Steel Bridge Serenade

June 25th, 2007

New York, NY- I have just spent an amazing week in Sturgeon bay, Wisconsin.

Nothing I write can do it justice.

Blog breakdown.

Exposition: Pat MacDonald invites 25 songwriters to his hometown for a week to write songs together and then to share a stage with Jackson Browne and sings to several thousand people. The cause: the Sturgeon Bay Steel Bridge, a one-of-a-kind historic drawbridge that Pat’s sister Christy is trying her best to save. And it looks like she’s succeeding!

The songwriters all stay right by the bridge at the Holiday Motel. A three room recording studio is also provided.

The writers range from their early twenties to their fifties, from precocious newcomers to seasoned songwriting celebrities – an excellent mix of personalities and talents.

As you may know, I am an English skeptic, not one for gushing new age statements. So, when I say that a remarkable energy was oozing out of the walls it’s time you put on your Wellington boots.

Up till dawn almost every night.

I must have collaborated on and recorded over half a dozen songs during the week with a wonderful combination of writers, singers ad musicians. I won’t mention any of the collaborators here because if I mention one I’ll have to mention them all…

Okay, I’ll mention Don Dilego because we shared a room and we spent a lot of the week together. But I have an artist crush on at least another dozen folks who were there. I heard some amazing songs and witnessed some unforgettable performances.

Point is: it made me like music and songwriting once again, and gave me a necessary sense of community in this atomized world.

Some time soon, I hope to post a few of the songs. In the meantime check in with the Steel Bridge Songfest site to read who took part.

Big thanks to Pat MacDonald for inviting me and all the other great writers. Thanks also to Jane Weidlin, the lovely Chris Aaron, Anna Sacks, Steve Hamilton, Travis and all of the volunteers…