Writing and singing songs about human services began for me way way back at Options in Community Living. The culture of Options has always involved story telling, a healthy skepticism of "The System" and its idiosyncracies, and finding ways to have fun with each other. I think the first song I sang outside of Options was "Learning My ABC's" at a local conference. People laughed, so I just kept writing and singing.
One day, my neighbor Pete came over while I was playing guitar on my front porch. He said, "Hey, come check out the recording studio I set up in my basement!" A few months later, Greetings from Human Serviceland hit the streets, quickly climbing Billboard's chart, followed by More Songs for People Like You & Me, and then The Great Esape. 112 Grammy Awards later, I'm still the same humble guy I've always been.
I perform at conferences, staff meetings, public hearings, retreats, appreciation dinners--you name it. My personal guarantee to you is: I'll have fun even if you don't. (But you will.)
"Marie with sparkling eyes of blue
It was time for her Watts review
Would she have to spend another year
Just barely surviving here
This ain’t the least restrictive place to be
Man you gotta be kidding me
She oughta be in the community
She’s yelling Get this crap away from me"
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