side

On this dark and rainy morn
One wore blue;  'n' one grey
Cannons roar and metal flies
Through the cloudy skies

Half are wounded ; half are dead
Dark Red waters flowin
There again  we forged our bond
By the Bloody Pond

Colors seem to fade away
I strain my eyes thru misty light to see you
If this must be our final day
I 'm glad I had one more time to see you

(No one) will ever break this bond
' wonder if  again I'll  ever see you
we'll be forever by the pond
I wonder if  again I'll  ever see you

we'll be forever by the pond
I wonder if  again I'll  ever see you

By The Pond

I Have To Go Now

By Jeff Owens & Mike Franks


One more time, One more time, let me see that smile of yours

Take my hand, take my hand,   like you used to

Hold me tight, tight, like all the times you have before

Wipe the tears from your eyes,  Soon I'll see you


Don't you cry    Never planned   to say goodbye

Breaks my heart - when you're sad

No regrets, don't waste time, on the  things you can-not change

Live your life,Chase your dreams,   you deserve that


Ev-ry-thing we've been through

All the joy, heart-ache too

Better I did them all  
 
with you…………………………….


Why does li-fe go somewhere

In the blink of an eye?

But I lost all track of time

When you were there

Always there


If I had  a magic lamp, I would wish for just  one thing

& if my wish, could come true then time would stall

If I could, I would never have to leave you then

If I could, then I would - not leave at all


So don't cry Never planned to say good bye

Breaks my heart - when you're sad

Close your eyes, breathe in, you will see I'm there somehow

our side, with you.. I have to go now………………………

Word and Music By Mike Franks & Jeff Owens
Guitar by Jeff Owens, Vocals by Jeff Owens, Bass By Randy Johnson

This song was written and recorded remotely during Covid19.

I Have To Go Now Acoustic

To Arizona 

Sittin on the bus, in my window seat
ev'rything I own -'s in-a backpack underneath
I'll be going home, (I) been here way too long, now it's over

(I) Worked in ev'ry bar, & slaved on ev'ry note
Mostly lived off my tip jar, on all the songs I wrote
(Yeah) I gave it all I had,(but) now I'm headed back - to Arizona

I thought I'd be rich man; I thought I'd be a star
I'd live in a big ol' mans-ion; drive a bunch of fan-cy cars
_  my dreams are coming  with me to Arizona

Sometimes I drew great crowds, and my songs did so well
Most times they'd _ sit 'n drink and talk among themselves
The Dream I'll surely miss, but I can't live like this, no more now

(Yeah) I thought I'd be rich man; I thought I'd be a star
I'd live in a big ol' mans-ion; drive a bunch of fan-cy cars
In the circle of the spotlight, ain't _ room for ev'ry one
So my dreams are coming  with me to Arizona

(I don't) care what they say
(It's) my choice anyway
I don't think I'm givin' up
I just think I've had enough
of chasing the wrong thing
when the songs that I sing
is what  I love

I kept looking for the fame; never saw the thing I need
  ' just want to sing my songs with words that I be-leive
I'll give it all I've got, when I get back home  - to Arizona

(You know) I thought I'd be rich man; I thought I'd be a star
I'd live in a big ol' mans-ion; drive a bunch of fan-cy cars
(But) In the circle of the spotlight, ain't no  room for ev'ry one
So my dreams are coming  with me to Arizona

  ' no more I can say, _ I'll be on my way - to Arizona

Mike Franks on Vocals
Jeff Owens on Guitar
Randy Johnson on Bass
Cover Photo by cottonbro from Pexels
Written and recorded remotely during Covid19.

To Arizona

What I Remember by Trestle

This is a song was written and recorded remotely during Covid19 and is about getting rid of emotional baggage. Everyone has some and you don't need to carry it around.

Vocals by special guest Erin Avenant. Visit her Soundcloud at https://soundcloud.com/erinavenant
What a wonderful singer. Thank you Erin

What I remember
Is over the bridge that goes no-where -
Lost in my mind - 
where it can stay till I get there

Spoke to the Devil
And he said that he don't care for me -
Well neither do I - 
so we agreed to say goodbye

That's the way it goes
I've got a bag of stones I drag be-hind me
Gets pretty heavy 
And ev’ry where I go they seem to find me

Went to the big church
Asked them if I could ring their bell -
but they said no - 
You must go off and fix your soul

So much for gospel
I took a walk with the Blue Moon -
I walked in circles - 
then I walked them all a-gain 

That's the way it goes
I've got a bag of stones I drag be-hind me
Gets pretty heavy
And ev’ry where I go they seem to find me

Rain falls - watch the wa-ter flow
It goes - on-ly where it's told

Opened my bag up                                         
and all the stones came tumbling out -
Onto the street -                             
Set free, they rolled away from me

What I remember
is over the bridge that goes no-where - 
I think it's time -                               
I think I’ll go and see what's there

Words and Music by Mike Franks & Jeff Owens
Recorded remotely during Covid-19

What I Remember

What I Remember featuring Erin Avenant

The Trestle core group consists of Jeff Owens, Mike Franks, Mark Peter &  Randy Johnson. We are located in the Southern California area and we are primarily an acoustic Indie Folk Americana group. As singer songwriters we aspire to creating new and unusual music for our listeners. We hope you enjoy what you hear.

TRESTLE

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