Just Keep Writing

It started with one line, in June. “Loitering at the  dairy queen ”. For a while, I’d been interested in writing a song about small town living, but, seeing that it’s a common topic in country music, it’s a somewhat difficult topic to approach, especially when you are an OCD amateur songwriter. For the longest time, I focused on the modern country interpretation of a rural community, complete with bonfires, moonshine and big trucks. But the small town way of life is so much more. It’s an attitude. It’s a cycle. It’s raw, yet artistic. Instead of writing about the common perception of small town living, I approached it as someone who grew up on a few acres, off an old dirt road. I tried to dig to the roots and find some core images that really summarize the lifestyle that I was raised to admire. That’s easier said than done. I was just driving down the main drag when that single line came to me. There were no accompanying ideas, or melody concepts. Just five words. I decided that...

Every now and then, you come across a song that elicits an unexpected excitement. Whether it be the result of a particularly catchy line, a solid hook, or the emotions evoked by the imagery, sometimes a song can not only elevate your desire to write, but also bring encouragement through any troubled times.  This past summer, as Layton and I were becoming a bit restless, in regards to our relocation, we made an impulsive and somewhat financially irresponsible decision to plan a return to St. John. At that moment, I was immediately engaged in full island mode.  This elation was quickly evident in my writing as I set out to create a song that would convey my love  for the island life. Typing with fervor, the lyrics magically came together, without question or hesitation. A melody in my head, I picked up my guitar and began to strum a simple progression, with a modern pop country groove, and the dream of having a hit on my hands as it was, without a doubt, one of my most...

It was Ludwig Van Beethoven who stated "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy", and it is a point that is hard to argue. In music, one can explore the depths of the soul, which cannot otherwise be explained. Songwriting takes this exploration one step further. Instead of standing on the ledge, peeking into the canyon, seeking a glimpse of purpose, we scale the cliffside to retrieve the resolution.  As many others have, I reached the point, a few years ago, in which my heart longed to start over. My soul needed a hard reset, and my only anchor was my nagging sense of responsibility. However, last fall, Layton received a job offer that would require his relocation. The night that he decided to leave, he asked me to accompany him. Originally, I insisted that it would be impossible. However, the following morning, I looked my mother in the eye and told her that I was moving to Florida. We kept things quiet for several months, and I was grateful for that as ...

As a music lover, attending a concert stirs the soul. As a songwriter, attending a concert sparks creativity. It seems that, at every show I attend, my drive and passion for writing become engaged. At times this will even lead me to leave a show early, in order to return home and jot down some ideas. Last night was, by far, the most inspirational concert that I have ever attended. I had the opportunity to be in the front row of a Gary Allan performance. For those of you who are unaware, I love his music, his style, and the emotion conveyed through his works. Singing along to nearly every word (I have heard "What Would Willy Do", but I wasn't familiar enough with it to even attempt it!), I was instantly overcome with the desire to work on Last Cigarette. Seeing that I returned home around 2 AM, I got a few hours of shut eye and, although I had planned on sleeping in, I rose with excitement and pulled a guitar off the wall. Still feeling the vibe from the show, I decided to...