Songs 2005

Only the Blue Sky is the first of my musical endeavors with Don de Leaumont and our Shades of Winter project. Starting in the later half of 2005, Don and I began a journey that made for fruitful songwriting after my university-induced dry spell. Our enthusiasm carried us through the end of the year and into 2006. This song stemmed from Don's music and an idea he had for lyrics shelved years before. He unearthed them and we had the song by the next meeting. This was the testament to our common vision, the similarities of style and sounds synthesized into something tangible.

The idea for Bad America came to me in 2001, and most of the song was written at that time, but I found myself stuck on the second verse and lacking inspiration for an ending, until I put it on the table at Don's. It seemed finished in a heartbeat, and the inspiration and passion for channeling my Native American heritage into voice was found.

Anthem is for Kelly. In recent years, no single person has given me more lessons, more inspiration, more positivity and encouragement than this sister of the Goddess. Her light is bright and unwaivering, unconditional grace and love abounds. When she found herself back in Chapel Hill having made the very difficult descision to leave her husband, we took her back with open arms, ears, and hearts. This is her story.

The events surrounding hurricane Katrina and the failing of the U.S. Government in the days and months following her descimation of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region provided the impetus for this song. It felt good to write out my disappointment, my dismay, and the disservice done to a fine center of culture in the South and in America. This hit too close to home for Don too, and I think he appreciated my putting words to it.

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