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California Son

by Ted Russell Kamp

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1.
California Son 04:28
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I left New York in the rearview With the open road ahead 3,000 miles with the car stereo in the red Seattle was my promised land Who knew what’s in store But it’s where I’d start to learn what I was living for Too green to play the blues But doing every gig of every kind Who’d have thought The life that I could find California Son, son, son California Son, son, son California Son, son, son When the long day is done I’d be a California Son I got a bedroom in Los Feliz By the Pioneer Chicken Stand Just me an old guitar and my beat up Chevy van I barely had a dime But I was ready to take a stand I didn’t have a clue but man, I had a plan Barreling down the boulevard Listening to Tom Waits Making the scene Just as much as I could take California Son, son, son California Son, son, son California Son, son, son I’m not the only one But I’m a California Son Too late for the Palomino But I played the Troubadour Even if the walls could talk The songs say so much more The lure of Laurel Canyon And the haze of Hollywood Walking where ghosts are in the air You know it does a dreamer good I said it does a dreamer good It’s been 20 years with the top down And my songs on the radio Running down a dream is the only way to go In the ocean breeze, the desert heat I make music every night I discovered who I am in these L.A. lights California Son, son, son California Son, son, son California Son, son, son California Son, son, son With every song that I sung You know I’m a California Son You know I’m a California Son I’m a California Son Said I’m a California Son
2.
Hard To Hold 03:11
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She got an old chevy nova And she’s coming over She singing crimson and clover Just for me She’s driving though the hot night Been putting up a good fight With only one headlight To see She’s taking it all in stride    With a crooked smile a mile wide She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to She’s rolling through a stop light But it’s gonna be alright ‘Cause she’s gonna spend midnight With me When she finally says hey babe She gonna do it all her way And if I’m not in her pay grade She’ll just run free  Could be true Could be lies     But I wanna know what’s behind those eyes She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to Even after hours She shines just like the sun A dream that lingers long after it’s done She comes on strong Just to vanish in the air And she’ll be long gone Before you even know she’s there  She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to She’s hard to hold Hard to hold Hard to hold on to
3.
One Word at a Time 03:57
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A piece of paper, a desk, a chair and a pen It’s a 40 watt morning and a chance to begin again Another empty page today Another search for something to say But it’s the life I chose and I’m going to find my way One word at a time One word at a time Note by note, inch by inch and line by line Me and the page trying to meet halfway Maybe get to the truth by the end of the day I’ll make my way One word at a time Four walls, a window, a ceiling and a floor And these lines I write are the best way out the door When I’m all stuck inside, I paint a picture in my mind And I’m one step closer to what I’m hoping to find One word at a time One word at a time Note by note, inch by inch and line by line Me and the page trying to meet halfway Maybe get to the truth by the end of the day I’ll make my way One word at a time These crazy dreams I had last night And this list of bills to pay are demons standing in my way I’ve got too much on my mind And I still got nothing to say But can I make my way? One word at a time One word at a time Note by note, inch by inch and line by line Me and the page trying to meet halfway Maybe get to the truth by the end of the day I’ll make my way One word at a time I’ll make my way One word at a time Gonna make my way One word at a time
4.
Shine On (with I See Hawks in L.A.) 04:32
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They say that there’s a moon They say that there’s a tune It’s waiting there for you Just take it They say that there’s a time Might even hear a rhyme But if you can’t find the line Just fake it Shine On Shine On Like a flame that dances just above the embers Shine On Shine On Like a dream you just can’t quite remember Like a dream you just can’t quite remember Say that L.A. is a perfect place to stay When you’re up all night from Zenith to Horizon But the sky was not kind We were blinded by your light But something did pass through us and between us Shine On Shine On Like a flame that dances just above the embers Shine On Shine On Like a dream you just can’t quite remember Like a dream you just can’t quite remember You’re a dream that I just can’t quite remember Let’s take it from the top Keep playing, just don’t stop We’ll see what it feels like when we get there When you leave today If you get lost half way Know that you are still halfway to somewhere Shine On Shine On Like a flame that dances just above the embers Shine On Shine On Like a dream you just can’t quite remember Like a dream you just can’t quite remember You’re a dream that I just can’t quite remember
5.
The Upside to the Downslide 04:28
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The Upside to the Downslide Is there’s nothing left to lose I may be coming in too hot But at least I’m on the move A Whiskey, weed, wine and song And living on the run I’m rolling fast and traveling light and hitting heavy on the one The Upside To the Downslide   It’s gonna be a wild ride Until I hit low tide No I can’t hide from singing these country blues Because the Upside to the Downslide is there’s nothing left to lose I said the Upside to the Downslide is there’s nothing left to lose Now, the underdog might falter Before he has his day But when the sun comes up I wouldn't have it any other way I know I could be crazy And I might not last that long But I’d rather burn too bright  Than never hear the song I said the Upside To the Downslide   It’s gonna be a wild ride Until I hit low tide No I can’t hide from singing these country blues Because the Upside to the Downslide is there’s nothing left to lose I said the Upside to the Downslide is there’s nothing left to lose (Come on) A cannon ball sails high and proud Before it hits the ground  Fireworks light up the night Before they crash back down And if my friends don’t understand just what I’m going through I’m gonna put it in my songs and put it out there for you I said the Upside To the Downslide   It’s gonna be a wild ride Until I hit low tide No I can’t hide from singing these country blues I said the Upside to the Downslide is there’s nothing left to lose I said the Upside to the Downslide is there’s nothing left to lose That’s right, the Upside to the Downslide is there’s nothing left to lose
6.
Ballad of the Troubadour 03:15
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Some people just can’t understand About the fire that burns inside a man To want to bear his soul across state lines tonight But there are things out there that don’t compare It ain’t 9 to 5, it’s truth or dare It’s a melancholy werewolf kinda life But when the lights go down and the curtains part     And the music really hits its mark The Ballad of the Troubadour On the endless search for something more A song that lasts forever Might make the world a little better Every time he leaves his home With a guitar into parts unknown A tear falls from the corner of his eye  His wife and child just stand and wave As his taxi slowly pulls away And he reminds himself it’s worth the sacrifice Down every road to every show It's the only life he’s ever known The Ballad of the Troubadour On the endless search for something more A song that lasts forever Might make the world a little better Now what’s the music mean to you         Is it worth all that it puts him through Let’s raise a glass to a heart so pure    The Ballad of the Troubadour From the blank page to the studio To the first time on the radio The words reach out and won’t let go The Ballad of the Troubadour On the endless search for something more A song that lasts forever Might make the world a little better What’s the music mean to you         Is it worth all that it puts him through Let’s raise a glass to a heart so pure    The Ballad of the Troubadour The Ballad of the Troubadour
7.
High Desert Fever 03:26
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I got that high desert fever Feel it from my head to my toes I got that high desert fever How I got it heaven only knows I’m rolling down Highway 29 Headed to a place that would ease my mind Some mountains and a full moon A ghost town and a bar room Will help me find a reason and a rhyme Once you see those million dollar skies You’ll get caught dreaming with that look in your eyes Every time I start to slip I just take another trip      That desert always takes me by surprise I got that high desert fever Feel it from my head to my toes I got that high desert fever How I got it heaven only knows Well this fever that I feel is nothing new But you know it’s as contagious as the sky is blue The cactus and the sand are gonna take you by the hand And those coyotes have you howling at the moon Yeah I got that high desert fever Feel it from my head to my toes I got that high desert fever How I got it heaven only knows Hey come on Well those California Stars up in the sky That desert air alone can almost get you high If you’ve been there then you’d know That it’s the only place to go Don’t let another chance just pass you by ‘Cause I got that high desert fever Feel it from my head to my toes I got that high desert fever How I got it heaven only knows How I got it heaven only knows I got that high desert fever Feel it from my head to my toes I got that high desert fever How I got it heaven only knows knows knows I keep moving but it never let's me go I keep moving but it never let's me go go go How I got it heaven only knows
8.
Firelight 04:15
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Sun sets through the tree line Shadows everywhere Evening falls as stillness fills the air Cicadas break the silence As I light a fire Magic in the flames as they grow higher With all that stands before me And battles left to fight I’ll keep this fire within me burning bright Firelight Firelight Try to shake the headlines And downshift for a while The first stars of the evening make me smile A breeze moves through the branches Like music in the air Have you come to free me from my cares With all that stands before me And battles left to fight I’ll keep this fire within me Burning bright     Firelight Firelight Leave the world behind me Let time drift away Tomorrow’s just the echo of today Moonrise on the tree line I lay my body down The fire lights the peaceful night ’Til morning comes around With all that stands before me And battles left to fight I’ll keep this fire within me Burning bright     Firelight Firelight Firelight
9.
Miracle Mile 04:04
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85 degrees of heat on the streets of L.A. We got the sun shining down Girl, you wanna go my way I wanna pick you up right around a quarter to four So we can cruise around town Babe, it’ll keep you begging for more You know we’re gonna go in style A King of the Road and a Wild child And it’ll be fun in the sun while we’re rolling down the Miracle Mile The sunshine lights the day until the neon shines I got a full tank of gas, my baby, and a bottle of wine And all the high flyers and the freaks are out making the scene But I’ll only take my eyes off of you when the light turns green You know we’re gonna go in style A King of the Road and a Wild child And it’ll be fun in the sun while we’re rolling down the Miracle Mile Oh, said it’ll be fun in the sun while we’re rolling down the Miracle Mile With everything that we been through Ain’t it crazy we’re alive And on that bench seat next to you I’ll turn that radio up and drive Yeah, come on Now we’re cruising down the lane of Wilshire Boulevard  Now we could take it easy or take it just a little too far ‘Cause all I need is the road when you’re here by my side It may not be long but it’s a Miracle Mile wide You know we’re gonna go in style A King of the Road and a Wild child And it’ll be fun in the sun while we’re rolling down the Miracle Mile Oh, said it’ll be fun in the sun while we’re rolling down the Miracle Mile Oh, it’ll be fun in the sun while we’re rolling down the Miracle Mile
10.
Hangin' On Blues 03:16
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I been working all the livelong day Month after month just to make my pay Lord, there’s gotta be a better way It’s giving me the hanging on blues The boss man on my assembly line Is growling that I got to work overtime Was already ‘bout to lose my mind Living with the hanging on blues I been hanging on for way too long Trying to make sense of it all to keep on playing along I’m still hanging on trying to make right from wrong And when it feels like I’m getting ahead I’m just paying my dues But all I got is more of these hanging on blues I got a second job, I jackhammer all night Standing on the street in the hot spot light My back and my fingers are aching all right It’s giving me the hanging on blues It’s like everyone’s living on minimum wage It’s more ’n enough to drive a man to rage But if you can’t afford the book you can’t turn the page All about the hanging on blues I been hanging on for so damn long Trying to make sense at all to keep on playing along long long I’m still hanging on trying to make right from wrong And when it feels like I’m getting ahead I’m just paying my dues But all I got is more of these hanging on blues Just a mile or two from Easy Street But you can’t get there on your own two feet You need a limousine with a plush back seat To get you past the hanging on blues Father Time is just scratching his head While Mother Nature’s trying to keep us all fed The Man in the Moon can barely get out of bed They all got the hanging on blues I been hanging on for so damn long Trying to make sense at all to keep on playing along long long I’m still hanging on trying to make right from wrong And when it feels like I’m getting ahead I’m just paying my dues But all I got is more of these hanging on blues I said all I got is more of these hanging on blues
11.
Roll Until The Sun Comes Up 03:31
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Laying here waiting for the dawn to come     Tossing and turning well it ain’t no fun A lesser man would dial 9-1-1 But no I got to take it slow I want to hear you knocking on my door     I got to tell you but I need some more I want to tell you what I got in store for you And what we’re gonna do I said I need you now I ain’t making this up Come on and fill my cup We’re gonna rock all night And roll until the sun come up You got me waiting for the phone to ring I’m so wound up I can’t do a thing  I can’t wait until I hear you sing the blues And shake me to my shoes I said I need you now I ain’t making this up Come on and fill my cup We’re gonna rock all night And roll until the sun come up Rockin’ pneumonia Love sick blues     I got conditions You got the cure I’m just a play thing I’m just a fool for you They say you got to have some give and take     My buddies tell me that I got to wait I need a little rocket 88 tonight We got a fire to light I said I need you now I ain’t making this up Come on and fill my cup We’re gonna rock all night And roll until the sun come up I said I need you now I ain’t making this up Come on and fill my cup We’re gonna rock all night And roll until the sun come up Oh we’re gonna rock all night And roll until the sun come up
12.
Every Little Thing 03:58
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Sometimes you get blindsided Then you get pushed around You walk right into a sucker punch And get knocked down When you dig your own deep grave And your haunted by the sound Your demons come to haunt And the home you’ve found Then look up to the sky Look out to the sea Every little thing that you wanna be Every little thing that you wanna see Ain’t crazy Ain’t crazy When you’re looking through the haze For a reason or a rhyme  And your old rose colored glasses Are a waste of time Then look into the night And tell me what you see Every little thing that you wanna be Every little thing that you wanna see Ain’t crazy Ain’t crazy Every little dream that you’re trying to chase Every little piece you wanna put in place  Ain’t crazy Oh ain’t crazy And there’s a flicker in the shadows Shining through the trees It wants to lead you on So get off of your knees Just look up to the sun And tell me what you see Every little thing that you wanna be Every little thing that you wanna see Ain’t crazy Ain’t crazy Every little dream that you’re trying to chase Every little piece you wanna put in place  Ain’t crazy Oh ain’t crazy Every little thing that you wanna be Every little thing that you wanna see Ain’t crazy Ain’t crazy Every little dream that you’re trying to chase Every little piece you wanna put in place  Ain’t crazy Ain’t crazy Sometimes you get blindsided And you get pushed around

about

California Son is Ted’s 14th album featuring Ted’s songwriting, bass playing, singing and producing. Recorded entirely in L.A., the album is both a love letter to the L.A. music scene with its romantic and inspiring history, but it also a biographical journey through Ted’s life as a singer, songwriter, session musician and survivor in the music industry.

The album features performances and co-writes with many of Ted’s long time friends and collaborators including Brian Whelan, John Schreffler, Shane Alexander, Emily Zuzik, Mike Dawson of the Smoking Kills, Jenny Van West, Matt Lomeo and I See Hawks in L.A.

It rocks, it rolls, and gets honest and personal while paying homage to the classic sounds of L.A.’s California Country and singer / songwriter genres as well as delving into classic folk, Texas groove and rock and roll.

credits

released March 22, 2024

TRK – vocals, bass, electric & acoustic guitars, dobro, Hammond, Wurlitzer, percussion

Guitar – Brian Whelan (1), Zachary Ross (1), John Schreffler (2, 7, 9), Bart Ryan (3), Paul Lacques & Paul Marshall (4), Tommi Viksten (5), Dan Wistrom (6), Stephen Musselman & Elijah Ocean (11)

Keyboard – Sasha Smith (1), Brian Whelan (5)

Harmony Vocals – Brian Whelan (1, 5, 7), John Schreffler (2, 7, 12), Jenny Van West & Ed DesJardins (3), Robert Waller & Paul Marshall (4), Shane Alexander & Justine Bennett (8), Emily Zuzik (9)

Harmonica – Matt Lomeo (6)

Drums & Percussion – Michael Jerome Moore (1), Dave Raven (2, 6), Jamie Douglass (3, 9, 12), Jim Doyle (4, 7), Janne Haavisto (5), Aaron Goodrich (11)

The Songwriting
California Son, The Upside to the Downslide, Firelight, Hangin’ On Blues and Every Little Thing – Ted Russell Kamp Steady Teddy Pub. (ASCAP)
Hard To Hold – TRK / Eli Wulfmeier
One Word at a Time – TRK / Jenny Van West
Shine On – TRK / Robert Rex Waller / Paul Lacques
Ballad of the Troubadour and Firelight – TRK / Shane Alexander
High Desert Fever – TRK / Ted Wulfers
Miracle Mile – TRK / Mike Dawson
Roll Until the Sun Comes Up – TRK / Brian Whelan
The Team

All songs produced by Ted Russell Kamp
except the song, California Son by TRK and Zachary Ross
Basic tracks recorded in Los Angeles, CA
in the Den by Ted Russell Kamp
at the Station House by Mark Rains
at Honky Abbey by David Raven
at Dave’s Room by Zachary Darling
Overdubs recorded in the Den by Ted Russell Kamp
Mixed by TRK and Mark Rains at Station House
Mastered by Mark Rains at Station House

Photos: Deb Morrison – ShotsByMorrison.com
Design: Paul R. Moore – StudioMoore.com
Publicity (USA): Kim Grant – KGMusicPress.com
Radio Promotion (USA): Joe Swank – theJoeSwank.com
Promotion (Europe): Jan Janssen – JohTheMaPromotions.com
Booking (Europe): Kurt De Bont – RootstownBooking.com

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Ted Russell Kamp Los Angeles, California

Ted is a Grammy winning musician, singer songwriter & producer.
Featured in Rolling Stone Country, American Songwriter and on the Sirius XM Outlaw channel, Ted's albums, 2020's Down In The Den & 2021's critically acclaimed Solitaire,have debuted on EuroAmericana Radio chart at #1. Rolling Stone has called Kamp an MVP of the California Roots Music scene.
He is a member of the Shooter Jennings band. ... more

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