Chat Transcript with Chat Host E

Chat Transcript with Chat Host Eric Gibson and

January Guest Tim Stafford

Candi> Hello everyone!

[Tue Jan 15 19:49:17 EST 2008] Bizbeth

[Tue Jan 15 19:51:09 EST 2008] Chat Host

Candi> Hi Eric

<Chat Host> Howdy

Candi> Glad that you will be our Chat Host tonight!

<Chat Host> Me too!

<The_Sivers> Hello All

<Chat Host> Hey there.

<The_Sivers> Ron & Jennifer here

Candi> This is our first Chat of the Season so hopefully we'll have a good turnout tonight!

<Chat Host> I spoke with Tim earlier. He said he'll be with us at 8. We're in for a treat.

[Tue Jan 15 19:55:07 EST 2008] Chuck

<~julie> hi Candi & Eric

<Chat Host> Hey Julio.

<~julie> hi there

<~julie> so you got a new song too huh?

<Chat Host> A few.

<~julie> great! can't wait to hear 'em

[Tue Jan 15 19:59:24 EST 2008] Tim S.

[Tue Jan 15 19:59:47 EST 2008] JRD

<Tim S.> Hello

Candi> We are very excited to have Eric Gibson as our Chat Host this month and what a pleasure to have Tim Stafford with us as our January Guest!!!!!

<Chat Host> Welcome, Tim. We are so pleased to have you here!

<Tim S.> Glad to be here!

[Tue Jan 15 20:01:35 EST 2008] JRD

[Tue Jan 15 20:01:43 EST 2008] Heza Tate

<Chat Host> Thank you so much for sending me advance copy of your new CD. It's all-original, isn't it?

<Tim S.> Yeah, it turned out being all-original.

[Tue Jan 15 20:02:25 EST 2008] Steve Gulley

<Tim S.> Hello Steve!

<Chat Host> I don't know of another band that could release as strong a set of original tunes. Was it your plan for it top turn out that way?

[Tue Jan 15 20:04:20 EST 2008] cdb

<Tim S.> No, we usually do all our records the same way--gather around a table, throw out songs. We end up picking the best songs we can find,

whether they're original or not.

[Tue Jan 15 20:05:22 EST 2008] The_Sivers

<The_Sivers> got disconnected

[Tue Jan 15 20:06:47 EST 2008] Chat Host

<Chat Host> Sorry I got disconnected.

<The_Sivers> same here

<Tim S.> Steve Gulley is here--he co-wrote the title song of the new record with me. Great writer and singer.

<Chat Host> Can you tell us how that song came together -- great song!

[Tue Jan 15 20:08:37 EST 2008] Chris

<Chat Host> Anybody Sorry you got bumed, Tim. Could you tell us how that great title track came together?

<Chat Host> Anybody else have questions for Tim. I don't want to hog this thing.

[Tue Jan 15 20:10:45 EST 2008] Brink

<Bizbeth> Tim, can you tell us why you think that you and Steve make such a great songwriting team?

[Tue Jan 15 20:11:29 EST 2008] Tim S.

<Tim S.> Not sure why I'm getting disconnected...

<Tim S.> Anyway, Steve, you try this time.. :)

<Chat Host> Sorry, Tim. That happens sometimes. Bizbeth wanted to know why you and Steve make such a great songwriting team.

<Tim S.> He and I think alike about a lot of things, and it's just easy with Steve. That isn't always the case cowriting.

<Chat Host> You co-wrote 5 of the new songs. Is that something you're doing more and more lately?

<The_Sivers> my wife is starting to write...any advice for a beginning songwriter???

<Tim S.> Let as many songwriters as you can listen to your stuff and don't be afraid to be critiqued.

<Chat Host> Who are some of your songwriting heroes?

<Tim S.> There are also some tools. I have a free download on my site of internet resources for songwriters. www.Tim-stafford.com

<Tim S.> One more source: Jimmy Webb, Tunesmith...

<Tim S.> My heroes? Jimmy Webb, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, Carter Stanley, James Taylor, wow... the list goes on and on

<Tim S.> Darrell Scott

<Brink> Man, there is a LOT of great songwriters out there!! Can't imagine trying to list em LOL

<Chat Host> One of my favorite new cuts is "My Ropin' Days Are Done." What inspired that beautiful song?

<Tim S.> Absolutely..

<The_Sivers> what about protecting what you have written.....is it common to lose songs without some sort of protection?

<Tim S.> Ropin' Days was written when Bobby Starnes and I were at his cousin's house up in New York. His cousin had been a competitive roper

and he used that line...

<The_Sivers> how do you make sure no one else claims your song?

<Tim S.> Protecting yourself--yeah, you can lose it. The only protection is copyright--www.copyright.gov

<The_Sivers> thaks

<The_Sivers> tyhanks

<The_Sivers> lol....thanks

[Tue Jan 15 20:18:59 EST 2008] DobroDave

<The_Sivers> hey dave

[Tue Jan 15 20:19:38 EST 2008] pistol pete

<Chat Host> Do you read a lot, and if so, do you find it ever influences your writing?

<Tim S.> I have a list of tips for songwriters too that I've developed over the years too. Email me at tstaff@chartertn.net and I'll email 'em to you...

[Tue Jan 15 20:21:10 EST 2008] Michael Floyd

[Tue Jan 15 20:21:21 EST 2008] Bobby

<Brink> Seems to me that the majority of the songwriters I've ever met have been "readers"

<Tim S.> Absolutely!

<Tim S.> John Lennon wrote so many songs from reading newspapers and magazines..

<Chat Host> You must like Westerns. You written about Wild Bill Hickock and Frank and Jesse, I think.

<Bobby> Tim I have a question for you, what would know to say to a woman?

<Tim S.> Somebody's been watching Lonesome Dove

<Tim S.> Hey Bobby

<Chat Host> You're right!

<Brink> hehe

<Bobby> Sup!

<Tim S.> I do like Western History. Just the thought that these legends were real people...

<Chris> "The Kid" about Billy the Kid, too.

[Tue Jan 15 20:24:09 EST 2008] JudieG

<Tim S.> Yeah. Didn't John Cowan kill that? I heard him singing it about the time I finished it.

<Chris> Yeah, he nailed it.

<Brink> He sure did Tim.....GREAT STUFF

<Chat Host> Does location affect you're writing? If so, can you give an example?

<Tim S.> Thanks Brink! Kind of the same approach as Wild Bill--just try to tell what really happened..

<Bizbeth> Speaking of which.....when do we get to see another solo album?

<Tim S.> Location, location, location.... Absolutely. Ask Bobby about the location where we wrote Ropin' Days..

<Chat Host> Yeah, Bobby!

<Bobby> Nothing like being stranded on an Island to write a cowboy song

<Brink> LOL@Bobby

<Bobby> true story

<Tim S.> Solo album. Sometime soon, I hope. This time a solo guitar record. Then Steve and I are going to do a duet record of our songs.

<Chat Host> That sounds like a winner!

[Tue Jan 15 20:26:40 EST 2008] Michael Floyd

<Brink> If you and Steve do a duet project I'll pre-order that one now! :)

<Chat Host> Me too.

<Tim S.> Yeah, he's telling the truth! We got out a map and found Tucumcari... While hurricane Katrina was going on in New Orleans, we were on

an island writing this song.

<Steve Gulley> Thanks Brink and Eric

<Bobby> and learning how to rope

<Tim S.> Thanks guys. We are going to do that hopefully this year sometime, inbetween band projects..

<Chat Host> I have no stock in this, but I'm telling all of you to get Blue Highway's new one when it comes out. AWESOME!

<Tim S.> Thanks Eric

<Tim S.> Bobby and I did learn how to rope, kinda...

<Bobby> kinda

<Steve Gulley> Go buy the BH project as soon as you can. It's my favorite to date.

<Chat Host> I mean it. There is a depth to these songs that you just don't see evry day from a band that knows how to serve a song.

Okay...enough kissing up.

<Bobby> lol

<Bobby> Grastowne record is up there too!

<Chat Host> One of my favs is "Some Day." Can you tell us how that one came to be?

<Tim S.> GREAT record..

<Steve Gulley> You're too kind Bobby and Staffman

<pistol pete> Tim, Norman Blake sems to be an influence on your writing. Is that accurate and if so, how much of an influence was he

[Tue Jan 15 20:31:14 EST 2008] Tim S.

<Bobby> I have a riddle for everyone...

<Tim S.> Sorry, kicked out again..

<Brink> Brink hands Tim some bailin' wire and duct tape to use

<Bobby> What do you get when your cross Norman Blake with James Taylor?

<Tim S.> Norman Blake, absolutely one of my favorites.

<Chat Host> PistolPete asked a great question about Norman Blake's influence on your writing.

<Brink> Help him stay in here

<Bobby> Tim Stafford

<Tim S.> LOL--wish that was true!

<Bobby> I just made that up but I'm writing it down

<Chat Host> That's great

<Tim S.> If I ever get close to those two, I'll be ready to quit..

<Brink> With all the picking w/ Blue Highway and all the other projects you have in the hopper (producing and session work) how do you find the

time to write???

<Steve Gulley> You can't quit anytime soon. You, Bobby and I have too many songs to write.

[Tue Jan 15 20:33:57 EST 2008] Seth

<Tim S.> Other writers: Tim O'Brien, Gordon Lightfoot, harlan howard,

<Brink> Hey Seth and Candi...hope things are great up by you :)

<Bobby> Tim, Connie says "hey"

<Seth> Hey Brink

<Tim S.> I end up co-writing a lot these days, Brink. Need to get back to writing more solo..

<Tim S.> Hey to Connie

<Chat Host> It's working...

Candi> which do you prefer to do?

<Bobby> I don't like that idea too much Tim, how bout you Steve?

<Michael Floyd> Tim, Do you have a favourite kind of song to sing? For example, do you like the hard drivin' straight ahead Bluegrass stuff like

John Henry Blues for example, over some of the more contemporary stuff?

<Tim S.> Hm, Candi, good question. Co-writing forces you to have discipline, set a schedule and write. You get a unique perspective from

someone else. But writing by yourself, it's all your statement...

<Steve Gulley> Co-writing seems to be working out fine. Don't you think, Bobby?

<Brink> LOL@ steve and bobby!!!

<Tim S.> I like the hard-driving and bluesier stuff to sing, I guess.

<Bobby> I like the co-writing thing, Steve

<Tim S.> I ended up writing more contemporary stuff in the last few years

<Chat Host> How'd the title cut come together on the new one?

<Michael Floyd> I love when you sing that stuff. No one does it better than you.

<Tim S.> I had the title, and we just built it from the beginning about an old fellow who remembers his childhood and the trains his Dad worked

on--lots of imagery

<Tim S.> Thanks so much, Michael! You're too kind, believe me.

<Chat Host> Exactly...and it sets the tone for the whole record, I think.

Candi> I can't wait to hear the album!

<Brink> I LOVE imagery in writing

<Bobby> lots of imagery and a great melody~

<Tim S.> I *really* like Shawn Lane and Wayne Taylor's writing on here..

<Chat Host> It's not fair to have the many great writers in one band!

<Tim S.> I like a good melody, uh-huh.

<Tim S.> Imagery is IT, ain't it, Brink??

<Brink> I always feel that it isn't the words that evoke emotion from a listener. It is the words that paint a clear picture for the listener and it is the

PICTURE that evokes the emotion :)

<Tim S.> It's the thing about being in this band that I love the most. It helps give us an identity. I feel lucky.

<Steve Gulley> I've said it before and still say that Blue Highway has more to say than any band out there. So many great writers and musicians.

It's not fair.

<Brink> I agree Steve :)

<Bobby> Mind if I use that Brink?

<Tim S.> Brink, that's sheer poetry

<Brink> for sure Bobby :)

<Brink> It is way I approach writing

<Tim S.> Bobby, we need to write with Brink

<Bobby> I'm in

<Michael Floyd> You'll have to forgive my ignorance as I joined a bit late, but which "Bobby" are we talking to?

<Brink> :) LOVE THAT MAN

[Tue Jan 15 20:41:49 EST 2008] pistol pete

<Tim S.> Steve, we do too

<Steve Gulley> i'm with you.

<Chat Host> Is it Bobby Starnes?

<Tim S.> Sorry, Bobby Starnes, my co-writer is here, as is Steve Gulley. Probably the two guys I feel most comfortable co-writing with in the world.

<Tim S.> Two of my best friends too

<Michael Floyd> ah, thanks for clearing that up.

<Brink> One that hit me hard is that one on Grasstowne's CD "That's Not What Ships are For"

<Brink> TORE ME UP

<Bobby> ditto

<Brink> Of course I have a daughter in college and just left home

<Bobby> Great song

<Tim S.> That was with Steve and Kim Williams. If you have a kid, you can sure identify with that sentiment--mine is 16 and I'm dreading that,

Brink!

[Tue Jan 15 20:43:42 EST 2008] Jon Weisberger

<Steve Gulley> Thanks Guys. It hits home with me too.

<Brink> Hey Jon

<Tim S.> Jon! Another co-writer I love to write with.

<Bobby> another co-writer! Welcome Jon

<Jon Weisberger> Hey, folks.

<Steve Gulley> Hey Jon!

<pistol pete> hi jon

<Chat Host> Great party, huh?

<Tim S.> Jon is a thinker--the man can come up with some cool ways to express ideas and emotions..

<Jon Weisberger> Didn't mean to interrupt...

<Tim S.> Grab a cold one and sit down

<Brink> We'll let it go this time Jon.....just don't let it happen again man!!!! LOLOL

<Michael Floyd> This is so cool being able to get this close with the guys that you listen to every day. I really appreciate the opportunity.

<pistol pete> Do you have a particular guitar you like to write on?

[Tue Jan 15 20:45:41 EST 2008] jan

<Bobby> Tim, this is an opportune time to pitch the new TS model to Michael

<Bobby> oops

<Tim S.> I've got a neat little small-body 000-28 by Mike Long I use a lot. Also use my CA guitar...

<Bobby> pistol pete

<Tim S.> And my Proulx--just a good guitar that can help you evoke the emotion, bring out the melody.

<Brink> Pistol pete...funny you should say that. Different guitars I use tend to get me writing in different styles

<pistol pete> do you find either one creates a better or different mood?

<Bobby> good question

<Tim S.> Not really for me, but I'm sure others have different ideas.

<Brink> I have a small parlor guitar that is best "fingerpicked" and that sets up a different "feel" or "mood"

<Brink> vs. grabbing a old 28

<Tim S.> It makes a difference when I go to demo the song, I know that...

[Tue Jan 15 20:48:41 EST 2008] Audio alert from jan.

[Tue Jan 15 20:48:45 EST 2008] Tom Mason

<Jon Weisberger> Tim, do you remember what you used to demo "Hurt Me All Over Again?"

<Tom Mason> Hello all

[Tue Jan 15 20:49:22 EST 2008] pistol pete

<Tim S.> Jon, I don't remember for that particular one. Steve sang it, probably my CA..

> Thanks for joining us Tom

<Tim S.> Hi Tom

<Tom Mason> Hi and thanks. Great to be here

<Brink> hey Tom

<Tom Mason> hey Brink

<Chat Host> "Two Soldiers" is going to tear people up. I think it's timely and could be a huge hit.

<Tim S.> Man, I appreciate that.

<Jon Weisberger> Yeah, Ned Luberecki and I listened to the new album on the way up to Pennyroyal last weekend...

[Tue Jan 15 20:50:38 EST 2008] lyn

<Chat Host> Can I ask what inspired it...the new?

<Jon Weisberger> ...and he hit the replay button on that one about 10 times.

<Brink> I tried to get out to hear you and Cord last weekend but couldn't make it :(

<Chat Host> I meant the news.

<Tim S.> Wood Newton is such a great writer. I was lucky to be able to write with him.

<Michael Floyd> What I want to know is how do you come up with a melody for a song?

<Tim S.> I heard the idea on a CNN story--a guy had written a "Sullivan Ballou" letter home to his wife. Said, "If two soldiers show up at the door,

you'll know I'm in heaven."

<Tim S.> What a job that must be...

[Tue Jan 15 20:52:17 EST 2008] pistol pete

<Brink> Sullivan Ballou!!!!!! WOW that name CRIES for a song..LOL

<Tim S.> Melody, good question. Just Make it fit the lyrics...

<Tim S.> That's the easiest part for me usually, but it varies. Lyrics can be a bear..

<Tim S.> Brink--Did you see the Civil War series--Ken Burns?

<Brink> When is the release date on the new CD?

<Tim S.> Feb. 12

<Brink> yes I did Tim...been a while though

<Bobby> Tim is the best I've ever seen with coming up with a killer melody on the spot!

<Tim S.> You're too kind, Bobby!

<Bobby> I know

<Tim S.> No, really

<Bobby> me too

<Michael Floyd> I just can't imagine coming up with something new all the time.

<Michael Floyd> melody-wise, I mean

<Jon Weisberger> I think with melodies, the point isn't exactly to come up with something new, but something that puts what might be familiar

elements together in a new way.

<Tim S.> You have to monitor yourself and figure out your melodic "fingerprint"--everybody has one. Try to avoid being easily printed..

<Tom Mason> Have you written anything Mike?

<Michael Floyd> I'm afraid not.

<Michael Floyd> ... but I sure would like to.

<Tom Mason> Same here, but can't seem to get started

<Tim S.> If you can hum it and it sounds like a lyric, it's a good melody..

<Bobby> There is a limited amount of notes in a scale, the secret is finding alternative chords behind those notes that don't sound forced

<Brink> I love songs that breathe and have that "natural" flow

<Tim S.> Sometimes you can turn the radio down really low, to where you can't recognize the melody, and a new melody will suggest itself. Your

mind connects the dots..

<Bobby> Tim is great for finding those alternate chords that sound like they belong there but an average player can't hear them

<Tom Mason> interesting

<Chat Host> Bobby, that's a cool way of putting it -- the 'forced' part. I think sometimes folks put in a 'money' chord just to show you they know it!

<Tim S.> Just don't turn it up too loud--that's called infringement..

<Brink> Yeah....Tim knows all them good chords. But there is only 2 chords in bluegrass. One is G and the other one isn't! :)

<Tim S.> Yeah, let it flow..

<Brink> LOL@Tim!!!

<Tim S.> Watch them drop chords

[Tue Jan 15 20:59:24 EST 2008] Larry

<Tim S.> Sometimes chords help flavor a melody--some melodies don't need flavor, they're stout enough.

<Bobby> My melodies usually need all the spices you can throw in the pot

<Brink> LOL

<Bobby> That's where Tim comes in

<Tim S.> Bobby's written some very cool tunes

<Jon Weisberger> Getting back to this "footprint" thing for a moment...

<Jon Weisberger> I don't think it's worth worrying about too much unless you are writing mostly for your own performing.

<Tim S.> I would take a listen to the songs that move you the most melodically. Try to figure out why that is.

<Jon Weisberger> Having played in bands behind a couple of super-talented songwriters...

<Jon Weisberger> I've found that they have those "footprints," but when their songs are spread out among several artists...

<Jon Weisberger> it's not really noticeable. You only uncover it when you hear a bunch of the songs all at once.

[Tue Jan 15 21:03:01 EST 2008] pistol pete

<Tim S.> I dunno. It bothers me to have too many songs that sound the same.

[Tue Jan 15 21:03:25 EST 2008] pistol pete

[Tue Jan 15 21:03:26 EST 2008] OTDT

<Tom Mason> I'm not sure what you mean by footprint... elements of the song that readily identifiy a particular artist?

<Chat Host> You could argue that some of Hag's songs or Tom T.'s songs have a similar quality. They're still great, great songs though.

<Bobby> good point

<Tim S.> Actually, I meant "fingerprint," but... Yeah, your melodic fingerprint is indelible after a while.

<Jon Weisberger> I guess I'd argue that the similarity is related to what makes them great - they've got something that's distinctively theirs.

<Tim S.> Yeah, but... I don't hear too many of Paul McCartney's songs that sound the same.

<Bobby> indelible...? what the....

<Bobby> : )

<Tim S.> You don't notice it, but it's there.

<Tim S.> I've just heard too many beginning writers who have this tendency to write every melody the same, guess that's where I'm coming from..

<Jon Weisberger> Well, that's definitely a problem...

<Tim S.> Strictly my opinion..

<Tim S.> As long as it fits the lyric, I don't really care..

<Brink> Some of it has to do with a writer's musical background and experience IMHO

<Tim S.> Probably so.

<Michael Floyd> I think I know where you are coming from Tim. I hear it in some of the local talent in my area.

<Brink> If you've played blues, rock, jazz, country , bluegras you have a lot of "tools" to choose from in your writing

<Tom Mason> Any clues Mike

<Michael Floyd> clues?

<Tom Mason> Just curious as to who you were refering to

<Michael Floyd> Reg, Murray, Angela

<Tom Mason> ah

<Tim S.> I like writers whose melodies are different, distinct

[Tue Jan 15 21:09:27 EST 2008] The_Sivers

<Tim S.> Burt Bacharach

<Tim S.> Joni Mitchell

<Tim S.> Jimmy Webb has a "fingerprint," but those prints don't bother me too much..

<Jon Weisberger> One of the things I like about writing with Mark Simos is that he's very focused on the melody - note by note.

<Bobby> Hey Tim and Jon, what was that last song we wrote together, we need to demo that one

<Tim S.> Mark is a great writer

<Bobby> Still A Wanted Man, never mind.... we need to demo it

<Tim S.> Wanted Man..

<Jon Weisberger> That's it...

<Tim S.> Let's have it

<Bobby> That was a cool tune

<Chat Host> Do you ever have writer's block, Tim?

<Steve Gulley> Mark has varied tastes when it comes to melody, too. Extremely original and talented man.

<Tim S.> I really like the Simos song I played on Andy Hall's record

<Tim S.> Yeah, I do. That's why I co-write! LOL

<Jon Weisberger> You guys killed that one. Del hand-picked it a couple of weeks ago ;-).

<Brink> I enjoy the one that Mark wrote that John Cowan does

<Brink> "Hurtin' Sure"

<Tim S.> Yeah, good one.

<Bobby> speaking of Ft Smith AK, there's a movie I need to see.. great cahtting with everone! Best of luck to all! nite all

<Jon Weisberger> See you, Bobby.

<Brink> Nice chattin Bobby

<Chat Host> Thanks for coming in, Bobby.

<Tim S.> Later man... Tell Woodrow howdy

<Steve Gulley> Be good Bobby.

> Thanks for joining us. Hope you can stop in next month.

<Bobby> Here's to the sunny slopes of long ago

<Chat Host> By God, it's been a good ride.

<Brink> Time has gone fast tonite....good stuff :)

<Tim S.> Fun in my department, Woodrow...

<Tim S.> is, lol

[Tue Jan 15 21:14:42 EST 2008] Dave

<Tim S.> Yeah, thanks to you guys for chatting. I appreciate it.

<Jon Weisberger> Tim, I'll see you on the 24th at BMI...

<Michael Floyd> Tim, I know you've sung and played with Jim Mills, but have you ever written anything with him?

<Tim S.> Yeah, Jon, hope to see you there. We are at the Station Inn that night--let me know if you can make it.

> It meant a lot to have you join us here in the Bluegrass Guide Chat Room. Thanks again!!!

<Brink> Steve....hopefully still on for that songwriter pull at Don Miller's fest in Florida ?

<Jon Weisberger> Will do...

<Jon Weisberger> Gotta go, bye all!

<Brink> I'll email you again about it

<Tim S.> Bye Jon

<Steve Gulley> You got it Brink. Looking forward to it

<Brink> me too man!

<Chat Host> Tim, it's been a pleasure. Thanks to all who joined us tonight!

<Tim S.> I haven't written anything with Jim, but we recorded "Pikeville Flood"

<Michael Floyd> I haven't heard that one.

<Tim S.> Thanks so much, Eric and Candi!

<Michael Floyd> Thanks all for the chat.

<Tim S.> He wrote it--on "Midnight Storm"

Candi> Your welcome. Hope you can stop in again sometime.

<Tim S.> Will do.

<Brink> Thanks for organizing the chatroom Candi!!!! Always enjoy it

Candi> Eric, thanks for being such a great host!

<Tim S.> Eric is the man

<Brink> Great job Eric :)

> Your welcome.

<Chat Host> Thanks for bearing with my poor typing and all. It was fun.

<Chat Host> Thank you so much!

<Steve Gulley> Thanks to Tim, Eric and Candi. It's been fun.

<Tim S.> Take care everybody..

<Brink> I'm outta here .....take care God bless and good writin and pickin!!!!

<Brink> bye

Candi> There will be a transcript of the chat on the site if anyone is interested.

<Michael Floyd> super!