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"You don't have to be the fastest dog at the dog park..." Otis Gibbs, 2023 That spoke to me. ❤

I should have mentioned that there are no wrong answers to this question. I'd probably change my answer every two or three months depending on the mood I'm in.

Writing a song is like slipping into another world - but having written a song is better because you're in this world with a magical artifact from that other dimension.❤❤❤

The best part of doing something you think you're not good at is that moment when you surprise yourself. All your motivation, from that point on, comes from chasing that feeling in yourself, and recognizing and motivating it in others.

Guys like Hank, or Prine, wrote songs at 20 years old that sound like they're written by much older experienced souls. That type of talent, that eye and ear, is a gift from God.

To me, the best part of writing a song is when you’re done - hearing your friends help to voice it and then record it.

Love ya Otis. Thanks for the perspective & food for thought. Keep doin what you do. Never heard that Vonnegut story before, wish I'd heard that decades ago. Sage advice.

Much overdue thanks to you, Otis: you provide much insight, depth, and joy! You help me keep my guitars dust-free and finger-worn. You are a very valuable mental health provider.

I recently saw an interview with a visual artist who said that everyone has 'rooms' inside of them and one of the 'rooms' is for artistic creativity; most people will never open the door to that room, but those who do are allowing more beauty into the world.

Definitely the happiness of having the finished product. I have been in a funk field a few years of not getting any writing done. Hopefully things change for me soon Stay safe, Otis!

"I hate writing but love having written" Dorothy Parker. An eternal crystalization of truth that occurs to many writers in a multitude of venues. That's a cool Vonnegut quote. Helps take the edge off of self doubt.

I remember Kurt Vonnegut’s cameo in the movie Back To School with Rodney Dangerfield. His thoughts on personal pursuits are brilliant; somehow I’ve come to realize that in my life but he put it down in words perfectly. That is one of the secrets to a happy fulfilling life. Quit trying to keep up with the Joneses and do your thing.

Got myself in a jam back in high school for losing focus on my studies (ADHD) and needed to do an independent study class to catch up. I chose to study the great Kurt Vonnegut, with my favorite teacher, and read all of Vonnegut's books he had written up until that year (1976). By far my favorite class I ever took. "So it goes," is one of the best ways to comment on our crazy world I've found yet. So it goes...

I just hold on to the pen, and God sends them through. Hank Williams

Kurt nailed it, especially for the mildly talented like myself. I've arced my way through several art forms in my now-long lifetime: guitarist on the bandstand for 30 years, actor and designer in theater for 23 years now, and painting big abstract paintings since COVID lockdown. I was passably good at all of these things, better at acting and design strangely enough to discover in my late 40s, but I enjoyed them all immensely.

Thanks otis, you are such good people . I really enjoy your shows. I'm going to take your advice...enjoy art spread love, best I can

I took a songwriter workshop in my little town last weekend taught by Beth Neilson Chapman. I started writing on a stage fright thing working up the nerve to play a song in front of the group. I managed to get through it, 1st time after many attempts at failing. To answer your question, I like both the process and sharing something I am proud of when I think it is done enough

I only write a song when the idea for a song hits me. Then it pours out pretty fast. The real joy is when people like your song enough that they ask you to sing it.

I like chasing them best of all but when you catch a good one and land it, that keeps you going. Thanks Otis.

The saying "When you're green you're growing" comes to mind. When the thrill of the surprise at the finished product, be it a song or art or anything creative, is exciting. Unaware of a hidden talent as it's being completed and being just as amazed as all the others who are witnessing it for the first time. I've found as I near 70 that the creative process can too quickly become a formula it risks becoming tedious. For instance, I thought The Beatles came 'alive' when Billy Preston added his talent on Get Back. Prior to his arrival they didn't appear to be enjoying the process anymore. Once Billy lit up the keys they were 'Playing'. That's the tricky part... keeping 'The fun in the Fight'.

For me I love having all the treasures I've dug from the dirt, but there's nothing like actually digging and finding the stuff.

For someone for whom language fails, you always nail it, Otis. Thanks.

what great perspective from kurt vonnegut. i'm one of those 'jack of all trades master of none' people. this quote resonates. thanks for sharing, otis...

Loved the KV reference. He's been on my mind lately, with all the stuff about AI in the news. A friend & I went to see him speak 40yrs ago @ IU. He was a little more serious than we expected. He said the biggest question we would face we be to decide "what are people for?" We all need a purpose, a sense of accomplishment.

At 42 , I'm having trouble writing anything . I can't even motivate myself to create anything anymore . When I was younger , I used to have a strong passion to create . Nowadays , I feel like it's not even worth it . I think when you are younger you are way more social and feel you can expose your art to more people/friends . When you are older you feel like nobody cares or has the spare time LOL . Sharing your art is SO important . If you write great songs and never share them , isn't that selfish ? pointless ? I think if I had a sense of community like I did when I was younger , I would be more driven to create .

I enjoy writing and the creation process more than when it's done. Some songs I like playing and singing more than others, but I enjoyed creating every single one equally.

Otis, love today’s question. I’ll answer it through my process in photography. I love post-processing the photograph the most. That is where I fine tune my art and it actually becomes art. Gathering photos can be fun. Being in the right place at the right time can be thrilling. To have a beautiful subject can be rare. But then to take that raw material home and mold it into real art that I love, that I am proud of, that makes it uniquely mine is exciting. It gives me the pleasure I want from making art. Only I have to happy. And I am. Vonnegut could be talking about me. I do so many things and I have tried and failed. My favorite quote, author unknown, “I would rather try and fail than to have not tried at all.”

Fantastic food for thought, Otis. Grateful for the opportunity to reflect. When I am inspired to write and it flows it is miraculous. Unfortunately at times it doesn’t flow. I had writers block for many years and it finally lifted so I don’t take it for granted.

that vonnegut quote is one of the reasons he changed my life

Performing/recording is fun. Writing is work. I never had a contract, where the label says "It's time to do your second record." And you have NO songs. That's gotta be scary.

Those Indy birds definitely wanted to chime in this morning.

I write music because it just comes out. This has been going on since I first picked up a musical instrument when I was a kid and a teacher asked me to share some with a class. Most of the stuff I write is not very good and derivative but I enjoy the process, and I try to record some I think are good and some I want to listen to and improve and sometimes I share the best ones with my friends. Every once in a while I come up with something that a few musicians that I respect say nice things about. That kind of positive feedback does feel really good but I don't think that's why I keep writing the good ones down.

Nailed it Otis, I just arrived in northern Indiana via east Texas and getting north of Indy had me humming Kokomo bar. I salute all your hard work. Thank you sir

kurt vonnegut is my hero i got to meet him once ....he changed my life

You made me think of Scott Henderson’s “Dog party” with this thoughtful monologue !

Absolutely, the process! Most fun you can have with your pants on!

Thanks Otis. Vonnegut has been a favorite of mine since high school (that's a while man). As for the song stuff it's when I play and people dig it, music, lyrics, structure, feel etc.

"I'd rather be eating a donut" ~ John Prine

Nashvill is the biggest small town in the world. And it’s nowhere near what it was when I moved here in 19 96. But to your point, Kurt Vonnegut is my favorite off of Author and that quote is absolutely true, I find that too often now, I’m so focused on the commerce side of music, trying to make money, trying to get fans, trying to promote, that I really cherish the moments I can actually sit and create an create without fear. Hope you’re well brother.

Writing songs is probably one of the greatest things in life. When you have finished a song and then recorded it, you don't know if it's great song or not. Some songs takes years to write and other songs can be written in a few hours. The best song I have written so far, only took 7 hours to write and record. My friend Rattling Jim told me that I'm using 24 different chords in that song, and I had no idea about that. Nevermind, the song is titled: "Miles and Miles of Green fields (all covered with snow). Enjoy!

Chasing the muse that leads to writing a song is a thrill if you ride that wave as it is cresting, and exhausting when you feel you lost the thread...but actually having something tangible, you wrote a song you like and can share with the world is a great feeling. But having a half written song laying around in your head can drive you crazy

I needed this brother. I’ve been a musician/creative person for over 25 years and struggle sometimes to get motivated to write or even play sometimes due to the fear that the end result will never live up to my own expectations. The myth of talent is very profound. Without putting in the work, talent won’t get most of us too far. Greetings from Alabama ☕️

My wife loves Vonnegut. I even bought her a Vonnegut coffee mug. I’ll never forget his cameo in Back to school with Rodney dangerfield.

Seems like I remember Kurt saying that writing was really hard.- like hard labor. Most of his work ended up in the waste basket as he threw it there. Love how you promote us to be creative. Happy April Fools Otis, and friends.

Hey, Otis. I went to see Tim Easton at the Frogpond Sunday Social in Silverhill, AL last year. I was talking to him after the show, because we're both from Ohio and we knew some of the same folks, but when I mentioned I'd seen him on your KZfaq channel, his eyes lit up and that breathed more life into our conversation. There was an instant connection there about what you do and how cool we both think it is.

I’m a fan of the finished. It’s fun how once a song is out into the world it becomes it’s own animal. The meaning becomes different for so many. Interpretation is interesting. Some don’t care about words. It’s the music that grabs them. It’s appreciated for so much or so little and sometimes not at all. They become someone’s jam, or the background noise of a memory.

When I finish a good song I find Joy in the finished product and Pride in the work.

Thanks again Otis for provoking thought. That is why what you do matters….

For me it's the process - it's the magic of pulling a song out of the ether and seeing that it actually means something. I agree with you as an older guy it is harder to write, but the results are more satisfying to me. At my age I am willing to do the work to create a good song. As a young writer I was focused on the volume of work and didn't focus enough on the quality of the song. Age does bring wisdom. Of course, I love playing the finished song and sharing with folks to see how it touches them. I do look back at my songs from decades ago and in my mind have a conversation with my younger self and try to connect with what I was thinking back then and how it relates to me in the present.

Wow that's why I do it thanks. Man I needed this

I love the quote. So true in so many ways. It’s encouraging to try new things and not be discouraged because you’ll probably suck at it (at first).

Point taken. Thanks for the encouragement. I enjoyed reading Kurt Vonnegut 30, or so years ago. In a 2006 Rolling Stone interview, Vonnegut sardonically stated that he would sue the Brown & Williamson tobacco company, the maker of the Pall Mall-branded cigarettes he had been smoking since he was around 12 or 14 years old, for false advertising: "And do you know why? Because I'm 83 years old. The lying bastards! On the package Brown & Williamson promised to kill me." lol

You have just inspired me. Thanks.

It’s a good question and as you say - there is surely no “right” answer. I believe the human artistic impulse is powerful and likely works differently for many. For myself, the process of creating something is the best that it gets. It’s my real purpose - to be creative with this gift of life while I’m around. Validation is a different thing altogether. Whenever I play a song for an audience - even a small audience, this completes an incredibly important feedback loop. It’s a moment of truth. I often wonder is it because of the reaction I think I am getting? Or is it that then and only then, do I really understand how I feel about the song? I say that because I have developed a rhythm to writing. The rhythm usually includes large amounts of some unknown quality of “ether”. This always arrives on it’s own time and sometimes not at all. It’s like an uplifting energy and lubrication that once it starts flowing - whatever it is that I’m creating becomes the most important moment and the best work I have ever done - in that moment. The moment that mojo kicks in is the moment of magic for me. That is why I think the process is the most important. It’s completely in the moment and it’s somehow bigger than me. I love that moment and sort of discretely live for it. It’s like super-power and it is so engulfing that it can also fool me into self-deception! As self-deception goes, it’s still a good thing because the most important thing for an artist to do is to create. Not to be concerned yet with how the work will be received - but to just to do the work. The validation for that process can kill you if you aren’t able to develop a thick skin, some degree of confidence and a great deal of patience. There’s an expression; “Just do the footwork and stay out of the results”. That has been a pretty solid mantra for me. That said about the creative process - I have also enjoyed some uplifting and wonderful moments coming from a random email from a stranger - thanking me for a song or sometimes for other creative adventures I have been involved in. That it matters to somebody - even if only a few. That matters a lot. I take my validations usually in small doses and with unpredictable frequency. Being a player/performer is yet different. I believe there may be nothing better than knowing something you played or sang moved an audience to applaud. Nothing is better than that. Not because it tells me I’m good, but because it tells me that we can connect by magic! Music is universally spiritual

When writing lyrics or songs or even stories, I love the initial spark of: "Ooo. There is something there. I should get to work with that." Then it becomes more of a work process. Raking the leaves into neat piles. Satisfying after the work is over. But when I am improvising, which I do a lot of and I fill all the bandwidth in my brain with just the notes and melodies, that is the most satisfying thing there is. This is of course when millions of second guessing voices and thoughts aren't getting in the way. It goes back to the first thing I said. The novelty of the brain going: "Oooo. There is something there. Run with it." And for me , with improvising, I can get the plates spinning and keep that feeling going for a long time. When writing or recording is done I can only enjoy the song or what I created for a moment. Then it is on to the next song or the critical voice will just spoil it. Especially if it hasn't been a long time since I last heard it. Like years.

I've ALWAYS loved Vonnegut, now I know why! Thank you Otis. I can totally relate, as someone who decided to quit drumming this last summer at 69 yrs old. I find that I still love music, listening to music and stories about music and artists. I can't say I miss the drums so much. Yet. However, I do now have an obsession with riding motorcycles; dirt bikes, and adventure bikes.

I love those occasions creating art when you lose all sense of time and self and the process becomes almost a kind of meditation. I'll never be a famous artist, but I do it because I love creating.

I like the writing process when it comes at me fast, when the verses just spring forth, and the creativity is like a rush. But then, when it's finished, the editing process has to happen, and that's a bit harder. But when it's done, and I'm learning how to play my own song, that's good too. It's much less enjoyable when I try to force it. If I try and write a song when it's not coming, it's too much like work, and the pleasure starts to ebb away. And it's all about the pleasure to me. PS always loved Vonnegut and Richard Brautigan, the poor man's Vonnegut. Their writings, among others, changed my head around to a 'righter' way, in my opinion. Or they helped me to think about my own life in a better way

i am a young 65 years old, luv your channel otis, i resonate with you and your work otis. great job man. i am hittin the road in a few weeks, i am a solo guitarist/singer and i do obscure songs from great but obscure artists, i pick songs that fit the places i will be playing. old americana, folk, rock, alternative, bluegrass... i cover quite a range of fantastic songs that are easy goin and smooth and fun. low key, low volume. thoughtful word based songs. i will put two kayaks on my van roof so i can share kayaking with a new friend i havent met yet. hiking may be too hard for me now but i think kayaking/camping is right up my alley. i had a lifechanging fall off a mountain in moab in 2012 but i am almost completely better now. leavin dfw texas and goin west to new mexico, then arizona, then utah, nevada, oregon, washington state, idaho, montana, wyoming, colorado, texas. i am open to having good musicians/adventurists to join me for all or part of this epic journey. i wanna sell some art at outdoor markets occasionally, i do pretty good at that too. i wanna stay out of big cities and hang around in small qwerky places. move slowly, immerse myself in small communities, try to give more than i take wherever i go. by volunteering to make life better in any way. like cleaning windows on a community library. my van is ready, new fluids, new tires, new struts, and front end parts. phat wallet. every summer i traveled and played music, the last 3 years i just worked and hustled. i didnt feel celebratory or road ready so i just worked and hustled. now i wanna have some big fun. i wanna cook amazing meals at beautiful dispersed campsites, no organized campsites if possible. i wanna experience bliss, which for me is spontaneity, synchronicity, and serendipity. i am packed and ready, practicing my setlist nightly in my shop today. male or female, from 21 years old to 70 years old, if you can play music, and love a great adventure i would love to have you/yall join me. i dont care how many people join. themore the merrier. with technology you can do other treks and adventures and meet back up down the road, very easy going, very flexible, and adaptable. love and blessings to all of you!!!

I love that weird magic that pop's into my head and knowing it's worth pursuing and at the end listening to the result of that weird spark come to life

You know what I love - I love how open you are about the "real" stuff. Inspiring people to pursue their art. You are the best - so glad I found your channel.

the last batch of songs I wrote were written in a minute after my son was born... I knew I had a few rollin around in my head... went to a local music store and there was an in-store-drop repair acoustic shinning at me... wrote 25 songs that are 19 songs now... writing is not the problem, wish I could change the life that was writing them sometimes... the tough part is the going through them over and over until I don't cry... so I can perform them... is 9 years gone by and still... I got saturday mornin Otis coffee and weepin through my songs... love you

I almost fear the moment I realize I have a song I need to try and finish. But I also love it. It's the knowing if what it takes to produce good stuff that kind of dedication seems more time consuming when you get older. Still awesome when it's done. The initial sharing is kind of a scary part too.

This made me think of how it used to ne. Music was evolving quickly back when I turned 18. Even though I was writing Rock back in 78, 79, 80. Three different bands going in and out of College. I wanted to make sure I didn't want to write something that sounded like last year. So weird but a year was a big deal back then asI I wrote and recorded with Equinox, Roxx, Karma. I constantly had to look forward and not sound dated. Fast forward to stuff I wrote between 2004-2008 in Birmingham, Alabama with Furthermore that was heavily infulenced by Free, Black Crowes, Blind Melon. We could get back together play an 18 year old set and it would not sound out of place 15 years later. So weird.

I wrote a few songs in my younger years I'm pretty proud if, and I continue to sing. I've written a few more along the way. Now, in my 50s, I find I write a lot of ideas out, but I'm not finishing as many as I'd like. I enjoy the process of creating a song. And I appreciate it when the song takes on its own meaning for others as it moves though my family, friends, and followers. Kurt Vonegut is one of my heroes. I probably ought to reread some or all of his writings. Glad you were safe in Nashville, and that Amy didn't have to worry too much about you. Thanks, Otis 🙏🏻 Be good to you 🤍💛

Thanks for posing this fun question Otis. If I have to choose, it's the process for me. When a new song is coming together it is more addicting than the joy of having a new addition to my collection, which is nice too, but not as nice! As for the second part, yes, comparing to others is a crusher. I'm trying to write my best song every time and I've had to learn to respect that whatever I'm capable of is where I'm at, and that is what it is. If people like it, great. If not, I got to create something and I took the opportunity to do so. There are many opportunities I haven't taken. Thanks for stimulating these thoughts!

I love to be "in the zone", what for me means being creative, time flies, I am somewhere else - nothing compares to that.

I can say this from witnessing myself. There is a huge amount of bluegrass musicians that come from the area I live. This is a area that it still takes a hour to drive to the nearest Walmart or movie theater. Lot's of the hollers still don't have internet or even cable television. Having nothing to do except learn to play daddy's fiddle or your big brothers mandolin can make it seem like talent is in the water. I can tell you... it's got more to do with dedicating time to practice than it does with the water.

Thanks Otis, I love all your videos! Thanks for turning me onto guys like Kenny Vaughan and Tom Bukovac! Been watching “uncle Larry’s “ videos lately. Keep on keeping’ on!✌🏼❤️🎼

always in awe of the classics that were written or wrote themselves in twenty minutes. using Wendell as an analogy conveyed the point perfectly. hope OG's sign off 'much love' isn't copyrighted, there seems to be so much grimness in the world it always strikes me as such a genuine expression of wishing someone well, or maybe it's just the way Otis says it.

That’s a tough question. I like the process. But it’s work. It’s a craft, like being part of a guild. It’s tough though when it’s in process and it’s not flowing or it’s in the process of coming. It’s great when it’s done too. But then there is the work of learning to play it, like from an old place, from a knowing place. I’ve written over a 100 songs and some come hard as nails and some as easy as the breeze. But most are crafted by a process. I feel blessed to have the opportunity. I enjoy the writing, the trying and being part of the ether from whence the songs come. Hell yeah to Vonnegut. Always have loved him. Always love listening to the ideas and stories Otis. Hope we get a chance someday to play some songs together. Big appreciation. Have a great day. Thanks. Spread the ❤

I gotta say I loved this video, especially the Kurt Vonnegut quote, brilliant author. I learnt that lesson that I'm not the best guitarist many times but never stopped me from enjoying to play.

When I was much younger songs just dropped into my lap. This usually happened when I was busy doing something else and songs were the furthest thing from my mind. It’s like they had to sneak up on me, catch me off guard . Now I think too much. Something has to bother the hell out of me to get started. I worry too much about mediocrity and saying something that’s been said way better than I can. So after being distracted for the last couple of decades by running a small business , now I just spend my time recording and posting songs on sound cloud . Some are garbage but I succeed in getting them out of my system. On the odd occasion that I find myself in a situation where I have listeners, I might pull out something I’m working on and play it. The results vary . I’d much rather play in front of a thousand than one or two . The odds are way better. Vonnegut rules! And so does Hunter S. Thompson , William Boroughs, Douglas Adams and Lao Tzu. I’ve got a song about the gun culture/mass shootings I might post soon. We live in an absurd world and I mostly try to embrace absurdity but it’s getting hard.

Good dog story Otis, mothers maiden name is Gibbs, mom grew up in a place around Hendersonville NC, Jeter mountain

You gave me more than a few takeaways in one clip. Thanks!

I wish I could remember who the author was that said he didn't know any novelists who enjoyed writing. They all enjoyed having written. Several years ago I heard it on NPR and it stuck with me.

When I think of Indianapolis, I think of Vonnegut, Letterman, and Gibbs.

This is great! I love the ideas behind the strive to keep loving music

Otis i really enjoy coming up with a good idea for a song, and then there is this lull in the excitement, kinda like a wave on the ocean. after the work is completed , i let my wife hear it for her approval ( she has heard the process through its entirety, and she thinks everything i write will be a hit someday-- lol-- love her so much) but i think i love all parts of the process in its own particular way, look forward to joining Patrion . God bless you friend for sharing your coffee, and time, and talent with so many

I'm a writer, not a songwriter. But I think the finished product is more satisfying. I get a kick out of the end result but it's a lot of work trying to get to that point and the process can be so frustrating at times especially since I'm a painfully slow writer. So, I'd have to say I prefer the finished product to the process. But then, you've got to send the piece out there and try to find a home for it once you're done. That's a whole other process in itself and completely out of your control. But, that's the life of a writer I guess! Well, that's my two cents. Time for me to go and get my coffee now! Have a good day Otis. Love your channel, especially the interviews.

Morning O.. LoL

✌❤🎶☕ peace , love , music and coffee . 4 cornerstones of a happy life :)

Songwriting for me whether in 15 minutes or a year & a half . I’ve had those giddy moments of Yes that’s what it needed . Whether it be arranging chords progression,word phrasing, dreaming up harmony parts , fills , Intro’s what ever else. Learning my own song that’s were I got find my inner strength to keep going . It’s not a cover tune I’ve sang along a thousand times in the car. LoL ! In 1984 I was 19 I was a huge Randy Rhoades fan I had bands & was pretty good at the dee da lee dee da lee Dee da lee’s “as you called them , LoL ! But now for the last 20 years I don’t listen to that stuff hardly ever still dig him as a player . Now days it’s Marty Stewart , the Mavericks, POCO , Jr. Brown , Buck Owens & Boy Howdy. Playing a guitar solo can get you a cup of coffee anywhere. As I once had a conversation with Garry Anderson of BR~549 he said keep writing dude it only takes one 😎 Hay if you see you friend Kenny tell him PICK & GRIN

How about interviewing Jamie Crompton from the Rattlesnake Hearts? He was with several bands over the years including but not limited to Suzi Quatro and Wishbone Ash. He lives in Folkstone, UK. He did raised a daughter on the road alone and also sold for Fender and Gibson to the celebrities. He has stories including the one how we met! Otis you are my favorite souther interviewer!!

Music for me is like painting..When it’s finished, toss it into the fire (share it) and hope the universe sends another one my way!! ❤⚡️😎👍

"The myth of talent". Would be a good sub title for this episode. The witness of what is great sorta depends on what we are taught is great, the longer we live, more we are taught. As youth, we dont know, so one expands the horizons using what ever talent we may or may not have. But as we reach a certain age (50s for me), its best to not give a f@#k and do whatever floats your goat. I'm not going to be the best sailor, mechanic, fastest dog, but I am going to have fun doing what interests me.

Great insights - very helpful. I love the process but struggle with finishing anything because of exactly what you said: “I want it to be good. It represents me…” I concern myself too much with what other people might think, even if I'm proud of my own work. I'm envious of people who just get stuff done, publish it, and move on regardless of the outcome (good or bad).

Nothing can match the buzz of writing something when you know you're on to a winner. Being proud of it fades for me with time, pretty quickly.

For me it's finishing a song and having something as a whole from what may have either come together in an hour or less or what may have taken days, weeks and in a few cases years. Sometimes it's "oh, wasn't expecting that!" and sometimes it's "Finally! That missing piece!". That said, there is the process and the sudden flashes that come one after another or the hunting for the missing piece- those can be really enjoyable too, but they're kind of unconscious things that happen when they happen whereas the the finished song can be enjoyed as it flows out as a whole thing.

If you’ve ever been lucky enough to have a song push its way through you, into this world, you know it’s magic. It’s an otherworldly thing. The more so, the better the song is. I get one a year or so. The rest, I write myself

Songwriting is cathartic, theraputic, fun and necessary for tapping in to the music of the spheres. It makes the universe more harmonious. Some songs come easy. Some take more time and busting through walls. Some don't come to fruition until after you've put them down. Process is all, whether channeling or searching for completion. The finished product is the work of art. The art itself is in the process.

Wow Otis…yes, I did have a bad performance experience when in elementary school, and it has given me performance anxiety ever since and I am now 67. I am now taking a kick at song writing. I know I can do it and its in me to do it.

Hey Otis, thanks for these great connections to the past masters, it really brings it home for me. That said, if you have not already done so, it would really have meaning for me if you would gather together some recollections of Roger Miller, America's true poet of the 1960s. I think for all of his good-natured and funny songs, he bore a lot of pain, a real empath and sensitive soul. From "Engine Number Nine" to especially "One Dying and a Burying" I think he expressed the pantheon of the human emotional spectrum. I do believe he would be a well-received case study of Americana. And oh yeah, I've had my bubble punched thinking I was a hot shot on guitar. I've long since learned to be happy with what creativity I do possess, and I'm happy to say I'm grateful for what gifts I do have. Kurt Vonnegut? Oh YEAH!

In my mid 20s I bought a Yamaha (MT4X) four track cassette recorder and the process of transferring the layering of the sounds in my head to hearing it outside of my head was the best aspect of creating. It was exciting. I think it's hard to separate the two. Process begets result. Whether the result is satisfactory, the result satisfies the creative process.

Song writing just might be the highest artform. ❤

Quite a sprawling bit of territory you brought up Otis and man, it resonated with me. I have to say I agree with you--what an excellent metaphor on it "not being fun putting together an 8,000 piece jigsaw puzzle, but it's fun to gaze upon it when it's finished." Not verbatim I think but that really was a superb metaphor. My experience with songwriting seems to be different depending on the song, yes once in awhile it's a thrill to be in the process when time stands still but I generally REALLY like it when I've finished it and it meets the criteria of being "good." Having created something is a really sublime feeling for sure. It's strange how some songs come quickly and seem to almost write themselves (I think there may be a channeling element there possibly), then there are others that I'm still working on the lyrics, tweaking a riff in the intro or maybe coming up with a bridge years later. Since the pandemic I decided to resurrect my songwriting/guitar playing and music after it being dormant for years like so many people and it's been and up and down experience. At least I know this is really what I should be doing, writing and playing. I've wanted to get some of my really old material recorded and of course have encountered some difficulty with realizing what a large percentage of the songs were about romantic problems and some in the unrequited category. Plus I'm quite a bit less starry eyed than I used to be and that's a good thing. Then there is being a perfectionist and I'm working on trying to leave that behind as well. Easier said than done. Some of the songs are acoustic and I intentionally left them fairly simple without any modulations, bridges etc..I'm resisting the urge to "improve" them. Another question that could be asked is should old veteran guitarist/songwriters try to learn recording with a DAW and how has that journey gone? Yes, the steep learning curve has gotten a bit into Sisyphean territory. I'm thinking perhaps I should move to Boulder, Colorado...I'm making progress but this past 8 months or so has been tough. For musicians used to the analog boards workflow it's like pulling teeth dealing with VST plugins, latency issues etc. etc. Live and learn. What would Kurt Vonnegut think about DAWs? So cool of you Otis to mention him. I loved his books and how he used to look at the world. That "Unstuck in Time" documentary by his filmmaker friend was brilliant, I watched with rapt interest and learned so much more about Vonnegut than I'd known before. That phrase "being inundated by the myth of talent"-that speaks volumes. I think alot of people tend to start out with that feeling that things are only worth doing if you can win at them and/or make good money doing them. Kurt was right, if it brings you joy--do it! I really loved how you ended your talk, yes let's all do what we can to spread a little love in the world, it will make a difference. And so it goes.

I'm 66 now and I still have passion for new ideas, skills, adventures, etc. Having already enjoyed some success as a composer and songwriter I still enjoy music but do not feel the same level of urgency to write another song/composition. I'm also more about smelling roses now - it comes with age.

“I don’t write the songs, the songs write me?”

I just had a conversation with a friend about how there are so many connections in the music world. Everyone knows somebody that knows somebody that you may need to connect with. It's strange.