I played a show this past Saturday. The room was filled mostly with friends and family... and a few people who stepped in from the wind and rain to have a cup of coffee.

After my set, one of those strangers came up to me to ask me about a song that I wrote about a friend who served over in Iraq -- twice ["Say You Will (A Reluctant Soldier's Plea)"].

He was a big guy (and I am not). He said, "You know that song that you wrote about the soldier?"
"Yeah?" I said, sensing some sort of potential political debate/maybe yelling match/hopefully not fistfight.
"Well, I served over in Iraq."
I got more nervous.
"And I just want to thank you for writing that song," he said looking me dead in the eye, very seriously, and a little bit sadly. "Seriously. Thank you."

I didn't know what else to say, so I shook his hand and just said, "Well, thank you for your service."

He nodded and smiled as if to say, "You got it right."

I was still stunned when another equally large man came over to me and said, "I also served and I also want to say 'thank you.'"

The same scene played itself out again. And I just about went numb.

word

awesome

And I thought it was because you wanted to make the young girls cry.

amazing! get that song out there.

Good job, Todd. It is amazing what a little positive feedback will do for you.

Well done Todd.

Good stuff.

That's awesome, Todd!

Now write a song about the health bill passing. You'll be the new Woody Guthrie!

Did you take this song down from that indie artists website you use? I couldn't find it.

Here it is:
http://iacmusic.com/songs.aspx?SongID=8 ... stID=10003

great story, and definitely one you should tell onstage whenever you perform this song - gives it even more gravitas

Nice. Yeah, when you sent that to me with my bro-in-law going to Iraq, it really hit home.

Nice song Todd.

You know I love you...but...you really gotta control that voice a little better. Have you ever taken any lessons?

No lessons.
And yeah, I am aware of my control issues, especially on that take of that song, but I thought that the demo mood suited it, so I kept it raw.
But, in general, my control is getting better and, live, I've actually gotten compliments on my singing, which baffles me!