I'm flattered that Albert and Gage would make a whole collection of my songs and I love what they've done with them.

It dawned on me one day that this has been a sort of message in a bottle type experience - it's like some time last century, I sealed a batch of my songs in an empty Grain Belt bottle and tossed it into the Sioux river; from there it flowed into the muddy Mo, into the mighty Miss, then into the Gulf, where it was mysteriously carried inland to Austin (buzzards? armadillos? mutant crawfish? perhaps a nudge from Jack or Boyd or others?) where it washed up on the shores of Lake Travis.

Thanks to the musicians who did such a bang up job and to everybody involved for their time and talent.

A special shout out to all A and G fans - they're very lucky to have such great ones.  Thanks for the encouragement!

So, Chris & Christine, I feel very lucky that you found my bottle - let's not take so long for the "next time".  I'm working on a faster way to get my songs to you - they've got this newfangled thing out here - called the Pony Express...

Tom Pete
Sioux Falls
5/30/09

_______________________

Tom's latest gem:

     Take heed of Al Gore's warning
     Keep your carbon footprint light
     I believe in global warming
     But there's an iceberg in our
          bedroom tonight