Joyce Grant is one of the best vocalists in the Bay Area. What you may not be aware of is that Joyce is also a prolific lyricist that writes about life’s incidents; people she happens to pass on her way to where ever; and relationships with friends and family. Her new CD, “IN THE MORNING”, is a compilation of such songs. The first cut, My Butterfly, was written after a neighbor whose mother had recently passed away, dropped in at Joyce’s home because she needed an ear and shoulder. Joyce not only lent her the ear and shoulder, but used the neighbor’s description of her mom’s passing to pen this very poignant tune. One day, while out running errands, a man who was panhandling asked Joyce for money. Keep in mind, Joyce is a musician, so extra money isn’t always available and that was one of those times, so she had to refuse his request. This incident resulted in a Wake Up Call because of the barrage of names and racial epithets that spewed from his mouth. Wake Up Call is the second song on the CD. As badly as that made her feel, it paled in comparison to seeing a homeless vet asking for money one morning when she was on her way to work. She wrote FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE in honor of that and all other vets who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for us. Danny’s Song and Mamalena’s Place are about family members. Danny’s song is about her daughter, Danielle, who has blossomed into a beautiful young woman; Mamalena’s Place is in tribute to her loving, supportive mother. Joyce’s mother, Evalena Harris, joins her in Mamalena’s Place, a song about the good food and the good times in the old Southern honkytonks, at least that’s what comes to mind when I hear it. I can picture Joyce’s great –great uncle, Scott Joplin playing Ragtime piano in just such joints somewhere in Arkansas, Texas, or around Kansas City. Other tunes included in the CD are: • Sometimes Stuff Just Happens • Now Is Now • What, When and Why • Speak To Me • In The Morning