Before getting into the backstory of me, I want to make sure anyone who reads this knows that I have more people to thank for their mentoring, friendship, love and musical support. First, I thank the musicians you'll here on the album -- Michelle Murray, Dell Potter, Chris Veatch, Eric Sutton and Jeff Karn. They made this album a better listen than I ever could have hoped for, but as importantly, by being so into my songs, lifted my confidence in them as well. I also thank the other musicians who have become my friends and inspirations over the past few years playing open mic at Azucar Restaurant, through the Songwriters Association of Washington. If I list as many as I can, I know I'll forget one and regret it, but these are the folks who are most likely to read this and you know who you are. Finally, giving someone playing guitar in the living room the courage to go out and share his songs in public is something only family and friends can do. So thanks and love to all of them, but particularly to Kate, Ben, Emily, Alex, Keith, Raffi, Sarah, Jessie, Cindy, Andrew, Jo, Jim, Vero, Val, Howard and Nina, a core fan base to be envied. Finally, thanks to the pros at Airshow, and especially Don Godwin, whose talent in recording and mixing is matched by his ability to make a novice at both feel comfortable and confident. Still reading? Well OK, here's my backstory. My first musical memory is watching my parents and my older sister Patty dance to the fox trots and cha cha's from the Great American Songbook in our den in 1950's suburban Long Island. They were all awesome dancers, but the bigger message was that music had the power to make them move! It got me interested enough to take piano lessons for five years. Thank you, Mrs. Wallingford! When I graduated high school (class of '69) all hell was breaking loose in America and music was at the center of the values and enthusiasms of what we Boomers called the "counter-culture." In college, friends taught me to play guitar. Thank you Gary, Bob, Howard and Tom! I played and sang the acoustic guitar songs I loved -- Jesse Winchester, Van Morrison, John Prine, Neil Young, James Taylor and, of course, Bob Dylan. Songwriting? Not really. But when I became an empty nestor and had some time on my hands, I got into it. Better Late, my "debut" album, sums up my songwriting adventure to date -- from family to open mics to showcases to the studio. So please give these tunes a listen. Writing them has been a pleasure, but sharing them is an even bigger one. Thanks.