Excerpts from a 1998 interview with legendary songwriter Gordon Lightfoot.
Gordon Lightfoot
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Articles and Interviews
The Texas Tradition of Lyle Lovett
Excepts from a Performing Songwriter interview with Lyle Lovett where he discusses his songs and approach to writing.
“The Monster Mash”
Bobby “Boris” Pickett and Leonard Capizzi finished the “Monster Mash” in one afternoon, then cut it with producer Gary Paxton. Eight weeks later, in October 1962, the song was No. 1.
The Genius of Ray Charles
It seems the word “genius” is bandied about far too often, but when you’re talking about Ray Charles, no other word will do. As a pianist, singer, songwriter, arranger and band leader, Charles almost single-handedly invented modern R&B music.
In Response to 9/11: The Healing Power of Music
Thoughts shared by artists and songwriters a few days after 9/11 as they made their way through their own fears and questions.
Marvin Hamlisch
Scoring movie soundtracks, writing Broadway musicals, penning Top 40 pop hits, conducting and composing full classical symphonies for orchestras, accompanying Liza Minelli, Barbra Streisand and Groucho Marx – you name it, Marvin Hamlisch has done it.
Cindy Walker
One of the greatest country songwriters who ever lived, Texan Cindy Walker penned such classics as You Don’t Know Me, Anna Maria, and Dream Baby.
Woody Guthrie
A look back at the life of this extraordinary everyman and his musical legacy.
The Star Spangled Banner v. America the Beautiful?
A look at “The Star Spangled Banner” and the song that was almost our national anthem, “America the Beautiful.”
Richard Rodgers
A look back at the life of legendary composer Richard Rodgers and his work including Sound of Music and Oklahoma with co-writers Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein.
Notorious Rock Managers: Colonel Tom Parker
These aren’t your garden variety rock managers. They are the bigger than life, Svengali-meets-Al Capone figures. Here we look at Elvis Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Lamont Dozier
Motown songwriting legend Lamont Dozier, along with his writing partners Eddie and Brian Holland, created the sound of an era whose influence is still felt decades later.
