Fort Worth Songwriters' Association

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hello FWSA songwriters: 

This thought came to me as I was frustrated at my lack of success in this competitive songwriting business.  I admit that I simply gave up trying to compete in contests in which I listened to the winning songs and did not like most of the entries.  I just focused on writing my experiences and enjoy songwriting as a hobby.  I may have been wrong to do this.  Lowering my expectations doesn't really make me a better songwriter, like getting a participation award makes you a better athlete.

So, while I was holding my guitar thinking do I learn a new song or write a new song?  Imagine this doctor that only treats himself instead of his patients?  He only looks at his symptoms to diagnose the patients, how is that going to cure them?  Imagine also a farmer that only plants and harvest what he likes; will his business provide the crop that the public needs?  The market may be saturated with your type of songs, so expand your creativity and library with songs that would benefit your friends and family, most of all your audience.

I have found that songwriting is a lot like the four seasons and even the four soils parable.  This writing is so easy, I can barely write them all down", then “I haven't' written in a while, what is wrong with me?”  Songs are like the seeds that fall on rocky ground, never taking root.  Likewise, are the songs that fall amongst the weeds and thistles that are choked out before they have a change to bloom.  And finally, the songs that fall on fertile ground, why was it fertile?  That is what we were supposed to be doing, preparing the soil during that drought.

Look for fertile soil.  Make you soil fertile.

I hope you find that excitement that comes from creating a song of value from an experience or memory. Seasons change.

Keep writing!
Rick Tate

FWSA TERMS & CONDITIONS
 

 FWSA 2023 Song Contest Winners Announced:
 Bare Bones:  Love/Relationship - Angel of Mercy (John Terry/Bobby Terry)

Bare Bones:  Open Subject - Gilligan's Island (John Terry/Alvaro Villareal)

Holiday/Inspirational /Patriotic – What I Need to Do (Allan Peterson)

Humor/Comedy - Be Careful What You Pray For (Rickey Tate)

Studio Produced:  Love/Relationship - A Lovely Rendezvous (Mitch Fenner)

Studio Produced:  Open Subject - Why (Darren Wiedman)

Lyrics Only:  Jack Daniels or King James (Darren Wiedman)

Demo's of the 1st Place Winning Songs automatically rotate about 45 seconds for your listening pleasure.