The Beatles and their British Invasion counterparts inspired millions to pick up guitars and form bands. The '60s had other talented artists who, in turn, inspired songwriters, including this one.
Thanks, Glenn! Yep, Jay's fun to work with, and I'm hoping to zero in more on his career highlights! I think he'll be checking the comment section, but I'll make sure he sees yours!
I enjoyed this, Brad. I was Burt’s trumpet guy for the last 20 some years of his career and heard Burt speak of him many times. I think we played some of their collaborations in concert.
Thanks so much, Tom! Great hearing from you.....all applause to Jay for his meaningful account of Burt and Hal's career and collabs together! Oh, the stories YOU must have! Thanks again, Tom!
Once again, I've learnt so much by reading 'Front Row & Backstage', Brad! Funny how we were both influenced by The Beatles into becoming musicians! Indeed, so many brilliant songwriters go unnoticed, or almost unnoticed, due to either the sheer amount of songs available, or because there is only space for a limited amount of songwriters at one time to choose from. Still, I am happy that you did eventually get published. That is a major achievement.
(When I read the line, "my songs were close to being hit songs, but not quite there", my heart broke!)
Thanks, Jo! Jay's pretty amazing, and a great storyteller! As you can tell by the songs he's had recorded (https://www.jayasher.com/recorded-songs/), he's a dynamite songwriter! And, like we've seen with singer/songwriter/guitarist/actor, Stephen Michael Schwartz and his 20 articles for FR&B (https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/stephen-michael-schwartz), fine talent doesn't always equal airplay and/or retail sales!
But, the industry knows both of these fine talents! And, both have made enviable careers for themselves using their respective talents...that's, ultimately, what's impressive and inspiring to me! Thanks again, Jo!
Just read this for the second time. So interesting to hear about the industry in that era from the perspective of a songwriter and the influences of other artists.
Alfie is a favorite song of mine too. Always brings me to tears.
Thank you, Ellen! Jay has been a blessing, brought to us, of course, by Stephen Michael Schwartz, another doorstep gift that arrived just six months after FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE hung its shingle in August '21!
And, we can understand Jay's appreciation of the likes of BOTH Bacharach and David, being the fellow songwriter that he is! I'm particularly blessed to have so many past and current musicians, producers, singer/songwriters and recording artists calling FR&B home!
Thanks, Taz! Jay was beyond kind and generous to offer this to us! He co-wrote a banger of a song with Stephen Michael Schwartz (if you haven't read Stephen's 20 articles for us, Taz....you'd love 'em all, I know!)
Now, here's a terrific song that Jay and Stephen co-wrote together, and to our ears, it would've been a perfect one to pitch to James Ingram.....BUT, the duo got Clint Holmes to sing on their fully-produced demo (Clint peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in '73 with "Playground in My Mind" for Epic/CBS Records)!👇
That was a fun read. Seems like an interesting guy. Favorite line: Burt wrote ”G-F-E-F-G, F-C.” Hal wrote, “What’s it all about, Alfie.”
Perfect pull quote!
Thanks, Glenn! Yep, Jay's fun to work with, and I'm hoping to zero in more on his career highlights! I think he'll be checking the comment section, but I'll make sure he sees yours!
I enjoyed this, Brad. I was Burt’s trumpet guy for the last 20 some years of his career and heard Burt speak of him many times. I think we played some of their collaborations in concert.
Thanks so much, Tom! Great hearing from you.....all applause to Jay for his meaningful account of Burt and Hal's career and collabs together! Oh, the stories YOU must have! Thanks again, Tom!
Once again, I've learnt so much by reading 'Front Row & Backstage', Brad! Funny how we were both influenced by The Beatles into becoming musicians! Indeed, so many brilliant songwriters go unnoticed, or almost unnoticed, due to either the sheer amount of songs available, or because there is only space for a limited amount of songwriters at one time to choose from. Still, I am happy that you did eventually get published. That is a major achievement.
(When I read the line, "my songs were close to being hit songs, but not quite there", my heart broke!)
Thanks, Jo! Jay's pretty amazing, and a great storyteller! As you can tell by the songs he's had recorded (https://www.jayasher.com/recorded-songs/), he's a dynamite songwriter! And, like we've seen with singer/songwriter/guitarist/actor, Stephen Michael Schwartz and his 20 articles for FR&B (https://bradkyle.substack.com/t/stephen-michael-schwartz), fine talent doesn't always equal airplay and/or retail sales!
But, the industry knows both of these fine talents! And, both have made enviable careers for themselves using their respective talents...that's, ultimately, what's impressive and inspiring to me! Thanks again, Jo!
He definitely is an amazing songwriter and an inspiration, Brad.
Just read this for the second time. So interesting to hear about the industry in that era from the perspective of a songwriter and the influences of other artists.
Alfie is a favorite song of mine too. Always brings me to tears.
Thank you, Ellen! Jay has been a blessing, brought to us, of course, by Stephen Michael Schwartz, another doorstep gift that arrived just six months after FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE hung its shingle in August '21!
And, we can understand Jay's appreciation of the likes of BOTH Bacharach and David, being the fellow songwriter that he is! I'm particularly blessed to have so many past and current musicians, producers, singer/songwriters and recording artists calling FR&B home!
One of my favorite songwriting duos. Thanks for this behind the scenes take. Loved it.
Thanks, Taz! Jay was beyond kind and generous to offer this to us! He co-wrote a banger of a song with Stephen Michael Schwartz (if you haven't read Stephen's 20 articles for us, Taz....you'd love 'em all, I know!)
Now, here's a terrific song that Jay and Stephen co-wrote together, and to our ears, it would've been a perfect one to pitch to James Ingram.....BUT, the duo got Clint Holmes to sing on their fully-produced demo (Clint peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in '73 with "Playground in My Mind" for Epic/CBS Records)!👇
https://bradkyle.substack.com/p/stephen-michael-schwartz-off-the-399?utm_source=publication-search
Here's Jay's Discogs songwriting page....you can see for whom he's written songs (he wrote the song that was the first song Whitney Houston ever recorded solo (for a CBS Paul Jabara 1983 compilation LP, just prior to Clive signing her to Arista)! 👇https://www.discogs.com/artist/972533-Jay-Asher?superFilter=Writing+%26+Arrangement&creditFilter=Written-By
Enjoy!!!