Introduction
After writing the lyrics to these songs, I created the vocals and melodies via computer. The stories that inspired many of the songs are included in my 2024 book "In the Land of Used to Be".
L. Dietle
The invisible car
This Bluegrass song is a tribute to the only invisible car I've ever owned.
Almost thirteen
This Bluegrass song is a testament to how horrible I am at telling stories in person. It is also a love song to my wife, inspired by the day I clumsily tried to explain how far back her and I go. I began the story with, "I started dating my second wife when she was twelve," which drew a disgusted look. What I should have said is we started dating back in 1968, when we were both kids!
Take time when it comes
This Bluegrass song is about my first paying job, as a youngster. The individual on the cover artwork is Victor Marburger, the neighbor who employed me to drive his tractor to bale hay when I was six years old.
Birds of a Feather
This Bluegrass song is about my life as a hunting dog.
Ham on the Run
This Bluegrass song was inspired by the day my cousin and I were on the hunt for an escaped sow and her wild litter of pigs.
Ode to Big Savage
This Bluegrass song was inspired by the various runaway truck accidents on the steep and winding descent from the crest of Big Savage Mountain on Route 160. Part of that descent follows a spur of Big Savage Mountain that is locally (but unofficially) known as Wellersburg Mountain. Several versions of the song are included below, under different titles.
"Wellersburg" is a Country Music version of "Ode to Big Savage".
The Bluegrass song "From Big Savage Mountain Ridge" is an extended version of "Ode to Big Savage."
"Steep and Winding Road" is essentially a Country Music version of "From Big Savage Mountain Ridge", although the first verse is slightly different.
