It’s always been said by family and friends that my house is hunted. For those that don’t know, I live in a house that was built in 1885. Originally constructed at 13th and Brazos in Austin, Texas, the house was purchased in 1956 and moved to it’s current location on the farm. I’ve always believe that moved brought some spooks with it.

As a youngster we always heard weird sounds, disembodied voices and even pots and pans strewn around the room after returning home from a trip. Nothing diabolical, just mischievous.

I moved back into the old haunted house in the mid ’90’s. My parents had long since moved out and the house was deteriorating, so I began remodeling. For many years I never heard a peep from our other-worldly guest. I assumed the remodeling had upset them enough to move on. I was wrong.

A few weeks ago the dogs started barking. I stepped inside my laundry room and found my two pooches poised in a defensive posture, barking wildly at the wall. At first, I though they had cornered some varmint, but on closer examination there was absolutely nothing there. I tried to calm the canines, but they kept barking, insisting on defending the homestead against this invisible intruder. I finally had to pull them away and tempt them with a few Milk Bones before they would relinquish their prey.

I returned to my TV show and within seconds, I heard the sound I hadn’t heard in 40 years. “The party” as we used to call it. The sounds of a lot of people talking and laughing. Every now and then, a woman’s belly-laugh can be heard above all the rest. All of it emanating from what is now the laundry room. And, just as it was when I was young, the moment anyone opens the door to the room or tries to approach it in any way, the sounds abruptly stop.

Kinda scary, huh? Naaaah. I’ve lived with it for a long time and I say let the old dead folks have their party as long as they don’t keep me up at night. But just as a precaution, I made it clear I would not tolerate any demonic presence or monstrous apparitions. This is my house now, I make the rules. And just to be on the safe side, I decided to produce a little music video to drive home my point.

I never intended for this video to be played publicly, but relented after several close friends insisted that I do. I hope you like it, I think the ghost did. These days, the party stops whenever I want to go to bed or watch TV, no matter what time that is. They’ve become very good neighbors, so I have no problem letting them stay.

Who knows, someday I just might join them.

Enjoy!!!

Here’s the theme song to a new show we’ll begin shooting soon. (I hope) It’s based on the antics of the folks working at a small-town radio station. I had the pleasure of being part of just such a station many years ago and always wanted to produce a show about it . So, here I go… I sincerely hope you enjoy the music and be sure to watch for the pilot episode of “Radio RFD.” I guarantee it’ll tickle your funny bone.

After watching “Ghost Rider” with Nicolas Cage the other night I kept humming that dang song over and over for days. So while is was freezing cold and I dare not step outside for fear of instant death, I decided to warm up the studio. Before you know it, I had recorded my own version of this Johnny Cash classic. (sorry Johnny, I hope you’re not rolling over in your grave!)

If you dare, click on the following link to give a listen…

“Ghost Riders in the Sky”

I hope you enjoy!

PS: For those who have asked…

Yes, that is me singing.

No, I did not use any kind of auto-tuning device on my voice. (as some can plainly hear) It’s just me, a microphone and about a half a dozen takes.

Yes, that is me playing all the “instruments” using my trusty Yamaha keyboard. I hope someday to replace those “fake” instruments with “real” ones. Anyone want to join in?

The Sunset

This is an oldie but goodie that was recorded at my studio, TMPS Audio, in the late ’80’s. This tune came to mind while I was out at the Oasis, a beautiful restaurant overlooking Lake Travis, having a drink and watching the sunset. Later, I went to my studio and recorded the piano phrase that had been rolling around in my mind for hours. While there, my great friend Larry Seyer stopped by and added some licks of his own. (Thanks Mr. Larr!) We finished the song in about an hour and this is how it turned out. I hope you like it.

The-Wind

It’s been a while since I’ve uploaded any music so here’s one that I found in the dust bin. It’s one of the first instrumentals I ever wrote. I recorded it about 25 years ago when Midi, the computer program I used to create the song, was just getting started.

It’s called “The Wind” and I hope you like it.

A couple of years ago, one of my all-time dreams came true. I composed the theme song for a television show. Well, it’s not really a television show, but it sure looks like one.

It’s called “Starship Exeter,” an Internet presentation with quite a following and for good reason. It is VERY well made!

Fashioned after the classic “Star Trek” series of the 60’s, this fan-made show takes place aboard the USS Exeter, a “sister ship” of the most famous starship in history, the USS Enterprise.

Created by a couple of classic “Trekkies,” or “Trekkers,” depending on your flavor, “Starship Exeter” looks and feels almost identical to the original “Trek.” The producers went through a lot of painstaking effort in reproducing the lighting and camera angles of the 60’s, short-lived series.

Believe me, all the extra effort definitely paid off. In many ways, “Exeter” is an outstanding show, especially considering it was made totally by volunteers. No one got paid.

The show’s producers wanted a theme song that reflected that “Classic Trek” feel. Something that sounded like it was written in the mid 60’s, with bongos and all.

I want to thank my great friend Larry Seyer for all his help producing these jewels. His mix made both songs come alive. Thanks again Larr!

Theme From “Starship Exeter”

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The First Theme

The song above is actually the second theme I wrote for “Exeter.” The producers felt the original one was too modern and too much like the original Star Trek theme. But, I still like it and thought I’d share it with you.

Original Theme From “Starship Exeter”

The opening visual sequence for both was created by fans in Minnesota who own a high-quality, special effects company. It absolutely blew me away at how much like the original it was.

Which theme do you like best?

Leave a comment!

Trying To Get Over You

Here’s a song I recorded for a friend of mine. I hope you enjoy!

Six More Nights

This is one of the first songs I ever wrote. In my youth, I was a Combine Operator, and for those that don’t know what a Combine is, it’s one of those giant machines they use harvest corn, wheat and maize.

Harvest season around here usually consist of 15 hour days for 4 – 6 weeks without a single break. At the time, I was in love with a gorgeous lady and hadn’t seen her for many weeks due to my hectic schedule. I was really missing her, so I wrote this song while out in the middle of the feild harvesting corn.

I didn’t think a song about somebody missing his girlfriend because he was busy harvesting corn would be very interesting. So I changed it up a bit, tried to give it the “Ghost Riders In The Sky” feel and made the harvest a cattle drive instead. (although I’ve never been on a cattle drive)

And of course, that’s my lovely sister Gilda, singing along with me. I hope you like it!

I’m a Believer

Move over Monkees, here’s Stan’s version…

Missing You

Here is another original song I wrote and recorded about 7 years ago. I hope you enjoy!