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Home is not only a place on the map but a place in the heart. It's the people and life's experiences that make that place a home. For me, what "home" represents is so integral to who I am that it became easy to see that it was a key thread linking the songs on this project together and representing where I am in my life right now.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

I've always liked this classic and its retro rockabilly style. And, even though our youngest isn't a baby any more, it wasn't that long ago that we had a newborn who "cried in the cradle all night". In fact it was that tiredness one day that prompted me as I was sitting in the studio between takes on another recording to strum a few chords and sing that line. My engineer and producer both stopped what they were doing and I'm sure thought I was crazy but in honor of my boys, their mother and all of our sleepless nights I had a lot of fun recording this one.

Cowboy's Prayer

Every cowboy who spends much time out in remote camps and on long drives hopes and prays his true love will be waiting for his return at the end of the trail. I would imagine every trucker, soldier, musician and traveling salesman has this same feeling in common, that universal desire to be welcomed home with open arms by the ones they love.

Dream on Little Dreamer

I can't help but think of my daughter and my little sister when I sing this song. My daughter, Gina, dared to dream big and follow those childhood dreams by boarding a train into the unknown when she was just 14 years old. She continues to dream today along with her husband and our grandsons who are living life's adventure on a family ranch. My sister, Martha Ann, left us all too soon at the tender age of nine, giving me a treasure of sweet memories of a true "Little Dreamer".

Danny Boy:

This beloved ballad has been interpreted many ways by many an artist. For me though, it is the story of a father who is bidding farewell to a son going off to war. As the father of a US Marine I can speak to this for I have sent my oldest son off to war twice. I drew off these experiences and emotions to record this beautiful and haunting song.

This is for those of us who are left behind to wait and pray.

Driftin' Again:

This song is strictly for the fun of it. No hidden messages or agendas here. Everyone should be shiftless and carefree at least once in their lives. Well, maybe not, but in these complicated, busy times it's sure fun to dream about and it's not always a bad thing!

Lady

I wrote this simple love song with this underlying question: even though we're married, have kids and a mortgage, can we still be lovers? As our world and families get busier and busier, it's getting harder and harder for couples to find their "us time".

It may be interesting to note that the man in our story finds his "lady" just as beautiful as ever and his desire has not diminished after all this time. I'll bet I'm not the only man who feels this way about his lady.

Wherever You Are

What a beautiful love song, written by Eddie Snyder; now, that name may not ring a bell but I'll bet, "Strangers in the Night" and "Blue Spanish Eyes" do. Thanks Eddie for saving this one for me!

Rodeo Man

Rodeo and ranching are a way of life for my family and they go hand in hand. Rodeo can be addictive though because no matter how much hard luck you had in the arena today, there's always the promise of better luck tomorrow and the prize money that goes along with it. Rodeo and the optimism that seems to drive a man on to the next show is the spirit that embodies the American West.

I'm proud to include this song because it was written by a true "Rodeo Man" my son, Colter Hampton, who has chased that dream and won his share of buckles, saddles and prize money; but also tasted the disappointment of defeat and had to go on to ride again. For this song Colter also added his talents in the background vocals, like a ghostly voice from the arena dust of a long forgotten bronc ride.

You Don't Know Me

This is one of my favorite Cindy Walker songs and this tune occupies a well deserved place as a "standard" in the American Songbook. I think the thing that intrigues me most about "You Don't Know Me" is that the singer is not proclaiming his love to his lover or the world. No, sadly he is singing pretty much to himself as his love is already taken by "that lucky guy". Now he lives in a lonely world of regret and will always wonder, what would have been if he'd only mustered the courage to tell her. I've always wanted the story to end differently but it never will.

Job for a Cowboy

This is a fun little song that I wanted to do because you show me a broken hearted damsel in distress and I'll show you a job for a Cowboy! I think everyone of the female persuasion has dreamed of being rescued by a white hated cowboy on a fast white horse. By the same token, most every male has dreamed of being just that cowboy who saves the day and gets the girl.

Kansas

To me there's nothing sweeter than building a dream with the love of your life! That's what this song is about and I knew I had to record it the first time I heard it. When Lisa and I started building this ranch we lived in an RV trailer while our three boys slept in the barn's converted hay loft. Every day was an adventure. In the years since, life has provided challenges and success both personally and in our careers. Here at the ranch we've added many improvements, a fine home and two children.

Although we've come quite a ways, it's with great fondness that we look back on our humble start together. I think the beautiful message that this song brings to me is to take time to enjoy the journey no matter where it takes you. It is a journey meant for two.

Home

My friend and fellow actor, Brad Johnson, first introduced me to this Michael Bublé song. One evening after supper Brad said "You gotta listen to this song". After listening, Brad asked "Ever felt that way?" I said "You bet". I knew then that I had to record "Home". Anyone who has ever traveled in pursuit of a dream can identify with the lyrics and the longing that occur even in the midst of success to be back home with those who know you.

It wasn't very long after that before I made my way to L.A. to give it a try. "Home" was actually the first song we recorded on our "Austin To Boston" adventure and remains one of my favorites.

Shortgrass

This song was written for my oldest son, Cooper, and his best buddy, Dawson, who joined the Marines together during high school. Over the years they have set foot in many countries and worn out their boots both overseas and around this great nation. They have always expressed their desire to someday come back to our Shortgrass country. It is often brutal here; in the summer and winter. Winds whip off the mountains carrying storms across these high altitude plains. Yet in years like this it is a beautiful lush green pasture that rolls over the land interrupted only by the hills and ravines that have been carved out through time, and scattered with cactus, yuccas and the occasional oasis of a groove of cottonwood or elm trees. This country is tough to live in but easy to love.