TRACK 1

Ain’t Done, Traditional Country, Honky-Honky-Tonk

Ain’t Done, Single Liner Notes:

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley SOCAN 9043191

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

T Sledge

Let’s talk about the recording artist for a second. Who’s T Sledge? Since I have a really unusual last name that is both hard to say {It’s pronounced Slayz-ner) and equally hard to spell. I’ve been using Timothy Michael Music for several years as a songwriter, but when I went to set up an account to begin releasing music to streaming there was already both a Timothy Michael and a Timothy Michaels, and even a Tim Sledge… I decided to be different and stand out using a couple of nicknames as an athlete in my youth. Having been called both T and Sledge through different eras of growing up I decided to just combine them and use them as my artist name. So, T Sledge was brought into the universe of music.

Song Idea: The Ain’t Done song idea generated from a pitch sheet a couple years ago that included two of my all-time favorite artists… George Strait and Alan Jackson. I wanted a song that emulated that super cool traditional country song style and instrumentation. I started writing the lyrics as an aging country artist trying to make a comeback. It all came together quickly. I shot the idea to Nash Stanley and in a few days we had something pretty cool cooking. I did the lyrics and Nash did an acoustic/vocal demo. Unfortunately, we didn’t land the dream cut on a George Strait album, but we did come up with a great song to lead off my very first album. If you like traditional country this one nails it really well!

Ain’t Done

timothymichaelmusic

08 AUG 2022

V1.

The man time forgot

I’m an after thought

When you’re tuning in the dial

Been out of sight

Missing the limelight

Ya ain’t seen me in a while

A blast from the past

Rollin’ in with class

When you see me hit the stage

There ain’t no rules

When you’re this damn cool

It’s time to turn the page

Chorus

I ain’t dead and I ain’t done.

Won’t go down without a fight

So many trips around the sun

But the future’s looking bright

Been a few miles, but I’m all smiles

I’m bringing back the fun

Gonna live life to the fullest

‘Cus I ain’t dead and I ain’t done.

V2.

I may not be your fave

But don’t pour dirt on my grave

Or put me out to pasture yet

I’m the same troubadour

That I was before

But time made you forget

This ain’t no prank

There’s more left in the tank

Got my music back on track

They may have tried to write me off

But I didn’t write ‘em back

Chorus

I ain’t dead and I ain’t done.

Won’t go down without a fight

So many trips around the sun

But the future’s looking bright

Been a few miles, but I’m all smiles

I’m bringing back the fun

Gonna live life to the fullest

‘Cus I ain’t dead and I ain’t done.

Bridge

The cowboy may have rode away

And disappeared into the sunset

I’ve got songs to sing and you can believe

You ain’t seen the last of me yet

Chorus

I ain’t dead and I ain’t done.

Won’t go down without a fight

So many trips around the sun

But the future’s looking bright

Been a few miles, but I’m all smiles

I’m bringing back the fun

Gonna live life to the fullest

‘Cus I ain’t dead and I ain’t done.

Gonna live life to the fullest

‘Cus I ain’t dead and I ain’t done.

TRACK 2

Aim Small, Contemporary Country

Aim Small, Liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley SOCAN 9043191

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song idea: This song was used in a pitch for a couple rising artists breaking out with their first album. It’s about chasing dreams and taking your shot, but more than that it’s about focusing intently on your target for success. I remember the line “Aim Small, Miss Small” from the Mel Gibson movie The Patriot. The main character was training his sons to shoot to kill, versus shooting to simply hit anywhere on the target. Aim specifically for the bullseye and even if you miss it you won’t miss by much and still hit your target. I also used another line from sports in my youth, “Keep Your Eye On The Ball.” If you keep your eyes on the prize success comes much easier. When your dreams come into focus, it’s time to take aim, ‘cos I know that I’ll be missing every shot I don’t take.

Aim Small ( AD2)

timothymichaelmusic

19 JUL 2022

V1.

They can’t ever say I don’t

Have the backbone for the show

Seize the day, lay it on the line

Keep my head low

But set my sights so high

Life is waiting on me in the bullseye

Chorus

Aim small, miss small

Keep your eye on the ball

Basics that I learned in the beginning

Dreams feel like a lottery

A game of chance to set you free

If you ain’t playin’. You ain’t winnin’

Don’t expect a thing if you don’t try at all

Aim Small

V2.

All the things I thought I lacked

Took my focus just off track

Turned my eyes towards problems I’ve been facing

The rough surfaces I’ve scratched

Are the ones that lit the match

And ignited all the dreams that I’ve been chasing.

Chorus

Aim small, miss small

Keep your eye on the ball

Basics that I learned in the beginning

Dreams feel like a lottery

A game of chance to set you free

If you ain’t playin’. You ain’t winnin’

Don’t expect a thing if you don’t try at all

Aim Small

Bridge

Dreams come into focus

It’s time to take aim

‘Cos I know that I’ll be missing

Every shot that I don’t take

Chorus

Aim small, miss small

Keep your eye on the ball

Basics that I learned in the beginning

Dreams feel like a lottery

A game of chance to set you free

If you ain’t playin’. You ain’t winnin’

Don’t expect a thing if you don’t try at all

Aim Small,

Aim Small

Miss Small

TRACK 3

Drive, Southern Rock

Drive, liner notes:

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song idea:

This song is about writing a song on a long all-night drive from Kansas back to Texas. Some of my best song ideas come while I’m driving on a long trip, especially at night when traffic is minimal and you can just be at peace in a zone, humming along with the radio, or singing full voice, whatever the moment decides is appropriate. You brain kind of goes into auto pilot mode when you are doing minimal thought tasks like driving and it always opens me up to lyrical ideas, melodies, rhyme schemes, beats. There’s just something lucky about the open road for me, and those night trips don’t bother me at all. I spent 25 years running trains for Union Pacific Railroad and being on call 24/7/365 means you’re up and running whenever they tell you to be. My adult children and my grandkids live up in Kansas and I live in Texas. Those 8-hour drives don’t bother me much. In fact, I kind of enjoy them because they produce really cool songs like this one called DRIVE. So sit back and enjoy the ride on this southern rock drive.

Drive

timothymichaelmusic

22 APR 2024

V1.

Humming along to the radio

Still trying to find the words

Wheels are rolling to the beat

Found the chorus in the curves

Moonlight on the windshield

Not another soul in sight

The song begins to write itself

In the middle of the night

Pre-chorus

Drive

Chorus

My mind is free as the breeze

Music pouring out of me.

I’m alive

Loose grip on the wheel

Nothing but time to kill

Drive

City lights shine below the ridge

Still working on the bridge

It’s five

This straight-away completes the verse

No better feeling on the earth

Drive

V2.

As sunlight washes stars away

My air guitar provides the remedy

The colors in the sunrise

Help complete the melody

Pre-chorus

Drive

Chorus

My mind is free as the breeze

Music pouring out of me.

I’m alive

Loose grip on the wheel

Nothing but time to kill

Drive

City lights shine below the ridge

Still working on the bridge

It’s five

This straight-away completes the verse

No better feeling on the earth

Drive

Bridge

This old highway brought the music to life

There’s magic in the night

Pre-chorus

Drive

Chorus

My mind is free as the breeze

Music pouring out of me.

I’m alive

Loose grip on the wheel

Nothing but time to kill

Drive

City lights shine below the ridge

Still working on the bridge

It’s five

This straight-away completes the verse

No better feeling on the earth

Drive

TRACK 4

Music Feels, Contemporary Country

Music Feels, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener, BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song idea:

As I said before in the album liner credits and notes, I had a songwriting relationship with Cherise Carver for a couple of years. We were working together on a song for a Kenny Chesney pitch. That song originally had a line in it that contained the words Music Feels in a phrase. We ended up changing that phrase to “Music heals, and it made us right again.” When we pulled out Music Feels from the song Cherise said, let’s hold onto that idea for later. We completed the unsuccessful Kenn Chesney pitch using that song titled “Right Again,” and the next week we met for our Zoom-style writing session since she lives in Arkansas and I’m in Texas. We worked on a couple songs, and she said let’s use this week to come up with some song ideas for Music Feels and bring those into our session for next week. So, I took a notebook and went to a writer’s round at a local bar. I sat in the back and listened and began writing down ideas. The songwriters round finished, but I was in a zone, and continued sipping a beer and writing what has turned out to be one of my very favorite songs I’ve ever written. Music turns up so many emotions, memories, and feelings. It marks time by remembering when and where you were when you heard a song and how it made you feel. It’s the crowd favorites that everyone loves, and also the ones that just hit you so personally it’s like the song was written all about you. When Cherise and I met back for our next sessions we had both written completely different songs, but they were both so good we decided to keep them for ourselves. Even though they are titled the same, Music effects everyone differently and makes us all feel the special things that only we understand ourselves sometimes.

Lyrics below:

Music Feels

timothymichaelmusic

26 JUN 2023

V1.

When the guitar strums the first four notes

Of Friends in Low Places

And we’re all sipping and singing

With smiles on our faces

When it’s 9 o’clock on a Saturday

And the Piano Man plays his song

And everyone in the bar room

Is bop, bop, bopping along.

Chorus
It can take you back to childhood

For a night on your hometown lake

Spark a memory of an old flame

And the feelings you can’t fake

It’s cruising town with the windows down

Thinking you’re some kinda big deal

Smile on your face

with chill bumps every place

That’s the way that music feels

V2.

It might take you down some red dirt road

And help you to remember when

Or maybe you can even write

Your own backroads anthem

It can turn a candle in the wind

Into a raging ring of fire

And be the wind beneath a Freebird’s wings

Music makes your feel like flying

Chorus
It can take you back to childhood

For a night on your hometown lake

Spark a memory of an old flame

And the feelings you can’t fake

It’s cruising town with the windows down

Thinking you’re some kinda big deal

Smile on your face

with chill bumps every place

That’s the way that music feels

Bridge

It can save the day

Mark the time

Or share the memory

It can motivate

And captivate

Or even set dreams free

Chorus
It can take you back to childhood

And a night on your hometown lake

Spark a memory of an old flame

And the feelings you can’t fake

It’s cruising town with the windows down

Thinking you’re some kinda big deal

Smile on your face

with chill bumps every place

That’s the way that music feels

TRACK 5

Tears, Contemporary Country

Tears, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Single Song Agreement: This song is on a signed single song agreement with Matt Lindsey Publishing in Nashville for a 3 year term for artist pitches. We are about halfway through this process, but to date this song is not on hold by any artists. Matt said I could definitely release this myself as the songwriter.

Song idea:

Think deeply… what is the most precious fluid know to man? Oil, financially that’s a pretty good guess. There are trillions of dollars generated daily in the oil and gas industry. Water? The earth is covered by water by about 71%. The human body, on average, is made up by about 60% water.

The correct answer to me, in what it costs humanity, is the teardrop. When I was thinking about the most precious fluid on the planet. The one that causes the most pain, but can also bring joy, is the human tear. Once tears start flowing from pain you just can’t turn them off until the hurt all disappears. The most expensive lessons learned are paid for in tears!

Tears

timothymichaelmusic

03 MAY 2024

V1

Are you thinking ‘bout what went wrong?

And lying awake all night?

Or are you wondering why it took so long

To finally end this fight?

Are you drowning in the flow

Or are your eyes clear and dry?

The reflection in my mirror

Is bloodshot red from a good cry

Chorus

The most precious fluid known

When it floods will send you reeling

It’s only one percent water

And the rest is filled with feelings

You can’t turn them off

Until the hurt all disappears

The most expensive lessons learned

Are paid for in tears

V2.

If I could trade these tears for twenties

My account would be overflowing

Sometimes I wish I didn’t

But I guess it’s better knowing

Chorus

The most precious fluid known

When it floods will send you reeling

It’s only one percent water

And the rest is filled with feelings

You can’t turn them off

Until the hurt all disappears

The most expensive lessons learned

Are paid for in tears

Bridge

Wasting all my tears on you

Really didn’t change a thing

I’ve cried myself a river

And it cost me everything

Chorus

The most precious fluid known

When it floods will send you reeling

It’s only one percent water

And the rest is filled with feelings

You can’t turn them off

Until the hurt all disappears

The most expensive lessons learned

Are paid for in tears

You can’t turn them off

Until the hurt all disappears

The most expensive lessons learned

Are paid for in tears

TRACK 6

There’s No You, Traditional Country, Honky-Tonk

There’s No You, liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley SOCAN 9043191

Recording Studio: Studio19 Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea: Have you ever wanted to celebrate a relationship ending? Take a fun little dig at an ex? Make light of a tough situation? There’s No You does all that in a very playful and positive way. This song is probably my favorite rhyme scheme I have ever used in a song before. It also breaks a lot of songwriting rules in that there really isn’t a defined chorus. There’s just a single line at the end of each verse that appears multiple times throughout the song. “For the rest of my life… there’s no you.” I had a lot of fun writing this one and it actually had two more verses that I pulled due to song length.

This song has been pitched to multiple artists and label A&R folks, but it has not been cut yet. I have both male and female pitch versions of the song. I was most excited when I saw that There’s No you had been pitched to Ashley McBryde’s management. She is one of my favorite songwriters in Nashville and I thought it was really cool it went to her team because she is already such a phenomenal songwriter. This song was originally written with Nash Stanley back in 2019, but I did a lyric re-write last year to put the song in its current form for release.

AD6, There’s No You

Timothymichaelmusic

04 NOV 2024

v1.

Glaringly suspicious of the thing that no one wishes

Your intentions weren’t malicious

But it’s a truth you can’t outrun

You committed a crime of passion

Consequences for your actions.

And the only satisfaction is we’re done

I know what to do. Gonna drop that other shoe

And for the rest of my life there’s no you

V2

Every blessing is a curse and every curse is a blessing

So you’d better start confessing

It all to me.

After it’s been lost

You can’t ever regain the trust

And in learning this truth I will set you free

I’ll be checking out what’s behind door number 2

And for the rest of my life there’s no you

V3.

Just as my heart is beating

We both know that you’ve been cheating

Like addiction you can’t stop it once you start.

All your careless dirty dances

You’re all out of second chances

Go on and pirouette your way out of my heart

To tango it takes two, and you two can’t unscrew

And for the rest of my life there’s no you.

V4.

Life’s simpler now it seems

Free to follow all my dreams

Thinking clearly without you on my mind.

At the fork in the gravel

I took the road less traveled

And now I know that it all will be fine.

Happy hour starts at 2. Celebrating with a brew.

‘Cuz for the rest of my life there’s no you.

Happy hour starts at 2. Celebrating with a brew.

‘Cuz for the rest of my life there’s no you.

There’s no you

TRACK 7

As Good As Good Can Get, Contemporary Country, Americana, Jazz-Pop

As Good As Good Can Get, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song idea:

As Good As Good Can Get was written originally back in 2021. Just a basic acoustic/vocal demo and I didn’t really think much about it. After I finished it I put it in the vault as something I would maybe work on later. Fast forward to 2025. I came across the lyrics again and completely reimagined the production of the song. In my head I could hear a piano driven melody and a vocal in the style of Michael Buble’. This song has become my wife’s favorite song I did in 2025, and so I am releasing it to celebrate her birthday on February 23. Y’all enjoy at my attempt at expressing my inner Michael Buble’.

As Good As Good Can Get

Timothymichaelmusic

26 AUG 2021

V1.

I’ve been wrong on first impressions

I’ve been right on second chances

I’ve loved and lost

And had some failed romances.

With lessons learned and tables turned

I’ve got a brand new plan

I just take them one day at a time

And live the best I can.

Chorus

Did I get old too soon

Or did I get wise too late.

Whichever way, I’m thankful for

What brought me to today

I guess I’ll always wonder

If I’m where I’m headed yet

But I’ve got the feeling

Life’s as good as good can get

V2.

I’ve never been the kind to live

Just sitting on the sidelines

But I’ve learned to use some self-control

And live within the guidelines

I took a good look at the good book

And corrected my wayward ways

Now I’m living in the moments

Of my very best days

Chorus

Did I get old too soon

Or did I get wise too late.

Whichever way, I’m thankful for

What brought me to today

I guess I’ll always wonder

If I’m where I’m headed yet

But I’ve kinda got the feeling

Life’s as good as good can get

Chorus

Did I get old too soon

Or did I get wise too late.

Whichever way, I’m thankful for

What brought me to today

I guess I’ll always wonder

If I’m where I’m headed yet

But I’ve kinda got the feeling

Life’s as good as good can get

TRACK 8

Ten Pesos, Country, Americana

Ten Pesos, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea:

As a songwriter I get inspiration for titles and hook lines or even storyline dialogue ideas from pretty much everything in everyday life. The ideas are out there everywhere. Frequently I will find ideas in movie dialogue. The actors often speak in hook lines because you just never know what is going to sell a T-shirt or a hat! So yes, when I tell you I got the title and hook line for this song from a hat you can understand where I am coming from. It was simply a girl in a hat walking next to her boyfriend… on the hat it said “He’s a 10 (but only in pesos).” I thought that was freaking hilarious. With pesos being a currency in Mexico I started thinking about centering the story in Mexico, but then I thought it would be funnier in America. So, I came up with the idea for crafting a playful love story between a male and female singer-songwriter duo that is touring across New Mexico during ski season. Slowly, town by town, he starts to win her over with his personality and by the end of the tour they become a couple. This song is playful and fun and the melody of the song helps portray the relationship in that light. This one also went out on several artist pitches including Bailey Zimmerman. Enjoy Ten Pesos!

Song lyrics below:

Ten Pesos

TimothyMichaelMusic

04 OCT 2024

V1.

I winked at her and smiled...

She said "you're definitely a 10...

But I'm only talking pesos,

So please, let’s just be friends

I broke out my guitar

and I softly strummed along

Baby if you don't look closely

I can win you with a song

Chorus

I got shot down in Ruidoso

Left behind up in Red River

Lonely Angel Fire nights

Her cold shoulder made me shiver

I had some better days in Taos

Made some strides in Santa Fe

I’ve still got the same ten pesos

And if you ask I’m on my way.

V2

Everywhere she went I followed

Across miles of white ski slopes

And I chased that pretty girl

All over New Mexico

She may have started as my opener

But we’ve moved on to duets

My comeback game is strong

I’ve got 10 pesos left to bet.

Chorus

I got shot down in Ruidoso

Left behind up in Red River

Lonely Angel Fire nights

Her cold shoulder made me shiver

I had some better days in Taos

Made some strides in Santa Fe

I’ve still got the same ten pesos

And if you ask I’m on my way

Bridge

I know I’ll never be living large

On my 10 peso cover charge

Chorus

I got shot down in Ruidoso

Left behind up in Red River

Lonely Angel Fire nights

Her cold shoulder made me shiver

I had some better days in Taos

Made some strides in Santa Fe

I’ve still got the same ten pesos

And if you ask I’m on my way

I’ve still got the same ten pesos

And if you ask I’m on my way

TRACK 9

Energy, Traditional Country, Honky-Tonk

Energy, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea:

I got the idea for this song from watching the Taylor Swift interview on the Kelce Brothers New Heights Podcast. She was talking about the concept that you should treat your time as your most valuable commodity. Your energy should be considered very expensive and not everyone can afford you. Those people that spend their time in buried in negativity and trying to bring everybody down. The ones that are only ever happy when they are complaining. The ones that use social media as a format to bully and shame others. The ones that try to force their own agenda onto everyone around them. Those people aren’t worth your time and energy so stop giving it away to them for free! This song was just written this past summer and has not been involved in any artist pitches to date.

Energy

TimothyMichaelMusic

14 AUG 2025

V1.

Just scroll on by

If you don’t like what I say

The shoe may fit you perfect

But it ain’t about you today

I don’t need your opinion

No you don’t get a vote

The only thing you’ll ever

Take from me is notes

Chorus

Energy

It’s more expensive than you think

I won’t waste it on the negatives

It gets me out of sync

Post And Ghost

That’s my philosophy

Let ‘em blow and go

But they ain’t got what it takes

To steal my energy

V2.

If you wonder how I sleep at night

I won’t make you guess

I’m face down with the fan on

So the haters can kiss my ass

Chorus

Energy

It’s more expensive than you think

I won’t waste it on the negatives

It gets me out of sync

Post. And Ghost

That’s my philosophy

I’ll Let ‘em blow and go

But they ain’t got what it takes

To steal my energy

Bridge

I won’t respond to comments

So, you can save your rage

Go be a keyboard warrior

On your own social media page

Chorus

Energy

It’s more expensive than you think

I won’t waste it on the negatives

It gets me out of sync

Post. And Ghost

That’s my philosophy

I’ll Let ‘em blow and go

But they ain’t got what it takes

To steal my energy

You can’t steal my Energy

TRACK 10

Make It Back Home, Contemporary Country

Make It Back Home, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea:

I was in Frisco, Texas in 2024 for the American Country Music Awards. We had gone a couple days earlier because they host an entire music festival outdoors at the Dallas Cowboys training facility there at “The Star.” We got to watch many of the rising stars in country music perform over the two days leading up to the Awards Show. The ACMA Awards was an awesome experience to attend! The week prior to the event there was a mass shooting at an outdoor mall in nearby Allen, Texas. Several Texans lost their lives that day to a single shooter randomly firing shots into crowds of people. As I sat in my hotel room watching the news and seeing the faces of the people who’s voices were silenced by gunfire, and thought to myself that could be any of us on any given day. I watched the interviews with family members who’s lives were forever changed by the selfishness of one troubled individual. It made me think to myself, what if one of those people that lost their lives that day had left behind someone they might have had an argument with earlier in the day and never got the chance to apologize and tell them that they loved them. How awful would that be to left with an ugly closure on a primarily loving relationship. It definitely makes me say I’m sorry and I love you faster when I think about the possibility of not returning home on any given day.

Make it Back Home

timothymichaelmusic.com

09 MAY 2023

V1

Slammed the screen door

Spun the tires in the drive

Such a small and stupid thing

Turned into a big fight

Just needed a minute

Won’t take me that long

To figure out she was right

And understand that I was wrong

Chorus

Who says I’ll make it back home

What if the last words that I said

Are what she’ll see on my grave stone

I take it all for granted

But I need to pick up the phone

Who says I’ll make it back home

V2.

Ran down to the mall

To grab a remote for the TV

But when I stepped out of the truck

Bullets were flying ‘round me

Active shooter spewing evil

Random shots in the broad day light

Someone’s world changed today

Someone’s voice won’t be heard tonight

Chorus

Who says I’ll make it back home

What if the last words that I said

Are what she’ll see on my grave stone

I take it all for granted

But I need to pick up the phone

Who says I’ll make it back home

Bridge

With shaky hands I dialed

Told her I loved her and I cried

What if I didn’t make it home

….. What if I’d died?

Chorus

Baby I’m coming back home

So much I need to say

There ain’t no dates chiseled on my grave stone

I took it all for granted

I’m glad I picked up the phone

Thank God I made it back home

TRACK 11

In The Grave, Americana, Southern Rock, Country

In the Grave, liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener, BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley, SOCAN 9043191

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Pleasant, Texas

Sound engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea:

This song is based around a home invasion scenario. I got the idea from a social media debate on gun control. The meme said “Would you rather be judged by twelve of your peers or have your casket carried by six of your friends?” I thought the concept for a story song was pretty song with this idea in mind so I began to craft lyrics about the songwriter telling the story of one of his friends that had been involved in a home invasion. He was faced with the choice of killing the intruder in self-defense to protect his family or risk the chance that the criminal would kill him and his family after robbing them. I rocked up the vibe of this one in a Southern Rock/Americana vibe with a hint of rockin’ Red Dirt Country. It’s been one of my favorites to sing for sure!

In The Grave

Timothymichaelmusic

Tim Schlesener/Nash Stanley

22 JUL 2023

V1.

He took a new job in the city

And gave up small town life

For better opportunities

For his children and his wife

The neighborhood seemed safe enough

Right up until it wasn’t

And when I ask him how it all went down

He don’t want to discuss it

Chorus

Only you control the narrative

On who will cry the tears

Carried by six of your best friends

Or judged by twelve of your peers

Live or die. The choice is yours

Who’s life you gonna save

You’ve either got to end his time

Or he’ll put you in the grave.

V2.

When he heard the glass break

He reached into that drawer

He knew just how to use it

But he’d never killed before.

With eyes locked and hammer cocked

He thought about his family

But all he’ll really ever say

Is “It was him or it was me.”

Chorus

Only you control the narrative

On who will cry the tears

Carried by six of your best friends

Or judged by twelve of your peers

Live or die. The choice is yours

Who’s life you gonna save

You’ve either got to end his time

Or he’ll put you in the grave.

Bridge

In the dead of the night

Under bright moonlight

A decision had to be made

Shots rang out in the silence

But it ain’t random violence

When a family needs to be saved

Chorus

Only you control the narrative

On who will cry the tears

Carried by six of your best friends

Or judged by twelve of your peers

Live or die. The choice is yours

Who’s life you gonna save

You’ve either got to end his time

Or he’ll put you in the grave

You’ve either got to end his time

Or he’ll put you in the grave

TRACK 12

Karma, Outlaw Country

Karma – Track 12

Liner Notes

timothymichaelmusic

24 AUG 2022

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener, BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley, SOCAN 9043191

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Pleasant, Texas

Sound engineer: Craig Watson

This song was written during the height of the Yellowstone TV series, during the last few episodes of Season 3 and the climactic season ending. We were trying to get this pitched out for sync to the music supervisor for the show, but we just couldn’t make it happen in time so we held onto it. The Yellowstone series is complete, but with all the spinoffs maybe we can catch on with one of those.

You may recognize some of the lyric lines inspired by dialogue for the show. Funny story though… I was stuck on the last two lines of verse two. I walked out of my writing room and my wife was watching an episode of Friends. Chandler and Joey were in a fight over a girl and Joey shouts at Chandler “Over the line? You’re so far past the line you can’t even see the line!” Boom! Song complete!

Karma

TimothyMichaelMusic

24AUG 2022

V1.

I’ve been storing up emotions

As I contemplate revenge.

The things that I’ve been thinking

Would make most people cringe.

You thought you’d start a fight with me

And things would still be good

Well I woke up this morning

Just wishing that you would

Chorus

Bring it son. Come on at me.

‘cos this shit is getting old

Even in the heat of battle

It’s a dish that’s best served cold.

You’re about to learn the rules

I think you’ll finally see.

Karma comes in all shapes and sizes

And today it looks like me.

V2.

Looks like another burning bridge

Lit by your dumpster fire.

You’ve been trying to sell a pack of lies.

Find yourself another buyer.

I’ve taken all your best shots

And buried your past crimes.

This time you’ve stepped so far over

You can’t even see the line.

Chorus

Bring it son. Come on at me.

‘Cos this shit is getting old

Even in the heat of battle

It’s a dish that’s best served cold.

You’re about to learn the rules

I think you’ll finally see.

Karma comes in all shapes and sizes

And today it looks like me.

Bridge.

Guess I should’ve warned you

Mess with the bull you get the horns

Despite my rosy outlook

I’m just a bush of thorns.

Chorus

Bring it son. Come on at me.

‘Cos this shit is getting old

Even in the heat of battle

It’s a dish that’s best served cold.

You’re about to learn the rules

I think you’ll finally see.

Karma comes in all shapes and sizes

And today it looks like me

Today it looks like me

Come getcha some

TRACK 13

To Catch You, Rockin’ Red Dirt, Americana, Southern Rock

To Catch You, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio 19, Mount Vernon, Texas

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song idea:

One of my all-time favorite bands is Cross Canadian Ragweed. I love covering their stuff so I wanted to create a song that emulates their Rocking Red Dirt Country style so it has a really cool up-tempo rock vibe. The song started while listening to a friend chase her kids around while we were trying to do professional photography on her home that I was getting ready to list on the MLS. Yes, I am a full-time realtor in East Texas. As she’s yelling at the kids she looks at me and says “Trying to catch these two is like trying to rake leaves in a tornado.” I wrote that down in my notebook and went on about my job. Later in the week I decided to apply that line to a true to life story. The love story between my wife and I. When we were together the first time around in 1994 the song Texas Tornado always reminded me of her. We split up and went our separate ways in ’94 and never crossed paths again until 2012. My wife, Whitney, is from Amarillo, TX and Randall County, thus the opening lyric line. She was the homecoming queen at Canyon High School in 1988. So the cover art for the song portrays a tornado raging over Palo Duro Canyon. Every time I’d go back through Amarillo I always hoped I’d run into her at one of our favorite old places. Losing her was a regret that I would never correct until we were reunited in 2012 and married happily since 2013. This song is all about that time in my life and the hope that I’d find her again one day!

To Catch You

timothymichaelmusic

06 MAY 2024

V1.

You start blowing through my mind

Just about every damn time

I cross the Randall County line

I don’t get back there much

Since the two of us lost touch

But when I do it’s like hitting rewind

Chorus

To catch you

Is like trying to rake leaves in a spring tornado

Oh to snatch you

Would be like roping the hurricane breeze of a summer cyclone.

A screaming whisper in the wind

Blowing by time and again

A dream I wish I could attach to

If I could catch you

V2.

If I had to guess

You’ve eluded every net

No one could ever fly high enough to match you

Your love’s the wound that I can’t stitch

The itch I need to fix

But I just never could quite scratch you

Oh to catch you

Chorus

To catch you

Is like trying to rake leaves in a spring tornado

Oh to snatch you

Would be like roping the hurricane breeze of a summer cyclone.

A screaming whisper in the wind

Blowing by time and again

A dream I wish I could attach to

If I could catch you

V3.

I hit all the same old places

Looking through a sea of faces

Hoping to catch a glimpse of your smile

I wonder where you are

‘Cos you aren’t sitting at our bar

They say you ain’t been ‘round here in a while

Chorus

To catch you

Is like trying to rake leaves in a spring tornado

Oh to snatch you

Would be like roping the hurricane breeze of a summer cyclone.

A screaming whisper in the wind

Blowing by time and again

A dream I wish I could attach to

If I could catch you

TRACK 14

Bury The Excuses, Traditional Country

Bury The Excuses, liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener, BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley, SOCAN 9043191

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Pleasant, Texas

Sound engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea: Most unusual place you’ve ever gotten a song idea from? For me it was watching the Christmas Day Parade on Christmas morning in 2023. The idea didn’t come from the parade though, it came from a commercial. It was one of those commercials for gym membership and all of those making New Year’s resolutions to get healthier. The line in the commercial… “Bury the excuses!” The song is not about physical fitness. It’s a relationship song where a young man calls up an older mentor to help him fix his failing relationship. The girlfriend’s bags are packed and sitting next to the door when the mentor arrives. The song is dialogue and life advice passed down to a friend. I wrote the lyrics in about an hour and sent them to my co-writer Nash Stanley. Within another hour he sent me an acoustic/vocal demo. We never could get an artist cut with this song, but I thought it was too good to keep in the vault any longer.

Bury The Excuses

timothymichaelmusic

25 DEC 2023

V1.

Tell me son,

What have you done?

Her bags are packed and sitting by the door

Yeah, I bet

You’re gonna have regret

‘Cos this ain’t the reaction you were looking for

Life is full of choices

Be careful what you’re choosin’

Take a look at all this chaos you’re producin’

Chorus

Bury the excuses

All the shoulda, woulda, couldas

For the things you didn’t do.

If you don’t bury the excuses

The excuses are gonna bury you.

V2.

Apologies

Can set you free

Sometimes it’s best to beg her forgiveness

Say it to her face

She may give you grace

Maybe you can get back to the business

Of living and loving

And trying to make things right

But son, You’ve got your work cut out for you tonight.

Chorus

Bury the excuses

All the shoulda, woulda, couldas

For the things you didn’t do.

If you don’t bury the excuses

The excuses are gonna bury you.

Bridge

Thanks for calling up this guy

I’m glad I could stop by

To look you in the eye and give you some advice

Son, you’ve got just enough time to go and try to make things right.

Chorus

Bury the excuses

All the shoulda, woulda, couldas

For the things you didn’t do.

If you don’t bury the excuses

The excuses are gonna bury you.

- Yeah, they’re gonna bury you

[Outro]

Tell me son

What have you done

Her bags are packed and sitting by the door.

TRACK 15

Teach Me, Traditional Country

Teach Me, liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley SOCAN 9043191

Cherise Carver ASCAP 01031322526.

Candi Osborne

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Vernon,TX

Sound Engineer: Craig Watso

Song Idea:

This is one I lived through in a previous relationship. The original song idea came from my friend Candi Osborne. We were sitting together in downtown Tyler, TX on the brick streets with our spouses watching the Troubadour Festival which is a Texas Country and Barbecue Festival. We started talking about songwriting and she said “You should write a song called Teach Me. It could be a relationship song about a couple and without him knowing… he’s teaching her all the reasons that she really doesn’t need him anymore.” I thought it was a cool idea and began spinning the lyrics into my own life experience. I had it pretty well complete and sent it to Nash Stanley. He did an acoustic/vocal demo that turned out cool, but I thought it might play better with a female vocal. I contacted my friend Cherise Carver and we started working on the song together and she added the bridge idea and cut a demo version with her vocal on it. I thought she was going to cut it, but she never did. I re-worked the melody into a more traditional country style and instrumentation to sing myself.

Teach Me

timothymichaelmusic

26 APR 2023

V1.

You say you’re working late tonight.

Is that really where you’ve been?

You always find excuses

Guess I’m on my own again?

You don’t kiss me when you’re leaving

Your hand stays just out of reach

I can’t shout across your distance

And we ain’t made love in weeks

Chorus

Go on, Teach me I don’t need you.

Keep pushing me away

I won’t wonder where you are

Playing the games you play

Keep planning life without me

I don’t believe you even knew

Things you show me every day

Teach me I don’t need you.

V2.

Mid-night buzzing breaks the silence.

Can’t hide the dim light of your phone.

In bed scrolling with your back to me

Makes me feel even more alone.

It makes me wonder when I text you

Why I don’t get that quick reply?

But now I’m finally understanding

It’s not me who’s on your mind.

Chorus

Go on, Teach me I don’t need you.

Keep pushing me away.

I won’t wonder where you are

Playing the games you play.

Keep planning life without me.

I don’t believe you even knew.

Things you show me every day

Teach me I don’t need you

Bridge

Guess I’ve finally learned my lesson

I’ve felt the pain you bring

I’m not feeling jealous

Cause you’ll teach him the same things

Chorus

Keep planning life without me

I don’t believe you even knew

Things you show me every day

Teach me I don’t need you.

TRACK 16

A War He Didn’t Start, Traditional Country, Patriotic, Awareness

A War He Didn’t Start, liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Vernon,TX

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea:

I wrote this hoping to get it cut by one of my really good friends that is also an East Texas recording artist. She has a military background, as does her father. Many Army Veterans and military vets in general deal with PTSD from combat deployments. Many also deal with mental health issues like depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s. Sometimes their minds are confused on what is reality and what is a memory. I think it hit a little bit too close to home when this person’s father was dealing with PTSD and dementia and ended up handcuffed to a psych ward bed for evaluation. With therapy he is much better now. I think the song is an important story to tell. It actually wound up being pitched to Blake Shelton’s management team at one time, but hasn’t been cut by any artists yet so I decided to share the story myself. I am cutting and releasing this song to help bring awareness to mental health issues for our military veterans

A War He Didn’t Start

TimothyMichaelMusic

31 OCT 2024

V1.

Daddy looked so peaceful napping

In his favorite chair

Til he snapped to attention

And saluted a flag that wasn’t there

Then he screamed in anger

Crashed through our glass front door

Everyone became an enemy

In his self-imagined war

Chorus

Handcuffed to a psych ward bed

Doing jail time

But his real prison cell

Is being lost inside his mind

He proudly served his country

Came home with a Purple Heart

But now he’s losing another war

That he didn’t start

V2.

Mama came home and cleaned up

Blood and broken glass

He can’t remember the present

Can’t forget the past

It used to only hit him

Every now and then

PTSD and dementia

She’s losing him all over again

Chorus

Handcuffed to a psych ward bed

Doing jail time

But his real prison cell

Is being lost inside his mind

He proudly served his country

Came home with a Purple Heart

But now he’s losing another war

That he didn’t start

Bridge

And mama just tells us all to pray

But Daddy’s going out in a blaze

Chorus

Handcuffed to a psych ward bed

Doing jail time

But his real prison cell

Is being lost inside his mind

He proudly served his country

Came home with a Purple Heart

But now he’s losing another war

That he didn’t start

A War He Didn’t Start

TRACK 17

Stepping Up The Stairs, Americana, Southern Rock, Country

Stepping Up the Stairs, liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener, BMI 01126229678

Nash Stanley, SOCAN 9043191

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Pleasant, Texas

Sound engineer: Craig Watson

Song idea:

This is another of my favorites. Believe it or not I kept this tile/hook-line since about 1999. It was a line in a church sermon in the local Methodist Church that I grew up in. Pastor Jorge told the congregation it’s time for action. “You’ve gotta stop staring up the steps and start stepping up the stairs.” I held that motto in my mind for almost 30 years before I go the opportunity to use it. I never even started songwriting until around 2018 when I turned 50 years old. Some things are worth holding on to. This song was pitched multiple times to a variety of song pluggers and producers, but I never could get it cut. Sometimes you’ve just gotta do it yourself. You gotta stop staring up the steps and start stepping up the stairs!

Stepping Up The Stairs

timothymichaelmusic

18 DEC 2023

V1.

I used to run full throttle to the bottom of the bottle

To erase her memory

I’d taken all the blame, swallowed all the shame

Hiding pain so the world can’t see.

When the demons were drowned it was time to turn around

Looking up from the bottom of the pit

Satan’s a traitor there was no elevator

Had to climb the ladder out of it.

Chorus

When I hit rock bottom I guess I’d forgotten

That there’s light beyond the dark.

Time to take control and climb out of the hole.

I just needed a little spark

From flicker to flame there ain’t no shame

No time to be scared

I gotta stop staring up the steps

And start stepping up the stairs

V2.

If the destination is unknown

It’s hard to know the path to take

And when the road ahead starts winding

I’ll take every step in faith.

Making mole hills out of mountains

Ascending to the end

Nothing in life takes more courage

Than putting me together again

Chorus

When I hit rock bottom I guess I’d forgotten

That there’s light beyond the dark.

Time to take control and climb out of the hole.

I just needed a little spark

From flicker to flame there ain’t no shame

No time to be scared

I gotta stop staring up the steps

And start stepping up the stairs

Bridge

I’ve been knocked down a thousand ways

But I get back up every time

And when I reach the peak

I see the steps were worth the climb

Chorus

When I hit rock bottom I guess I’d forgotten

That there’s light beyond the dark.

Time to take control and climb out of the hole.

I just needed a little spark

From flicker to flame there ain’t no shame

No time to be scared

I gotta stop staring up the steps

And start stepping up the stairs

I just gotta stop staring up the steps

And start stepping up the stairs

TRACK 18

To The Grave

Americana, Southern Rock, Swampy Country

To The Grave, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Vernon,TX

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea:

I have to say this right upfront. This is not a confession to a crime. This is a story I completely fabricated in my mind. I was thinking one day though. How many people do you know that you could tell a secret to that would actually take it to the grave with them? How many people in your life do you know that would help cover up a murder and help you bury a body? Not many! The song lyrics came so fast and the swampy southern fried vibe is contagious. It’s a really cool song that I couldn’t resist putting on my debut album becomes it’s one I love to sing in my setlist.

To The Grave

timothymichaelmusic

11 MAY 2022

V1.

A stormy night in June, howling at the moon

On a heated summer night

We were out for fun, not out to hurt no one

Never looking for a fight

But the fight found us, you stepped up

Took it to the highest height

When he hit the ground the sound was profound

Had to get the body out of sight

Chorus

New face in town, dark cloud hung around

It’s a fire I didn’t start

His criminal mind and mine didn’t align

Hell’s fire from one little spark

Skipped moral default, struck like a lightning bolt

Just trying to be brave

The story’s in my vault. They’ll find no fault

‘Cos I’ll take it to the grave

V2.

Dirty deed was done, we were on the run

Crossed the border into Mexico

Eyes on the news, more moves to choose

Wondering which way we would go

The guy was a bum, not missed by anyone

After months we headed home.

We got our story straight, then we closed the gate

Because no one needed to know

Chorus

New face in town, dark cloud hung around

It’s a fire I didn’t start

His criminal mind and mine didn’t align

Hell’s fire from one little spark

Skipped moral default, struck like a lightning bolt

Just trying to be brave

The story’s in my vault. They’ll find no fault

‘Cos I’ll take it to the grave

Bridge

There are friends we can count on

But we all need somebody

That will take your secrets to the grave

And help bury a body.

Chorus

New face in town, dark cloud hung around

It’s a fire I didn’t start

His criminal mind and mine didn’t align

Hell’s fire from one little spark

Skipped moral default, struck like a lightning bolt

Just trying to be brave

The story’s in my vault. They’ll find no fault

‘Cos I’ll take it to the grave

I’ll take it to the grave

TRACK 19

Hugging Me From Heaven, Contemporary Country

Hugging Me From Heaven, liner notes

Songwriters: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Melissa Marie Coston 00547481821

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Vernon,TX

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea:

I’ve had the pleasure of a songwriting relationship with Melissa Coston from Nashville over the past few years. She’s a really great vocalist as well as songwriter. She always brings fun ideas to writing sessions and we bounce stuff back and forth using social media messaging. We’ve done several songs together and had two songs nominated for Josie Music Awards in 2025, Broken Boy and also Backwoods. This song idea for Hugging Me From Heaven is something she sent me one day. She’s a DoorDash driver and is always making deliveries to performing artists, songwriters and publishers in Nashville. One of them had recently lost a parent and she told him that she hoped he felt his parent hugging him from heaven whenever he needed it. I thought it was a phenomenal song idea. I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer back in 2011. She was only 65 years old. I wrote these song lyrics in memory of my mom.

Song lyrics below:

Hugging Me From Heaven

Melissa Coston/Tim Schlesener

10 DEC 2024

V1.

Salty teardrops from my eyes

Watching this gorgeous sunrise

This time of day makes me think of you

We were always quite the pair

I miss the wisdom that you’d share

The way that only you could do

When the winter wind starts blowin’

It’s got me knowing

Chorus

That you’re sending me a sign

That you’re with me all the time

You’re watching from above

And sending all your love

You’re right where you need to be

To keep your watchful eye on me

When the breeze begins to blow I take it in

‘Cos I know you’re hugging me from Heaven

V2.

In the evenings I could always bet

We’d sit and talk and watch sunset

Raising toasts to all our hopes and dreams

Now I stare up at those stars

And wish Heaven wasn’t so far

‘Cos I miss you more and more it seems

But that summer wind starts blowin’

It’s got me knowin’

Chorus

That you’re sending me a sign

That you’re with me all the time

You’re watching from above

And sending all your love

You’re right where you need to be

To keep your watchful eye on me

When the breeze begins to blow I take it in

‘Cos I know you’re hugging me from Heaven

Bridge

And I always know that no matter what the season

When the wind starts blowin’ there’s always a reason

Chorus

That you’re sending me a sign

That you’re with me all the time

You’re watching from above

And sending all your love

You’re right where you need to be

To keep your watchful eye on me

When the breeze begins to blow I take it in

‘Cos I know you’re hugging me from Heaven

When the breeze begins to blow I take it in

‘Cos I know you’re hugging me from Heaven

TRACK 20

Prayers I Used To Pray, Country, Christian

Prayers I Used To Pray, liner notes

To The Grave, liner notes

Songwriter: Tim Schlesener BMI 01126229678

Shane Hilton

Recording Studio: Studio19, Mount Vernon,TX

Sound Engineer: Craig Watson

Song Idea: This song is a Christian Country song, which is going to open the door to another project and album release planned for later in 2026. A full Christian album to be released under the group “Piney Wood Revival.” Some of it will be praise and worship, some leaning toward Contemporary Country and some towards Southern Rock, but all with Christian based lyrics and imagery. I wrote this song while reflecting on life. It’s pretty cool when you realize you are living in the world of the prayers you used to pray just a few years ago. The hopes, dreams and wishes that you take to God coming true as you step through each new open door. In 2018 I stepped out in faith and quit a 25 year career with Union Pacific Railroad. I moved away from the tiny hometown I grew up in and where I spent most of my adult life raising my kids. My wife and I moved south for a warmer climate and into a community where we didn’t know a soul. It was scary, but revitalizing at the same time. It has been a wonderful change and it’s lead me exactly to where I am today. Releasing my first album with plans for at least four more albums of original music in the next two years. Truly blessed!

Song lyrics below

Prayers I Used To Pray

TimothyMichaelMusic

22 DEC 2021

V1.

My life was running off the rails

With no steering wheel to turn

My days were filled with fear and doubt

Hard lessons I had to learn.

Instead of giving up my dreams

I gave them all to Him

And the doors that he kicks open

Lead to the places I walk in.

Chorus

Now I’m living in the world

Of the prayers I used to pray

By faith I walk the winding road

That leads me where I am today

Taking wishes from my heart

To the father every day

Now I’m living in the world

Of the prayers I used to pray

V2.

I’ve prayed for health and His protection

For direction in my life

For hope when I’m in darkness

To help me step into the light

I’ve prayed for guidance and for wisdom

I’ve prayed for foes and I’ve prayed for friends

I know the love of the Lord above

An His boundaries have no ends.

Chorus

Now I’m living in the world

Of the prayers I used to pray

By faith I walk the winding road

That leads me where I am today

Taking wishes from my heart

To the father every day

Now I’m living in the world

Of the prayers I used to pray

Bridge

I once was lost, but now I’m found

Was blind, but now I see

I always have believed in God

But now I know He believes in me.

Chorus

Now I’m living in the world

Of the prayers I used to pray

By faith I walked the winding road

That leads me where I am today

Taking wishes from my heart

To the father every day

Now I’m living in the world

Of the prayers I used to pray

Outtro

Now I’m living in the world

Of the prayers I used to pray