High Pass Ridge I started playing the guitar at age 13, but it was not until my 50’s that I started to write and record my own music. For me, playing the guitar is a powerful antidote for the stresses of modern life. Once I get “into the groove”, I find myself in the more relaxed right brain experience-transcended and more connected than my overused left brain. For this CD, I would pick up my guitar in the evenings and find new and interesting licks. If these were intriguing enough, I would build a song around them, adding melody and lyrics to the basic licks and chord structure. Inevitably, every rendition of each new song would be slightly different, as I would improvise a little each time. Satisfying changes would be incorporated. Once each new song was “fairly polished”, I would play it live at open mics and in front of friends. This could result in still more changes. Finally, as I recorded each song, I would further refine guitar parts, harmonies, lyrics etc. The final version of each song on the CD is the culmination of numerous revisions. Sounds tedious, but as long as the creative process was in play, it wasn’t boring. Songs that I have written since High Pass Ridge have been more attentive to lyrics-emphasizing that perspective 1st over melody, chords etc. I have found this more difficult, but the songs have more interesting story lines. I hope you enjoy these 12 songs and if you are musically & creatively inclined; I would encourage you to write your own songs. You may surprise yourself and enjoy it more than you might imagine. Best wishes! Clay