MySpace a place for friends

WHO AM I? I am one of the many free-lance singers and songwriters who are unknown to the general public. I am also a "song doctor" with the ability to heal ailing lyrics. Your song giving you the blues? Contact me and let's figure out how I can help you.

WHY AM I ON MYSPACE? My primary reason is to promote my writing and singing talents/find new co-writers. I also want to communicate with others involved with music/writing/entertainment.

WHY DOES A COMPOSER NEED A LYRICIST? - I have been writing long enough to observe that though many composers are able to write music and lyrics, only rare composers are able to write lyrics that are as strong as their music. Two great songwriters, Carole King and Elton John have always written with lyricists. -- I am available to work with the wise composer who wants his/her song to be as lyrically strong as possible.

THE SONGS -- Like most songs of the time, the songs on this page were written around a song idea called a "hook." Sometimes I came up with the hook, which became the song's chorus, and other times my co-writer, Sherlie Matthews, would develop the song. - Two of the song's on this page were built around one line! Sherlie thought of one of the lines and we wrote a song around it and I thought of the other. -- A successful lyricist is one who can put his/her ego aside and work towards the best song possible without any type of "power" trip.-- I have written many songs where all, or nearly all, of my lyrics were used and I was never asked to make any changes. However, there have been other occasions when those I was working with wanted changes made. -- Aspiring lyricists will not get very far if they moan and whine when lyrics are scratched out, changed or not used. --Lyricists really have to develop "thick skin" and be flexible. -There have been times when I felt strongly that an idea should not be changed and I spoke up at those times. However, if the requested change was something minor, I just let it slide. -- Looking back now I realize that every time I was asked to completely rewrite a song, I became a better songwriter. By the time I left Jobete, I could provide a producer with several versions of the same song idea, all with different points of view. -- The ability to do that came from dealing with rejection. I also learned to write "tight," clean and fast.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES -The songs on this page are old, but listening to them takes me back to a time when I was free to just sit and write songs all day. Oh, what a fun time that was! – Though they may be old, most of them have held up well ...and I am extremely proud of them.

WHAT I AM DOING NOW – I spend a lot of time interacting with family, children and grandchildren. -- When I'm not "free lancing" on some project, I try to get in some writing time. I am presently working on a new music project.

I am a lover of history, especially musical history, and I have discovered that I love a lot of bluegrass/Americana and roots music.

As time allows, I continue to work new material; udate my lyric portfolio. I also have been writing songs with two talented female musicians, who happen to be sisters... my musical "French Connection" (they live in Switzerland.)

I mentor a few aspiring lyricists/singers. I started out writing a lyric "blog" but have not had time to update it. Many of the lyricists I mentor are also looking for booking agents and managers so I are often seek of myspace friends, working in those areas, so that they can utilize my page as a resource.

I continue to interview old school artists, both known and unknown, in an effort to help document R&B/do-wop/gospel/jazz history. Since I grew up in Southern California, it's easiest to start with artists from that area. -- Northern Soul fans will probably be more familiar with these artists than the general public. However, anyone who likes to know more about artists who came of age "back in the day" will enjoy reading these interviews.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS/EDUCATION - I have been in and out of various music/songwriting organizations over the years. However, I continue to maintain my memberships with the American Society of Composers Authors & Publishers (ASCAP) and have been a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS aka The Recording Academy/www.grammy.com) for 30 years. --I am a former member of the National Association of Women Writers.

I spent many years working in the legal arena and hold an ABA paralegal certificate, as well as a certificate in copy editing. -- I also have an A.A. in Human Services (Special Education) and a B.A. in Literature & Writing.

Note: "It's Written All Over My Face" was written by Sherlie Matthews.

Certain photos in my slide show were shot by professional photographers including: 1) The late Don Cropper; 2) the late Erni Marshall; 3) George Rodriguez; 4)Jim Tyler (proud pop of actress, Aisha); and 5) Paul Verrette. Note: Jim also took the photo labeled "before the 'fro." - The hands piercing my nose in the photo labeled "The Grand Opening" belong to jazz singer Robin Gregory (formerly Tyler), mother of Aisha. Robin was the first homecoming queen at Howard to sport a "natural" hair style. -- She has a beautiful voice. Check out her CD! The photo with The (Young) Rascals was taken at Devonshire Downs (Newport Pop) by photographer George Rodriguez. --

Thanks so much for dropping by! If you are a composer, feel free to shoot me an email or a friend request. --

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