songbook journal Archives - Tony Funderburk

Sure, you could say Tino loves music. If you’re trying to win the “understatement of the year” contest, you could say that. Or another “understatement of the year” could be… “He’s no quitter.” Boy oh boy, is THAT putting it mildly. Because Tino’s efforts in the cutthroat music world were almost legendary. First, he got fed up with traditional gatekeepers who rejected his work. Next, he got sick of “all the fairness” as he called it. And, finally, he took matters into his own hands. He thought to himself, “Hey, why not use the power of the internet? It seems to be workin’ pretty well for some of those YouTubers and Instagramers.” So, he set up an independent music publishing label entirely online. He found an affordable hosting company, DreamHost, where he could serve up a user-friendly website. But he didn’t make it all about him and his music. Tino decided to make his platform a place where hard-working artists could upload their music and communicate directly with their fans. Plus, for a little extra, they could even manage their merchandise sales without the enormous fees that come with traditional labels. Yeah, that could go a long way toward beating that old-school music world. He understood you gotta make money or else it’s just a hobby. So, Tino set up a subscription-based model. For a small monthly fee, fans could subscribe to get exclusive access to new releases, behind-the-scenes content, and live-streamed studio sessions. And that move helped to provid a steady income for the artists. Plus, it helped them build a loyal fanbase willing to support their favorite musicians directly. Without label gatekeepers. Here’s another understatement of the year contender. Tino was an idea guy. Yeah, that’s serious tip-of-the-iceberg stuff right there. Because he used social media channels and digital marketing strategies to promote his artists. He knew how to create compelling content to showcase their unique stories. And built an even stronger connection with their fans and potential fans. And he made sure email marketing was a BIG part of the whole fan connection process. Should I share more of Tino’s world-beating story? How about I just tell you that he made great use of: Streaming technology Multiple payment gateways SEO strategies Tino (and the other artists) loved how it didn’t feel like their pockets were being picked by promoters, publishers, and recording studios and labels anymore. And fans loved the much more direct connection they could make with their favorite singers and bands. In just a few years, Tino carved what looked like a permanent niche for himself in the music world. That’s right. He found that, with the right tools and strategies, artists could indeed beat the music world at its own game. Wow, his story reminds me of the 8th song on my Do Right collection. Beat The World. In fact, check out these lyrics (that Tino didn’t write). ~ Every time you turn your back There’s somebody there to pick your pockets. And so you see there’s more to life, More than love and rockets. ~ And then, there’s this verse: ~ Yeah…every time you make your mark There’s somebody there to erase it. And people say that’s just the way it is And boy you’d better face it. ~ Get the rest of the lyrics, and all the lyrics to ALL the songs when you get your own Do Right Songbook Journal. You’ll also get lots of pages where you can journal, take notes in church, or just doodle if you prefer. AND you can download ALL the songs (at no extra charge) from a secret (not secret) link in the book. Just go to the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop and get yours today. https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-bookshop Let me know if you have any problems getting the book. I’ll make sure you get it! Stay tuned, The post Understatement of the year is maybe right here appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

The anchors, the weather and sports reporters, the investigative reporters, and the editorialists all talked a blue streak night after night. So, it was ironic when Theo felt something like the stroke of a paintbrush across his heart. Because it wasn’t the same feeling as a physical paintbrush stroke. It was more like a blue streak of cool light. And it happened as he listened to a late night, local talkshow host talk about something in the Bible. But the host didn’t sound like a preacher. He sounded more like a reporter who related current events to verses in the Bible. And every time he pointed out another truth, it tore away another layer of darkness from Theo’s eyes. The truth sort of pierced right into him like a needle in the hand of skilled nurse. No pain. So, night after night, Theo would tune in. And night after night he’d hear more truth that he hadn’t heard from churches and other religious organizations. Plus, the talk show host included hilarious entertainment by taking calls from people, all around the country, who disagreed with him. Theo noticed a pattern form. Many people from all around the country clearly despised the talk show host. And most of them could only express their contempt for him with insults and complaints. They refused to believe the words he read, directly from the Bible, were actually words in the Bible. Because, like me, they also hadn’t heard those messages in church. Or from any Christians they knew. So, Theo tuned in to the show, for months. He couldn’t find any points of contention or disagreement with the talk show host. And he enjoyed how the host ended his shows with “Do right. And risk the consequences.” Then, one day, after watching a particularly entertaining episode of the show, Theo’s brain lit up with some lyrics. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. Theo’s an excellent songwriter. So, he wrote down the words, editing as he wrote (because that’s the best way). And he twiddled around with some chords and progressions as he ironed out the verses and chorus. I’ll bet you can see why his first line was… “There’s a blue streak like a paintbrush stroke through my heart.” Right? You picked up on that whole connection I’ll betcha. And I bet you get this next line, too. “It’s a cool light and it tears the darkness apart.” How about it? The lyrics make a lotta sense, since you read a little bit of the backstory. Can I get an Amen? So, any guesses on the next line? Try these next two lines: “I’m so near it; though it pierces me I don’t fear it. Like a needle; the Word sews into my spirit.” I don’t know about you, but that gave me goosebumps. OK, maybe little goslingbumps. But I really enjoy observing a maestro’s mind at work. Well, I’ve been writing up a blue streak about this story. So, I’m not gonna share the whole rest of the laborious and intense songwriting process with you. But you can rest assured, Theo included the line, “Do right and risk the consequences.” You know what you should Do Right now? Go get your own digital download of the Do Right Songbook Journal. And when you get your own copy, you’ll get all the lyrics to ALL the songs. Not just this Do Right song I wrote about. Plus, there are tons of pages where you can journal, take notes in church, or just doodle if you prefer. AND you can download ALL the songs (at no extra charge) from a secret (not secret) link in the book. Just go to the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop and get yours today. https://www.tonyfunderburk.com/rhyme-and-reason-bookshop Let me know if you have any problems getting the book. I’ll make sure you get it! Till next time… Stay tuned… P.S. If you already have your copy of this classic music, refer the link to someone else. Thanks! The post Blue streak, take a peek, it’s unique appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

You’ve heard how there was no joy in Mudville when Mighty Casey struck out. Well, I assume you’ve heard that or read it. And I know what happens when you assume. So, maybe I should have given a spoiler alert. But the poem first appeared back in 1888. So, for cryin’ out loud, if you haven’t read it or heard it by now, then shame on you. Anyway… Mighty Casey struck out. But that’s nothing compared to Wyler’s woes. I know you’ve never heard of Wyler James. And I’ll explain how I know that, shortly. Just know for now, that when it comes to someone who knows what it feels like to be struck out, you don’t have to look any further than Wyler. He started out on a what looked like a fast track to stardom. Because his first 3 songs were covered by some Nashville names big enough to make him a fair sum of money as it made them a lot more. So, that was mighty cool. And Wyler gained a considerable amount of recognition from his appearances in the Nashville venues that featured songwriters “in the round.” People just plain liked him. And they liked those first 3 hits, a trio of soulful love songs. But one gray day Wyler hit two metaphorical, but solid, stone walls that stalled out his career. First, the music industry moved into a time where his style of soulful love songs just were “not what the public wants to hear,” according to publishers, promoters, and radio execs. So, that was a pretty big slap. Because Wyler wasn’t a “viral hits” and “dance tracks” kind of songwriter they said they needed. But the other stone wall was where he really got the rug pulled out from under him. And that wall was Wyler’s worldview. Yeah, it’s safe to say he didn’t tow the creative community’s party line. Because Wyler not only considered himself a Christian AND a conservative. He actually voiced his opinion. A lot. GASP! Can you imagine? (Yeah, you probably can, right?) So… Former so-called “friends” faded into the background. Or should I say into the woodwork? And publishers, and other songwriters, treated him as persona non grata (that’s Italian for persona non grata). And I can tell you, from experience, a persona with non grata has a much harder time paying the bills. So, Wyler’s desk filled up with past-due bills. And he headed toward total bankruptcy. Because the memories of the days of radio hits, sold-out shows, and awards motivated him to stick with his true love. Music. And, in a world that increasingly doesn’t appreciate the Christian worldview, Wyler seemed to face impossible odds. But he wasn’t the kind of guy who bet the odds. And night after night he’d go to his guitar, strum and hum, and look for “that song.” The one his heart wanted to sing to (and FOR) everyone who faced seemingly impossible odds because they dared to speak their Christian faith. Finally, one night he found some chords and strums that fit just right with 4 lines of lyrics that kept popping into his brain. And he wrote… You say you’re feeling empty and it doesn’t go away. And you live for your tomorrow and suffer in today. You need to blow your trumpet to tear down all the walls And keep your heart wide open to hear God when He calls. Suddenly Wyler felt revived. And it was as if his soul filled up with renewed hope, love, and determination. Then, he set up his computer studio, positioned his mic, and recorded the whole song in only a couple of takes. He listened to the finished song about 10 times. And every time he heard it, he liked it more. Then, he got this crazy idea that he’d just skip the Nashville publishing, promoting scene. He’d just put his song directly in front of the fans he still had on his social media pages. As it turned out, there were still plenty of fans and followers who loved his music. And many of them shared his new song. Before he would have ever dreamed it could happen, the song became one of those viral hits. Yeah. And that’s in spite of it not being a dance track. Go figure. I won’t bore you with the rest of the details of what happened after that. Because here’s the part of the story where I share with you how I know you never heard of Wyler James. You never heard of him because he didn’t exist before I wrote this story. But the lines to his song existed. Because I wrote them way back in the 90’s. And the song, Impossible Odds, was included on my Do Right CD. Yes, CD. Now, you can get a digital download of the Do Right Songbook Journal in the Rhyme and Reason Bookshop. We just added it to the digital bookshelves today. You’ll get the lyrics to all the songs, lots of pages to journal or doodle on, and a link to download all the songs to your favorite device, included at zero dinero. Don’t be struck out watching that offer pass you by. But if you don’t know me well enough to spend money on a book, then jump on the The TRUTH. Get to know me better. Just so you know, Wyler’s worldview is mine, too. Join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the Rhyme and Reason and power of God’s love. Stay tuned… The post Struck out, struck down, and washed up in this town appeared first on Tony Funderburk.

They’re not scary when you use even a little of the wisdom and discernment your Creator is willing to give you. I’m talking about health headlines. But if you read them without wisdom and discernment, as if they’re actually full-blown facts, you might start feeling like calling up the suicide hotline. Because the vast majority of news sources would prefer you to stay locked down, inside your house, and in front of your computer or TV with fear in your heart. Of course, I could just be a conspiracy nut. And, in that case, skip the rest of this raving rant. Save yourself some more time for the fear news. But check out these health headlines from today 1/4/2024 before you go: FDA probes side effects of weight-loss drugs Possible Ozempic side effects including hair loss and suicidal thoughts probed by FDA FDA examining side effect reports with Lilly, Novo obesity drugs Highly contagious measles exposures in Philadelphia announced in unvaccinated residents Flu misery, COVID on the rise due to lack of vaccination ‘Take prevention seriously’: SC urges caution as respiratory illness remain high SC flu cases, COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise following holiday season As flu cases spike, local hospital adjusts visiting policies For 50 years I’ve been writing and talking about how this kind of world could and would happen. At first it was innocuous “laws” and policies to simply “provide protection” from accidents. You know. Helmets for motorcycles. And seatbelts for cars. I’m not against those, by the way. But the “laws?” Not so much. I’m not gonna bore you with some decades long timetable. Because all that data probably wouldn’t change 1 mind out of 10. Probably wouldn’t turn 1 person’s heart, out of 10, toward their Maker. I CAN tell you the news isn’t likely to get better any time soon. And that includes health headlines, business headlines, and political headlines. So, I just recommend that you at least scan the headlines and bullet points on major news sites. And don’t be surprised when you see how similar, almost eerily similar, they are to each other. It all reminds me of the lyrics I wrote over 25 years ago. It was a song called Cliché. Here’s a verse… We want to live in a fat-free environment, and We want to make sure the ozone is intact. And so we watch all those service commercials, and It’s just so easy to sit back and react. Is it just melodrama…for me to feel this way? I wonder…is it just me? Or does it all sound so cliché? Does it sound that way? So cliché? Cliché, and 12 other songs are included in my Do Right songbook journal. Get yourself a copy on Amazon today. It won’t build your immune system. But it might help you connect with the One who designed that system. Stay tuned, The post Health headlines today keep common sense away appeared first on Tony Funderburk.