While the High Country series focuses on the present, I find it important to occasionally look back at the recordings that led me here. Today’s dispatch is a song called "Been Waiting." It was recorded in 2004, a year that remains a major milestone for me because it was the same year I met my wife.

Looking back at this track, it is clear that my style hasn't changed much in over 20 years. Even with the different production choices of that era, the core "wood and wire" intent was already the foundation of my music.

Unlike the minimalist approach I am taking today, this 2004 track was a full production. It features multiple layers of tracking, a variety of instruments, and a full drum kit. At the time, I was exploring a much denser sound and pushing the limits of the studio to build a larger sonic landscape. However, listening through the layers of production, you can still hear the same acoustic DNA that drives my current work. It is a reminder that while the tools change, the source of the music remains the same.

Every songwriter has a few songs that act as anchors for certain periods of their life. "Been Waiting" belongs to that first chapter in 2004. Meeting my wife changed the trajectory of my life and my music, and this song was written right in the middle of that shift. It captures the anticipation and the clarity that comes when things finally start falling into place.

Including the lyrics here helps bridge the gap between that 2004 recording and the present. These words were written twenty years ago, but the sentiment remains a foundation of my songwriting.

We will return to our regular Tuesday and Friday schedule for the new High Country covers this week. This archival release is a one-time look back as we continue to build out the library of stories and songs here at the Dispatch.

Thanks for listening.

-Pete