Seven Basic Plots to a Country Song
Anyone who has been a writer of fiction for any length of time has probably heard the theory that there are only seven basic plots and all stories are derived from them. They are:
Man vs. Man
Man vs. The environment
Man vs. Machines/Technology
Man vs. The supernatural
Man
Patty Griffin, Melissa Etheridge, & the Meaning of Music
Sometimes, it may be difficult to explain to others the role that music plays in our lives. Music can uplift, and it can help one through loss, pain, and heartache. As we learned from Dobie Gray in the song "Drift Away," when one feels blue, the rock and
Concert Review: The Dance of The Buffalo Springfield in Santa Barbara, Ca.
By Terry Roland (originally published in FolkWorks)
For this writer, it's been a 44 year journey since I last saw The Buffalo Springfield, or didn't see them I should say. During the summer of 1967 my 12 year-old self stood outside the minor league baseball
Telluride Bluegrass Festival 101: The Tarp
It's finally time for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Since this week will be just my 5th TBF (the 2011 version is #38 - there are some who remember the first one and a lot of folks with 10, 15 or 20 under their belt), I'm not qualified
John Prine: A Songwriter Deserving of a Shrine
By Terry Roland (Originally published in San Diego Troubadour)
"Writing is about a blank piece of paper and leaving out what's not supposed to be there. There were many great days and many not so great days. I tried to turn them all into great songs."
HBO's Treme - The Character of Music
Finally, the first season of HBO's Treme is now out on DVD. I say "finally" because I feel like I've been waiting forever to discuss the show with friends and others who don't have HBO (I don't either, but I&