Barry De Vorzon: The Songwriter's Friend

Many career-inspiring things to experience at the Taxi Music Road Rally I attended last November.  Here's a highlight for me.  Got a photo with composer, songwriter, former record company exec, AND the creator of the songwriting computer program I absolutely love and recommend for any songwriter, MASTERWRITER. 

Yours truly with Mr. Barry De Vorzon

Barry De Vorzon was responsible for classic cuts like "Nadia's Theme" (Young and the Restless), the theme from S.W.A.T. and one of my favorite Carpenters songs, the Acadamey Award nominated, "Bless the Beasts and the Children".  He even co-wrote the Eagles hit "In The City" with Joe Walsh.

Barry De Vorzon: The Songwriter's Friend

The Voice

Okay, I'm officially done watching Season 3.  Oh, look! Another starts at the end of March!

After sitting through all the drama and melt-your-heart, cheesy "TV", I do enjoy and I think learn from the constructive comments from the judges and guests to the performers.  (And I do get a kick out of seeing what the stylists-or-whoever do with the judges' and performers' "look" any given week.  It's quite interesting wouldn't you say?

The Voice

Writing Exercise: Policeman is dog, microscope, loud TV, etc

I was using "linking qualities" today. "Policeman" with; a shield, dog, microscope, loud TV, running child.

The policeman is as tough as a Roman guard deflecting the arrows of evil's law-breaking legions.

The policeman was sniffing for clues, every "a-ha" he evoked was a jubilant tail-wagging.  This canine of the law had the bite of a pit bull when it came to his hungry need to solve yet another messy case.

The policeman had the focus of a microscope, peering into the tiniest hesitations of his so-called innocent suspect.  Inquiring into the very DNA of his thoughts like a cancer researcher on the cusp of finding yet another cure.  The question-cubicle was his laboratory in this science of crime fighting.

I heard his voice behind me.  The policeman was a TV going into commercial late at night and I in a deep slumberous dream.  His tone squeezed adrenaline into my empty stomach.  I turned from my easy-chair, easy-going thoughts of a carefree day ahead to let the dog out of his desires.

The police was in hot pursuit, breaking the glass, tripping the alarm in his heart and setting him on a course of pursue-e from pursuer.  The shrill screams of the siren set him on a sadly excited course of madness.

Ed. Note:  I'm enjoying this. :)

Writing Exercise: Policeman is dog, microscope, loud TV, etc

Writing Exercise - Traffic

From a writing exercise today:

"Traffic is ...My Enemy

"Traffic is my enemy as I see the red line on Google Maps leering back at me in pained defiance.  My blood boils as it presents itself to me in spite.  I thrust and parry, in and out of lanes.  Battle cries of, "What an idiot!"
Oh, how I despise traffic's daily rebellion to my perfect plans!"

~ Ever feel this way? lol

Writing Exercise - Traffic

My Christmas Single - Available Now!

This past year I recorded a Christmas song for an music industry pitch that was eventually passed on.  So I though, "Hey there, songboy!  Why don't you put this track out there as a single to like, sell and stuff?!

So that what's I (and the other personage in my head that I was talking to) did!

I present:

"Away In A Manger" can also be found at:

Googleplay   iTunes   Amazon   Bandcamp

Hope you enjoy it!  And please share if you do. Thanks!

My Christmas Single - Available Now!

Writing Exercises, Heated-Kernel Mouth-Stuffing

Let's sample some further fruits of my "timed, sense-bound object writing" exercises, shall we?

Rain Cloud

Where did you go rain cloud?
You were looming in all directions this gloomy morning
I see your friends through the messy myrtle branches
I hear the sneaky jet engines rumble overhead
You spoke in black over tones

Movie Theatre

"I already foresee the end of my heated-kernel mouth-stuffing binge"

From cigar to:

"Breezes of quiet patron dreamings [I think I just made up a word] seeping from the Holiday Inn window.

Sailor

"Wind slaps at my face.  The elements love me with the force of a hurricane devotion"

"Black coffee like the nighttime sea-sky."

Waitress Clearing A Table

"Her heart floods with the thankfulness of a coffee-starved college student"

"No one hears her thoughts but drinks in her smile"

Balloon Man

"Multi-colored happiness hovering on a canvas of sky-blue infinity"

First Snowfall

"[The] quiet of whispering, white manna-flakes"
________________________________________

That's it for now.  Can you tell I am amusing myself?  Will this make be a better songwriter?

Time will yell, I mean, tell.

Writing Exercises, Heated-Kernel Mouth-Stuffing

Moving-Forward Monday

Acoustic guitars become 1's and 0's in the mysterious digital recording world!

Looking back on the last week or two...I've started two new songs this past week and I think another the week before. (I get some idea or inspiration from an artist who's song is featured on a TV show and off I go).  I've added in writing exercises as well.

On the recording end of things, started guitars and drums on one song, background vocals on another, and I'm ready to add "backgrounds" on still another.

Oh! Went to a songwriter get-together this past week and received some great feedback on a song I started TWO YEARS AGO! I knew it could still be better and I was right. The question is, do I want to continue with this one or just move on and write something new and fresh, and hopefully better with the new things I'm learning.

There's plenty to keep me busy while the band's on break.

Moving-Forward Monday