'It's Always About A Blonde'

By Scott Coner

Singer, Songwriter and Author

            It’s funny how so many of our current interests are carried over from our childhood. Like I’ve already said several times, my interest has pretty much always been music, and I started early. It’s just when you connect the dots to something from years ago, it begins to make sense in different ways.

            My first exposure to a piece of music that I loved was a song called “Dizzy”. I don’t remember specifics because I was somewhere around 5 years old, but I’m pretty sure my mom may have given me the 45 when I learned how to make my bed by myself. The song had cool breaks in it that utilized a snare drum, and it made me pretty happy. I think the artist's name was Tommy Roe, but I’m not even sure about that. Things get pretty hazy thinking that far back.

            I remember swinging in the glider on my swing-set singing “Dang Me” by Roger Miller with my big sister as loud as I could. I remember listening to The Archies singing, “Sugar, Sugar” as I rode in our '63 Impala. I also remember my aunt explaining to me that The Archies weren’t real and it was actually some guy named Andy Kim. I remember I didn’t like that. 

Scott Coner performs at "Tunesmithing" in Nashville. (Photo by Cyndi Coner)

            There was a weekday afternoon I remember sitting out front of my sister’s elementary school in the same Impala. In those days, we didn’t wear seat belts, so I kind of walked around the back seat in my Hush Puppies. That afternoon it was sunny outside, and Sonny and Cher were singing “I Got You Babe” on the radio. I was standing back there eating one of those orange, crappy tasting, “marsh-mallowly” Circus Peanuts. Anyway, as I’m back there rocking out, I witnessed an awesome blonde in a purple mini-skirt walking down the sidewalk. This was an important day because this was the day that I realized I would need a blonde just like that one when I got old enough to tie my shoes.  I wasn’t sure what I would do with her when I got her, but I sure liked thinking about it as I sat there in kindergarten eating my paste and thinking about the future. (I really didn’t eat my paste, just trying to paint a picture here.)

            Some years later, I got stung by a bee at our family’s farm in Kentucky. I became very sick from the sting, ended up in the hospital, and found out I was allergic to bee stings. That summer was spent following my mom to yard sales on Wednesday mornings instead of playing with my cousins because I needed to get my resistance built up with weekly shots before I could be released again into the wild. Mom gave me a $4 a week allowance and I spent it every week at the garage sales. I either bought comic books or 45’s. I would take those records home and listen to both sides. I had everything from The Everly Brothers' “Bird Dog” to Little Eva's “The Locomotion” (which I recorded myself later). I had stacks and stacks of records, and I would sit in my room and imagine I was a DJ playing really cool music for all of the people in the world that I didn’t even know.  We didn’t have digital music back then or even walkmans, but it didn’t matter. By the time I got better from the bee stings, I had every song I loved tattooed to my brain, and I listened to them all the time. I’m listening to them now….

            To learn more about Scott Coner or to hear his music, visit http://www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, http://www.ScottConer.com or http://www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer.

Scott Coner works with sound engineer Logan Schlegal. (Photo by Cyndi Coner)

Scott Coner: Probably Not Too Sexy for My Shirt

By Scott Coner

Country Artist (and fitness advocate)

         I have not always taken good care of myself. When I was a kid, I think I must have stayed up nights trying to think up new ways to kill myself. But that was a long time ago. These days I find myself considering every meal, my protein, my carbs. I think that little by little, I have turned the whole workout thing into some kind of weird game with myself.

         I started lifting weights off and on about 10 years ago, and these days, I'm pretty committed to it. If I'm home, I walk my dog Maggie every single evening. And I'm a member of two different fitness clubs.

         It has occurred to me that this whole working out thing allows me to listen to music, work on songs, pray, and plan. Yup, it's all about me, and this isn't so bad. We all need to have time alone thinking about how we carry on with our lives, don't we? After all, we are only here for a little while, so it is a positive thing to take care of what God gave us. I was talking with my publicist the other day, and he mentioned I should write about this topic. So, if you think it sucks, it's not my fault.

Scott Coner takes a break after walking his dog Maggie (Photo by Cyndi Coner)

         Here is the sad truth: I am 51 years old, and I am probably in the best over-all physical shape I have ever been. I am not really proud of this because it means I have spent the last four decades-plus living stupidly and keeping the "Little Debbie" people afloat. I just happened to realize that I craved sugar, slowed down at every Dairy Queen, and wanted chocolate so bad that the woman at the local drug store began to give me funny looks. So some things had to change.

         I started lifting weights out back in my barn. At the time, I wasn't too comfortable with going to a gym because I had never really done it before as an adult. I began to realize that I needed more support through a better diet, and a better understanding of where I wanted to end up. I read about men my age (what's needed to be in tip-top shape), and slowly I began to understand what it was I wanted to do. I started eating the calories for my target size. I began adding lots of protein to my diet, mixed in some kick-boxing and other cardio, and walked as often as possible. Because I'm such a spaz, I have never been overweight, but I certainly have been out of shape. Now, I'm not telling this story because I have mastered anything. I just wanted to share something pretty personal with you because I thought it might encourage someone in some way.

         Here is the deal: If you spend at least 30 minutes a day doing something healthy, your life gets better. Don't drink too many pops, don't eat out too often -- get that heart rate up -- and things just change. This is not some prison sentence that means you have to get rid of all the comfort food. Instead, this approach allows you to truly enjoy those special moments... when it's just you in your truck driving some back road singing at the top of your lungs (with ice cream all over your head). Now, of course I never do this... I just thought you might.

         These days, I have joined two fitness facilities, and I truly enjoy going. I hoped I could make new friends, but I cry a lot during the cardio, and I think it may scare people off. I eat pretty sensibly, and I don't ever give up. It really is pretty simple if you do it enough that it becomes a habit. I am including a small list of things that work pretty well for me in case anybody is interested.

          1. I buy Brooks shoes. They resemble clown shoes, but they truly support my knees and feet.

          2. Premier Protein shakes are outstanding and can be bought at Sam's Club.

          3. Drink water! Keep it around at all times. I try to get around a gallon down a day. I have met every tree between here and Nashville up close and personal.

          4. Pick up an occasional fitness magazine. Honestly, I haven't found much usable information out there, but it does help keep your mind focused.

          5. Eat some type of protein within 30 minutes of your workout.

          6. Plan your meals when you can.

          7. If you miss the boat one day and accidentally eat three pizzas, no problem. Just get back on track the next day, and don't beat yourself up.

          8. Back off of the carbs. We all need a reasonable amount, but I really like doughnuts (and this is a problem for me).

          9. Keep healthy snacks around at all times. I hate Greek yogurt, but my wife got me these new Greek yogurt "whips", and it has slowed my gag reflex down quite a bit.

          10. Sleep is very important. Your body and your mind need proper rest.

         As a kid, I had two posters in my room. One poster was O.J Simpson, and the other was Bruce Jenner. Looking back now, I realize I just had poor role models.

         I hope this helps somebody. (Next week I plan on discussing my adoration for puppies, so please stay tuned.) 

          To learn more about Scott Coner or to hear his music, visit http://www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, http://www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, or http://www.ScottConer.com.

 

All I Ever Wanted And Then Some!

By Scott Coner

Country/Americana Singer-Songwriter

         I don't really remember not being drawn to music. Honestly, it's all that I have ever wanted. Through the years, I have had many unforeseen blessings come my way, including my wife, my kids, my appreciation for life... But all the time, music has been alive in my heart. The draw of writing a song (the need to play the guitar alone somewhere) has always been part of my makeup.

         I am a middle-age man these days, and I can tell you that nothing has changed in my heart. I find myself turning off the stereo in my truck as I drive down some highway and think about a song or some other part of this business. For those of you that have heard my story in the song "Nashville Song", I don't guess that this news comes as a surprise. But, I am the man that must live with the choices I have made. Through the years, I have walked away from all kinds of business opportunities that would have caged me in somehow, and I have been fortunate in the fact that I came out unscathed. But I will go to my grave knowing the truth to be something I find difficult to live with. 

         Music has been the mistress in my life that I have loved with my entire being, but she has been a self-centered wretch to be honest. She has kept me awake countless nights as I have worried about the business dealings she has brought my way. She has left me frozen in time as I have been given one bad deal after another. She has also given me some of the sweetest moments I have ever known. She has blessed me with so many friends, so many chords, so many words, so many dreams...

         The simple truth is that given another life (another clean slate), I would probably do it all over again. I don't want to be the guy that stands in his barn and drinks beer until its time to stumble up to the house to an annoyed woman. I don't want to be the guy that buys the big sports package for his television and waits for the next car race or football game. That type of life would be like a bullet to my soul. I cannot imagine the musical backdrop of my day being staged by some lame classic rock station as it plays another cut from its 30-album library. No, that existence just couldn't work for me.

         Music offers more dimensions than what the world offers. Music is my therapist. Music has given me courage when I had none. She has given me lyrics to share my feelings and commitment when I simply wanted to run away. Music gave me my wife, my kids, and my whole little world. It's true that through the years I have had a few bloody cuts from Nashville, as well as other parts of the world. But with age comes clarity, and I have realized that all of it has had purpose, and the purpose was to give me strength and appreciation. I will forever be grateful for what I have been given by music, and if anyone ever found me even a little bitter, then they didn't know me at all.

(Scott Coner is available for concert bookings. To learn more about him and hear his music, visit http://www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, http://www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, or http://www.ScottConer.com.)

Labels and Bad Coffee: Slow Down A Little Bit

         It’s odd how we all want to put a label on every type of music there is. We stick our little labels on this and that, but it doesn’t always describe the artist or the band.

         Somebody wrote back to me earlier this week in reference to my Molly Hatchet blog and said today's country is just yesterday’s Southern rock. I appreciate the input, and it kind of got me to thinking. Of course there may be some Duane Allman or  Toy Caldwell peppered into this or that, but today's music is simply music that represents who and where we find ourselves today. The sad truth is, I think we might need a sticker that says, “disposable” or “forgettable”. It’s probably not that the music isn’t good or even great in some instances, but our world has become like that bitter instant coffee you may find in your break area at your place of work. We just move so fast that we forget how to slow down and listen.

         I don’t mean to preach, but yesterday I bought the new Warren Haynes album, “Ashes and Dust”. I had dinner, then went to my studio alone to listen to his newest masterpiece. It was a pretty cool experience as the needle glided through the vinyl taking me to places I hadn’t been yet. Each note was new and fresh, and I just sat there alone very happy and content. It was soothing to just listen for a change with no cell phone, no computer, and no one around. If I had to label Warren Haynes, I would simply give him a “smiley face” sticker because his music just makes me pretty happy.

         I have always hoped more than I can say that people might simply give me 40 minutes of their time and just listen to whatever project I have just recorded and released. I can think of no higher calling than to have my music, my songs, be the backdrop of someone’s dinner, their drive time, or even their thoughtful times. I wonder what type of label sticker I would get. Would they call me country? Southern rock? '70s pop country? I have no idea. I may not even deserve a label.

         But let me tell you something that matters: Slow down a little bit and don’t forget why we’re here in the first place. We don’t have to sip out of styrofoam cups and drink bad coffee. Find something new and interesting that you can be passionate about, and get off of this giant wheel we have become too accustomed to riding. 

         Learn more about country artist Scott Coner and hear his songs at www.ScottConer.com. Follow him at www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic and www.Twitter.com/ScottConer. Subscribe to his video channel at www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer.