Friends and Family:

I once heard a music publisher say (not one of mine of course) “Songwriters should take their first 500 songs and throw them in the trash. Then they’ll be writing songs worth hearing.” I can maybe agree with that in principle, however I never throw any of my songs in the trash. Because I’m a singer as well, I enjoy singing them. Plus, I’ve been blessed to co-write mostly with hit songwriters from the start - people like Walt Aldridge, Gary Baker, Brad Crisler, James LeBlanc, Lenny LeBlanc, and later Joe Doyle, Mark Narmore, Paul Nelson, Steven Dale Jones, Tracy Lawrence, Teddy Gentry...I’m not a name dropper, but there go a few. Lol

Not to mention countless co-writes with up and comers, never willers, almost wasers (like me), and just becausers.

I want to share with you “The Archives Vol. 1,” an abridged collection of original songs from my first years as a pro songwriter in Nashville, written or co-written from 2004 to 2012. Some are dusty publishing demos. Others came from custom projects where the original artist was kind enough to let me sing a version. It's a mixed bag of several genres. Because each track varies from the next, the best order I could think of was to list them chronologically. Some of these might have been previously available online at one time or another.

The shelf-life of this material is long expired. I wrote these back before music became a commodity - when a little money could be made from copyrights and recordings. I think my cowriters and former publishers could agree those days are nearly gone. I release these recordings under fair use for education and commentary and in appreciation for the collaborations they represent, as well as to showcase for my descendants some of my best works from my early years as a songwriter.

Every songwriter in the world could stop writing today and we’d have enough songs to last centuries. Good ones too. Maybe these songs are good. Maybe they’re great. One thing I know - these are some of my favs. I’ll trust the listener to decide for themselves.

Listed are co-writers and year of conception. I direct all inquiries to my admin Janice Jackson, Songs Of Travelers Hollow, Nashville, TN janice.jackson1@att.net.

It’s good to see these songs in the light of day after all these years, even if in the white-noise of the internet. They can now be found if sought after. Maybe enjoyed. Maybe to inspire others. Either way - they live. Lord willing, there will be more original music to come.


Collaborator Thanks:

To Walt (and Gary) for giving me a chance and a real start in Nashville.
To Adam, my childhood friend, for being one of my favs and most prolific collaborators
To Matt, our collaborations are many and represent my best work
To Brad, a great friend and inspiration
To Jami, one of the best troubadours I know
To Chaise, always interesting and uplifting
To all others connected to these songs - It was a pleasure working with you.

God bless,
Doug