Belinda
So, what do you want when you get a new cd? If you're like me, first you want great songs… writing that lets you see the writer's heart and gives you a peek into their mind and most of all makes you feel something. You want great singing… singing that pulls you in, that makes [...]
Nashville West
I am in Texas for several days. It's a time that is busy with family activities… like working on a first grade science fair project, shopping for a dress for Lauren's summer wedding, and oh yes, eating, eating, and more eating. One of the bonuses of being in the Dallas area is that there are [...]
A New Computer
Oh I can hear the snickers from my friends already. My getting a new computer… not such a shock. John always says, "You like your toys!" But truly, I swear getting a new computer was not on my list of "things to do," especially right now. About a month ago, I started getting the "Your [...]
Disappointment, Rejection, and Never Giving Up
Remember when Jennifer Hudson got kicked off American Idol? I do. I thought about that last night when she was singing on the Grammys, doing such a beautiful job of paying tribute to Whitney Houston. The night that Jennifer got dropped from American Idol it certainly seemed like the end of the road for her [...]
Party Like It’s 2012
I went to a huge Grammy party tonight with a whole bunch of my friends and some people I didn't know. Everybody there agreed that Adele's wins were expected and well-deserved. And we all just hated that Nicki Minaj travesty. We disagreed about Taylor Swift's performance and also Rihanna and Cold Play. We mostly thought [...]
Keeping Appointments
Sometimes you think you're going to write with someone… you've got the date and time on your calendar and you're all set… and then at the last minute plans fall through. Here are some songwriting realities that I try to keep in mind. 1. Develop a good system for keeping your calendar. Write things down. [...]
Something for caregivers
My friend Steve Siler recently sent me a copy of his latest Music For The Soul project. It's called "Dignity." Over the years, Steve has created comforting, healing music for people dealing with eating disorders, pornography addiction, and surviving a suicide, among other topics. Every music for the soul project combines great songs with [...]
Creative Impulses
Photo from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope of a nebula left after a stellar explosion. God is the ultimate "creative," the source of every color and shape and texture. He sees everything. He's sensitive to the slightest nuance of hue and opacity. He loves balance and contrast and symmetry, and He loves their counterparts, imbalance [...]
Retreating, Rethinking, Retrying
Songwriting is such a good lesson for how to live life. Songwriting is often about giving an idea time. Recently I read all about the word "ruminate." That's the root of the word the Bible uses about meditating on scripture. It's also the root of the word that describes what a cow does when it [...]
