Kel

I've heard Rick's sketches and they are damned good. Hoping to have final version later today. Cheers, Kel

I feel like a fake... my performer/producer convinced me to stay with "married".... Kel My producer/performer/composer is enjoying Thanksgiving. Recording should be available post festivities... Cheers, Kel

I'm not liking, Make a married man, of me so might go back to honest man Kel

If the song was for Hank Williams Jr, I might go with the wanted man scenario, but as it's George Strait I'm writing for, no thanks. Cowboys, love found, love lost that's about it. Cheers, though. More than welcome Donna Cheers, Kel

It is so much easier to write when you know what it is you want to say you won't get it perfect first go no matter how awesome you think it is Fresh eyes and time are friends

Okay, I thought it was all plain as day, but obviously it wasn't (the listener is never wrong!) so a bit of a change of tack... A Married Man Here on this mountain I can taste the sweet air, The scent of the pine woods Does nothing for me, Without you to share, It with... [Chorus] I got a tank full of gas And time on my hands My battered old pickup is ready to drive any time I've come to my senses Yeah I've changed all my plans I'm heading back to you with only one thought on my mind, We can make all those plans And together we'll stand In that chapel by the sea And you can make a married man, out of me. Fog on the highway And smoke in the trees Tight grip on the wheel Heart racing the flames [but] There's no stopping me Tonight... [Chorus] I got a tank full of gas And time on my hands My battered old pickup is ready to drive any time I've come to my senses Yeah I've changed all my plans I'm heading back to you with only one thought on my mind, We can make all those plans And together we'll stand In that chapel by the sea And you can make a married man, out of me. Repeat Chorus

Honest Man Second Draft Here on this mountain I can taste the sweet air, But your gift of freedom Means nothing to me, Without you here, To share it with. You set me free, but It's no way to live... [Chorus] I got a tank full of gas And time on my hands A whole lot of nothing that I'd rather do Than ride all night just to hold you tight And Baby I got plans We'll book into the chapel overlooking the sea I'll slip that ring on your finger And make an honest man, of me Darlin' I said I Couldn't walk down the aisle But if being free Means that I have to live, without your smile, I'd rather stay. You set me free, but Now I'm on my way... [Chorus] I got a tank full of gas And time on my hands A whole lot of nothing that I'd rather do Than ride all night just to hold you tight And Baby I got plans We'll book into the chapel overlooking the sea I'll slip that ring on your finger And make an honest man, of me 　 Repeat Chorus

Thanks Goldy, Some common thoughts with James in there... Cheers, Kel

I'm happy to announce I have a composer/performer: ClareCreekProject. Kel

Hi James, Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. I do have a melody in mind, original and I was singing it as I wrote it. The twist, is to make an honest man out me me, rather than an honest woman out of you... Having said that, it is a first draft... Thanks Kel

First Draft Lyrics for the song... no takers on the performance/recording yet... I have an iron in the fire, but if it doesn't pan out I'll write it myself, I have a melody in mind anyway. Honest Man Here on this mountain I can taste the sweet air, But all this freedom Means nothing to me, without you here, To share it with, It's no way to live... [Chorus] I got a tank full of gas And time on my side A whole lot of nothing that I'd rather do Than ride all night Just to hold you tight And kiss you in the golden rays of dawn's first light I got my heart in your hands And Baby it's got plans, you see To put a ring on your finger And make an honest man, out of me Darlin' I said I Couldn't walk down the aisle But being free is More than I can bear, without your smile To share it with, It's no way to live... [Chorus] I got a tank full of gas And time on my side A whole lot of nothing that I'd rather do Than ride all night Just to hold you tight And kiss you in the golden rays of dawn's first light I got my heart in your hands And Baby it's got plans you see To put a ring on your finger And make an honest man, out of me 　 Repeat Chorus

Artist Analysis Artist: George Strait Management: Erv Woolsey Co 1000 18th Ave S Nashville TN 37212 (615) 329-2402 Label: MCA Nashville Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville Submissions to: MCA Nashville 1903 Adelicia St, Nashville TN 37212 www.umgnashville.com (Does not accept unsolicited submissions) Links: Amarillo By Morning: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3CWNLhW140&feature=kp Carrying Your Love With Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH4YI1faPwU&feature=kp I Cross My Heart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi4OvIVduy4&feature=kp Check Yes Or No: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHxS8wlDngI&feature=kp Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDbxoUjxZzM&feature=kp Genre/Style: George Strait’s style has been described as Neotradionalist Country. I believe this is to separate his style from that of his “traditional†predecessors such as Merle Haggard, Glenn Campbell, Tom T Hall and George Jones. When his manager at the time approached esteemed songwriter Dean Dillon about writing some songs for him, to Dillon’s enquiry about sho he sounded like, the manager replied, “Well, he don’t sound like nobody. He’s got his own thing going on!†He has continued to do his own thing since leaving the US Army in 1975. His breakout came with the 1982 release of the Dillon penned “Unwound†which put Strait on the Country Music radar. Dillon says he was so impressed with how Strait brought “Unwound†to life he pitched all his songs to him there and then. Having cut more than 50 songs penned by Dillon, Strait obviously liked what was on offer too. While Strait has written a few songs, he prefers to leave it to the professionals. Having said that, he is currently involved in a project writing with his son Bubba (George Jr) who is making a name for himself as a songwriter. Latest Releases: Albums: Love Is Everything May 14, 2013 Here for a Good Time September 6, 2011 Twang August 11, 2009 Singles: Give It All We Got Tonight (Love is Everything) Peak @ #3 Drinkin’ Man (Here For A Good Time) Peak @ #37 Love’s Gonna Make It Alright (Here For A Good Time) Peak @ #3 Biggest Hits: Everybody has their own favourites, but from the research I was able to do, these songs appear in most “lists†I can find… (in no particular order) Amarillo By Morning Check Yes Or No All My Exes Live In Texas I Cross My Heart Troubadour Carried Away Ocean Front Property Blue Clear Sky The Chair Carrying Your Love With Me Song Topics: There is no real George Strait Song, per se. He chooses songs about falling in love, finding love, being in love, losing love and the life of a modern day cowboy. He doesn’t do a lot of hard drinking, hard womanising type songs, though he has released songs asking for something to chase his blues away. He just doesn’t make a habit of it. His songs invariably level no ill feeling toward anyone else, and even songs of lost love either only mention she is leaving, or left, and may only mention one or two things he did wrong. I’ve not heard a song that blames “her†for anything. Typical Language: Strait songs typically employ simple, “down home†language, with not much use of slang. Songs with a different way of saying a well-known phrase (eg Blue Clear Sky) prick his interest. He may drop “gâ€s but he doesn’t use curse words, or sing songs with negative subjects, though he sings of lost love, he never lays blame on the other person. Technical information: As this non exhaustive list of songs and their forms suggest, to write a song with a pitch to George Strait in mind, use the ABAB form, as he seems to prefer that. While he sings faster and slower, I’d look at a tempo around 120bpm and recommend a key signature around G. Some songs have been written in D and Eb, but most seem to be between F# and A. AAA Amarillo By Morning ABAB Carrying Your Love With Me Ocean Front Property Baby Your Baby Easy Come, Easy Go Carried Away Check Yes Or No Unwound All My Exes Live In Texas* Baby's Gotten Good At Goodbye Marina Del Rey *Chorus first. AABAB Clear Blue Sky I Can Still Make Cheyenne ABABCB I Cross My Heart

I love the challenge John, but the timing is a bit tight. It's Monday morning here and I just saw the challenge for the first time 2 hours ago and I can't meet the deadlines you've set. Doesn't mean I won't do it... just can't meet the deadlines. Kel

Les, As a former real estate agent, I offer two bits of advice: 1. Have coffee on.... drip filter coffee is ideal OR 2. Have a roast dinner in the oven You may be selling your house, but the people who come by are looking for a HOME. provide them with a homely aroma, such as coffee or roast dinner, and the job is half done. It's about creating emotions. Much like songwriting. Soft music on the stereo (have something your wife likes playing), aromatic oils or candles can work well too... ... despite all our bravado, the buying decision is made by the fairer sex. All us fellows do is pay for it. LOL Good luck, Kel

Hello V, Donna has suggested a couple of changes that I agree with, just better English really. You do really well considering it isn't your native tongue! I'm not too fond of the last line of your chorus. It's too close to your first line, to contradict it in my opinion. Id suggest something like the options below... Chorus: I'm not asking for forever It's not long enough for me If I can only have today I would spend it all with you In your loving arms I'd lay, and I'm not asking for forever OR I'm not asking for forever It's not long enough for me If I can only have today I would spend it all with you In your loving arms I'd lay, and And wish forever you would stay. Mind you, others like it how it is... Kel

No idea!

Nah, we just like wine! Kel

No false compliments from me, Goldy. I calls it like I sees it. I like where you went with this. Well done. Oh, I'll have a nice Moscato... not an educated pallete here, sweet wine is fine by me. Cheers, Kel

There at the front of the room is largish fellow, on his feet applauding with gusto. "Oh lookie!" the compere says, "Kel likes that one!" My only suggestion is to shorten the title to "Steal My Soul" Kel

Cheers Rudi, Thanks. K

Hi James, John only said we can't say "love". I suggested we "imagine" he also said we can't use "obsession" or "vulnerable" or derivitives. If you are trying to convey an emotion, whatever it is, don't use it, describe it. eg. Anger: I'm shaking with the need to strike out... Fear: I have goosebumps upon goosebumps and my breath coming faster... Anxiety: I don't why I can't seem to get things right... Drunk: I can't stand up, I can't walk straight, who set the world in motion? That sort of thing. As soon as you name the emotion, it loses impact. Hope that clears it up. Of course, this is my take on it, others may disagree. Cheers, Kel

We all know the real reason... how to leave sheep out of the situation... we all know over in Kiwi all the sheep feel vulnerable because they are a national obsession! Kel

Hi James, There is plenty of lust, but I don't feel any love. Instead of saying "You're my obsession" describe how... "Can't get you out of my head", "I close my eyes and see you there...". Just as John said we couldn't use the word "love" imagine he also said we can't use "Obsession" or "Vulnerable". That way you'll be using lyrics to describe your feelings... simile, metaphor etc rather than saying it outright. Cheers, Kel