I played at an open mike last night.

I opened with a Kenneth Chesney song (oops, Nashville stuff) called "That's Why I'm Here." Then I did Tom Rush's "No Regrets." I use an open G tuning GGDGBD and I throw in a lick from Tom's "Rockport Sunday". I have to capo up to the 6th fret to get to a place where I can sing it. I finished with "Christmas in the Trenches", 'cause it's a holiday song.

That's Why I'm Here
by Kenneth Chesney

Well, I ain't had nothin' to drink,
I knew that's probably what you'd think,
If I showed up this time of night.
Remember way back when,
I promised you I'd drop in,
On one of those meetin's down at the "Y".

They started talkin' 'bout the steps you take,
Mistakes you make, and the hearts you break,
And the price you pay,
I allmost walked away.
You could hear a pin drop when this old man,
Stood up and said, "I'm gonna say it again,"
"Like I do every week, for those that don't know me."

CHO:
It's the simple things in life,
Like the kids, the home, and a lovin' wife,
That you miss the most when you lose control.
Everything you love starts to disappear,
The devil takes your hand and says, "No fear,"
"Have another shot, just one more beer."
I've been there, that's why I'm here.

That old man stood in the aisle,
Said he'd been livin' a life of denial,
And he cried, as he talked about wasted years.
I couldn't believe what I heard,
It was my life word for word.
And all of a sudden it was clear. CHO:

BRIDGE
I know for us it might be too late,
But it would mean the world to me,
If you were there when I stand to say. CHO:

All in all, a pretty downer set. I think all three songs could qualify as "wrist slashers". Oh well, I enjoyed it.

Roger in Baltimore