Puff Ditty

I’ve been hearing lots of rumblings in the blogosphere about the lack of quality songwriting in Southern Gospel music. For the most part, I don’t disagree. It’s forced me to look at my own catalog of songs and question their depth. That’s a good thing to do from time to time. I’ve come to a conclusion based on my eating habits. I love a good steak as much as the next guy. I don’t eat them every night – thanks to NutriSystem. But when I do, I savor every bite. Of course I have to have some form of potatoes along side – the humble tuber compliments any meal. And a salad should certainly be a part of the dinner – with more dressing than salad. I can take or leave the bread and a bite or two of dessert with a cup of coffee suits me just fine. Other days I crave chilidogs and onion rings from Sonic – hence the NutriSystem!

So it occurred to me that a steady diet of any one thing gets boring. I wouldn’t appreciate that steak nearly as much if I had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I sometimes want lighter fare. Something I can just snack on while driving down the road.

I believe that’s the way music is. Some days you sit down and write a song of epic proportion that covers every theological base with a seven-fold “amen” on the end. Anyone who knows me knows I live to do that. Nothing is more satisfying than a huge power ballad that drives another nail in the coffin of doubt. I couldn’t be more pleased with 2 songs I have out there right now – “It’s All About the Blood” (Brian Free & Assurance) that I wrote with Tammy Dunaway, and “Once Upon a Cross” (Mark Trammel Trio) that I wrote with Gina Boe. I would consider those “steak” songs. On the other hand, Jerry Kelso and I wrote the title cut of Triumphant Quartet’s new project, “You Gotta Love It.” I would consider it a “puff pastry.” It’s light and airy and disappears in your mouth about the time you sink your teeth into it. But it’s so much fun and a tad addictive.

I don’t apologize for occasionally writing gospel-lite. My ratio of serious to "lite" leans heavily toward the serious, so I have to consciously make myself lighten up and write a SG ditty ever so often. My publisher begs for fast songs. BEGS….because the artists and producers are begging him. Apparently the fans expect to have fun at a concert – imagine that. I guess they like a tossed salad with their steak too. Anyone who's tried knows it's hard to write a meaty fast song. Seems to be an oxymoron – almost disrespectful of the lyrical content to sling profundities at a skip and a hop. So the best any of us can do with a ditty is get across one salient point and drive it home with a clever hook and bouncy music. Will these songs change the world? Maybe not. Will they make a concert or drive time more enjoyable? Most likely.