Thank G*d For Music
Today, whether you’re deliriously happy or morbidly miserable, Thank God for Music. Whether you’re afraid to go to yoga or your place of worship Thank God for Music. Whether you found your true love or lost the only one you ever had, whether you’re welcoming your child into the world or burying a friend, whether you’re still waiting to hear your first single on the radio or celebrating your fifth #1 Thank God for Music. Turn It Up!
Can We Still Be Friends
In the course of ones life, friends can move around inside of a — well — a 'target board' and get closer to and farther away from the bullseye. We have to be open to the idea that the positioning between 2 friends, however dear — along with the depth of connection — can change over time.
Grown-Ups Making Records
For so many years I made a living as a professional songwriter who only wrote songs for others to sing. That’s been great. But now I’m yearning to re-connect in a more personal way with my love of that 3 minute enigma that got me hooked in the first place. It had nothing to do with getting signed or making money but with the euphoria I felt expressing myself on my own terms.
Rethinking Taylor Swift
I sincerely hope she didn’t share that post because it’s “good for business” but because she’s growing up and feels the need to stand up for what she cares about — whatever it is she cares about — because it matters. It matters as much as the music.
My Daughter Is An Artist
If a young person has a true calling and they’re willing to go out into the world and share their light, opportunities will reveal themselves.
Why Can't I Get This Song Cut?
We’ve all written one. At least we think we have. You know…that song that’s just so good, you can’t figure out for the life of you why nobody has recorded it.
Happy Birthday, Kay Hanley
Age is relative. I have friends who are 70 who are younger than others who are 40. They never lose their sense of wonder, curiosity and the capacity to be inspired. Their imaginations are alive and well. They’ll be young forever, at least at heart. I want to be one of them. Like Kay!
Filling The Empty Nest
I wouldn’t exchange a minute of my mommy years with songwriting sessions I turned down, or didn’t get called for because I skewed...too mature. Feh. And even though the empty nest has it’s advantages I still stand in Layla’s bedroom and take in “the shrine” — artwork, nick-nacks, photographs and memories. The only thing that’s missing is her.
SongSex Gone Wrong
Every co-write is a like a blind date. You were psyched about that session. You had this killer idea—at least you thought so—one that made your heart beat faster. Sadly, it just didn’t have the same effect on your co-writer. So what do you do?
Bebe Rexha is a Classy Mess
Inquiring minds have been inquiring and the answer is yes. Meredith Brooks and I received co-writing credit on Bebe Rexha’s “I’m A Mess.” The writers, Justin Tranter, Jussifer & Bebe herself, felt the hook on Mess had enough of a likeness to “Bitch” to offer up a piece. Most writers would have gone into denial and skipped merrily along onto their next co-write.
You Can Take The Girl Out of NY But...
Years ago The Big Apple was a budding songwriter’s dream. It set my synapsis afire. It still does. I wrote a song on every corner.
Mayday Mayday: Calling ALL Songwriters
Unless you live under a rock, you must have heard of the MMA —The Music Modernization Act—the copyright reform legislation so desperately needed by songwriters. It’s the one we’ve been fighting for for years. Well, it’s being blocked by SESAC. That's right, the PRO SESAC. So roll up your sleeves.
Aloha and Mahalo-Songwriting in Hawaii with Kenny Loggins!
Kenny remarked, “ya know...luck smells a lot like sweat.” Even if he managed to be in the right place at the right time over and over I think we can agree that he backed it up with the right stuff. No one should ever feel guilty if they get lucky. Maybe luck is something the Universe rewards us with when we’ve done the hard work and believe in ourselves.
Vocal Rest
I’ve been thinking about the timing of my laryngitis. It usually coincides with air travel, which I’ve been doing a lot of lately, and…as it happens, right before a performance. So what’s really going on?
The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project
I’ve heard it said, “those who can, do; those who can't, teach.” I reject that notion. I’m enjoying “doing” (writing songs) more than ever. I may not be making as much money as I did when physical albums were flying off the shelves but is that how we measure success?
Up Close & Personal
No matter how gloriously any recording artist delivers a song, there’s simply nothing like hearing the songwriter who wrote it sing it. Perhaps it's not as glamorous or controlled but there is a primal element in the the voice of the writer from whom the song emerged and that's something that nobody else can own.
Join The Noise
If the business model of 20 years ago was as it is today, that favorite song of yours...the one you sang to your baby at bedtime ("Surfer Girl" for me), or danced to at your wedding, might never have been written because the writer who wrote it might not have been able to sustain themselves long enough to stay in the game. Well, things are about to change. Hopefully!
