Kings of Songwriting
Keynote - Paul Williams
Moderator - Ralph Murphy, VP Int’l & Domestic Membership ASCAP, Nashville
Co-moderator - John Alexander, Publishing Consultant
Host - Jeremy Silver, owner Media Clarity
Participants - Dan Hill, Don Shlitz, Cindy Gomez and Dave Stewart
Canadian Music Week
Concert Hall, Royal York Hotel, Toronto
March 13, 2010
by Live Music Head
 |
| LMH with Paul Williams |
Their genres may vary, but this panel of songwriters
all share one common thing –
they continue to write hit after hit.
Although different musical styles demand different approaches
to performing and recording,
a well-written song is a well-written song,
whether it’s a country rave-up,
an infectious pop standard, or a rock anthem.
These chartbusting writers will explore
the common ground all great songs must share.
all share one common thing –
they continue to write hit after hit.
Although different musical styles demand different approaches
to performing and recording,
a well-written song is a well-written song,
whether it’s a country rave-up,
an infectious pop standard, or a rock anthem.
These chartbusting writers will explore
the common ground all great songs must share.
~ Canadian Music Week
Dave Stewart just brushed elbows with me
as he and Cindy Gomez entered the Concert Hall.
My god, Cindy Gomez is stunning.
And what a bitch for having like, a 12 inch waist!
I would think Gomez’s appearance here today
is simply as Stewart’s latest protégé.
Because although this Colombian and Belgian beauty
(who hails from my home town of Mississauga)
most certainly has talent,
I hardly think she’s been around long enough
to qualify as a Queen, let alone King of Songwriting.
Gomez, however, was the first artist to make
her debut in a mobile game called
Dance Fabulous on N-Gage by Nokia.
But Cindy’s big break came when
Stewart and Ringo Starr appeared on Larry King Live
and put out the call for a backup singer.
Gomez answered the call and impressed Stewart right away.
“She needed no rehearsal at all,” Stewart said.
“It became clear she could make up melodies very easily.
And because she learned to sing in several different languages,
she’s able to flip into other ways of thinking, melodically.”
Gomez can sing in eight different languages.
Well, I may not have been awarded the Dave Stewart interview,
but it’s cool to be at the top of the line waiting to hear him talk.
Dave Stewart is a not only a song writer but
a renowned producer, writer, advertising director,
industrialist, visionary and was recently added to the list of the
100 Most Creative Persons in Business
by Fast Company Magazine.
And oh yea, he’s also that guy who played guitar alongside
Annie Lennox in the 1980s band, the Eurythmics.
After attending a few CMW conferences already this week,
it’s evident there’s more than a few artists here with bios so long,
moderators can’t list them all in their introductions.
If they did,
the conference would be over before it began.
Well, I have the time.
And I plan to list as many of the accomplishments of these
Kings of Songwriters as I can, right here.
After 25 years, Dave Stewart has had
album sales of more than 100 million,
and he, along with Annie Lennox, gave us the songs
Here Comes the Rain Again and Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This).
Stewart continues to be the most
sought-after writer and producer,
and has collaborated with the likes of Bono, Bryan Ferry,
Sinead O’Connor and Ringo Starr.
Stewart also produced Starr’s recent record, Liverpool 8.
Mr Stewart co-wrote and played on
Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’,
Don't Come Around Here No More.
And Bob Dylan calls Stewart, "a fearless innovator".
Stewart himself cites his strength as,
“my ability to coax personal stories from my co-writers”.
Mr Stewart has shared stages with BB King, U2, Eric Clapton,
Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger and Dylan himself.
Having won Best British Producer four times,
Best British Songwriter five times and numerous
Grammy, MTV and European awards, Dave Stewart
also scored films for directors including Robert Altman.
He collaborated on the 1991 documentary,
Deep Blues: A Musical Pilgrimage to the Crossroads and
together with Mick Jagger, wrote and produced
the score for Alfie, starring Jude Law.
In 2004, he wrote the musical Barbarella, based on the 1968 film.
And again with Jagger and Daryl Hall, co-wrote
the theme song for the comedy film, Ruthless People.
Stewart is also the interviewer for Off the Record on HBO.
As an entrepreneur,
Stewart has worked with Microsoft to create the
multi-media creative center, The Hospital
and with Deepak Chopra on the creative consultancy, Deep Stew.
Stewart established a media company,
Weapons of Mass Entertainment,
which links creative ideas to film, television,
books, theatre and new media.
And speaking of books, Stewart also created the comics
Walk-In, Zombie Broadway, and is currently set to release
The Business Playground:
Where Creativity and Commerce Collide,
“an innovative business book designed to show
business people how to rediscover their creativity”.
Stewart has held the title of Change Agent for Nokia,
the world's largest mobile phone company where he
“connects companies to talent, opportunities and ideas
for new distribution models heading into the
next generation of the entertainment business”, and
in 2002, former South African president Nelson Mandela
gave Stewart his prison number 466/64 to use
in a series of concerts which helped raise money
for the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
And then there’s his band Platinum Weird,
which is rumoured to have started in the 70s,
but according to Stewart, the group actually formed in 2004.
Rock Legends, a 2006 mockumentary examines Platinum Weird
with cameo appearances by Jagger, Lennox, Starr,
and the great singer-songwriter we all know as, Elton John.
Unfortunately I missed Stewart’s keynote address on Friday
where he imparted his words of wisdom to CMW delegates.
Besides Gomez, there is another Canadian on this panel;
the multi-talented singer-songwriter, Dan Hill.
Dan Hill is a Toronto boy, born the eldest son to
social scientist and “father of civil rights”, Daniel G Hill.
Dan is also the brother of author, Lawrence Hill,
who wrote the critically acclaimed, Book of Negroes.
Collaborating with legendary songwriter, Barry Mann,
Dan Hill released the ballad, Sometimes When We Touch in 1977.
And following the release of this record, came enormous success.
It got Dan appearances on television shows such as
Merv Griffen and Mike Douglas
and Dan’s career has never been the same since.
He’s been writing songs for artists like
Celine Dion and George Benson.
Hill also provided the song, It’s a Long Road
for the 1982 film, First Blood,
otherwise known as Rambo, starring Sylvester Stallone.
And in 1985, Hill was one of many Canadian performers
to appear on the benefit single
Tears Are Not Enough by Northern Lights.
Hill also grew up with lifelong friend,
Canadian musician and author, Paul Quarrington.
Not only did the two perform together as a folk music duo,
but collaborated on the song Are You Ready
just ten days before Quarrington's death in early 2010.
And Dan’s book, I Am My Father’s Son,
a Memoir of Love and Forgiveness,
has got to be one of the best bound book of pages I’ve ever read.
I heard Dan’s sound check a short time ago and
I kid you not, his incredible and unmistakable voice
resonated through the entire Royal York Hotel.
Don Shlitz is a Grammy and ASCAP award winning
country music songwriter and member of the
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Schlitz's first hit as a songwriter came with The Gambler,
a 1978 signature song for country artist Kenny Rogers.
Schlitz has penned several songs for artists,
amoung them, Randy Travis and Keith Whitley.
Former US President George W Bush commissioned Schlitz
to write a theme song for his Points of Light program and
the song was a huge success for Travis in 1991.
I must admit, I’m not all that familiar with Shlitz but
how can I not know The Gambler?
“You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when you're sittin' at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin’ , when the dealin's done.”
Now I’ve come to the Keynote of this event.
You may want to grab a meal and a couple of drinks
to read this list of accomplishments.
For Grammy and Golden Globe award winner and Hall of Famer
Paul Williams, is responsible for writing hit songs
such as Old Fashioned Love Song (Three Dog Night),
We’ve Only Just Begun and
Rainy Days and Mondays (The Carpenters),
and he’s the Best Song Oscar-winner for Evergreen,
sung by Barbra Steisand in the 1976 film, A Star is Born.
And here he is now, walking straight toward me!
Paul turns to give me a warm smile as I say, “Hello, Mr Williams”.
One of the few artists I’ve come this close to where
I didn’t have to strain my neck to look him in the eye.
A prolific writer whose songs have been recorded by
Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitgerald,
David Bowie, Ray Charles and Tony Bennett, among others.
Mr Williams also wrote the music for the film Bugsy Malone and
Phantom of the Paradise, for which he also starred.
My favourite acting role of Paul Williams?
Well, that would have to be Virgil,
the genius orangutan in the 1973 film,
Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
I clearly remember sitting in the Sheridan Mall cinema
booing the humans and cheering for the apes.
Williams also played Little Enos Burdette
in Smokey and the Bandit I, II and III.
And in the 90s,
Williams played Andy Warhol’s PR guy
in the Oliver Stone film, The Doors.
Paul worked closely with Jim Henson
on the soundtrack of the Muppet Movie,
and while growing up, I saw Williams
make numerous guest appearances on television shows
such as Hawaii Five-O, The Odd Couple, The Gong Show,
the cop show, Baretta (who I was totally in love with),
Police Woman and Fantasy Island.
I also hear Paul made an appearance on Star Trek: Voyager.
And let’s not forget all the game shows he appeared on...
Password, Match Game, Hollywood Squares
and Win, Lose or Draw.
Not to mention the variety shows with
Carol Burnett and Flip Wilson.
Paul Williams also served as co-host of Solid Gold
and graced us with his presence on every 70s music fan’s
favourite shows, the Midnight Special and American Bandstand.
Williams even provided the voice of
The Penguin in Batman: The Animated Series.
Paul’s current projects are Happy Days, the New Musical
and Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas.
Hell,
Paul Williams is also the current President & Chairman of ASCAP
(the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).
The doors of the Concert Hall are now opening and as we
enter, we’re greeted by a large beautiful room.
Perhaps not as beautiful as the hotel’s Ballroom but,
gosh, golly gee, Paul Williams is standing at the podium,
and ya know,
he looks exactly the same as he always has, at least to me.
But you’d think the organizer’s could have lowered the stand.
No one can really see Paul from the neck down.
Good heartedly,
Williams cracks a few jokes about his short stature.
Joining me at our big round table are Lou Pomanti,
the musical director of the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame,
who I not only saw do a fine job on
the CMW Producer’s Panel earlier in the day,
but I also had the honour of interviewing him in late 2009
where we talked extensively about his own illustrious career.
And David Joseph, who is very excited to see Don Shlitz.
As a man who’s struggled with addictions, Paul Williams begins
to tell us of a time he went to Ochos Rios, Jamaica.
“I went there to work and write songs, substance-free.
But you know what?
All I ended up doing was re-writing
Little Town of Bethlehem!
So, following a few rum and cokes,
I decided to saunter over to Bob Marley’s grave where
I began to explain reggae music to a whole bunch of black people!
But, back to sobriety...”
Williams had the audience laughing along with his every word.
“The Moral Right is when you’re commissioned
to do a piece of art, and the integrity stays with the artist.
An example would be right here in your own city of Toronto.
The art?
That would be the geese that hang down from
the ceiling of the Eaton’s Centre.
When it was the time of the season,
the owner’s of this Toronto landmark wanted to
hang Christmas decorations all over the art.
Tony Snow, the artist, gave a definite, “no!”
It was taken to court and thank god,
the judge ruled in the artist’s favour.”
Paul went on to caution users of new media
and social networking tools.
“You can easily give away your best stuff on Twitter.
We have big ethic problems with the internet
and we must find a creative way to work with it.
But the public needs to remember,
our art is our gift to the audience, but it’s also
our work and our livelihood.”
Williams took his seat on the panel,
to cheering and much applause.
Greg Simpson introduces Ralph Murphy
and John Alexander as the panel’s moderators
who then bring to the stage,
Cindy Gomez and Dave Stewart
followed by Don Schlitz.
And Dan Hill, who starts off with
a story about playing a song for his dying father.
I Am My Father’s Son is also a song.
A song packed with emotion, and brings the audience in.
Tears fell from the corners of many an eye,
including at least one of Dan’s.
At the end of the song,
Don Shlitz says, “I have to follow that?!”
which offered much needed comic relief.
It was nice to see the big smile spread across
the face of David Joseph, when Shlitz played
The Gambler, the way the songster wrote it.
It was a little different than the Kenny Rogers version.
And then it was Stewart’s turn.
Stewart says he’s gotten used to writing for females
with big voices; and I was clearly missing one of ‘em
when Dave tried to sing Sweet Dreams.
Perhaps he knew it because he stopped before he
even got started and proceeded to sing us only
“snatches” of songs he’s written.
Snatches, Dave?
“You know,
when Annie and I were living together as a couple,
we never wrote a single song.
But when we broke up, we wrote 270 songs about it.”
The audience erupts in laughter, including
Lou Pomanti, who I heard belly laughs coming from,
throughout the whole presentation.
As Stewart tells us of how much he enjoys
wasting money on peculiar instruments he finds in music shops,
I’m busy noticing the fella who’s taken a seat
at the piano bench next to Paul Williams.
He certainly looks a whole lot like Johnny B,
the road manager and bass player for
Classic Albums Live.
But that can’t be.
I guess even sitting this close to the stage,
it’s become clear.
I really do need to fill that prescription for new glasses.
Paul sang the Rainbow song
and then it was back to Dan Hill.
Mr Hill, when he was first starting out,
“always thought that good song writing
came from sexual torment”,
until he met Barry Mann and learned how to collaborate.
The panellists were doing a fine job of
educating and entertaining the 400 or so
people jammed into the Concert Hall.
And from Don Schlitz,
“if I’d known long ago I’d be sitting up here
on this stage today, I'd have taken better care of myself!
And since I haven’t yet reached the 30 million mark,
I have a new recording available at CD Baby and it’s only $9.99.
We thought asking people for ten bucks was just too much.
And guess what?
I already sold two! And one in Japan!”
Dave Stewart told about playing a pub in England
around the time he was first starting out.
“Just as I was in the middle of singing
a Bob Dylan song with my eyes closed,
sounding great too, I might add,
a fellow taps me on the arm...
‘I have to catch a bus and this song is taking too long.
I thought I’d let you know before
you opened your eyes to find no one here’”.
Stewart also mentioned writing
the music for the film, Charlotte’s Web.
That story was a childhood favourite of mine.
Dave says, “great collaboration is when you find
someone who is totally brilliant to work with,
and then you don’t say anything.”
Williams is looking toward Stewart
when Dave says, “just a bit longer Paul;
they’re only “snatches” after all.”
To which Williams replies,
“No worries Dave, but I plan on doing 7!”
And when Williams took the mike and sang,
“We've only just begun... to live,
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we're on our way...“He has us all in the palm of his hand.
And to the singer who made the song famous,
Paul said,“Having someone like
Karen Carpenter sing your songs.... sigh.
Karen would have been 60”.
Williams also sang Evergreen.
And like it or not rock fans,
these songs are so well-structured,
they will stand the test of time for eternity.
And as a journalist, I’ve come to realize yet again,
I can always count on the “old timers” for my material.
I was so stimulated by the humour
and talents of these Kings of Songwriters that,
it didn’t seem to matter I’ve had to pee since noon and it’s now 3;
as I scribble notes on every little piece of paper I can find.
Dan sang Sometimes When We Touch at the piano
and his 55 year old voice sounds just as good
as when he sang it at 19.
Stewart with his cool dark shades and gangster hat
followed it with a story about the first time he arrived in L.A.
And to a party at Stevie Nick’s house, he was whisked away.
“But once there, everyone went to the bathroom
and didn’t come out for five hours”.
I believe Stewart recently worked with Nicks
and it’s rumoured they’ll tour together at some point.
Cindy Gomez sang a bit but
she basically sat there smiling most of the time.
Dave played Don’t Come Around Here No More.
And then it seems we’ve come to the end.
The Keynote finishes it off.
“This last song is the one that put my kids through school...”
A little piano intro and then...
“Love....
Exciting and new.
Come on board, we’re expecting you!
And love...
Life’s sweetest reward
Let it flow, it flows back to you!
The Love Boat!”
The audience goes nuts.
For the love of god, Williams wrote this song too?!
Originally sung by American jazz and pop singer, Jack Jones,
the television theme is timeless.
And the best line of the entire event, of the whole entire week
is now delivered by Paul Williams when he leans toward
Dave Stewart, and while still singing the Love Boat theme
pauses to say...
“jealous aren’t ya Dave”.
Paul Williams on Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/paulwilliamssongwriter
Dave Stewart website
http://www.davestewart.com/
Dan Hill website
http://danhill.com/
Canadian Music Week website
http://www.cmw.net/
