Centredaily.com-Pennsylvania interview

[charlene]

http://fyimusic.ca/talent/if-you-cou...oots-own-words

If you could read my mind in Lightfoot’s own words
Tuesday June 24 2008 - 8:24AM

Gordon Lightfoot has been on the road performing these past few months. Perhaps as a result of feeling vulnerable due to the loss of his longtime manager Barry Harvey, and mourning the more recent loss of his long-time guitarist and melodic counterpart Red Shea, Lightfoot has become increasingly open and downright chatty with reporters like never before. Much of what he’s asked and says has been asked and said before, but every once in awhile Lightfoot connects with a question, takes the time with an enquiring mind, and reaches within to shed a little light on his creative soul.

This happened recently in Pennsylvania when Dennis Fulton at CentreDaily.com asked about the songwriting process. Below, in part, is what Lightfoot told Fulton.

“I don’t think most people understand this, but there is a price involved in writing. It affects your personal life, it affects your marriages. When you get bound in it the way I was, like when you are under contract, you find yourself in a state of isolation. There is an emotional price and all sorts of sacrifice that goes into it. Are you ready to accept the responsibility? I’ve acquired six children along the way. You’ve got to be doing it seriously well to support what I’ve got going here.

” The isolation is what affects relationships and personal life. If you are not careful, it eats up so much time. When you get into it, you lose touch with the people around you. You lose touch with your children; you lose touch with your wife and relatives. When I was under contract, making a lot of records and writing a lot of songs, I can remember one time when I hardly talked to anybody for a whole year.

“Songwriting has ruined many a marriage. I’ve talked to a lot of songwriters — the spouse hates to see their partner closeted away in that manner. I’ve found that there is a certain kind of resentment among wives when you have to do that — being under contract and signed to a record label. It ruined two or three marriages for me. You can be a successful songwriter and make lots of money, but it won’t be a free trip.”

[Patti]

Going into seclusion, for some of us, whether to write songs or to spend time with your heart, soul, & God can help in becoming truer to yourself & others.

[jj]

Originally Posted by charlene

http://fyimusic.ca/talent/if-you-cou...oots-own-words

The isolation is what affects relationships and personal life. If you are not careful, it eats up so much time.”

dear columnist: we were hearing this long before the passing of Barry and Red

here's my dr phil advice...Gord, keep writing songs, just be more careful...when not touring, indulge for 40-50 hours a week which is typically how long any father is away from family, working, commuting....then again, if it aint enjoyable, ok, just kick back

[Gitchigumee]

If he could just write and record one song per year, perhaps selling the the song as a download, it would be so incredible. I may have mentioned this next bit before, I cannot recall. But I am somewhat familiar with a website which does just that (selling downloads) for new and upcoming artists. I have actually suggested to them to open the site up to older artists who have no interest in recording entire albums or being under contract to anyone. For anyone interested, here is the site:

www.melvincares.com

But the best news is, part of the money goes to fight poverty, so it's a win/win situation. If only Gord would consider something like this...

[Auburn Annie]

Well, he's participated for charity in the past so maybe if you run this by his office, somebody might pass the information along to him. Can't hurt to suggest it. He might have a couple of songs he considers "good enough" - not enough of them for an album but one or two worth recording for a good cause.