I wrote this one mostly just for fun. My Uncle is getting older now and told me that he wants me to speak at his funeral when the time comes. That's something I've never done before. I teased him that when the time does come, we're not going to just have a funeral, but we'll have something they're now calling a "celebration of life", with balloons and music, and that I intended to put the "fun" back in the word "funeral." He just laughed and said to do whatever I wanted. He didn't care because he'd already be dancin' on streets of gold ... and then the ideas started to come.

Kickin' Up Gold Dust

Don’t you worry about me when it comes my time to leave
‘cause you know that I’ll be kickin’ up gold dust.
Yeah, I’ll be dancin’ in the streets with the angels around me
and you know that we’ll all be kickin’ up gold dust.
Yeah, we’ll all gather up around the throne
in a place where the streets are paved with gold.
So, when I die, don’t you cry. Don’t you make a fuss
‘cause you know that I’m just kickin’ up gold dust.

Oh, I’ll be sailing crystal seas with walls of jasper around me
singing praises to the King and kickin’ up gold dust.
The pearly gates will open wide to my new home in the sky,
so, you know that’s where you’ll find me kickin’ up gold dust.
‘Cause the angels and the saints and I will be
praisin’ his name for eternity.
They can put me in the ground, but I’m still heaven bound
so, you know you can trust I’m just kickin’ up gold dust.

No, the world will never be my home.
‘Cause life is just a journey to a place I know
where treasure will never fade or rust,
so, shout hallelujah because I’m kickin’ up gold dust.

No, the world will never be my home.
‘Cause life is just a journey to a place I know
where treasure will never fade or rust,
so, shout hallelujah because I’m kickin’ up gold dust.
I said, shout hallelujah because I’m kickin’ up gold dust.
When I die don’t you cry, I’m kicking up gold dust.
I’m kickin’ up gold dust.
No when I die, please don’t cry because I’m kicking up gold dust.
I’m kickin’ up gold dust.
I’m kickin’ up gold dust.
I’m kickin’ up gold dust.

Everything on here except the vocals and the lead guitar are BiaB tracks. I probably could have found a better lead guitar than what I put on, but I got lazy and laid one down myself.

BiaB tracks:
Drums - Brian Fullen _PUSHY.STY
Bass - Byron House _PUSHY.STY
Piano - Blair Masters _PUSHY.STY
Rhythm guitars - Dave Cleveland _PUSHY.STY
Organ - Chris Nole _Cookin.STY
Banjo - Scott Vestal _CARGO.STY
Pedal Steel - Dave Hinson =GEORGPG.STY

Please feel free to let me know what y'all think, and thanks for the listen -

Brad

A very cool song... Your productions are steadily improving...
I'd bring up the drums a bit, and tighten up the ending...

Hi Brad
Cool song
Top sung
Very good song structure
The use of the slightly distorted rhythm guitar is perfect !
Great work Brad
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

Really cool how you took on the idea and made it flower into this beauty, Brad. Man, I'm getting older too and would really like you to plan my FUNeral. haha I prefer you guitar in there, too. Those guys are good --real good, but knowing the song is like kicking up gold dust.

Good song, well written and performed, and good production too.

And I agree with Marty, I would prefer hear you on guitar than a BIAB realtrack, nice job.

Brad, this is most joyous indeed!

The happy lyric, the tight BiaB band, your fine guitar and vocals all wrapped up in a good mix made this an enjoyable listen.

We’d say you’ve “done your uncle proud” as our Mama’s would say!

J&B

Good tune & concept. Clear mix. Easy listen. I double to what BH said on drums. Thank you for sharing.

Misha.

Hey Brad,

Really cool song.

As others have noted, your mixes are getting better all the time.

Sounds great! I like both concept and execution. The guitar playing is just fine, and fits in well - no need to worry :-) Well done!

Brad,

Fun.

Nice job with BIAB. Gettin' tighter all the time..

Enjoyed.

fj

Well done Brad, steady and catchy tune!

Solid vocals (lead vocal could probably be slightly less hot here and there, but that's just a small nit).

The pedal steel works a charm in the mix, you've managed it well. We never really got the Dave Hinson RT to work, we usually grab the ones from Eddy Dunlap.

Rob

This is an amazing hook and angle, Brad! This goes into my list of the ones I wish I wrote. Great job!!

Thanks for the suggestion Bloc Head and Misha. In my first attempt (prior to posting) I had the drums too loud and it was drowning out the rhythm guitars. Looks as though I may have over-corrected.

Thanks a bunch Andi - isn't cool that we can listen to each others music from so far away?! I love BiaB, been having a great time with it. And this forum is really cool.

Gosh, thanks a lot Marty, Dave, Janice and Bud, and musician17. Sure glad you liked it. I'm humbled. I've not been playing lead guitar very long, and I know I often hit things out of scale or don't have a very good tone, so I'm easily intimidated by what I hear from the stuff you folks are putting out. So thanks for encouragement and the vote of confidence.

Bloc-Head, David and Floyd, thanks for the listen and for all the input you've been giving me. Most of my learning is coming from you guys and others on the forum. I've got a long way to go yet, but I'm having fun trying and learning thanks to you all.

Rob and Ann-Marie, producers/mixers extraordinaire! Thanks so much for your input. My personal favorite steel picker on BiaB is Paul Franklin, but I've had difficulty with his BiaB tracks because they are so busy. I've been lucky with Dave Hinson. Just in searching the different styles he seems to be the one I use the most.

Wow, that's quite a compliment Dewey, thank you.

Brad

Nicely done a very pleasant listen.

Good vocals, and melody.

Peter

I enjoyed this Brad. Everything works: the song, the lyrics, your vocal, the band and your guitar solo.
I like the "putting the fun back into FUNeral" concept.
Cheers,
Mike

Hi Brad,

I like the story about your uncle. It (and he) came to life in your very nice song!
Nice lyrics and a good band. I only agree with Marty, Dave and Misha about the drums.
But I bet you already working on that now...

I enjoyed your song a lot, Brad!

Hans

Brad,

Super job on a joyful song! I totally agree with you about the fact that such a somber occasion by most folks can actually be a celebration! Enjoyed the tune!

Thanks, Torrey

Peter, Mike, Hans and Torrey,

Thanks a lot for taking the time to listen and give me your input and comments - it's appreciated.

Very coo lyric Brad. I am sure your Uncle is dancing to this tune. Super vocal and backing band. Super mix. Loved the panning on the call back.. Guitar was excellent as well.

Hey thanks for the listen and encouragement Scott. I have a lot of learning to do, but gosh it sure has been fun learning.