Author Archives: Paul Williams
CURRENT EVENTS
Gratitude is the bulldozer that levels the mountain that once was a molehill. I love charts that identify the various parts of your brain. Love knowing I have all that fabulous equipment up there between the ears. Factory equipped. I came that way. Some charts even attempt to explain what does what. I’m not sure which part does the things that get the most unwanted attention from me. That nasty little voice whose only job is to scare the crap… Read More
HUNGER ROAD
There’s a great song written and recorded by Robert Mitchum called “Thunder Road”. Yes, I know, there’s another with the same title by Bruce Springsteen. But, I’m going back a little farther. 1958! Mitchum starred in the film, playing a veteran who returns from the war in Korea to help run the family’s illegal booze business. A fast driving moonshine runner he’s lawless but with high moral fiber! Committed to doing the right thing. Even if doing it might land him… Read More
WATCH – REPAIR
My last blog was about time. Today I’d like to share some thoughts about “Watch repair”. Sounds like I’ve got a ‘tick-tock tick doesn’t it? I’m not talking about fixing something strapped to your wrist. I’m talking about correcting, adjusting, sfine-tuning the way we look at life. “Watch your mouth!” is a parental mantra. At least it was in my house. I heard it when talking back or being disrespectful to my mother. Most kids hear it when they’re… Read More
TIME
“Time was a friend. Back when I was young. And summer was forever. Time. Good was your first name. Every day a lesson. With something new to learn.” I wrote those words when I was in my early thirties. They are lyrics from a song I wrote with Roger Nichols. My life had barely begun and yet I was warbling words of wizened wisdom… sorry…singing about the years as if most of them were behind me. Why? Age ignorance. … Read More
THE DIGITAL DILEMMA
I’m a fan of technology. My cell phone, iPad and Laptop provide me with endless opportunities to connect with the people I love, with friends and with family. I can conduct business efficiently from anywhere in the world. All these wonderful devices deliver music to the world as well. There’s some work to be done on that front but that’s another story. Thru the website, twitter accounts and Facebook pages I can reach out to a whole world… Read More
THE FEARLESS AMATEUR
Last Saturday at the Canadian Music Festival I spoke to a room full of young music hopefuls. Songwriters mostly, burning with passion for the music they’re ready to create. Their dream is, of course, to become successful professionals. I should have reminded them that we’re all amateurs. At least we start out that way. At everything. I mean everything. Including marriage, parenting, and all the minor subjects like whatever your chosen occupation is. That little place we visit in… Read More
WE CAN ALL CHANGE
The truth in yesterday’s Pascal quote is undeniable. At least in my case. And I can prove it. Take a look at Paul Williams, Still Alive, the warts and all documentary by Steve Kessler about my life and you’ll see a version of me that is hopefully, as unlike the man I am today as- well, enter your own metaphor. Frankly, I’m at a loss for words when I look at some of the archival footage in the film.… Read More
NEW BEGINNINGS
At 49 I had my last drink. A hope to die, full tilt, a black belt alcoholic I’d finally had enough. It was time to get sober or die. My recovery began with two trips to rehab. The first a failed attempt to restore a relationship didn’t do it. I was there for her. Not for me. It simply didn’t take because I wasn’t ready. Two years later I tried again: Only this time for myself. For life. Because to… Read More