Album Notes

Here's my story. I started writing songs when I was in college. I was a kid then, and did things for the sake of doing them - everything was an open door. Almost all of the songs I wrote then reflect that.

I graduated and stumbled around the country, living in some pretty interesting areas including hermit-like in the forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains and grizzly-like in the rough hills of Jackson, Wyoming. The songs I wrote during that time differed from the songs I wrote in college in the sense that I was no longer a meek adolescent but part of "the world" - reality had changed from a sweet-sounding violin to, at times, a screaming siren (in my ear). The songs I wrote during that time illustrate my change.

After my time in Jackson, I got serious and decided not to let life be something that was "beyond" me but stand up and try to live in a way that reflected what I thought to be true. I've recently started writing songs in the sense that they're not songs I need to write but songs I choose to write.

“The Poet” truly marks a milestone in my career in that not only does the songwriting stand out as the most outstanding I have ever created in my opinion, but that I have been able to work with award-winning producer Lauren Stalnecker. Lauren has enhanced the “playing-field” of production on this CD to another dimension…each song that I brought to him in vertebrae form was fitted with fine clothes and donned with a unique “hat”. He was truly able to envision the potential of all of the songs and realize them through his gifts in production. Solemn, dark, melancholic, reflective, and hopeful range the emotions and looks on the disc – this by far is my best effort and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Thanks for your ears!
Mark Gothard