Local Writer Wins FOLK SONG OF THE YEAR
From Knox News 4/20/2006
BY MARTI DAVIS
martidav@comcast.net
When Mitch Townley gets that "blank look," his wife and daughters know another song is perking in his mind.
Townley, the children's minister at West Hills Presbyterian Church, has been writing songs of love, remembrance, praise and worship for about 10 years. This month he and composer Donna Galbraith of Colorado won "Folk Song of the Year," from Song of the Year, a Web-based contest that honored competitors in categories ranging from rock to jazz and hip hop. Songwriters from all over the world competed.
Townley and Galbraith's folk song, "That's Gonna Be Me," tells the heart-wrenching story of a young boy's relationship with his older brother.
Townley, 47, began writing lyrics about 10 years ago, when he took a songwriting class while in seminary at Columbia International University in Columbia, S.C. In 1996, Townley moved to Knoxville with his wife, Karen Townley, a fourth-grade teacher at Christian Academy of Knoxville. They have two daughters, Kristen Allender, 23, and Kim Townley, 20. Songwriting took a back seat while Mitch Townley got his children's ministry going at West Hills Presbyterian Church.
He took up the pen and guitar again in 2003, writing a song "Forever One," for his parent's 50th anniversary celebration.
"It was through searching for a melody writer for the song that I found out about the world of online songwriting boards. My songwriting life has never been the same," he said.
Townley met composer Galbraith though Songramp.com. She offered to write the melody for their award-winning folk song. She also teamed up with Townley to compose a song dedicated to seven7-year-old Will Estabrook of Blount County. At age two 2, Will was struck by a truck, causing brain damage and paralysis. Benefits have been held to raise money for his therapy and rehabilitation. Townley and Galbraith's song, "Christmas Wish for Will" was played at the WIVK-sponsored 2005 Christmas concert to benefit the Estabrooks.
"We turned over the rights to the song to the family," Townley said, adding that the song was "really from the Lord."
Townley didn't actually meet Galbraith in person until last month, when he attended an International Songwriting Association meeting in Nashville. He regularly attends the local chapter of the group, which meets at Farragut Branch Library
Townley said admits she's he's usually got a lyric going in the back of his mind.
"I wake up with an idea and I can't go back to sleep," he said.
If his wife or daughters catch him staring off into space, they know just what's going on in his head. "They'll say, 'Oh no, dad's got that look again,' " he said.
Townley hopes that someday one of his songs will be recorded by a big star, but that kind of success - or the lack of it - won't stop him from writing.
"I dream about one day walking into Wal-Mart or the mall and hearing one of my songs on the radio, but it's beyond just trying to get something on the radio. It's about connecting with people and trying to touch them in some way," Townley said.
"The exciting part to my writing is whenever it ministers to even one person. If someone can use it or is touched by it, all the better."
Hey, this is Jason from Dixieghost! Check us out at our performances this week. We're playing the wdvx "All Over the Road" show tomorrow Saturday the night of the 21st at 12:00 am (technically the morning of the 22nd)
We're also playing at The Pilot Light in old city Knoxville the next day at 10:00 pm Sunday night. We're opening for Wild Mountain Nation and I think it should be an awesome show!
Just wanted to wish you and your family Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Looking forward to seeing you and your wife at Hit Song Casa in January. Thanks for all the writers you have sent to stay at Hit Song Casa. I've enjoyed meeting every single one of them. By the way January is free tee shirt month for guests. See you then. Joyce
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