DSG Prompt for January 2026
I was out of commission with a nasty flu through New Years, and I wasn’t planning to write a song for this meetup because I’ve been busy working toward the release of my new album.
But after more than two weeks essentially bedridden I found myself scrawling out a song. We keep paper and pens handy so that I don’t scratch my gibberish onto the walls of the asylum.
… back to the DSG meetup.
This is neither Matt nor Landon. This is Zuke.
Our glorious leader was back to his duties as our master of ceremonies.
Welcome back to where you belong, Matt.
Thanks again to Landon Taylor for holding down the fort last month.
We’re back at our usual haunt - Bramblitt’s Yellow Dog Art Bar & Gallery. John Bramblitt has recently hung a bunch of his paintings (it is a gallery after all) and you can see some of them in the photos. His work is stunning. Chrissy and I actually have one of his paintings. We are exceedingly fond of it.
As mentioned last month, John’s website is worth a look - John Bramblitt.
It was a cold evening, with a massive winter storm forecast for the coming weekend, and the Yellow Dog was packed. We had 16 songwriters who performed this night.
It was a wonderful evening.
The prompt for the January 2026 meetup was, “About You”.
My fever-dream generated contribution to this month’s festivities was a song called, “Falling Short”.
This may be the hardest thing
I’ve ever tried to do
Given the assignment
to write a song about you
I’m falling short
I’m falling short
My skills are lacking
I’m absolutely failing at this task
I’ve flipped the top on courage
just to find an empty flask
The further that I venture
the farther that I get from the goal
you see I’ve spent a lifetime
whittling these songs from my soul
Now I’m falling short
failing the assignment
I’m falling short
my tools out of alignment
Even this line needs refinement
I’m falling short
I’ve broken my machete
I’m yesterday’s confetti
My bridge won’t span this chasm
My art seems held at ransom
I’m falling short
at writing a song about you
Inspired by a flu otherwise best forgotten and the January 2026 Denton Songwriters Guild prompt, “About You”
Words and music by Blue Ajay
Written Thursday 15 January 2026 1PM
© 2026 Sanity Check Musec ASCAP
Lyrics reprinted with permission
All of the following photos were taken in Denton TX on Tuesday 20 January 2026 by either Christina M. Orr, or me.
– Blue
The Performer List - DSG January 2026
Matt Grigsby
Matt Grigsby
Matt Grigsby
Blue Ajay
Blue Ajay
Landon Taylor
Landon Taylor
Miro
Miro
Reanna Boydstun with Miro
Reanna Boydstun with Miro
Joe Snow
Joe Snow
Gregory Haeger
Leanne Schultz
Laura Overstreet
Laura Overstreet
Laura Overstreet
Mike Jochetz
Mike Jochetz
Hal Oleari
Hal Oleari
Hal Oleari
Mundo, Miro, Reanna
Melissa Poliseno
Melissa Poliseno
Leanne Schultz
Leanne Schultz
Leanne Schultz
Candid pic of many wonderful people in a delightful spot.
Taylor Moseley
Taylor Moseley
Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith
Noah Jewell
Noah Jewell
Gregory Haeger
Gregory Haeger
Shane Abel
Shane Abel
The effervescent John Parker and Blue Ajay
Miro and Reanna
DSG prompt for February 2026, ‘You think I’m lying’.
The Denton Songwriters Guild
Breaking writer’s block since 2015
Check out John Bramblitt's website. He's the proprietor of Bramblitt's Yellow Dog Art Bar & Gallery.
Check out the Denton Songwriters Guild Website.
You can also view all of my DSG related blog posts via the tag.
Pertinent Linkage: