"Des Moines"

As a kid, I always enjoyed the fact that while most of my classmates were Des Moines natives, I was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Des Moines and I have a long and complicated history, not always a happy one. I’m quick to defend Des Moines when out-of-staters who’ve never been here trash it, but I’m the first to complain about it to other locals. The frustrating thing about Des Moines is that it should be so much more. The location is ideal, the area is attractive, and in spite of rumors to the contrary, there is quite a bit of culture and plenty to do. But as a metropolis, it is far behind nearby Minneapolis, and seems content to remain so. Des Moines is a city of broken promises and wasted potential. Just like me. We’re both working on it.

Des Moines

a song collection by Brian Hutzell

© Brian Hutzell 2004

1.             Something Better

2.            All About Time

3.            In The Water

4.            Speak Another Language

5.            Just Carry On

6.            Victory

7.            Dick Clark Is Aging!

8.           Onstage

9.            It Can’t Be Done

10.        Get Up

"Des Moines River BASS-in"

Des Moines River BASS-in

© 2013 Brian Hutzell

Des Moines has been getting a lot of good press these past few years. I’ve always wished Des Moines was better at advertising itself. Well, at least someone is saying nice things about us, even if we too often forget to tell anyone.

Des Moines is #1 Most Underrated American City

"Capture The Moment"

A month ago, it looked as if Hitomi and I would be moving back into the Boston are, but that was not to be. So we are still in Des Moines, and even though Des Moines is a nice enough place, it’s got me a little down. I grew up here, and always swore I’d leave at first opportunity and never come back. Like the old joke says: How do you make God laugh? Tell Him your plans! At present, I have no job, no prospects, and no marketable skills. Turns out most employers aren’t terribly impressed by my many years of experience as a musician. Why didn’t someone tell me this? Oh yeah, they did. EVERYBODY did. Time to pay the piper, I guess.

Capture the Moment

© 1987 Brian Hutzell

It's been said that opportunity

Favors those with open minds

One thing's true in each community

There's no immunity from the march of time

Capture the moment

Put it in your pocket

Capture the moment

Before it's gone

Capture the moment

Otherwise you've lost it

Those moments keep you company

As your life goes on

Precious moments pass before your eyes

See them, if you're so inclined

Beauty wasted won't apologize

Love doesn't hide

But you've got to look to find

Capture the moment

Put it in your pocket

Capture the moment

Before it's gone

Capture the moment

Otherwise you've lost it

Those moments keep you company

As your life goes on

Picture books are fine, but photos always fade

Memories will shine as long as they are saved

Don't throw them away

You might be surprised how quickly you forget

Things you've memorized

It's been said Good Fortune comes but once

Better recognize his call

You can meet him if you're bold enough

And when you do, there's no stopping you at all

Capture the moment

Put it in your pocket

Capture the moment

Before it's gone

Capture the moment

Otherwise you've lost it

Those moments keep you company

As your life goes on