JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Why Did You Start Writing Songs? What Made You Think You Could?

Hey All,

Well for me it started at age 4 that I can still remember. I used to wake up in the morning and run into my nan and pops bedroom and sing a song called "The Little Red Wagon", I dont remember how the song goes other than a wheel falling off and the other one draggin', but it was around this time my family considered the possibility that I would be a singer of sorts one day.

I can honestly say I used to sing all the time and people used to always tell me I had a great voice. At around age 8 I suppose, the Bee Gees (Saturday Night Fever) was a hit in Australia and mum bought the Greatest Hits album, and this book about them that was out at the time. I had no idea who they were really, I just remember being a young boy who COULD sing like Barry Gibb, obviously that was so much easier as a child than it is today. I was on a school excusion and the Bee Gees were playing on the radio in the bus we were in. Without thought of how loud I was doing it, I was singing Staying Alive to myself probably oblivious that everyone was looking at me in disbelief. When it stopped and the bus was so silent I looked around to find I was the centre of attention. Its was almost like an American Teen movie, the most beautiful girl on the bus Bridget Prierra, without a word just walked up, kissed me on the cheek and ask if I would "GO" with her, telling me I was going to be famous one day.

I never really gave it much thought after that I suppose, I sang all the time, was always able to mimic famous singers voices etc. As an adolescent I served in our Navy for almost 11 years, I used to walk off the ship in Singapore and beeline myself to a great Karoake bar with a friend of mine who also loved singing. We would spent the whole days in port at that bar drinking and singing until closing time and then each sucessive day.

I did this for quite some time and started to realise I was getting so much attention for it from the crowds of people. An ex-girlfriend now introduced me to "David Gates and Bread", I was hooked on the lyrics, dismally addicted to the style of music and really started paying attention to how the music was constructed. I desperately wanted the limelight and at age 28, I left the Navy and went in search of it, finding myself in a rock band writing original music and mixing it ourselves (it sounded like garbage trust me) but at the time we thought we were the gods of engineering music. We went our separate ways after about 2 years, but it was too late for me, the addiction was well set in by now, the stage performing, the coloured lights, the loud music and of course the roar of a crowd who consistently came up to me after our gigs and told me how amazingly powerful my voice was. It was like a drug being on that stage, a highly addictive drug.

When the band broke up, I was lost. I had all my equipment and was able to record songs at home, but I didnt know how to mix, and all my vocals were washed in reverb trying to hide mysel behind a wall of music. The internet and seriously back then JP Folks got me out of my rut. A lady named JeanB, who wont remember me now, because i had been off JP Forums for as many years, gave me so much appraise for my songs that I kept pushing myself to write a better one and mix it better and put my voice right out front where it could be heard. I cant remember her exact words or even what she actually wrote, but I kept at it and I am still at it to this day. My band had died, but a soloist had emerged seeking recognition and adoration for my music. To this day I continue to write, I have built a semi-professional home recording studio, its not SONY but its well setup and has all the right equipment to do it GOOD not commercial quality, but certainly good enough for listening ears who are searching for a talented vocalist.

Without music, I have no life. I have clung to this dream since a child, you dont let go of something like that easily. I have no care for wealth or money, I would love a recording contract and be able to take other peoples songs who cant sing and release them under a label and have all the production behind it. There are so many great writers out there, I dont consider mysel a great writer, just a great vocalist. I wish for what we all wish, to be known to the world for our gifts, whether they are as a great mechanic, a great tennis player, a great pianist a great boxer or as it is in our case a great performer.

I also wish for everyone on this forum to find success and recognition IF they want it.

'We are what we dream, when we give up those dreams, we die'

Adam
www.ozemail.com.au/~tvics
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pageartist.cfm?bandID=646480

Teresa,

Congrats on your success! Hope this year opens even more doors for ya! Good luck! Keep dreaming...amd keep the Tylenol handy!

Alan

Matt,

I like just about everything (groups)that your entire family dies...you mom, your dad and your sister. Along with Kansas, I would throw in Styx and Foerigner. And Roy Orbison was so unique ans original.

I know wehat you mean about listening to something you like and wanting like heck to be able to do it yourself. That's one of the things that made me want to learn to play guitar. By trade, I am a lead guitarist.

Keep writing and do it well!

Alan

Adam,

A very interesting post! You tell a good story and tell it well. I always wished I had a great voice. Unfortunately, my voice is barely adequate. I guess I got all my blessings/talents via my guitar playing. So, I guess I shouldnpt comlpain because I have become an accomplished guitarist.

I truly love music and making music. But, I will not die without it...I simply have the withdrawal symptons that are manageble, in part by my participation on several forums here at JPF. Plus, my wife is a pretty cool lady!

Keep the dream alive...keep playing your music,

Alan

I have practically every Foreigner record in my collection.
And I like Styx.

I remember my sister mentioning going to the Equinox tour in 1975 and watched Styx, with an up and coming opening act just breaking ground in America called The Scorpions.

Unfortunately, with one of their original founders, Dennis DeYoung gone, there is not an original member left in Styx.
I heard stories of Styx playing at birthday parties as a band for hire up where I live in Northern Minnesota.
Even James Young was not present in Styx up until the album signing.
The record company wanted a twin guitar lineup.

Matt

I used to sing on stage in Colorado many years ago but haven't sang in a long time. I was getting irritated because I couldn't find anyone to put music to my writing or sing them for me so I started taking voice and piano lessons again. I know at my age I won't ever get to where I once was with my voice because I was good. But when you don't use it you lose it. But at least with some lessons I will be able to do more of my own work. I can pick out enough on a guitar to help also. Now I can tell the music writers and singers what I want and get it out to them a little and they take it from there. They are so good that I will continue with them. I think were on a roll right now and were going to follow this through together. I feel like I wouldn't be able to breath if I couldn't write. I have discovered even though I used to love to sing, I want to mostly write. Thats where my dreams lay.And when I heard my songs on radio the first time I sit down and cried. I can't explain how it made me feel. I want to get the message of God's love and goodness out to as many as I can. Thats why I write. And God puts these words in my head to write. I love to mix words and happenings together and see how they come out. Teresa

Teresa,

I, too, lived in Colorado many years ago. I lived in Aurora, a suburb of Denver, as you probably know. I was there in 1971 and 1972, and then agin 1982-1986. I still own 5 acres WAY up in the mountains....9,985 feet elevation!

I am glad that you have come to enjoy writing as much as you once did singing. I am first a lead guitarist, then a bass player, then a writer, then a keyboardist and last a singer. My vocals are adquate. I have never had an exceptional voice. But, I guess God gave me the other talents for a reason, so I will use them and not complain excessively!

Glad to hear that you are hooked up with some good musicians. That can make all the difference in getting what you want from your lyrics. Here's wishing you continued success and joy in your music.

Alan

Thanks Alan, I lived in Colorado at different times but sang in 71 and 72 at the interlude bar in Littleton. I was around 22 years old. It was a good time and I enjoyed it very much. I was going to sing at the Grand Theater but got sick last month and couldn't but am planning to do some kereoke in Branson very soon. I hope I'm not threw out of the place. I need to get some stage practice even though I don't plan to use it much.And this is will be fun if I don't chicken out. Keep me in your thoughts this next month coming. A very well known gospel artist has asked me to bring my songs to him to hear. Hes heard some and liked what he heard so far and said if more are as good as hes already heard he will help point me to some artist who could be interested in my lyrics. I might not do anything much with my writing but its been one great ride that I wouldn't change for anything. Just hearing my songs on radio was a dream come true. And I know more are going to be cut later this year. To me its so exciting to see my words put to music and then to hear them, and know they really are good is just beyond words. And then again I have a couple that I was proud of until music was put to them and then I realized they were good poems not songs. Have a good one . Teresa