How I Create Songs

I've written songs for decades, but didn't have the means to hire a band to produce the music I heard in my head. With a busy career and a family to take care of, I didn't see myself joining a band and working nights and weekends to build a music career. (Kudos to those who have!)

 

Instead, I steadily built a livelihood in other fields, one of which has always been writing and publishing books of my own and those of others.  

 

When A.I. came along, it gave me the ability to purchase beats from musicians (beats are pre-produced instrumental music tracks created by professional musicians that are licensed for use in songs, videos, etc.).

 

Because I've always "heard" the music when I wrote songs, I could use these beats to start to formulate and master the sound I wanted for my songs. By inputting these beats into A.I. music tools, I could then achieve the sound I desired.

 

Harvey Mason, Jr., the Grammys' chief, in an interview with Billboard Magazine, claimed that every songwriter and producer he knows is using A.I. in the studio. So I guess I'm in good company!

I acknowledge that some people are not fond of A.I.  For me, my songs wouldn't come alive without it. By paying for the beats, I feel I'm still supporting (in the best way I'm able) the musicians who have worked hard to develop their craft. Perhaps in the future I'll hire full bands to recreate the music I hear in my head; however, this is what works for me now.

 

I'm blessed with still having a good voice at my age, but I take advantage of A.I. to create videos and other images. Until A.I. figures out how to reverse aging, why not? (Age reversal is coming, right?) 
 

On the left is the real image of me, a picture that's current. On the right is the A.I. avatar I use for videos and some other uses. While I like using the A.I. version of myself, I wanted to present the real me here to be as transparent about how I actually look as I am about how the instrumentals are made for my songs. Like in Megan Moroney's song Six Months Later, I can be stronger, blonder, and hotter in my A.I. form.

I'm mama to five incredible children, one of whom sings many of the songs I write. (More about him below.) Naturally, all my kids are amazing. I also have delightful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You may laugh when you hear my song "No Old Lady" as it reflects some of what I feel being my age.

Independent of creating songs, I'm a publisher and have run my company, The Publishing Circle, for what's coming up on 9 years. The successes of my authors bring me great joy.

Creating songs and running my company takes a heck of a lot of time, but I still find time to dance. I'm dancing somewhere at least 2 or 3 nights a week—more if something appealing comes up. Swing dancing, two-step, cha cha, waltz . . . there's not much I don't do. Because I love dancing so much, I try to make sure my songs are danceable.
 

Gardening is another passion. Years ago, I had a commercial nursery. I like to hybridise, specialising in irises and daylilies. As a director for the Hardy Plant Society of Oregon, I helped low-income Latino families build a community garden. I also established a community garden near my former home so area residents who didn't have gardening space could enjoy fresh produce. It warmed my heart to see families working together to harvest fresh food for their tables. Anchored in my memory is the picture of a little boy who "plowed" a row with his little red plastic truck to cover the bean seeds.

One of the more memorable jobs I've held included working with the Warm Springs Indian tribe. I especially loved working with the kids. See a kid theme anywhere in my life?

 

You might wonder what my goals are with the music I write. Number one is for people (you!) to enjoy the songs. If it happens, I'd also love to have some big stars purchase lyrics from me and make them their own. I wouldn't mind winning some awards either. (Dream big, right?) Regardless of anything else happening, I'll continue to jot down notes in the middle of the night and at stoplights as snippets of songs enter my head. It's a passion that I don't see stopping anytime soon.

Like any independent artist, I can't survive without listeners. Because you're reading this, I know you found me through my music, so I just want to say that I appreciate you so, so much!