few years back I had resigned myself should make new music. I opened the door to to the fact that my days as a recording whatever might come through it. Little did I Aartist were probably over. I didn’t feel there know the song stampede that was waiting just was the internal drive or external demand to outside. maintain a recording career in this frenzied, Immediately songs poured in and out of me. internet-driven music world. I was happy to It was as if I weren’t even writing them, like keep doing Farmer Jason shows, hold down the sequoias themselves were singing them a job, and maintain my farming operation. to me. All I had to do was jot them down or Then completely out of the blue, Dawn Ryan, a hum them into my phone recorder. One day at ranger at Sequoia National Park, contacted me the Charles Young Tree, and then at Crescent about doing their artist-in-residency program. Meadow, I wrote the basics of three songs. As she explained, I would spend a month in a Nothing like that had ever happened to me mountain cabin, explore the park trails and in my life. The songs weren’t all about the sequoia groves, and do concerts at the park. sequoias; in fact, most were not. But they all I would also write songs about anything I shared an originality that I didn’t think I had in wanted. Hmmm, what’s the catch? It turns me anymore. Later in the residency my family out there was no catch! That’s a good thing, – Suzy, Addie, and Camille – joined me. It was a because I said yes before she even finished perfect experience, one that I will never forget. the third sentence of her pitch. Then the question became what to do with all So I went to Sequoia National Park in June 2017. those songs and ideas? Ultimately I decided I stayed at a cabin in the Mineral King area. to do a Jason Ringenberg record, my first in I could walk out of my cabin and be hiking 14 years. While I love Nashville and the music in the Sierra Nevada in a matter of minutes. community here, I felt driven to do something The first day I was there it snowed six inches. out of the box. I started my music career The hikes were beautiful beyond description. while attending Southern Illinois University in I often didn’t see another human all day. At Carbondale. (Believe it or not, I am a college night I read Peter Cooper’s book Johnny’s Cash graduate.) It was there that I first learned the and Charley’s Pride by candlelight, since the basics of music creation and live performance. cabin had no night power. As Dylan said in It has also been an ongoing relationship. Tangled Up in Blue, “Every one of those words Thanks to a kindred spirit, Stace England, I rang true and glowed like burning coal.” I maintained friendships and contact with the began to own within myself that I could and music community in Southern Illinois. I am a huge fan of their most famous music export, the Woodbox Gang, whose records were engineered by studio owner/producer Mike Lescelius. So I decided to record the album at Misunderstudio, Mike’s place. I called up old buddies Tom Miller (drums) and Gary Gibula (bass, guitar) from my first college bands to be the rhythm section. This was a good choice. We had a ball hanging out, and the tracks hit a definite chemistry. Musicians from all over Southern Illinois joined in. Later I brought in some Nashville ringers to round out the sound and then cut a few more tracks in Music City. The end result is an album that I am very proud of, and one that has changed me. Enjoy and God Bless, Stand Tall Lookin’ Back Blues (Jason Ringenberg) (Arty Hill-Jason Ringenberg) This song was written right after the Sequoia I wrote the chorus of this song the day it residency, while the buzz was still buzzing. It snowed six inches in the Sierra Mountains. is meant to convey the grand drama of that Going up a trail, I saw bear tracks. Coming wondrous place. We worked harder on this back down, I noticed bear tracks had been track, and spent more time on it, than any following me! Later I asked Arty Hill to co-write recording of my career. the verses. His opening lines to those verses are genius. “I’m flying down the highway of my Gary Gibula - bass, music transcription mind” – indeed. Tom Miller - drums, percussion, Old Testament wisdom I’m flying down the highway of my mind Robbie Stokes - electric guitars I see you in the rear view I wish Andrew Staff - acoustic guitar, electric guitars I’d never left you behind Robert Bowlin - fiddles I always thought the past was past Richard Bennett - Danelectro 6 string bass, But I finally learned the truth at last acoustic guitar, Mandolin-Guitarophone There ain’t no such thing to (circa 1900) the lookin’ back kind Steve Fishell - pedal steel guitar Chorus: Kyle Tripplett - banjo I got the lookin’ back blues and Mike Lescelius - bells, keyboards I don’t mean Luckenbach Texas Nick Rhode - opera vocal Every blast from the past is a punch Joe Walczk - trumpet to my solar plexus Stace England - vocal effects Every time I drive down memory lane George Bradfute - vocal effects All I find is a pile of pain Jason Ringenberg - vocal effects I got the lookin’ back blues and I don’t mean Luckenbach Texas Getting sentimental over you Only makes me mental distractified and blue The view over my shoulder Just makes it that much colder I just can’t seem to turn away from you This mind I’m driving ain’t got no kind of brakes John the Baptist was a real humdinger I’m on a non-stop trip from the day we met He would scream the truth ‘til I made my big mistakes like a drunk folk singer I’ve passed us by a thousand times Wandering the hills of Galilee But you’re always waiting down the line Whipping up crowds to a wild frenzy How much more looking back Standing tall like an old gunslinger can a poor boy take John the Baptist was a real humdinger Gary Gibula - bass, music transcription John the Baptist heard one voice Tom Miller - drums That guided him through every choice Robbie Stokes - lead and He’d yell at all the priests and frauds rhythm electric guitars “Abstain from sin and turn to God!” Andrew Staff - electric guitar While down the road his cousin dear Steve Fishell - pedal steel guitar Was sowing hope and killing fear Arty Hill - harmony vocals John the Baptist was a real humdinger Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals Touching souls like an old blues singer Wandering the hills of Galilee Living on the edge wild and free The go to guy the perfect ringer John the Baptist Was a Real Humdinger John the Baptist was a real humdinger (Jason Ringenberg) Herod King he ruled the land I think I wrote a cool song here, and we nailed With Roman spears and bloody hands a smokin’ track on it, but it is hard to miss with But John was not afraid to say a character as compelling and interesting as The truth to him come what may John the Baptist. All I had to do was tell the No Herod couldn’t break his mind story. With briberies or prison time Crazy John from early on John the Baptist was a real humdinger Knew he was singing in a different song He could work a crowd like a rock star singer Knew he was walking to a different beat Wandering the hills of Galilee Like his quiet cousin from down the street Living on bugs and raw honey Then one day he finally knew An angry wasp with a lethal stringer His path in life and what to do John the Baptist was a real humdinger In the end John held his ground Sequoia during the critical early years of the Though he could have brought park. But this song is not about him. It’s about an empire down the Ramones and my experiences with Jason & But he stood up for the truth The Scorchers opening for them in 1982 across And gave away his fame and youth Texas. Dig Steve Fishell’s lap steel guitar on Simply to prepare the way this. I don’t think I have ever heard a lap steel For all the souls his cousin saved played with such aggression and spirit. John the Baptist was a real humdinger In the spring of ’82 I got a call Spitting words like a punk rock singer from this New York dude Wandering the hills of Galilee He had heard of The Nashville Scorchers Whipping up crowds to a wild frenzy Busting doors and lighting torches Standing tall like an old gunslinger This guy offered us a Texas tour John the Baptist was a real humdinger Guaranteed to make us less obscure It was opening for the Ramones you see George Bradfute - electric guitars, bass In the Texas state of misery Steve Ebe - drums And though we had no master plan Richard Bennett - Danelectro 6 string bass, No amps that worked or a running van acoustic guitar, Mandolin-Guitarophone We said yes and away we went (circa 1900) With fifty dollars past due rent Gary Gibula - music transcription We drove to Beaumont Texas first Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals, Where college punks would quench their thirst acoustic guitar On bands like Killing Joke and Black Flag And bartenders all in drag God Bless the Ramones Chorus: (Jason Ringenberg) God bless the Ramones To my knowledge, this is the only song in they never made much money the world that uses the words “God” and Most folks either hated them “Ramones” in the main title! It was written at or thought that they were funny the base of the Colonel Charles Young tree, God bless the Ramones they never named for the first African-American soldier sold their souls to become a colonel in the U.S. Army and a To US corporate radio superintendent at a national park. He headed and all that it controlled Dee Dee was the first we met Hobo Bill’s Last Ride And Jeff couldn’t afford bass strings yet (Jimmie Rodgers) So Dee Dee gave him extra strings We cut this one live. As we were setting up. Some rider beer and chicken wings I could feel the moment creeping up on us. Then we opened up the show Quiet descended on the studio. Although we There was so much we didn’t know weren’t completely set up and ready, I told Those college punks bombarded us Mike, “We need to record this NOW!” It fell With bottled beer and vile stuff together perfectly. And yes, to those of you Now everyone loves the Ramones who notice, this Jimmie Rodgers song is placed With posters of them in their homes intentionally in the sequence near ‘I’m Walking And that T-shirt bankers wear Home’, with its Bristol references. Bristol, of On weekends when they drink and dare course, is where Jimmie Rodgers recorded his But no one’s left from that first band first classics with Ralph Peer. Dig Gary’s so To take it in or make a stand simple yet so effective rhythm guitar part. The And all those years and all those miles spirit of Jimmie is there. They barely spoke and rarely smiled Gary Gibula - bass, acoustic guitar, Ten thousand shows they gutted through music transcription For a small group of us who knew Tom Miller - drums, New Testament peace They were the first and they’re still the best Robert Bowlin - fiddles To truly stand the punk rock test Kyle Tripplett - banjo, acoustic guitar Adam Fletcher - arrangement avatar, Alex Kirt - Dobro bass, electric guitars, harmony vocals, Daniel Tejada - atmospheric guitar punk rock spirit Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals Gary Gibula - music transcription Mike Kartje - drums Andrew Staff - electric guitar fills Steve Fishell - lap steel Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals

I’m Walking Home So now we’re near Bentonville North Carolina (Jason Ringenberg) Our General Johnston says this is the end He just met with Sherman I wrote this driving to Bristol, Virginia/ and they signed some papers Tennessee to play the Bristol Rhythm and A cold cautious handshake Roots Reunion. It is a fictional story, based on and now they are friends real history. Golly, I love singing this one. Well I hated slavery and all who stood for it My name is Will Tucker I grew up near Bristol But I hate the Union for what it’s become I had no ambition no urges to roam And I hate Jeff Davis and all But in ’61 the devil came calling his famous generals War clouds rolled in and they But I love the fact that I’m now walking home darkened our home Last chorus: It was late ’62 it was fall in the mountains My dad was a Rebel my brother pro-Union I had just turned 15 I was out picking corn They both died in battle A conscript enforcer came up from the valley unmarked and unknown With six hungry soldiers their uniforms torn By God I admit it’s a long way to Bristol He said “You are drafted for This musket is heavy but I’m walking home Confederate service I throw down my musket ‘cause You’ll join the Army of Tennessee” I’m walking home They loaded me into a shoddy old freight car My face to the west To fight in a cause that I just couldn’t see I’m now walking home Chorus: Steve Ebe - drums My dad was a Rebel my brother pro-Union Fats Kaplan - violin, English tin whistle My mother could care less and prayed all alone George Bradfute - electric guitars, By God I admit it’s a long way to Bristol bass, violin, viola, keyboards This musket is heavy but I’m walking home Jason Ringenberg - lead and harmony vocals, acoustic guitar From dark Chickamauga to Kennesaw Mountain And yes I was there when Atlanta it fell Then back up to Franklin and Hood’s crazy charges I learned not to care and I lived through it all Almost Enough Now she’s in college working on her degree (Hugh Deneal) It’s almost enough to make you believe I am a huge fan of Hugh Deneal and the Well it’s almost enough to make you believe Woodbox Gang. I first recorded this track with Almost enough to make you believe Tom and Gary as a Shakespeare’s Riot reunion A flower can blossom from every bad seed (my first rock band) for a Hugh Deneal tribute It’s almost enough to make you believe album. That project never got off the ground, Every day more and more casualties but it did plant the seeds for this project. We The old man sniffs and turns off his TV re-opened the track, did some more work on Every day he raises his flag up in the yard it, and here it is on a real record at last. At the start of every baseball game The church is small and falling down his hand goes to his heart Just like all of the rest of this town He knows more about war than you and me The mines have closed everybody’s too poor Lost some fingers and some friends To do anything except praise the Lord on a beach in Normandy For six days a week their lives are gloomy Nothing is going to take away his love But you wouldn’t know it by looking from his country in that room It’s almost enough to make you believe They sing songs of joy and prosperity Well it’s almost enough to make you believe It’s almost enough to make you believe It’s almost enough to make you believe Well it’s almost enough to make you believe Almost enough to make you believe Almost enough to make you believe Every war we fight is a war to make us free Blind faith is all that you need It’s almost enough to make you believe It’s almost enough to make you believe Gary Gibula - bass, electric rhythm She turned 18 in a juvenile home and lead guitars, harmony vocals Her mom is a drunk and her dad Tom Miller - drums she’s never known Kyle Tripplett - banjo She’s worked twice as hard to stand half as tall Stace England - electric guitar As all the spoiled brats who never knew Mike Lescelius - harmony vocals they had it all Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals, A mother to chase the monsters from her room acoustic guitar, harmonica A daddy to keep her from growing up too soon The Colonel Charles Young Tree Here in the Sequoias Gary Gibula - bass, acoustic guitar, (Jason Ringenberg) mandolin, music transcription Tom Miller - drums This is a beautiful recording, but only a Robert Bowlin - fiddles, mandolin fraction as lovely as its subject. Those who Kathy Livingston - harmony vocals have experienced the giant sequoias are Beth Koehler - harmony vocals fundamentally changed, and always for the Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals better.

Here in the sequoias time is standing still John Muir Stood Here Peace pervades all of this (Jason Ringenberg) perfecting Heaven’s will Here in the sequoias you’re given every grace I wrote this standing near the Crescent From these giant angels who Meadow in Sequoia, where John Muir did in populate this place fact stand. He was an amazing man to whom so many of us lovers of the natural world owe Here in the sequoias every step is prayer a unpayable debt. This recording, as good as Every word mingles with it might be, pales in comparison to what that the sacred mountain air man did with his life. Here in the sequoias history is now A moment is a century and In the 1890s the West was all but won every thought a vow Industry was finishing what settlers had begun But there was a hardy soul not afraid to say Here in the sequoias everything is clear “Save it for the public good and another day” The daily greed evaporates when I’m standing here Chorus: Here in the sequoias among these giant souls John Muir stood here There is no need for trade off or John Muir stood here counting up the tolls Right where I’m a-standing he could see it all crystal clear Here in the sequoias time is standing still John Muir stood here Peace pervades all of this John Muir stood here perfecting Heaven’s will Saying “I’ll save the sequoias Here in the sequoias you’re given every grace going to make the politicians hear” From these giant angels who populate this place All the logger barons with Gary Gibula - bass, acoustic guitar, their senators in tow music transcription Would salivate when figuring Tom Miller - drums the board feet in the snow Andrew Staff - electric guitars But Muir would stand with Robbie Stokes - electric guitars steady hand for the public trust Steve Fishell - pedal steel guitar And save the old sequoias from Arty Hill - harmony vocals becoming old sawdust Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals, acoustic guitar Springtime in the mountains now my mind is getting clean Farewell Angelina Time to say goodbye to all (Bob Dylan) the soul-killing machines I used to sing this obscure Dylan song back How I wish that I could thank in my old college days. This is another song the folks who saved this place originally meant as an extra but I love how it A century ago who stood came out. We recorded it live. Tom and Gary upon this sacred space play it with such sensitivity and grace. Robert Gary Gibula - bass, music transcription Bowlin’s cello is sublime. Tom Miller - drums Gary Gibula - bass, acoustic guitar, Andrew Staff - electric guitars music transcription Steve Fishell - lap steel Tom Miller - drums, percussion Jason Ringenberg - lead and harmony vocals Robert Bowlin - accordion, cello Jason Ringenberg - lead vocals Many Happy Hangovers to You (Johnny McCrae) I decided to record this old Jean Shepard classic for fun. I do love singing it. Although I never meant for it to be on the album, Mike’s production on it is so good, and the musicians played with such spirit, that I decided to include it here. It’s not meant to be taken literally. Produced by Mike Lescelius Design, career consultation, and internet and Jason Ringenberg management by Paul Needham Recorded and mixed by Mike Lescelius at Photography by Gregg Roth Misunderstudio, Murphysboro, Illinois Studio assistant David Johnson Except John the Baptist Was a Real Humdinger Sequoia National Park photographs by and I’m Walking Home produced, engineered, Jason Ringenberg and mixed by George Bradfute at Tone Jason recording studio and Chaparral, Nashville, Tennessee leather jacket photographs by Executive Producers: Ed Chambliss, Michael Paul Needham Purdy (For Cali, Rest in Peace), Henry Burt, Bill and Jill St John, Terry McDonald, Barb McDonald, John Manning Technology support byDiane Davis Steve Fishell steel guitar and lap steel sessions Creative consultation and Southern Illinois recorded by Nick Autry at Soundstage Studio, support byStace England Nashville, Tennessee Editing and proofreading by Lori Timm Second engineer Joel McKenney Crowdfunding advice and consultation by Dave Arty Hill harmony vocal session recorded by Solomon, Paul Needham, and Andy Burrell Dave Nachodsky at Invisible Sound Studios, Legal representation and friendship Baltimore, Maryland by Wayne Halper Richard Bennett session on Stand Tall recorded by George Bradfute at Tone Chaparral Mastered by Alex McCollough at True East Mastering

All Jason Ringenberg songs published by Jason Ringenberg Music (BMI) Arty Hill is self published (BMI) Hugh Deneal is published by Trashcan Americana Music (BMI) Bob Dylan is published by Special Rider Music (SESAC) Jimmie Rodgers is published by Peermusic (BMI) Johnny McCrae is published by BMG Thank you to Paul Needham for being there This record was funded by fans and supporters every step of the way with whatever is needed, of my music. No record company was used in going on 16 years now. the process. These folks contributed at the highest levels. Thank you to Peter Cooper for impressing upon me that I still can – and should – be a Thank you to - valid recording artist. Barb McDonald, Terry McDonald, Ed Chambliss, Thank you to Gary Gibula for the deep Michael Purdy (For Cali, Rest in Peace), Henry enthusiasm and creative support he brought Burt, Bill and Jill St John, John Manning, Jack to this project. Kolmansberger, Andy Burrell, Bob Ashmore, Chari Campbell, Jacqueline Downs, James and Thank you to each and every musician and Drew Lovejoy, Paal Morten Gregersen, Paolo recording person on this record for reaching Chiorino, Antti Saunanoja, Bernt Bakken, down and giving it that extra push: Mike Roger Klein, Jeremy Bent, Bratten Thomason, Lescelius, Stace England, Gary Gibula, Kristen Brown, Curt Cunningham, Mark Tom Miller, Andrew Staff, George Bradfute, Scott, Tracy Ashlock Barton, Bill Reiser, Tony Richard Bennett, Steve Fishell, Nick Autry, Friars, Roger Stevens, Wayne Brissette, Miles Robbie Stokes, Adam Fletcher, Alex Kirt, Goosens, Russ Pace, Antti Laine Robert Bowlin, Steve Ebe, Fats Kaplin, Kathy Livingston, Beth Koehler, Kyle Tripplett, Arty Thank you to Cara Graham Hogan, Steve Miller, Hill, Joel McKenney, Daniel Tejada, Mike Kartje, and Tom Spaulding for guitar and performance Nick Rhode, Joe Walczk, and Hugh Deneal. gear expertise and support. Jason proudly uses Epiphone guitars, D’Addario strings, and Planet Thank you to the staff atSequoia National Park, Waves accessories. Dawn Ryan, Jenny Kirk, all the Ringenberg ladies (Suzy, Kiki, Addie, Camille and Betty), Martha Scott, Diane Davis, Dave Solomon, Joe Swank, Mike Farley, Andy Burrell, Scotty Almany, Bob Paterson, Will Kimbrough, Lori Timm, Susan Lounsbury, John Ludovico, Peggy Baldwin, John Loyd, Mary Sack, Sheffield (Illinois), Sheffield (England), Mark Scott, and most importantly to those magnificent gifts www.jasonringenberg.com from heaven, the giant sequoias. www.facebook.com/jasonringenbergmusic “A moment is a century and every thought a vow”