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My wife, Karen, and I have been glued to the television for the last several days watching the events unfold in the Gulf Coast. We have friends in New Orleans that have lost their home and jobs. But we thank God they were able to get out early and get to safety. We have checked on other friends and family in Mississippi and Alabama, and they all seem to be OK. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who are still waiting to hear about loved ones, and those who have lost loved ones to this tragedy. "Katrina" will no doubt be remembered, talked about, and sung about for many years to come.

The singing part is what I would like to address. There are many well written songs of encouragement that can be used at a time like this. But every time there is a major world tragedy, hundreds, if not thousands of songs are written about it. Most of them are usually a pretty sad excuse for a song. I've been wondering when we would start hearing the first batch of "Katrina" songs. Well, it has taken less than a week for them to start hitting the national air waves, and I haven't heard a good one yet.

I don't know what it is that makes musicians, singers and writers immediately want to write about a disaster. Maybe they want to be the first one on the band wagon. What really surprises me is how many writers think that they are the first one, or the only one that has the idea to write about it.

I'm not sure when it started. I've been able to trace it back as far as the American Revolution. Many songs were written about specific battles, heroes, losses and victories. It continued through the Civil War, WW1,WW2, Viet Nam, the Gulf War, 911, and Iraq. We've heard songs that writers rushed to get out about the Kennedy and King assassinations. There were even songs on the radio about the death of Elvis in 1977. Most of them were bad songs.

Country singer Ronnie McDowel made a name for himself in 1977 by writing and recording a song about Elvis called "The King Is Gone". He wrote it the day Elvis died. He recorded it immediately, and within a week it was at radio stations all across America. The song became a big hit and jump started a successful career for McDowel. This song really wasn't written any better than the other Elvis tributes. What really set this song apart was McDowel's incredible ability to sound just like Elvis. Merle Haggard had a tribute song called "From Graceland To The Promiseland" that also saw some success on the charts. But I challenge anybody to sing the Chorus from either song right now.

The truth is, these kinds of songs are extremely typical in times like this. If you have the right contacts, the song may get a little bit of recognition, but they will very soon be forgotten.

If you feel that you just have to write a "Katrina" song, just remember this. You and about 50,000 other songwriters, most of them amateurs, are busy right now looking up rhymes for "hurricane" , "rescue", and "Louisiana". Also remember that if your song is going to have any kind of lasting value it will have to reach beyond this particular disaster.

I am sure that we will begin to see an influx of these songs very soon in the Southern Gospel Market. Perhaps we will hear them as soon as NQC 2005. If we don't hear them this year, I guarantee they will be on grand display by NQC 2006. That is exactly what happened with 911. That particular event happened during NQC 2001. It was understandable that many artists felt compelled to sing "God Bless America", "God Bless The USA", "Battle Hymn Of The Republic", and "The Star Spangled Banner". But by NQC 2002, we had a whole new lot of "NEW YORK CITY 911" songs being performed. I have forgotten how all of them sounded. I didn't hear one that was worth remembering in the bunch.

When writing about current events like "Katrina", it is very easy to pluck the heartstrings of the listener. It is easy because the wounds are still open and people's emotions are still running very high. But a songwriter needs to not rely on that to sell the song. Every song you write should be well written. Every song you write should have good structure.

I want to encourage you to write songs that will have a lasting impact, long after the disaster is over. Write an anthem of encouragement that will make people rejoice when they hear it 50 years from now. Don't fall prey to the trap of writing a mediocre song about a "Katrina", just because it is a hot topic right now.

Until next time, keep on writing!

Daryl Williams
http://www.darylwilliamstrio.net

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