Thanks for the history MAB. Exactly the answer I expected. But I wanted anyone following this thread to hear the story also. Then, there s another friend of yours, I think we have talked about, and a hero of mine; Jeffery Steel. I think I heard he actually wanted to be an artist? I've watched a few U-Tubes of his earlier days. He was "different" back then. Ahead of his time. At least in the videos I watched.
I actually had the pleasure of meeting Jeffery at a Durango Songwriters Festival back in the late 90's early 2000's. Really nice guy and took time to talk to a lot of guys that were just there from where ever for the festival, and to learn. Turns out, back then anyway, he was an avid mountain bike rider and had brought his bike to go riding the next day. (I didn't even think to bring my bike!#! Oh well.) He did a question and answer session so a lot of us lined up. My question was did he ever rewrite songs. His answer really surprised and upset several of the NSAI members that were there. NSAI's mantra is for their members to rewrite, rewrite, rewrite. Jeffery said he didn't really rewrite. He just wrote another song. (MAB IS always right!!!) But, I think the best guidance he gave us was, that when he wrote, he always tried to build some kind of tension, lyrically and melodically, to lead from the verse into the chorus, which always really stood out from the verses in his songs. That was his "trademark", and when you listened to a new song back then, you could tell from that signature if Jeffery had written it.
This Durango festival was right after he had written, "I'm Tryin", a huge hit for Trace Adkins, and he performed that song for us. I remember thinking at the time that Jeffery did the song better than the one I had heard on the radio, and wandered why he wasn't an artist. I still don't know? BUT, a few years later, I was working in Arlington, VA and would drive to Atlantic City for the weekend. On some of those drives, somewhere between Maryland and New Jersey, I DID hear Jeffery on the radio with a rocker tune, "Must Be Something In The Water". I was just sure he was on his way! But, I never heard that song in Arlington, or in Denver, where I lived at the time. Nor did I ever hear any more Jeffery Steel tunes on the radio. Was very disappointed. But he sure left a BIG mark on Nashville as a songwriter. I hope he is doing well these days. Haven't heard too much about him in a while.
phil g.