September 29, 2026 User Showcase Song: Tryin'

Hi folks. this fall marks our 15th year on the showcase forum ... and without a break. So we are soon taking a sabbatical but did want to post this song (originally posted in 2013) before we leave.

Although we reposted it 8 years ago we thought it would be fun to bring it up to date with a new mix, some new fx and new mastering.

In 2013 we were still in the transition from our bluegrass years to the “broad tent” Americana genre. Tryin’ was one of our earliest of over 90 collaborations with our songwriting mentor and friend floyd jane. What was to be a song writing exercise for J&B became a real musical journey as he also suggested the strings, developed the melody, transformed the lyric and sang harmony. Most flattering was that he later recorded a guy version of the song. smile

So here it is and we appreciate your time to listen and comment if you choose to. Lyrics are below and on SC. As always thanks to PG Music and see ya down the pike.

Meanwhile we will continue to work with our friend guitarist PeterF while hiking and biking more!

© 2013-2026 Bud Merritt & floyd jane
Remix/Remastering 2026
Janice Merritt: lead vocal
floyd jane: lyric, melody & harmony vocal
Bud Merritt: lyric, mix, mastering & photo

Janice: lead vocal (2013) Blue USB mic > Nectar
floyd: harmony vocal (2013) / whatever the man did

Mandolin: RealTracks 1875 & 2033 > Waves CLA Unplugged / composite from multiple generations

Guitar: RealTrack 1814 > Waves CLA Unplugged

Cello: RealTrack 1856 > Logic Pro Direction Mixer > Waves CLA Unplugged / composite of multiple generations

Fiddle: RealTrack 1760 > Waves CLA Unplugged

Mastering: Ozone EQ > Ozone Imager > Ozone Limiter > Izotope Tonal Balance > Logic Pro Loudness Meter

♫ Trying

Listen on SoundCloud

Posted at 03:29 PM

September 24, 2026 User Showcase Song: Thankful

A song about finding one positive thing among the many disappointments of the past day and then feeling thankful for it and falling asleep peacefully with that thought in mind. I started writing this already in January this year, but for some reason the song didn't finish on its own, so I had to do it myself and it took time...

I usually don't follow any known chord progression, I just select chords which sound good and intriguing for the current song and mood. I'm mostly self-learned by playing... Several years ago I read some lesson on chord theory in the web, but I got annoyed because it said that the progression should always resolve via V → I. And of course I always want to play against strict "rules". While writing this song I remembered that case and decided to show that IV → I (or iv → i) is equally good, providing a softer landing to a restful state, fitting with the message of this song. At some point I learned that this kind of progression is not that rare, there is even name for it: "plagal cadence". As usual there are some stranger chords, just to break rules in another way wink

BIAB provided the lovely dreamy soul band with nice acoustic guitar and a great sax soloist:

RealDrums:
ElecPopFunkJeffEv

RealTracks:
Electric bass #4854
Electric guitar PopFunkySoulRiffs #3751
Acoustic guitar Baritone Rhythm #3717
Electric piano #4505
Vibes #3765
Sax Tenor Solo #2020

Vocals: Synthesizer V - NOA Hex RDX (lead + backing), Marvin & Saros & Choir voices #1 (backing)

AI: lyrical advisor & video creator
Melodyne: Sax solo modifications

Mixed in Cakewalk Sonar (Neoverb, Ozone 12, Nectar 4)

♫ Thankful by forum user jannesan

Listen on SoundCloud or YouTube

Posted at 02:20 PM

September 01, 2026 User Showcase Song: Radio, Radio

I have an old song writing pal who writes songs, and sends them to small radio stations across the UK and the US.
I think he spends a lot of time sitting at home tuning in, waiting for them to get played.
I wonder how many songwriters do the same.
This song is about that.

RealTracks in song: ~519:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 120
4613:Guitar, Acoustic, Rhythm AmericanaMovinQuarters
BackgroundSoloist Tin Whistle Folk8thsGeoff Ev 110
1755:Mandolin, Rhythm Pop8ths
Drums : CountryPopEv16^01-SSCldHt,SnrCH
1757:Accordion, Rhythm Pop8ths

♫ Radio, Radio ©2026 Vic Arnold (forum user vicarn)

Listen on SoundCloud

Posted at 12:29 PM

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Posted at 12:24 PM

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Posted at 11:59 AM