Check out my performance on Nashville Broadcasting Network's TV show, Music City Explosion
Influences
Garth Brooks, Kenny Rogers, The Eagles, Elvis, Kenny Chesney, Phil Vassar, to name but a few.
Sounds Like
A blending of the vocal and musical styles of Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, and Kenny Chesney. These songs are all about the joys, challenges, and heartaches of life; they will pull out your heart strings and play a ballad on them. Here's a video of one of my songs, created by Cindy, who has an autistic child...
I'm a former US Air Force Officer, currently living in the Colorado Springs, Colorado, area. I've been singing all my life, but only recently picked up the guitar. Initially I just wanted to be able to accompany myself at parties and such, but was inspired about a year ago to write my first song, a love song for my wife called "I Ain't Ready for Forever". Since then, I've found I really enjoy the challenge of song writing, and have been steadily adding new songs to my collection. I'm also a proud member of the Colorado Country Music Association.
In addition to my beautiful wife, I have four kids (all too smart for their own good), two cats (useless critters, but good for a laugh now and again), and a dog (who at least seems glad to see me when I get home from work).
While I'm not pushing particularly hard to go pro with my music, I certainly wouldn't turn down an opportunity to sell a song or two (anyone know George Strait personally?). I'm just glad for the gifts the Lord gave me, and happy to share 'em with anyone willing to listen.
Awards:
- 2009 North American Country Music Assc. International Songwriter of the Year (Patriotic) for "We're the Ones" - 2009 Colorado Country Music Association (CCMA) Songwriting (Modern Country), 1st Place for "Walking in Daddy's Shoes" 2009 CCMA Songwriting (New Gospel), 1st place for "To Guide Me Home" - 2008 CCMA Songwriting (New Country), 1st place for "The Man They Need Me to Be" - 2008 CCMA Songwriting (Patriotic), 1st place for "We're the Ones" - 2008 CCMA Album of the Year (New Country) for "Home, God, and Country"
Discography: (Background tracks arranged and mixed by Bluespot Studios)
"A Country Man" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") – This song is something of a self-portrait. While there were certain country artists I’ve always liked (usually cross-over bands like the Eagles), it was only fairly recently in my life that the country genre really captured my heart and soul. However, it was the events of 9/11/2001 (or more properly, its aftermath) that really solidified my love of country music. The country music industry responded to 9/11 with a flood of songs about love of God, country, freedom, and respect for our armed forces; they celebrated and reaffirmed what makes America great, and saluted our patriots that keep it that way. The rest of the music industry, aside from a few charity concerts and events, pretty much ignored it, at least with regards to their music. That is why I now and forever will love country music.
"I Ain't Ready For Forever" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") – This is the first song I ever wrote, and I wrote if for my wife, Kolleen. We both believe marriage to be ordained from God and eternal. She joked one day about how I’m stuck with her for forever, to which I responded, “Forever just ain’t long enough." Yeah, pretty sappy, but that’s she and I in a nutshell. Anyway, from that seed the song pretty much wrote itself.
"Uphill Both Ways" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") – There are times in every relationship where things can get rough. The key is to recognize it, then do something about it. This song is a reminder of what we loose when we get so comfortable with the people we love that we forget to show them that we still do.
"Crying In Her Sleep" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") – This song is about my wife. She has struggled with depression all her life. Yet she has managed to raise four great kids and has always been there for me. I wanted her to know how much I respect her for that, which is what this song is really about.
"What of Them?" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") – This song pretty much speaks for itself. I’ve served in the military, in peace and in war, and I just got tired of politicians trying to score political points at the expense of our brave men and women in uniform.
"Don't Give Up On Me" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") - I wrote this for my son, Daniel, who recently graduated from high school. Dan has Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism. I was so proud of him when I saw him walk across the stage to get his diploma, I felt compelled to write the song to tell him how I felt. It is also a tribute to all parents and children who buck the odds and don't give up on themselves or each other. I hope it provides inspiration and comfort to them all.
"The Man They Need Me To Be" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") - This new song started out as a prayer. There was one day where I was feeling like I was being pulled in six directions at once; my wife needed help with something, the kids all seemed to want something; even the dog needed food and water! That night, I knelt by the bed to pray, and all I could think to ask was, "Lord, help me be the man my wife needs me to be, the dad my kids need me to be, and the son you want me to be. The song flowed from there.
"We're the Ones" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") - Dedicated to our troops, but also to all those who support them.
"The Kiss of Death" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") - Tongue-in-cheek song about breaking up.
"Herding Cats" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") - This one is about life in the Owen household. This one is pure, back porch country.
"With Nothing at All" (Album: "Home, God, and Country") - Just a love song about living on love.
"What's Left of My Heart" (Album: "What's Left of My Heart") - About, and dedicated to, our wounded warriors.
"Walking in Daddy's Shoes" (Album: "What's Left of My Heart") - I wrote this one as a Fathers' Day present for my dad.
"To Guide Me Home" (Album: "What's Left of My Heart") - My first gospel song, I wrote this one for my Father in Heaven. It began as a prayer.
Hi Rich and Kolleen, I have had trouble sending you messages because im at the bottom of your friend list as I was told. Thanks for responding. We went hunting,We got our elk but I went flying in the road and I fractured my foot in 3 places right after I filled my tag. What a dummy, I had a blast ,We are doing okay. Karl is in Alabama for a while helping a friend who has liver Cancer. So I have no way of going to the Polo Club. So I am grounded ! Tell Kolleen hi. Love You Guys
You are my SPECIAL STAR and I'll be forever thankful for all the joy you've given me. And though miles may separate us and we seldom see the other's face, I just thought that I would tell you that there'll always be a place where the sun is always shining, where the rose forever blooms, where stars glow a little brighter, where there's just no room for gloom. And this place is our friendship that will grow brighter every day. Just like the special stars above us that guide us on our way. I send a gift to you ... the gift I send is friendship that will go on without end. My gift to you is the promise that I'll always be a friend. And whether times are good or bad, this gift will never end because it's sent with lots of love to the heart of my friend. Hope you had a great day and you are having a wonderful night. End your day with a smile and paint the sky with your dreams, leave your worries behind. Hope you have a fantastic day tomorrow..Take care... love, big hugs and smiles from your friend always, Donna XOXO
Hey, sweetie, how are you? Gettin cold out by you? It is here in Illinois, but oh, well, we knew it was coming but we're not ready for it! Lol!! I hope your doing well! Have an awesome week! xoxo!!
Thanks for the friendship and support!!! Definately will see you in March at NACMAI. Madi T is entering into New Country age 7-12 (vocal & entertainer). She will also be entering a song or two in the songwriter category and maybe an album. If we are really creative and don't run out of time, we may be able to do a video. We'll see what happens.
Totally agree, get rid of IRS and every single person in the house and senate that arent and wont abide the constitution of the US...it is time to take back the USA! Thanks for the add too! Love the song! Take Care!
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