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Stoneman
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5/3/2020 8:48:27 PM
When The Creative Till Runs Dry?
What? A very misleading heading and I apologize for that. Actually, the creative till never seems to run dry. There is always another song or melody, ideas and pet projects. There is always something to work on or make better than what it originally was. There is always a publisher or artist that needs a song that sounds similar to whatever the fucking flavor of the month is. There's always a musical theme or some bullshit like that trying to pry its way out of me. The creative till has been the monkey on my back since I was 8 years old. It seems to be bottomless. Song after song after song. Last month it was country (of all things) and it would not leave me alone until I had finished a decent country song. This month its R&B. During the pandemic I have been spending about 12 hours daily in the studio working on shit. I come out occasionally to admire and adore my wife. Then its back to the recording salt mines where I get my till emptied into the microphones and such. A total creative mind dump and I always wonder if I am going to ever run out of ideas, chord progressions or fresh and relevant emotional concepts.
What happens when the creative till runs dry? That is a question I have never had answered. I have always assumed that it would be the day I die. Gosh! as I get older and closer to death I feel obligated to bring each and every song concept I have had into being a musical entity of its own. I often wonder what will be my very last song. Ive done thousands of them. So. it is important to me that every song from here on properly represents the skill level I have previously displayed. I am still learning about music and who I am. I am still reaching into the till and bringing forth funkcoctions of funk as well as stank melodies and rhythms. My arthritic hands ache from the constant torture of playing instruments and percussion's. But I am driven by the desire to hear it all coming from my studio speakers. Every single note that I hear in my head and every idea that I write down on my music chalk board. Every damn lyric that I see in my mind. It all is trying to get out. Like a baby trying to be born. It keeps kicking at the creative womb and then my water bursts and a song comes out looking all shiny and ready to live. I am always so excited to hear it. I play it over and over for several days listening for any errors or flaws. Then I am ready to display my baby for all to hear. It is then that the anxiety of possible rejection permeates my parental shell of hope and admiration. The process is clear and has been that way for over 20 decades. I am not the first in my family to tap into the creative till. Many generations have heard the music in their heads and passed on the gift (or curse depending on how you see it) to the next generation. Currently I am watching my family successors grow and ready themselves for the next creative push. I envy them for the youth they have as a constant resource. I warn them not to squander a minute of that awesome energy and creative stamina. The creative till never runs dry but my skills certainly have waned as I age. I guess that would be an even bigger concern. My skill set was derived from thousands of hours in the studio trying to display the shit I hear in my head. That, in itself, is the till! It is from there that I tapped into a reservoir of music so deep that several lifetimes on this earth could not deplete its relentless supply. For over 60 years I have woke up every morning to a new song playing in my head. I lay there and listen for a while trying to figure out BPM, key signatures and shit and then when I grab an instrument, like magic, it starts to flow out of me and into the recording gear. Sometimes its even better than sex. I am possessed by it and it is possessed by me. We are together. Surely, when the music stops, I will be dead.
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Bryon Tosoff
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5/3/2020 10:12:32 PM
You a happening guy Stoneman, an example for us to follow and doing what we can , thanks for the encouragement and sharing your creative being here
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Stoneman
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5/4/2020 3:55:19 PM
Thanks Bryon, I hope you know that the respect is mutual!
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Richard Scotti
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5/4/2020 5:29:50 PM
Stoneman ~ You continue to be a source of inspiration to me and to so many others. Your creative well will never run dry. I'm re-posting this song I wrote a while back to celebrate your message and to show solidarity with your work ethic, your amazing creativity and your ability to overcome any challenge to pursue your love of music. I will always be a Stoneman Fan. Let's keep reaching for the sky.
BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY
BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY
I'M PAYING MY DUES
AND WORKING OVERTIME
DOIN' WHAT I CHOOSE
IS THAT SUCH A CRIME
I KNEW MY TIME WOULD COME SOMEDAY
I WAITED ALL OF MY LIFE
AND NOW ITS MY TURN TO PLAY
BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY
I'LL REACH FOR THE SKY
BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY
I'LL TRY, YES I'LL TRY
WE ALL NEED RESPECT
THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES
I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO PROTECT
AND I THINK IT SHOWS
I'VE HAD MORE THAN MY SHARE OF PAIN
BUT THAT'S ALL IN THE PAST
SO EXCUSE ME WHILE
I PRAY FOR RAIN
SOMETIMES I WONDER
HOW MUCH I HAVE LEFT TO SAY
THEN I REACH DEEP INSIDE MY SOUL
AND FIND A WAY
I DID THINGS THE HARD WAY
AND EARNED EVERYTHING I'VE GOT
YA KNOW I SLEEP EASY AT NIGHT
AND BABY THAT'S A LOT
EVERYDAY BRINGS ME CLOSER TO YOU
AND I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE HERE
TO SHARE IN EVERYTHING I DO
BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY
I'LL REACH FOR THE SKY
BEFORE THE WELL RUNS DRY
I'LL TRY, YES I'LL TRY
©Richard Scotti
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Stoneman
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5/4/2020 7:05:24 PM
Awesome Lyrics Richard! Thanks for your kind words and support. It means the world to me my musical brother. I too am a fan of your work. You Rock! The sky is the limit. As far as the eye can see and beyond. Much Respect! Stoneman
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Shoe City Sound
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5/6/2020 9:11:11 AM
Stoneman you are what I call a creature - and I mean that in the THE most awesome and complimentary way. It's a way of existing that is based on an alternate and heightened perception of things - the arts, the sciences, infinite different ways of life that maybe we never even know about.
I can so relate to the way you describe hearing the song and then going through the process to replicate it in a planet Earth way so others can hear it too. And I so relate to what you say about worry about rejection when it's all complete. I'm trying to not go there anymore. All music is beautiful to the one who needs to hear it. And the songs all find the listeners. I'm sure of that.
I can't say I wake up and follow through each day as you do - so admirable. Sometimes it happens that way and the songs wake me up in the middle of the night. But I am so grateful that any time I do want to play or sing a song always comes to me - from where I don't know, but they're out there for sure.
Funny you should think about anything being over when you die, because putting that beautiful music into the Universe each day means you're here forever in that form. The sound of songs just keep ringing infinitely.
So glad to have ever run into you here - Consider me a true fan as well not only of your music but of your ability to have survived some unimaginable circumstances and never grow bitter but always continuing to express the good and loving ways
D
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Bob Elliott
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5/8/2020 10:34:00 AM
Like Dylan said,
I need a dump truck, baby,
to unload my head
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Two Silo Complex
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5/8/2020 6:58:46 PM
Stoneman Damn dude you know you have had some things harder than most and here you are time and time again with your positive messages.
You inspire me to be better.
I know I could never even mange to be a shadow of the great person you are.
Man I wish I could face the world as you do with such courage.
You are a force that can never be stopped regardless what happens in the future to our mortal constructs your legacy shall live on and many more will live better lives because you were here.
TSC
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Stoneman
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5/12/2020 1:45:45 AM
Wow! You folks truly bless my soul. I guess that is why I can't stay away from this place. It is home for me and so many others. It is true that music lives on regardless and that will probably be my small slice of immortality. The gift of music is the joy of discovery and the emotions of singing hearts on the winds of sonic dreams. When we write snd produce we resolve that we are the Captain now. We are in control of what you hear from us. Our dreams and visions can be deciphered by the observant ear. But only the heart and/or soul can feel the intended emotions inscribed on each track. I long for the days when I could wail with the best of them (RIP Little Richard) and croon like the kings of R&B. My mantra was always "I must reach higher". You may ask "Higher than what?" and my response would be "higher than I have already been". It seems to be a inherited need in people. The need to keep reaching higher. I am never satisfied until I have reached higher than where I have been. I believe that we were all put here for a reason. When folks tell me that I have inspired them in any positive way, I know I am fulfilling the purpose I was put here for. Yes, I have been through some very horrific things. My therapist once told me that many serial killers went through the same kind of torture as children that I went through. So, I often wonder why nothing broke inside of me to the point that I would turn to killing people. The answer to that question is all about love. I have a large capacity for it. Well, at least that is what my therapist believes about me. Love is rooted in light. A tiny spec of light can be seen miles away in the pitch darkness of night. I discovered that while I was in the Navy. Sometimes we would be in the middle of the ocean when the moon was not out. Man, that was the darkest shit I have ever seen. But we could see the tiny spec of light from a flicked cigarette on an enemy vessel many miles away from us. Right now there is so much darkness and woe in the world. We need many specs of light to bring things back around. As musicians and songwriters we are in a unique position to bring positivity and hope in an entertaining way. But, it is a matter of choice. I choose to attempt to bring back love, kindness and hope through song. You see, I think that the real pandemic that we are facing is hatred and all of its little cronie minnions. The death of love is the true plague that we face. Humanity as a whole is bery sick right now and we can help to bring forth some healing to the world. So, we have to keep trying to defibrillate what should always be living in our hearts. Love! The possibility that my efforts have helped anyone in any manner brings me great joy. Lets all continue to try to to make things better or easier to withstand. Big thanks to all of you. I consider you to be my musical family. Much Respect To All! Stoneman
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