Simple Life 
Every record for me has been a snapshot into my life during the time of both the writing and recording process. I spent several months in the writing and practicing phase before we started recording. Many of the songs were very challenging both musically and vocally for me. I sang everything live with the band, which meant that I really had to be on my game.
There were several musicians involved in this record and Michael had a co-producer for the first time; Marcel East. His background was less Jazz and more R&B which brought parts of the album into new directions for me.
I got mixed reviews on this album because it covered so much ground style wise. People thought it lacked a theme, to which I replied that my voice was the theme. I do know that I can never please everyone, so I might as well make music I like!
This record marked my first song writing efforts with the Brazilian genius, Dori Caymmi on a song called “Forever Lover and Friend”. We still love to play this tune live!
The song “Sunlight”, written by Bill Cantos and Ricky Lawson, became a huge hit in the Philippines which afforded me the honor to start traveling over there to do concerts and TV commercials. Bill and I go way back. He grew up in San Diego and I met him when he was the tender age of 15. He was already playing and singing great! I love to travel to the Philippines and I can honestly say it has become somewhat of a home away from home. The people are the nicest in the world, hands down!
Simple Life was mostly recorded at a studio in Santa Barbara, which is about 1 1/2 hours away from LA where we live. I have fond memories of driving up the coast and working on this project!
Forever Lover and Friend
Hold me till morning
Soothe me in silence
Promise the music won’t fade
Let me adore you
Give you new reason to play
Our serenade
Heal me with your laughter
Let the celebration never find an end
My heart is with you
Forever lover and friend
Voices invite you
Treasures delight you
Moonbeams embracing the night
Daybreak is dawning
Melodies calling your name
A sweet refrain
Heal me with your laughter
Let the celebration never find an end
My heart is with you
Forever lover and friend
I spent each day lost in dreams
Full of what it’s and if only
I could change your mind
Until the moment of truth
When you came to me
To make my wold my life unfold
Heal me with your laughter
Let the celebration never find an end
My heart is with you
Forever lover and friend
The taste of youth passing by
Seasons changing, ever faster
Weeks turn into years
A lifetime journey of joy
Building memories to call upon
When we grow old
Sunlight
I watch the world go by in silence
Deep in the night in silence
Time goin’ by so slow
I think about the morning
And it warms by heart
Because tonight I’m going back
To the one I love
And by tomorrow with the dawn
I’ll be there and he’ll be beside me
Sunlight, oh sunlight
Bring me the love I need to guide me
Shine it deep inside of me
Sunlight, oh sunlight show me the way
I look at the stars and I pray for morning
Counting the hours till morning
Thinking about his smile, his sweet smile
I’m standing on the promise of a brand new day
I couldn’t face another night
Staying all alone
I know he needs me just as much as I need him
Sunlight, oh sunlight
Bring me the love I need to guide me
Shine it deep inside of me
Sunlight, oh sunlight show me the way
And when I hold him
I won’t let him let me go, no, no, no
No more running far and wide
I’m gonna stay right by his side
He’s my laughter, my lover, my life
he’s my sunlight
Oh, sunlight, oh, sunlight
Show me the way
Sunlight, oh sunlight
Bring me the love I need to guide me
Shine it deep inside of me
Sunlight, oh sunlight show me the way
Nana das Aguas
The magic of the moon
Illuminating land and sea
A shining spirit lights the darkness
For the world to heed
It’s Nana, the god of mystery
Make the day turn into night
I travel endlessly,
His vision gently guides the way
Counting the moments till my arms
Will know your warm embrace
It’s Nana he leads me to you
Blessing every dream come true
Loving you
Open hands
I go wandering through foreign lands
No I’m not afraid I feel Nana
Silently surrounding all
Offering to those believing
Angels encircle every being
Teaching a loving way of living
Bringing new melodies to life
Gratefully I bow to honor with grace
Sing my song to you Nana
Simple Life (For Katie)
Child of hope
She came to lift our pain
A being full of light
She softened every strain
Filled the void
She gave a new beginning
A reason to be living
When daddy ran away
Watched her grow
I bathed, I fed, I told her
To never doubt the power
She owns inside her soul
Many miles
And many moons between us
Could never change the reasons
I dream and pray her prayers
She wants a simple life
Never to compromise
To find a love, to built a home
She wants a simple life
She wants to make it right
With no more clouds
No more alone
Child of hope
Has blossomed to a woman
Bursting with desires
In the springtime of her life
Many miles
And many joyless seasons
She learned to hold her own heart
In the silence of the night
Take a Look
Early dawn, safe in my home
I awake to write a story of hope
I ignore what’s right outside my door
In the street, all alone
She is searching for survival
A place to call her own
Our eyes meet and once again I know
This is wrong
Take a look around you
Open up your heart and see
People of the world are troubled
It’s hurting you and me
Don’t offer pity
Give your word you’ll face the fear
Be sincere
Hand me downs, found by the road
A broken cart to symbolize home
One man’s rags become another’s gold
Hopeful smiles, happy dreams
Seem to vanish with the nightfall
No holiday in June
Living from day to endless day
Don’t turn away
Take a look around you
This ain’t a movie on the screen
There’s no need to study history
It’s happening right here
Could be your neighbor
We could be the next to fall
Lose it all
Take a look around you
Open up your heart and see
People of the world are troubled
It’s hurting you and me
Don’t offer pity
Give your word you’ll face the fear
Be sincere
Miracle of Love
Another season passed me by
The colors changed, no reason why
I see two lovers holding hands
A perfect pair, can’t understand
Pictures of days gone by, run thru my mind
I try to find
Something that will bring me joy, a love
Oh won’t you-bring me a miracle
Oh can’t you see, I want a miracle
Bring me a miracle of love
A fairy tale of love so true
A king a queen, but where are you
The stories try so hard to tell
A happy end, a wishing well
Why, why am I all alone
No loving man to call my own
Waited all life for you
Oh won’t you-bring me a miracle
Oh can’t you see, I want a miracle
Bring me a miracle of love
Will They Know
I am at the age to start a family
I honor and respect the joy of new life
But I am fearful for the world I see
Changing ever constantly
Can a young life grow to be
Bound by nothing
Will they stand upon a mountain
Watching land meet sky
Losing sense of balance
Breathless in a silent wonder
I would like to leave a child
On this earth when I depart
But how am I to know
What lies before us
Do children have the final say
We must let them lead the way
Will the troubles of today
Cloud the future
Second Chorus Will they have to open books
To see and eagle fly
Know the beauty of a flower
Or hear the distant thunder
Will they stand upon a mountain
Watching land meet sky
Losing sense of balance
Breathless in a silent wonder
Will the forest that my father knew
Be a treasure for the children too
Will they ever see the ocean clean
Will they know it only in a dream
Can we hold on to the soil and stone
Can we promise it will be their own…
Will they stand upon a mountain
Watching land meet sky
Losing sense of balance
Breathless in a silent wonder
Will the forest that my father knew
Be a treasure for the children too
Will they ever see the ocean clean
Will they know it only in a dream
Can we hold on to the soil and stone
Can we promise it will be their own…
Will they ever have the chance
To share the precious harvest
With the children of tomorrow
Will they know, tell me, will they know
Out of Town
It’s time to get away
To leave it all behind
Go take a holiday for the mind
You’ll be amazed what you’ll find
Outside, take a ride
You’ll see the open space
And you’ll feel it, feel it
Deep in your heart and soul
You’ll know you’re out of town
Far from the madness
No phone in sight, no TV
Far from worldly plight
Believe in me, kick back
Watching the mountains
Reaching for the sky above your head
You gotta go, you gotta see
you gotta know, yeah, you’ll agree
you gotta get yourself out of town
Now I believe that city living’s
Always owned a certain kind of charm
So much to see and do, both day and night
No matter what you want
You find it up the block
The latest musicals
You’d never have the chance to witness
When they hit the streets of town
If you decide this hectic pace Is not the life for you, I understand But let me tell you what it’s all about
There is a certain kind of energy
You won’t find in the sticks
It gives you drive
To be the best at what you do
Folks of all corners of the globe
You’ll meet and greet
And learn the cultures
Of their land
So much to see!
My very favorite thing
I hope that you’ll agree
Is in an hour or two
You leave it all behind you,
Hop a train heading out of town
It should be required for all mankind
Once a month to clear the soul and spirit
Give you strength to face another round
You’d be amazed at what a few days
From the grind will do to lift your laughter
Louder than you’ve ever heard before
Searching for balance
In this world of go, go, go
It’s hard, yes
Gotta listen to your heart
You do, you gotta go
Hey you, yeah, you’ll agree
Before you know you’re out of town
Go grab the ones you love
And show them how you feel a day
Away from the world we know
Hey you, don’t worry about spending dough
You’ll see, pack a lunch
Go find a shady lane and enjoy life
Live life knowing that mother nature’s gifts
Belong to all
You’ll see, no mystery
You and me won’t disagree
Flying high, will qualify
Overseas or in the trees
Move quick, life is short
Don’t wait till you grow old
Go take along a hike
Feelin’ like you’re out of town
Live life
Knowing that mother nature’s gifts
Belong to all
Deep in your heart and soul
You’ve got to know
The only way to go
They say is out of town