Jim Chalker

I am a part time lyricist who occasionally comes up with a workable tune but who mostly struggles to find a good melody for my ideas. In my 70s I'm not really in touch with the current musical styles and sort of clumsy with some of the technology. But outside of them I do write in a variety of song styles. I have one that sounds like it came out of a 60s western movie, some southern rock, a good amount of country, folk (Is that what they call Indie these days?), contemporary Christian, and bluegrass. My lyrics tend to run long. Funny thing about us lyricists, we mostly think our contribution to a song is the most important like that. I have to discipline myself to keep them short.

Sometimes I write a bit on the controversial side, politically incorrect. I used to go to NSAI meetings in Cincinnati and occasionally left some of the younger members a little uncomfortable I think. I have written some humorous songs, some sad, one or two push up against fantasy... I have a lot of old songs that might benefit from having new melodies. I am a conservative Christian but don't always write like one.

Inspiration can come in many forms. Many of my best songs started out as either a title or a line. Some were an idea or a message I wanted to convey. And some came out of who knows where. My best song was inspired by a visual image that came to me. I am not prolific and I cannot simply churn out a song on demand though I wish I had that talent. I write when I have an idea and I'd like to see some of them coupled with the right music.