In an effort to celebrate the official launch of djphillips.com, challenge my songwriting/ recording abilities and to take my own swipe at a 30 Day Project I will now post a new song idea every day for the next 30 days. These are not necessarily finished products. They are not necessarily fantastic pop nuggets. But they will be new ideas (written at least within the last few weeks). They will be (pretty much) on time. And they will be original.

Along with each posted song, I'll include a little story of the writing and recording process. If you're the kind of person who doesn't like to know what's behind a song, feel free to skip all the content below the track.

I'm putting these out there-- warts and all-- so let me know what you think! The songs that get a good response will be the most likely to be included on a future release.

Mama Dear

Well, it's Mother's Day. So, this is a song for my awesome Mom. It's about how she's been there for me over the years as a child and as an adult. But it's also a little bit about the realization as you grow older that your parents are real flesh and blood human beings and you have to be there for them too. So.... yeah.

Purchase it at my Bandcamp page and give it to your mom as a gift. Tell her you wrote it. I can keep a secret. The money will go to the Nashville Red Cross flood recovery efforts. Your mom will give you a bleary-eyed thank you and so will Nashville.

Finger-picking is not my forte, so this was actually the most difficult song I've done yet guitar-wise. Pretty sad really.

Mama Dear

Long ago when my sisters would make fun And my only defense was sticking out my tongue

My mama said "I've got your back, baby, Mama is here I've got your back, Donny dear"

And last year when I thought it was my time And the last thing I'd hear was my mama on the line

Saying "I've got your back, baby, Mama is here I've got your back, Donny dear I've got your back, baby, Mama is here I've got your back, Donny dear"

She said if I could handle this I could handle anything If I could handle this I could handle anything

Now loan sharks are nipping at her in the pool And I know it's hard when they're making all the rules

But I've got your back, Mama, I am here I've got your back, Mama dear I've got your back, Mama, I am here I've got your back, Mama dear