In the spirit of “The World According To Allee Willis,” the new documentary about the insanely creative, unconditionally loving, outrageous, hilarious, and eternally optimistic Allee Willis, I thought I’d share a personal Allee story with you. If you knew her you have one. I take this from my 2016 GRAMMY nominated memoir “Confessions Of A Serial Songwriter.” Allee had a profound effect on peoples’ lives. She will never be forgotten.
It’s my last week of teaching my college Pop Songwriting Workshop. I want to get back to writing more songs of my own. Songwriting is like cardio is for the physical body. We release endorphins when we’re in the process of creating. It puts us in a trance. Makes us so damn high. Yet I DO love TALKING about why a song works … or doesn’t. Perhaps a Master Class? 🤓
If I wasn’t gonna watch the news for a while imagine how more productive I could be. It would give me two more hours every day to get things done here in my Laurel Canyon Bubble. I was effectively putting my money where my last 2 blogs were: get busy. Surround yourself with that which brings you pleasure and meaning.
We set up the living room with music stands and monitors. Mics and peddles. By the fourth rehearsal my voice was limbering up. I was reaching notes I couldn’t reach the week before. My hands and fingers started going to the right place without forethought. Before I knew it I was in that zone. Deliriously happy. We sounded pretty good. A drummer-away from touring. 😎😎
My favorite part of the show was when Joni laughed after finishing a song and hearing the uproarious response from the crowd. She sounded like a young child who just caught a dragonfly inside a jar. ♥️
All my favorite artists from my past trigger different memories and emotions. Todd taps into crushes. High school. First kisses. Kisses I wish I got, etc. Billy doesn’t do that for me. He pulls me into the tapestry of his life. His world with unforgettable stories. I don’t get sentimental … just nostalgic. Perhaps it’s our Long Island connection. The night was worth every penny we didn't pay for those seats. 😳
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. 💜
In a beautiful staged, elegantly filmed celebration of nostalgia and appreciation for the past Christina goes down memory lane. She sings “Come On Over Baby,” “Genie in a Bottle,” and then my jaw drops as Sabrina Carpenter emerges and joins her on “What A Girl Wants.” It’s a song that keeps giving and I’m eternally grateful for its life. ❤️😀🎶
In writing sessions we pray for lines like these to drop from the sky. Lightening in a bottle. Sometimes, it’s obvious. Sometimes elusive. The sum up is as important as the title. It supports the whole ‘thesis’ of the song and brings the concept full circle. 💙🎶
Green Light Moments are when the Universe tells us we’re on the right path. Not for a minute since we began creating the Musical SNIPPED! have I had a second thought about the endeavor. And on the morning of our first staged performance I got a sign from the Universe … a Green Light Moment if there ever was one ... that life was saying "yes." 💚🚦
Bruce is the ultimate road trip soundtrack. Always singing about going somewhere. A long walk home. Being Born to Run. Thunder Road. Humans, even the ones who are content with their lives, are in pursuit in their fantasies. I can’t imagine ever not being in pursuit of something. I think I'd die. 😳
10 cc’s Graham (I’m Not In Love”) Gouldman (on the left) and I were guests on The Naked Lunch Podcast hosted David Wild and Phil Rosenthal. I’m in awe of this man … his history, creativity, his ongoing writing process. I was honored to be part of the conversation. I think you might enjoy it. ❤️⭐️🎸
After 2 table readings we’re finally preparing for our first “Staged Reading” of our Musical with legitimate actors and singers who will bring our songs and story to life. It’s a test. Will they laugh? With they cry? Will they leave the theater happy that they came? We’re ready to find out.
Glen Burtnik, veteran songwriter, singer, musician and lefty is a lifer with a great attitude. He launched his career with Patty Smyth’s “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough.” That was over 30 years ago. He’s never stopped. Have a look at and listen to what’s on his mind.
It was never a goal to be collaborators. We were both happily doing our very own things. It wasn’t until Covid, when we were all faced with the challenge of convening with other humans (or writing on Zoom — which I couldn’t stomach) that we turned to each other and said “I guess you’re it.” Hey, Barry and Cynthia did it. The Bergmans. Carole and Jerry. There have been hundreds of spousal collaborative teams. We were about to explore this conjugal dynamic.
Recently I read a book called “Building The Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier.” In a chapter about friendship Arthur C Brooks suggests that the best compliment you can pay a friend is that you have no use for them. In other words you don’t need them for anything. You simply cherish their company.
I’ve had a sweet career. Most of my pop songwriting days are behind me. I’m ok with that. I’ve had hundreds of disappointments but a handful of bangers (as they say here in London) that have lead to some magical opportunities and adventures. I get to go out there and pretend I’m the rock star I never was. I get to sit at a table near the stage and witness Paul and Bruce. I take nothing for granted.
There’s a slight kerfuffle at boarding. We wait in the tunnel for 20 minutes at a standstill. Is something wrong with the plane? Are they reattaching the exit door? Is this a Boeing? I’m poised to call American Express with whom I booked my flight to ask what my options are. And do I have a change of underwear in my carry-on? I used to be a free man in Paris. And everywhere else. Not any more. What happened? 😳
If you’re a fan of Mama Cass Elliot you’re not alone. I am too! Hear what her daughter Owen Elliot-Kugell has to say about her MAMA and her self-penned book, “My Mama, Cass,” dropping next week. Oh and Happy MAMAs Day. ❤️🎶
Smash Mouth’s Steve Harwell (“Walking On The Sun,” “Fast Ball”) passed away in 2023. He was a blast to write with. Never a dull moment. Uncontrollably flirty, yes. Yet Tender. And tasty with words and melody. One does not want to write with ‘boring.’ You write with boring you get a boring song. Plus, he left me with a gift I’ll never forget. 🎄❤️💚