Accept and Move Forward

Life is often a series of disappointments broken by brief spells of happiness. That is why one should cling to those periods of joy like the gifts they surely are. The counting of one's blessings is an intricate part of the development of a good life. Storms do come and one must weather them. One's strength is measured by how well they handle such adversity. As I write this, I must confess that these words have the luster of cliches to my eyes. Yet cliches are but the truth told again and again and again. Being a writer, I often turn to words as a form of self guidance. And as a musician, I often turn to the writing of songs as a means of revealing to myself and to others some of the truths I have discovered in life, be it by melody or lyrics or ideally the combination of both.One thing that I have learned is that one must accept whatever life brings to us and move forward. Often we become trapped in the moment or revert to the past. The key is to always keep moving to a better day. So accept and move forward....and find your peace in this world.....

Lincoln's Melancholy

I just read a book called Lincoln’s Melancholy and it is a fascinating read.  As a long time Lincoln lover, I have often pondered exactly what was the fuel behind his greatness.  Author, Joshua Wolf Shenk has put forth an interesting new take on what ran “the little engine that could”, as long time Lincoln friend and law partner, William Herndon famously called Lincoln’s ambition.   To put it simply, Shenk identifies Lincoln’ lifelong struggle with depression as the motivating factor behind his greatness.   This was of extreme fascination to me for I too have battled the dark forces of depression and have used my own wars against it to stoke my own creative fires.   Please note that I certainly do not have the hubris to suggest that I am on the level of Mr. Lincoln but only state that I can relate to the battle he waged within. 

Mr. Shenk also points to Lincoln’s use of humor as both a major tool in not only his political arsenal but also as a forceful weapon against his own depression.   I also could relate to this tactic for my own sense of humor has put me in good stead against those 4am feelings of the soul.   He also writes in great detail of what has been called “depressive realism”.   As he states, “depression often springs from fundamentally accurate perceptions, that in some situations, can be an advantage.”    Research has suggested that when people are not depressed, they are highly vulnerable to illusions, including unrealistic optimism, overestimation of themselves, and an exaggerated sense of their capacity to control events.   The author places these observations within the framework of Lincoln’s entire life and especially in how he handled the overwhelming stresses of guiding the nation through the horrors of civil war.

 This is but a brief overview of this fascinating book.   I would recommend it highly to anyone but especially to those who have dealt with the darkness of depression.   For in your darkest hours you can see you are not alone.   The ghost of Lincoln is indeed there with you…..

The Reedy Beat

Years ago a friend of mine and I started a magazine to promote local music in my area.  We called it The Reedy Beat, a take off on The Mersey Beat, which was the main magazine for the local Liverpool, England scene in the early 1960's.  They were instrumental in drawing attention to a group called The Beatles.   Seeing Liverpool had its Mersey River and we had our Reedy River it somehow seemed an appropriate name.   So now after a many many many years hiatus, I am bringing back The Reedy Beat in the form of a blog site and a Podcast.  I invite you to visit www.thereedybeat.blogspot.com   Songs, Reviews, and Interviews of the music of upstate South Carolina and beyond will be featured.  

Dreamland

The Process

Here is a song that is in its working stages... Just thought I would share a bit of the process that goes into song construction. For example I Love You Too Much is the backing track, the vocals have not yet been done. I tried to go for a Tom Petty feel with some Beatlesque overtones. I used the following instruments: Vox Pathfinder Amplifier; Charvel 625c Acoustic;Epiphone Casino; Epiphone Viola Bass; Rickenbacker 360 Electric 12 String; And an excellent guitarist and personal friend of mine, Mark McAfee added his talents to the song by playing: a Gibson ES335 through a Fender Vibrolux Amplifier. Check the lead out played by Mark, very melodic and played over a guitar army of licks....Looking forward to some possible recording with my old band, The Revolvers. Will keep ya posted...

I Go to the the Movies

when i'm feeling blue and low
and i've got no place to go
and all my fire has gone from below
i go to the movies...i go to the movies
there's john wayne and montgomery clift
red river: watch the currents drift
hurry up boys, gotta give him the slip
and go to the movies...and go to the movies
time can wound it's over too soon
let's go jump the moon make the women swoon
make them swoon...make them swoon
saturday night at the picture show
i'm all dressed up i got nowhere to go
guess i'll just sit back and let it flow
and go to the movies...and go to the movies
liz taylor in a place in the sun
violet eyes and all the damage done
pardon me for i best run
and go to the movies...and go to the movies

i go to the movies
wordsandmusicbywilliambates t21music 2007

Songs and Expressions

I am a songwriter. I have written hundreds of songs and have recorded nearly all of them in my studio and at other various places from Nashville to Winston-Salem, NC. In my latest podcast I share 3 of them and give brief introductions as to their meaning. I invite you to give them, and by effect I, a listen:

Episode Two of the Days I Knew Podcast: Songs and Expressions