Album Notes

Nancy pays tribute to Storytellers who shaped her songwriting, in "Downhome Girl": Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg, Dolly Parton, Larry Gatlin, Willie Nelson, John Denver, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Alan Jackson, Billy Joel, Waylong Jennings, Charlie Daniels, John Prine, Ray Stevens, Jimmy Buffett, Carly Simon, James Taylor, Earl Clark, Billy Ray Reynolds, Hank Williams, Hank Williams, Jr., Jerry Reed and Loretta Lynn.

As the song states, "These are just some of the lights in my heart that allowed me to write this song". All of the 28 writers were self-contained storytellers, distinguished from songwriters and co-writers by their ability to perform their music as solo artists. Each one made a distinct impression as a storyteller.

"Kicked the Last Monkey" is a rock story about overcoming addictions. "Nameless Little Girl" depicts a girl swept up in the underbelly of the street, who saves herself from disaster. Each of these stories stresses self-reliance, not dependence on any other person, or organization, to save oneself. They find strength of character in their own minds and hearts.