But it is the teaching and advising that has brought Simpson some of his greatest satisfaction. It's been a great experience, he says, to come in contact with up-and-coming musicians. He hesitates to name names, because so many have come through his classes, but a few include Cherie Call, Tyler Castleton, Steve Lerud, Craig Poole, Jay Bateman, Mindy Gledhill, Julie de Azevedo, Hilary Weeks and Jenny Phillips.

Then, he says, there are the people who have gone on to work behind the scenes, such as Trey Vittetoe, who works for Rondor Music in Los Angeles, considered one of the most important independent publishers in the industry.

"The point is," says Simpson, "there are people making Mormon music, and there are Mormons who are making music. I've worked with both, and I'm equally proud of both."

Simpson remembers the first songwriting class he taught at BYU. "Steven Kapp Perry was in it, as were about six or seven others who had finished records on the shelves, so that was a little intimidating."

What he didn't know at the time was that Dan Truman, who has gone on to fame with country's Diamond Rio, was listening at the door. "Apparently some of the students got together and had him listen in to see if I knew what I was talking about. He confessed that to me a couple of years ago. I guess I passed the test."

It has been exciting for Simpson to see the growth and development of the local music scene. If there is any advice he would give aspiring musicians, in addition to his own slogan of holding to high standards, it is this: "You start with some God-given talent. And then you have to work as hard as if you had no talent at all."

When Simpson is not working with music, he might be found working on old cars. "I'm a California car guy. I'd owned 13 cars of all descriptions by high school graduation."

His car of choice now is a Studebaker. "My dad thought they were an innovative design. Anyone who knows me knows I like design." His current pride and joy is a fully restored '62 Studebaker. "I was the caregiver for my mother at the end of her life, and working on that car was a great stress reliever."

He and his wife, Maisa, also spend time with their three adult children.

But he never gets far away from music. Creating music at the level he's done it has been a thrill, he says. "But the flip side is being in front of a class, thinking that I might have some influence with people who are going to carry the torch on. Then I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world."

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E-mail: carma@desnews.com