“Well” began out of spite but was finished in love. A friend, who surely had good intentions, gave Grover some constructive criticism based on their perception that Grover’s heart wasn’t in music as much as it had been in the past. Grover—who was still learning to balance being a father of two young children with writing, performing, and being a high school teacher—was more than a little frustrated. He set out to write a refutation, but kept coming back to the same thought—“I have asked so much of so many people as an artist, and received so much support over the years. What kind of betrayal would it be to those people—my wife, my kids, my parents, my sisters, my friends, my hometown—if I ever half-assed this?” The fact that someone close to him questioned his commitment shook Grover’s confidence. “Well” is both an answer to that question, and a promise to all who’d invested faith in him that he would strive to remain worthy of it.
Friends, the year of singles marches on! “Well” is the second single off Hold Tight Together and the fourth of 2024. The response that “Dreams” received has been thrilling, and I hope this one strikes a similar chord. Like Dreams, Well was recorded and produced by Kiel Williams and mastered by Richard Dodd. Dave played bass, Josh played drums, Owen played fiddle, and Kiel added steel guitars, electric guitars, and cello. All the artwork for this album was designed by Jessica Jewel.
Apple Music • Spotify • Amazon • Tidal
If you listen on your streaming service of choice, I’d be awful grateful if you added it to your library, and maybe even a playlist. And if you’re really feeling it….maybe tell a friend? Dave and I were so dang excited that we made this acoustic video too:
If you like what you’ve heard so far, the entire album is available now for purchase. Locals can pick it up at a show or at Books on Main, my favorite bookstore. If getting to Calaveras County is tricky, you can order it on our store. Finally, you can download the whole thing (plus tons of bonus tracks) at Bandcamp.
The next single, “Sticker”, will be out June 12. (If you’re familiar with the song, you’ll recognize that that’s just in time for Fathers Day 😉) Thanks for listening!
Corey left town in December
He couldn’t move the grapes that he’d grown
I guess he held onto his land in the hope
That the county would let him build homes
Since he’s been gone there’s been rumbling
The neighborhood’s empty inside
No one will say it aloud, but we all have been
Wondering if the well’s gone dry
Buying this place felt like building
The backdrop for life’s in-between
We knew it wasn’t worth nothing
Four walls and a roof and a dream
But we’ve outgrown our young machinations
Three babies will open your eyes
What good’s a dream if you can’t get to sleep? Stay up
Wondering if the well’s gone dry
Now you don’t blame the others for leaving
It’s scarcer than ever for faith
If the fires don’t take us and the mortgage don’t break us
Lord knows we’ve learned how to wait
But I never learned how to fail gracefully
And I don’t think I could if I tried
So we’ll give it our best as our spirits grow restless
Wondering if the well’s gone dry
It’s hard to value investments
In passion and patience and time
They’ve got their pressures that they gotta measure
And we sure as hell got yours and mine
The mouths that need feeding are hungry
So our dreams take their place on the side
But we don’t ignore them; so long we’ve lived for them
Wondering if the well’s gone dry
Now you don’t blame the others for leaving
It’s scarcer than ever for faith
If the fires don’t take us and the mortgage don’t break us
Lord knows we’ve learned how to wait
But I never learned how to fail gracefully
And I don’t think I could if I tried
So we’ll give it our best as our spirits grow restless
Wondering if the well’s gone dry
You knew what you had signed up for
Fell for the fool that I am
Held back your blame, never asked me to change
Despite the load left in your hands
I aim to reward your virtue
Cause God knows that you’ve tried
I’ll do my best to make sure that you’re never left
Wondering if the well’s gone dry
What good’s a dream if you can’t get to sleep? Stay up
Wondering if the well’s gone dry