David Young Very sad song but your lyrics are wonderfully written, as always. You are a musical treasure!

Kat Angel Heartfelt and beautiful.

Leslie Young Sad song.

Bruce Balmer I like the parallel sixths in the backing vocals.

Tim Tandy Hickory Stix has always captivated me. Dang, I gotta start getting out to open mics again. Might even get the chance to sing that high harmony on the "oohs!"

Rose Jeffus - I agree. (with Lane. "I declare this album your #1 compilation."

Watermelon Wind is a good one too. Really inspiring images Lazarus Knight

Yes, it is obvious to anyone who actually listens to follow the story. The killer line ... the picture that finishes breaking what's left of the listener's heart is "but Jimmy bought the yearbook, and he hold it now and then". Lazarus Knight

brush up on "Lest night I said goodbye to Rose" I know that's not exactly the title, but I think many people would like that song like I do. Lazareth Knight

Oh Jimmy rings of a certain kind of pain that you've captured perfectly. Lazarath Knight.

Lane Beauvais By the power invested in me, I declare this album your #1 compilation.

I was talking about the Wight Hotel, directly across the street from The White Elephant. The things you mention were going on when The Beer Garden 1st took over that rat hole between the Elephant and the steak house.

Tim Tandy This one really grabs me, Jim. I enjoy the "play like" aspect of the Stockyards District today, but I KNOW what was real and what wasn't. When I grew up in East Fort Worth in the 50's thru the 70's, the Stockyards were a working affair. Everyone downwind got the dust and rancid odors that were a mixture of cattle manure, blood and guts, and rendered fat. Get up close, and you added in the panicked sounds of cattle going up the ramps to slaughter. The buildings along E and W Exchange were mostly delapidated flop-houses, and I recall there were usually destitute men in soiled undershirts leaning out the upstairs windows smoking cigarettes and taking it all in. When the slaughterhouses shut down and the development folks took over, they neatly "packed up" the ambience of the historical "Hell's Half Acre" - gambling halls, saloons, cheap hotels, bordello's and the site of gunfights such as the famous Luke Short/Jim Courtright affair - which had been razed in the 60's and replaced with the Water Gardens and Convention Center as an act of "urban renewal", and "relocated" them to the Stockyards. I really don't object to all of it, but just wish they were a bit more open about what's shit and what's Shinola, ya know? All the tourists crowd E Exhange at the appointed hour and hoot and holler and excitedly REAL Wild West every day when the "cattle drive" occurs. Oh, well, as Bruce Willis' character in "Die Hard" liked to say, "Yippi-ki-yay, MF!"

Quanah is my fav. it triggered feelings between my son and me, the question of when are you enough to claim your ancestors? Tears did flow on listening.Beautifully performed by Barbara and beautifully written.

Sad, and that was 11 years ago. How does it feel now ... like more of the same? It seems to me like your not just accepted but held in high esteem at the places where I've seen you perform. Lazarus Knight

This little miracle is a performance art piece, in addition to being a song track on an album. I can see this as an interlude in a dramatic stage play. Highly creative and outside the box here. And those harmonies are so tight you couldn't get a sliver between them! Amazling!

Terry Rasor I remember those daze Michael, y’all were awesome and I’m glad and proud to have known you all and have you at my Raz On The Braz festival so many years ago! Love ya my friend!

Roland Brown Sorry to hear about Barbara. Texas Water was as good as you say. I’m thinking about adding “I’ll Be Glad to Let You Love Me” to our band’s set list.

One of the beautiful things about artists and songwriting is taking “fact & fiction”, and whipping them together in ways outsiders usually don’t know which is which or possibly nothing at all. This is something I’ve always admired regarding your craft! - Scotty Lee Shuffield…Tyler, TX.

Joe Brunelle - I like this, Jim

Talking about listening to "criticism:" A producer who lives down toward Houston called me one evening after he listened to , MY NEW SHORTS and he gave me advise on how I could and should "go ahead and finish," those songs. He had detailed suggestions for every one of them. I listened and thanked him for taking the time to listen and respond. Everything he said was sound advice about how to expand each of the short clips...one thing though, he missed the point of what I was doing. One GETS IT or one DOESN'T GET IT.

This Jack Hardy song is about one of Kerrvill's favorites. Gone now. Had a weekly song circle and spigetti feast at his apartment in New York for years. I nail his voice at a place or two. I also step a bit across the worshipful attitude line everyone had for him. He and I had an immediate connection. One night I was singing in some east Texas town and he was there, so, he got to hear my song before we lost him. Maybe the fact I was older than him allowed me a certain playfulness.

I kneel down on a calloused knee Hold my children close to me And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer It's not one that Jesus spoke That one turned into a joke So I pray The Rich Man's Prayer Not the prayer that Jesus said Not, "This day our daily bread." No, no, I pray The Rich Man's Prayer God only answers The Rich Man's Prayer I kneel down on a calloused knee Hold my children close to me And I pray The Rich Man's Prayer (C) 2011 Royal T Music

Nola Lloyd Griffiths Wolley A story in a song - loved this ❤️

Roland Brown That is beautifully done, Jim! Seriously vivid storytelling it with genuine pathos. ❤️ I’m sharing.

Linda Linder I really enjoyed this song. A story song. They are the best. You played and sang it Very nicely. Thank you.

Marion Flowering-Sun Great old couch tribute…old years of memories

Ken McIntyre Love this

Naad Kaur Khalsa OMG...you are way to cute! That was just so adorable and real....laughter and tears all at once

Shawnee Smith Ray James Michael Taylor Beautiful and sad at the same time.

Chris Harper Love all of the short songs! I think my favorite was The Recliner……..

As I wrote the verses, Lisa would guide me by saying, "No, that one is another song, a song about the depletion of the hickory forest." Like that. When we finished the 4th verse Lisa declared it done and we danced around and hugged each other...but later, I said, "Nothing has happened. We have just set the scene. So I wrote the next verse...and we danced and hugged each other again. On the last verse I was stumped for a meaningful rhyme with "trucks" and she came up with "deluxe." Then I said, "We really need a refrain/chorus. The next morning Lisa sang me three notes. Said that was the chorus. Instead of humming or "oooing" the notes I did the "aaaooo" and we knew that was right, so, we danced again and hugged each other. (Maybe not.)

Beautiful song. Theo Carracino

Belinda Stephens James, your song breaks my heart.

Paul Smith Fun song. There seems to be at least 5 comments on Alonetone. Some from way back too. Smith Yes. I just saw that. Don't know why I didn't see them earlier...

Naad Kaur Khalsa James Michael Taylor yup super cool Like

Cool song. Karen Mason

Leslie Young James Michael Taylor I like that a lot.

Tony Desmuke I just listened to the title cut. All I can say is WOW. You have an exceptional way with words. The music was really nice too. Loved the banjo in the last verse.

Leslie Young James Michael Taylor That is very pretty but sad.