Native Americans have occupied Yosemite Valley for at least 4,000 years. The natives that lived there were descendents of Southern Sierra Miwoks. They called their valley AWAHNI, "Place of the gaping mouth", referring to the valley"s depth and shape, thus they became to be known as "Awanichi." Miwok residents west of Yosemite sometimes referred to valley natives as "Yohemite." Because the word Yohimite had become a familiar name of theses residents it was decided to give the valley the name of its residents. Eventually variations in sound and spelling created "Yosemite." John Muir became a champion for the preservation of all of Yosemite's natural resources and was instrumental in helping Yosemite to become a National Park in Oct 1, 1890. This song explores some of the sites and sounds of this beautiful Yosemite Valley.

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In the 1800s before car or plane travel, the main method of travel was the train. In 1868 the first train passed from the west across the Sierra Nevada's at Donner Lake and went on eastward. The nature of the range, with its extreme weather, unprecedented in the building of railroads, demanded extraordinary procedures. There were no trucks or tractors, no giant earthmovers in those days, only mules and dump carts, shovels and manpower. Yosemite Mountain-Sugar Pine RR, Roaring Camp and Big Trees narrow gauge RR in Felton, and the Bodi & Benton railway and Commercial Company were just a few of the local lines of the time. This song was inspired by a ride on a narrow gauge railroad watching the coal car and the smoke from the steam engine rise above the train as it rounded the bend up ahead. I thought of how it must have been to travel the railroad back then. This is the story of a run-away train, the brevity of life, and my love that waited for me at the end of the line.

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This love song is reminiscent of being away from the one you love. Even when apart, true lovers can be together in their thoughts and dreams. They can be together anytime, or anywhere. They can walk along the beach together and be very close in spirit regardless of the many miles that may separate them. Like the early morning sunshine or a lazy summer afternoon, two hearts as one can light the way of a sweet return to each other.

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There is a place known to fly fisherman of days gone by as "The Neverfail". A stream located in a beautiful valley surrounded by majestic snow capped mountain peaks. A stream that was ALWAYS teaming with huge Rainbow, Brown, Brook and Golden Trout. A stream that you knew, even before wetting your line, that you would catch one. This is a song about my good friend's "catch" on the Neverfail. Every seasoned angler has his or her "Never-fail"...Where's yours?

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This is the story of Tioga pass, past and present. In 1912 a Russian immigrant named Al Gardisky came to this region in search of his fortune in the many Gold and silver mines that grace the history of the Eastern Sierras. Unable to find his big strike he opened a lodge (now called Tioga Pass Resort) to service the people that would come through the pass. Fast forward to the year 2002. The best place to get gourmet food in the Eastern Sierra, believe it or not, is at the mobile gas mart at the foot of Tioga Pass. Matt Toomey's "Whoa Neli Deli" serves up the best fish tacos in the world in addition to many other delicacies that have become famous. This song is dedicated to my friend, Matt who will shout out when your food is ready, "Foo Weady" !

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Have you ever been away from the one you love and feel like you just can't stand being away from him or her anymore? To be so much in love that you are totally consumed by that person? To have those feelings that can.t be contained inside of you any longer and you just need to sing his or her praises? You make me sing to the mountains above captures the heart and soul of this human experience.

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John Muir was an adventurer, a preservationalist and one of our first and foremost writers on the wilderness. Born in Scotland, John Immigrated to the United States in 1849. His awe-inspiring stories of the beauty of the mountains he called the "Range of Light" still move even the youngest reader. In one such story, John was climbing a sheer granite rock-face without ropes or other equipment that we use today. He reached a point at which he was stuck, unable to move in any direction. As he contemplated his mortality, something inside of him took control and a small voice said, "Come Higher".

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Have you ever had a "magical moment" that you wish would never end ? Such a moment occurred for me a number of summers ago when I took a 15 mile horse pack trip and camped on a spot on Fish Creek, in the Eastern Sierras, called Second Crossing. The very same ground that John Muir walked, still pristine and wonderfully beautiful. Singing around the camp fire one night I wrote this song about my wonderful experiences down at Second Crossing.

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Sometimes do you ever feel like things in a particular situation turned out just the way they should have? That is was just meant to be? Webster defines Destiny as a predetermined course of events often held to be an irresistible power or agency. What if we had never met ?... I know we were meant to be together. This love song explores these thoughts and experiences.

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This is a sampling of sing-a-longs that I will lead your group in, if you have me come and perform for your campfire or any social event (indoor or outdoor). Woven into the songs I have written to tell the story of the Eastern Sierras, these lively sing-a-longs are a fun way to involve your group into my program. I often sing at assisted Living Homes, Alzheimer's Homes, Forest Service campfire programs , Concerts in the park, and many different types of social events, (including weddings) and am available to sing for your group at any social activity that you would like a live musical performance. Check out my Contact page for more booking information.

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This is a song about one of my favorite places to visit. A jewel of a lake nestled in the middle of the John Muir Wilderness. I speak of Rosalie as a beautiful woman. A woman of such intoxicating beauty and spirit that any man would surely give his life for. Rosalie is truly one of the gems of the Sierra.

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