And We Headed Off to Conjure and Write

The very first Switchback Songwriters Weekend was held at Four Mounds Inn near Dubuque on April 8 - 10. It was a great success and Marty and I found the weekend to be an invigorating and renewing experience. One of my oldest and dearest friends, Scott Momenthy, joined us. Scott and I have been friends since fifth grade. When we were in high school, he was way ahead in the songwriting game by producing his own LP. He was my inspiration. Since that time, Scott has continued to write and perform original songs and has become one of Marty's and my favorite songwriters with songs such as "Glorious Love." We were thrilled when, at the last minute, Scott was able to attend the Songwriters Weekend. When I asked him if he would be willing to share his weekend experience for this month's newsletter, he was happy to oblige.....

My name is Scott Momenthy. I have just returned from Switchback's first Songwriters Weekend. Now back in Chicago's bustling 'burbs, I reflect on a time spent among new friends atop high wooded bluffs of Dubuque, Iowa, overlooking the mighty Mississippi River.

It was tight quarters riding up in the Switchback van packed with musical gear. I wondered how Switchback could travel for years, packed like gumballs in the bottom of a kid's full pockets. Part of the secret quickly became clear as my driver Marty McCormack set me at ease with his easy laugh and homespun tales. Soon ordinary apprehensions faded as we passed by the historic river towns of Galena and Dubuque and through the stone gates of Four Mounds Inn. Cresting a hill, the enchanting mansion emerged from the winding wooded road, back-dropped by a soft uncertain sky which over the course of the weekend would shift blue and clear and at night fill periodically with magnificent stars.

One by one, our weekend companions arrived, found their rooms, and settled in for an evening snack and gentle mix-up. Slowly instruments were taken out, and we circled around the living room's fireplace. As the night settled outside, the room began to glow with songs from within. I have played in many circumstances, and yet I launched into my first song with nerves ajangling and fingers suddenly stupid. I wondered, as I set my guitar down shakily in conclusion, if anyone noticed that I had only an introductory verse. Round we went, each finding a voice. On one familiar tune, a chorus emerged with assistance, which is unique in my experience. An instrumentalist played and was joined vocally by two among us who quickly located the lyrics using our phones. Later in my cozy sleeping quarters, it occurred to me that compassion, courage, and good humor were the primary qualities which would define the nature and make possible the success of this first creative gathering.

From fields, cabins, and beds we gathered in the main dining hall for a wonderful breakfast of chilled fruit, fresh warm breads, and bacon and eggs. Full and at ease, we began our creative pursuit in earnest. Round the table one by one we offered response to a clever interview forwarded by our leader John D. Lamb, who has been conducting songwriting weekends for 16 years in Northern Michigan. Upon receiving our customized song assignments, we headed off to conjure and write. I began my note taking from a chair on a platform wedged into the bluff overlooking the river highway where I watched an entire train from engine to caboose stretching across the base of the bluff on the far bank. I followed the whistle until it faded into the sound of a moth flapping by my ear. A great circling eagle grew from a small spot in the sky, and I experienced a sense of space and perspective not possible back home. With such a fresh and dreamlike vista, imaginings quickly began to loosen and play in my mind. By lunch I was glad again for human voices.

In the afternoon, workshops were presented by Brian, Marty, and John. Brian introduced guitar techniques; Marty shared intimate tales of life on the road. John presented demonstrations of song form. I learned to view the neck of my guitar from a new perspective and play harmonics in familiar chord shapes. At one powerful moment in Brian's guitar presentation, he paused, eyes flashing electric blue, one hand suspended above his guitar, the other hand dangling from his raised arm, and index finger loosely raised as though to point toward something beyond the room walls. Leveling that distant gaze on his close listeners, he began to speak, almost somberly, of commitment. He confessed that, though knowledge and skill are cumulative, every performance remains a challenge. He spoke of incessant preparation to focus, express, and convey the inspiration and musicality of his songs. Unlike paintings and other art objects, songs are not stable. No matter how wonderful in conception, a song must be reformed and born again in the imaginations of each new listener.

I spent the rest of the afternoon sunbathing on the lawn, walking in the woods, and conversing with some of my more disciplined companions who had finished early. The staff was available for consultations. I was hung up on a precious line and melody which were going nowhere. By counseling with Marty, I was able to let it go and pull together my song shards. Later that evening after a wonderful family style supper, torches were lit to form a backyard stage. Sitting low and deep in wood-slatted, flat-armed chairs, with a gentle breeze bending the flames and lifting Marty's long locks, we were treated to an intimate musical performance by our hosts, amplified only by the beauty of Four Mounds Inn.

I won't soon forget our final morning together. We gathered in our many colors, not unlike the multitude of birds which found refuge in the Four Mounds feeders, each with an individual pace, color and call. In turn, we took a place at the head of the cleared breakfast table, bravely presenting our songs. Though performance abilities were fresh, the thoughtfulness of our creations was clear. As I listened to the songs of my friends, it occurred to me wonderfully that songwriting is akin to pioneering, and there is a direction on my compass which points inward where compassion, courage, and good humor are the primary qualities of a successful journey. These I discovered in abundance among new friends at Switchback's first Songwriters Weekend. My heartfelt thanks to the staff at Four Mounds Inn; Jan, our unshakable Switchback volunteer; John D. Lamb for his wisdom, skill, and good nature; and Switchback for an intimate welcome into their rare and valuable musical lives.

~ Scott Momenthy

A note from Brian and Marty: The Switchback Songwriters Weekend will be held again next April. Watch our website and newsletter for details! A big thank you to Scott for writing about this year's weekend.

http://www.waygoodmusic.com/