IN SO MANY WAYS, SONGWRITING GAVE ME A LIFE OF WONDER. What could possibly be more magical than a song existing that you love, that you are mesmerized by and completely hooked on — and YOU WROTE IT?
I was a lover of music since my earliest memories as a child. At age two I recall already loving my grandpa’s record player and the cowboy song albums he had. This is a little embarrassing, but my parents used to joke that I would go out in the back yard and sing to the chickens. And that I wrote my first song standing in the back floorboard of our Ford. My chin leaning across the seat back as we were driving to my cousin’s house in Borger, Texas. Reportedly, my first lyrics came with a melody. “Da cows git in da waddy. . . “ I’m not even joking. They told me that story my entire childhood.
I never learned to play an instrument as a child. And I was twenty the day I wrote my second song, “Child’s Wild Dream” with my friend Carl, who was playing guitar chords until I heard something I liked and blurted out a melodic line. That song was a shameless copy of “Horse With No Name,” only no horses. That’s how every songwriter begins — by imitating and copying. We all did it.
Most of you who are reading this probably have known my songs since my first album and possibly before — in the three years before my 1985 release, Run This Way Forever, a Seattle radio station was playing some of my early songs on cassette. Amazingly, when I hear those early songs, every one of them still holds up all these years later. It was a commitment of mine since long before I ever became a recording artist. I vowed to never put “fillers” on my albums. I wanted every song to be good and I determined not to settle for less. Not just for you, the listener, but for me. I couldn’t bear a bad song on my album.
This is the focus and dedication I bring to my workshops with you. I want to encourage your own writing and help you make your songs better. That is not to say that some of you are not already so good that all I might be able to do is listen and marvel at what you’ve written. There are always some of those. But one thing I’ve learned through the years is that EVERYONE has times when they just can’t find that new melody and words that feel fluid and of the quality a writer wants. I have a 40+ year body of work that shows you that I’ve been able to keep the spark alive and write beautiful, creative, meaningful songs all these years. And I still am. I love my new songs.
I have some workshop exercises for you which we’ll explore together. I’m always interested in practices which surprise you by revealing to you that when you let go, when you release the margins you consider to be “your style” and become adventurous, you find yourself astonished at what you’re capable of. For all who register and wish to do this, I’ll invite you to email me one One song to listen to and share any feedback I have for you. Sometimes there is nothing to say but “Thank you. I Loved listening.” And others, I may have ideas for something you could try to improve your writing. It’s up to you mostly. But I make this a part of what I offer in these workshops.
No one has to share their music with the group. There is NO pressure to do this. But there is always an opportunity for some who wish to share. And it’s an inspiring part of our day. These are usually small groups of 12 to 16 folks, though they vary some years. I hope you’ll join us. Even non-songwriters sometimes attend for the inspiration and the techniques we share that can blend into all kinds of creative pursuits.
Your friend always working on new songs,
Michael Tomlinson
HOW I WRITE MY SONGS
SAT - July 12, 2025 11am - 4 pm (Pacific) - Live on Zoom
I'll email your Zoom link and invitation to you the day before the workshop.
Email me any ol' time at mt@michaeltomlinson.com