BILL BLOG
Monday May 5, 2025
Monday morning arises, and man, has it cooled off in Nashville. We’ve gone from the 80’s to a high in the 50’s over the weekend, and our high today will be 58. As I start this blog the temperature is just 49 degrees. We’ve had a lot of rain over the past 3 or 4 days and that’s brought our temperatures down. I thought I was done with sweatshirts and pants and space heaters. But no.
THE WEEKEND
It was a busy weekend that started with me and 5 other songwriters writing songs with folks who sell insurance. The Insurance company USI rewarded their top sellers and their families with a 3-day trip to Nashville, and a songwriting session with guys like me and my friends.
Each songwriter was paired with 6 different groups, and we wrote songs with those groups over hit songs. My two songs were “She’s in Love With The Boy” by Trisha Yearwood and “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus. And we had to finish each song in just 30 minutes. That turned out to be quite the challenge, but we got it done.
After I finished each song with a group, I would leave, and a dance instructor would then work with the group and teach them to dance to the song we’d just written. And then one hour later, the group was on one of the big stages at the Country Music Hall of Fame singing and dancing AND being judged for their songs and performances by the country songwriting duo The Warren Brothers.
Here’s one chorus that was written to “Achy Breaky Heart” to give you an idea of what was written.
We’re USI, peak sellers USI
Bet you’ve never ever heard us sing
Yes we’re USI, insurance USI
And we hope tonight that we don’t sing off key
Oooh
Quite the day to say the least, but I think everyone who participated had a great time…and that was the goal. My thanks to my songwriter buddy Brian White for asking me to join this group of Nashville writers that also included Steve Williams, Keesy Timmer, Pete Sallis, and Wil Nance.
SATURDAY NIGHT
Our “Hits & Grins” trio played in the Grand Ole Barn at Starstruck Farms in Lebanon, Tennessee for the third time. This is Reba McEntire’s old estate where she lived for years before selling it.
The new owners have converted it into an entertainment destination. The big horse barn has been converted into hotel rooms. Each stall is a room which is pretty cool.
There’s a great BBQ buffet served before each show in the Barn. And there’s mac n cheese!
We had a great crowd for a rainy night and those folks were totally into the songwriter show we put on Saturday night. So, thank you to everyone who came out and caught our “Hits & Grins” show.
LINDA AND HILLARY AWARD
Congratulations to my dear friend Linda Davis and her daughter Hillary Scott for this great recognition.
This simply could not have happened to better or more deserving individuals who give WAY more than they receive. Love this.
TODAY’S SONG
Let’s make this Hillary Scott and the Scott Family song “Safe Haven” as our Song of the Day from the album “Love Remains,” which won two Grammy Awards.
I was blessed to be a writer on the song with my friends Jimmy Fortune, Sydni Perry, AND Hillary Scott. “Safe Haven” was written about the loss of Hillary’s grandfather, and it has touched lives around the world. Many folks have used this song at celebration of life ceremonies to honor loved ones whom they loved.
Ricky Skaggs produced this great project that features the entire Scott family.
HEALTH NOTES
Using semaglutide injections, scientists were able to reverse life-threatening cases of liver disease in a new clinical trial. Semaglutide is a traditional treatment used for diabetes patients. The health industry views it as a big step forward.
Ethel Catherham is now the world’s oldest living woman. She lives in London. She attributes her long life to “never arguing with anyone”.
The blood of a man who endured 200 snake bites, 700 venom shots, is being used to create a universal anti-venom.
HERE’S YOUR SIGN
Kind of biblical isn’t it?
HOMES BE EXPENSIVE
New data claims that families need to earn 70% more than they did just six years ago to buy a home at the national median price these days. And right now, the median price is $431,250.
I’m thinking we’re going to see more and more two-income families.
SOLID GOLD FLYING
We might need to change the name of Air Force One to Air Force Gold after the Trump makeover.
And for those who might be opposed to such a thing, remember the price of gold keeps going up. So the taxpayers will make a profit if they ever sell it. We’ve got that going for us.
FROM PLANES TO SHIPS
How about this big old boat launched in Australia?
It’s officially the world’s largest ship run on battery. Yep. Battery. I guess down in the engine room, you’ll see this guy working hard.
WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKYARD
We have lots of deer, a groundhog who won’t go away, rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, red foxes, and more here in Tennessee. I’ll take those as opposed to having iguanas in my backyard. A woman in Florida found 90 iguana eggs in her backyard.
Yep, I’ll keep the deer we have.
ALCATRAZ
Trump is saying he’s going to reopen Alcatraz once again and use it as a place to keep our most hardened and notorious criminals.
That should make the Alcatraz tours a WHOLE lot more interesting.
TODAY’S HEADLINE
Entire Pavement Stolen Overnight From Village. (I guess the thieves ran out of jewelry and cars to steal.)
TODAY
A bit of an open day on my calendar. However, I will be casting my vote in this contest that will benefit St. Jude. Thank you to all those songwriter-singers who entered this contest to help out. And good luck to everyone.
Have a great Monday.
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