That Old Tree
(Ken Bierschbach)
Ken Bierschbach
This song was born on my deck. I was looking at a large maple tree in the corner of our yard and the first line was written. This tree was plucked from my grandpa's property in Beal City, MI during the 1980s. It was only a few inches tall and fit on the floor of our car. We brought it home, planted it and it grew like crazy. It's now a very large presence in our yard, just as grandpa was a very large presence in my life. This version was recorded in Mark Swanson's studio, and Mark shows his prodigious talent by not only engineering and arranging, but also by playing all of the other instruments you hear.
And The Wheel Goes Round
(Ken Bierschbach)
Ken Bierschbach
I wrote this song in 2006 and recorded this version in 2008 in Mark Swanson's studio. I'm playing the acoustic guitar and singing lead vocal, while Mark is playing all other instruments and singing harmony vocals. Another version of this song, recorded by "13th Hour," is featured on "West Michigan Folk Luthiers 2009," a compilation CD of songs played entirely on instruments made by Michigan luthiers. The CD is available at CD Baby. I don't remember what prompted me to write this song, but it's essentially my attempt at a yin and yang themed tune...I hope you enjoy it.
Memphis, Tennessee
(Ken Bierschbach)
Ken Bierschbach
This song was written in 1999 after a trip to Memphis with my sister and her husband, and my wife. The trip was memorable for a variety of reasons, including blizzard conditions, a confrontation with an aggressive pan-handler, and getting lost in a section of town we did not want to be lost in. At trip's end I committed the entire experience to paper, and then wrote this song. In 2008 I needed a more fully produced version in order to submit the song to a potential movie about Elvis, and once again my buddy Mark Swanson stepped up and helped shape this song.
Ahead Of The Sun
(Mark Swanson)
Mark Swanson
People don't always realize that Mark Swanson also writes a song or two, so I thought I'd highlight one of his songs (with his permission of course). This song was recorded during the same sessions as "That Old Tree" and "And The Wheel Goes Round." It has a very nice country-rock ballad feel to it, with lush harmonies and instrumentation. Mark handles the majority of instruments and vocals. I'm playing acoustic guitar and singing harmony. Enjoy Mark's tune...
