Just Keep Writing

I got this idea after reading a thread on  Tunesmith . The thread discussed the use of obscenities in modern media, as well as other issues that some of the Tunesmith community had some opinions about. The thread really got me thinking about society these days. I started thinking about how, these days, it's a "what's in it for me" world. Nobody seems to consider the bigger picture anymore. It really is a shame. Ain't It A Shame © 2011 Chelsey Sears There's a picket line outside A little white church Shouting as that casket Is carried to the hearse They don't consider that The soldier laid to rest Died protecting their freedom To gather and protest Ain't it a shame that things have come to this This ain't no way for us to live It seems like this world is going down hill every day Ain't it a shame She's standing on a bridge Because her so-called friends Decided to spread rumors Around the internet If just one person had ...

I swear I haven't forgotten about this blog. Things have just been crazy. Hopefully later today I will be able to write a little something. I've still been checking in. Thank you to my 4 followers!!! I also re-recorded "He's On His Way"... take a listen if you'd like. All feedback is welcome!   Listen Here

It's funny how writing changes the way you think about things. Little events and phrases that you would normally shrug off start sticking in the back of your mind. How, you'll just be driving down the road, and those ideas will creep up and out of nowhere you have a verse...then a prechorus...and a chorus...and so on. This is one of those ideas. I was talking to a guy who was interested in dating me. I was only interested in being friends so, I was honest with him. He was, shall we say, upset by this. He said a few choice words and called me a player? I found this very interesting because I don't play games. I don't run around, I don't lie, I don't cheat, I don't flirt with other men if I am dating someone. Well, I was joking around with my mother about this and she called me a player, to which I responded "Don't hate the player, hate the game. Love is a freakin' monopoly". Well, I started thinking about that phrase and thought "you kn...

To everyone who followed the audio link for "He's On His Way"! It made the top 30 on the country chart (Out of 50,000+) and it went up to #10 on the country general subgenre (Out of 16,000+). I mean, it's only on the Soundclick chart, which really isn't a big deal...but it still made my day. So again, thank you very much!!! And, an update on my progress...I'm actually ahead of schedule! I should've had 13 lyrics/songs done by now and I actually have 14 (Soon to be 15). Now, granted, only three of them have music, but there's music on the way for "Hollywood"...and I have a friend who is going to show me a thing or two about playing guitar. So, I might be doing even more recording! I would really like to record "What If" and "That Song" ...and possibly "Country As They Come". However, "Country As They Come" may have to wait until I can bring my electric guitar to school. I really want it to be a strong, ...

...It's only been a week since I left but I am feeling the need to return at some point in the near future. I read about this event called the Nashville Songwriter's Festival ( www.nashvillesongwritersfestival.org ), which will be taking place in June, and is located on Music Row. Sure a lot of people go to play...but the classes caught my eye. I mean, what better way to learn about the art, or craft as it is heavily debated, of songwriting. These classes are inexpensive and they seem, to me, like a great way to gain insight on the industry. OR ....They are a good excuse to return to Nashville. Also this summer, if I am correct, the Tunesmith Songwriting Challenge ( www.tunesmith.net ) will be taking place! Which is another excellent excuse to point my pick-up south!! I would really love to have the chance to meet the people who have grown with me through the years, and to thank them for helping and encouraging me. So, there are some choices to be made. The outcome will depe...

I got this idea a while ago. However, it has changed a bit since I thought about it. I always wear rhinestone shades, and one day at work, one of the guys started calling me "Hollywood" and I've wanted to write a song about that nickname ever since. But I wanted it to be different. Since a lot of the songs about Hollywood are about fame and fortune, I decided to go the other route and talk about how life never goes how you plan. Especially when you're a seventeen year old girl in a small town looking for a way out. So, I came up with a story about a girl nicknamed "Hollywood" who learns this lesson the hard way. Music to come. Enjoy. Hollywood © 2011 Chelsey Sears  She grew up in a little town With one stop-light, leading in and out Everybody knew she wanted to leave She walked to school in her rhinestone shades Countin' down the days Until she turned eighteen They call her Hollywood, down at the diner Where she's waitin' ...

This idea actually came to me last summer...well...the story in the first verse. I was at a bar for a Justin Moore concert, having a good time. After the show, I started talking to this city-cowboy...you know, the ones who buy a straw hat and a pair of boots and call themselves country. Well, we started talking and he started basically making fun of the guys I had gone to the concert with. He said they weren't country, and that it was all just an act. Well, he was cute, but not cute enough for me to hold back. You should've seen the look in his eyes when I explained that my friends and I grew up in a small town down the road. That they are in the army and that I break horses for a living. That we go fishing, that we like to shoot guns, and that we all drive trucks. Needless to say, I walked away after that point. But my little lecture has always stuck in the back of my mind. So, today I decided it was time to put it in a song. Country As They Come © 2011 Chelsey Sears Last ni...

While in Nashville, I had the opportunity to visit the Bluebird Cafe. I was overwhelmed by the caliber of talent sitting in one room.  There was one individual in particular who stood out to me. At the table next to mine there was a kid who looked to be around 13 or 14 years old. I didn't think anything of it until Brian White invited him to the microphone. His name is Easton Hamlin and he is from Moscow, Kansas. He completely blew me away as he performed his song, Dancing In The Rain, which he co-wrote with White. I had to share this video. Folks, you are about to witness, in my opinion, the next big name in country music.

George Jones at the Ryman Auditorium ...I am quite depressed that this trip is almost over. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to see my family, and my horses, and my dog tomorrow night. But I wish I had one more day. You know what they say, time flies when you are having fun. And this weekend flew right by. On Saturday, I took it a little easy. After sleeping in, and relaxing in the hotel, I wandered around Nashville. I found the Bass Pro Shop, a western wear store, and I explored the Dukes of Hazzard museum, which is adjacent to the old Sun Records studio. After that, I went on a wild goose hunt, in which I got a little lost. While arguing with my GPS, I took an exit ramp to take me back to the Opryland area. Since I was arguing with Helga, I failed to notice the giant tour bus that was attempting to merge onto the ramp. After the potential collision, I finally found my way back to the Opryland exit. As I was waiting at a red light, the tour bus passed me in the turning lan...

 At RCA Studio B  So, day three of my Nashville trip. I'm taking it easy today. To be honest, I'm still a little high on life from yesterday. After visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and RCA Studio B, I went down to the Pancake Pantry, which I highly recommend. I just had the Buttermilk pancakes and they were phenomenal. Afterwards I visited the Parthenon, which was also very cool. Then I decided that, since it was such a nice day, I would go for a stroll down music row. While walking, I came across Bobby's and went inside to sit down and relax for a second. I met some amazing people there. I met a publicist, an aspiring musician, an Australian who gave me his number, and a really cool bartender. I didn't even have to drink to have a good time. I sat there with my ice water and just got to know people. It was a really unique experience.  Josh Turner at the Grand Ole Opry  While I was sitting at Bobby's, talking to the folks there, I...

...when can I move here? I mean, if I could find an equine job within 40 miles or so of Nashville I would be the happiest person alive. Today I visited the Country Music Hall of Fame. While standing in the Hall of Fame rotunda, I noticed the little fountain. As I got closer, I saw that people used it as a wishing well of sorts. It was then that I randomly remembered that after my last break-up, I had put a necklace my ex had given me for Christmas in one of the pockets in my purse. I had pulled the chain out to use it for another necklace but I hadn't had a chance to take the pendant into a pawn shop yet. I pulled that little pendant out of my purse and just stood there for a moment. I thought about all the...for lack of better words...crap that I have dealt with over the years. Staring at that pendant I thought about the the times that I had been lied to, that I had been cheated on, and all the things that I had been told, that I can't really say on here. I thought about all t...

Nashville Day One... I love this freaking town! Somewhere between cruising down Music Row, shopping on Broadway, and sitting at the Bluebird Cafe listening to some of my favorite songs performed by the original songwriters, something happened. I got this little feeling that I am where I belong. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my equine career and I will pursue it to the fullest extent. But listening at the Bluebird really did something to me. I looked around and thought to myself, "ya know, I wouldn't mind doing this". It gave me a little kick in the rear, and it made me think about how much I enjoy songwriting. So, as I sat at the second show of the night (because one just wasn't enough), with a bar napkin and a hotel pen (which is another song I'm working on, I'll probably finish it in the morning) I began to write. The following lyric ensued. Re-writes to come, I'm sure. In Common © 2011 Chelsey Sears I knew from the moment That I picked up th...

Well,I apologize for not posting anything the last few days. Things have been a little crazy. I am currently on Spring Break with some friends in Georgia, which has not allowed much time for writing. However, tomorrow I will be traveling to the Mecca of songwriters, Music City itself, Nashville. I am actually very excited. I won't be playing while I am there, but I hope to dive into the music scene head first to catch a glimpse of the pros in action. Maybe somewhere in my busy day I will stumble upon some inspiration to hammer out another lyric. So, be prepared, my friends. I may do some soul searching, I may cross paths with a country music icon, I might get a tattoo. Hey, anything goes.

This is another write from FAWM. I was sitting around listening to some Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash when I decided to pick up a pencil. I mean, I love modern country, but I still have a soft spot for classics. So I decided to try to write a modern lyric with a classic feel. After posting it on FAWM, Eric contacted me saying that he would try to record some music for it. When I opened the link, it was exactly what I had in mind. THIS is why I write! So have listen. And if you have a moment to spare, check out Eric's Blog  too! Aint Sorry © 2011 Chelsey Sears/Eric L. I heard through the grapevine You'd been wanderin' around 'Cause you can't keep a secret In a tiny town So I started tellin' A story of my own Now you're mad because someone Told you I was gone Well I ain't sorry Did what I had to do Packed up what I needed And that didn't leave much room In my rusty pick up truck For you to tag along Sure just up an leavin' Mi...

Well, I've come to the conclusion that this is going to be a very long year. I already feel like I am falling behind. Here is another FAWM write. I wasn't a big fan of this one until someone expressed interest in collaborating and the end result really pumped me up. Click on the title to hear the audio. Wild Ride © 2011 Chelsey Sears/Rick Amorphis I ain't gonna keep starin at my phone I ain't gonna wait for you to call Sure I like your sweet talkin But it's gonna take more for me to fall You best be faster than the wind As you're chasin' me 'Cause I wanna be loved But I wanna be free So boy, saddle up And hold on tight If you wanna tame me It's gonna be a wild ride I ain't the kind of girl to play games I ain't a fan of wastin' time So baby, either make your move Or I'll see who's next in line You best be faster than the wind As you're chasin' me 'Cause I wanna be loved But I wanna be free ...

Well, after a very hectic week I found myself facing writers block again. It didn't just affect my writiing, it had an impact on everything. Between dealing with drama and dealing with school and trying to ride everyday, and trying to write, I was completely overwhelmed. So in an attempt to vent my frustrations, I picked up a pen and a piece of paper, locked the doors, and just began to jot down some feeling that I had. Writers block conquered. Understand © Chelsey Sears 2011 Sometimes I find myself hiding away In my little hometown bar 'Cause under the glow of the neon lights No one can see my battle scars And with another round I start hopin that drink can Make a little sense of The things I don't understand Why a so called honest man Could just walk out And forget about the woman he said He couldn't live without Why all it took was a tall redhead To pull that ring off of his hand That's just one of those things I'll never understand I ...