July 2008 - Friends Along the Way – The summer this year has been a time of reflection and relaxation for us. Not wandering too far from home we’ve spent a lot of quiet moments in nature, relaxing times with friends and at concerts in the park. One of the nicest nights we spent was with friends seeing James Taylor at the famous outdoor Tanglewood theatre in the Berkshires on the July 4th weekend.
Seeing James Taylor at Tanglewood is a must do for anyone’s “100 Things to do in this Lifetime” list. Taylor lives a couple of miles from Tanglewood and has even converted an old barn into a recording studio where he just recorded his latest album of cover tunes – yes I said cover tunes! Very cool. That particular weekend James Taylor’s wife had planned a belated surprise for her husband and special friends like Yo-Yo Ma and Carole King took the stage with James.
One of the things I like about the music industry is the variety of relationships you make with other collaborators, musicians, producers, etc. Everyone’s background is so different, but you can be linked together with that common bond of the love of music.
This month I’ve made some new friends in the music business by working with two other songwriters that reached out to expand their horizons. It’s been a pleasure to work with both Beth Kille and Sean McMahon in two completely different capacities in two different states. We found each other through different avenues, but both have brought to me their unique styles, voices and heart & soul. When I think about the time already spent together I know my writing has grown. Hopefully I’ve brought something to both of them, but I think it’s both fun and important to support those artists who are courageous enough to follow their hearts. So to both Beth and Sean, I’m glad our paths have crossed and wherever your roads lead I thank you for the time spent together and I wish you the best of luck. If ever I can do anything, just call. I hope the journey is kind to you both.