My new album was recorded and mixed inside the ever-morphing, sometimes semi-permanent Baby Ranch Mobile studio. Starting with a first draft of Turn This Ship Around made in my dining room way back in 2009, then on to the wonderfully cozy 500 sq. foot cottage where I spent 10 years doing commercial music whore stuff, producing records with Dawg Yawp and other friends, recording Saint Ain’t… then back to a big room in the recently emptied nest Fetters Victorian in 2019. My son, Noah, and I finished it up (socially-distanced, remotely) during the plague year: 2020. 

Composed, Performed, Recorded, Produced by RF. (except Shakin' Street was composed by the MC5, brothers and sisters, properly credited below)

Mixed by RF and Noah Fetters

Album layout/design by Sam Fetters

Art supervision by Donivan Perkins

Included are performances recorded in other homes and studios in L.A., Nashville, and Cincinnati by the musicians / vocalists noted here: 

Noah Fetters / self-recorded Drums tracks 1, 5, 9, 12 at Event Enterprises

Bam Powell / Drums track 3 

Christian Arduser / Drums and sings on track 8 

Bob Nyswonger / Bass tracks 3, 8. self-recorded Bass tracks 1, 12 

Matt Malley / self-recorded Bass track 10 at his Moorpark ranch studio.

Swany Fetters / sings on track 13, spoken words track 7 

Bee Haskins / sings on track 8, spoken words track 7 

Dale Hodges / spoken words track 7 

Adrian Belew / sings on track 1 

Matt Hueneman / recorded Bam, Chris, and Bob tracks 3, 8 at Audio Grotto 

Miles Fuqua / recorded Adrian track 1 at StudioBelew

Richard Dodd mastered it at his Nashville studio.

Unless mentioned otherwise, I made all the noises, arranged the parts: guitars, bass, keyboards, orchestral elements, drum programming, percussion, singing.

The geek in me salutes the geek in thee. DAW: I used Digital Performer but Logic, Nuendo, Pro Tools and Dale Hodges’ phone all came into play. Plug-ins: Slate, Sound Toys, Voxengo, Kush, Eventide, Oeksound, Izotope, Native Instruments, Vienna, Metric Halo. Mics ranged from a 50 year-old Bill Bradley-modified U87 to a modern Wunder CM7GS, Peluso P12, Blue Woodpecker, Shure SM7 & KSM32. I recorded my tracks through an old Urei 1178 and AMEK/Neve 9098 or Grace M103 channel strips, A/D conversion courtesy a Metric Halo ULN2. Mac Pros... I mix in the box. My right hand turned into a claw rolling the track ball... ain't complainin'. 

The creative tech support Noah and I received from Gordon Rankin at Wavelength Audio was priceless.

Love and thanks to my family and friends who helped keep my feet on the ground while my mind sailed elsewhere. 

Turn it up! Thanks for listening. 

- Rob 

Turn This Ship Around 

I opened my eyes. The truth came down: I can’t stand still while the earth spins around 

I need to make a change. God only knows why I’m so terrified that I can’t let go 

Life’s too  short and you’re so pretty. We don’t have to die to go to Kingdom City 

Some people say you do but that’s 'cause they’re insane 

They’re painting by the numbers. Their songs all sound the same 

 

We can turn this ship around, it won’t be easy. Fear is the enemy. Faith is gonna set us free   

Repeat our history or shape our destiny.  We can turn this ship around but it won’t be easy 

 

You woke me from a nightmare when you shook me awake 

I gotta make my own luck, create my own breaks, where cynics call the shots and dreamers look like fools 

We gotta leave it all behind, re-define what’s cool 

Cause I’m so tired of being so afraid of how dumb I’m gonna look if I don’t make the grade

Well I might eat humble pie or I might touch the sky but dreams won’t fly if I don’t even try 

 

We can turn this ship around, it won’t be easy. Fear is the enemy. Faith is gonna set us free  

Repeat our history or shape our destiny.  We can turn this ship around but it won’t be easy 

 

But you already know we die if we don’t grow. But you already know... 

 

I’m gonna rise up early, get down to work and put the boat in the water, wash off the dirt

Aim by the stars with the wind in my sails and I ain’t gonna quit so I’m not gonna fail 

 

We can turn this ship around, it won’t be easy. Fear is the enemy. Faith is gonna set us free   

Repeat our history or shape our destiny.  We can turn this ship around but it won’t be easy 

 

I opened my eyes.The truth came down: I can’t stand still while the earth spins around

 

Scripture 

Knock on her door, she’ll pretend she’s not home. Call her up, she won’t answer the phone 

Time ticks by like a metronome but with a split personality she’s never alone 

I tried to be her friend but it didn’t last long, she covered up her ears when I sang her my song 

 

Something’s wrong with this picture. I don’t fit in the frame 

She hears the devil quoting scripture every time I call her name 

 

Fear wakes her up in the middle of the night so she can’t get back to sleep but she’s too tired to fight 

Can’t shut up the voice inside her head, says if she wakes up tomorrow she’ll wish she was dead 

And she knows it’s crazy and it isn’t a joke, feels like a rope around her neck and she’s starting to choke 

 

Something’s wrong with this picture. I don’t fit in the frame 

 

Somebody’s singing a lullaby so don’t be a big baby, you don’t need to hide 

Come out and see the monster, it’s tied to a chain so it rusts a little more every time it rains 

And someday soon that beast will break loose to find another monster and reproduce 

Find another monster and reproduce, find another monster and reproduce, find another monster and reproduce 

 

Something’s wrong with this picture. I don’t fit in the frame  

She hears the devil quoting scripture every time I call her name 

 

Artichoke 

Saw you at the show with somebody I didn’t know 

Heard you got busted DUI: well, things ain’t changed much since we said goodbye 

 

Heart as big as an artichoke, a leaf for everyone 

Make way for all these copycats pretending to have fun 

 

Looks like I gained a few pounds, don’t burn as much fuel like back when you were around 

Seen a lot more frauds and fakes. Fancy meeting you here, you lead the parade 

 

Heart as big as an artichoke, a leaf for everyone 

Make way for all these copycats pretending to have fun 

 

You sure look sweet and young, smell like Chanel, probably still suck your thumb 

But old enough to know nothin’ comes free, everybody says so 

I don’t know why I’ll always love you deep down inside 

And remember what I learned: when I saw the light – that’s when I got burned 

 

Heart as big as an artichoke, a leaf for everyone 

Make way for all these copycats pretending to have fun 

Heart as big as an artichoke, a leaf for everyone, a piece for everyone 

Make way for all these copycats pretending to have fun 

Make way for all the copycats 

 

Prophets 

You’d all be prophets if you paid better attention 

You’d all be prophets if you paid better attention 

 

We rose up from the muck. We make our own damn luck 

There’s nothin’ we can’t sell. We’re poisoning the 

Well, well, well. Civil war is hell 

When we come ‘round it’s time to duck. We rose up from the muck 

 

I think you better learn we like to watch shit burn 

And stand around the fire and call each other 

Liar, liar, liar! Watch the smoke rise higher 

Till wrong and right can’t be discerned, I think you’d better learn 

 

You could see the future if you would pay attention 

Pay attention now 

 

If you paid better attention, if you paid better attention…. 

Right before your eyes behold the lords of flies 

We paint the outside gold but we ain’t got no  

Soul, soul soul, just an empty hole 

It can’t be filled but still we try: right before your eyes 

 

You could see the future if you would pay attention now 

You could see the future if you would pay attention  

Pay attention, pay attention, pay attention now 

 

You’d all be prophets, you’d all be prophets 

 

Can’t Take It Back 

If you think it don’t say it and if you write it please don’t send it 

 

Open your mouth: already made a mistake 

You say you’re sorry but it’s a little too late 

 

Silence is golden like truth unfoldin’ so baby don’t say nothin’, just keep it in the oven 

 

Open your mouth: already made a mistake 

You say you’re sorry but it’s too little too late 

Can’t take it back, can’t take it back. Can’t take it back, can’t take it back 

Can’t take it back, can’t take it back. Can’t take it back, can’t take it back 

 

Zen Master Huang Po sittin’ in the zendo 

Meher Baba: way to go 

So Jesus Christ make it so! 

 

Open your mouth: already made a mistake 

You say you’re sorry but it’s too little too late 

Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, yes, no: No!  

Can’t take it back, can’t take it back. Can’t take it back, can’t take it back 

Can’t take it back, can’t take it back. Can’t take it back, can’t take it back 

 

Me & Eve 

Eve stole an apple from the apple tree. She took a big bite and she handed it to me 

Well, Eve was pretty and the apple was sweet. She spit a seed in my face and then I chased her down the street 

 

We both had our clothes off within the hour. Just goes to show: knowledge is power 

 

Well, I got molested when I was 4. I talk about it now, it ain’t a secret any more 

And you might think that was childhood’s end but I learned to play and laugh again 

 

He had all our clothes off within the hour. Just goes to show: knowledge is power 

 

The strong exploit the weak. They think they’re pretty smart 

But it takes real genius to turn nightmares into art 

 

Me & Eve took a walk, she said: marry me. I’ll let ya build me a house by that old apple tree 

We’ll have a bunch of kids and rewrite history and I’ll love you until the world sets me free 

 

We both had our clothes off within the hour. Just goes to show: knowledge is power 

Yeah, we both had our clothes off within the hour. Just goes to show: knowledge is power 

 

Dog Is God 

The great artist is the simplifier 

 

Come on everybody lets start a new church. We won’t keep any secrets, we won’t sell any merch 

And nobody has to die to complete the research so come on everybody let’s start a new church 

 

Dog is God. God is Dog. Dog is God. God is Dog. Dog is God. God is Dog.  

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing 

Come on everybody lets start a new church 

 

Go all the way with it. Do not back off 

For once, go all the goddamn way with what matters 

The great artist, the great artist is, the great artist is the simplifier 

Keep it simple stupid, keep it simple stupid, keep it simple...  

 

Come on everybody lets start a new church. We won’t keep any secrets, we won’t sell any merch  

And nobody has to die to complete the research so come on everybody let’s start a new church 

 

Dog is God. God is Dog. Dog is God. God is Dog. Dog is God. God is Dog.   

Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing

 

Keep it simple stupid, keep it simple stupid, keep it simple  

Come on everybody lets start a new church 

 

(“The great artist is the simplifier” – Vincent van Gogh) 

(“Go all the way… with what matters” – Ernest Hemmingway) 

 

Not the End   

Save a whale   

It’s not the end of the world but it’s the start of something new   

Thank God it’s not all up to me but there’s something you could do if you wanted to   

You could start off with a smile when you wanna hurt somebody, then wait a little while   

Show some faith, show some style, and you just might save a whale my precious little child   

Trust me now, it’s not the end of the world (save a whale) It’s just the start of something new   

This place could use a lot of love. There must be somethin’ we could do if we wanted to   

If we could start with some restraint instead of yellin’ at each other there’s a picture we could paint   

Of a universal truce led by angels running loose with the wisdom of the saints   

Trust me now, it’s not the end of the world   

There’s nothing to like about fear, nothing to fear about love   

Someday you will be a god: the day you learn how to forgive   

And the angels will adore you because you live and let live like they want you to   

Trust me now, it’s not the end of the world...  

Trust me now   

You just might save a whale   

 

She’s A Musician   

She’s a philosopher, she founded my religion. She makes the soul connection ‘cause she’s a musician   

And she sits at her piano and catapults through space and channels the Enlightened Ones   

You see it on her face   

 

She’s a Musician, she’s a musician, and my only ambition is to be part of her life   

 

Her message for the masses you can’t put into words but when the world was born it’s what the angels heard   

And she closes her green eyes and plays her sweet guitar and melts it down to one pure note until I’m seeing stars   

 

She’s a Musician, she’s a musician, and my only ambition is to be part of her life   

 

And you don’t know her name. She’s not in the Hall of Fame. But I’d trade my soul if I could let her know   

 

The critics may not understand, her fans might disappear but I will still be listening ‘cause I know what I hear   

 

She’s a Musician, she’s a musician, and my only ambition is to be part of her life   

She’s a Musician, she’s a musician, and my only ambition is to be part of her life     

And I know what I hear   

 

Nobody Now   

I was a somebody once but I’m a nobody now. I used to be loved by millions, now I’m a face in the crowd   

Fans crawled out of the woodwork, I thought my fame would last. But now my agent won’t take my calls, I’m just a pain in the ass   

But I still have you to show me what I am   

 

I had respect from my peers, you saw my face in the news. I sang a song that made everybody happy   

Even the critics approved   

God’s own light shined through me, I heard that heavenly choir. I can’t describe the warmth that I felt when I got tossed in the fire   

Cause I had you to show me what I am   

 

And look at you, you can see the wheels turning, you want to use me again: a human resource made for exploitation   

You’re anything but a friend, you make me glad it’s the end   

 

Gold spilled out of my pockets, I let it fall to the floor. I used to have more than I needed, I ain’t got it no more   

She promised she’s never leave me ‘cause I’m a really nice guy. She swore she never even looked at other fellas   

But it was all a big lie, but it was all a big lie. It was a big fat lie   

 

I was a somebody once but I’m a nobody now   

I was a somebody once (now you’re a nobody, you're a nobody now)....   

 

Believed   

I believed in love ‘cause I received her love so I believed in love   

 

First it found me, then it bound me, then it drowned me again   

I wanted more, but I was shown the door and now I don’t know what I’m living for   

 

I believed in love ‘cause I received her love so I believed in love    

 

If you do God’s will, then hold still maybe then the gods will hear you pray   

So I stood in line till I lost my mind  ‘cause I blew the only time I had the chance to say:   

 

I still love you, I still love you, I still love you, I still love you, I still love you, I still love   

 

I could lay in bed and feel the dread or get up now and walk away   

No need to know where I’ll go, just get up now and face the day   

 

I believed in love ‘cause I received her love so I believed in love    

 

Queer Year   

You told me you were gay, we both know that’s OK   

I’ll always be your friend until the bitter end   

A bond no one can break till they burn us at the stake   

And they’ll burn us at the stake   

 

I don’t care if you’re queer, I still love you my dear   

Though we have separate beds and the world has lost its head   

They think you’re on the fringe but love is not a sin   

Love is not a sin.  

 

Hey! But everybody’s weird ‘cause maybe everybody’s queer this year   

 

You’re a Gibson, I’m a Fender, you don’t fall in love with a gender   

The music that we make is all for heaven’s sake   

There is a common goal for every living soul, every living soul   

 

But everybody’s weird so maybe everybody’s queer this year   

Everybody’s weird this year, everybody’s queer this year   

 

Though we have separate beds and the world has lost it’s head   

I’ll always be your friend: love is not a sin   

 

Shakin’ Street    

[Composed by The MC5: Fred (Sonic) Smith, Wayne Kramer, Michael Davis, Dennis Thompson, Robert (Rob Tyner) Derminer (Warner-Tamerline/ASCAP)]   

 

Little Orphan Annie and Sweet Sue too, they've been coming around, gives 'em somethin' to do   

Their mamas all warned 'em not to come to town. It got into their blood, now they gonna get down   

 

Shakin' Street: it's got that beat.  Shakin' Street: where all the kids meet   

Shakin' Street: it's got that sound. Shakin' Street: say you gotta get down   

 

Streetlight Sam decided to make the trip all the way from New Jersey on his girlfriend's tips   

He pulled into town and met Skinny Leg Pete, said, come here, boy, I heard about the street   

I heard about the place where all the kids go, now I'm about to flip, I just gotta know about   

 

Shakin' Street: it's got that beat.  Shakin' Street: where all the kids meet    

Shakin' Street: it's got that sound. Shakin' Street: say you gotta get down   

 

Well the kids on Shakin' Street never give in 'cause all of their lives they've been livin' in sin   

They know that they're bad, you know that they're mad. They take for the takin' and they shake for the shakin'   

 

The folks keep complaining, they find it so shockin' all the kids wanna do is just keep on rockin'   

They ain't got no time to think about stoppin', they just gotta get down and do a little stompin'   

Well Sally Baker wants to shake her shaker and Bobby C.(Sayler) says he's gonna take her to   

 

Shakin' Street: it's got that beat.  Shakin' Street: where all the kids meet     

Shakin' Street: it's got that sound. Shakin' Street: say you gotta get down