The Return to Pebble Beach Story

Early February 2023. I started thinking about Pebble Beach as inspiration for a song. I’ve been to the Monterey-Pebble- Carmel area three times as an adult and had planned a return last year. We were unable to make that trip, and several others we had booked. COVID-19 concerns.

I think on at least three or four occasions, in the time above, I had worked on ideas concerning the presentation and the tenor (ie mood)of the song. That mood would be a triumphant reverence, sprinkled with tender passion. Listening to the finished product, I’m hoping we convey that ambiance.

I introduced the song to Sandy Tipping my producer and co- songwriter on Return to Pebble Beach during a Skype session in September of 2020. We would have another session in the first week of October. Later in that same week, Sandy and I met at The Studio in Nashville to finish writing the song.

The original plan was to record Return to Pebble Beach in early December 2020. That plan quickly fell apart as virus concerns in the Nashville area prudently and effectively closed the recording industry for a time. Although that decision again, was prudent, I was disappointed we would not complete the project in 2020.

We finished the song in early February 2021. Seventeen of Nashville’s finest musicians worked on this project. Several members of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra are participants. They can be seen in the accompanying short video.

The arrangement by Sandy Tipping in my obviously biased opinion, is simply excellent. Just listen.

The song as it was written, presented and performed is a humble attempt to convey the aura, ambiance, passion and love that residents and visitors alike feel for Pebble Beach.

God bless, I hope you enjoy “Return to Pebble Beach.”