What I want my kids (and you) to know.
Something I don’t really want you to know about me is that I read a lot of self-help and business books. I like how the authors are so positive and encouraging. I’m used to hanging out with artists and songwriters. We’re like what I imagine a teachers’ lounge full of tenured English teachers is like. […]
14 Lines I Recite Every Morning Read More »
Whether you’re vegan or gluten free, or whether you have money for pizza or don’t, and even whether you hate pizza (who are you?) or love it and want to marry it—I would encourage you to celebrate Pizza Friday every single week. Does it have to be Friday? No. Does it have to be pizza?
Why I Celebrate Pizza Friday (Every Week) Read More »
Most of you (on my email list/blog readers) are a lot like me. Midwesterners of Scandinavian descent. Let me ask you something. Do you know what lefse is? If you answered no, this particular post is not directed to you so much as it is to my fellow potato-farming brethren. We Midwest Scandinavians like a
Lefse, Thermostats, and, well…Racism Read More »
The audience is staring at you, waiting for your first note. You’ve got people to impress. A reputation to uphold. You’ve also got nerves so bad you wish you’d borrowed one of Grandpa’s diapers. I thought after years of singing in front of people I wouldn’t get nervous anymore. Unfortunately, that never happened. But I
How to Sing in Tune with Stage Fright Read More »
I was 16 when Adam Grafstrom asked me to join his band. He and Tony Erickson, the drummer, needed a bass player for their classic rock cover band. I was terrified. Real bands stood directly in front of people. I was used to church bands. We sat off to the side, like an orchestra pit.
Stage Fright at the Kittson County Fair Read More »
What is the most important aspect of a song? I asked my friend this question. The reason I asked him is because he’s a multi-award winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer. If anybody has any authority on the matter, it’s him. You want to know what he said? Before I tell you, here’s a clue.
The Most Important Aspect of a Song Read More »
Most of my life I spent working manual labor jobs. Construction, landscaping, stocking shelves at Wally’s Supermarket. I loved coming home exhausted. It was rewarding.
Why Your Mind is Like a Wheelbarrow Read More »
Even now, writing about writer’s block, I get writer’s block. What should I say? Do I have anything to say? How should I say it? Is this dumb? No, this is pretty good. No, it’s crap. Welcome to my brain. Maybe it’s like yours.
How I Deal with Writer’s Block Read More »
Choose a job you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. – Anonymous (Some say Confucius, but likely not. It just made for a nice title.) If you make your hobby your job, it’ll take the fun out of it. – My Dad Before music was my livelihood, I spent
Confucius vs My Dad Read More »
Sometimes as a songwriter you think you lack good ideas. The thing you might not realize is that you probably already have a lot of good ideas, you’re just looking in the wrong places.
Where I Look for Good Song Ideas Read More »