When I was a young songwriter I didn’t see it. I came to Nashville in the early 1990s and played my songs at open mic nights, and among small groups of singer-songwriters at houses and hotels. We were all having fun. Some writers were good, some sucked. I thought I was okay, but I knew I was still a beginner.
Almost 35 years, and well over 1000 songs later, I’m back in Nashville and my perspective has changed. And let me say, from the outset, I’m guilty of what I’m about to say. Songwriters and musicians, maybe artists in general, are often filled with self-importance.
I moved to Nashville in the fall of 2024 with a huge catalog of songs. But I moved here for work, not to play or plug my songs. Then I unexpectedly stopped working at the start of this month. I have a lease until May 1, 2026. So, I decided to go out and mingle among the musicians and writers.
Everyone tends to talk about themselves.
Among groups of songwriters, I’ve discovered that most songwriters spend the majority of their time telling others about themselves, about their songs, their experiences, and skills. I understand that artists need to market themselves, but I note a self-absorption that is slightly off-putting.
Coming from an educational background in communication, I have the ability to speak in public, but I’ve tried to keep to myself and lay low at these musical gatherings. Perhaps that’s a weakness. Or maybe it’s the nature of what I think the #1 tool of a good songwriter is: observational skills.
Other than my closest friends, and people on my social media, very few acquaintances know that I’m a songwriter. And I often consider eliminating Facebook, my one social media. Although, like any artist, I want my work to be seen and heard, I struggle with the whole self-promotion aspect. It feels too self-important. “Look at me!” Instead of spending hours in the bars promoting myself, I’d rather be writing, reading, or hiking.
The pot calling the kettle black.
You might wonder if I lack confidence because I tend to be reserved among groups, including songwriting groups. Upon some self reflection that is definitely not the case. As I said earlier, I can be just as guilty of being self-absorbed as the next. But I also have a long history of songwriting.
I know there are probably thousands of writers who feel this way, but in the past few years I’ve often referred to myself as, “A Great Undiscovered American Songwriter,” with the emphasis on great or American. You decide.
But I say “great” because I have spent a lifetime learning and honing my craft. I have studied the greats. I have stopped trying to be like anyone else and simply do what I do. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I simply write songs regularly, take ’em or leave ’em.
But does that make what I do important? Not really. Sure, a song could change the world. A song could save a life. Songs can make people happy. They touch us emotionally. They can be therapeutic. But does that mean I’m special or worthy of praise?
I’m just doing something that comes natural to me. It started when I was a child. I heard songs on the radio. I wrote my own. It helped me through six years of being a child victim of a cult. It’s a fun pastime. It’s therapeutic and it has an element of curiosity and discovery. Songs are puzzles. It keeps one’s mind sharp.
But given a choice between spending the rest of my life fighting among the crowded bars and competitive music business (even with a guarantee of success), or simply living my life on my own terms and spending my time doing a variety of things that I love, including songwriting, I’d choose the latter.
Let’s stay in touch. – dse
