Thursday, July 1, 2010

Fifty More

In just a few days the "50 Songs in 90 Days" online challenge begins.  This will be my 3rd year to participate in it.

It's a songwriter's equivalent to running a marathon.  I've got to keep a steady pace of writing at least one song every 1.8 days over the next 3 months.  There will be times when I'll hit a wall and think there's just nothing left in me.  But I know from experience that there is always something left.  I know from experience that if I make myself sit still long enough with a guitar in my arms, and a notebook out in front of me, a song will eventually be written. 
My brand new songwriting notebook!
Scartlett, who will be doing most of my co-writing!












I'm not even sure what the rules are, other than we're all striving to write 50 songs between July 4th and October 1st.  There is no judge or jury rating the songs as good or bad. This is really just about quantity, and not so much about quality.  Hopefully, there will be a few keepers, but there's no pressure for that to happen.  All 50 songs could be horrible, and really, that would be okay.  That little fact allows the creative juices to flow all the more freely.

Lately, I've had lots and lots of ideas- lyrically and otherwise.   Last year, I mainly wrote with a guitar in hand.  I think I wrote a song or two on my ukelele.  Maybe this year, I'll try writing one on the piano.  That would be something different but not too far out of my comfort zone. Maybe I'll even whip out the banjo and see what happens!  I feel like the pump is primed and ready to begin this endeavor.

Here's the final song I wrote last year-  It's called "50 Different Ways".  This is the song in it's raw and original form, although soon, when my new CD comes out, you'll hear it edited, cleaned up, and with percussion, cello, and piano thrown in to spice it up.

Summer has fallen away, there's a chill in the air and it's starting to rain
I'm ready to go back inside, I've been overexposed and now I just want to hide

(Chorus)
I have nothing left to say
All that's left in my head is an ache
I've said all I came to say
In fifty different ways

I've talked 'til I'm blue in the face, but maybe no ones been listening to anything
The well of my my words has run dry, now the only word left if this lonely goodbye

(Chorus)

I have spent hours on end working these puzzles and making amends...

(Chorus)

37 comments:

Melissa Sarno said...

You have such a beautiful voice and you make me want to learn the guitar. Is it too late for me? ;-)
Best of luck as you journey through the next 50 songs.

Onneke said...

Now that is a lofty goal Kerri! What a great challenge though. Great songs will come from it, I am sure.

Roberta said...

Hey Kerri! I'm very sad today so maybe you can write a song for me...I just found out that my lifelong friend is dying after a three year battle with bone cancer. They've tried everthing from 800 bone marrow donners to this last failed attempt at stem cell transplants. We are the same age this month (50) and I just cannot image what Dean is going through with having to leave his wife and three daughters behind. You can write something sad or happy if you'd like....I feel the song (your chorus) in your blog post today..."I have nothing left to say". THAT is because I don't know what to say to his wife or his parents when I talk to them...my head aches from crying all damn day! Oh boy...sorry if I'm such a downer but I kinda needed to tell someone other than family. Thanks for listening, fondly, Roberta
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com

Jo said...

Hey
Gosh that's quite a challenge and I'm not surprised that you describe it as like a marathon. But, given that you are doing it again, it must be extremely worthwhile or else you'd be kinda crazy hee hee!!
The disapline of writing for such an intense period must be interesting though: the first few days/weeks just podding through, but then... wow, you must plunder depths of your soul that wouldn't be reached otherwise as this track you've included here clearly demonstrates.... beautiful!
Please be assured of my support and encouragement all along the way, Kerri.
Huge hugs
xxx

Rischa said...

Hey Kerri, thanks for stopping by my blog! I thought I'd return the favor and stop by yours and WOW! I was greeted with such a beautiful voice and song. I'll be adding you to my favorites so I can enjoy your music again.

Roberta, I understand your pain. I lost my best friend, Audra, several years ago to Multiple Myeloma. She went through the stem cell transplant, chemo, etc... It's so hard to watch a friend go through this and feel helpless. I know. I'll pray for you, your friend, and all of her loved ones.

angel said...

well hello kerri, two comments from me in one day...you can tell that i've been spending my time online.
i just took a longer walk through your blog, love, love, love your music and your voice!!
i am in austin, to answer your question from my blog. grew up here. i'm actually about to send my boy (young man) off to college up your way - utd. so i'm sure i will be up that way, i'll have to come hear you sing and play somewhere!

Shanie said...

Girl...thank you so so so much for blessing me with a comment on my blog. I am so happy to have found you through it! Your music is beautiful! WOW. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! You are like that person I feel I have known all of my life, a best friend I have not yet met in person. Guessing it's the creative soul pull. So neat. Thanks again. I have favorited your site and plan to add you to my blog list on my blog. xo

hissnhowl said...

Love your music! I too am so happy to have found you:)

Anonymous said...

Kerri, love the lyrics!! And feeling awe at the challenge you're beginning, even if it is about quantity. I hope it's fun!

Sonja said...

So happy to discover you after your comments on my blog (thank you!) I am SO impressed, and wishing you the best in this quest. You have talent to spare, so I'm sure you'll do fine! Keep us updated.

molly said...

beautiful lyrics and song!!

malia said...

you are VERY talented

tatyana[tanya] cohen said...

Kerry, thanks for stopping by my blog, it was really exciting to have someone see my staff!
So I decided to stop by your blog and it was a great surprise! I love your voice, I can't believe you actually wrote 50 songs in 90 days, that is absolutely remarkable!

Karen Tessandore said...

Kerri,

Good luck! What a great challenge...reminds me of "nanowrimo" (National Novel Writing Month I think is what that stands for) where people write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I did that a few years ago, and although I certainly didn't end up with a publishable book (far from it!) there was some good writing in there and it was an interesting exercise to sit down & write a couple thousand words every day.

Love your new notebook too!

xo ~ k

p.s. Roberta...I'm so sorry! I remember when I lost my Dad - it's so hard for friends to know what to say. But it always meant so much to me for someone to reach out. Nobody could take the pain away at the time, but hearing "I can't imagine how hard this is, but I love you and I'm here" was so good and important.

carol gourley said...

Your voice is incredible, you are very talented. i wish you all the luck and determination for your next 90 days and 50 songs. Wow, what a committment. I hope you'll post a few for us so we can follow you along.
xocarol

mlgcreative said...

Kerri, thanks for your comment on my blog... I promise to have more pics of our house construction up very soon...
I love your voice/sound.. wld like to keep listening in.... Can u add me to your email list? or do I need to email you directly to do this?
I really liked your other song on your earlier post - "Right where you are" (sorry i think its called that) I think I'm gonna have to check out your cds now :))) cheers :)

Trudy Honeycutt ~ Folk Artist said...

Hi, Kerri!!! What a most GORGEOUS blog you have.....both the design and the content!! WOW!! Love it!!! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving the nice comment!! I relate to the music stuff!! My dear husband and I are from AUSTIN!!! He has been a sideguy for singer/songwriters for many years....toured Europe, and has done all the cool stuff, and still does!! We moved here to Colorado due to his day job, though!! Keep on writing and singing!!! Congrats to you!!! Trudy

Anonymous said...

That sounds like quite a challenge! Good luck with it. Love the lyrics to your song. I'll have to come back here when I don't have a baby sleeping in my lap so I can listen to the video.

Jess said...

Hi Kerri, you have the most beautiful voice and I can see now why you liked my guitar playing bird! That was a sweet comment, thankyou :) xx

Amanda Trought said...

just wanted to say good luck. You have a lovely voice and loved the song, looking forward to see how you get on in the challenge, sounds great :)

Tammy Staats said...

Wow! Lovely music and blog! Your voice is so beautiful, and your music style is my very favorite... So glad you stopped by my blog so I could find you :) Do you mind if I add a link to my site? To answer your question about the little picture boxes, I make a monthly mosaic at a site called bighugelabs.com. I've been doing the 365 photo challenge on flickr so I remember to take my camera with me everywhere I go :) I'll definitely be back soon!

jacqueline said...

That is such a wonderful challenge!! Oh and how i love love your song writting notebook! Thanks for sharing yet another very beautiful song ~ i LOVE it! I am sending you lots of luck and good wishes for the challenge! Have a lovely merry happy weekend and love to yoU!

Jadyn said...

Gorgeous! I love it Kerri! You mentioned in a comment on my blog that you took a songwriting class with Christine Kane. I really love her - I did her Uplevel Your Life program earlier this year. Your music does remind me of hers with its soul-soothing and expanding energy. I am so glad to have 'met' you through Flying Lessons. Looking forward to hearing more of your beautiful music.

Kerri said...

so many nice comments. i feel such support from ya'll and i just might have to write a song about it?!!

i'll be posting some stuff about my progress, and putting songs up so i hope you'll check in with me. it should be really fun! and crazy.

Lexie said...

Love it! Great song and great voice. Good luck on the challenge - it sounds great. I want, NEED to do something similar with just sketching or creating. I feel like I need something to get me just to do and stop thinking. You have a beautiful voice!

Carissa Paige said...

Hi Kerri, WOW! I love that you're doing a musical marathon! Your voice is an angel! Can't wait to hear what you produce over the next 90 days! You have such a beautiful talent. I'm so happy you visited my little blog + I'm so glad to connect to you here.

I really hope you bust out the banjo!

Sending love + sound + words + light,
Carissa

Anonymous said...

wow....Kerry. Your music is beautiful. What a surprise I had when I clicked over here to take a peek. I am amazed at the challenge that you have begun and I will be checking in often to listen and cheer you on. Your blog is so full of joy and sharing...thanks so much for the wonderful music.

Shishi

Unknown said...

Hi Kerri

thanks for your comment on my bunnies yesterday. i listened to your song and you have such a lovely voice. keep writing, and good luck with the challenge honey
butterfly wishes
kat x

Xanthe said...

WOW that is one thing I wish i could do is sing well...I still sing, just not well! *grins*

50 songs, cool goal! Good luck and thanx for stopping by my blog.

danielle daniel said...

As a lover of words I can totally say that I heart your song very much. Keep writing from the heart as we connect with your phrases and the stories you share in them. Good luck with the challenge.

Danielle xo

Anonymous said...

A great way for creativity to flow. It will interesting to see what comes forth.
Good luck and have fun...

Kate England said...

Sooooooooooooo beautiful! Your voice is lovely and I love the lyrics!!!! Good luck with the challenge - or should I say break a leg?

Shari Lidji said...

good morning sweet kerri, what a beautiful way to begin my day! i really enjoyed your song and i look forward to rooting for you these next 90 days! you're incredible...

Chasing Purple Dreams said...

Love the new song note book. I hope it is soon filled with gems like “50 Different Ways” – but no pressure!!

Rebecca said...

So pretty. I thoroughly enjoyed!

NANCY LEFKO said...

Thanks for visiting my blog...

To say I am impressed by your talent is an understatement. The song here is lovely and clearly you have an amazing gift. Best of luck in your new 50 songs challenge :)

Unknown said...

I cannot wait for the new CD! Best to you always...and thanks so much for the inspiration...and perserverience! I am so very proud of you!
Elaine