Tommy Bahama Man

The opening scene is real (and the album cover photo actually appeared in the local newspaper): the last day of school on a Wyoming ranch, surrounded by boys who looked right at home in boots, Wranglers, and cowboy hats. I was the kid who showed up looking like summer. I grew up around cowboy country, but something in me was always looking toward warmer weather and the water.

Leaving Wyoming and making my way to California didn't erase where I came from. It just helped me figure out where I felt most like myself. Eventually I met my wife, we got married by the ocean, and the whole beach-loving side of my personality became part of our life together.

The drinks and places in the lyrics aren't there just to sound tropical. They're little snapshots of us: a frozen Mai Tai for me, a spicy raspberry Paloma for her, coastal stops, Palm Springs getaways, and Hawaii after a day of snorkeling. The bicycle story still makes me smile. Every day we rode down that little road, passing goats standing on lava rocks along the way.

I wanted this one to be playful, but there's a real thread running through it. You can grow up in one place and still feel like you're meant for another. The kid on that ranch had a pretty good idea where he was headed. And somehow, the best part of getting there was finding someone to share it with.

Tommy Bahama is a trademark of its respective owner. Palm Trees & Saltwater is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tommy Bahama.