Yup, best of luck with your efforts on 24 notes -- it is a song worthy of lots of attention.
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Big Ed Moore likes this.
Yeah, I posted ths on another thread, but I think it's worth the read, because it concerns driving under the influence.
Holiday Driving Tips
With the Holidays close upon us, I would like to share a personal experience with my friends about drinking and driving.
As you know, some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time, often on the way home after a "social session" with family or friends.
Well, two days ago, this happened to me. I was out for an evening with friends and had more than several whiskies followed by a couple of bottles of rather nice red wine and vodka shots. Although relaxed, I still had the common sense to know I was slightly over the limit. That's when I did something I've never done before - I took a taxi home!
Sure enough on the way there was a police roadblock, but since it was a taxi they waved it past and I arrived home safely without incident.
This was a real surprise to me, because I had never driven a taxi before. I don't know where I got it, and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it.. So, anyway, if you want to borrow it give me a call.
Happy Holidays and be safe out there.
With the Holidays close upon us, I would like to share a personal experience with my friends about drinking and driving.
As you know, some of us have been known to have brushes with the authorities from time to time, often on the way home after a "social session" with family or friends.
Well, two days ago, this happened to me. I was out for an evening with friends and had more than several whiskies followed by a couple of bottles of rather nice red wine and vodka shots. Although relaxed, I still had the common sense to know I was slightly over the limit. That's when I did something I've never done before - I took a taxi home!
Sure enough on the way there was a police roadblock, but since it was a taxi they waved it past and I arrived home safely without incident.
This was a real surprise to me, because I had never driven a taxi before. I don't know where I got it, and now that it's in my garage I don't know what to do with it.. So, anyway, if you want to borrow it give me a call.
Happy Holidays and be safe out there.
GOOD AFTERNOON Y'ALL from Ocala, FL. I trust everyone had a great Christmas? At this point in my wife's and mine life, we usually just exchange gift certificates. She got one for Missouri Quilt and Amazon, and I got one for Guitar Center, and also got a subscription to American Songwriter and Guitar Player magazines. Was a really good Christmas for us.
If we don't see one another before next year, Y'all have a safe, fun filled new years, and may next year be better than the past one for you. Also, DON'T FORGET the Black eye peas on new years day!!
phil g.
I hope everyone is having a great Christmas!
Season's Greetings to all!!!
Ott
After 4 days away from everything except beer food and family ( no Internet or phone) its back to business as usual. Fortunately we were nowhere near the area where 120 homes were destroyed in a raging bushfire . Great Christmas for those folk Huh?
And More Floods in the UK north east .
Here is to New Years Eve and a happy healthy 2016
Jw
And More Floods in the UK north east .
Here is to New Years Eve and a happy healthy 2016
Jw
It's been a crazy few weeks but had a quiet Christmas. Second time in my married life (since 1984!) that I have had a quiet Christmas at home. We normally travelled to the Isle of Lewis or Edinburgh to spend Christmas / New Year alternatively with our parents. Sadly, from this year, it is no longer required. So just a nice quiet time by the solid fuel stove with beer, wine, sherry & "Coal Ila" smokey Islay whisky.
Hope you all had a great Christmas and tonight have a wonderful New Year celebration. I'll lift a dram to you all.
Cheers
Nod x
I just wanted to wish everybody a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I'd like to add my Happy New Year's Greetings as well, and compliment Big Ed on his graphic! 
Happy new year everyone.Thanks for your friendship, and all your encouragement through the year.
Love Mary
Happy new year everyone.
Thanks for the friendship and encouragement you have given me all year.
Love Mary
Happy new year all!! I hope you had your black eyed peas today!? It is required food for us southern folk. It will bring good health and prosperity for the new year.
I don't do new years resolutions. But, I am promising myself to try to do more playing out this year. I'm thinking about learning some older (from the 80's and 90's) cover tunes so I have more than just my songs to play out. I love playing my songs out, but around here, folks really want to hear cover tunes. AND, since I am a song writer, When I do those cover tunes, I'll learn who wrote them and make sure I honor the writer(s) when I introduce the song.
phil g.
OK, I bought one new thing to get me further away from actually learning the songwriting craft (ha, ha). Cyberlink had a pretty good sale going on so I bought their PowerDirector 14 Ultra to make videos!. I hope software is clearer than their their on-line sales advertising, though. I found it for $49 and then all of a sudden it was $69. I clicked around for awhile and found it again for $49. With another 15% discount I got it for $42.50. This will allow me (I hope) to make multitrack videos so I can show myself playing the different parts. We shall see.
On another note, my CD is free to stream and download at https://crowssayveeeh.bandcamp.com/ . Of course I have seen from other sites that I can't even give it away -- Marc is right again!
Happy New year and I hope everyone has a great 2016.
HAPPY NEW YEARS EVERYONE!
Well, another year has begun and I hope you are all doing the things you want to make this year more creative than the last. Hope some of you are out there, and would love to hear from you and what is going on with each of you. I have not been on much as the end of year in Nashville gets very quiet so there is not a lot to talk about. Did perform a few times, did a couple of tours with some new artists, but basically got very quiet. I have just gotten back from California and will fill you in on the details if you would like. If not, as usual scroll on.
Everyone is still trying to figure out what the music industry is going to be. No one really knows, or will ever know. Personally I believe like always it is what we make it. I think our goals should be to write the best songs, be around as many like minded people as we can and constantly work to getting our music out there in as many avenues as we can.
In many ways, not much has changed. It is highly competitive, more so every day, and everyone has to scratch for their place in it. Whether you are trying to go for the "brass ring" in National stardom or just trying to be the best writer you personally can be to perform on a writers night in your area, the principals are exactly the same.
IN MY OPINION (always have to start out with that) it is about being clear and trying to avoid what everyone else is doing.
It is more and more like THE GAME OF GOLF. More people out there doing it all the time. Less and less people that get any real financial benefits out of it. Most "internet based" "Riches" (which are not riches at all, but platitudes) most of the fame or glory of any kind are very fleeting. Always looking for the next big thing.
It is my method to do most everything yourself. Don't wait on publishers, record labels, producers, or anyone to come along and "annoint you" to success. Probably not going to happen and all you are going to do is wait.
I try very hard not to tell any of you to do things I don't have to do myself. I am a professional adviser and mentor, so I can give people advice on how to proceed, help them along the way, but they still have to do it themselves.
CALIFORNIA.
My week in California was basically a vacation. Tina and I went out, stayed with two of my best friends, Cliff and Bev Nelson, of IRVINE (ORANGE COUNTY) CALIFORNIA. They are two of the most dedicated people I have ever met and the actual embodyment of what I preach. Do something for someone else and it comes back to you. The primary thing is they are putting another songwriters group together.
Over the years I have mentored several songwriters groups. Many of the NSAI groups but also several "split offs" from those groups. You see, there are people who want to go more than just a once a month meeting or the odd writers night. It takes someone to step up, take the lead and get people on board to doing things. Along the way, you find how you fit in and it works for you.
Over the years they have done many things, had numerous Nashville writers out there, did song camps, did retreats, have formed their own groups, duos, their own writers nights, their own regular writers group get togethers. Quite social and quite productive.
At one point we had them and a few others put into a professional publishing company with their own song plugger in Nashville. They came in, made trips, made connections. Some of their members moved here. Was very productive, but when the difficulty of getting cuts became so apparent, they sort of ended what they were doing.
Now, it is a different focus. We are building a "FARM TEAM" approach, sort of like the MICHIGAN GROUP has done, yet taking it a step further. While the Michigan guys tend to start off well in finding people, often personality quirks drive people away, and they get very fragmented. When you can't find the win win, and when you start getting lost in what you are doing, it doesn't go well. Writers need artists more than artists need writers. When you lose sight of that, you can defeat your own purpose.
Some things about artists have to be acknowledged. They are often difficult to work with. The farther away from the artists, the less involved you will be. Which is why there are almost no pitches any more. Artists are in the driver seat. So you have to figure out how to get in the car.
In the format we are taking, there are nine people involved in this group. They include nine writers, who write together in various configurations, and all are scouting for artists. Two of the writers, who live in San Diego, own a recording studio. There are also several "additional team members" who are associated with the core group. These include two actors, a husband and wife (at just over 30) who are very savvy in video and publicity. There is another who is a very good photographer and runs their web site and social media.
Other associates are one guy who does a LOT of film and television background work. He did the music for the last Olympics and has other media involvement. All told, about 15 people will actually make up the group. That includes me as mentor and coach.
They are called "THE OC NINE."
Currently they have two female artists and are on the look for two-six others. Trying to find two males, a duo, and a band are the immediate call.
The set up for the group would be something like this:
#1. Twice a month they meet with individual artists. There are writing groups of three people in different rooms in Cliff and Bev's house. In a speed writing session, the artist visits each group, developing ideas, around grooves, subject matter, types of songs, etc. they spend around 20 minutes with each group, then move on to the next group. The group stays and continues to flesh out the song. Roughly two hours are devoted to each one, then everyone gets together and plays the songs in the common area. The artists give guidance up and down on songs.
Each of the groups will take songs home and work on them individually, or drop the ideas. About 50% will be finished.
There will be emails and social media that continue the songs and then demos may be done on multiple songs.
On the top of the heaps, videos will be done to add to everyone's social media, Facebook, Web sites, etc.
#2. REGULAR WRITER'S SHOWCASES.
Since several of the artists and some of the writers are established in the area clubs, there will be an "OC NINE NIGHT" in one of the shows. Done like a "Variety show" of the old days, the group THE LOSERS, Which feature Cliff and two of the other writers, who will be more or less the headliners. They will emcee and perform themselves. The artists will showcase the songs and other artists will be added along the way.
#3. THEATER SHOWS.
#3. THEATER SHOWS.
As enough presence is developed, there are many small (150 seat) theaters in that area. The show will be moved up to these larger venues a couple of times a year, depending on fan basis.
#4. POD CASTING.
There are opportunities, to do house concerts that will be broadcasting on the Internet. With a couple of the members having access to video equipment, it is pretty easy to do. Again, something most of these people are doing anyway, we are just trying to bring them together with a larger purpose.
#5. NASHVILLE TRIPS.
At some point, some of the artists will come to Nashville, work with me (I will also be working with them out there) and perform on shows and make connections here in town. I will set them up with my own writers and hopefully work toward showcases at the proper time. Also, recording will be done in town if budget allows.
So essentially, that is how it works. This is the same as Nashville publishers operate. Build a group of people around artists, develop several artists simultaneously. As in most ventures, many drop out. But like planting seeds, if you plant enough, you will get seedlings.
THE UP SIDE,
There are safety in numbers. Having a core group of people, supporting each other, allows artists to be nurtured without becoming indentured servants. They get access to more songs, build their own skills, have more depth to their writing and approach.
The writers get access to artists in the development stages. And if that artist "moves on" past what the group can do for them, it is in effect a "resume builder" (Tina's favorite phrase) and the overall reputation of the group will attract future artists. In effect creating a re-occuring event.
That is basically it. The key is finding people willing to do this. The writers side has many already, and actually more wanting to get in. But there will have to be a screening process. Again, that is something I will be involved in.
If nothing else, it will help them build what they do, allow them all to write and participate in the music industry. They will see their songs and efforts develop in front of them. Instead of the long distance "trying to get cuts" on artists they have no connection to and even less of a chance to get songs to them.
So this is how it is going. Meet other people, develop your own product. Have constant participation, and move forward. Basically "getting out of the living room."
That's what they are doing. Enough for now.
MAB
My own pat on the back.
The entire purpose of what I do, the things I say, write, and demonstrate, are really all about "teaching a person to fish." I try to demonstrate by doing, elements of writing, the follow through of that writing. One of the main enjoyments that I have are watching people I have worked with "come into their own" when it comes to writing.
One of the people that have really stepped up and done that is OD.
We have not heard a lot from OD recently as he has been in his own quiet time. He feels some times he can "get into the beer" and make observations that he might rather keep to himself. That is something we ALL do, and many people never realize that. The entire internet is made up of people that should "think before they press 'SEND.'".
I have always found him to be a great friend, very instinctive and very funny. We have a really interesting bond. He came to me after he had spent many years and dollars going off in directions it probably would have been better if he didn't do. But he learned with every mistake and constantly worked to better himself, sometimes even despite himself.
We still write a bit online and he has gone from just writing down some blathering words, to really honing in on the craft of lyric writing. Most of the songs I have either done a lot of changing and adapting, and some I suggested he just leave them in the "Good idea at the time" pile.
But recently he has started to send me some lyrics that really are hitting the mark. A current one is really very well done and I am putting some music to it. I have not really had to change a thing outside of some changing for meter, but the meaning of the song is very well stated.
Since so much of the time I am just talking about what NOT to do, it is good that sometimes they show me WHAT TO DO. And OD is now really doing that consistently.
Just wanted to give credit where credit is due.
MAB
I was wonderin what happened to OD. I kinda figured he'd finally found a dumb old gal who bought into his line of BS .
I would have never guessed he had entered the realm of being profound or prolific ?
I would have never guessed he had entered the realm of being profound or prolific ?
He's around and doing just fine. Hope you are doing well, Don.
MAB
Hello........... It's me.....dAng Adele
Happy new year Mab
Starting off rough no Pc
All mobile but withthe royalty checks coming in Now .03 cents I should have one inno time
Question when you list your songs with a pro ASCAP BMI ..etc. and a artist decides to record do you have to do any extra legal stuff. Just wondering
Happy new year Mab
Starting off rough no Pc
All mobile but withthe royalty checks coming in Now .03 cents I should have one inno time
Question when you list your songs with a pro ASCAP BMI ..etc. and a artist decides to record do you have to do any extra legal stuff. Just wondering
Hi Dave,
Outside of registering the song, I don't really think so. You should register the song and the project name through your PRO. Once again, the new dynamics of the music industry is that it takes so many thousands and thousands of streams or plays, and no one is really getting that outside of the YOU TUBE people, it almost is an excercise in futility. But it is good to have a record on everything.
MAB
Marc-Alan Barnette said...
He's around and doing just fine. Hope you are doing well, Don.
MAB
Hi Mark, good to hear the OD is doing well. I posted to see if I could get a rise out of him. Im doing great, getting ready to leave for The Villages of Florida for a week of partying with the old folks. I'll be on the road in a couple of hours heading south real close to where PhilG lives.
Thank you I was asking just to clear my mind all I want to do is write I hate the Biz end that's why I'm glad I a publisher takes care of some of my stuff The song in question was registered by all writers but one self pub/ writer is now that the song is on radio(small) market is saying thy did not sign a contract and is seeking legal action crap if they want my 03 cents they can have i
I agree with you MAB, OD is a fine songwriter.I have CDs here that he was kind enough to send me, and I never stop playing them.I am recording two of his songs at the moment, and feel honored to do so.I have been very lucky to meet, and work with, some great writers on song ramp, that I would never have met had i not come across song ramp.OD offered me a lot of encouragement and support for my CD which I am still recording, and also offered a lot of support to me over Christmas when my close friend and co writer Terri Sharp died.I really appreciated it.
Peggy Burnham and I have written a song together, which I am delighted with, and Ott Lukk has also given me a beautiful song to record.I also enjoy reading your page also, and the advice that you are kind enough to share,with stories of your experiences.
Delighted OD is coming back!!
Mary
Dan, make sure you bring winter cloths! It gets cold down here! The villages is about an hour south of me. My wife's sister goes down there once or twice a week for a dance they have. I'm sure you'll have a great time while you're here. There is one open mic in Ocala on Tuesdays and another in Belleview, just south of Ocala, on Thursdays if you're interested in playing out. Don't know if they have anything like that in the Villages? But, you might be able to just play one of the venues there. I'll send you a PM so you can call me when you get here. We can go to lunch or diner.
phil g.
Hey guys,
Wags, you CANNOT IMAGINE how much silly stuff goes on in the music business. People worrying about lavish contracts on songs that more than likely will wind up no more than a 30 second blurb on some local radio station and then forgotten. We are in such a litigious society that everyone is so worried about covering their butt. I finally gave up, and concentrate on things I can do something about. Namely showing people some information on the craft of writing and performing. Another reason to work with artists, is that their responsibility should be to carry the ball forward. So much of that is done through their resources. If you have someone that does that, you are in luck. Don't lose that relationship.
You have to be realistic. Unless you have a really strong publisher, with a large collection department, the chances of making any significant money is nearly nil. In order to get TO those strong publishers, you are going to have to assign your publishing to someone. Again, like always this is nothing new. It is the reason the BEATLES didn't own their publishing on most of their songs, and still don't on many of them. Publishing is the business side of songwriting and unless you are well connected AND have a good deal of money, you are going to have to hand that ball off.
And in this day and age, unless you are writing with someone INSIDE a strong publishing company, or has a significant shot at that or a record deal, you are probably not going to get those big cuts or those money making situations. Not fair, but that is life. What is fair?
To tell the truth, I have always felt a little sorry for publishers. They put up a lot of money, expend a lot of political capital, time, sometimes decades, to achieve the smallest noteriety. Then, the chances of song contracts expiring, artists or writers being taken by other publishers/record companies, and them being shut completely out of the process, is pretty depressing. It is why I was always ready to work with them in any way I can. I have never been "That EVIL SOB (record...publisher...producer...fill in the blanks here) THEY RIPPED ME OFF!!!" No they didn't. What were you without them? What were you doing? Did they help your career?
Got to keep it in perspective.
MAB
Mary, thanks for saying that about OD. A lot of people get the wrong impression because the Internet doesn't allow for smiles, sarcasm, laughter, etc. About 90% of things he says to people are really just to get some conversations going, and the "Ol Dog Loves you best" and other stuff is just done to have fun.
But he listens to other people's songs, and there is no one I have met on here more willing to help out a person in need. He has certainly helped me in many instances, so I have a lot of respect for the man. Also knowing a little of his life history, would give everyone a little more insight. He is a very special guy. I care very deeply about him.
As to him being "prolific", he actually always has been. Mary, as you mentioned, he had a couple of pretty good CD's and has worked at this for a long time. He had a problem when we first met, that so many of us, including myself, have. Writing our age. As we grow older, we lose track with the current state of the music industry, how younger people, who are generally the target audience for publishers and industry people, so we write things that reflect our age.
Sometimes this is fine, especially if we are only writing for ourselves or our friends. When we step up and try to participate with others, even if it is just some of the people on our local open mics, or writers shows, then we have to update our skills and understanding. That is the deal with writing with younger artists. It helps keep you in the ballpark regarding trends, language, etc.
It is kind of funny in some ways. From time to time, I go study some of the current writers and artists. Do a YOU TUBE search on some of the people I have been hearing about. Yesterday it was CHRIS STAPELTON, who I have heard a couple of times, and this past year won all the CMA awards. In his music and a lot of his voice, he sounds like what I was doing 25 years ago, when I moved to Nashville. Very soulful and dynamic. I also peruse some of the others, Eric Church, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, some of the others. Usually the same thing. Formulas in the songs are pretty much the same as we've done for decades. Telling the story, being clear, big choruses. Mostly the same deal I talk about here on and on.
As I write with younger artists, as I am in a couple of hours here, I find it helps just to stay in bounds and try to bring something to THEIR GAME. That is the most important thing to me. If they relate to it, it helps them get something they couldn't quite the same way, that is my role.
That is what OD has done. In his first CD's, he had a bit of a dated style in his songs. They were written years ago, and were fine for what he was doing. When he got with me, I wanted to do one main thing. Get him to listen to some of the current music at that time, and find he was not as far away as he thought, but he needed to get more REALITY into his songs. This is something I feel is essential. When you listen to hundreds and thousands of songs, you can tell when someone is writing something that just "rhymes", and when their doing something they LIVED.
This is a marked difference in what the "BIG DOGS" (major writers and artists) do. In every line, every note, they make you FEEL they have done what they are writing about. Even in some of those silly "BRO COUNTRY" songs, while inane and contrived, most of the time, it seems like they actually did that.
I have told the story before of a group of artists and writers I used to hang out with. We were always doing parties, guitar pulls, hanging out on boats, rivers, lakes, etc. Frankly, we were pretty much every thing those dumb bro country songs sing about. Hanging out in a farmer's field on a Saturday night, with a bonfire, cold beers, and really cute girls?Yep. Been there. Done that.
And years later, some of those writers and artists became people like BIG KENNY of BIG AND RICH, GRETCHEN WILSON, and many others. And I remember a lot of those songs that people have heard on the radio being written and performed, OUT IN THOSE FIELDS.
But anything can get overdone and that is what has happened. So you write about other stuff.
That is what I have seen and been involved with and why I have enjoyed showing that to people like OD, Phil and others. It is really cool when they are in a small room with a bunch of writers and suddenly some unknown guy pulls out some LEGENDARY song they grew up listening to on the radio. That has been my life.
And you see so many things. One of my friends who was in that group, Rory Lee, is right now going through a very public terrible time with his beautiful wife Joey. She has Cancer and is all over the media, Internet, etc. Very tough, but very inspirational and those two have really touched a lot of lives.
And to me, that is what songwriting is about. Rory wrote a song once called "CHAIN OF LOVE" which is one of the best written songs I have ever heard. They are living that, and the song is more poinient all the time.
So that is what I have been fortunate to see in OD. His songs have gained those kinds of insights. And I don't talk about "Hit songs." I talk about songs that really place things well, say things well, observe those "realities." And that is what he has grown into. It is fun seeing him come from those places and advance in his abilities. Will be something relevant for him to leave behind.
So Mary, I'm glad you are recording his, Ott's Peggy's songs. Thank you for that. It is the sincerest form of what all this is about, that you care enough about them to put them ahead or in line with your own. Something that doesn't happen too much any more. Good for you. Hope you will let me hear them some time.
So there are always good things going on. You just have to make your good times outweigh your bad times. Glad you guys are still at it, still writing and thanks for getting on here. Always good to hear from you.
MAB
But he listens to other people's songs, and there is no one I have met on here more willing to help out a person in need. He has certainly helped me in many instances, so I have a lot of respect for the man. Also knowing a little of his life history, would give everyone a little more insight. He is a very special guy. I care very deeply about him.
As to him being "prolific", he actually always has been. Mary, as you mentioned, he had a couple of pretty good CD's and has worked at this for a long time. He had a problem when we first met, that so many of us, including myself, have. Writing our age. As we grow older, we lose track with the current state of the music industry, how younger people, who are generally the target audience for publishers and industry people, so we write things that reflect our age.
Sometimes this is fine, especially if we are only writing for ourselves or our friends. When we step up and try to participate with others, even if it is just some of the people on our local open mics, or writers shows, then we have to update our skills and understanding. That is the deal with writing with younger artists. It helps keep you in the ballpark regarding trends, language, etc.
It is kind of funny in some ways. From time to time, I go study some of the current writers and artists. Do a YOU TUBE search on some of the people I have been hearing about. Yesterday it was CHRIS STAPELTON, who I have heard a couple of times, and this past year won all the CMA awards. In his music and a lot of his voice, he sounds like what I was doing 25 years ago, when I moved to Nashville. Very soulful and dynamic. I also peruse some of the others, Eric Church, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, some of the others. Usually the same thing. Formulas in the songs are pretty much the same as we've done for decades. Telling the story, being clear, big choruses. Mostly the same deal I talk about here on and on.
As I write with younger artists, as I am in a couple of hours here, I find it helps just to stay in bounds and try to bring something to THEIR GAME. That is the most important thing to me. If they relate to it, it helps them get something they couldn't quite the same way, that is my role.
That is what OD has done. In his first CD's, he had a bit of a dated style in his songs. They were written years ago, and were fine for what he was doing. When he got with me, I wanted to do one main thing. Get him to listen to some of the current music at that time, and find he was not as far away as he thought, but he needed to get more REALITY into his songs. This is something I feel is essential. When you listen to hundreds and thousands of songs, you can tell when someone is writing something that just "rhymes", and when their doing something they LIVED.
This is a marked difference in what the "BIG DOGS" (major writers and artists) do. In every line, every note, they make you FEEL they have done what they are writing about. Even in some of those silly "BRO COUNTRY" songs, while inane and contrived, most of the time, it seems like they actually did that.
I have told the story before of a group of artists and writers I used to hang out with. We were always doing parties, guitar pulls, hanging out on boats, rivers, lakes, etc. Frankly, we were pretty much every thing those dumb bro country songs sing about. Hanging out in a farmer's field on a Saturday night, with a bonfire, cold beers, and really cute girls?Yep. Been there. Done that.
And years later, some of those writers and artists became people like BIG KENNY of BIG AND RICH, GRETCHEN WILSON, and many others. And I remember a lot of those songs that people have heard on the radio being written and performed, OUT IN THOSE FIELDS.
But anything can get overdone and that is what has happened. So you write about other stuff.
That is what I have seen and been involved with and why I have enjoyed showing that to people like OD, Phil and others. It is really cool when they are in a small room with a bunch of writers and suddenly some unknown guy pulls out some LEGENDARY song they grew up listening to on the radio. That has been my life.
And you see so many things. One of my friends who was in that group, Rory Lee, is right now going through a very public terrible time with his beautiful wife Joey. She has Cancer and is all over the media, Internet, etc. Very tough, but very inspirational and those two have really touched a lot of lives.
And to me, that is what songwriting is about. Rory wrote a song once called "CHAIN OF LOVE" which is one of the best written songs I have ever heard. They are living that, and the song is more poinient all the time.
So that is what I have been fortunate to see in OD. His songs have gained those kinds of insights. And I don't talk about "Hit songs." I talk about songs that really place things well, say things well, observe those "realities." And that is what he has grown into. It is fun seeing him come from those places and advance in his abilities. Will be something relevant for him to leave behind.
So Mary, I'm glad you are recording his, Ott's Peggy's songs. Thank you for that. It is the sincerest form of what all this is about, that you care enough about them to put them ahead or in line with your own. Something that doesn't happen too much any more. Good for you. Hope you will let me hear them some time.
So there are always good things going on. You just have to make your good times outweigh your bad times. Glad you guys are still at it, still writing and thanks for getting on here. Always good to hear from you.
MAB