Osheyack once again strides into the mighty ring of fire with both fists of truth flailing like his life depended on it.

22 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, COUNTRY: Country Folk



Details:
Steve Osheyack was born in 1960. Steve was the youngest of four children, so even though he was not old enough to directly remember the music of the early sixties, he does have distinct memories of the varied music that defined this era, through the exposure offered by his older brothers and sister. At a very young age, while his older siblings were listening to The Beatles, The Supremes, Vanilla Fudge, The Doors and other great 60âs icons, Steve was drawn to the music of such artists as Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins and Harry Belafonte. In fact, a crystallized memory exists in Osheyackâs recollection of the first time he heard Johnny Cash singing. âIt was like an epiphany,â Osheyack says, âhere was this man, singing with a surly voice and talking about a life that I had no clue existed, but still there was this strong spiritual connection. I played his records over and over again.â Osheyack also sadly remembers a dramatic moment listening to Jim Croceâs music in the early 70âs and learning from his sister that Jim had died that day in a plane crash. âI suppose, on some level, I can relate to Don McLean when he wrote the American Pie song in memory of Buddy Holly because to me, Jim Croce was the MAN in my 13 year old eyes.â

It was not until 1977 when Osheyack attended a Crosby, Stills, Nash concert in Lakeland, Florida while in his freshman year of college, that he fully understood the power of music to change peopleâs lives. Osheyack says, âthe only concert I had been to before was a Sha-Na-Na concert and while it was very exciting, it was only mindless fun. CSN were lyrically much deeper. I will always remember Stephen Stills standing on that stage hesitant to leave, after their multiple encores, because of the electric magnetism of their performance and the deep connection with their audience at a very intense level. In fact, Osheyack carried the ticket stub around to that concert for years afterwards, until it simply disintegrated in his wallet.

Years passed and Osheyack finally picked up a guitar, the nerve and the equipment necessary to release the voices which had been locked away his entire life. He says, âI wish I could tell you that I rode box car trains, or played for food in Greenwich Village, but that would simply be a lie. I stayed safe for most of my life and did the right thing. I raised a family and went to work each day, but the pull of the inner voices was simply way too strong.â

Since 2005, in an artistic explosion, Osheyack has released two published CDâs on Newbraugh Brothers Music and three independent collections. This particular collection, entitled, âWe Are All Woodyâs Childrenâ represents Osheyackâs sixth CD and he now crosses the barrier of 100 songs written and recorded to his sole credit. âThis collection of music is special, because it came in a blinding fury,â he says, âmost of the songs on this CD were written and recorded in a very short time frame from paper to recording.â As always, Osheyack finds it important to explain to his audience what the forces were that drove the music, and so below you will find the song by song itinerary for this collection of music.

1. We Are All Woodyâs Children - âThis song was written in honor of Woody Guthrie and all the âsoldiersâ that followed, who dared to tell the truth while the world just kept spinning. This oneâs for Woody, Pete, Joan, Bob, Johnny, June, Country Joe, Jim, Don, and all my other heroes.â

2. The Country Code - âIâm not sure where this song came from since Iâm not really a country songwriter. The only thing I can figure is that somewhere buried deep down inside me, Iâve got the country code.â

3. Ainât Leaving No Wake - âIâve always had an attraction to the early blues-infused rock music as defined by Eddie Cochran. It was very pure and honest music. This was my vision of a guy leaving work to pick up his girl and the thoughts that flowed over the moment. Four Barrels downâ¦Ainât Leaving No Wake!â

4. The New York Times Is Keeping Score - âThe world seems poised right now on the cliffs and the media conglomerates seem intent on egging the whole thing on. It seems that since Watergate, the media has taken a little bit more license with their personal view of the world and the New York Times seems to be riding shotgun on this adventure. This was my line in the dirt as we head into the deep dark nuclear forest infested with Funless-Da-mentalist nuts.â

5. Curtain Falls - âI wrote this song thinking how sad it would be for a child to allow time to drift away without making peace with his father and mother before their passing.â

6. Quit You Babe - âI have to tried to quit smoking on many occasions. I wrote this song when I was several weeks into a recent unsuccessful attempt. It captures the momentary freedom that smokers like me think about when we are trying to quit. Oh well, maybe, next time.â

7. If I Leave This World This Tomorrow - âIâm an insomniac. I wake up at an un-Godly hour. At 3:00 AM, youâd be surprised at what kind of thoughts pass through your mind. Itâs kind of an interesting song, because it should be a sad song, but it comes across as being upbeat by a guy who is ready to go whenever the whistle sounds.â

8. Daddyâs Little Girl - âI actually wrote this song a long while back for my daughter when she was just four years old. Sheâs now almost ten and I can honestly say that time has a way of speeding up. It was originally meant to be on the Blink of an Eye CD, but I couldnât find the melody - until now.â

9. Kick It On Back - âIn this fast furious world, itsâ easy to forget whatâs important. This song is a reminder of the priority that family should always take over work - even though your boss might not agree with this second billing.â

10. Your Time Now - âA blues song written for the under-dog urging him to never give up despite the odds of really winning. The âOver-Dogâ always wants you to believe that you donât stand a chance. Thatâs how they maintain control. You will never know unless you try.â

11. Man In The Moon - âI wrote this song a long time ago honoring a real memory of a time when I was a young boy. I honestly did see a friendly face inside the full moon and it has been a recurring source of comfort to me ever since.â

12. Canât Kill The Dreams - âWhen one finds their path in this life, it is sometimes a harrowing experience to remain focused on the dream in the face of self-doubt, external ridicule and everyday obstacles. This song is for every person who has ever dared to dream against all odds.â

13. These Old Bones - âIâve been a working man all my life. I have gotten up each and everyday and gone to work and done the right thing. There is something very âzen-likeâ about the whole experience once you move through all the in-between emotions. This song tries to capture the peace involved with this path.â

14. The Vagabond Blues Shuffle - âThis is a quick blues tune written to announce my presence on this earth and with the understanding that I am merely a grain of sand in timeâ¦âGrab my guitar off my back, Iâve got something to say!â

15. Thatâs My Advice - âThis song is written from the vantage point of someone who has been fortunate enough to have found true love. This song is my attempt to explain the benefits of love to someone who is hesitant to take the step.â

16. Shine On My Shoes - âAnother song about staying true to oneâs search for whatâs real in this world, in the face of the hard cold realities of life and wishing that you could go back and make some minor adjustments to the journey.â

17. Slave Trading Man - âThis was originally recorded years back as an angry song speaking to someone who had disappointed me with their actions. As Iâve gotten older, I realized that I really felt sorry for them and so the song was cut again and this time it came out reflecting my sadness for them.â

18. Rocket Down The Highway - âAnother song honoring my dream car - the â65 Chevy, Eddie Cochran and the freedom that one feels riding in a classic car while the rest of the world becomes digitized, mechanized and ostracized.â

19. Walking Into Town - A recurring memory for me was a walk I took with my Grandpa Murray. He was a tough old guy from Bronx, New York. We used to have some great conversations and I still believe that he visits me on occasion from the other side and Iâm always glad for his company.â

20. Ordinary Man - âA song looking at the man I have become after looking through photo albums and wedding pictures and realizing that I am still the same person, but yet different in a lot of very important ways.â

21. Shut Out The Lights - âA blues song written about a time that I was deceived and then discovered the deception. Let it be known that it is never a good idea to cast a songwriter to the side of the road!â

22. The Clock Is Always Ticking - âAs I have gotten older, I have come to realize how very precious time is and how we are only given so many moments on earth to accomplish our life mission. This song was written to remind myself and others about the importance of keeping track of time, because you just never know.â

Thanks for stopping by!

Steve Osheyack