Category Archives: Music

Dec 11 2012
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Music, Song Writing

My Dear

It’s official! I am now playing music under the title Crown Magnolia.

Crown Magnolia has been in the works for a while. But it has taken a contest to push it into being (Guitar Center is currently hosting a contest: http://songwriter.whooznxt.com/). From the time I learned how to write poetry, I’ve been stringing words together and singing them out loud. And when I got my first guitar in 8th grade, I happily plucked out some primitive tunes to express my thoughts and words musically. Ten years later, I still string words together and pluck out melodies, but with more depth and understanding than before (hopefully).

I’ve tried and tried to give up this dream, but it never seems to die. Maybe there is something to be said about going for what seems impossible. There is a countless number of talented people out there. Most of them are better than I am musically, lyrically, and in stage presence. But, nobody is me. Nobody has my exact life experience, God-story, or relational journey. And that is what I can offer the world. If it gets thrown back in my face, it’s okay. But if I never step out and share it, I will never know.

Here is the first video posted as Crown Magnolia. Enjoy, and press the “like” button while you’re at it.

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Nov 21 2011
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Music, Photography, Travel

#7in7 – Failure?

This was my view out my train window during a delay.

Well the odds couldn’t have been more against me this go around for the 7in7 challenge: I was out of town or on the road for work 5 out of 7 days, and then I lost my voice. But I decided that it doesn’t matter – I will still post the songs I started during the week. The main point of 7in7 is to stimulate the creativity in artists and make them produce work. Who says I can’t do 7in7 during Thanksgiving week? Or a week in December?

The song I’m posting today is called “Worth It” which was inspired by my extra long train ride home last week. But I will admit that unlike the person in the song, I was traveling by train to see my family. My first ever journey by train was a success and I recommend it (although I would give a couple extra hours for connecting trains or flights in case of delays).

Worth It (clickable)

I’m going home, going home on a train.

I don’t care how much time that it takes.

Every hour I waste sitting on those rails,

Will be worth it if I see him again.

I’m packing light – only for a day.

Leaving my guitar back in its case.

I’ve got paper and a pen, and the words here in my soul,

I will write him a song so he’ll know.

I close my eyes, and I can see his face.

I remember the strength in his embrace.

I miss his eyes, and the way his smile draws me in.

I’m on a train just to see him again.

I’m going home, going home on a train.

I don’t care how much time that it takes.

Every hour I waste sitting on those rails,

Will be worth it if I see him again.

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Nov 11 2011
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Music

Tis The Busy Season: #7in7

I caught a couple friends in the middle of songwriting...

Song-writing.

An intimidating and exhilarating idea. And something I always seem to be doing in my “spare” time. Last year I heard about a challenge called “7in7” – challenging all song writers to write seven songs in seven days, starting yesterday. If I had not been attempting to write a novel last November during NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month), I would have joined the 7in7 movement. So when I heard talk of 7in7 again this year, I knew I was all in!

You can read more about 7in7 here: http://aaronivey.com/?p=12644

Search #7in7 on twitter to follow the progress of the participants and hear the 2,000+ new songs this week!

Here’s the link to my first contribution to 7in7: Leaving

Lyrics:

You’re leaving,

And I can’t help but notice

You’ve leaving, me behind.

Must be easy

From your view up in the clouds.

— (chorus)

Do I tell you?

Or leave you clueless?

I’m gonna ask you –

How could you do this?

—

It’s so hard

To calm my heart,

When all I see’s an empty home.

I know that you don’t

Mean to leave me here, alone.

— (chorus)

This project is intimidating because of the whole write-record-and-publicly-post-a-song thing, oh, and the potential-for-professional-songwriters-to-hear-and-judge-you. I’m finding the exhilaration from the challenge definitely worth overcoming the intimidation – I am struggling alongside over 300 other artists who are putting out raw work regardless of whether or not they feel it’s finished and polished. There is life in a community forcing creativity.

I welcome your comments! And join the #7in7 movement!

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