The album's sixth track is called "Theodora".

The song tells a story about a Mississippi girl and a Georgia boy who find one another in Houston and spend a lifetime making memories. In a way, it's the story of my life.

A few years ago, while eating lunch with my grandparents, my grandfather asked me if I would write a song for my grandmother on his behalf. I told him I'd be honored to do so, then asked him if he had any ideas as to the direction of the song and its content. They had been married for over sixty years. Within sixty years of marriage, there must be a thousand stories worth telling. He answered affirmative and said he in fact did have an idea. He told me, "I want it to say 'Have I told you lately that I love you?'"

I smiled as he said this. Not just because the sentiment is very sweet (and let me tell you, not a day went by that the man didn't make sure everyone knew how much he loved my grandmother), but also because that's already a really popular song. So I told him we'd include the thought in the song and I went to work.

My grandfather was one of the hardest working people I've ever known and was an ever-present figure of support throughout my life.

He grew up in rural Georgia in the agricultural town of Sandersville, around the time of the Great Depression. As a kid, he got a job deliving papers. Since he didn't have a bike, he'd "rent" his brother's bike each week so that he could make his route. This kind of work ethic would follow him throughout his professional life, all the way up to his eventual retirement from Exxon, having spent the better part of four decades as an executive pilot.

I was fortunate enough to sing this song for him a couple days before he passed. I like to think he would have been proud of the way this song turned out on the record.

We recorded the song at White Cat Studios. Jack Saunders produced the tune and also played bass guitar and the lead electric riffs (which if memory serves, was a Strat through the Princeton amp). Eleanor Whitmore (The Mastersons) played fiddle. Lainey Balagia and Libby Koch sang harmonies. Rick Richards played the drums. The track was mastered by Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova Mastering in Austin.

Tomorrow's tune: "Still the One"

To buy the album, go HERE

Previous song stories:

Track 5 - "Blanco County Lights"

Track 4 - "Time I Walk Away"

Track 3 - "Drink (Drink Drink)"

Track 2 - "Doing Well"

Track 1 - "When You Come to Me"