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Sometimes it seems a talent for songwriting runs in the blood. I first thought this years ago, when I befriended and played some shows with Steve Earle's son Justin. Talented little spud.
All I got from my father was a tendency toward developing man-breasts. Trey Bruce, son of Ed ("Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys"), got real songwriting talent, developed through years of hard work and a love of music. And neither one of them have man-breasts. Man, they're lucky. I interviewed Trey at Pitch Perfect Recording in Nashville. We talked about writing "Look Heart, No Hands" for Randy Travis, Faith Hill's "Someone Else's Dream", and Diamond Rio's #1, "How Your Love Makes Me Feel."
In his 40-year career, Rand Bishop has filled just about every role in the music business: recording artist, songwriter, studio vocalist, producer, recording engineer, A&R exec, and publisher. He's also a published author of a novel and two books on songwriting, an award winning screenwriter, and a playwright. He's also got a cool house and a loud dog. It was at the former that I heard the latter, as Rand sat down to talk with me. We chatted about the nuts and bolts of songwriting, and about Toby Keith reluctantly taking Rand's "My List" to the top of the charts.
Originally aired on The American Forces Radio Network the week of July 4, 2011.