How it happens - well, sometimes :)

I got a request from a young man named Mike Daniels to take a look at one of his poems, see if I wanted to collaborate a 'tune'. (He found me through my SongU.com profile).
 
I took a look, was immediately inspired, crafted the lyrics and composed the melody Sawdust Footprints. He didn't like the title, in fact he was vehemently opposed to Footprints, so I listened again, asked him what imagery came to mind when he heard the tune. He talked about sawdust swirling in the sunlight. I said, "How about Sawdust Sunlight then. Will that work?"
 
He loved it, and then I put the vocals to a guitar track and asked him to "Have a listen." I was tickled when he told me,"All my family and friends believe it should be called Sawdust Footprints. You were correct in the first place."
 
So, we're back to Sawdust Footprints, and Mike's off to one of his publisher friends for a critique, while I've entered the rough demo in some song contests, plus we've got a studio hired for a professional demo with a male vocalist/guitar lead track. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like.  Quite a departure for me, this kind of song, although I see by my latest tunes I am really doing more of an Americana twist now. I think that means folk music with a directly Americana (read: nostalgic roots rich in American folklore) focus.
 
Meanwhile, what do you think?  Have a listen to the beginning of the song, and remember, this IS a work-in-progress. Let me know what you think! You can also check out the lyrics over in my 'Songs & Lyrics' page.

PS In case you're wondering, the term "have a listen," came from some Australian friends of mine, and I kinda like it.