Songwriting Beyond 50
“Creativity is the gift that keeps getting given.” — Songwriter, Performer, Therapist Marylee Kortes
Age is relative. I feel pretty much 38. Ish. I know that’s not true. But so what. It feels true. I call it “age dysmorphia.” My mother (may she be resting peacefully) had it too. She was wearing culottes well into her 60s.
Some of my favorite creative gal pals have the same gorgeous syndrome. Perhaps that has something to do with why we don’t slow down.
We often talk about what keeps us eager, prolific and pivoting when we get out of bed in the morning. The word “retire” never occurred to us. Yet. When you’re living a creative life, it doesn’t just stop. We don’t wake up one day and wonder why it suddenly disappeared. The muse is always with us. And if you ignore it, good luck.
When I was in NY a few weeks ago I had the yummiest Thai meal (at Waylas’s) with Marylee Kortes who’s been making music since before we met over 25 years ago. And now, in how shall we say — ‘middle-age-plus’ — she’s going on the road and opening for … well I’ll let her tell you.
Here’s a few words from some other sister-warriors that may inspire you to keep on rocking in the free world:
From songwriter Lindy (“Skyscraper”) Robbins
I may be over 50, but I don’t feel it - I’m stuck at around 32 in my mind. I often work with people half my age and I love it ! I’m always open to new ideas , learning , traveling and challenging myself. I may not have as much energy as I used to, but I strive to stay humble, hungry and grateful to still be working in the music business after over twenty five years. I especially love genre swapping, one day pop or dance, then working on a musical or flying to Nashville or London to mix it up and this keeps me engaged and excited. I will never retire. creating is my lifeblood.
And Michelle (Doc McStuffins) Lewis
It took until my mid-40’s to understand and accept where I belonged in the music universe … which was writing music for cartoons. I like songs that are visual, funny, clever, and which can be part of telling a larger story. So my writing partners and I started writing for this medium. Ten years later, we've created our own animated show for Disney which is now airing. What I’m most surprised about is how proud I am of it. It’s nothing I ever dreamed about doing when I was playing clubs in NY in my 20s. But I’ve gotten to make music I genuinely love and tell stories I care about. Fingers crossed we get a season 2 and can make more!
And Pam (“Genie In A Bottle”) Sheyne
Music has been more than just a vocation for me, it is both my passion and my therapy in figuring out who I am and how I fit into this world. I absolutely LOVE the social aspect of collaboration, that addictive high of walking out of a room at the end of a day, having a song that didn't exist that morning and some new friends. I'm grateful to have experienced the 80's as a session and touring singer, the 90's and 2000's as a songwriter and to have earned a decent living at it before streaming hit us. The changes I've seen over my career have taught me that we have to re-invent ourselves to stay in the game, so as well as writing with a younger generation of artists and producers, I'm also excited to be working on a duo artist project, EVA and to be mentoring and teaching other songwriters.
And Alex (“Don’t Rush Me”) Forbes
Much to my amazement, even as a Señorita Citizen I still jump outta bed motivated to follow the advice of my perpetually shape-shifting creative muse. In recent years I’ve shifted from striving to alive-ing, and now make a conscious effort to savor the delicious flavors of nature, intimacy and the limitless possibilities of the human spirit. A proudly childless dog-lady, my songs, stories and progressive political activism are my babies — a legacy that'll come straight from the heart until my last breath.
Don’t let this youth heavy music business make you feel like there’s no room for you any more. MAKE room. Tell the universe what you want. Believe you can have it. It’s never over. In fact it just may be beginning. Again. 💜
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PS … The Clams (CherryStone, Steamer and Clams Casino) will be having a reunion concert like we do every 4 years the night before the election. We call ourselves the “Clams” because of all the mistakes I make. 😊 It’s so much fun. And it’s silly. And we could all use a little more SILLY! If you want a pick-me-up on the eve of another nail-biting election join us. I’ll be live streaming on my Facebook page from my Laurel Canyon driveway.
Thanks for staying with me. You can subscribe to my blog here. Get a signed CD or a copy of “Confessions of a Serial Songwriter.” And here’s My Serial Songwriter Facebook Page! I’m just not that into X 💋