Writing Our Own Song with Singer/Songwriter Bill Abernathy

we had the pleasure of hosting Bill Abernathy, a seasoned musician whose life journey has been as compelling as his music. Abernathy, a former corporate professional, took a leap of faith, returning to his first love—music—and in the process, illustrated the timeless connection between storytelling and song.

The episode begins with a delightful story of a marriage certificate mix-up, setting the stage for an exploration of personal anecdotes and the authenticity that is at the heart of storytelling. Abernathy's musical career, which blossomed with the album "Find A Way," serves as a backdrop for his profound insights into the craft of music-making. The discussion swiftly moves to the importance of storytelling, a practice deeply rooted in cultures like the Native Americans, who relied on oral traditions to pass down their history and wisdom.

Throughout the conversation, the transformative power of music is a recurring theme. Abernathy's track "Call Their Name" exemplifies his ability to capture life's poignant interactions through melody. The song recounts a moving encounter with the homeless community in Kansas City's City Market area, demonstrating how a simple act of recognition can leave an indelible impact on an individual's sense of worth.

The podcast also delves into the social implications of art, using Abernathy's work as a lens to view the broader canvas of cultural narrative and empathy. We're taken through the ripple effects of his songs, which inspire personal action and catalyze grassroots movements toward social reform. Abernathy likens the spread of ideas and movements to the natural processes of pollination and the dispersion of seeds, illustrating the organic power of music to foster change.

An enlightening discussion ensues on the enduring influence of singer-songwriters who have used their platforms to make social statements. Icons like Jackson Browne and Neil Young are mentioned, prompting a reflection on the role of music in both reflecting and shaping societal values. The conversation touches upon the shift in music consumption with the advent of digital downloads and streaming platforms, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities this presents for artists today.

As the episode progresses, the dialogue turns to the intimate relationship between songwriting and personal experiences. It explores how artists like ABBA have channeled their personal lives into their music, producing songs that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. This brings to light the balance between commercial music production and the genuine creativity that emerges from lived experiences.

The episode culminates in a discussion of personal growth and wisdom. Abernathy shares his philosophy on the importance of continuous self-improvement and the joy of progress. This resonates with the podcast's core message of empowerment, urging listeners to actively participate in scripting their life stories and to believe in the potential for more.

In conclusion, Bill Abernathy's episode is not merely a chronicle of his musical endeavors but a profound reminder of the symphony that is life. Each narrative, each melody, is a thread in the tapestry of our shared human experience, reminding us that our stories, when set to the rhythm of our hearts, have the power to connect, heal, and transform.

Download the episode at https://www.buzzsprout.com/2267353/episodes/14930460

Interview Friday with Author Maggie Lyons

Maggie Lyons was born in Wales and brought up in England before gravitating west to Virginia’s coast. She zigzagged her way through a motley variety of careers from orchestral management to law-firm media relations to academic editing. Writing and editing nonfiction for adults brought plenty of satisfaction but nothing like the magic she discovered in writing fiction and nonfiction for children. Several of her articles, poetry, and a chapter book have been published in the children’s magazines Stories for Children Magazine and knowonder! VS: I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama today, Maggie. To get things started can you share what you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Maggie: Very fortunately for me, I’m retired and my son left the nest some time ago. That doesn’t mean I have no other commitments, of course. In fact, I’m very busy as a freelance editor, but I do have the privilege of being able to control m...

Interview Friday with Author L.R.W. Lee of the Andy Smithson MG Fantasy Series

From an early age L. R. W. Lee knew she wanted to write a children’s book. Her imagination for such a book was cultivated early on as her family didn’t have a lot of money. She and her older brother were encouraged to use their imaginations to entertain themselves. And use them they did – climbing trees and tree forts, using a quilt for a matchbox car city, making puppets and putting on shows, and much more and her creativity and imagination grew. VS: Mr. Lee, I want to thank you for being my guest here on The Writing Mama once again. You recently just released the 2 nd book in our series, which is a great accomplishment. What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life while writing a series? Lee: I’m spoiled in that regard. I founded, built and sold a multi-million dollar company in January 2012. Since then, I’ve been free to write full time so I don’t face quite the challenges as many authors. I write while everyone is out of the house and ...

American Chronicle | Get to know Rodger Dodger Dog and His Author, Jan Britland

In 1986, Jan was driving her children in a new town to start school. On their way, they would pass a beagle type dog chained to a huge Magnolia tree. Some days they would see the chain hanging down from the tree. "I think we just assumed the dog was in the house until one day we realized he was up in the tree. From that day on, Rodger Dodger Dog as we called him became a favorite. It was a 45-minute drive, which can become boring so as we passed him, I would start telling a story about Rodger Dodger's adventures up the tree and beyond. Because I am so dyslexic, the stories had to rhyme so I could remember them from day to day. They also started the same to get me going," shared Britland. However, it wasn´t until 2008 when Britland received a phone call from her daughter Kelly, who had young children of her own that the Rodger Dodger Dog started to even think about becoming a children´s book or series for that matter. "My daughter was complaining her son ...

VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

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