1. Long Tall Pines (Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI) 3:00
2. Ain’t No Cure (Mark Houser-Reed Nielsen) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI) 3:10
3. Lester (Mark Houser) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI) 3:08
4. Daddy’s Week (Mark Houser- Jimmy Bilbrey- Jerry Bumbalough) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Hickory Chicken Music (BMI) 3:36
5. Fall of Dixie (Mark Houser-Mark Schaffel) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Zarf Music (BMI) 3:10
6. Willow Tree (Mark Houser-Reed Nielsen) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI) 3:19
7. Americanaville (Mark Houser-Rich Herring) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Sky Green Music (ASCAP) 3:04
8. I’m A King (Mark Houser) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI) 3:32
9. Ride (Mark Houser-Reed Nielsen) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI) 4:10
10. Trail of Tears (Mark Houser-Mark Conklin) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Jive Buddha Music (ASCAP) 4:24
11. World Renown (Mark Houser-Rich Herring) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Sky Green Music (ASCAP) 3:19
12. Things I Love The Most (Mark Houser-Wayne Sells- Mike Powell) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI) 3:13
13. I Need A Friend (Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen-Delnora Reed) © 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI); Delnora’s Publishing (ASCAP) 3:38

Long Tall Pines (Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen)
I took this idea to Reed Nielsen on one of our Tuesday writing sessions. I had been thinking about how people were afraid and scared of mountain people, especially in Appalachia. Well, my family came from that area. My great-great-great grandfather Jacob Houser was the first known settler of the Elkmont community, in mountains of East Tennessee, and he has a creek, Jake’s Creek, named after him that runs near Gatlinburg in Sevier County. The family was later forced to move from the land that eventually became The Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

I knew mountain people to be tough but honest and fair and their homes were filled with love and family pride. This song is about that aspect of living in the mountains. While we were recording the album, my father passed away and I remembered an old cassette recording from the spring of 1976 when I had interviewed him for my high school senior project. He had been present the day that President Franklin D. Roosevelt came to dedicate the park on September 2, 1940. He was five years old and often recalled the story of that day and his fear that war was all around us and that our President was in a wheelchair. It is funny how a five-year-old mind thinks.

Anyway, I took an idea from the first record I had ever purchased with my own money, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Mr. Bojangles and decided to use my father’s recitation as an intro for the record as my tribute to him. I purchased the single of Mr. Bojangles in March 1971 some 50 years ago at a little record store in downtown Maryville, Tennessee and I still have it.

Ain’t No Cure (Mark Houser-Reed Nielsen)
This song sprang from a melody that Reed was playing when I arrived one day to write. He had no lyrics and I asked him to just keep playing the rift as it was inspiring me emotionally. I had just recently seen a story about some parents who had been arrested for child abuse and as is typical, the case received wide-spread media coverage. In television news interviews, the neighbors were shocked that this couple could commit such hideous crimes and each one interviewed thought so highly of the couple. I was thinking if they only had known what the children knew.

The entire song took roots from that tidbit of information. It is a sad song but then at least the children are saved in the end and the parents get what was coming to them. Child abuse is a serious matter. If you know or suspect abuse, please reach out to the authorities. This world is filled with evil, and we owe it to the most vulnerable among us, the children, to see that they have a chance!

I love the minor key here and the pickers really played their hearts out on this one. The marriage of the dobro and the fiddle are haunting. I remain in awe of the musicians that can make you feel the story!

Lester (Mark Houser)
This is a fun song reminiscing on my bluegrass roots. I have told the story many times of listening to Lester Flatt as a young boy. Lester’s mother and my great-grandmother were sisters. Their last name was Haney. Lester was born in Overton County, Tennessee and I worked for years to get a marker on the Courthouse Square here in the county where I live. We finally made that happen on June 17, 2017.

In Jake Lambert’s book A Biography of Lester Flatt: The Good Things Out Weigh the Bad, my grandpa Charlie Webb is mentioned on page two. Charlie married Lester’s first cousin Vallie Burroughs, my grandmother. Charlie’s sister Bessie married Lester’s brother, Leonard.

So, of course, every Saturday we watched the Flatt and Scruggs Show and then occasionally we would see them on the Beverly Hillbillies as well. To my young mind they were certainly stars. Then when they won a Grammy Award in 1968 for Best Country Performance, Duo or Group, Vocal or Instrumental for the song Foggy Mountain Breakdown, I was hooked. Once old enough, I began buying up all the albums and singles I could. I always loved the format of the TV shows with T. Tommy Cutrer talking about Martha White Self-Rising Flour. I also loved how they always did a gospel tune and I decided I would do the same thing if I ever recorded an album.

This song springs from those days in my youth when I would watch them perform and dream of having that opportunity.
Flash forward, I met Ray Seckler through a couple of friends of mine, Brent Shelton and Larry Evans. Ray traveled with me to see his father Curly Seckler a few years ago. I had a great two hour-long interview with Curly, who told me many stories of the traveling days of the Foggy Mountain Boys and later the Nashville Grass. Curly was the last surviving member of the band. I intended to use it on this record, but my car was broken into, ironically, in Sparta, Tennessee, Lester’s hometown. The recording device was taken.

I set up another meeting with Curly but in between those two meetings he had suffered a stroke. He was well into his 90’s. The damily had given me permission to use anything I had recorded. You will hear his voice at the end of this song saying, “Pretty good.” He follows Tennessee Hall of Fame broadcaster and sometime Grand Ole Opry host Philip Gibbons using the famous line “Goodness gracious that’s good.”

Daddy’s Week (Mark Houser- Jimmy Bilbrey- Jerry Bumbalough)
The idea for this song came from Jimmy Bilbrey, a long-time songwriting partner of mine. Jimmy and I have written 100’s of songs and our good friend Jerry Bumbalough also wrote with us on many occasions. The three of us opened an office on Music Row in 2002 together and while we moved around a few times we settled in a place on 18th Avenue. Those were some fun times with many late nights, writing at all hours of the night. We would write and pitch songs while making some life-long connections and friendships. Casey Beathard, Craig Martin, Rodney Atkins, Kendall Marvel, my producer Rich Herring, Karyn Rochelle, Arlo Gilliam, Mark Shaffel, Mark Conklin, A.J. Croce, Shauna and Keifer Thompson, Buddy Hyatt, Randy Houser and Wayne Brayfield, to mention only a few. Music Row eventually changed and we moved in 2014.

Jimmy and I had written the bluegrass hit Seven Miles From Wichita; the bluegrass song Hard Rain, and a country song that Jack Greene sang on the Grand Ole Opry, Red, White and Blue Christmas during this time. We would play the Bluebird Café to sold out crowds each time we played there. Jerry wrote with us on many other thought provoking songs, that I hope to record one day.

One of the best songs we wrote during that time was Daddy’s Week. Both Jimmy and I had been divorced single parents and we could relate to the heartache of this song. We also wanted to paint the mother as experiencing similar feelings when the children were with the father. I think many can relate to “I miss those tiny voice and the sound of little feet, baseball gloves and goodnight hugs and daddy I can’t sleep; Hide and seek, now don’t you peek, and catch me if you can; now it’s seven days of being strong until it’s daddy’s week again.”

Fall of Dixie (Mark Houser-Mark Schaffel)
Fall of Dixie is a melody that came to me while waiting in line at a McDonald’s drive-thru window. It is the second song that I’ve had recorded that grew from that same McDonald’s drive-thru in Livingston, Tennessee. The first was recorded by country music entertainer and friend Rodney Atkins. The song was called God Only Knows. That song was his idea but while waiting in line one evening I just heard the words to the chorus in my head. I called him and we got together and later added Ted Hewitt to help finish it.

Fall of Dixie was a melody I just kept hearing without any real words until I subconsciously took an experience from my youth. It’s about growing up in a small town and playing ball and meeting girls. It’s about how the faces may change but the experiences not so much. Mark Schaffel, a great songwriter whom I have written with many times liked the idea and he and I finished it slowly and methodically working through every line. It is a bit unusual perhaps in the way that it flows but Mark and I had a good time with it. It was written on piano and then we added a banjo. Mark did a full demo of the song and made it come to life for me. We used that same formula and expounded on it in the studio.

I regret that Mark and I have not gotten many opportunities to write recently and am hopeful that one day we can take a stab at it again. Some of my favorite songs I have ever written are with Mark but few would fit the style of this type of project. Maybe one day I’ll get the chance to record more of them.

Willow Tree (Mark Houser-Reed Nielsen)
This song could be called GINNY: The Missing Years. I had this idea after watching the 1994 movie Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Gary Sinise, for the twentieth time and then combining the story line with another movie from the same era. A movie with Jeff Bridges, Kiefer Sutherland, Nancy Travis, and Sandra Bullock called The Vanishing from 1993. My mind was racing to all the places and all the heartache and debris left in the wake of any place Ginny may have wandered during her long periods of disappearance from Forrest’s life. I imaged her carefree attitude costing others more than just money. I told Reed about my thoughts and the first couple of lines, “Clyde had a hammer and a half-wrecked heart, when he left Alabama in an old Skylark, lost Ginny by the river up in Tennessee so he nailed her picture to the willow tree.”

He was inspired to work with me on the rest of it. I added my own twist to the story for the surprise ending. Reed loved this song and right up until his death he asked me if I would record this one. Here’s to you buddy, I hope you are smiling in heaven!

Americanaville (Mark Houser-Rich Herring)
This is a song about my hometown, Livingston, Tennessee. The town is billed as the Home of Live Americana Music. I knew many of the locals in the scene from singer-songwriter-author-producer-mentor Jim Bowman to Jack Stoddart, the producer of Jammin’ At Hippie Jack’s, the PBS series. The song is about growing up in America and being proud to be an American. We are currently working on a documentary series called Americanville. The key is that anywhere can be Americanaville. “It’s who you are, it’s how you feel, Americanaville.”

I took this project to Rich Herring with an idea of using this as a commercial song celebrating America. We cut this one separately from the rest of the album. We then worked to make it fit this project and it became the title cut.

I believe in America, the American Dream, the power of the United States Constitution, and that this is one nation under God. I want to see our nation strong and unified. I do not waste time on prejudice of any kind. It is such a waste of time to stereotype others. I believe in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “Judge not on the color of one’s skin but on the contents of their character.” Amen.

I am proud to be a citizen of the United States of America!

I’m A King (Mark Houser)
This song tells the story of a man, the king of his castle, who lost the queen and wonders why the King can’t just have whatever he wants. Life doesn’t work that way. I had been listening to a lot of Kris Kristofferson songs and Darby’s Castle was haunting me. My buddy Paul Brewster, who sang on both of my albums, although he is better known for singing with Ricky Skaggs and the Osborne Brothers, had recorded Kristofferson’s song on his solo project. It was a great recording of a great song. I mean what good is a castle if you have no one to share it with? “This house is like a castle, so spacious yet so dread; though I have things, I have nothing, without you here.”

Life was meant to be shared and the Bible tells us it is not good for man to be alone. The King in this story is realizing those words are fitting even for a King. I wrote this one night in my man cave, just me and a guitar. That is still the best therapy for me, alone time with my guitar. After all, I’m a King.

Ride (Mark Houser-Reed Nielsen)
This is the most different song I have ever recorded. We debated using the song on this project and it finally came down to taking a chance and reaching out for something fresh. I write songs in many genres as I just love music. The story is about two people who split and each of them are ‘riding’ on their own, quite different, way. The bridge of the song pulls it all together “Love sometimes is the kind you reach for, wavin’ in the fragile wind; When love unwinds it’s like twine on a ripcord, you can’t put it back in.”

Sometimes too much water gets under the bridge and it is simply impossible to go back, yet that doesn’t make the pain any less when you genuinely loved someone.

“They ride through the night in a cloud of sleepin’; reachin’ new heights, countin’ new sheep and buildin’ up days in the toils of this ole life. They’re totin’ their fears in a makeshift knapsack, cussin’ the tears the kind you’re supposed hold back, swearing’ that they’d never let anyone see them cry; just ride.”

I took this idea to Reed and it liked that it was up tempo and he made it more up tempo. By the time it was finished we knew we had something we both liked but we had no idea who we might get to record it. That’s why I included it here. I hope you enjoy this one as much as we did while writing it.

Trail of Tears (Mark Houser-Mark Conklin)
Mark Conklin is a Jersey boy. I’m from Tennessee. We sometimes see the world differently, I mean he loves the Yankees and I, well, I don’t. We were introduced by sometimes Grand Ole Opry host, Philip Gibbons. We discovered we had quite a bit in common particularly our love for history. We wrote the song When Standin’ Up Stood For Something on my first album, Uneven Road. The song was described by one radio DJ as the first bluegrass civil rights song. The song was about Rosa Parks and the civil rights movement of the 50’s and 60’s.

We researched the Trail of Tears and began writing as accurate of a description as we could from the point of view of the Native Americans. The story follows the story of the Seminole Indians and the fact that they never surrendered. The Seminole War dates included in the song actually happened. Mark and I hope we captured the feelings of those adversely affected by the war. The musicians made this song take on a new life.

World Renown (Mark Houser-Rich Herring)
This song was written tongue in cheek about a man who is the center of his own little universe. Having been called a narcissist by a person whom I consider to be a narcissist, I came home and wrote this song exploiting my belief in my own incredible charisma. It was meant to be a funny song with tidbits of truth attached. I told Rich that there was something about this song I just really liked for this project, but it just wasn’t quite finished. He added the line ‘micro reality,” which just brought it all home to me. Rich added the unusual licks on the instruments as well.

My dad was supposed to record the line “He’s a meteorologist,” but when he fell ill on the Sunday before we were to record on that Tuesday, he never had the chance to record it before his passing. I asked my son, Matthan to fill in for the line. At the end of the song my daughter Hannah who had sang in the choir on Lead Me Home, from the Uneven Road album added the word ‘famous’ at the end. Then I talked the Walter Trace Crazies to join in and add their own ‘famous’ yell at the end. The group is made up of many of the kids that lived in my grandchildren’s neighborhood at the time. A neighborhood much like a modern day ‘Mayberry.’ My grandchildren: Matti Houser, Huttson Houser, and Jett Houser, were joined by Marlee Beaty, Mylee Beaty, Meeka Beaty, and Bryce Burnett. They did a great job!

Things I Love The Most (Mark Houser-Wayne Sells- Mike Powell)
This song was one that resulted from a long-discussed co-writing venture with a couple of educators in Overton County who are also talented musicians. Wayne Sells is a long-time friend of mine as his father had worked for my father for 30 years. His dad, David, was a great bluegrass guitarist in his own right and is the man whom I bought my first guitar from. Wayne is an excellent base player who has played with me on multiple live shoes. Mike is the Director of Vol State Community College-Livingston campus and a songwriter I had known for probably 20 years.

This song is about how perspectives change as we age. The things we hated as a child become things that we would love to do again. The third verse hits on the theme of while we sometimes struggled to pay attention in church services as a youth that we realize the importance of having a proper relationship with Jesus as an adult. “The things I liked the least are the things I love the most.”

I Need A Friend (Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen-Delnora Reed)
This song means a great deal to me personally. While every line is pretty much how I have felt at some point in my life it took on new meaning when my dad told me a few weeks before he died that his favorite song used to be GO REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN until he listened to this one. He said he had a new favorite song. That meant the world to me and looking back it always will.

“Lord, please give me a little more time,” is something I feel sure everyone wishes for. We had no idea that my dad would soon pass after telling me how much he loved this song.

In dark days, in lonely days, we are have need of the Lord. Delnora Reed is a great friend and singer-songwriter and she accompanied me to Reed’s house for this writing session. The late Reed Nielsen as I have mentioned before is one of my favorite co-writers. I learned so much from Reed. He was an inspiration to me, the way he battled cancer and faced every day with a positive outlook. The world lost a great talent when he left this earth.

We decided to end this song with a beautiful rendition of What A Friend We Have In Jesus played by my producer Rich Herring on the gut string guitar. Rich is a guitar player om the legendary Little River Band and someone I’d want in my foxhole if I were going into battle. Love you man!

LONG TALL PINES
(Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen) 3:00

(Recitation by John Houser from my high school senior class project in May, 1976) -My dad had taken us, as a family, on an outing to the Smoky Mountains, to see the President and see the dedication of the park-

Layla Sue went off to school
Thought she couldn’t wait to go
How she cried when she said goodbye
And the neighbors brought her meatloaf

Dr. Jones was headed home
When his car broke down at grandpa’s
He was so upset but we fixed his flat
And now we get free house calls

CHORUS
There are long tall pines
On the ridge that line
The road that winds folks back to us
Where flowers grow and water flows
Just the way our love does

It’s crystal clear those not from here
Are distant and afraid
They think we’re plain and kinda strange
‘Til they sit a spell in our shade

CHORUS
There are long tall pines
On the ridge that line
The road that winds folks back to us
Where flowers grow and water flows
Just the way our love does

INSTRUMENTAL

CHORUS
There are long tall pines
On the ridge that line
The road that winds folks back to us
Where flowers grow and water flows
Just the way our love does

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI)

AIN’T NO CURE
(Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen) 3:10

She was a restless spirit in a tense existence
Where the lights stay on and the secrets sleep
And the neighbor’s say she’s the sweetest woman
But they don’t see what the children see

CHORUS
Maybe she’s lonely, maybe she’s hurtin
Maybe she’s crazy one thing’s for sure
I’m not making any excuses
For that kind of weakness there ain’t no cure

He’s a tireless worker says the factory foreman
A real go getter in his company clothes
And the preacher says he’s got it all together
But he don’t know what the children know

CHORUS
Maybe he’s lonely, maybe he’s hurtin
Maybe he’s crazy, one thing’s for sure
I’m not making any excuses
For that kind of anger there ain’t no cure

BRIDGE
One night in August, a patrol car visits
Shock fills up the neighbor
The children were cryin’ , the secret was dyin’
As mama and daddy’s heading up the river for good

CHORUS
I’ll bet they’re lonely, I hope they’re hurtin
I know they’re crazy, one thing’s for sure
I’m not making any excuses
For that kind of evil there ain’t no cure

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI)

LESTER
(Mark Houser) 3:08

-Trying to get situated-

I still hear the voice of Lester singin’
Friday’s on Grand Ole Opry
These memories will live with me forever
And take me back to Nashville, Tennessee

I learned to pick the guitar on a porch swing
Sayin’ howdy friends and neighbors with a smile
When the Foggy Mountain Boys were in their heyday
Lester sang and they all were pickin’ wild

CHORUS
And he’d sing
High, (high) high, low, (low) low
How low can you go
Low, (low) high, why, (why) why
Oh Me oh my, that’s just right

INSTRUMENTAL

From don’t get above your raisin’
To cryin’ my heart out over you,
Cabin on the hill, we’ll meet again sweetheart
Lester Flatt’s grass was always blue

INSTRUMENTAL

T. Tommy want you take us to the kitchen
Tell us ‘bout that good ole Martha White
And we’ll sing a little song out of the Bible
Before we have to tell these folks goodnight

REPEAT CHORUS

INSTRUMENTAL

That’s just right

-Goodness gracious it’s good-
-Pretty good-

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI)

DADDY’S WEEK
(Mark Houser- Jimmy Bilbrey- Jerry Bumbalough) 3:36

I dropped them off like every other Sunday
And watched their mama walk ‘em both inside
I drove away on empty trying not to fall apart
So this is what they call a compromise
Kevin left his football on the backseat
Katie said she left her Barbie in the den
I guess they’ll just have to do without them
‘Til it’s daddy’s week again

CHORUS
I’ii miss those tiny voices
And the sound of little feet
Baseball gloves and goodnight hugs
And “Daddy I can’t sleep”
Hide and seek, now don’t you peek
Catch me if you can
Now it’s seven days of bein’ strong
‘Til it’s daddy’s week again

There’s a girl down at the Walmart sellin’ jewelry
Every other Friday night I call her up
But I’m not sure I’m ready for her to meet the kids
I don’t know how she’d fit in with us
The judge that handed down this split decision
Oughta know by now nobody really wins
Their mom will feel the same pain that I’m feelin’
When it’s daddy’s week again

REPEAT CHORUS

TAG
Seven days of sleepless nights they seem to have no end
But I’ll be strong until it’s daddy’s week
‘Til it’s daddy’s week again

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Hickory Chicken Music (BMI)

FALL OF DIXIE
(Mark Houser- Mark Schaffel) 3:10

This town shuts down for a football game on a Friday night in the fall of Dixie
Since our day ain’t much has changed on a Friday night in the fall of Dixie
Clock ticks down, girls are waitin’ radio on their favorite station
Man there just ain’t nothing like Friday night in the fall of Dixie

The band plays on, new faces same song

Man there just ain’t nothing like huddled ‘neath the stadium lights
When the air is cool and the moon is bright on a Friday night in the fall of Dixie

The lake sure makes for a nice retreat on a Friday night in the fall of Dixie
I still see you lookin’ at me that Friday night when you kissed me
We drove down to New Hope Levy guitar packed in the back of my Chevy
Girl there just ain’t nothing like Friday night in the fall of Dixie

Life goes on, new faces same song

No there just ain’t nothing like leaves of gold ‘neath a starry sky
Sittin’ on a blanket you and I on a Friday night in the fall of Dixie

INSTRUMENTAL

You’re still pretty as you used to be, the night that you when said yes to me
There ain’t never been nothing like Friday night in the fall of Dixie

We still win our share of games on a Friday night in the fall of Dixie
The more things change they stay the same on a Friday night in the fall of Dixie

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Zarf Music (BMI)

WILLOW TREE
(Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen) 3:19

Clyde had a hammer and a half wrecked heart
When he left Alabama in an old Skylark
He lost Jenny near the river up in Tennessee
So he nailed her picture to the willow tree

And he can’t remember no he can’t recall
Said he must’ve stumbled
Must’ve took a fall
When he woke up Jenny was gone
And the willow tree weeps on

He prayed and prayed she’d be found alive
How did she get lost, won’t you tell us Clyde
Yeah the lawman pressed him for a guilty plea
Still he weeps and he hammers on the willow tree

And he can’t remember no he can’t recall
Said he must’ve stumbled
Must’ve took a fall
When he woke up Jenny was gone
And the willow tree weeps on

Clyde took his life back in ’69
A year later came a van with a big peace sign
California plates filled with hippies wearin’ beads
And Jenny stepped out at the willow tree

And she can’t remember no she can’t recall
Why she didn’t tell Clyde, her mama or the law
Walked away to be wild and free
And not be tied down like a willow tree

The whole town grieved cause Clyde was gone
And the willow tree weeps on

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI)

AMERICANAVILLE
(Mark Houser-Rich Herring) 3:04

This old town square we drive circles around
Is a magnet for my memory and a home for my heart
I’ve dreamed dreams here in this proud old weathered town
Through comic books paper planes and baseball cards

CHORUS
Americanaville
Where time is standing still
Though the faces change
It’s always been the same and always will
No matter where you go
You can be right here at home
It’s who you are, it’s how you feel
Americanaville

Got my first job here
Sweeping out the hardware store
I’d ride my bike to work and back
And Mama sure was proud
Bought this guitar at the pawn shop on the corner
Learned a few old Dylan tunes and I learned to play ‘em loud

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE
Stole my first kiss in the back row
At the Friday picture show
When they boarded that place up, it just felt colder
It’s been years since I drove by
But I still get butterflies
When I think about the statue of that soldier

REPEAT CHORUS

It’s who you are, it’s how you feel
Americanaville

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Sky Green Music (ASCAP)

I’M A KING
(Mark Houser) 3:32

I’m a King
Like any other King
I want everything I dream
And when I dream I see your face
As if you were my Queen

This house is like a castle
So spacious yet so dread
Though I have things, I have nothing
Without you here

I’m a King
Like any other King
I want everything I dream
And when I dream I see your face
As if you were my Queen

This world is at my fingertips
There’s nothing I can’t do
Except for the one thing I want the most
Cause I want to be with you

I’m Just a King
Like any other King
I want all the things I dream
And when I dream I see your face
As if you were my Queen

And when I dream I see your face
As if you were my Queen
© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI)

RIDE
(Mark Houser- Reed Nielson) 4:10

He’s ridin’ through the canyon chasin’ the sun
A lifetime of livin’ just another day done
Gathers up the lessons from the teacher unseen
Draggin’ in knowledge, spittin’ out dreams
Yeah he’s makin’ up things
Another two minutes from the ridge to the road
Another harsh fact that the river might hold
Takes a quick breath, thinkin’ how things change
She’s long gone, and he rattles the reigns

CHORUS
He rides through the night In a cloud of sleepin’
Reachin’ new heights, countin’ new sheep and
Buildin’ up days in the toils of this ole life
He’s totin’ his fears in a makeshift knapsack
Cussin’ the tears the kind you’re supposed hold back
Swearing’ that he’d never let anyone see him cry
Just ride

She’s another day lost blinded by the lights
Livin’ in the city’s like chasin’ a kite
The kite moves fast, you gotta be strong
Takin’ new steps cause the city rolls on
And you gotta roll on
Another two minutes in her silence war
Thinkin’ how the future ain’t the future no more
Takes a deep breath tryin’ to smile
Closes her eyes and for a little while

CHORUS
She rides through the night in a cloud of sleepin’
Reachin’ new heights, countin’ new sheep and
Buildin’ up days in the toils of this ole life
She’s totin’ her fears in a makeshift knapsack
Cussin’ the tears the kind you’re supposed hold back
Swearin’ that she’d never let anyone see her cry
Just ride

BRIDGE
Love sometimes is the kind you reach for, wavin’ in the fragile wind
When love unwinds it’s like twine on a ripcord, you can’t put it back in

INSTRUMENTAL

CHORUS
They ride through the night in a cloud of sleepin’
Reachin’ new heights, countin’ new sheep and
Buildin’ up days in the toils of this ole life (this ole life)
They’re totin’ their fears in a makeshift knapsack
Cussin’ the tears the kind you’re supposed hold back
Swearing’ that they’d never let anyone see them cry
Just ride

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI)

TRAIL OF TEARS
(Mark Houser- Mark Conklin) 4:24

By ’31 the word had come they had took the Choctaw land
Soon enough they would come for us and we’d be gun to gun with the white man
They’ll arrive to a big surprise when the soldiers show up here
We may fall, but we will not crawl on the trail of tears

We heard the Creek and the Cherokee and the Chickasaw went west
Wounded, scarred, scared and starved on that march of death
Stood our ground, would not back down, in the face of pain and fear
We may fall but we will not crawl on the trail of tears

CHORUS
What do you do when they come for you and you know you’re in the right
Could’ve walked the trail to a white man’s hell but we chose to fight
You’re against the wall, when they use the law, like a weapon in their hands
When you have no voice then you have no choice, rise up and take a stand

In ’35 the word arrived they’d were comin’ up the King’s Highway
Dressed in blue but we all knew they would turn blood red that day
We laid in wait with our faces painted for the first ones to appear
We may fall but we will not crawl on the trail of tears

CHORUS
What do you do when they come for you and you know you’re in the right
Could’ve walked the trail to a white man’s hell but we chose to fight
You’re against the wall, when they use the law, like a weapon in their hands
When you have no voice then you have no choice, rise up and take a stand
When you have no voice then you have no choice, rise up and take a stand

We never signed their dotted line, they never drove us from this place
We fight on, proud and strong, deep down in the Everglades
As a matter of fact, if they come back, we’ll still be right here
We may fall but we will not crawl on the trail of tears
We may fall but we will not crawl on the trail of tears
We may fall but we will not crawl on the trail of tears

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Jive Buddha Music (ASCAP)

WORLD RENOWN
(Mark Houser- Rich Herring) 3:19

Bobby wants a bike, Billy wants a burger
Baby needs her diaper changed
My Honey’s on the couch, hair up in curlers
In my little home on the range

CHORUS
I’m world renowned
I’m world renowned
It’s a small, small world I’m living in
You oughta get a load of me in my micro-reality
I’m the biggest deal in town
‘Round here I’m world renowned

Jimmy’s got my chain saw, Tommy’s got my water hose
Ronnie wants to talk about his ex
We play cards every Thursday
Except on Rita’s Birthday
Cause Ronnie really wants her back

CHORUS
I’m world renowned
I’m world renowned
It’s a small, small world I’m living in
You oughta get a load of me in my micro-reality
I’m the biggest deal in town
‘Round here I’m world renowned

Mama called me up, says she wants to fiddle
Needs a set of brand new strings
Daddy he just smiles, sits there and whittles
Says boy, do you think it’s gonna rain

CHORUS
I’m world renowned (he’s world renowned)
I’m world renowned (he’s world renowned)
(He’s a meteorologist)
It’s a small, small I’m living in
You oughta get a load of me in my micro-reality
I’m the biggest deal in town
‘Round here I’m world renown

Round here I’m world….famous (famous)

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Sky Green Music (ASCAP)
THINGS I LOVE THE MOST
(Mark Houser- Mike Powell- Wayne Sells) 3:13

Never thought I’d miss those long hard hours workin’ on the farm
Getting’ up before the daylight comes and headin’ to the barn
Or drivin’ that old tractor when the sun was sinkin’ low
What I’d give to close my eyes and go

CHORUS
The things I liked the least made me into a man
I may be a little crazy, but I like who I am
Lookin’ back it’s funny where your memory goes
The things I liked the least are the things I love the most

School seemed like a prison to a boy with big time dreams
Mr. Poston and Geometry were never good to me
I struggled on the football field and practice wasn’t fun
But I’m thinkin’ now how much I’d love to run

CHORUS
The things I liked the least made me into a man
I may be a little crazy, but I like who I am
Lookin’ back it’s funny where your memory goes
The things I liked the least are the things I love the most

INSTRUMENTAL

I’d fidget through the Sunday service when I was a kid
Tryin’ not to listen, thankful that I did
The water down on Johnson Creek seemed so deep and rough
But I’m grateful for the power in Jesus’ blood

CHORUS
The things I liked the least made me into a man
I may be a little crazy, but I like who I am
Lookin’ back it’s funny where your memory goes
The things I liked the least are the things I love the most

TAG
The things I liked the least, are the things I love the most

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI)

I NEED A FRIEND
(Mark Houser- Reed Nielsen- Delnora Reed) 3:38

Lord, please give me a little more time
A softer place to land
A helpin’ hand along this climb
Tonight I need a friend

CHORUS
I was once a stubborn soul
A cold and selfish man
Now I’m down on bended knees
Tonight I need a friend

I’ve tried to do things my own way
That got me where I am
Lord guide me with your light I pray
Tonight I need a friend

CHORUS
I was once a stubborn soul
A cold and selfish man
Now I’m down on bended knees
Tonight I need a friend

I can’t find the way to go
I know you have your plan
Lord, lead me down a different road
Tonight I need a friend

CHORUS
I was once a stubborn soul
A lost and foolish man
Now I’m down on bended knees
Tonight I need a friend

© 2021 Writers In House Music, LLC (BMI); Howlinghorse Music (BMI); Delnora’s Publishing (ASCAP)

Recorded at:
Adventure Studios by Joey Crawford

Additional recording:
Wurld Records Studio by Rich Herring

Produced by:
Rich Herring and Mark Houser

Mixed and Mastered by:
Rich Herring

The Players:
Mark Houser- vocals, guitar
Rich Herring – bass, drum programming, acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals,
Tim Grogan – drums
Mark Fain – bass
Cody Kilby – acoustic guitar
Andy Leftwich – fiddle, mandolin
Wanda Vick – fiddle, banjo
Scotty Sanders – dobro
Marcia Ramirez- backing vocals
Matt Dame – backing vocals
Suzanne Karr Herring – backing vocals
Paul Brewster- backing vocals

Special Appearances:
Philip Gibbons, “Goodness gracious that’s good” on Lester
Curly Seckler- “Pretty Good” on Lester
Matthan Houser- World Renown
Hannah Houser- World Renown
The Walter Trace Crazies- Matti Houser, Huttson Houser, Jett Houser, Marlee Beaty, Mylee Beaty, Meeka Beaty, and Bryce Burnett- World Renown

Very Special Appearance:
John Houser- Long Tall Pines; opening monologue recorded in spring of 1976 for my high school senior project

Stylist:
Tena Rogers

Photography:
Tena Rogers, Stephanie Houser

Barn owner:
(Cover) Dr. Jerry Tidwell and his wife Joan

Barn owner:
(with kids) Philip and Teresa Morgan

Thanks to my family, my friends, my fans, and those who share a passion for the music.A special thanks to those who gave their all to make this record the best it could be: Tena Rogers, Joey Crawford, Ray Seckler, and all of the musicians and singers. Thank you to all of my co-writers share their souls doing the writing of a song!  Thanks to Dr. Jerry Tidwell and his wife Joan, and to Philip and Teresa Morgan for the use of their barns.  And finally, thanks to my producer and co-writer Rich Herring, for the hard work, the good times and the great friendship. You are the best!  This album is dedicated to the memory of my parents, John Houser (1935-2019) and Ann Houser (1941-2021).