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In 2009, I finally got my chance, going out on my own, solo, after all the years of singing everyone
else’s tunes, I was heading for that ‘hi-dive’! I started networking in Nashville, after living there
for almost 14 years. (Sadly, being on the road since moving there afforded me little opportunity
to seek out the great Nashville players.) The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. The first
night I went to a Blues jam in town, I basically, found my first band with the guys that were playing
that very night. We set up some recording immediately and put the fateful 13 songs together as
“Livin’ The Blues”. I met my manager that same night as well. We tied it all together and released
it……and holy smokes! After that it was one album a year for the next few years, to glowing
reviews, awards, and 3 Grammy nominations!

LL: Let’s talk about your latest release “I’m Coming Home”. Would you tell us your concept
and vision for the album?

SM: I’ve been putting
together songs, song

ideas and writing with
Kevin McKendree and
my two guitar players;
Tommy Stillwell &
Kenne Cramer for quite
a while. The best of the
best, the title track, ‘I’m
Coming Home’, and
‘Keep Your Head Above
Water’ really set the
stage for everything that
followed. All the other
songs are contributions
from some of my very
good friends.
Sometimes, writing is a
‘work in progress’, and
sometimes an album
like “I’m Coming Home”
sort of writes itself.
Kevin and I sat at his
piano, he started playing chord changes, and the lyrics came on in a flash….I think it took about
20 minutes to write and record the demo!! I had an idea that I think, filters down to just about

everyone’s life. Somewhere along the way, you will hear something that fits, or has happened to
you in this song!

‘Keep your Head Above Water’ was me, Tommy Stillwell and Kenne Cramer sitting around my
dining room table throwing out ideas that took a few tries. We wanted to make it just right.
Tommy came in with the main theme. The message was so fitting with what has been happening
in today’s scene that it was a no-brainer! I had to add it to the first of the songs.

LL: How about those who contributed to “I’m Coming Home”? Would you like to mention
anyone?

SM: It was a hard decision on the songs my friends sent, they are such terrific writers that I could
have done a 3-volume set!