Kenny Ray Horton: Music

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This song was written after one of my bad publishing meeting days in Nashville in the mid to late 90's.

I had two meetings that day and was told in both of them that my writing was terrible, my singing was bad at best and I would never be anything in Nashville. Paraphrased of course...

That's tough to hear even with thick skin like mine was at the time. I stopped by a little liquor store on my way home to Franklin, TN and picked up a bottle of Woodford's Reserve (the serial number was in the triple digits then).

I sat down in the kitchen of my trailer house under the one light that still worked. A blank sheet of paper and a freshly sharpened pencil on the table next to the bottle and a shot glass.

I threw back two shots while I sat there and prayed. Not so much for help, but just sort of talked to God about how it felt.

Just before the third shot, I picked up my guitar and put it in drop D and this little prayer fell out.

When I feel kicked around, I sing this to remind myself of what I have been fortunate enough to accomplish in my life.

Oddly enough, this little song made me reschedule another appointment with one of the publishers a week later - I played them the same songs...this time they liked them. I got up, thanked them for their time and walked out.

Verse 1
I've been allowed
In this lifetime
To live out dreams
Most men never see
I've taken for granted
All that I've become here
Are what most here hope for
And some may not achieve

Chorus
Lord, Forgive me
If I am not grateful
Your hand remains
In all I do
Lord, Forgive me
If I am not grateful
This gift of my life
Is by the grace of you

Verse 2
I'll do my best
To count my blessings
And live my life
According to your will
Should I fall
Stumbling in darkness
I know your light
Is shining on me still

Chorus