The title of this album expresses my deep feelings, music is my everything. I remember going over to a friends house and listening to the just released Sgt. Pepper and thinking this was a miracle. Credit must be given where it is most due. My parents were music nuts, in a real way. Mom sang on live radio as “Happy Valley June” in the early 40's. My dad, heard her on the radio, wrote her a fan letter and the rest is the ongoing history of our little family. My big brothers, Tom and Jim, were such an inspiration to me as well, and still are. They let me tag along on their practice sessions with the combo, The Excels. For sure, that is what I wanted to do when I got a bit older, and that dream came true. So in 7th grade a few friends started the band, Revelations. I guess we thought we were on to something. By the time I got into high school that band transitioned into The Illusions of Ecstasy. We must have matured and discovered our real significance, or not. A turning point in my life was discovering my brother Tom's Ampex, sound-on-sound, reel-to-reel recorder. In my little bedroom I experiments and got a taste of the magic that happens when you record. I could go on, but in short I have been more than blessed with my share of opportunities including playing Vegas Shows, some TV and a great little show band Moore and Campbell. Through all these experiences I have found opportunities to play with my brothers, who are the greatest guys. The love of my life now makes music with me, how lucky can one guy get. Kim, my dear wife, and I do theme shows on a near daily basis. This is really like a dream come true for someone who loves to perform, record and create. This album is very diverse and I am sincerely proud of it. There are a few songs where I did all the parts, but many songs include artists from around this wonderful earth of ours. For a little less than a year now I have been collaborating with people, on line, writing and recording music. So this album includes artist from 10 of our United States as well as artists from England, Malaysia, Italy, Canada, Indonesia, and Germany. Although we have never been in the same room together, we have developed some nice grooves and interesting music. Maybe “Revelations” had something going after all, for sure Mike Mantecon's lyrics are inspired, among others represented on this collection. Hail to this aspect of technology. Side One Smile For Me - This song dates back to when my wife and I were first together and we were playing the band, Buffalo Alice. The song just came to me when we were rehearsing and so we gave it a go. I have recorded this a few times over the years and each time the vocals remain pretty constant. However, this is certainly a version for the two thousand, teens something. This is a song of freedom, of spirit and of letting yourself experience the amazing gifts that you have. Estj Qaatzi, my friend from Rome, Italy played his brains out on the drums. You And I Just Belong - This song was written for my wonderful wife, Kimmie. It is funny but sometimes the best songs just come to a person. One night, I got up went into the studio and played this song without any composition. It is like the song just wanted to be alive. Alice Leonz did a wonderful lead vocal for me on this, so it is my hope that the good folks in Indonesia will enjoy this as well. Funky Somthin' - This funky little bass line came to me on the clavichord. The song developed around this cool little bass lick. My big brother Tom played some nice violin on this for me. I love the swell in the middle and how Tom's violin brought it all together. Harry Truman - Mount Saint Helens exploded in May 18 of 1980. On that mountain lived a gentleman named Harry Truman. He loved his mountain and didn't ever want to leave her. For years I have wanted to do a tribute to this man. One night, sitting in my studio, this song just came to me. So I wrote it and recorded it before going to bed and dreaming of “glorious and wonderful, flying through all eternity”. Music Is My Everything - Yes, that is true and I love using this as the title song of this CD. My friend Nicola Offidani, from Italy, wrote the structure of the song and played rhythm guitar. The amazing lyrics are from Tracy Hutchinson, who really writes well. Marcel Haerle, from Germany, played the piano and all I had to do was sing, play bass and lead guitar. All of us looked at this song as a summertime hit... given the right opportunities. Missing Patterns - Credit goest to Peter Rand is the keyboardist and creator this wonderful piece. Joey Alomar added tasteful drums and Nicola Offidani the haunting guitar part. I added the bass part and song the lyrics created by the talented 18 year old Michael Mantecon. (A prophet in my opinion.) These lyrics are awesome and I will try to express what they say in print, but they really speak to me. Since You Walk Your Way To My Door - This tune started out as a little guitar pattern that kept creeping up on me. Setting up at gigs, it would just demand to be played, so it became a song. It was almost an instrumental but then, well, a story developed. Raul Ramirez is masterful on the drums, very clever and unique. Kim Noble puts in subtle background vocals and at the end, my wife Kimmie makes a guest appearance at the door. Song For A Coal Miner - This song was writing in my dorm room at the University of Iowa in 1973. My guitar playing friend, John Corning, and I came up with this little tune. This song has stuck with me and I still think it carries a powerful message. I love the magic that the collaborators brought into this. George Schiessl has a sensitive of bass that is rare. Kim Noble's background vocals give me chills. Larry Kendrick gave it an authentic country feel with his slide guitar and James Fraser, gave an eerie beauty on the steel guitar. Honey Creek Waltz - My dad wrote this song as a fiddle tune when he was just a young man. I so wish he was with me to listen to this version. This song is special in many ways. The melody was played on my Gretch Ukulele... I always wanted a Gretch and she is a beauty. No one on this song but me, but my dad was right there with me during the recording... I know, cause I felt his presence. Dance With Me This Christmas - One day, out on a run, this song came into my head. What is unusual is that it is a waltz, but I was running at that pace. (Not a blistering speed evidently.) This is a love song, in a pure sense. The greatest gift is having the one you love with you and what a better way to represent this love than through a dance. So, what do I hope for this song? I want it to be a Christmas Classic! Once again, just me on this recording, but I do love this song. Side Two Can't Let You Go - James Watson came up with great tune. He was joined by Raul Ramirez on drums and Joey Six on guitar. I asked James if I could try a Poco-like approach to this, and he went for it. This was great fun and I almost named the album after this song. Long live the Poco sound! My Dream Has Survived - This is the second song on the album that was written for the unfinished musical based on my parents' lives. However, to me, the song is about my wife, Kimmie, and myself. Alice Leonz, from Indonesia, sings this as a duet with me. Fred Ericksen added the sultry saxophone and the solid as a rock Raul Ramirez is on drums. This song needs to be heard, remembered and understood. Morning Run - I wanted to express the sheer joy of going for a run on a beautiful morning. Come along for a little fresh air and an experience without breaking a sweat. Just me on this piece, so no one else to put blame on. (Actually my android friend Kyle, did the drums for me.) Pass Away - This song came to me after a bit of a hiatus from writing. I wanted to write something meaningful and so I wrote this song for me and for others. What it says is so, so true. Thank you George Schiessl for a warm, rich, and beautiful bass on this. I'll Never Find A Way - Bryan Shoemaker developed these lyrics and asked me to see what I could come up with. I asked Luc Goyer, a great Canadian studio master, to help me mix this. Luc took this song under his wing and made it much more commercial and stronger with his great ideas. Luc also added the live drums for me and Kim Noble's lyrics added body and the professional fullness I was hoping for. Chief Joseph's Last Command - The first time I saw the Wallowa Valley of Northeast Oregon, I understood way Joseph never wanted his people to have to leave it. Chief Joseph is a real American hero who fought bravely for his people, yet surrendered when all hope was lost. I had great help putting this song together, including my big brother, Tom, on the rich and swelling violin. Joel Sattler took the words of Chief Joseph and arranged them into these powerful lyrics. Tracy Hutchinson spoke the narration with honor and dignity in his voice and Kim Noble echoed the voice of the people never wishing to leave their home. Here In America - This song speaks to the America I learned to love. This song was originally written for musical, Future Dreams, and performed by elementary students. However, I love what this song speaks of; an America, a place that is welcoming to all, “a place where dreams are found”. Thanks to Kim Noble for her great vocals and the Estj Qaatzi for his amazing drumming. Estj told me his little toddler was running around singing this song, during the recording process. That really warms my heart thinking of this little guy in Rome singing my song. The World - I was inspired to write a musical based on the life of my mom and dad. Well, I haven't finished it yet, but this is one of two songs on this album from that unfinished musical. This song is from a scene where my dad is getting ready to leave for his deployment in the US Army during World War lI. Mom and dad are at a little dance and they step outside for a moment. The moon is full, beautiful, and they make a promise to each other under its light. Just me on this one. Olden Days - This is the oldest song, other than the Honey Creek Waltz, in this album. I wrote this little tune as a 17 year old. My basic thought was that we don't have to do things the same was as they have been, rather we can “change the things that need to be changed”. This song is true, but still needs to be realized. This recording is just me... oh and my android drummer friend, Kyle. Nightfall - This great little jazz piece was started by Simon Lau from Malaysia. I felt extremely lucky to write the lyrics and to sing this tune of Simon's. I love the simplicity of this tune, yet the nice nuance with the Rhodes and the snappy bass. Alice Leonz has also recorded a unique vocal version of this song. My wife tells me I used my more than one beer voice on this one. I hope you enjoy this collection of tunes and that this music my enrich a portion of your life. Terry Campbell