The eddie ray band ANNOUNCES THE RELEASE OF THEIR NEW ALBUM

“Love is Everything”  written by Brandon Rummel and Phil Montfort

Vocals: Brandon Rummel, Phil Montfort, Brandon Neffendorf, Jon Eckholm, Sam McDonald 

Background vocals - Paul Hunt, Will Ross, Ben Acevedo, Nathan Van Nostrand, Jason Cribbs, Chloe Montfort, Brandon Rummel

Special guest vocals – The Lockhearts

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Drums – Nathan Van Nostrand

Bass – Kim Session

Penny Whistle – Danny Rouch

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

Brandon had never written a song before. I asked him, “What do you want it to sound like”? His answer: “The Beatles.” “What do you want it to be about?” His answer: “Love.” I asked, “What does love mean to you? He answered, enthusiastically, “Everything!”

The song was mostly written at that moment with one short conversation. Working on the rest of the song was easy. The remaining lyrics came about in the same question/answer format. This song has grown on us over the years and has developed into one of our band anthems.

LYRICS

"Love is hugs, caring and sharing

Love makes me feel happy

Love takes a cloudy day and makes it a sunny day

Love is everything

It’s the sun in the sky and the birds in the trees

Mama and I, and the clouds beneath my feet

Love is Everything

I can tell you this; love is much more than

just a kiss, its more to me

Love takes a heavy heart and makes it light again

Love is Everything"

Family Circle  written by Phil Montfort and Tenacious Tuesdays Group including Ben Acevedo, Brandon Rummel, Nathan Van Nostrand, Will Ross, Jason Cribbs, and others

Vocals: Phil Montfort, Brandon Neffendorf, Jon Eckholm, Sam McDonald, Nathan Van Nostrand

Background vocals - Paul Hunt, Will Reeser, Ben Acevedo, Nathan Van Nostrand, Jason Cribbs, Chloe Montfort, Brandon Rummel

Special guest vocals – The Lockhearts

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Drums – Nathan Van Nostrand

Bass – Kim Session

Special Guest Pedal Steel – James Pennebaker

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

This one was a group effort, written with input from a room full of people all contributing lyrical ideas. Musically it was inspired by the song “Blue Moon of Kentucky”. Tenacious Tuesdays was a group that met weekly at Hudson’s on Mercer. We would literally sit in a circle and sing songs. It lasted for about a year before being shut down by Covid. It is one of the band’s theme songs that has a simple way of capturing how we feel and how we want to be; welcoming, joyful and set free by love!

LYRICS

"We went into town on a Sunday

To find our friends and sing a little song

Bumped into a friend she said Hi there

Next thing you know the whole town sang along

Won’t you be part of our family 

Another branch on this family tree

You’ll all find a chair in the circle

We’ll keep singin’ Love will set you free

Met up once again on a Tuesday

Playin’ songs with Willy and the boys

Kinda like a family reunion

Come together, make a joyful noise

Strollin’ down ‘ol Mercer past the bar room

There was a music flowin’ out from inside

They said: “Don’t know where you come from my dear, but come on in and grab a beer”!

Just like Stevie, singin’ with joy and pride

Outro – We’ll keep singin’ Love will set you free"

The Road Less Traveled  written by Danny Rouch and Phil Montfort

Vocals: Danny Rouch 

Background vocals - Paul Hunt, Jon Eckholm, Steve Klopp, Phil Montfort

Special guest vocals – The Lockhearts

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Mandolin, Penny Whistle– Danny Rouch

Drums – Mark Hays

Bass – Kim Session

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

This song started by piecing together a few one-liners that Big B would randomly project into the room. Although they were at times difficult to decipher, they often had a poetic ring. When Dr. Dan heard, “like a wet dog the road is calling your name”, he immediately spoke the words, “get lost in the fog cause we’re all feeling the same”. Dr. Dan and Phil continued to work on the song and eventually incorporated a long, spoken word section taken from one of Danny’s many poems. That section became the pinnacle of the song. Ultimately, the lyrical content of this song became about Danny’s experience and feelings about his “Road Less Traveled”.

LYRICS

Like a wet dog the road is calling your name

Get lost in the fog cuz we’re all feeling the same

I’m on the road less traveled, how about you?

Sometimes it feels like a dead-end road but I’m gonna see it through

We can start a new tradition based upon the sole condition

We’re all just trying to play the game

It’s 12 o’clock, welcome back, You’re doing great,

It’s time to get started, please don’t hesitate

As for me, I started over when I was through

Like everybody, you have to give the devil his due

It is with my mind messing but you know we’re all just guessing

So what else can I say there’s always hell to pay

I may have bragged I may have lied

My conscience was sick or maybe it died

I know what I have faulted, perhaps I have insulted but I’ve not ever spied

I’ll be sure I have complied with the info you’ve supplied

For bizarre obtuse selections

Making small discreet corrections

Proving that I’ve really tried to make them all more dignified

This poem is dis-jumbled 

Tortured and I know it's crumbled

I believe that heaven knows, I had better stick with prose

It sounds as though I do not care

Even though my rhyming’s fair

I know my rhythm goes unchecked

Out of control you know its wrecked

Nights of valor ladies young, we know how this song is sung

It is time the bell is rung, we know how this song is sung

So tell me is that calling what makes it so appalling

Maybe yes or maybe no

The truth is, the truth is, the truth is… I don’t know.  

Daydreaming  written by Frank Montfort and Phil Montfort

Vocals: Chloe Montfort 

Background vocals –  Jon Eckholm, Steve Klopp, Phil Montfort, Paul Hunt

Special guest vocals – The Lockhearts

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Drums – Frank Montfort

Bass – Kim Session

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

Frank was 10 years old and had never written a song, so we sat at the kitchen table and discussed a topic about which he would want to write. His answer: “dreaming”. With lyrics from the mind of a child this song captures a feeling of things to which we can all relate; a sense of wonder, reflection, escape and possibility; a childhood daydream.

LYRICS

"A thousand years ahead of today, I’d be livin’ on the moon

Far away from everything, but I went away too soon

My mom and dad, my dog who died,

My old friend Ed who never lied, I miss them so

Daydreaming I can fly (Daydreaming I can fly)

Daydreaming in another life (Daydreaming in another life)

Daydreaming makes me wanna try (Daydreaming makes me wanna try)

Daydreaming is keepin’ me alive

This dreaming is what I rely on, living day to day

All I sing and all that I try on can’t be washed away

Waking up from what I’d seen, trying to remember what it means

I can’t let go"

Country Fried Funk written by Phil Montfort and Nathan Van Nostrand

Vocals: Phil Montfort

Background vocals – Jon Eckholm, Steve Klopp, Paul Hunt, Brandon Rummel, Sam McDonald 

Special spoken vocal – Will Ross

Special guest vocals – The Lockhearts

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Drums – Mark Hays

Bass – Kim Session

Special Guest Guitar – Bobby Mack

This song was written during some early jam sessions with the band. The lyrics ended up touching on Phil’s experience with this wild group of unique individuals, the organic nature of how the band developed, as well as the ideas of Fate and simply letting the chips fall where they may as time rolls along…

LYRICS

"Night time sky stars so high makes me wanna cry

Sippin’  tea, it’s alright with me, and them sirens go by

Just can’t go away, feels like I’m here to stay

I don’t know how I came by this but I know I’m going down, down, down 

From LA to the Hill Country, time keeps rollin’ down

Country fried in the hot sunshine standin’ on rocky ground

Just can’t go away, feels like I’m here to stay

I don’t know where I’m goin’ babe but I know I’m going down, down, down

I’m country fried, funky country fried. "

Passin' through Time written by Steve Klopp

Vocals: Steve Klopp, Jon Eckholm, Brandon Neffendorf, Sam McDonald, Nathan Van Nostrand

Background vocals – Steve Klopp, Phil Montfort, Paul Hunt, Brandon Rummel, Jon Eckholm, Brandon Neffendorf, Sam McDonald, Nathan Van Nostrand

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Drums – Frank Montfort

Bass – Kim Session

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

Passin’ Through Time is a song about living in the moment, valuing relationships as opposed to possessions, taking pleasure from what you do and knowing that all in life is transitory. The lyrics for this song were largely inspired by spending time with the “Tenacious Tuesdays” group.

LYRICS

"Day to Day we live, no future, no past

Now is the moment, the only one that lasts

Hurtling through space, throwing rhythm and rhyme

We’re passin’ through, passin’ through time

Just trying’ to escape the scene of the crime

We’re passin’ thru, passin’ through time

On our dusty road, with family and friends

With love and respect, life never ends

If you need a smile, lemme’ give you one of mine

While we’re passin’ through, passin’ through time

Remember no good deed goes unpunished

So always let a good deed be your crime

Hard boiled, scrambled, or two over easy

We’re gonna break some eggs, ain’t life sublime

We’re hard working pawns in the big chess game

We’re no two different, and no two the same

Don’t worry ‘bout the money, or fortune and fame

Cause passin’ through time is to blame

If you’re singers and strummers, pickers and grinners

Just let go the hard times, and pocket the winners

One ain’t worth a nickel, and the other ain’t worth a dime

We’re gonna’ spend it all, passin’ through time

Remember no good deed goes unpunished

So always let a good deed be your crime

Tick tock, its five o’clock, happy hour, we won’t stop

So pour yourself a tall one with a squeeze of lime

They say in the end, it’s the blink of an eye

So before its all over, come on, let’s try

Share your spark, it’s a natural high

When you’re passin’ through , passin’ through time."

Eddie from Waco  written by Ben Acevedo and Phil Montfort

Vocals: Phil Montfort, Nathan Van Nostrand

Background vocals - Paul Hunt, Will Ross, Ben Acevedo, Nathan Van Nostrand, Jason Cribbs, Chloe Montfort, Brandon Rummel, Danny Rouch

Special spoken words – Paul Hunt, Nathan Van Nostrand, Will Reeser 

Special guest vocals – The Lockhearts

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Mandolin – Danny Rouch

Drums – Nathan Van Nostrand

Bass – Kim Session

Special Guest Pedal Steel  – James Pennebaker

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

This is the first Eddie Ray Band song and where the band got its name. It was also the birth of Eddie himself and all the surrounding mystique. 

Ben had never written a song. I asked him, “What do you want to write about”? His answer: “my old friend Eddie”. I asked him to tell me about Eddie. Ben told me that he was an old friend of his since childhood and that he was from Waco. I continued to ask about Eddie and got a lot of very specific information, including a story about a stolen karaoke machine. 

We finished the song and he wanted to show his mom. She asked what the song was about, and I proceeded to tell her all about Ben’s old friend, Eddie from Waco. She gave a slightly confused smile and said that Ben doesn’t have a friend named Eddie and he’s never been to Waco. In that moment I realized that Ben had created a character whom we could mold and who could be whatever we wanted him to be, our muse. Since then, Eddie has made his way into numerous other songs as an old bluesman, a Christ-figure, and an old truth telling friend. He’s become part of our vernacular. You may hear mention of,  “the spirit of Eddie Ray” … a spirit of love, inclusion and Mexican food.

LYRICS

"Bustled up to Waco to have some fun and they stole my karaoke machine

Wanna get it back and play that country track the one about Waco and me

Talking with Eddie in Espanol speaking from el corazon

Back it up latch it down trailer and a pickup hook it up and drive on home

Eddie from Waco Eddie from Waco Eddie from Waco

Bustled on down to the tractor store little chicks chirpin’ a song 

Breakfast tacos and the Gatorade me and Eddie singin’ along

Ya know his Granddaddy’s smokin’ cigars talkin’ at the coffee shop

Headin Down to the YMCA laid back but never stops

Tryin’ to find my old friend, searchin’ in and out of the wind, it was so long ago…

Ma and Pa goin crazy again he can drive ‘em right outta their minds

Actin’ up but it don’t matter cause they love him right up to the sky

Eddie from Waco  Eddie from Waco  Eddie from Waco  Eddie …come on home!"

Sophia  written by Priyanka Natarajan and Phil Montfort

Vocals: Brandon Neffendorf 

Background vocals –Jon Eckholm, Steve Klopp, Phil Montfort, Paul Hunt, Brandon Rummel, Brandon Neffendorf, Sam McDonald

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Drums – Mark Hays

Bass – Kim Session

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

Priyanka had never written a song and wanted to try. With a similar approach to the writing of “Eddie from Waco,” she wanted to write about her friend Sophia. Also similar was the uncertainty around exactly who Sophia was, whether she was one specific person or an old friend who in Priyanka’s mind became idealized and imbues with characteristics of other people, just as Eddie was. Raja is her cat. Rose was one of her caretakers.
LYRICS
“Happy” is a huge stuffed bear. Sophia (by the way) means wisdom. It seems that wisdom and love walk hand in hand. This song exudes a feeling of peacefulness.

Raja wants milk but he can’t have it

Zariah is my friend and I love her

Rose is sweet, that’s true

Alexus made me cry but she stopped it,

So now she’s cool

Velumani, please give me some tea

Happy Happy is always with me

With Mama watching over me, I feel free

Sophia, Sophia, Ooooo

Sophia is like a bird

She sounds like a bird, in my dreams

Summertime below the waterline makes me feel so good

Keeping secrets but stayin’ on track

I miss my Dad but there’s no going back

Ooooo, Sophia"

Get Out Front!  written by Steve Klopp

Vocals: Steve Klopp

Background vocals – Jon Eckholm, Brandon Neffendorf, Steve Klopp, Phil Montfort, Paul Hunt, Brandon Rummel, Sam McDonald

Special spoken word – Brandon Rummel

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Drums – Mark Hays

Bass – Kim Session

Special Guest Guitar – Bobby Mack

Get Out Front proposes participation, now, regardless of one’s perceived limitations; besides, nothing is lost in the process, only gained. Performers sharing their talents will likely have fun, inspire, and bring joy to others.

LYRICS

"It’s your life, there’s so much to do

Songs to sing, knowledge to pursue

Don’t worry, don’t hide, don’t linger, don’t quit

You gotta get out front to get hit

Do what you like, do what you love

With a guiding hand from the one above

You’re partners with Him, it’s His natural plan

It’s the family, He’s your family, it’s our family, family of man

Remember it’s yours to make the first move

To jump in and roll, and rock with the groove

In the back of the room you can’t hide, you can’t sit

You gotta get out front, out front to get hit

The world is waiting for you to dance

It’s not like you’re really taking a chance

The world is waiting for you to sing

To unleash the joy only you can bring

The world is waiting for you to play

With the passion and the energy that you give away

No shrinking, no hiding, don’t doubt it, don’t quit

You gotta get out front, get out out front, you’ll be a hit

Beware of the ego on your pathway of years

It feasts upon others, and feeds on your fears

Stay grounded, stay humble, that’s the best fit

Runnin’ down the road with style and wit

No worries, no hiding, no waiting, don’t sit

No slippin’, no sliding, no stalling, don’t quit

You gotta get out front, get out front to get hit

You gotta get out front, get out front, get out front to get hit"

Super Grace  written by Danny Rouch 

Vocals: Danny Rouch

Background vocals – Jon Eckholm, Steve Klopp, Phil Montfort, Paul Hunt, Brandon Rummel 

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Mandolin – Danny Rouch

Drums – Pat Manske

Bass – Kim Session

Danny got the idea for this song based on a sermon that his pastor gave many years back, entitled “Super Grace.” The sermon proposed that there is no sin so great that it can’t be forgiven.  This song is Dr. Dan’s tongue in cheek response to that idea.

I can drink whiskey, I can play gin

I can do almost any sin

I can cuss you to your face

Cuz I got super grace

I’m a exegetin’, homiletic, diabetic, cotton-pickin’ Themite to the core

Believe in nothing less than scripture press

And Scofield notes galore

Oh I’m a one man conversation

A direct revelation

Cross me you’ll get the axe

don’t confuse me with the facts!

I do communion I can do lent

Don’t ask me how the money’s spent

I’m not broke just badly bent

Could you loan me fifteen cents?

Personal problems aren’t so bad

They’re nothing like my mother had

If you let me talk with you 

we’ll see what we can do

Moonlight Horses  written by Ben Acevedo and Phil Montfort

Vocals: Phil Montfort, Nathan 

Van Nostrand, Brandon Neffendorf, Jon Eckholm, Sam McDonald

Background vocals - Paul Hunt, Will Ross. Jason Cribbs, Chloe and Gigi Montfort, Brandon Rummel, Danny Rouch, Steve Klopp, Jason Cribbs 

Special spoken words –  Jason Cribbs 

Special guest vocals – The Lockhearts

Guitar – Phil Montfort

Penny Whistle – Danny Rouch

Drums – Pat Manske

Bass – Kim Session

Keyboards – Coleman Berg

This is the most recent song written as of the recording of our first album. Sometimes when you have a good title that’s all you need to get a good song. Ben simply sang the words “moonlight horses” and I knew it would soon be a song. We kept it simple and sparse and ended up with 

a heartfelt anthem that everyone can join in to sing.

Moonlight horses Moonlight horses  Moonlight horses

Walkin’ away with me

Don’t you cry I will guide you

I’m standing by all around you

In the saddle I will ride

Like the wind through the night

Inside my heart I feel light

Take a ride dream tonight

Moonlight horses Moonlight horses  Moonlight horses

Runnin’ away with me