MY FLORIDA HOME (written by Jack Speer & Julie Speer, production & vocals by Tim Buppert):

In 2008, Florida’s state song, Down By The Suwannee River, by Stephen Foster, was deemed racially offensive and a contest was launched by the State of Florida to select a new state song. This was the song my wife, Julie, and I submitted. It’s worth noting that a song was never selected and no further word was ever communicated about this contest. I had considered trying to get this song to Jimmy Buffett...

I wrote this song as a memorial to my younger (by 2 yrs), gospel singer brother, Billy, who recently died (11/1/16) of Lewy Body Dementia. We were quite different in so many ways and I wasn't as kind to him as I wish I'd been in our youth. He loved making people laugh, even to the point of being self-deprecating and it would embarrass me. Nevertheless, he was crazy talented and, no matter how much I would try to compose myself, he knew how to break me down and make me laugh!

TO KISS YOU ONCE MORE (written by Jack Speer, produced by Tre' Corley, vocals by Tim Buppert):

This song evolved very quickly when I saw Nancy Reagan kiss the casket of President Ronald Reagan on TV. I became extremely emotional, as It brought back images of my mother kissing my father goodbye, as he passed away suddenly, only 2 years previously to President Reagan. I realize the more upbeat songs are preferred, but the emotions of this sad occasion dictated the slower, somber meter.

HOT WOMEN, WHISKEY AND BEER (written by Jack Speer, sung by Matt Dame, produced by John D. Willis):

When my folks moved to Central, FL, 1956, my folks initially rented a large, 2-story wood-frame house. Early after moving there, a man appeared at our front screen door, with a fairly rank odor of alcohol. My mother shooed him away, but I later learned this man was my grandmother’s brother. And, on occasion, if I did something that was deemed despicable to my mother, she would say, “You’re going to be just like your Uncle.” I thought he deserved a song. I later learned he had been a war hero on an island in the Pacific, during WWII.

BABY, COME HOME (written by Jack Speer, produced and sung by Tim Buppert):

This came from no particular inspiration, accept that I’ve thought about the numerous times I’ve driven for miles (while tunes roll through my head), without being aware of where I’ve been.

written by Jack Speer, produced by Tre' Corely (Oak Tree Studios), sung by Gus Gashus

My dad was very proud of my early endeavors, but he was extremely disappointed as a result of some life changing choices I made. As a result, we rode down a bumpy road together for a few years. However, things came together before the end of his life and I couldn’t have been more proud to have been his son. As I walked out of the church following his funeral service, a close, life-long friend approached me and said, “You have so many of your father’s knee-jerk mannerisms. In fact, the way you walk and the way you talk; it’s so much like him.” Nothing could have pleased me more, thus the title of this song.

When my mother passed away, I was guilt stricken for so many things I put her through while living under her roof. She raised my siblings and me (4 all total), while my father was mostly on the road - he was a traveling salesman. One of her constant come-back lines whenever I would challenge one of her directives was, "'Cause I said so." No matter what I would ask, i.e. "Why do I have to be home by 6:00 pm?" she would follow with, "'Cause I said so." I guess there's some truth to the adage, "What goes around, comes around," as I have raised 2 sons; I get it. But, I totally hated that response as a kid! She also had a very strong faith, which plays into this song...

WHOLE LOTTA THINKIN’ ‘BOUT YOU (written by Jack Speer, sung by Jack Speer, produced by Tim Buppert):

I grew up in a very small town (population around 2,000) with brick streets. And, as a kid, I rode my bike everywhere. In those days, it wasn't uncommon for a 10-year old kid to play with other kids at the City Park all day long. Everyone knew everyone and nobody locked their doors. Fast forward to 2007, as a member of NSAI, we engaged in exercises to paint detailed verbal pictures, i.e. "Furniture." So, I reflected on the brick streets and how my bike tires would sing on those old brick streets. The rest of the song took on a story line of its own...

YOU STANDING THERE (written by Jack Speer, sung by Matt Dame, produced by John D. Willis):

A song I wrote about my wife, Julie. I met her at a party; one I so did not want to attend. But, immediately after arriving at this teachers’ party with some mutual friends, I saw Julie, threw caution to the wind, and introduced myself. The rest is history.