Falling into the depths of music
By KRISTIN CLARK
Issue date: 10/15/09 Section: Features
On Wednesday, Oct. 13, in the Workshop Theatre of the Fine Arts Center, Craig Hillis presented a seminar titled "Songs Matter." Hillis exposes the song writers behind popular songs of the decade, and stresses the meaningfulness behind song lyrics.
"They can calm us down, they can fire us up … Songs can start a mass social movement … Songs matter," Hillis said.
Hillis pointed out that many hit songs are not written by the people who perform them. It is commonly believed that Willie Nelson wrote Whiskey River, when in fact it was written by songwriter Johnny Bush.
"Song writers seem to bubble under," Hillis said.
The writer of a song is the permanent owner by copyright. Hillis explains it has not always been this way. Now every time a song is tried out, recorded or performed, the original songwriter receives payment.
Hillis is a singer and songwriter focused on Texas Country music. Starting at a young age, he travelled to many cities and played with many notable musicians, including Jerry Jeff Walker.
Originally, Hillis performed in various rock bands with his friends, traveling across the country. His first folk music concert is what lured Hillis to Texas Country.
"There were no blaring drums, no flashing lights. I was puking, but it changed my life," Hillis said.
The band played a series of songs that night called Texas Trilogy by Steven Fromholz, a Temple, Texas native. Texas Trilogy has been the inspiration for much of Hillis' work. The song series can be a "movie of the mind, if you let it," Hillis said.
Hillis has produced many records, owned two night clubs and is an organizer for Voices of a Greater Nation. He is a University of Texas graduate student, and is currently working on his master's in American Studies.
"They can calm us down, they can fire us up … Songs can start a mass social movement … Songs matter," Hillis said.
Hillis pointed out that many hit songs are not written by the people who perform them. It is commonly believed that Willie Nelson wrote Whiskey River, when in fact it was written by songwriter Johnny Bush.
"Song writers seem to bubble under," Hillis said.
The writer of a song is the permanent owner by copyright. Hillis explains it has not always been this way. Now every time a song is tried out, recorded or performed, the original songwriter receives payment.
Hillis is a singer and songwriter focused on Texas Country music. Starting at a young age, he travelled to many cities and played with many notable musicians, including Jerry Jeff Walker.
Originally, Hillis performed in various rock bands with his friends, traveling across the country. His first folk music concert is what lured Hillis to Texas Country.
"There were no blaring drums, no flashing lights. I was puking, but it changed my life," Hillis said.
The band played a series of songs that night called Texas Trilogy by Steven Fromholz, a Temple, Texas native. Texas Trilogy has been the inspiration for much of Hillis' work. The song series can be a "movie of the mind, if you let it," Hillis said.
Hillis has produced many records, owned two night clubs and is an organizer for Voices of a Greater Nation. He is a University of Texas graduate student, and is currently working on his master's in American Studies.
Be the first to comment on this story