I started a YouTube Channel in mid-January of this year. I don’t get a ton of views but I’ll post links to my most-watched videos here. The first three links are the most viewed. I’ll follow those with the top-ten most-played songs.
My goal was never to attempt to get views and create a popular channel, but rather simply to catalog songs and post some about songwriting and music.
The Top Three
- New Martin Guitar Junior 000
- Gibson L-00 Parlor Review: It’s Not Quite What I’d Hoped For
- Comparing a Martin 000 Junior With a Gibson L-00, Which Sounds Better?
The Top-Ten Songs
- Charlie Kirk Was a Jerk
- Heartache as Big as Texas
- Sippin’ Whiskey
- If I Were God Good Dogs Would Live Forever
- Escondido
- King Musk
- Justice
- Voice of an Angel
- Out of My Heart and Into Your Hands
- Welcome to the Gulf of America
What’s Going to Happen in 2026?
I posted a total of 199 videos in 2025 and gained 93 subscribers. Again, getting subscribers was not the primary reason for starting the channel. Documenting my own songwriting journey was.
I officially retired from full-time work on December 1. Shortly after I stopped working in early November, I almost doubled my output on the channel. I could keep that up. But I’m not going to. Why?
Although I was tempted to try to start building the channel instead of simply using it for my own space, I’ve decided against that idea for now. In April, I’ll be moving back to Maine. I’ll be busy moving and doing some work on my condo up there. I want to do some traveling. I might go back to work part time. So, I’m not ready to commit to something more than what I’m currently doing on my channel.
That Could Change
I’ve always considered the idea of doing something more with the channel and/or starting a second channel. But I only want to do that if I’ve decided to seriously commit to the project(s).
That would mean that I’d get new and improved equipment, and that I’d create a space specifically as a YouTube studio. I’d study the art of YouTube production and become more deliberate in creating higher-quality work. I’d aim for better video and better audio. I’d learn how to edit. I’d have more scripted videos.
I’m not yet convinced I want to do all that. I need to wait and see what direction life takes after my move back to Maine. Also, a part of me likes the simple lo-fi authenticity of my channel as it is.
So, until mid-2026, I’ve decided to pare back a little and only post a few times per week rather than daily as I did through most of November and December.
Here’s to 2026!
Let’s stay in touch. – dse