When we listen to music on the radio, we often take for granted the number of people it takes to get a song to us. Yes, certainly the artist themselves and their image are important, but what about the back up band, record label, radio DJs, advertising executives, tour managers, and song writers? Did you know that there are people called "pluggers" whose job it is to match songs from songwriters to performing artists? They get paid based on how many times said songs are played on the radio. There are graphic designers that specialize in social media campaigns with the sole purpose of promoting new singles for performers, helping them to become more wellknown. All of these people stand in the shadow of the artist who gets the majority of the attention from the song they sing.
I think that songwriters are probably the ones that are most often forgotten by the general public. Yes, it's true that many artists write or co-write their own material, but more often than not they at least receive some help from professional writers.
A couple days ago I attended a CMA Writers in the Round Show at the House of Blues in New Orleans, benefiting several local music education programs. Eric Paslay, one of my favorite country artists, was going to be there, and I try to see him every chance I get. Eric wrote "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" for Jake Owen as well as "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" for Eli Young, and has his own hits including "High Class" and "Friday Night." There were three other writers on the bill, none of which I had ever heard of before that night. I knew that Eric is not only a phenomenal artist but also and very talented writer (and just an all around nice guy), so it made sense that CMA recruited him for the event. I was definitely going to the show to see him specifically and hoped that the other three would be decent. Well, let me tell you, I was in for quite a surprise!
Let's start with a guy named Rob Hatch. Rob writes for newer artists like Lee Brice and Randy Houser, both of which I've seen live and love. He wrote "I Don't Dance" with Lee, and it quickly became Song of the Year along with a slew of other awards. If I'm being honest, Rob's actual singing voice was probably the weakest on the stage, but who cares? That's why he's a WRITER! And a talented, funny one at that. His songs were quite enjoyable, and I think I knew them all.
Then there's Wrabel... I don't even know where to start with this dude. Talk about blew me out of the water! I didn't know a single one of his songs, and I found myself enamored with his performance. Steven Wrabel is one of the most talented artists and writers I have heard in a long time. His lyrics are as profound as Elton John's, and he sings with a passion that only the most elite artists do. He's written for Adam Lambert as well as Ellie Goulding, but honestly, he is going to be a huge star himself one day. Like many writers, the subject of much of his material stems from his less-than-perfect relationships, but his songs are intense, heartfelt, and completely relatable. When he talks he comes across as this cute, skinny, hilarious, goofy guy that's somewhat unsure of himself, but as soon as his fingers touch the piano keys and he opens his mouth, he morphs into a musical god. In one note, he brought the entire room to dead silence. I just can't say enough good things about Wrabel!
Victoria Shaw, the only woman on stage, gave me chills. Y'all. This woman wrote "The River" for Garth Brooks and "I Love the Way You Love Me" for John Michael Montgomery. Where are my 90s country fans?! She had me at "You know a dream is like a river...", which she opened with. I teared up a little bit! "So don't you sit upon the shorelines and say you're satisfied. Choose to chance the rapids, and dare to dance that tide." I mean, where does a lyric like that come from?! I have goosebumps just writing this. John Michael Montgomery's album that has "I Love the Way You Love Me" on it was played at least two times a day on my boombox from the time I was seven until I was ten years old. She wrote so many songs that bring me back to my childhood, and is just incredibly talented and humble. She recently was able to write with Bette Midler! Bette Midler!! I cant say enough good things about her either. She and Wrabel totally blew me away.
After the show, I couldn't help but realize that I had just heard songs that I've loved for years and years, and had never before thought about who wrote the lyrics that had touched me so. Songwriters SHOULD be celebrated. They are IMPORTANT. The artist is the chicken and the songwriter is the egg; you can't have one without the other. Next time you hear that song that takes you back to another time and place, remember that someone WROTE that. Someone like Eric, Rob, Wrabel, or Victoria found those lyrics within themselves that have impacted you with such force and shared them with the world. Songwriting is not a gift I possess, but it is one for which I have great respect. Celebrate those song writers because without them, music wouldn't in the capacity it does today.
