Ghost in My Car
I noticed the song that was playing had a familiar ring to it: it was a demo of something I had written a few years back.
Leaving On A Jet Plane
Songs usher us through life. They are soundtracks and segues. The most fitting ones seem to locate us at pivotal moments and aim right for the heart.
Tune Me Up!
There was a soulfulness to those imperfect vocals…just like the humans who sang them. Full of sharps and flats. Nobody’s life is perfectly on pitch.
Dear Bob Lefsetz, Please R.S.V.P.
I have found that my adversaries are more motivating than my allies.
Shelly, What The Heck is Happening With Your Book?
Out of respect for those of you who have been inquiring, this question warrants more than a cute Facebook post.
Disney's "Descendants": The Journey of a Song
It's pretty much a guarantee that every song that makes it all the way to someone's ear buds has a story to tell...
Calling All Angels
All who inhabit the music landscape - from creators to consumers, and all those in between - must adopt simple, ethical practices that ensure all parties in the music value chain, including songwriters, composers and artists are fairly compensated for the use of their work.
Bon Voyage
I hadn’t gone on an international writing trip in a long time. Motherhood had kept me close to home by choice. When my daughter was out of elementary school you’d think I would have jumped at the chance. Au contraire…even more reason to stay close. Teenagers are volatile.
Play Me
I've been thinking about the innovation of interactive streaming--how versatile, convenient and instantly gratifying it is. Interactive, however, means that before I take off for a drive to the mall or a run on the beach I have a decision to make: what do I want to listen to? There is much pre-thought involved in all the interaction.
To Taylor, Love Shelly
In the spirit of the precarious state of the business of writing songs we nominate you, Taylor Swift, as our official spokesperson—our poster child in chief—to continue leading the way.
For Father's Day...Give him the Control!
The remote control is something he can feel in his hands and see with his eyes. It occupies space and possesses mass. Maybe it's a man's way of trying to hold on to things that disappear.
Does "Last" have to be a Four Letter Word?
When I restock the beverage fridge, count the money, leave and lock the door, I will realize just how "last" this is. And I will be a little sad. But I’ll be happy too.
Testing-Testing 1-2-3
Although I can’t deny I am delighted when I’ve written a potential single that tests well, I have to ask myself if all this data-mining undermines creativity?
F-F-F-Fifty???
I work with people who are a decade younger than I and others who are a decade older. Some have innocence and some have wisdom. Sometimes the innocence does not belong to the younger writer or the wisdom to the older.
For Mother's Day...The Circle Game
Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there. You are loved more than you know.
(Not So) Gently Down the Stream
Anyone making a contribution to the music the world enjoys deserves to be paid for it. Because music has value. Or has that idea been forgotten in the fog of digital?
To College or Not To College
College isn't for everyone. But if you're someone who's on the edge because you're in a hurry to get in the room with Rihanna, I suggest thinking twice.
How to Find That Missing Line...(or not)
I am stuck on a lyric. I've been working at it for hours and I can't get the line. I know what I must do. There is simply no other way. I have no choice. I must...
