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.

All from the Memory of a Song

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

         Hardly a waking hour goes by when music doesn’t cross my mind. It is entwined in nearly everything I do and everything I am. It has been there as I have worked through the years. It has been there during painful moments, as well as happy ones. And it has been there to simply color the days I have lived in.

         So, it has always struck me as a little bit odd when I talk with someone who doesn't pay attention to the music playing around them. Instead, their world centers on something else. They may be into NASCAR, or football, or golf, or whatever. I have been to gatherings with other parents. We might be sitting on a porch or near a pool, and I try to find something that we might have in common. As I listen to them talking, I find myself beginning to drift off as they talk about their latest conquest on a golf course somewhere. I do my best to stay engaged, but I’d be lying if I said I don’t hear white noise. 

Scott Coner (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

         I don’t mean to sound judgmental. It’s just the difference in people. In truth, I probably should have bought some khakis and learned how to play golf, living vicariously through some overpriced pro football team. But that's not my thing. I would never want to waste a beautiful Sunday afternoon sitting inside somewhere watching a ball game when I could instead be outside in the sun or the shade laughing, reading, or relaxing. When I do, there will be a melody playing in the background somewhere close.

         I suppose I allowed music to attach itself to me because it was something I could enjoy alone or with others. It gives me something to appreciate. It allows me the opportunity to think, to write, to listen, and to remember. In truth, the classic music is like some kind of memory card I can bring out to think about moments that have long since past. I remember dancing with our oldest daughter when she was just a little bitty girl in our living room. She would put her little sock feet on top of mine and hold me so tight as we danced to “Rocket Man”. I also remember our youngest little girl sitting in her car seat mimicking “beat” noises to a Ben Harper song before she could even talk. Those songs, those memories are tucked away in my mind and my heart. I hope to always have them to re-live as the years go past me. 

         This seems odd to say, but I have written songs of my own that have memories attached to them. When I first met my wife, she was working at a label in Brentwood, Tennessee. She and I took a drive on our first evening together just outside of Nashville and listened to an album I had just completed. In doing this, the entire album took on a new and magical meaning to me. I remember being excited and a little bit nervous for her to hear the project. It was my second album, but this time it was my sound instead of some producer calling the shots. In a way, it was a deeply personal moment she and I were able to share very early on in our relationship. I remember driving away from her that night and feeling like I could fly. Those feelings are still in between all of the grooves of those old songs for me. Even today, when I hear “Taylorsville Angel”, I still think of that night. I think of her beauty and her sweetness.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO SCOTT CONER'S SONG, 

TAYLORSVILLE ANGEL

 

         So, I suppose even though music is what I do, it’s also what holds my world together. It has been the backdrop of so much in my life there is no way I can cover it all. Some people remember what they were wearing on a certain important day. I will surely remember what song was being played. I’ll remember the joy or the sadness. I’ll remember the feeling of falling in love with my wife or how much I love my daughters. And I can do it all from the memory of a song. 

         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.

Music Has Been My Golden Ticket

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

         I’ve been thinking about the journey so far a little bit lately. I sometimes find myself wanting to talk to someone about it, but there really isn’t anyone to talk to. The fact is, I can’t hardly believe what a cool trip it has been so far. I have written and recorded lots of songs, and the songs thankfully, keep coming.  I never dreamed how things would eventually turn out. I had walked away from the business a long time ago in order to raise my daughters, and somehow, the doors in Nashville allowed me back in.

          I would be lying if I told you it has been nothing but newly paved highway since I came back to the music business. There have been more than a few characters that truly needed a physical adjustment in order to overcome their evil ways. But those types of people are in about every circle I guess. They allow us to stay sharp and challenge us to find greener pasture without that type of static in our lives.

          I have stayed true to my own writing style, although I have written with a few other writers in Nashville who have opened my eyes in certain ways. But the truth is, most of my songs come from my own life one way or another. I don’t know if that’s a good or a bad thing, but that is the way it is. I walk around our farm, I drive the old country roads where I live, and I think about my life as I write. Sometimes, those songs come out in a discombobulated fashion that’s for sure. But they are from me, and that’s about the best I can do. 

(Scott Coner's "Nashville Song" offers insights into

the rough and tumble of Nashville's music industry.)

         Sometimes, not often, but sometimes I have wished I had been born different. It truly can be a little bit embarrassing when I admit what I do in music to certain people. I can see in their eyes the amusement as they ask themselves why I would possibly think anyone would want to hear me play or sing. They all respond the same way with a hateful-type smile, and they’ll begin to tell me about some drunken uncle they have that fancied himself a songwriter. I try to be respectful and allow them their little barb. Another fact is, most people from where I’m from don’t even know about my music. I don’t play the bars or clubs around where I live, because those people only want to hear cover songs all night. That would kill me pretty quickly to be honest.

         Those closest in my family, including my wife, daughters, and parents, are very supportive. But once you get out of that tight-knit circle, it may be fifty-fifty if some of my own flesh and blood doesn’t sit around hoping that I fail in one way or another. I think many of those people that I grew up around would be quite a bit happier if I would just shut up and drink the Kool–Aid like they did. Give up on my goals and grab a 12-pack on the way home from work like they do. They will be waiting a long while though, because I won’t quit until I have to be buried on a hill down the road from where I grew up. The fact is simple but missed by most. They only have a limited capacity when it comes to music. You are either a star like Tim McGraw, or you are a complete failure. That’s where they get it all wrong. The journey is part of the joy. The people, the ones who truly care about the songs. What about that part? Does this not matter to anyone but me?

         It is true that I have been blessed beyond my own imagination when it came to working alongside Tanya, or T. Graham, or even Charlie Daniels. But those weren’t the best parts for me. The evenings that I have spent walking the streets of Nashville getting ready for another recording or show have been the best part. Each of those moments had purpose and meaning to me. It is what I do, and there is nothing else. Those times that I spent getting prepared to do a project, or remembering the moment that a song was written, that is what gives me direction. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on earth because of my family, and what few true friends I have, and of course this music. 

Scott Coner performs in Nashville (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

         I remember everything about the journey. The times I have spent planning the following day with my wife on west end, or the long walks we took just talking with the Nashville skyline in the horizon. You see, music doesn’t just offer me the chance to play music itself. It offers me the freedom to step away from the world I was raised in and visit a different part of me with those that I care the most about. It gives me a break from normalcy. I have always joked with my wife that she validates me with others because of her striking beauty. I swear, I think when people see her with a simpleton, like me, they take a second to listen. They can’t help but be curious as to what she sees in me. What they don’t know about is what she and I have shared, what we have accomplished together. A very necessary truth is I wouldn’t be where I’m at without her. She has believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I just didn’t want to let her down or disappoint her in some way, so I have kept on pushing and going down the road even when there wasn’t a map.

         I love my life these days. Good things are happening for me in Nashville. But, in truth, they have always gone pretty well for me in that town. I have sat across some pretty fine dinner tables with candlelight staring at this woman that I love so much right there in the very heart of Music Row. We have had ice cream at Maggie Moo’s and visited our favorite bookstores. She has captured my music on film. We have taken drives looking at all of the natural beauty that the town has to offer. But mostly, we have had fun. We have made this road trip together, and I’m thankful for that.

         Music and all of her magic has given me something impossible to explain. It has been a true gift that I don’t take lightly. I just wanted those of you who follow my music and all of these other ramblings to know that, when you listen to my songs, I am somewhere smiling deep inside. I’m just thankful all over for the way things have gone. I wouldn’t change anything even if I could.   

         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.

My Journey Into Music... So Far (Part Two)

By Scott Coner

Country Singer-Songwriter

(Following is the second part of a series of blog articles offering my experiences as a singer-songwriter.)

         It is unfortunate that everything has a price tag on it these days. But all of the steps required in music or just about anything else have a cost attached to them. The good news is that you can go at your own pace. This also will allow you time to be certain of every decision and every step you take along the way.

         These days there are several hot spots around the country that are more open and willing to help you during the development of your career. Los Angeles may be one of those areas you want to consider. Out there, you have all types of music genres as well as opportunities to work in soundtracks and commercials. New York has always been another area, as well as Seattle, and of course Nashville. I chose to work in Nashville for several reasons. The obvious reason was it was very close to where I live. The other was its openness and long history in country and Americana music. But, I have also had a real interest in possible opportunities in L.A.

         I always encourage young people to pursue an education with at least a minor in business. One thing is certain and that is you will need to have the capacity to look at things with some understanding from a business standpoint. I also think it is a good idea to seek advice from someone you love and trust, because it is always helpful to have someone else’s perspective.

         Below, I am going to list a few things you might want to consider as you begin. Please remember that I don’t know you or where you live, so certain items or needs and services might cost more or less money. Also, note that this list may not meet your requirements in any way at all and all of this doesn’t need to happen at once. It will probably be part of the your process.

         * A checking account with your music company name: This account is where you should track all expenses from including travel, recording, payments for services, etc., but you might see fit to use your existing account you have had all along.

         * Federal ID number: You need a tax number for tax purposes. All expenses should be kept track of. This is only good practice and it also helps you keep a finger on the pulse at all times of your investments. (But note that you may not need to do this just yet.)

         * Recording: I am not a huge fan of too many “at home” recordings, although there have been some great ones put together in a few basements. Just remember that your songs will be listened to by people who listen to some of the finest music on the planet every day, so you want to present yourself the best way possible. If you plan on going to a studio, you can negotiate a package for a group of songs, or you can record one or two at a time. Often times, you can get your song across nicely with an acoustic arrangement.

         * Web Site: This is important for all kinds of reasons. Be certain you have a design that is easy and practical for others to check out your music, your bio, and your photos and videos, along with any other pertinent information you feel needs to be shared.

         * E-Mail Address: Obviously, you need this. I find myself checking my mail every time I look at a phone.

         * ASCAP, BMI or SESAC: You will want one of these companies to have all of your music registered. There are a few more companies like these you might want to check out. (I am with BMI, and I can’t say they have been much help so far.)

         * Facebook, Sound Cloud, Reverb Nation, etc.: These sites allow access to all types of people all over the world. Pretty amazing when you think about it.

         * Photo Work: You will need lots of photos made. We live in a digital world, so at least you don’t have to buy film. Always seek photos that seem to represent you in some way. Each of us has a certain identity, and that should always be conveyed the best way possible. I’m sure you will have a lot more to work with than

I do that’s for sure.

         * Video Work: I have grown to appreciate videos. If done well, they can give the listener even more to consider from the song.

         * Education: Try to study your field of interest as much as possible. Consider all of the different types of production, the artists and bands. You will find there are some pretty amazing artists out there. I have long considered myself a student of classic rock and classic country. To me, these genres both represent a part of my roots. In a way, I suppose it’s like a guitarist studying the Delta blues to better understand the craft. I find myself reading about all types of music and artists simply because they hold a special interest to me. I don’t even have to enjoy the music that much. I just have an interest in their approach to their craft.

         Anyway, this is a start at least. There is so much I would like to go over with you, but in truth, as you begin each path, you may find that you have different needs and interests. Just remember that in order for you to do this, other things may need to be put on the back burner, but life happens in the midst of it all.  It is impossible to have a specific plan going into this business. Instead, you can only prepare for everything the best you can and try to be open for changes as they arise. I hope this helps you in some small way.

 

         I look at music the same way I look at staying in shape. I can do well in the gym. I like to work out and feel the burn and the sweat. But it is the time away from the gym that offers the real challenge. If I work out hard but eat like a pig, I probably won’t accomplish what I want. It’s the same thing in music. The short time spent in the studio will be wasted unless you truly seek out and study the very best way to reach your goals. Always be aware of your time and money, be kind to people along the way, and listen to what everyone has to say. One day the fog will lift and you will see the road you need to take. That will be a special day for you. I promise that if you give your all, you will never regret the time, money and energy you invest.

         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.

(Stay tuned for future installments of "My Journey Into Music... So Far".)

Me, Too!

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

            What's your earliest memory? How far back can you go? Mine is a hodgepodge of memory and weird dreamy thoughts. I think I may remember actually being in my crib. It was light blue, on the right side of my room, and there was one of those mobiles at the foot of the crib. I remember having some white plastic pretzel-type teething toy. It's strange to be able to go that far back. The styles and the sounds of the sixties were gaudy, yet cool. It's too bad that during the moment we don't realize what a special moment in time we are in. I was just a little kid though, and my whole world revolved around waiting for the next cookie or bowl of Quisp cereal. (Remember that little pink space guy? Me too!)

            I watched some of the very first "Sesame Street" programs along with "Captain Kangaroo". I remember all of the pretty girls in school. I remember wishing I was cool like the school jocks. I remember wishing school would finally be over forever so I could be an adult. But I don't remember ever considering how hard it would be to actually be a grown-up.

(Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

            The whole world was my oyster. I actually believed that I could do anything I wanted, and it troubled me that I couldn't do it all. I, honest to God, remember considering the pros and cons of being the president of the free world. Arrogant? Not really, just a little bit under informed about how the world really works. But the truth is, it is actually possible for us to reach our dreams or at least some version of the dream one way or another. Do you remember pledging allegiance to the American flag and praying in your classroom before you had your milk break? Me, too!

            Sometimes, the memories are warm and sweet. Sometimes, memories are just cold and dark. I don’t want to let any of my past go because each moment is a small piece of who I am. But, I know there are far too many people that would give anything to let some memories go. Just remember that wherever you came from, your life matters. Maybe you have some part of you that should be shared with someone else. Sift through some of those memories and share them with your kids and others that you care about. Maybe, when you weren’t looking, those memories morphed into wisdom. By the way, do remember that really cool red Torino on "Starsky and Hutch"? Me, too! 

Scott Coner (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

         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.

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.

If I Leave Here Tomorrow, Will You Still Remember Me?

By Scott Coner

Country Artist

         Putting everything into some type of perspective, I find myself troubled when it comes to my music. I'm pretty clumsy around the barn and a pretty bad driver to boot, so clearly, my days are numbered. I have songs lying around half finished. I have songs in my head that haven't seen the light of day. And I have songs that I've recorded that are important to me that haven't been promoted at all yet. What the heck is a man supposed to do about this? It's not like I can have a will written with specifics regarding my music.

         I think I write because I have something I want to say. On the other hand, maybe I write because I want my family and friends to remember me. I'm not even sure about it to tell you the truth. But, if you are reading this right now, and I happen to be dead already, go to my sock drawer and give my wife all of my unfinished lyrics.

         I realized early on that I could write songs and say certain things without certain people knowing the song was even about them. I mean, Paul McCartney wrote a song about his dog, so there really are no rules, right? I wrote "Put a Line in it" one day about the current administration that I have so much trouble enduring. But you haven't heard that song because I don't guess we want to make people mad. I wrote "Close to You" about my wife along with many others. I even wrote a song about one of my uncles when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I have far more songs than I can promote, and I don't have enough time to get all of my work done. So, I'm a little bit freaked out about it all. 

Scott Coner (Photo by Cynnamae Media Productions)

         I have decided to begin releasing EP's every quarter or so along with full-length albums at least once a year from this point forward. The problem with this approach I'm being told is promotion. This is certainly a problem, but honestly, it is far more important to me that I finish this mess I started so many years ago. When I say I'm freaked out, I'm just kidding though. I have never been as happy as I am these days. My goal has always been to play and write full time, and it appears we are about to do just that.

         Now, I need to go find my algebra teacher and tell her once again how useless her class was to me and that I was right all along. Life ain't nothin' but a song.

         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.