Since I began to host the LYRICAL WORKERS show about five years ago, I have met or corresponded with many talented artists and songwriters. That interaction has in turn given me some insight into my own journey as a songwriter. I don’t think there are many radio shows which focus on the writers of songs, and the songwriters with whom I’ve been in touch seem to be more than willing to share their stories. Every week, I learn about one or two new artists from songwriters I already know, and I try to relay their experiences in my show.
A few months ago, I received a Facebook
message from an American songwriter named Scott Cook, who presently makes his
home in Edmonton. I think he learned about my LYRICAL WORKERS show through our
mutual friend Corin Raymond, a wonderful songwriter whom I met through my collaborations
with Sean Cotton. Scott recently sent me his latest CD, entitled “A Tangle Of
Souls”, which included a book comprised of all the lyrics for his CD, and the stories
that inspired the songs. I’m only about halfway through the book, but I can very
much relate to Scott’s journey. I know what it’s like to second guess my place
in the field, to wonder if I’m good enough, and to question why I’m writing
songs in the first place. As well, his candid discussion about his plunge down
the rabbit hole of self-medication struck home. So many of us struggle with those
same demons. Songwriting is my catharsis; it is my way to make sense of the
world around me. I think it is the same for Scott. He became the wandering troubadour
I never had the courage to be, and in so doing fell prey to the demons that
plague those who spend their lives on the road. Vicariously, I learn from a
fellow songwriter’s journey. The book is part political commentary and part
tell all revelation about the struggles of an intelligent, flawed, sentient
human being. I see a little bit of me in
every songwriter I encounter. We’re all telling our stories.
The other night Shauna and I
watched the Netflix show entitled “Springsteen On Broadway”. While I was never
a huge fan of Springsteen – I liked him better before he got so famous -- it is
hard to deny his talent as a songwriter. Shauna and I saw him perform with the
E. Street Band in Toronto years ago, and he is indeed a force of nature. Springsteen
will always be “The Boss” because he surrounds himself with great musicians
(always a good start), and he eloquently tells great stories, relatable to a
wide audience. Watching that filmed Broadway performance, that intimate one on
one with the artist, I came away with a newfound respect for the man. I also learned
a lot about how some of his most successful songs came to be. Every good
songwriter is just a few hit songs away from that kind of success.
For decades I wrote songs in a
vacuum and never knew anyone who felt the way I do about songwriting. There are
millions of people out there there writing songs, but only a small fraction do
it really well. Sadly, the cream does not often rise to the top. I think most
people want their story to have some meaning, and my mission is to present some
of the under-recognized writers I appreciate. Watching that Springsteen video, and reading Scott
Cook’s book made me feel a little more connected to the craft. While the three
of us live in different universes, we are united in our quest to tell our
stories well in our songs. I may not be there yet, but my success is in my
quest to improve.
Finally, reality is beginning to
close in on America’s lamest duck. Hey Don, don’t let the screen door hit you
on the way out. Sadly, even his sore
loser departure will at the expense of the American people. I trust the new
administration will not be so cavalier and horribly irresponsible in its
handling of the current pandemic; still, I fear it will be a long time before
America can recover from the Rump hangover.
- Written by Jamie Oppenheimer ©2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No comments:
Post a Comment