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Rust On The Rails A lifetime love of trains lead me (Bud) to attempt the writing of my first autobiographical song. It’s unconventional in many ways but, hey, it’s all about having fun. Yeah, yeah, I know if you’ve gotta explain your song you’re in trouble! But if not familiar with the verse three imagery (and interested) this 28 second video shows what I watched as a kid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN9GxmtfX90Thank you Janice for your support in my tedious efforts to jam four vignettes over many years into a three minute song  Thanks to floyd for the thoughtful and helpful mix counsel and to Noel for our song structure discussions. And as always to PG Music and this community. Oh, and pardon me but I couldn’t resist the SC photo of me at eight years old. We always appreciate your time to listen and comment. Vocal: Janice > Rodes NT1 > Scarlett 212 > Logic Pro X Bass: RT 518 Electric, Pop HalfNotes (multiple comps) Drums: RD Nashville EV 8ths Guitar: RT 538 Electric, Rhythm PopBelieveHeld Direct Input (multiple comps) Piano: MST 1809: Acoustic, Rhythm CountryBalladJohn Piano: MST 1887: Acoustic, Solo-acc CountryPopJohn Harmonica: RT 2857 Background CountryPopJellyRoll (multiple comps) Harmonica: RT 2854 Background CountryPopJellyRoll (multiple comps) Effects: Nectar 2, CLA Drums, CLA Bass, CLA Guitar, CLA Unplugged, Neutron 2 and Logic Pro X Grand Steinway sound Mix: Logic Pro X Mastering: Logic Channel EQ > Waves LinMB > Ozone 8 Imager > Ozone 8 Maximizer > Ozone Tonal Balance Rust On The Rails Verse 1 A child sits on a worn store bench next to his daddy he stares at the dirt path leading to the train station nearby the postmaster loads the wooden mail cart the kid waits to chase him in the hot Georgia sun Verse 2 when older the boy rides his bike down to the station sittin’ on the loading dock he eats a brown bag lunch men in fedoras ‘n mama’s with strollers wait in line the conductor’s circled by colored dots from his punch Verse 3 years later the young man visits the station house his old postmaster’s there hanging a mailbag on a crane the freight train slows down but no longer stops its hook snatches the bag, he sees little stays the same Bridge now an old man, eyes grown dim, he gazes down the line the rusting rails shimmer and taper into distant pines Turnaround Verse 4 standing in the shadow of the leaning water tank his thoughts are broken by a crow with its caw the tracks bear no train, only faded memories a station house that’s nothing but crumbling brick walls the tracks bear no train, only faded memories © 2019 Janice and Bud Merritt
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Man, this is great you guys.
The sound is incredibly rich and warm. Thoroughly professional.
Super track! Love it!
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Man, this is great you guys.
The sound is incredibly rich and warm. Thoroughly professional.
Super track! Love it!
Thank you David. J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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Janice & Bud,
This is some incredible Americana... A great song, sung by a great vocalist.
The mix and instrumentation on this song is truly outstanding. So nuanced and layered with rich tones - it is the sound that I think we all have in our heads and try to achieve. Unbelievably good.
You both have raised the bar again...
Bob
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Beautiful sounds...
Stirring some my own memories...
I enjoyed first your autobiographical musical work & ...
I love Janice's voice & delivery.
Jim
†=☮&♥
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hi guys perfect vocal this is excellent mix so crisp clear awesome thanks eric
AMD (TM) 5950 4.9 GHz 16Core Processor 64 bit 32 bits of ram windows 10 pro 64 bit os. sound card Antelope ZenQ guitars Ibanez 2202a 1968 les Paul Custom and Cavin ae 185 Guitar boss Gt-100,GT1000 pedal Yamaha HS8 studio monitors
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Janice & Bud,
This is some incredible Americana... A great song, sung by a great vocalist.
The mix and instrumentation on this song is truly outstanding. So nuanced and layered with rich tones - it is the sound that I think we all have in our heads and try to achieve. Unbelievably good.
You both have raised the bar again...
Bob
Hey, coming from the forum Americana Master we are even more appreciative of your comments. Thank you big time! J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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What a great song, wonderful performance and flawless production. Very well done!
The lyrics reminded me about George Hunters "Train Watching":
"The beast was thundering along, hissing lots of steam
And belching black smoke, a young boy's dream.
We stood real close, with our jaws all slack,
The passing wind near knocked us back.
Golly Gee! That was some sight to behold!
I'll probably remember it when I get old."
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Will
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Great imagery delivered by a killer voice. Really enjoyed it!
Windows 11, Intel Core I5 10400, 16 gig ram, Scarlett 2i2, Sony Acid Music Studio 10, BIAB 2020 UltraPlus Pak
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You two are pros at not only singing and production but at setting up the perfect visuals. These lyrics are outstanding and of course Janice's vocals are fantastic.
This is better than virtually all of the music on today's commercial radio!
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Beautiful sounds...
Stirring some my own memories...
I enjoyed first your autobiographical musical work & ...
I love Janice's voice & delivery.
Thanks Jim. If we’ve stirred some memories then mission accomplished! J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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It's a very clear sketch of recollections.
Almost carries the smells as well.
Excellent vocals on top of a very evocative backing.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Hi Janice and Bud,
Even if I don't understand each word of this song (because I'm french), I feel all the nostalgia there's in it !
Thanks for sharing this great song. Christian
Last edited by Chris37; 05/25/19 11:43 PM.
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Hi Janice and Bud,
Melancholic song, performed in an excellent way, or many ways; the clearness of the instruments, the beautiful voice, and the nice lyrics.
Makes you longing to yesterday...
Bye,
Hans
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You'll have to forgive me for not really recognizing this "song-form". I've got nothing really to compare it to that jumps to mind more-so than 'opera'. What great little pictures laid out on the table in order, full of detail but still a little smokey.
The Band sounds right, and Janice's vocals wrap around these stellar lines punctuating the sense of loss in the telling. Unique to my ears, and a beautiful listen.
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hi guys perfect vocal this is excellent mix so crisp clear awesome thanks eric Thanks Eric and we appreciate you mentioning the mix. J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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What a cool song. I can totally relate to the lyrics in this song as I grew up about a half a block from the tracks. Lots of very dangerous adventures played in those yards. Abandoned buildings, turnarounds for the old steam engines. Stirred up some very old memories.
The backtrack and instrument selection was so perfect for the song. That harmonica boy was it cool.
Janice's voice was absolutely excellent. Such feeling. Such a nice listen. Well done....
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Janice & Bud,
The first thing that stands out is the clarity and sound - beautiful work on the mix & production.
Janice - as usual is superb, with lovely feeling in the vocal, evocative lyrics, some masterful story telling, and also a nice album cover photo.
The harmonica sounds excellent and was a great choice for the song.
Wonderful.
Peter
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What a great song, wonderful performance and flawless production. Very well done!
The lyrics reminded me about George Hunters "Train Watching":
"The beast was thundering along, hissing lots of steam
And belching black smoke, a young boy's dream.
We stood real close, with our jaws all slack,
The passing wind near knocked us back.
Golly Gee! That was some sight to behold!
I'll probably remember it when I get old."
Thanks a lot for sharing!
Will What a thoughtful reply! We went and read that poem and several others by him. Thanks! J&B
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! A few of our videos are here on our website: https://www.janiceandbud.com/our-music.html
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I have never heard any better production on this site......such a wonderful, deep soundstage!!! The harmonica sings so sweetly, but not as sweet as Janice (AMAZING VOCAL!!!!). A really nice tale of a forgotten place, like so many these days. OUTSTANDING!!!! Take care. Greg
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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XPro Styles PAK 11 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 (and higher) is here with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 31 RealTracks/RealDrums!
Guess who’s back again? That’s right! It’s our XPro Styles PAK’s triumphant return with the 11th edition in this series! 100 new styles are coming your way spread across the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres. And this edition's wildcard genre explores the immense and far-reaching catalogue of electronic music! The included 31 RealTracks and RealDrums can be used with any Band-in-a-Box® 2026 (and higher) package.
Special offers available until August 31st, 2026!
All the XPro Styles PAKs 1-11 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 11 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2026 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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It’s time to celebrate! Xtra Styles PAK 22 for Band-in-a-Box® is here, and we've got 200 brand-new styles coming your way!
No Xtra Styles PAK is complete without the classic rock & pop, jazz, and country volumes you know and love, and we’ve got plenty to share, with 150 styles spread across too many genres to list! Of course, it also wouldn’t be complete with our special wildcard volume to add a little spice and pizzazz to the mix. This year, because we loved it so much the first time, we’ve decided to make the second iteration of our SynthMaster volume, full of new sounds, interesting genres, and 50 engaging styles, all making use of the diverse SynthMaster plugin! Here you can find genres such as airy yacht rock, sultry electrotango, and even some synth soca funk. Don’t wait, pickup up Xtra Styles PAK 22 today!
In this PAK you can find: dulcet folk ballads, funky gospel country, Brazilian jazz fusion, upbeat 1980s pop, classic Americana, a plethora of breezy bossa novas, indie singer-songwriter, scintillating synthwave, exuberant electronica, and many, many more!
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