Why Worry, Why Wait?

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

Why worry? There should be laughter after pain...

There should be sunshine after rain...

These things have always been the same...

So why worry now?

                                                        -- Dire Straits

            How many times have you silently promised yourself that you would get around to it “one of these days”? Do you have some crystal ball promising you a tomorrow, or are you simply putting off the hard stuff? I spent the first half of my life spending it like pocket change. I had some good times now and then, but I lacked a responsible focus. Instead, I would find a quiet place and dream and promise myself that one day I would finally pursue my own goals and stop wasting my time doing what everyone else expected me to do. Well, by the time I hit my late thirties, I was starting to lose my mind. I felt like the sand in the glass was running out, I was trapped, and it was over for me. The day I finally hit the wall full speed, there were parts of me scattered all around. I was either going to have to make some immediate and very specific changes, or throw myself in a pond holding a rock. There was just not going to be a middle of the road for me.

Scott Coner (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

            There was a lesson there for me, and looking back now, I believe it was worth learning and waiting for, but I definitely waited longer than necessary. I got my own lens into focus. I began to categorize exactly what it was going to take to get a shot at music and take my whole family along for the ride. I want and need for my wife to be with me. She brings with her a massive amount of insight and talent in business and photography. She also calms my spirit. I want both of our daughters to get an insight at the vast amount of possibilities in the business itself, the travel, the people, and the beauty of it all. I wanted both of my parents to be there as well. I want us all to be a part of the journey. I want us to grow together and share memories for the rest of our lives. At the same time of course, I want each of my loved ones to follow their own dreams and develop into who and what they are inclined to be. My wife and I will support our daughters to chase whatever dream God has placed upon their heart. We have actually encouraged them to leave our little town and take the entire world in. There will be no sitting on the ledge waiting to live for anyone in my family as long as I have anything to say about it.

A song about believing... "If The Stars Burn Out"

            The reason I share this part of me with you the reader is this: I want you to follow your heart. I know that you and I aren’t acquainted, but I believe that you may be reading this for a reason. There is something special about you, something that sets you apart from the rest of us. I have met so many truly kind and interesting people through the years, it would be hard to narrow it down to any specific circumstance. But the one commonality these people all shared was that they were all at peace with themselves. They knew who they were, what they wanted, and where they stood.  

            I hope that you will take this day and begin to seek the change required to get on your path. We have all heard about the path with the least resistance. I know for sure that the things we want most in life require a certain amount of fire to harden our steel. The moments when we feel worn out and weak are the very times we are growing stronger and more antiquated with our own desire and direction. Don’t wait so long. Don’t put it off. None of us know what tomorrow brings, and we have to be who we are in the moment. You have a dream. You have a talent. What are you really waiting for? There is no worry in this. Put your faith in yourself and God.  Allow those that love you the opportunity to be with you and share the joys as well as sorrows. Allow them to see you meet your challenges. Let them see you fail along the way because there will most certainly be missteps. But most of all, let them be with you and celebrate with you those moments when the worry stops, the rain subsides, and the sun begins to shine. If you will take these steps, I promise you a feeling of calm you have never felt before. Put your worries aside, and allow yourself to live a more fulfilling existence while you are here on this earth. Don’t you worry! Just go jump in the puddles that the storms leave behind, and smile until your face begins to hurt. 

         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.

The Wall

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

            It’s a "sight on earth" how self-made plans have a way of changing on their own. I arrived in Nashville hoping to be a songwriter. I felt that my songs were different than most. And even though I wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing, I kind of used it as my calling card. One of the first guys I hired turned out to be quite a bit less than what he promised. I made the mistake of judging the book by its cover, and man was that a money and time waster. I, being the hayseed that I am, figured that since his name came to the top of the list if you googled his service, he must be a pretty good choice. He was middle aged, he had extremely nice suits, and he drove some of the finest sports cars I had ever seen. What could go wrong here? Well, to be honest, not much went right, but I finally stepped free of his storytelling and moved on.

            There have been several of those types of people since him -- The kind of people that tell you one thing, but do absolutely nothing but drive to the bank with your money as soon as you leave town. It’s heartbreaking really. It hurts you all over as you begin realizing that you have been ripped off again and again all in the name of music. I think these people may have started as honest as the next guy, but for whatever reason, they begin to realize that it is easier to steal from the innocent than actually do the right thing. I suspect they begin their Darth Vader type of existence because they don’t carry enough clout with the bigger players. So, if they are going to survive in Nashville, it will have to be on the take. 

My song/video "Nashville Song" was inspired by my experiences on Music Row. 

            I was one of the lucky ones. I watched the table pretty closely as the cards were dealt, and put a timer on each play. If the promises made didn’t begin to show some color within my own private allocated time, they were either put on notice or fired on the spot. The sorry truth about this type of approach is you can’t help but become cynical. You begin to question almost everything and everyone. You don’t realize it, but you begin to build a wall. And like the song says, all in all, you're just another brick in the wall.

            Before I found myself completely entombed with my self-constructed wall of sound, I began to seek a different type of clarification. I began considering other avenues, a whole new route to take. The first thing I began doing was wondering if maybe I could actually write and sing my own songs. I started taking a handful at a time into Nashville, and I decided I was going to take off where I quit several years ago. Things kind of started to get a little bit of traction, and a whole new concept was born. However, like about everything else on this planet, I still had more than my share of problems. Once again, my biggest problem was the crooks. They are thick like bluegill in a farm pond. No matter where you throw your line, they either steal the worm, or you land a fish half the size of a biscuit. The obvious decision was to begin using the white-collared criminals as bait. I began dropping their names everywhere I went. And like a miracle, they began to swim back to the safety of the shallow water because they were becoming exposed. Kind of like a cockroach, but the bug actually has a lot more class. 

 Scott Coner visits the Ryman Auditorium (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

            The music kept on coming. Before long, we were truly storming several studios bringing in all kinds of talent. Musicians are kind of like ball players. The best players really like playing and hanging out with each other. So as things began to gel, clarity began to take hold. I moved as quickly as possible, and continue to do so. Instead of trying to make a big splash around Nashville or shopping for a deal, I simply focused on writing, networking and recording whenever possible. My wife, Cynthia, and I worked hard at developing social networks, videos, songs and everything that a label is supposed to do for you. One day, I began taking note of all the songs that had been recorded and written, and I was taken back by the sheer volume. We had recorded years of releases. So instead of slowing down, we are speeding up even more. My plan is to shelf another album this summer, followed by another album in the fall. We will begin traveling everywhere early 2017 and then we might find time to rest. But then again, I wouldn’t mind booking studios around the country and see what that’s like. In the midst of this, I have also been working on a few books. Yes, I know what your thinking. Why does this guy think we want to hear his songs or for that matter read his books? I have no answer for you. I just got a little bit ticked off at the establishment in Nashville and decided to do what I came to do without their help. Like most things I do, it will probably end in a fiery crash, but the noise might be worth listening to. I just didn’t want to be another brick….

         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.

Where Do We Go From Here?

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

         Well, This year is nearly past, and I can't help but think about the following year that's just around the corner. Musically, as far as my career goes, we have covered a lot of ground. I have been inspired and truly touched by so many kind people out there that have talked to me through this "world wide web" contraption. It just feels personal and not so far removed when I can actually see the people that listen to our music and read the blogs and other posts. I never knew how my career would go. I simply jumped on its back and grabbed a hold of its mane as we took off together galloping wildly.

         I am different from so many other writers and singers out there because I put music on the back of the stove until I knew my kids, my wife, and I were ready for the changes that are required in order to attempt something like this. Of course, I have heard all of the advice everyone wants to give freely whether I ask for it or not. They like to remind me about the "odds" of making a dent in this business. I don't listen to them. I do not hear them. And I do not care what they have to say to me. I already know about the odds. I already knew the deck was stacked before I started. But it never was about the chances. It was about what I needed to do. I needed to do this one thing for me as well as for others.

         I have taken into consideration how blessed I am to have a beautiful, healthy, well-rounded family. My parents are both alive and happy and healthy. I can't help but feel like I am asking too much of the Universe to allow me to have a music career. But, I still ask. I still pray. And sometimes I think I might even beg a little bit. I am not complaining, but I didn't ask to be a songwriter, although I am happy beyond measure to be one. It's true. I look in the mirror sometimes and see a man who needs to be adjusted a little bit because he can't see the trees for the forest. He needs help in the fact that he has been blessed beyond his wildest dreams, yet he continues to come back to the trough complaining that his cup isn't as full as it could be. Sometimes I feel a little guilty about that.

Scott Coner (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

          As we plan for the first quarter of next year, my publicist, my wife and I know we are about to swing the bat and aim for the lights in the parking lot. I find myself freaking out a little bit every day wondering if I have a better song in me than what I have already provided. I want everything to be perfect as label representatives consider my songs, my stories, and my life. I wish I could tell them all that my music is different because my values are a little bit different than theirs. But that sounds pretty drastic and full of itself even as I write it here. I want to promote stories from my past. I want to allow people to see into my life and understand that my life is probably very much like their own. I usually don't write about bar scenes or pickup lines. I write about love and loss, marriage, and life and death. I try to share my world with the listener in hopes that he or she can identify with that and maybe make it their own song. It matters to me that we can all be members of this small community of listeners, real-life people with real-life relationships and problems with answers. This is where I want to go from here.

         As we take this music on the road next year, I want to meet as many of these people as possible. I want us to have dinner together. I want to drink coffee and hear their stories. I want to be part of something that lifts "them" up, not me. I want the music to be more theirs than mine. I want us to have a revival of sorts. I want us to celebrate through music as well as laughter. I want the songs themselves to allow for real-life application. I hope that we can all grow a little bit together and build an internal relationship that matters. We have all seen the "dead-heads" and the "parrot heads". We can begin something together that promotes family and purpose, music and art itself, and the realization that our music represents our lives.

         At this current moment, I am open-minded about what the future holds. I am willing to follow the rabbit into the hole. But, what I believe in is people. I believe we still have common ground in the fact that we haven't fallen too far away from where I have always stood. I believe we still like loud guitars and big drums. I believe we still stand for what is right, and we will stand for family and life values. This is where we will go from here. We will go together. Maybe we can call ourselves "Life-ers"....

         For more information about Scott Coner or to hear his music, visit www.ScottConer.com, www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, or www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer. Follow Scott at www.Twitter.com/ScottConer.

The Long and Winding Music Row

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

            I’m in a West End Boulevard hotel in Nashville tonight. I’ve been here countless times, and if I need to be in the city somewhere or over on Music Row, I usually stay on this end of town. I read somewhere that Waylon, Willie and Kris lived right down the road near the Centennial Park that I jog in. I like to think about what those days must have been like with the writing of some of the planet's finest songs, the laughter, the dreams. That must have really been something. But, I can only imagine.

            But here I am tonight. Set up for more meetings, listening to more plans for my music, then finally, laying all of my songs, my book, and my stats out on a large table for everyone to view. “Just turn your head to the right and cough for me Scott. This won’t be too uncomfortable.” I walk into many of the same buildings that artists much greater than me have walked into. We have walked the same streets. We probably came here with something close to the same dream. It’s a painful process to go through as a writer and a singer. It’s painful because we don’t really talk about my songs as much as I want. They want to know where I have been doing shows. I can feel them sizing me up. I can sense them wishing I was better looking. Maybe a little bit younger. “I probably should have worn some cool clothes and maybe a cowboy hat,” I tell myself. But, the last time I tried to wear something like that, I felt like I would hit every wall in every hallway, and I don’t even own a cowboy hat. I can feel myself starting to heat up a little bit with embarrassment as I hear myself stutter and search for meaningful answers to the man’s questions. 

Scott Coner performs (Photo provided by Cynnamae Productions)

            He asks me what my strongest song is. I answer back, “Well, they are all my favorites. It would be like asking me to pick the cutest puppy out of a litter.” Oh God, did I just say that? Am I mental? Am I trying to screw this meeting up? He laughs politely, but I am certain we have both identified me as an idiot. But the meeting takes a different turn. He actually likes my music! He goes on to tell me that he believes he can do something with my music, my “brand” as they call it down here. I’m not certain what else he said from then on because I’m a little bit freaked out. I walk out of the meeting with Chuck, my publicist, my wife, and my dad. I brought my dad because he’s far more intelligent than me. I brought my wife because she is pretty and makes me look not so hayseed, and I brought Chuck to discuss my social media. I only came to discuss puppies apparently, but I was willing to discuss music if we got around to it.

            I’m finally in the safety of my pickup. I roll down the streets of Music Row with a little bit of wind in my sails for the first time in quite a while. I am so thankful to this gentleman that mere words can’t cover it. He was so impressive yet humble at the same time. I’m apprehensive, but I have a feeling that finally things might go my way for once. I have wanted to give up so many times. I don’t play poker, but I have felt like a gambler saying, “deal me in,” one too many times. Maybe some version of my dreams may be coming true. I just keep driving and try not to think about it. The sky is an uncanny blue for this time of year, but there’s a storm off to the west. I can hear Waylon singing in my mind, “I don’t think Hank done it this way.”

            Life sure has a lot of sharp edges in it, but I can tell you that I wouldn’t change mine even if I could. I’m not at all sure what the future holds, and that is just fine. I’m certain I will have many more opportunities to go to meetings and say something stupid. I’m just glad I tricked 'em into letting me get this far.

            I've recorded a song and music video about my Music Row experiences called "Nashville Song". Check it out at https://youtu.be/X1CIy5T7Trc.

            Scott Coner is a country/Americana/Southern rock singer-songwriter who has worked in the studio with legendary artists such as Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown and Charlie Daniels. Learn more about and and/or listen to his music at http://www.YouTube.com/user/ScottConer, http://www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, or http://www.ScottConer.com. Follow him at http://www.Twitter.com/ScottConerMusic.

Awareness of Snakes: More Advice for Fellow Singer-Songwriters

By Scott Coner
Country Artist

(Note from Scott: I recently released the new video "Nashville Song" to share the highs and lows of trying to make it in the music industry.)

            When I was a little boy, I used to walk the fence line with my grandpa. I had my small, steel pail with some staples and a hammer. I felt pretty important tightening the fence with him. We didn't always have a post where we needed one, so sometimes we would just grab the nearest tree. It probably wasn't like the fancy fences you might find around Lexington, Ky., but I was always proud of our work. Grandpa warned me often about walking over old tree stumps and logs carelessly. "Boy, walk around those old logs or your liable to find a copperhead," he would say.

            I have been told all my life that if you're out in the woods and smell cucumbers, you might be standing close to a copperhead snake. Those words proved true one night when a smiling music industry executive ordered extra cucumbers on his dinner salad while discussing my musical future. I should have heeded Grandpa's advice after I paid the check.

            The worst I ever came across was a black snake back in my boyhood days. I accidentally found the copperheads years later. I can only blame myself I suppose, and harboring resentment and anger only wastes my time. I have always been a hard worker and have been dedicated to whatever I put my mind to, so I assumed foolishly that everyone else was like-minded. Heck, it only made sense that people that were blessed enough to actually make a nice living in the music business would be dedicated to their craft. I am such a hayseed.

A picture my grandfather (Grandpa Coner) hoeing a field on his Kentucky farm.

            So, here is part of a hard lesson that I have learned: If you are talking to some big-time Nashville mover and shaker, be aware. They will talk in circles, usually being non-committal. I think the commonality of all of these people is that they haven't actually accomplished anything noteworthy in their entire career. They may have some gold albums hanging around their offices or even some gold cassettes, but they weren't actually involved with the project itself. They also have a fetish for nice foreign cars that they drive around town using other peoples' money. In the end, they accomplish nothing for the artist, and it may even offend them if you ask what they have been doing.

            I have had the pleasure of dealing with several of these reptiles in Nashville, one in Europe, and a few in other states. They all slither away in their BMW or Mercedes (possibly with a purple "Co-Exist" bumper sticker) as they begin to detect that they are about to be exposed, and head for the shadows. My "redneck" response would be to beat them until they can't stand up, but apparently this is frowned upon in the musical community. So, in the end, I find a way to turn the other cheek and try to get back on a reasonable path.

            I believe it is important to learn from life’s lessons, but I think it is just as important to appreciate the people that have been good and kind along the way. Throughout my “journey”, I have met countless people that have truly made all of this worth it. I have met great players, talented writers, as well as some talented engineers and producers, and one very cool publicist (my current one!). It is always good to talk with like-minded people, because if you aren’t in Nashville, people just won’t understand your passion for the industry and the music.

            As Christians, we are told to pray for discernment. We are also told to be honest and forgiving. I am honest, and I am forgiving. But, I must not be living right because this whole discernment thing seems to be completely unplugged when it comes to me. I'll just keep forging ahead though, because I love music more than I hate the business of music.

            My advice? If you smell cucumbers, either run or get a sharp shovel. And if they have one of those purple bumper stickers... Well, I'll just keep that to myself. 

(To learn more about hit country artist Scott Coner, visit www.ScottConer.com.) 

Scott Coner: 'I Count Myself Incredibly Blessed to be a Songwriter'

By Scott Coner

Singer, Songwriter and Author

            When do you need to throw in the towel if you're involved in the music business?

            The better question is, "Why would you throw in the towel if you love what you are doing?"

            Like countless other songwriters, I have spent far too much time asking myself if I can make it one more step. But the truth is, if you are a writer or musician, you already know the answer to the question. The writer has a different perspective of the world that he or she lives in. It may be words thrown around a coffee shop, it may be a movie or a book, might even be a sunset. But the world will give you something to write about.

            I count myself so incredibly blessed to be a songwriter. The way I see it, we are given the chance to actually speak and be heard. Our words might promote healing in someone's heart. They might push someone a little farther in love. We might even be helping people get a little closer to God. Just ask yourself what you would rather be doing than chasing songs down? Personally, I can't think of anything. But this may be because I don't play golf.

            I was recently given a chance to play at a songwriters night in Nashville called "Tunesmithing". I sat there waiting my turn, scared to death at first. I had arrived earlier that afternoon and my guitar was like an oven from sitting in the truck all afternoon. I tuned it down a little bit, so I didn't break any strings and took my turn. The fear left quickly as I began to realize I was amongst friends and loving people. I can only relate it to the feeling you may get when you are in church and you stand up to testify about what God is doing in your life. It just felt good.

Scott Coner Performs at "Tunesmithing"

            That evening, I sat in the back of the room watching and listening as these people played some of their songs. Now I have daughters at home, so I watch more than my share of the Hallmark Channel, but more than once I had to stop myself from tearing up. As each artist played their songs, it just felt so comfortable and personal, and real. I felt incredibly indebted to each of them for allowing me to be part of something so nice and pure.

            Maybe we get a little bit too caught up in trying to accomplish certain things within the industry itself and temporarily lose sight of what is golden. I know I sometimes do, and it bothers me that I would allow something like that to happen. I sometimes forget why I wrote the songs in the first place. The truth is that I simply enjoy the atmosphere that music provides. I love the people that I have met, I love the excitement music brings, I love Nashville, and I love being able to write, record, and share my songs with people.

            Some people take photos, some people make scrapbooks, some people write diaries and books. Me? I write songs. When I am dead and gone, I hope my grandchildren will take a ride in their rocket, and as they cruise the same country roads that I drove so many years before, they will remember me and what I loved and stood for. This matters to me, and I will never quit writing and playing as long as the good Lord allows me to.

           

            (To listen to Scott's songs and watch his videos, visit www.ScottConer.com or www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic.)

Scot gives a rousing performance at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville

Country Artist Scott Coner Releases 'Nashville Song'

           

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 2015) – Hit country artist Scott Coner has released "Nashville Song", a new single and accompanying video that express the highs and lows of working in Nashville's country music industry.

            When it comes to music success, Scott has accomplished much more than the average singer-songwriter. He has recorded songs with country legends such as Charlie Daniels and T. Graham Brown -- even landing a number one hit in Britain with the Tanya Tucker duet, "Maybe She Lied". But the Indiana artist has also faced a number of disappointments, especially on the business side of the industry. His experiences (good and bad) are reflected in the heartfelt, soulful country ballad "Nashville Song".

            "I wrote 'Nashville Song' about my feelings and opinions of the music business," said Scott, who recently taped a concert in Nashville for future airing on You Tube. "In truth, the business side has been hurtful at nearly all levels. But as I have continued on, I have reminded myself that I write and play because I love doing it. I have been truly blessed to work with some great musicians. To me, the song is not about being defeated. Instead, the song is about standing strong and doing things my own way."

            To download the "Nashville Song" song and video, visit the artist's website at www.ScottConer.com, his Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ScottConerMusic, or YouTube at https://youtu.be/X1CIy5T7Trc.

            "Nashville Song", which was recorded at Nashville's Java Jive, was arranged and produced by Scott and engineer Logan Schlegal. The recording features Scott on vocals and acoustic guitar. Members of the Matthew West Band accompany him on background vocals, electric guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion.

            Scott added that the "Nashville Song" lyric is reminiscent of Alabama's "My Home's in Alabama" in the specific way the story unfolds. His wife, Cyndi, helped bring the video to life with scenes from the artist's recording session, as well as popular downtown and Music Row hangouts such as the Ryman Auditorium, Tootsie's, Hard Rock Cafe, Sony Music, Curb, and RCA Studio B. Cyndi, who oversees the Coner family's Cynnamae Media Productions, said she wanted to take viewers on a "field trip" that showed the places where Scott has experienced musical highs and lows.

 
            "The lyrics are pretty specific as far as my working with T. Graham Brown and Tanya Tucker is concerned," Scott noted. "But the chorus delivers the other side of the story. I have been in many offices around town and foolishly, I have put my trust in people who were undeserving."

            Scott's lyric gives listeners a realistic look inside the Nashville music industry. Like many singer-songwriters before him, he drove into town with a batch of original songs and a wishful heart. He later heard a lot of false promises, even outright lies from some of the professionals on Music Row. That reality is expressed loud and clear in the chorus with the line,  "If you're gonna sleep with snakes man, you better be tough."

            But any resulting hard feelings were temporary. Eventually, Scott realized that happiness and success could be found in the music itself. He sings with assurance, "Well I just kept plowing ground... I had my song and I had my sound... Nobody's gonna tell me what to do... It seems to me that if you have a plan... You stay on course and you take your stand... Every man finally gets his chance...."

            The artist hopes his fans will understand that sometimes artists need to channel their hurt, as well as their happiness, through their songs and other works of art. He has no intention of ever quitting the music business or allowing himself to become bitter. Songwriting is just as fulfilling to him now as it was when he was 15 years old.

            "As an artist, you find yourself simply wanting to concentrate on the music itself," Scott continued. "I have faith that if you believe in what you are doing, and continue down your own path, the right people will show up. I believe this because it has finally started to take place."

            A self-proclaimed family man, Scott Coner lives with his wife and two daughters on rural farmland near Franklin, Ind. He has recorded songs with a who's who of country legends including Tanya Tucker, T. Graham Brown, and Charlie Daniels. Scott's single "Maybe She Lied", a duet with Tucker on Reedy's Dream Records, hit number one on the United Kingdom's Hot Disk Top 40. Other songs, including "Sanibel" (a duet with Brown) and "Reedy's Dream" (with vocal and instrumental contributions from Daniels) have been heard on terrestrial and online radio stations around the world. Also an emerging author, Scott recently penned the book "Lynyrd Skynyrd: Ronnie Van Zant and Me" with Gene Odom, a survivor of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash.

            To learn more about Scott Coner or to download his songs and videos, visit www.ScottConer.com.

Scott Coner: Pursuing Music in Nashville Has Not Always Been Easy

By Scott Coner

           I suppose we all have a passion for something, and I would be lying to you if I said I haven't wished for a different one than music. It hasn't been the music itself that has caused the pain and disappointment. It has been the business side. In my world, Nashville has been the primary area I have worked out of. I have been in countless offices, far too many dinners and luncheons, and heard way too many false promises and lies to believe anything at this point.

          It's a shame to me that music is shadowed by such activity, but what doesn't have its dark side when there is money involved? I have made up my mind though, that I am happy in whatever music allows me to have. Writing and playing music for me, like so many others, gives me joy and feeds my soul in a pretty special way. Those days when a new song is written by my hand is still as fulfilling today as it was at 15 years old, and I have no no plans in quitting or allowing myself to become bitter.

          I have a new song and video being released this week called "Nashville Song". I was a little hesitant to allow anyone to hear it at first because it comes off a little self-centered, and I didn't mean for that to happen at all. I hope people will understand that sometimes we all need to channel our hurt as well as happiness in one way or another. I am a little older and hopefully wiser these days. I don't spend a lot of my time trying to write for whatever sound Nashville is looking for. I just write for me. Earlier today, I drove home from our family farm in Nancy, Ky. I walked around there and drank some coffee, thought about things a little bit. The fact is, I am what I am, and I will never change in order to fit anyone else's mold.

          I have been asked, and I am sure you have, too, "What 'brand' of music are you?" I don't know much about brands. What i know is that I grew up in a household committed to some very cool music, and we never called it anything but country. 

          (To learn more about country artist Scott Coner or to hear his music, visit www.ScottConer.com.)

T. Graham Brown and the Nudes Sunbathing in Sanibel Pines

By Scott Coner

            I wrote my song "Sanibel" sitting at my kitchen table one night alone with a cup of coffee. My family has been there many times together, and I suppose I was just thinking about the beach that evening. Oddly enough, I wrote the bridge to the song at an old movie house while watching "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken". (I know that's weird...)

            I arrived in Nashville with a really cool rhythm groove. We sort of built on it at the studio and hoped we could get a solid sounding, dimensional mix. Having T. Graham Brown work on the song was unbelievable for me. He and his wife are such kind and gentle people. When he belted out his parts, it gave me chills. I'm telling you, that as a writer, there is nothing like having a country music legend sing your words. It just doesn't get any better.

            T. Graham Brown is just a fun-loving, gentle man. We worked hard while in the studio. I remember feeling a little sorry for him though when he asked me where Sanibel was. He didn't get the reference to the Australian pines at first. I told him the backstory about the pines.

            My oldest daughter Emily was still in diapers when I took her for a walk down the beach at Sanibel. I saw some pines down the beach about half a mile away. I thought they would be great taking pictures of my beautiful baby daughter. So, I walked the beach holding her little hand, constantly looking down to be certain she wouldn't hurt her little feet on a sharp shell or jellyfish, etc. We arrived at the fallen pines, and I climbed over them with her. I looked around stunned trying to figure out exactly what was out of place. I realized I had accidentally walked into a nude bathing area. At that precise moment, an older man and woman came up to me asking a question about something. I only remember staring at the man's hat... good times.

            Anyway, back to Mr. Brown. I told him that I thought some of his work had been perfect. He had incorporated a Memphis feel into some of his music, and I have always felt his vocal delivery was awesome.

            I remember my mom and dad went to see him years ago, and my dad talked about how cool T. Graham Brown was.  

            You can download my "Sanibel" video at https://youtu.be/OK_fIxfmycY. 

           (To learn more about country artist Scott Coner or to download his music and videos, visit www.ScottConer.com.)