A Songwriter's Dilemma
How do we, as songwriters, make peace with the idea of patronizing a business model that undercuts the value of our work?
The Little Yellow School House
Giving back is good for the soul. Even if it means having to miss pre-Grammy week festivities in Los Angeles.
You Say You Want A Revolution
It may feel like the Eve Of Destruction out there but it's an important time to be a songwriter.
Small Spaces
Yesterday I was off to the “studio” of a young producer, as he offered to record my vocal for a project I was working on. When I got there I realized his "studio” was his apartment with just enough square footage for not much more than a bed.
Survival of the Richest
I’m happy here on planet digital where I get all the songs I want whenever I want them, wherever I go. I simply want my community to have as healthy an earning trajectory as the CEOs and label heads who are running their companies on the backs of the creators who write the songs that make their business possible.
Namaste
Sleeps With Fists. I do. In the film Dances With Wolves, the Lakota Indians gave the name “Stands With Fists” to a woman who was mourning the loss of her husband and I guess she stood around a lot with fists at her side. Me? I sleep with mine under my pillow.
Baby You Can Drive My Car
Those of you with toddlers who can't live without The Wiggles...take heart. Soon enough you'll be sharing playlists. She may even be driving the car.
Christmas Day
I’m taking stock of a year gone by on a day I believe I was given to take stock. Maybe I didn’t do all the things I promised myself I’d do last year. But at least I try. And I feel blessed that it appears there’s still time. (Pictured: a visit from my longtime songwriting pal, Gregg Sutton)
Dear Santa...
We don’t need material gifts, Santa….just some shift in the Universe that gives musicians faith in the idea that we, and the young people who will come after us, will be able to sustain ourselves and keep giving the world what they can not live without: music.
Color Blind
This is the time of year when we search for the better angels in ourselves. I’m keeping an eye out for mine.
Topliners Taking Back The Power
There’s a new breed of "Topliner" on the scene who are charging for their valuable time and service. "I’m tired of working for free and being asked to cough up lunch money.”
Kings & Queens of Nashville
Four hours later my session is a total bust. Three ideas and we couldn’t get hard. We parted without any eargasm to speak of. Even well seasoned writers come up empty sometimes. They might not tell you that but I will.
Make the Music Industry Great Again
The Donald has promised to do things differently. This is an area where I hope he does. It would be a Huge gesture of good will and would improve an ecosystem in disarray.
Dear Madame Almost President...
I took an Abmien last night at 9:30. Slept like a baby. Woke up despondent and Stepford. Sort of like when my otherwise healthy father had an aortic aneurysm and the doctor told me he would probably not live and I kept thinking I’d get a call saying it all turned around overnight and he’d be fine. It didn’t. He wasn’t. He died.
Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
When it comes to creators' rights and digital royalty improvements, I’m praying for a President with a kid who wants to be a rockstar. Watch how fast the Copyright Office is given autonomy, streaming rates go up, take down stays down!
Blurred Lines Revisited
With the "Blurred Lines" case in appeal Pharrell & Robin have a chance to turn the verdict around.
Life Lessons Revisited
College wasn’t perfect. I had my share of broken hearts, C-minuses, zits. But all in all it was a rich, eye-opening experience and although I didn’t wind up pursuing a career in the area of my study, it readied me in many important ways for the world.
Courtney's on The Voice!
"What do you do when you've raised your son, sent him off to college, and it's clear you're on your own with a whole lotta life left ahead of you? You audition for The Voice."
Back To School
The students I’ve been with this week have been open, curious, reasonable and interested. Most of all, they want a future in the music business!
