It starts with a spark: a word, a sight, a sound, an idea. Those sparks become songs. The songs become recordings. An album is born.
Songwriter.
If I were forced to pick one word to describe the professional path along which I tread, that would be it. It's an astoundingly cool word, if I may say so myself, because in order to be a songwriter, you actually have to be a lot of other things first.
A traveler of roads. A keeper of stories. A diary of thoughts. A student of language. A beating-heart of music. A listener.
That last one is perhaps the most important. A songwriter has to listen to everything. To words, both spoken and unspoken. To the soul, whether it whispers softly or screams with the sheer sonic force of a thousand maniacs. To the road ahead and to the road behind, both of which either push or pull in directions that can at times seem simultaneously encouraging and maddening. A songwriter listens to people, to places, and to the wind with ears ever-ready and antennae at full extension.
The songwriter must listen to all of these things before impregnating a blank page with a word-- before fostering and coaxing that word along until it becomes a verse, and then several verses leading into a chorus, and so on until a newborn song can open its eyes to the light of day (or the darkness of night) for the first time.
If the songwriter can not listen, then all of those other skills he or she has so painstakingly acquired are for naught.
I've chosen to name this-- my sixth album-- Wide Listener, because that is what I have striven to become over this long musical journey of mine. And, ever the eternal optimist, I feel that I have become just that: a good, roving, studious, serious, wide listener.
I've also chosen Wide Listener because listening is a trait that both the songwriter and the song-injester (that would be you, of course) share in common. Without listening, I wouldn't have these collections of songs to present to you.
Without listening, you wouldn't be able to hear them.
I've been listening for my entire life, and it's my hope that you're out there ready to listen to what it is that I've been hearing.
Without you there is no musical me.
So, from the bottom of my heart:
Thank you for listening.
Risks and challenges Learn about accountability on Kickstarter
The challenges I face, and the expenses that I must meet:
Write the songs (check)
Record those songs (____)
Mix those songs (____)
Master those songs (____)
Compile the album (____)
Promote the album (____)
Release the album (____)
Tour (____)
Tour (____)
Tour (____)
With your help, I can check the rest of these things off of my list. And, if I've done my best-- which is something that I've always tried with all of my heart and soul to do-- hopefully you'll find something you can love and value waiting for you at the end of that list. A note, a song, a show-- whatever it might be.
I love songs as much as anyone can love anything, and I hope that you'll find something to love between the first and last notes of Wide Listener.
Thanks for being being a crucial part of this process.
FAQ
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205
Backers
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Funding period
Nov 26, 2012 -
Dec 26, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 11 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: drewkennedymusic.com
Pledge $10 or more
19 backers
A digital download of the new album Wide Listener one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $15 or more
18 backers
A physical copy of the new album Wide Listener, as well as a digital download, both available one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $5 to ship outside the USPledge $25 or more
17 backers
A handwritten postcard from the road, plus physical and digital copies of the album Wide Listener one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Ships within the US onlyPledge $30 or more
28 backers Limited (22 of 50 left)
A copy of Drew's novel Fresh Water In The Salton Sea personally inscribed to you or a person of your choosing, plus a digital copy of the album Wide Listener one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $8 to ship outside the USPledge $35 or more
60 backers All gone!
Handwritten lyrics of any song off of Drew's previous 5 albums on quality paper, plus physical and digital copies of the album Wide Listener one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $8 to ship outside the USPledge $100 or more
50 backers All gone!
A matted, high quality photograph taken by Drew during his travels over the past year. Each photograph will be unique. Plus: physical and digital copies of the album Wide Listener one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Add $15 to ship outside the USPledge $1,250 or more
4 backers Limited (1 of 5 left)
A private acoustic house concert for you and 10 of your friends-- dates to be mutually agreed upon, location within 400 miles of Austin, TX. PLUS: 10 physical copies of Wide Listener as well as a digital copy of the album one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $2,250 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
A private acoustic house concert for you and 10 of your friends-- dates to be mutually agreed upon-- anywhere in the continental United States. PLUS: 10 physical copies of Wide Listener as well as a digital copy of the album one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $3,500 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
DINNER AND A SHOW! A private acoustic house concert for you and 10 of your friends-- dates to be mutually agreed upon-- anywhere in the continental United States. Drew will even cook dinner for you and your guests before the show! PLUS: 10 physical copies of Wide Listener as well as a digital copy of the album one week prior to the official release date.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013Pledge $5,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER DINNER AND A SHOW! You will be listed as the sole Executive Producer in the credits of Wide Listener! You'll also be treated to a private acoustic house concert for you and 10 of your friends-- dates to be mutually agreed upon-- anywhere in the continental United States. Drew will even cook dinner for you and your guests before the show! PLUS: 10 physical copies of Wide Listener as well as a digital copy of the album one week prior to the official release date..
Estimated delivery: Jul 2013
