I can't begin to count the times in my life that I have stood by helplessly watching a friend’s downward spiral through alcohol, substance abuse and self-sabotage. Despite the many efforts I and others made to reach these people, it's an exercise in humility and powerlessness. We can only pray they figure it out before it’s too late, but that realization always has to come from inside. 

Still, that didn't stop me from trying to write a song in hopes it would reach the heart of someone lost in a dark place. The character is on his way to hitting bottom, missing all the cues along the way. I imagined a life coming unraveled and fit the pieces of the story in place. Although it's not autobiographical, the song draws from my own experiences with "dark nights of the soul" and the grace that got me through them. 

I recorded an acapella version and sent it to co-producer Terry Wilson. The next day, he sent back a full demo with a vibe like an old soul song. Eventually, this track got the most sophisticated arrangement on the album, including the horn section that I argued for and recorded here in Portland. Terry took this one to a whole other level, and it is an honor for me to share the writing credit with him.

"It's the sound of your phone not ringing - buddy, it's your wake-up call." |  Listen to Wake-up Call