Shortly after becoming a member of NSAI (about 15 years ago), our coordinator for the Tampa Bay Area told our group, "Try to paint a picture with your lyric, i.e. describe the things and accounts of where you grew up and how these matters affected your life." I have many fond memories of the very, small "Mayberry-like" town that shaped my life, and reflecting on these things was like a pleasant trip down memory lane...
Hi Jack, that’s an amazing production! Sounds a bit old-fashioned today, but still I love the sound. I am a little confused about the song structure - a bridge after the first chorus is unusual. I also would have liked to hear the (nice) chorus once again. Overall idea is not that original, but you did a good job.
July 05, 2018
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Frank Renfordt, you’re a tough onion to peal!!! Seriously, I greatly appreciate your candor and I wouldn’t want you to sugar-coat anything - ever! Many of my songs were written approximately 15 years ago, when I first became a member of NSAI, hence my old-fashioned style. I promise to share a more up-to-date style in the coming weeks! 
July 05, 2018
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Nice song, Jack! Yep, I know where Groveland is… and Mascotte! I grew up in Brooksville - talk about Mayberry! Anyway, I joined NSAI this year and there is no Tampa chapter listed now…. what happened? The Orlando and Gainesville chapters are 2+ hours away from me. Is there a group that still meets in Tampa?
July 06, 2018
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Hi Rick,
Firstly, thank you for your kind remarks on my song… As for the Tampa chapter of NSAI, Mike Deeson (investigative reporter for CBS, Channel 10 News) was our Coordinator. But, inasmuch as I was managing commercial construction projects, there was a stretch around 2008 when I wasn’t in the Tampa area. Then, when I got back in town, I learned that he hung it up… I haven’t been associated with NSAI ever since Mike resigned. And, unfortunately I got so buried with work, I basically stopped writing, too.
Rick, do you play in a band? How long have you been a Frettie member? I’ve been a member since mid-May, but from what I’ve experienced thus far, I really like it and I’m trying to get back into writing!
July 06, 2018
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Hi Jack,
I joined Frettie a few months ago. Send me an email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I’m in Spring Hill, so maybe we can get together sometime.
July 06, 2018
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1) Verse and chorus musically too similar to each other. 2) Musically, a little too predictable. 3) Nice key change. 4) Nice evocative lyrics.
August 12, 2018
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written by Jack Speer, produced by Tre' Corely/Oak Tree Studio, vocals by Tim Buppert
Since I left home and been on my own
I’ve traveled ‘round,
And I’ve seen some places, familiar faces
But, I’ve never found,
A place that seems quite the same,
Where everybody knows your name,
A place I know I’ll always miss,
Where I remember my first kiss.
It’s like blue jeans, t-shirts and country air,
Like weekends and old friends who really care,
And you can just be yourself,
Don’t have to be like no one else,
As common as Ol’ John Brown,
In my Hometown.
Now, things have really changed a lot since I grew up there,
The bus-stop’s gone with the Five & Dime,
But, they can change it all, I don’t care,
The memory is safe in my mind.
Every now and then when I need a grin
And a get-away,
I think about my hometown
And yesterday,
And, I don’t have to go too far,
It’s always been, “Come as you are,”
A place that’s always near to me,
Forever in my memory.
It’s like blue jeans, t-shirts and country air,
Like weekends and old friends who really care,
And I don't have to go too far,
It's always been, "Come as you are,"
As common as Ol’ John Brown,
In my Hometown.
1
Nice song Jack. Reminds me of my home town. Once the Walmart came all of the quaint old stores died, but “the memory is safe in my mind”. that was a good line
July 05, 2018
0
Hi Jack, that’s an amazing production! Sounds a bit old-fashioned today, but still I love the sound. I am a little confused about the song structure - a bridge after the first chorus is unusual. I also would have liked to hear the (nice) chorus once again. Overall idea is not that original, but you did a good job.
July 05, 2018
0
Frank Renfordt, you’re a tough onion to peal!!! Seriously, I greatly appreciate your candor and I wouldn’t want you to sugar-coat anything - ever! Many of my songs were written approximately 15 years ago, when I first became a member of NSAI, hence my old-fashioned style. I promise to share a more up-to-date style in the coming weeks!
July 05, 2018
0
Nice song, Jack! Yep, I know where Groveland is… and Mascotte! I grew up in Brooksville - talk about Mayberry! Anyway, I joined NSAI this year and there is no Tampa chapter listed now…. what happened? The Orlando and Gainesville chapters are 2+ hours away from me. Is there a group that still meets in Tampa?
July 06, 2018
0
Hi Rick,
Firstly, thank you for your kind remarks on my song… As for the Tampa chapter of NSAI, Mike Deeson (investigative reporter for CBS, Channel 10 News) was our Coordinator. But, inasmuch as I was managing commercial construction projects, there was a stretch around 2008 when I wasn’t in the Tampa area. Then, when I got back in town, I learned that he hung it up… I haven’t been associated with NSAI ever since Mike resigned. And, unfortunately I got so buried with work, I basically stopped writing, too.
Rick, do you play in a band? How long have you been a Frettie member? I’ve been a member since mid-May, but from what I’ve experienced thus far, I really like it and I’m trying to get back into writing!
July 06, 2018
0
Hi Jack,
I joined Frettie a few months ago. Send me an email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). I’m in Spring Hill, so maybe we can get together sometime.
July 06, 2018
0
1) Verse and chorus musically too similar to each other. 2) Musically, a little too predictable. 3) Nice key change. 4) Nice evocative lyrics.
August 12, 2018
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Charles Cater
Nice song Jack. Reminds me of my home town. Once the Walmart came all of the quaint old stores died, but “the memory is safe in my mind”. that was a good line
July 05, 2018