David Lamotte (photo courtesy of www.davidlamotte.com) 

2/12 SAW Workshop- David Lamotte

First, true confession, I'm the education coordinator for Songwriter's Association of Washington (SAW). So, much of this blog will focus on SAW educational events...not just out of self-promotion (or SAW-promotion), but because many of these events are very, very cool. I've met some talented folks because of these workshops, and...oh yeah....my art has grown, too.

The subject was applying the principles of tension and release to your songwriting. However, David Lamotte's just one of those people that you can be in a room with for 3 hours and be a much better person for it. In addition to being a great songwriter, he's extremely intelligent, and capable of intelligent conversation on practically any topic.......and he has really cool hair.

The one aspect of the workshop that I gained the most from was the writing exercise. It was to write an West African Praise poem, an artform designed to raise yourself to a place of honor by making your tribe aware of your accomplishments. One of the requirements was to write about yourself in animal form. The choice was agonizing, and the spirit of my long-deceased dog , Josh, was begging me to be an Irish Setter ("face it, Cary......you're as stupid as me"). Perhaps the best idea for a spirit animal came from my friend Zoe, who told me that I was a duck. Her rationale: a duck looks dignified, but isn't. So, I submit for your approval, Cary, the world conquering mallard.

Cary Whaley taking a new song to the Baltimore Songwriter's Association (photo courtesy of Gar Ragland). 

Testing......

This is my first blog entry. Consider it an online sound check. If I run with this, it will provide a window into the my world of open mics, songwriting workshops, writer's circles, and festivals. Stay tuned, it's possible you'll learn some good places to play and hear me talk about some good people.