howdy folks. there's so many things goin on it's hard to keep up, but that's the way we like it. it's been a busy month and it's almost over... already??? it's been fun. i am amazed at the reception that "backroads" has gotten. it's in the top ten on the charts and so many fans keep tellin me that it reminds them of home. funny thing is that their home may be in virginia, or misissippi, or wisconsin. it's crazy how an autobiographical sketch of your youth can touch so many different people from different parts of the globe. anyway, thx for the love and for requestin the spin from your local radio.
there is a little blurb about me in the october 9th issue of country weekly. it gives me hope because we impressed someone in nashville playin our style of country. thank you Larry Holden for comin out and writin about it. hope to cya in october when we're back in nashville for a few days. where can you pick up your copy? it's "country weekly" people. go to the grocery store and take a glance while you're checkin out. alan jackson's on the cover.
i'm goin to close tonight by writing the lyrics of a Rodney Crowell tune for ya. as an artist, i always look for inspiration. this song has been on my mind and in my ears for weeks. rodney is a masterful lyricist.
Beautiful Despair by Rodney Crowell:
beautiful despair is hearing dylan when you're drunk at three a.m.
knowing that the chances are no matter what you'll never write like him
oh brother
beautiful despair is why you lean into this world without restraint
cause somewhere out before you lies a masterpice you'd sell your soul to paint
oh brother, what do we laugh or cry
beautiful despair is slouching forward to a past you might regret
just to suck the marrow out of every magic moment that you get
beautiful despair is playing safe when you were once a rebel child
knowing that tomorrow comes and all you've done is last another mile
oh brother, oh dear brother, oh my brother, what shall we drink or dry

as an artist it is sometimes hard to "create" what you want to say. sometimes it spills relentlessly from pen to paper. sometimes it's stubborn and feels like pulling teeth. being an artist means that you constantly have to take "risks". when you write something you can't quit playing or when you hear something like "beautiful despair" it make all the risks worth the pain.
thank you to all the new folks who have signed up and jumped on the wagon. thx for all the mail. i try to reply to as many as possible. i thank you, i love you. sweet dreams.

brandon rhyder

karma is defined as the total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successful phases of the persons existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny...................................... aka, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
over the last few of years i have really tried to live my life by this principle. however, as i grow older and more pressures arise i find myself astonished by the number of people i know and have met who don't follow any such rule. many of you have heard me say this out loud from the stage and i stand by this statement. we live in a fast paced world where everything is at our fingertips from high speed internet to fast food to mini-malls next to the mini-mart. our lives are flying by at the speed of sound because we don't have to wait for anything anymore. we are a instant gratification society people. if someone doesn't move, then we simply move them ourselves and give them bird.
in retrospect i admit that it is better to wait before you speak for i have stuck my foot in my mouth a few times in this precious life. give them a second chance, you see? that is human. however, there are times when it is your responsibility to stand up and be heard for something you believe in. these few things, karma included, i believe in.

our creator: for me it is God. i've stood on mountain tops and on a few seashores. of course we were created.

in family: sons and daughters need both parents in their lives, and the truth is... we need them in ours.

in children: there is nothing more prescious or innocent in our lives than the laugh of a newborn child.

in nation: left or right, religious or not, we are free.

in unity: as we all did on 9/11/01 without the thought of bipartisanship or segregation.

in love: for all else fails.

in respect: of each other first and formost.

in luck: because it usually strikes when preperation meets opportunity

and in music: because it sets me free.

Can't we all just get along?

come say hi at the next show and mention this blog and recieve a free pat on the back! i love you all and goodnight.
Brhyder