GRITS There's just something about southern girls, isn't there? The way they grin, the way they walk and talk; there's just something special about girls from this area. You just know it when you're near a girl raised in the south. That's sort of the premise for this song. For anyone from the south or anyone that's ever been here, I think it's something we can all agree on. Favorite Line: Something about the way they wear them jeans And toss their hair like beauty queens Tribute I've always been a fan of the classic country songs. Even though I consider my music to be very contemporary, I still have always felt the need to pay tribute to the roots of country music. That's what this song is for me. I sat down and just wrote out a list of what I considered to be many of the classic songs of country music and figured out a way to include as many of them as possible in this song. It's always a ton of fun for me to sing and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did putting it together. Favorite Line: I don't wanna wind up behind bars inside folsom prison With these blue eyes cryin' in the rain She Don't Need Me My girlfriend Tiffany and I were walking down the beach in Gulf Shores one morning on vacation and I started getting these lyrics in my head. Before I knew it I had written the whole chorus in my mind all in the time we were taking our walk. It's a song that says a lot about Tiffany and a lot about what guys can really appreciate about a strong female. Favorite Line: She could do anything that she set out to acheive But what she wants most is me So Cold This song has been around a while. In fact, the main reason I recorded this one is because so many people wanted to hear it. When I played this one for Tammy Vice in the studio the first thing she said was, "Well, that sounds a little different than your depression-free country music." Before I could even respond Larry said "Actually it seems to me more opressed than depressed." We all laughed. It may be a little bit off the beaten coarse for me but it still feels right. Nobody goes to movie that's a comedy expecting to only laugh. You have to break it up a little bit. I think it's a nice change up for the record. Favorite Line: You start off with a touch of tease Just enough to bring me to my knees Trading Me For Us I wrote Trading Me For Us with Beth Nations. It started as a promise that we made in signing each other's yearbook. It was probably six year's after we had said we were going to write together that we finally did it. It sort of plays off the idea that when you start a relationship with someone, you trade in your insecurities for security in each other. What's even more interesting is that the day after I called her to tell her that I was recording the song she gave birth to her daughter Abby Elizabeth. Favorite Line: I'm ready to let go of this heavy prideful load I surrender heart and soul Go Ahead And Laugh About It Now I've always heard people say "One day you'll be able to look back and laugh about this or that" when something unfortunate happens. This song was written off the idea that you should just go ahead and laugh now. Life is too short. Why wait? Favorite Line: So you go to leave again as fast as you can But you can't find your keys when they're right there in your hand Last, First Kiss Tiffany's roomate, Amy, had an ex-boyfriend who would count their kisses and every once in a while he would blurt out something like, "452". I thought that was so funny that I should make it the premise for a song. I took my memory of my first kiss with Tiffany put it with Amy's experience and "Last, First Kiss" is what came about. Favorite Line: I never knew that I was so funny But she giggles everytime I call her honey Music To My Ears This is the first song I ever wrote that I was truly proud of. I've played for lots and lots of folks over the years. It really has stood the test of time. I'm glad this song finally got the arrangement and attention it truly deserves. I dedicate this one to everyone who has followed my music since the beginning. Favorite Line: It strikes a chord deep inside my soul That I can feel from my head down to my feet Let Me This is the song that I got the most flack for not including on the first record. So many people gave me a hard time about not recording it that I'm not sure they would have let me live this time around if I didn't record it. This one is definately a stretch for me in many ways, but it feels good to get outside of your comfort zone sometimes. What is it about, you may ask... Let your mind run free. Favorite Line: I wanna take you to the pier late at night Bare feet on the boardwalk I wanna hold you tight Louder Than Words Conventional wisdom would tell you that you shouldn't cut a song over four minutes long. Since this one ended up being six-and-a-half minutes I guess I just wasn't paying attention; but to tell you the truth this one doesn't feel long to me. It feels right. Just like when you leave the movie theater and when you get to the parking lot you realize you've been there for three-and-a-half hours. You didn't notice because it just felt right. This song is just a power ballad overflowing with emotion. It's a testament to the transcendant qualities of love and I think it fits in perfectly as the final song on this CD. Favorite Line: It transcends all language and sometimes life itself And when all has grown weary it still has more to tell ***Limited Time Offer*** Buy "Next BIG Twang" from CDBaby and get a free bonus DVD that includes music video and live performance clips along with a look back at Jon's CD "MORE".