Our Finest Moments

                                                                          By Scott Coner

                                          Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer, and Author

     The moments that come unannounced are usually the ones that we remember for the rest of our lives. We all remember where we are on 9/11. We remember the day we met that special someone. We may remember hearing grandma downstairs moving around in the kitchen as she made breakfast. You remember your first kiss. These special memories are what make life pretty special. I would hate to think that I could ever fall so low as to question my own existence. All of our lives matter. All of our memories are locked away for a reason.

      Too may of the friends I have had all of my life seem to have fallen into the trap of “existing” rather than “living”. I don’t know what causes this bitterness. But my theory is they have become hardened because life has dealt a few pretty hard blows. I know life can be tough. Believe me, I have had plenty of dark days in the full sun myself. But, it doesn’t make sense to re-live the bad any more than it does to live in your best day from twenty years back. The past is the past. I relish the good memories but I don’t dwell on my mistakes. 

     I sat with my daughter the other day as we watched an old Charles Shultz cartoon about Easter. I enjoy the purity of those times. As I sat there feeling ten years old I wondered if any of my friends ever take time to watch Snoopy. Make no mistake. I am a man, a husband and a father. I’m not trying to be a kid. But I do like sharing parts of my childhood with my kids. I still like some of the old television shows, the music, even the clothes from my old world. I still like flying kites but don’t tell anybody.

     Age is just a number. We put too much emphasis on time and mirrors I think. We shouldn’t get caught up in the age thing. Instead, we need to lose ourselves in doing what we enjoy. We need to be around the ones we love. There are so many things I do today that I have done most of my life. I take walks down along the same creek I have been around my whole life. I notice tree’s that have always been around. I walk nearly every night with my dogs in the middle of nowhere.  I still listen to music about as loud as it will go. I’m probably half deaf, but I have no plans of changing anything at all. I am older now, but I am still young on the inside. I am hopefully wiser now, but I like to act foolishly whenever possible.

     I don’t think a lot about getting older. I try to take care of myself. I work out a lot. I eat good food and get lots of rest. But, when I run into old friends I sometimes feel awkward. Not because I’m not glad to see them. I just don’t always know where I stand with people I suppose. I feel great. I enjoy almost everything. But, I don’t like being around negative people. I think being negative is nothing more than a mind set. We don’t have to be down in the dumps. God gave us life. It is up to us to live it to it’s fullest. If something or someone doesn’t align with my world then I try to avoid whatever it is. These minutes that you and I have been given are ours to live as we see fit. We don’t have to be bummed out all of the time. We can make a better choice. We can improve ourselves, and our situation. But it all comes down to us.

     Our finest moments are the ones we pursue.  If we allow ourselves to fall into the day like a young colt, then we will have a pretty good day. Like I said, I am bit older now. But I believe I feel good because I have forgiven those that have wronged me. I have tried to be the best version of myself. I love the ones in my small circle about as much as they could ever be loved. I make it my job to laugh and joke as much as possible. I am nobody special. I haven’t accomplished all that much as far as the world is concerned. But I live well. I grab every minute of every day by the throat. Not because I wish to defeat it. But, because I want to hold it close as possible and never let go. When my spirit leaves this world, I hope people will notice and care that I am gone. I hope they can know for sure that I went to heaven. And, that while I was alive I truly did my best to seize every minute and every occasion.     

                            

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Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at his music page. 

Sound Possibilities

                                                                                By Scott Coner

                                             Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer, and Author  

     I met Kenny about six months ago. Steve Dean, Carol Chase and I had just finished co-writing a song together, and we felt good enough about the piece to get it recorded. I had been working around Nashville in three different studios, but I had been looking for a place that put more emphasis on vocals. The next thing I knew I found myself in Kenny Royster’s studio and I immediately realized that this guy had a special talent that I needed to add to my music.

     Kenny is originally from Portland, Oregon. He also attended college in Oregon as well but soon afterward moved out to L.A. While he was out there, he began playing lead guitar and singing lead vocals in a pretty solid rock band that worked steady six days a week in California, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon. It was during this season that he began to record his band with whatever equipment he could get his hands on. He eventually built a home studio and continually upgraded his gear as time and money allowed. He had a natural talent that allowed him to work with an established producer that had worked in the band, “Sugar Loaf” (Green Eyed Lady) earlier in the 70’s rock world. Kenny told me that he used himself as a guinea pig as he developed his approach to recording. It was also during this time that he won a songwriting contest in Sacramento and more people began to hear about him. His small home studio was flourishing, but the idea of moving to Nashville had started to make sense.

Kenny Royster

     Upon arriving in Nashville, Kenny met a drummer that was already hooked up with several capable studio players around town. Kenny set his studio up in a modest area and started working primarily in doing sessions for song demos. (A song demo is usually provided by the songwriter for an artist or a publisher to consider) Kenny told me that he began setting the studio up in blocks of time. He and his players would cut demos all day long and then he would begin doing a follow up on the vocals and the mixes that evening. They stayed busy because they were doing excellent work at very affordable prices.     

     Rene’ Grant Williams, the well -known vocal coach, began bringing her students to Kenny’s studio. This gave her students a great experience, and it gave Kenny a personal insight on better understanding the dynamics of helping singers working in the studio. The band “Lonestar” and Trace Adkins were just a few of the artists’ that showed up with Mrs. Williams. Upper tier songwriters began bringing their material to Kenny as well. Songwriters like, Buddy Jewell, Paul Overstreet, Dickey Lee, Craig Campbell, and Don Goodman started showing up with potential hit songs. The accumulative hours have flown by. I believe it is safe to say that Kenny Royster is a journeyman in his field of business. He has done great work for many artists including myself. I have seen first hand what he can accomplish, and it’s pretty fascinating to watch. Because of his attention to details, I have actually gone into his studio and re-recorded two of my songs. He understands the dynamics that I am pursuing. He listens to what I have to say and then he offers outstanding advice.

     At the time of this blog, Kenny is working away in his studio. He also currently has a number one song he co-wrote and recorded for a band called, “The Long and Short of It” in Australia. Three months prior he also had the #4 song in Australia with the same duo. He has been working in early development with an upcoming Sony artist named, Luke Combs. It is safe to say that Kenny will be around Nashville for a long time to come. I have worked with several different producers as well as engineers all around Nashville, and I can confidently say Kenny is light years ahead of them. Because he is a singer himself, he understands vocals and how to best record them. He has played guitar in a band. He has felt that special “live” sound we all chase while working in a studio. He has taken the art of recording music to a much higher level, and I am truly honored to call him a friend. He’s one those people behind the scenes that have developed music into something that takes your breath away. That is very cool.  

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Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at his music page.         

I Wouldn't Change Much Even If I Could

      By Scott Coner

                                                                            Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer, and Author  

     I couldn’t have met my wife at a worse time. But I did, and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. I fell all over myself for her and I was pretty sure if I didn’t have her by my side for the rest of my life, I didn’t care to go on. I was in the process of a divorce. She was in the same process. Man, it was just awful. I think everybody that knew us at the time had nothing encouraging to say about our state of affairs. It was embarrassing and I know it looked sketchy at best. The thing is, you don’t get to choose when or how certain things happen. You respond the best way possible and hope for the best. I remember pretty well the day I sat in a truck talking to Cyndi about how I saw things. I told her how much she meant to me. I tried to understand what she was going through. And we both were fully aware that everybody on our little world were staying up late talking badly about us. We both cared about what people thought. We didn’t want to disappoint anybody. But, like I’ve said, I was head over heals and there was no turning back. 

                                                                                                

                                    

     If there have been any issues in our marriage after all of these years, I assure you it has been my fault. If there has been anyone that has brought a level of integrity and beauty into my life, I can also assure you it was because of her. She taught me how to relax. She gave me children. She made our home look like something out of a magazine. And every time I look at her she still takes my breath away. So, after all the dust settled, I came out the winner by a very long margin. I didn’t deserve her. Yes, I’m aware. But, somehow, I got everything I could have ever imagined.      

     As she and I get older together, we talk about this next stage in life that is about to come upon us. Our daughters are grown and it won’t be long until it’s just going to be us. We will be “empty nesters” as they say. It scares us both a little. And we both talk about how quickly time seems to slide by without being noticed. If I could wish for one thing, I would wish for more time with her and the girls. It’s heartbreaking to realize in the not too distant future my life will be nearly over and I just don’t want to go. I’m not scared of dying, but I’m terrified of being without them.

               

     

     There have been moments I have been a total jerk. Those are the times and the memories that I hate the most. It’s true that you can’t take back things you do and say. I just wish it were possible because I would never do anything on purpose to hurt her or my family. As I get older, I begin to better understand that my life has been blessed from the start. I have had opportunities that others would have loved to have. I have walked away from more than most even dream of. And somehow, I still landed right side up. I don’t know how that happened, so I can’t explain it. I do know without any doubt at all that at this moment, I am very, very happy to have my life. I love how things have turned out and I don’t have regrets. I wouldn’t dare complain too much because I think it would fall on deaf ears anyway.

     

     I don’t have any real wisdom to pass along after living all of this life. I always tell young guys to wear good shoes because their knees will thank them later. I also tell anyone that will listen that they should eat well and not poison themselves with fast food. Other than that, make sure you get a woman like mine. If you can do that, you will want to be home every chance you get. You will walk around with a smile while everyone else wants to complain. And when you get older, you’ll be like me. You’ll want to live on forever because you are certain you have heaven right here on earth. You will lay in the dark of the night with a huge smile as you hold in your arms one of God’s greatest treasures. You will realize that you have everything worth having. While others stand in line to buy a lottery ticket, you can know you won a long time ago and you have no room or desire for anything more. 

                                                        Life is very cool.     

                                   

                                                                                          Keep in touch!

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Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at his music page. 

Shot Clocks and Destiny

By Scott Coner

Nashville Recording Artist, Songwriter, Performer and Author

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      Have you ever found yourself hoping for something so long that you don’t know how to react when the chance finally comes? Consider that particular relationship you have spent countless nights wishing and praying for. What about the time they gave you the basketball with three seconds on the shot clock and the game depended on you? I’m sure you have your own story. And if you don’t, you’d probably better get busy living because these are the moments that define you.

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     Years ago, twenty- two years ago to be exact, the snow was falling on a gray Saturday afternoon. My wife hadn’t consented to marry me just yet, and I had to do some pretty quick talking before my opportunity passed. You might say the three- second clock had been turned on and somebody accidentally gave me the ball. I pulled in to an empty Napa car parts store parking lot in Brown County, Indiana and poured my soul empty. I had to cover quite a bit of ground pretty fast because she would be headed back to Nashville, Tennessee the next morning. The thing was, I knew we could have a good life together, but she probably wasn’t all that convinced. And it is probably important to point out that most of the breathing male species would be willing to do about anything to have a chance at her. I remember explaining in detail every aspect of my feelings. I also remember seeing the clouds of doubt in her eyes. But, this was my chance. It was my opportunity to shoot the ball in the midst of some pretty heavy defense. Long story short, somehow, the ball went through the hoop and as I write this blog, our daughters are in the kitchen laughing with their mother as she cuts up a watermelon. Times are very good these days.

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​​(Scott Coner and his wife Cyndi)

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     More recently, I have been given the chance to finally begin playing music for a career rather than just a hobby. This is the answer to all of my dreams. But, for me to actually go on the road, I need to buckle down and put a show together. You see, for so long now, I have simply been a writer. I come up with songs, and I record them. I have become entrenched in the process of constantly moving ahead as a writer, but the truth is, I don’t remember how to play the songs I wrote well because I have always been in the process of writing instead of practicing. To top that off, I need to learn quite a bit of other material to go along with my own plethora of life stories. Honestly, rather than writing this blog, I should be out in my studio working on songs, but here I sit pecking away.

    

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     I am certain your version of unforeseen opportunity is just as terrifying as mine. Sometimes I think we are all just a bunch of clueless humans wishing and praying but somehow not expecting anything to come from it. You know, if we believe in God, and we believe in His promises, why do we not expect at least some version of answered prayer? I consider myself blessed beyond belief to have what I have. I am happy and complete in every possible way. This whole music thing is too good to get my head around sometimes, but I will truly try my best. I don’t want to let this get by me; that’s for sure. 

​     I hope all of your own wishes and prayers have come your way. If they haven’t, I hope you know that they are in the pipeline coming right at you. We are so fortunate to live here in this country. One of the truly outstanding qualities of our part of the world is that we have room for hope. We can dream. We can accomplish. And when we pray, we can expect results. Don’t ever allow yourself to lose sight of who you truly are and what you offer. Your life is important. Your thoughts are important. And your time here on this earth deserves to be well spent. Don’t ever step back and allow your dreams to diminish. The shot clock will be ticking soon, and you will find yourself holding the ball.

                         Lean back like Larry Bird and take that shot! ​

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Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at his music page. 

Come Together... Right Now

By Scott Coner

Country Singer-Songwriter

            I think maybe the Nashville machine is about to change its direction in the same way I believe Washington politics is about to change. I hadn’t ever considered it before, but I have noticed that during the last seven years or so, our country has trended towards a more liberal direction in everything from advertising to music, and from rainbow flags to television. It isn’t my job to say whether or not I think this is a good or bad thing, so know that I am not in any way condoning or condemning anything. I am simply pointing out something I thought seemed kind of obvious.

            Our country seems to operate like a pendulum. It swings back and forth. Sometimes, it goes a little farther to the right than normal. Then, it’s liable to swing to the left even farther as it moderates itself out. I think if you could look at our country like a pie, we would probably be split pretty close down the middle at how we look at things.

            Music, as far as I’m concerned, is like a mirror of society. It moves along with what it perceives to be the approach that society is handling itself. A few years back, the big thing around Nashville was Florida-Georgia Line. Those guys were working with some guy named “Nelly”, and to be honest, I didn’t know who he was and still don’t. But I downloaded the song and thought it was pretty cool. Taylor Swift seemed to turn the town on its ear, and the next thing you know she was on the cover of nearly every magazine you saw. There were and still are a handful of other artists and groups just like these, but they all have one commonality. They are not even close to “traditional” country music. As a matter of fact, I don’t see how you can even compare it in the same vein as country. But once again, I am not saying this is a bad thing at all. I think it is a great thing for music to branch out and allow the tree to develop. After all, rock 'n' roll came from the blues, right? And rap came from people that couldn’t sing….

Scott Coner with Tanya Tucker... "Maybe She Lied"

            I remember being in high school when the whole “Urban Cowboy” thing took over. I used to laugh at all of the ridiculous looking hats and boots the men wore. (They thought they looked so cool, it used to kill me.) As the market saturated itself with this greasy moment in time, low and behold, Ricky Skaggs and Randy Travis showed up to cleanse our souls with honest-to-God country music and bluegrass. Garth Brooks took the nineties by storm and took music to the left again, but there were artists out there like Reba and Alan Jackson on the other end of the line playing tug-of-war with the market.

            Do you remember how radio responded when those girls from Texas called the “Dixie Chicks” slammed George Bush? I believe the pendulum was to the right at the time, and so was their music. In the end, maybe Natalie should have just sung about the wide-open spaces. Oddly enough, as I sit in this Waffle House writing this blog, there are four older gentlemen slamming the current president like it’s their job. Different place and a different time I suppose.

            It is true that as a country we are about to veer way to the right after seven years of liberal agendas. I believe that as we run like rats on a sinking ship towards something less confusing than big government, we will begin to see traditional country music show her pretty face once again. I don’t think most of us want to give up our gun rights. I still think a lot of us want a Christian center. And I know for a fact that we need a little more country and a lot less rap, a lot more wholesomeness and a lot less crap. See there? I just started a country song….

            Before I go, I just wanted you to know that I am not trying to change your way of thinking. I have no agenda to push. This is just what I see from where I stand. I think that we all come together every now and again on certain things that are important, but I also think it is good and healthy for us as a country to bring all of the ideas and put them on the table. I love to read about trends in our culture through the years, and we are trending like a dog with a bad limp right now. I have said it before, so let me say again that country music is like a self-cleaning oven. It gets a little bit grimy, but when you wake up in the morning, it will be clean again. Just like our country. Well, I need to sign off now. I’m gonna go buy a gun and a cowboy hat.  

         Scott Coner is a country singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. You can learn more about him and hear his music at www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, and www.ScottConer.com. Follow Scott at www.Twitter.com/ScottConer.