BILL BLOG
Tuesday December 30, 2025
Tuesday morning, the next-to-last day of 2025.
It’s just 25 above zero in Nashville as I’m starting this Blog today, with a high of just 34 on tap. Tomorrow’s high warms up to 48. And we have had no “bomb cyclones” in middle Tennessee!
YESTERDAY
I made the drive to Billy Blue Publishing’s office yesterday morning, where I write most of my songs, having signed my publishing deal there some seven years ago, going on eight. The building was locked up on a cold Monday, because almost the entire staff is still on holiday vacation. One of the rare occasions when I had to ring a doorbell to get in. Fortunately, my publisher was there, the only person there, and he let me in to write with Lauren Mascitti and Caroline Owens.
We had the place to ourselves. Caroline brought a great idea with her, and we worked on it for 3 hours or so, got one verse and a chorus, and will gather together again next month to try and finish up the song.
Some songs come out quickly, while others take a bit to get them polished up and ready to go. This one will be worth the wait, I think, so thank you, Caroline, for the great idea.
TURTLES
During our get together yesterday I asked Caroline and Lauren if they were familiar with the songwriter Aaron Raitiere? I had found some of his stuff online and fell in love with his writing. Lauren lit up and told me what a fan she was as well.
Aaron falls into the category of Roger Miller, John Prine, and Shel Silverstein, writers who can truly just let their minds go and put something on paper that’s just “different”. My favorite kind of writers.
Then Lauren asked if I had heard Aaron’s poem “Turtles”? I had not, so she played it for me. He just made up a fictitious team to root for, “The Turtles”, and THIS is what he came up with.
I’m betting he sells the heck out of those T-shirts at his concerts.
And besides being able to write “quirky”, he can write hit songs. He’s a co-writer on the biggest country hit of the year from Riley Green and Elle Langley, “You Look Like You Love Me”.
So now you know that when songwriters get together, they sometimes talk about other songwriters.
SUBTLE FREQUENCY
My wife’s first book got some more good news yesterday. “Subtle Frequency” is now available at Target for pre-sale, joining Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Walmart, and a long list of others.
We certainly appreciate those of you who have already pre-ordered the book, with the official release date coming up on February 3rd. And thank you to all who have mentioned the book on your socials. Help us spread the word!
SONG OF THE DAY
Today’s song is from the legendary Hall of Fame artist Del McCoury, who recorded a song that Josh Shilling and I wrote titled “OnceAgain.” Josh had the back half of the chorus written the day we wrote this, knew Del, and not only got it to him, but Josh plays the piano you hear on this song. And it sounds more like an old Jerry Lee Lewis tune than a traditional bluegrass song that Del is mostly noted for.
Our song landed on the album you see above that was nominated for a Grammy Award a couple of years ago for Best Bluegrass Recording of the Year. And yes, it’s truly an honor to have Del McCoury record one of your songs for sure.
HEALTH NOTES
Joseph’s Coat, used traditionally by coastal communities, has shown unexpected strength in fighting arthritis in a recent study.
Ground beef has been recalled in 6 states over E coli contamination.
A new study reveals that vitamin D may reduce colon cancer risk by 58%.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
I do like truth in advertising.
BEST RETIREMENT CITIES FOR 2025
WalletHub just listed them, taking taxes, health, green spaces, cost of living, and more into consideration. Here’s their Top 5.
5…Tampa
4…Miami
3…Minneapolis
2…Scottsdale
And their #1 retirement city is Orlando.
FUNNY
Again, from the funny folks at Babylon Bee. Here’s one of their fake headlines:
Cause Of Brazilian Deforestation Linked To CVS Receipts.
CLEAN UP ON AISLE 5
Tesla is now going to charge $150 if you throw up or smoke in one of their Robo Taxis. And they’ll charge $50 for moderate messes. A lot of folks are going to be smoking and drinking at New Year’s Eve celebrations. Maybe don’t call a Robo Taxi to take you home.
SPEAKING OF DRINKING
A SmartAsset study lists the 5 states that drink the most.
5…Rhode Island (not that many folks living there)
4…Massachusetts
3…Colorado
2…Wyoming (again, not a lot of residents)
And the state that drinks the most is Alaska. $1,249.76 per resident over this past year. (I might need a shot or two myself if I had to step outside in that kind of weather.
And here in Tennessee? We are the fifth LOWEST only drinking $690.82 per resident in 2025.
The lowest is the state of Utah with $606.42 per resident. (You don’t hear the joke, “A Mormon walks into a bar” a lot.)
WORST PRESENTS
The publication listed some of the worst Christmas presents given this year. A smoke detector, and INDUSTRIAL SIZE Hand, Hair, and Bodywash, and someone gave someone this.
That pretty much assures that those “givers” will be on the naughty list next Christmas.
HE’S ALIVE!
Another case of “he ain’t dead” yet.
A man in a body bag waiting to be embalmed in Mississippi…woke up. Just in time. Geez. I think when they wheel me in, I’m going to make sure someone puts this cap on my head so that the embalmer does a double check.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
From the late Bob Marley. (Love this)
"Some people are so broke that all they have is money."
TODAY
I’m back in a writing room with my friend Caroline Owens today, my last songwriting session of the year.
Have a great Tuesday!
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