My Friend Dan A True Story About Friendship, Criticism, and an Old Ditch Digger Who Won’t Quit [Verse 1 — Spoken, conversational] I’ve got a friend named Dan, Known him going on fifty years. And of all the people who’ve listened to my music, He’s probably been my loudest critic through the years. Now Dan’s a good fellow, And I don’t want anybody getting me wrong. But I believe he’d be just as happy If I’d never written another song. He once told me, “You can’t tell me those are your words. You can’t write music. You’re just an old ditch digger like me.” Well, Dan, you’re right about one thing. I spent a lifetime digging ditches. But somewhere along the way, That old ditch digger collected A whole lot of stories worth telling. [Chorus — Lighthearted, rhythmic] So thank you, my friend Dan, For giving me another reason to try. Every time you tell me I can’t do something, I just set my sights a little higher. You may think you’re slowing me down, But you don’t understand. Every time you criticize my music, You make me strut my stuff again. [Verse 2 — Nostalgic] I first met Dan and his brother Mike Some fifty years ago. The Smith Brothers, as I remember, Two good fellows I came to know. Mike left us a few years back, And I still miss that old friend today. I always thought Mike was the nicer brother, But don’t tell Dan I said it that way. Aw, I’m only kidding. They were both mighty fine men. And if Mike were still around, I expect he’d be laughing At me picking on his brother again. [Verse 3 — The Story Behind the Music] When I started making music, I wasn’t trying to become a star. I just wanted folks to hear my stories, Maybe reach a little farther than before. I’d spent a lifetime collecting memories, And putting those memories into words. But a story sitting on a page Isn’t always a story that gets heard. Then along came this artificial intelligence, And it opened up a brand-new door. Suddenly those stories had a melody, And people were hearing them more and more. And somewhere in the middle of it all, Something happened I hadn’t planned. I fell in love with telling stories through music, And here I am, still at it, Dan. [Chorus] So thank you, my friend Dan, For giving me another reason to try. Every time you tell me I can’t do something, I just set my sights a little higher. You may think you’re slowing me down, But you don’t understand. Every time you criticize my music, You make me strut my stuff again. [Verse 4 — A Different Point of View] Now Dan has a son named Sam, And Sam’s a musician through and through. He sings and plays around the Houston area, Doing what talented musicians do. And I’ve wondered if maybe Dan Sees this AI music in a different light. Maybe he worries about his son’s future, And whether technology is treating musicians right. Now I can’t say I know what’s in Dan’s mind, And I won’t pretend that I do. But I understand a father protecting his son, Because I’d probably feel that way too. [Verse 5 — The Other Side of the Argument] But here’s where Dan and I see things differently, And I hope he’ll hear me out. I don’t believe an old man making story-songs Is something Sam needs to worry about. Sam has talent, Sam has a voice, And Sam can stand before a crowd. He can sing his songs and play his music, And make his family proud. Me? I’m up here in the Highland Lakes, Turning memories into songs. I’m not trying to take Sam’s place, Or prove that musicians have it wrong. There’s room enough for both of us, And plenty of stories left to tell. A young man making music for a living, And an old ditch digger enjoying himself. [Bridge — Spoken, sincere] You know, Dan, I think there’s something you’re overlooking. I don’t claim to play the instruments. I don’t claim to sing the songs. And I don’t pretend I could do What your son Sam does on a stage. But those memories are mine. Those experiences are mine. And the stories I bring to the table Come from a life I’ve actually lived. AI helps me turn them into music. And I don’t see anything wrong with that. [Final Chorus — Warm, upbeat] So thank you, my friend Dan, For keeping this old fellow on his toes. Every time you question what I’m doing, My determination grows. You may never like my music, And that’s perfectly fine with me. But you can’t stop an old storyteller Who’s got another story up his sleeve. [Outro — Spoken, with a smile] So Dan, my old friend, I guess we’ll just agree to disagree. You’ve got your opinion about AI music, And I’ve got mine. And after fifty years of friendship, I don’t expect either one of us Is going to change much. But I do want to thank you. Because if you hadn’t been so outspoken About my music, I probably wouldn’t have thought To write this song about you. And Dan… If you don’t like this one either, Don’t worry. I’ll probably write another one.
