Several years ago, a man I knew and respected gave me some advice. He said,"Never make art unless you have to." Regardless of what this record is or isn't, I can honestly say that I had to make it. I make no apologies for doing so. The Lonesome Times tells a story of falling down hard, all the way to the bottom, and finding the strength to fight, live, and grow down there. From the first note of the introduction to the closing harmony in 'The Cure for the Lonesome Times', there is a journey out of a personal darkness and toward a light up ahead. This album is an instructional guide to learning how to build something from breaking everything.