I have often struggled with my own idealism, and wrote most of this song quite a while ago after some good natured teasing by my co-workers regarding how I had such a tendency to see everything in black or white / right or wrong terms. I came across it the other day and decided to finish it off. I realize it's too personal to be of any commercial value. I did it mostly for fun and experience/practice. Both Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard were big musical influences on me, so I tried to use Biab to try and create a sound that was kind of a mixture of them both. If you decide to give it a listen, I'd be pleased to know what know what you think, good or bad - oops there I go again!

Been This Way Too Long

Now I was born in Northern Nevada, but that was quite a long time ago.
And then my daddy moved us all to California when I was just two years old.
My mama and my dad, they taught me wrong from right.
They said, ‘Be slow to anger son, but prepare to fight.
If they ever cross you when you know you’re in the right, then make a stand’.

Now my daddy’s folks are all from Oklahoma, and my mama’s folks are up Montana way,
so even though I was raised in California, I’ve got country blood running through my veins.
‘Cause no matter where I lived my neck kept turning red
and that’s just the way it is, but I guess it’s for the best.
There ain’t no one to blame, so never mind the rest. Here I am.

And when you look at me everything you see is country to the bone.
And it’s a mystery why I could never leave well enough alone.
It’s either good or bad, it’s right or it’s wrong,
but I could never change, I’ve been this way too long.

Now my mama wanted me to be well mannered, but I kept turning more like daddy every day.
Her social dreams for my life all soon were shattered ‘cause I kept following his rough and rowdy ways.
I learned to stand up on my own and to walk my own road.
Some people didn’t like it, but I guess they came to know
it’s just the way it was and the way it still goes. Here I am.

And when you look at me everything you see is country to the bone.
And it’s a mystery why I could never leave well enough alone.
It’s either good or bad, it’s right or it’s wrong,
but I could never change, I’ve been this way too long.

Yeah, when you look at me everything you see is country to the bone.
And it’s a mystery why I could never leave well enough alone.
It’s either good or bad, it’s right or it’s wrong,
but I could never change, I’ve been this way too long.
No, I could never change, I’ve been this way too long.

The Biab band:

Drums: Brian Fullen, _MEMPHIS.STY
Bass: Byron House, _MEMPHIS.STY
Rhythm Guitar: Jason Roller, _MEMPHIS.STY
Electric Finger Pick Guitar: Jason Roller, _MEMPHIS.STY
Lead Guitar: Brent Mason, _ROADSTR.STY
Mandolin: Andy Leftwich, _SWFOLKM.STY
Dobro: Steve Hinson, _HAYRIDE.STY
Harmonica: TJ Klay, _HAYRIDE.STY

https://soundcloud.com/user-722422510/tracks