Birdie's Blog

There is a big difference between the world of being an artist putting on a show full of lights cameras, and attractions that pull the audiences eye than the type of show that is what songwriters know of as a "Writer's Round". A songwriter's goal is to pull the audiences ear more than its eyes, tell you a story in under four minutes, and weave that story into a melody that you can't get out of your head. The next featured songwriter on creative crossroads does just that. Erin

This week's edition of Creative Crossroads features Katelyn Woodmansee who is a fellow songwriter host and teacher. She organizes her own writers round collective with Highway Wildflowers Music. I first met Katelyn at a Christian writer's round hosted by our mutual friend, Bobby Ray. What stood out the most for me when meeting her were two things. The first being her powerful vocals and the second being to enjoyment of watching her son dance to his mother's music. That's a be

Since my visits to songwriting rounds have become more frequent, there are times where voices, chord progressions, and the common themes of Jack, Jim, and bourbon blend together. I cannot say the same of my next featured songwriter. Pete Erlandson has a rasp and soul that weaves through his haunting melodies. For me, he always makes me feel like it's fall weather and I'm in the quiet just watching leaves fall. What first inspired Pete to write his own songs and stop singing o

As a songwriter, I have small goals that I set for myself that I rarely admit except to myself and husband. I am giving you a little secret as my faithful readership! One goal I have for myself is to learn how to play the fiddle. To some you might call it a violin, but if you come around small towns in Tennessee, it is a fiddle! There is something about the way those strings sing out that hits a chord in my soul and gives my goosebumps on my arms. Lacie Carpenter is one of th

When writing these different articles for “Songwriter’s Tales” each interview takes me back to the moment that I crossed paths with the featured songwriter. To some a writer’s round is just sharing three songs and a stage, but to others we put a little piece of soul into each song. When I met Rehekah Gilbert, I knew it was more than just our turquoise jewelry pieces that matched, but it was something more. Once she shared her first song, I knew she was like me and hiding pain

My next guest for “Songwriter’s Tales” is one of the friendliest, genuinely good souls that I have had the privilege to meet on my musical journey. Hannah Franklin first came into my life at a writer’s showcase at the Walbash kitchen. When people say the phrase that someone has the voice of an angel, I immediately think of Hannah’s sweet voice. When I asked Hannah how her musical journey began, she said, “I moved to Nashville in 2019 and really began pursuing music by trying

The next feature artist for “Songwriter’s Tales” is the bubbly songwriter, Elise Newman. I met Elise when we were both having a “wing it” type of afternoon. It was my first time to substitute host for the “Livin the Write Life” round at The Stillery in midtown Nashville. I wasn’t even sure what artists were in the lineup. When Elise walked in with an energetic smile and a just happy to be here attitude. I knew immediately this was someone I wanted to get to know better. When

Many songwriters take the gig economy route, but as those of you who know me know, I am a teacher and songwriter when I get the chance. It takes a toll at times, but love of music always prevails. The same can be said for the next “Songwriter’s Tales” featured artist. Scotty Fraizer is a mechanic by day and songwriter by night. This was one of my first opportunities to get to know Scotty a little deeper as we are typically two over-worked ships passing each other in the night

The next artist to be featured on Songwriter’s Tales series is Brian Elder. This article has been the most fun article for me to do because Brian is a wonderful storyteller full of many adventures. We met on a cold, winter night singing at a roof top bar on Broadway, and as you can imagine there were few audience members sitting in the cold with the songwriters. It’s like that sometimes, but there is also something really magically about getting to sing to other songwriters.

Church is something that so many songwriters and artist seem to have in common. For me it was the first place that I could sing with my full heart and not get a lecture from my mom to take it down a few notches. For the next spotlight artist, church wasn’t the first place Abbi Love started singing, but it played a pivotal role in her musical journey. I first met Abbi Love at AVO, a vegan restaurant in Nashville, and her vocals blew me away. Not only that, but her songwriting

The next featured artist on Songwriter’s Tales is Patty Young. I first met her while playing a set at Corkey’s BBQ in Brentwood, TN thanks to Trick Arrow Publishing. Patty is a force of a woman that you will never forget meeting, and the rasp in her voice makes everything sound sultry and like you're ready to go right a wrong. We both bonded over our songs about Jesus, and I immediately admired her ferociousness and command of the room. I was at a point where I was still tryi

Anyone who has the privilege to meet my next featured artist has experienced the Bobby Ray effect. Something about that meeting makes you leave feeling a little lighter and like you were meant to be where you are. Whether that be the jokes he tells which make you immediately right at home, the stories he shares between songs that bring you into the experience that is his music, or the serenading with vocals that make you feel like you're listening to James Taylor's newest mus

This year, I have the privilege of participating in the first annual Riversongs Music Festival in Muscle Shoals. I also had the honor to take a moment to ask the organizer of this festival about the process of taking his idea from a thought to a Full Fledge festival with many acts and vendors. I first met Daniel through his songwriter cohort, Trick Arrow Publishing. At the time, this was my first songwriting group to be a part of and it opened up many opportunities for me to

With Saying Baby being released this week, I wanted to write a blog about the experience that was creating this song. this blog contains start to finish the journey of the song. If you are interested in hearing the finished product, it is streaming on all platforms. Also check out the Spotify playlist below. Saying Baby was my third song to write start to finish and really feel like it was what we could call a song. I called it the summer of songwriting, but really, it was th

I had the privilege of meeting Katie Warner when she came to my Joelton, Tennessee writers round, "Behind the Songs". She was so eager to share her music, and after working through the different rounds and networking for the past year, it was definitely something my soul needed to feel. An excitement and love for music. When asked to describe her musical path, Katies said, "I've loved music since the day I was born. I have wanted to be a musician since as long as I can rememb

With Nashville being a town full of musicians, songwriters, and producers many get lost in the ebb and flow. Encouragement to write in similar styles, dress in likeness, and to follow the formula of mimicking those who have been successful before you is unfortunately the advice that you can get anywhere in town. Originality is a rare beauty. When I first met Linda Purrs, I was just coming out of my own similar shell and finding my own voice. In a way, I admired how brazenly o

In Nashville, Tennessee or as many people call it, the Music City, songwriters are a dime a dozen. In my hometown of Joelton, every other person you meet plays and instrument, is in a band, or has a book of originals songs to share. Even with a town packed full of musicians and artist, no two stories are the same. That is the true beauty of this city. Each songwriter has a different tale to tell. This week's featured tale is with artist, "Alexis Knight". When I first met Alex

When I first got started songwriting, I knew only what I liked to hear on the radio and how to play some basic chords on the piano and guitar. That is exactly all you need to know to get started on your songwriting journey! Here are 5 tips that I wish I would have started utilizing early, but now use EVERY time I write a song Number One Chord Progressions Sound really fancy, but they can be easily broken down. Let's start with an example. I have been humming a tune that start

When I first started songwriting, it honestly was just a challenge. For years, my husband had told me that I had it in me to write a song, and for years I told him that there was no way that I could write a song. All it took was that seed being planted. Someone saying that maybe I could, and inevitably a hook came to me. Eye-level view of a vintage guitar resting against a colorful wall Hit by a Hook Hooks always hit you in the most random places and during the most random li

To sing on the stage for the Bluebird Cafe is on the bucket list of every songwriter, and the chances of getting a slot for the Cafe's open mic is just like winning the lottery. The potential for a writer to get an opportunity to sing on a Monday night is 1 in 15, and all slots first come first serve. Making your chance to play even more magical. The lottery of the Bluebird In order to get one of these coveted slots, a songwriter must purchase a ticket from their website Mond