About
"pouring" - that is the way I wrote my first song and I hope it's the way I will
write my last. Not just because it's easy but because it's where all the best
songs come from. Somewhere other than ourselves. Somewhere unexplainable. Somewhere
way beyond our own abilities and for no reason at all. Not money or awards or
for anything other than the feeling of triumph watching peoples faces change in
reaction to your song. It's cheesy but endlessly true and those who have felt
it, know that in the end it's the only reason to write. It raises you up past
your life, past your death and way beyond the things you think matter to you now.
I find that the songs I write by myself are largely the songs I have no memory
of writing. They happen to me involuntarily or some would say are given to me
as a gift. That can also be the case with co-written songs but for the most part
the process of co-writing is much more forced in that there is an appointment
time, there is pressure to produce and sometimes there is actually someone else's
input to guide the song somewhere you wouldn't have gone in an unconscious creative
state. I like it when that happens.
Jana:
What was your first song topic?
Steve:
The first song I ever wrote was so long ago I couldn't sing it and all I remember
is the title which was "Gold to Me". The title itself has that awkward incomplete
sentence sound to it, perfect for a first effort I guess.
Jana: Your writing career has spanned decades. How have changes in your
life changed your writing?
Steve: I've been admittedly influenced
by the Nashville machine for some years now and that was the biggest shift in
my writings history. I carved off most of the obscure, the sexual, the rock and
folk influences and got better (I think) at writing within the parameters of what
country radio programmers think they need to play. That sounds bad but when you
get good at something it becomes enjoyable and fulfilling you tend to forget what
you're missing until you hear a Dave Matthews CD and then you see that other road
you didn't take, but such is life.
Jana: Who was/were the most inspirational to you, your music and how?
Steve:
I've never been a big fan or follower or liner note reader but there are some
people that I can say I hear myself in. To name a few, Lyle Lovett, Stan Rogers,
Brian Selzer, James Taylor, Tom Petty.
Jana: They say, you can't write what you don't know. How much of your songs
are a product of your imagination and not your experience.
Steve:
The majority of my songs are not my story. The biggest thrill I get as I've said
is the emotional response I get from my writing. It's always been very important
to me that my songs are not exclusive to my own experiences. I want to write for
war veterans and 20 year old girls and their concerns, hicks and yuppies, who
ever might see themselves in my songs. The lyrical roll play is what drew me to
country music in the first place.
Jana: Be honest - what is your worst song topic?
Steve:
The most challenging … happens to be the hot seller and always will be and that's
- happy, love, up tempo. Very challenging to write something professional sounding
that's new, hooky and doesn't come with an automatic omoche to fromoche. The "happy
feel good song" is the "well it's what people want" phenomenon that all writers
know, that done well could change their lives in terms of money and recognition
but it's the hardest because it's the most done.
Jana: What songs would you want played at your funeral ?
Steve:
Something Scottish with pipes. Very sad and from the region my father comes from.
The west of Scotland, Ayrshire, Prestwich.
Jana: Did you have any surprise hits?
Steve: I've had
one hit on Billboard and countless hits in Canada and the whole thing is a constant
surprise to me. Before, during and after having "hits" in your life you're aware
that there is a rush that will never wear off. No I don't think you ever know
if a song will be a hit but I think you know if it won't because maybe it sucks
and you're smart and it's a no brainer but the great ones have every bit of potential
of doing nothing than doing something on the charts. So it's very hard to crystal
ball it.
Jana: If you knew then what you know now, how would you guide
your career differently?
Steve: I wouldn't, and not all just because
I couldn't, change one second of my life, period. I might have treated some people
better. That doesn't sound like it pertains to career but everything does. Jana:
If you were asked to teach a course on songwriting, what would be your top
3 do's and don'ts.
Steve: #1 - don't worry with furrowed brow, about
peoples opinions while writing. #2 - don't rest with a song you're not sure about.
Re-draft if you know it's what you need to do. #3 - don't listen to me. Dos? #1
- Do steer clear of the ego driven, name droppy, veteran advice man. Most likely
to be encountered at seminars, industry panels, etc. They are more concerned with
the experience of giving advice than actually helping anyone. The most successful
humans are always the weirdest. Always. #2 - Do be excited about writing. The
excitement of creating something great will perpetuate itself. #3 - Do embrace
the idea of being in a people driven industry. Don't be shy. Get out there and
get involved. | 
