What? I’m a Nashville Songwriter?

I’m writing the second draft of a murder mystery, Lyrics & other Felonies, set in Nashville. The main character is a journalist who processes life through spontaneous lyrics.

A few key song verses occur throughout the story. I thought it would be fun to add a complete version of some of the songs at the end of the book. Because I’m not extremely musical, I wanted to run the lyrics past an actual songwriter to ensure they at least look like songs.

I met singer/songwriter/teacher Marc-Alan Barnette at a Songwriters’ Session at Bobby’s Idle Hour and explained my project. Within two days he jumped aboard as co-writer, creating melody and music (not to mention wordsmithing).

Because he liked the song and my project concept, he took things a step further.

He set up studio time with Jay Vernali at Jay’s Place Studio and recorded the song.

A song I wrote has been cut in Nashville.

Surreal.

We watched as he recorded the guitar music first, then followed with the vocals. Jay mixed and mastered on his huge electronic board.

In about an hour, we had a recording.

And I had a setting for the sequel.