Bright Lights
Words & Music written by Neil Carswell, Chris Anderson and Stu Kimball

It's four o'clock in the morning
and the rain's hittin' hard in front of my headlights.
I've run these empty highways so long
I ain't gonna ever turn back.
I caught that white line fever as a boy
and I fell into the night life.
And Nashville's just an hour ahead
and soon I'll lay my head down for the night.

I've run with the Devil so long
but never figured out how he thinks.
I've seen him drown a working man’s sorrow
in a sea of whiskey drinks,
oh Lord, I got to break away,
I'll pray for you to steer me right,
cause Nashville’s just an hour ahead
and soon I'll lay my head down for the night.

I'm headin' for them bright lights,
I'm rolling down that lonesome road.
There's something in them bright lights
that'll take a man so far from home.
Another tour, one night stands,
sold old bars, guitars, and amps
a ringing in my ears from show to show.
Lord, I ain't never seen no bright lights,
worth the price of leaving home, leaving home !!!

I been through the gates of Graceland,
I've stood beside Elvis' grave.
I've played the blues on Beale St.
got a little taste of fame.
I've felt that mighty Mississippi wind,
blowing in my face.
I worked half my life away,
waiting on a tune to break !!!

And Im headin' for them bright lights,
I'm rolling down that lonesome road.
There's something in them bright lights
that’ll' take a man so far from home.
Another tour of one night stands,
sold old bars, guitars and amps,
ringing in my ears from show to show,
I ain't never seen no bright lights,
worth the price of leaving home.
I caught that white line fever as a boy
and I feel into the night life.
Yes I did!!!
And I’m heading for them bright lights,
I'm still heading for them bright lights.
And Nashville’s just an hour ahead
and soon I'll lay my head down for the night.


Song written at the cabin in North Carolina. Stu Kimball came down to visit and do some writing; this is one that came from that writing session, before we had to leave when the flood came. I later finished the lyric at Chris Anderson’s home in Ashland City, Tennessee in the hot tub one night after a session we had just finished late in the evening. I was thinking of home and how I missed the mountains. A great little ditty with an open D tuning style guitar played by Stu Kimball, and a production captured by Stu and Larry Campbell on fiddle and mandolin at a time they we're both touring together, caught on a short stint off the road. One of many people’s favorites, light hearted; a style I have never written much of.


Basic Tracks Cutting Session: Emerald Sound Studio "B” Nashville, TN
Chief Engineer: John Saylor
Overdub Sessions: Dream Catcher Studios, Ashland City, TN
Chief Engineer: Chris Anderson
Mixed at: Dream Catcher Studio, Ashland City, TN by Chris Anderson
Mastered by: Richard Dodd, Nashville, TN


Lead Vocal: Neil Carswell
Drums: Kevin Rapillo
Upright Bass: Victor Krauss
Acoustic Guitar: Stu Kimball
Acoustic & Electric Guitars: Chris Anderson
Fiddle & Mandolin: Larry Campbell
Spoons & Tambourine: Wes Powers
Background Vocals: Kim Keyes, Melissa Carswell & Chris Anderson