
Cindy Kalmenson and the Lucky Ducks
Music that makes you laugh, cry and dance... music that unites us , enlightens us and exposes the humorous sides of life. Music that inspires you.
The Lucky Ducks feature real 3 part harmonies and the soulful sound of a pedal steel... which lends so well to the classic country roots rock music that we do. After living in Nashville , I learned from the greats... watching new songs be born on a writer's night stage only to hear it on the radio soon after
Biography
Most of my favorite music is from the great singer songwriters I heard in the 70's and early 80's: Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, BOnnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris. They inspired me to hit the road and go to Nashville in 1995 where I lived for 14 years learning from all the great writers I met on a variety of stages. I recorded 3 CDs in Nashville and won some prestigious songwriting awards. I love to perform. I've traveled the world singing and selling my CDs. At 44, I had a beautiful girl, got married, not in that order, and moved back to California . Now after 6 years in Ojai and fronting a popular band including petal steel, bass, drums and guitar, with others sitting in on occasion. We have been playing on a weekly basis in Ojai for 6 years now. Presently we are in residency at the Deer Lodge on Wednesday nights. We enjoy rounding out my catalogue of originals with our favorite covers including Neil Young, Emmy Lou Harris, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow.
Lyrics
Witness
Written By: CIndy Kalmenson
Witness Cindy Kalmenson
You told me secrets I promise I'll never tell
but you can't hide from me like you hide from yourself
When you drink it in like medicine and it kills the pain like novocain
you still cry....
And I don't want to be, I don't want to be a witness
and watch you bury yourself alive
And I don't want to be, I don't want to be a witness
there's a difference between living your life and waiting to die
I can watch you from a distance, bet I know what you're thinking
I can close my eyes and I know just what you're drinking
but the medicine you chose just brings you back your blues in the morning
And I don't want to be, I don't want to be a witness
and watch you bury yourself alive
And I don't want to be, I don't want to be a witness
there's a difference between living your life and waiting to die
I've tried , I've tried oh you know how hard I've tried
just to make everything alright
and I know I know I can let you go cuz this is not my war to fight
And I don't want to be, I don't want to be a witness
And I don't want to be, I don't want to be a witness
You told me secrets I promise I'll never tell
but you can't hide from me like you hide from yourself
I'm Not Leaving
Written By: Cindy Kalmenson
I'm not Leaving
I'm taking a ride through the countryside
the open road don't feel so wide
cuz I'm coming home
I'm so glad it's not me who leaving this time
leavings all I've ever known
Oh Tennessee 's been good to me
even if we're through
I'm not leaving this town
I'm only leaving you
Not so far away is the gulf of Mexico
straight shot through Alabama
if that's the way that you want to go
or you can take that ol 'Tom BIgby water way
down to the sea,
you can sail that crooked line
and be all you want to be
Oh Tennessee 's been good to me
even if we're through
Hey I'm not leaving this town
I'm only leaving you
ohh I could pack it like I've done so many times
fill up my car and leave the rest behind
I could just step out the back door and spread my wings and fly
but each day I stay it gets harder to say goodbye
Oh Tennessee 's been good to me
even if we're through
Hey I'm not leaving this time
I'm only leaving you
Good bye....................
repeat
©1999
RUb Me RIght
Written By: CIndy Kalmenson/ Kimberley Dahme
Rub Me Right C. Kalmenson/K.Dahme
Let me introduce myself I live here on the shelf
a little dusty I could use some help just
rub me right
You can share my rose colored view
there ain't nothing I wouldn't do
I would lay down my life for you
just rub me right
and I will grant you a life time of wishes
and passionate kisses too
all you're after served on a silver platter
all your dreams come true....
cuz I'm a jeanie in a bottle
rub me right and I'm yours
I'll be yours so willingly
if you rub me right
instru
just when you were thinking you were better off not drinking well
now you're thinking otherwise
take me down and have another round
and you'll be in for a big surprise
cuz I'm a jeanie in a bottle
rub me right and I'm yours
I'll be yours so willingly
just rub me right
I'll be yours so willingly
but rub me wrong... I'm gone
Where's Your Hero Now
Written By: Cindy Kalmenson
Where's Your Hero Now CIndy Kalmenson
Tropical Penguins Music BMI
Yesterday as I was pumping gas a man rolled up to me
a couple bucks on the chair where his leg used to be
an American flag flapping in the wind a constant reminder that he's home again
yes he fought for our country he did his part he traded his leg for a purple heart
then he put the nozzle right back in its place with a decorated smile still on his face
he must have been a Hero cuz he looked so proud , hey America look at your hero now
Where's your hero now
Well he walked right by me at the main street cafe , needed some coffee to jump start his day, and the kid behind the counter grabbed a fist full of tips, he counted out enough for some coffee and chips, he's been coming in lately since he lost his benefits .. and he saw more killing then anyone should endure now he lives on the street and causes quit a stir, cuz everything he thinks about he thinks out loud, hey America, look at your hero now
Where's your hero now
Where's your hero now
Where's your hero now
what don't kill you makes you stronger or do you just have to live with it longer
he lived for the thrill he lived for the throttle now he wakes up and reaches
right for the bottle................
Little girl sits by an unmarked grave , one of the many who tries to be brave while the officers walk by and wave, at the Veteran's Day parade, and her momma takes her hand and points to the clouds , he's up there watching, let's make him proud
Where's your hero now
Where's your hero now
oh oh oh
Where's your hero now
Where's your hero now
another daughter without her father.....
Hold On
Written By: CIndy Kalmenson
Hold On Cindy Kalmenson
You are the winner, the greatest race in life all ready won
Against the odds, and the best is yet to come
If you just Hold On my child
Don't let go this time
Hold On my child and I promise to make it worth your while
It's out of my hands but I'm doing the best I can do
and if you had little hands by now you'd be holding on to
we tried this once before but we never made it to the safety of the shore
SO Hold On my child
Don't let go this time
Hold On my child and I promise to make it worth your while
You're the only one who holds the key
the only one who can set me free
you're the only one who can uncover the mother in me
if you just
Hold On my child
Don't let go this time
Hold On my child and I promise to make it worth your while
©2006 Tropical Penguins Music
One Earth
Written By: Cindy Kalmenson
If they could reach us now they
could teach us how to see what we could never see from here... it's so clear from up here looking down, we all share a common ground...
One Earth
Written By: Cindy Kalmenson
If they could reach us now they might
teach us how to see what we could never see from here... it's so clear from up here looking down, we all share a common ground...
Discography
I have 3 CDs: Let Me Out HEre 1997, Witness 2002 and I'm NOt Leaving 2008. I've had songs in movies, HBO and covered by other artists. HEre are some awards:
Winner of the 2010 West Coast Songwriting assoc. best song for Alabama Bliss
Nominee for SOng of the YEar for I'm Not LEaving (LA music awards)
Nominee for album of the Year for I'm NOt LEaving (LA music awards)
Finalist USA songwriting competition for One Earth 2008
1st place Winner of the International Songwriting Contest for best country song: 2003
Spotlight artist in the Performing Songwriter Magazine Dec. 2003
1st place Winner of the 2002 Chris Austin song writing contest at Merlefest
3rd place Winner of the 2002 Chris Austin song writing contest at Merlefest
1st place Winner of South Florida Folk Festival Song Contest '03 for best Up Tempo song:
1st place Winner for best Americana song for Hobo Rock Star by Just Plain Folks 2002
A finalist at the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival and Falcon ridge folk festival songwriter showcases
DIY pick for Witness (CD) in Jan '03 issue of Performing Songwriter
DIY pick for Let Me Out Here (CD) Sept. ‘98 issue of Performing Songwriter
Witness(CD) top 10 CDs of '02 by the Santa Monica Mirror and Folkwax best of
Witness (CD) wins 3rd place for best americana record of '02 by Just Plain Folks
Set List
I sing a variety of songs from all 3 CDs plus those on my 4th coming CD and sing some favorite classic covers: A Case of YOu, That Song About the Midway, Stormy Weather, Crazy, Helplessly Hoping, If I needed YOu, Pancho and Lefty, Harvest Moon, Out On the Weekend, LockStock and Tear Drop, Cold Cold Heart and many others