JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Allen Shamblin wrote for his friend Richard Roddy

Allen Shamblin was childhood friends with Richard Roddy. Richard taught Allen to play guitar. On 10/26/02 Richard took his life, Allen attended his funeral, as Allen stood under the oaks this song came to him.

you must have been in a place so dark
you couldn't feel the light
reaching for you through that stormy cloud
and out here we are gathered in our little home town
this can't be the way you meant to draw a crowd
oh why that's what I keep asking
was there anything i could have said or done
oh I had no clue you were masking
a troubled soul god only knows what went wrong
and why you would leave the stage in the middle of a song
Allen Shamblin

click on the lower photo to hear WHY
http://www.richardroddymusic.com/richard_roddy_video%20tribute.htm


Come to the party
Monday, April 07, 2008
Kathy Parks

Help raise money for music scholarships
Photo: Richard Roddy continues to help budding musicians through a scholarship fund established in his memory by all the friends he left behind.

Huffman and Crosby music lovers are asked to mark their calendars for Saturday, April 19, as a reminder that the Richard Roddy Music Scholarship Fundraiser will be held at the Crosby Fair Grounds.

The gates will open at noon. Barbecue sandwiches, soda and water will be on sale. Music will begin at 3 p.m. The event will be open-ended.

“This will mark the third year for the fundraiser,” said Board President Terry “Bug” Averett. Previous scholarship winners include Jerrold Cameron, Michael Hutto, Bradley Smith and Travis Fincher.

“This fundraiser began as a grassroots effort to pay tribute to a local musician who lost his life,” said Averett. “Through the scholarships, his memory lives on and we are able to help young musicians with their higher education.”

Averett said that the public is invited to a fun evening of entertainment provided by some of the best singers, songwriters and musicians that Texas has to offer.

This year’s lineup includes the following artists:
Hank Townsend, Megan Stewart and Crosby’s own Cody Kouba.
The event will include a song swap with songwriters
Houston Marchaman, Austin Cunningham and Allen Shamblin.

During the afternoon, a group of skydivers will jump to the concert as part of an act paying tribute to Johnny Cash.
The night will end with a “Rock N Roll” finale featuring Gary Jones, Randy Jones and Brian Dunaway of DWO.
Auction items and gift certificates donated by the business community will be auctioned off and funds raised will benefit the scholarship fund. Organizers are suggesting an entry donation of $15, but will accept donations of any size.
Averett thanked the community for their support in past years and invited them to join area singers and songwriters again this year.
He also extended an invitation to submit the names of deserving music students for consideration as a scholarship recipient. Applications can be picked up at high schools in Huffman and Crosby.
Kevin Henley, a friend and fan of Richard Roddy, said that when Roddy took the stage, he “shined” like the sun.
“He inspired a group of music lovers who can’t carry a tune, to get together to support those who can,” said Henley. “He was a witty, fun-loving songbird, and we all wanted him to fly in our backyard.”
Parking for the event is off Church Street. For more information, visit

www.richardroddymusic.com

update:

Allen Shamblin ( http://allenshamblin.com ) has written many amazing songs, like
song / recorded by
"I Can't Make You Love Me" Bonnie Raitt, Prince,
"Life's a Dance" for John Michael Montgomery
"Flies on the Butter" Wynnona
"In this Life" Colin Raye, IZ (israel Kamakawiwo' ole), Ronan Keating
"Don't Laugh at Me" Mark Wills, Peter Paul & Mary
(it inspired Operation Respect http://www.dontlaugh.org )

to read more of the songs he wrote click on discography at: http://allenshamblin.com

Allen's also got a beautiful CD called SUNRISE

I hope one day he records a CD of his hits.

here's Allen performing "I Can't Make You Love Me"
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=9793065

Story Behind the Song WHY

Allen was childhood friends with Richard Roddy. Richard played baseball with Allen. Richard taught Allen to play guitar. On 10/26/02 Richard took his life, Allen attended his funeral back in Texas, as Allen stood under the oaks this song came to him.

you must have been in a place so dark
you couldn't feel the light
reaching for you through that stormy cloud
and out here we are gathered in our little home town
this can't be the way you meant to draw a crowd
oh why that's what I keep asking
was there anything i could have said or done
oh I had no clue you were masking
a troubled soul god only knows what went wrong
and why
would you leave the stage in the middle of a song

He invited Rob Mathes in on it to cowrite it with him, Rob helped shape the melody & music. They titled it "Why" My favorite line in it is "How could you leave the stage in the middle of a song."

I've been a big fan of this song ever since I first heard Allen perform it at a Rouse House House Concert. I felt convinced a big artist should record it immediately, but it's taken years. Also many writers & publishers say it's especially difficult to get artists to record ballads. It's very difficult to get an artist to record a song. Before artists record a CD they do a song search, they go through thousands and select 10 to 14.

Faith Hill put "Why" on hold, recorded it but never released it.

Yesterday I bought Rascal Flatts new CD Unstoppable & to my surprise I discovered they cut Allen Shamblin's song "Why"

If you want to hear the demo the artists heard drop by:
http://www.richardroddymusic.com/richard_roddy_video%20tribute.htm
then click on the picture & watch the video

It's a controversial song, there's not many out there that deal with suicide.
I hope you & those you know & love never need it, but if you do, maybe it will help.

here's the rascal flatts cut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbQlD7UKyY

What do you think of "WHY?"

here's the lyrics to WHY

you must have been in a place so dark you couldn't feel the light,
Reaching for you through that stormy cloud.
Now here we are gathered in our little home town.
This can't be the way you meant to draw a crowd.

Oh, why, that's what I keep asking.
Was there anything I could have said or done.
Oh, I had no clue you were masking a troubled soul.
God only knows what went wrong.
And why you'd leave the stage in the middle of a song.

Now in my mind I keep you frozen as a seventeen year old.
Rounding third to score the winning run.
You always played with passion, no matter what the game.
When you took the stage you shined just like the sun.

Oh, why, that's what I keep asking.
Was there anything I could have said or done.
Oh, I had no clue you were masking a troubled soul.
God only knows what went wrong.
And why you'd leave the stage in the middle of a song.

Now the oak trees are swaying in the early autumn breeze.
The golden sun is shining on my face.
The tangled thoughts I hear a mockingbird sing
This whole world really ain't that bad of place

Oh why, there's no comprehending.
And who am I to try to judge or explain
Oh, but I do have one burning question
Who you told you life wasn't worth the fight
They were wrong, they lied.
Now you're gone, and we cried

Cause it's not like you to walk away
in the middle of a song.
Your beautiful song.
Your absolutely beautiful song



Here's a list of the songs & writers on Rascal Flatts new CD:
Note former Idol American Chris Sligh got a cut as well as current idol judge Kara Dioguardi.

01) "Love Who You Love" (Jason Sellers, Neil Thrasher, Paul Jenkins) - 3:36

02)"Here Comes Goodbye" (Chris Sligh, Clint Lagerberg) - 4:04

03) "Close" (Jay DeMarcus, Michael Dulaney, Sellers) - 3:48

04) "Forever" (Sellers, Thrasher) - 4:16

05) "She'd Be California" (Jenkins, Sellers, Tim Nichols) - 4:18

06) "Unstoppable" (DeMarcus, James Slater, Hillary Lindsey) - 3:48

07) "Things That Matter" (Gary LeVox, Thrasher, Dulaney) - 4:41

08) "Summer Nights" (LeVox, Brett James, Busbee) - 4:02

09) "Holdin' On" (Dulaney, Thrasher, Wendell Mobley) - 4:25

10) "Once" (Kara DioGuardi, John Shanks, Jeffrey Steele) - 3:49

11) "Why" (Rob Mathes, Allen Shamblin)

Post deleted by TAMERA64

Post deleted by TAMERA64

This one really made me gulp. How tragic an ending to a young man's life. No one really knows sometimes what goes on inside someone's soul. What a beautiful tribute to his friend. The pictures made it very personal also. I tried to find the rest of they lyrics to cut and paste here Ande, as the words were beautiful but couldn't find them. Maybe if you could find them you could paste them in totality. How wonderful his friends also started the musicians's scholarship program in his name. Very touching piece.

Best,
Lynn

hi Tammy & Lynn,

thank you for your comments

here's the rascal flatts cut
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbQlD7UKyY

here's the lyrics to WHY

you must have been in a place so dark you couldn't feel the light,
Reaching for you through that stormy cloud.
Now here we are gathered in our little home town.
This can't be the way you meant to draw a crowd.

Oh, why, that's what I keep asking.
Was there anything I could have said or done.
Oh, I had no clue you were masking a troubled soul.
God only knows what went wrong.
And why you'd leave the stage in the middle of a song.

Now in my mind I keep you frozen as a seventeen year old.
Rounding third to score the winning run.
You always played with passion, no matter what the game.
When you took the stage you shined just like the sun.

Oh, why, that's what I keep asking.
Was there anything I could have said or done.
Oh, I had no clue you were masking a troubled soul.
God only knows what went wrong.
And why you'd leave the stage in the middle of a song.

Now the oak trees are swaying in the early autumn breeze.
The golden sun is shining on my face.
The tangled thoughts I hear a mockingbird sing
This whole world really ain't that bad of place

Oh why, there's no comprehending.
And who am I to try to judge or explain
Oh, but I do have one burning question
Who you told you life wasn't worth the fight
They were wrong, they lied.
Now you're gone, and we cried

Cause it's not like you to walk away
in the middle of a song.
Your beautiful song.
Your absolutely beautiful song



lyrics

Whoo hoo, "Why" is amazing in every thinkable way!

The lyrics is of course very well crafted, soo singable, and it does a tremenduous great job of putting both the singee and the singer in a good light and a powerful position.

Two of my favorite parts:

Now here we are gathered in our little home town.
This can't be the way you meant to draw a crowd

and

Who you told you life wasn't worth the fight
They were wrong, they lied

Musically I think this song shines even more. This is an amazing example of what a composer can do with lyrics built on small words like "Why".

The hook "Why" just sits there in the chorus, in two very different lines but still sung like a hook, but it gives an amazing effect to hear it done the same way in two different places. And in the last chorus the last one is left out, probably to not overplay it, so it stays memorable by not repeating it - Perfect taste and just great!

And the song dynamics is just amazing! Also the song metaphor for his life was used again as a Tag, and exploited to the fullest here.

Cause it's not like you to walk away
in the middle of a song.
Your beautiful song.
Your absolutely beautiful song

I must say this went a little too far for me, because when doing it live, I can hear it as putting words in the mouths of the audience, but hey - it's commercially very sound, and that's the business of it.

Rascal Flatts are great, by the way. They are just doing soo good with the talents they have!

I never knew Allen Shamblin wrote "I can't make you love me" too - one of my wifes favorite songs!

Great job while you were here, Allen. Thanks!

Thanks Ande, for this moment!

Hey Magne, Tammy, & Lynn,

Thanks for listening & your comments

Ande

I was just talking with a childhood friend of Allen Shamblin's this past weekend. He said Allen announced to them in 1990? that he was "moving to Nasvhville and write songs." And they were like, "Uh, yeah, sure."

I'd say he's made it.

I like the song. I wrote a song about suicide. This song is really, really good. I tip my hat, it moved me. Well done.

I appreciate the concern which is been rose. The things need to be sorted out because it’s not about the individual but it can be with everyone.

Michaelroger85

Download Songs

thanks
I think Allen moved to nashville around 1987 because his Randy Travis hit, "He Walked on Water" happened in 1988

My friend recorded the Seskin/Shamblin song "Cactus in a Coffee Can" on his first CD. The second week after its release as his third single the label folded and what should have been a HUGE smash is left out in the wind. I heard a new female artist recorded it again a year or so again but I haven't heard any more about it since... The man can rip your heart out.

cactus in a coffee can is one of the most amazing story songs I've ever heard, right up there with Harder Cards.

when I went to NSAI song camp in 1999, Seskin did a whole hour class on writing and rewriting that song. Melonie Cannon was the other artist who recorded it, you can hear it at:
http://www.myspace.com/meloniecannon


Cactus In A Coffee Can
Written By: Allen Shamblin, Steve Seskin

She had the window and I had the aisle
She looked twenty-five but she was shakin' like a child
When we took off I looked over and clutched her hands
There was a cactus in a coffee can

She was holdin' that thing like it was all she had
She smiled at me but I could tell she was sad
Somewhere over Denver I asked her her name
She said, Elena, then told me she came from Santa Fe

She ordered a drink and a wall came down
Yeah, she started talkin' and the pain poured out
She told me a story I'll never forget
She had me in tears when she looked at me and said

My mama's first love was crack
She made her livin' lyin' on her back
She gave me away the day that I was born
She said, "The last ten years I spent trackin' her down"

It just don't seem fair
that when I finally found her she was almost gone
We had two weeks to laugh and to cry
Two weeks to say hello and goodbye

She gave me this cactus, said it's kinda like me
It'll hurt you to hold it but it blooms every spring
She said, I'm on my way back to New Mexico
Was gonna scatter her ashes where the desert winds blow

But I came up with a better plan
Gonna keep 'em on the bottom of this coffee can
My mama was a tortured soul
But I still love her even though
She gave me away on the day that I was born

The plane touched down and we both got off
I took her hand and said sorry for your loss
She said thanks for listening, for being here
I've been wantin' to talk about her for so many years

Now, I'll probably never see Elena again
We met as strangers and parted as friends
As we waved goodbye I was sure of one thing
There'll be a flower on that cactus come next Spring

(C)1998 Famous Music LLC/Song Matters Inc./
Built On Rock Music (ADM. By ICG): Sony/ATV Cross Keys
Publishing/David Aaron Music (ASCAP) All Rights on behalf
of Sony/ATV Tunes LLC and David Aaron Music admin by
Sony/ATV Music Pub. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission. For Educational Purposes Only.

ARTIST: RASCAL FLATTS

SINGLE: WHY

NEW YORK (Billboard) -
Rascal Flatts' third single from the album "Unstoppable" tackles what might be the group's darkest subject yet: the loss of a friend to suicide. A delicate piano melody anchors the song's beginning and end, providing the sole support for singer Gary LeVox's voice. In between, its instrumentation widens to include somber strings, a steadfast drumbeat and finally, a piercing electric guitar during the emotional climax. LeVox matches the mood with a vocal delivery that fluctuates between fragile and commanding. Co-songwriters Robert Mathes and Allen Shamblin weave an affecting story, using music as a metaphor for life. "Who told you life wasn't worth the fight," LeVox sings. "They were wrong, they lied / And now you're gone and we cried / 'Cause it's not like you to walk away in the middle of a song."

from: http://www.reuters.com/article/reviewsNews/idUSTRE5A55OM20091106

Here's the link to Rascal Flatts Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd-2EkA4LgI

here's Rascal Flatts video for
WHY
http://www.cmt.com/videos/rascal-flatts/469206/why.jhtml

Allen also Co wrote Miranda Lambert's
House that Built Me
http://www.cmt.com/videos/miranda-lambert/500805/the-house-that-built-me.jhtml?id=1635509

still love this song

moving and gorgeous song Ande !

thank you herbie