Countless people have provided encouragement and support throughout my life in ways that they do not even know about. It would be wonderful to try and name every one of them and yet it would also be impossible. Lifelong friends, newer friends, physical family, church family, teachers, students, co-workers, and so many others are part of a web of love and support that God has provided through the years. Thank you for a gift beyond measure. It is my prayer that this music will somehow touch lives in a way that honors each of you.

The CD artwork was done using PageMaker 6.5 for Windows. Photo editing was done using Paint Shop Pro 7.0. The front cover photo is the Sanders' back yard. The back cover photo is Radnor Lake State Park in Nashville, Tennessee. Photos were shot with an ancient Pentax KM 1000 camera.

For more detailed information about each song, scroll down or click on the song title. To hear an MP3 sample of the song, click on the icon next to each title.

Songs:

"The Tears They Cry"  
An orchestral song featuring piano. It has also been a song in search of a title. The main theme (which is in F# for some reason) has been around for several years with various titles. Finally, on a trip to Washington D.C. (with 125 eighth graders, no less) we went to the Holocaust Museum and the title became clear. Hopefully a sense of thoughtfulness along with great strength comes across.

Instruments - piano, synths, electric bass

"Under Italian Skies"  
Another orchestral type song. This was written for David Lipscomb High School's 2001 Homecoming. I tried to convey the theme of a night in Vienna without being too cliche.

Instruments - piano, synths, soprano recorder, alto recorder, electric bass

"Song for Denise"  
Denise Rae Green (March 1, 1974 - August 19, 1994) was an incredibly brave, beautiful young lady. While still a teenager, a brain tumor was discovered that was to change her life and the lives of those that loved her. She underwent five surgeries following that. This song was written after one of those surgeries. It's been well said that some people leave ripples in the lives of others long after they are gone. Denise, thank you for your continuing legacy.

Instruments - pianos (acoustic and electric), synths, electric guitar, electric bass, drum machine

"Morning Light"  
This is a mainly acoustic song featuring alto recorder along with some harp and guitar. This song and the two that follow were originally written as a suite for guitar and violin. They all expanded somewhat from that point.

Instruments - harp, acoustic guitar, alto recorder, soprano recorder, synths

"Midday"  
Another mainly acoustic song that is a guitar duet. The lower guitar part was written first. As the other parts were added a mental image of butterflies started dancing around in my head (who knows why?). This song contains a "trio" section which hopefully still carries the image off. It was kind of tricky keeping the two guitars anywhere close while recording this one.

Instruments - acoustic guitar (classical), synths

"Twilight Waltz" 
The last of this acoustic trio, this song features classical guitar with synths. This one has also been hanging around for awhile waiting to be finished. The very last note of this song has a very definite inspiration.

Instruments - acoustic guitar (classical), synths

"Crystal Eyes" 
Another song in search of a title featuring classical guitar. Hopefully this one conveys a sense of beauty along with a bit of an inner fire. There's definitely some Riverdance inspiration in this one.

Instruments - acoustic guitar (classical), piano, synths, electric bass, drum machine, castanets, djembe, dayan (right tabla drum)

"Be Thou My Vision" 
A traditional Irish hymn arranged in an orchestral/piano setting. I first heard this song at a wedding many years ago. Waiting to play at the reception, I was in the sanctuary during the prelude music and heard a beautiful soprano voice accompanied by pipe organ. When they performed this song it was simply breathtaking. Since then it has been one of my favorite hymns.

Instruments - piano, synths, electric bass, cymbal

"Autumn Dance" 
This one was written many years ago and is pretty much in the same form as it was then. It starts with a slow prelude and then picks up into a simple little pop song.

Instruments - pianos (acoustic and electric), synth, electric bass, drum machine, egg shaker

"Greensleeves" 
Such a beautiful folk song that has endured for centuries. Treated here with an extended introduction and staying in an aeolian mode (for those who care). If only the oboe were real! This is a primarily acoustic song.

Instruments - harp, acoustic guitars, mandolin, electric bass, synths, finger cymbals

"Remember" 
The daughter of a very dear friend lost her husband and almost lost her own life in a motorcycle accident in the summer of 2001. It was a great honor to play at John's funeral. This song was written for that service and to honor both John and Mary Beth.

Instruments - piano, acoustic guitar (classical), synths, electric bass, cymbal, tree chimes

"Untamed Heart" 
There are people that seem to be able to let go of all of their worries and live life to the fullest without any cares. This was written for one of those people and is one of my first pieces written for harp. This one is also primarily acoustic.

Instruments - harp, soprano recorder, synths

"Every Star" 
The main theme of this song has been around for awhile on harp. The middle section was added later. Somehow it all came together with the acoustic piano solo. The solo was meant to only be a sketch but the more I listened the more it seemed to fit better than anything else.

Instruments - harps, acoustic guitar (classical), piano, electric bass

"Potpourri" 
Who knew mandolin could be such a fun instrument? This song came from just playing around with the main theme and then grew from there. The pennywhistle ended up topping everything off. This song ended up truly being a potpourri of styles and instruments and goes through a variety of moods and changes.

Instruments - mandolin, acoustic guitars (steel string and classical), pennywhistle, harp, piano, synths, electric bass, drum machine