Writing & recording: from start to finish in 20 years

My songwriting began suddenly late in life at aged 50, and I recorded an album in a commercial studio the following year.  But real life then consumed me again.  It was only post-retirement, in my mid-60s, when my mindspace was cleared of the humdrum hamster wheel of everyday life, that music came to me again and I embarked on the steep learning curve to achieve the home recording and music video production for my next three albums.

If nothing else, this should give you, dear Song Stuffer, hope and evidence that if things aren't working out for you as you'd like for now, there is actually no time limit on your creativity and ability to capture it.  In fact, as you get older, your life management skills and perspective all improve.  The only downside is that if you wish to strut the 'young & sexy' vibe, the clock is definitely ticking!

Nine months now after releasing my 4th album, my juices seem to have run dry.  If so, I'm cool with that as I have evidence of my creative journey, and that evidence is far preferable as a headstone ... as long as there is electricity, an internet, and ways to play or convert MP3 and MP4 files.  I'm still hugely proud of my creations, and able to listen and watch without wincing despite knowing every musical and visual molecule.  And should the creativity ever bubble up again, I know enough now to recognise the signs and how to react.

During the process of each album, I created my own songsheets and also jotted down stories of what was happening.  Once I knew my first studio session was arranged, I envisioned a companion songbook that would be structured to include the music AND the stories. 

My family and friends will readily attest that I am a control freak.  So each book for each album is comprehensive, perhaps to the point of being overbearing.  While more skilled in business writing, the content may be a little dry for some, but I try to make it easy reading wherever possible.   Comfortable with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, InDesign, Photoshop, I would like to think that the Songbooks have solid content along within a pleasing design ... but then again, I WOULD think that (wouldn't I?)  

Stories about each of my four albums, each with its own downloadable book, are now posted in this Blog.

Any questions (or pleads for me to stop), just ask.

Greg