I was about 16 years old and smitten with young love when I first discovered this song by Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. I’ve always avoided playing because I couldn’t replicate the sound of his unique tuning and chords and National resonator guitar. But let’s throw caution to the wind, lower expectations, and give it a whirl on this lazy Saturday morning. … More #SaturdaySong – “Romeo & Juliet”
This fall I’ve been putting together a show called “Diamond Cat” featuring a blend of hits from both Neil Diamond and Cat Stevens.
I had fun creating a poster and theme, and have been enjoying diving deeper into both artists’ catalogues. I hope to take the show to senior communities in the near future. … More #SaturdaySong – “The Wind”
This has been my “life song” since college, since I gave my life to Jesus. It’s the song I have told Keri to have played at my funeral someday. It’s by Rich Mullins, a fellow ragamuffin for Jesus. Still, I’ve never really stopped to ponder the lyrics and why this song speaks to my heart. … More If I Stand
Happy Saturday! I’m filling in for two weeks at a local nursing home chapel, and doing a two-part series called, “Wind & Fire.” Last week all the songs had a WIND theme, and this Sunday I’m doing a bunch of FIRE songs. Here’s a newer one I found by Jordan St. Cyr that I am learning. Enjoy! … More #SaturdaySong – “Fires”
Saturdays I try to pick up my guitar, push record, and share a little impromptu, one take song to start your lazy (or busy!) Saturday. Here’s a classic song by Kris Kristofferson I just learned and will be performing Monday at my classic country concert at Founders Ridge. … More #SaturdaySong – “Help Me Make it Through the Night”
Sneaking this one in before this beautiful Saturday is over. Keri put this song by Bob Schneider on a mixtape that she gave to me when we first started dating. It has always struck a deep chord in me. Enjoy! … More #SaturdaySong – “Metal and Steel”
As a gift to my Mom and Dad on their 50th anniversary, I took my first stab at being a “recording artist” and recorded this special song for them by Paul Overstreet. After a week of recording and trying to mix the audio well (watching HOURS of sound mixing tutorials), I spent this past week creating a music video featuring old family video clips and photos. … More 50th Anniversary Song: “What God Has Joined Together”
Part of the magic of my marriage with Keri these past 20 years is that we have similar music tastes. The one tragic exception is she does not like Elton John. Even more inexplicable, she does not even like THIS song, which may rank in my top 10 of best love songs of all time. … More #SaturdaySong – “Your Song”
Happy Saturday. Grab your morning coffee and newspaper, or book, or crossword, or lap dog, and enjoy this song by Storyhill that I played for Keri at our wedding reception 20 years ago! … More #SaturdaySong – “If I Could”
Happy Saturday! Each Saturday I try to share a song – usually a rough, first take recording from the basement music room. Still, hopefully they sound good enough to brighten your weekend and put a smile on your face. This is a special song Katy Perry sings with her daughter that Abby shared with Uncle … More #SaturdaySong – “Cover Me In Sunshine”
This song is for my love, Kjerstin Jo, on our 20th wedding anniversary this week! The song is by Pete Murray, one Keri sent me last week. It’s been in my head ever since. I hope she will accept it as an alternative to flowers; it will last longer. :) … More #SaturdaySong – “Home to Me”
This is a tender moment caught on video. I was joined by music therapist Chris playing amazing Grace for my uncle Gary in hospice. These music therapists are angels in disguise, having a powerful impact. … More #SaturdaySong – “Amazing Grace” in a Hospital
Some all-American music for this Fourth of July weekend. One thing Americans can still be proud of in these not-so-great times is all the great music that this country has given to the world. PS: Peter enjoys going shirtless in the summers…especially on lazy Saturdays. :) … More #SaturdaySong – “All Shook Up”
Happy Saturday! Here’s a classic Alan Jackson song, one of the “newer” songs in my classic country show that takes us on a trip through the 20th century, going back as far as the 1870s and spending most time in the 1960s and 70s. Wink, wink. ;) … More #SaturdaySong – “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”
This is one of my favorite and very early Johnny Cash songs, first recorded in 1958. Look for the version of Johnny singing this with Bob Dylan around 1969. … More #SaturdaySong – “I Still Miss Someone”
Here are some highlights from Abby and my show last Friday. I shared a piece explaining the nature of this personal show earlier this week. Read “Precious Memories.” Enjoy a glimpse of Abby being a brave 10 year old! … More #SaturdaySong – Country Show Highlights
Willie Nelson may be my favorite country singer of all time. His nasally pitch is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love his unconventional timing and phrasing, and his songwriting is as legendary as his unique fingering on his Martin classical guitar, “Trigger.” This song is a bit of a tearjerker full of regret, just as Willie will confess many of his broken relationships are as well. … More #SaturdaySong – “Always On My Mind”
Happy Saturday! Dipping back into my Dylan set this week, here’s a great Bob Dylan song from his 1975 Blood on the Tracks album. He was living on his farm on the Crow River in Hanover, Minnesota, when he was writing this masterpiece of an album. I drive by that farm whenever I am in the area, and imagine him writing songs like this one staring out the window at the river. … More #SaturdaySong – “You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome”
Abby has been obsessed with this Dolly song for weeks, and she performed it recently at the Country Jam at the Gillespie Center. The mornings I drive her to the bus stop, she practices it in the car while we wait. Here’s us rough cut from the Cavern with Peter experimenting on the drums. I dig Abby’s dance moves. … More #SaturdaySong – “Here You Come Again”
Here’s Abby and I goofing around in our Music Cavern, doing a rough first take on “Jackson” as part of our classic country set we’re putting together. My first full show is this coming Monday in Eden Prairie. Making good memories! We recorded a few others, so look forward to more #SaturdaySongs in coming weeks. … More #SaturdaySong – “Jackson”
Here’s a rough cut, first attempt at a newer song. A powerful message and charge to keep laboring for the LORD, and to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up and quit” (Gal. 6:9). I like the rough unpolished vocal for the message of this song, just as Jesus graciously works in and through our rough and unpolished lives. … More #SaturdaySong – “My Labour Is Not In Vain”
A first crack at a favorite Dylan song. I’m discovering quickly that covering Dylan songs isn’t so much musically challenging, as lyrically challenging. That is, figuring out where to fit all the syllables from his spiraling and sprawling lyrics. … More #SaturdaySong – “I Want You”
This week’s #SaturdayMorningSong is “Danny Boy” written by Frederic Weatherly in 1910, and set to the traditional Irish melody of “Londonderry Air” in 1913. The ballad has proved irresistible to some of the biggest names in music is a song of love and loss – a lament for those missing home and each other. … More #SaturdaySong – “Danny Boy”
This #SaturdayMorningSong is one I learned and recently performed at a funeral. Here’s a rough cut video of me rehearsing it in the gallery loft at St. Martin’s By the Lake. … More #SaturdaySong – “Jealous of the Angels”
I’m playing a lot of music these days – funerals, fundraisers, senior homes, and picking in the basement. Sometimes I hit record and perhaps I’ll share them here on Saturday mornings. Here’s a first take, rough cut (partial) cover of one of my favorite political songs in these days of confused allegiances. Feel free to skip my singing and just read the lyrics. … More #SaturdaySong – “The Kingdom of Jesus”
Jeremy L. Berg 