Somehow I made it through the 1st Valentine's Day without my love. This has been so hard. The first 4 months after his transition, it was actually hard to breathe. I tried to keep as busy as possible but moments, memories and flashbacks of our 25 years together kept flashing back. I have been going through paperwork, photos, DVD's with data, songs, and so much more. I have been running into so many wonderful things. I came across this Interview we did back in our early days. (the year 2000,) I want to share it here with you.
Written by Sharon Brumagem for WAXZ-WAOL in Georgetown, Ohio and for the Greg Wilson official Web site.
Sharon’s Note: Meeting singer/songwriter Greg Wilson and his wife and song writer partner, Donna, turned out to be one of the most pleasant experiences I had while in Nashville for Fan Fair in June. They invited me to Greg’s Fan Club Party, the first broadcast for Live On The Net from the Broken Spoke Songwriter Cafe on June 11, and since we were all were staying at the nearby Ramada Inn, we hung out together several times during my visit.
What is unique about this couple is that they are so in tune to their marriage and their music. I couldn’t resist but asking them for an interview to explore what makes this musical and marital couple click. Most of their answers are a blend of both their thoughts. When one starts a reply, the other most likely finishes it. There interest in music is definitely adding up for a successful personal and professional life together.
What is unique about this couple is that they are so in tune to their marriage and their music. I couldn’t resist but asking them for an interview to explore what makes this musical and marital couple click. Most of their answers are a blend of both their thoughts. When one starts a reply, the other most likely finishes it. There interest in music is definitely adding up for a successful personal and professional life together.
Sharon: How long have you been a song writing team?
Donna: We have been writing together since 1996. We started writing long distance on-line, our personalities clicked immediately.
Greg: We moved in together in 1998 and started writing together in person. That was a little difficult to get used to after all the on-line writing, but we figured it out quickly.
Sharon: What are the two favorite songs you've written together and what inspired them?
Donna: I would have to say "Really I Do" since we wrote that one for each other with each other in mind. It really is how we feel about each other.
My other favorite would have to be "Footprints in the Sand" I love the chorus and the chords in that song. It really has a kick to it. Now, Greg might not agree that these are his two favorites so we will just have to ask him, Greg?
Greg: Hmm, that's a tough one to answer. I definitely agree on Donna's choices, but it's like trying to pick your favorite children, not an easy choice. Every one of the songs we write are special to us for one reason or another and each has it's own special place in our hearts for those reasons. As for the what inspired those two songs, it is our love for each other shining through. I also have to add a third song though since the number three is special to us. "Duty Called" it's one we CO‑wrote with a friend of ours and is about the Vietnam Vets. It's going to be the first video (from the Take It Slow CD). It's a message that has to be heard. Those men and women who served in Vietnam deserve much more than they got in the area of recognition. It's our tribute to them.
Sharon: What are the advantages and disadvantages of writing together?
Donna with Greg nodding his head in agreement: The advantages? Well, we don't have to go anywhere to get to each other. Seriously, we think alike, and usually when one of us gets an idea, the other one picks up on where we want to go with it and it happens. The only time I think there is a disadvantage is when we might not agree all the way on a chorus or verse or chord pattern, then it is hard to say, “I don't like what you are doing there,” because you are not only saying that to your song writing partner, you are saying it to your life partner. Feelings can and do come into play. Things can get personal, heck, song writing is a very personal thing.
Sharon: What is your shared goal with your song writing? Related question: For what do you both want to be remembered?
Donna: It would be great to be remembered as wonderful talented songwriters and also that we were married songwriters. I think that is pretty unique in itself. What everyone gets to hear comes from the deepest parts of us, and it is not always easy to bear your soul. But, it is easier when you do it with someone you love.
Greg: Our shared goal, I think, would be to have this craft that we love so much (and song writing is a craft) someday be able to be (the main source for paying) all the bills so we can spend more time together writing more songs.
Sharon: Do you have a set time to work together? If so, describe the creative process.
Donna: Hmmmmm, yeah, when I say, “hey, I have a song idea!” No, seriously, we really don't have a set time. It is whenever a song idea strikes us. We did try to set up a certain night a week for writing but we found that not to work. It is hard to push inspiration to surface. We basically just write when we feel inspired and ironically what ends up happening is that if one of us gets a great song idea, whether it be lyrics, melody, chord pattern, the other usually gets excited and inspired by the other and jumps right in. I guess you can say, that’s how it works for us.
Sharon: How long have you been making the trek together to Nashville?
Donna: We moved to Georgia from Long Island in May of 1999 so it has only been a little over a year. We love our Nashville trips, wouldn't trade them for the world, they are truly inspirational. We always come home feeling like there is a great song around the corner and can't wait to go back. I don't know if we would feel that way if we lived there full time. We are happy to keep things the way they are for right now and commute every couple of weeks.
Sharon: How is the Broken Spoke project, Live On the Net, coming along?
Donna: It is great, wonderful, and I am having the time of my life! I am getting to meet so many great people and making so many contacts. I am also doing something I truly believe in and that is getting the songwriters out there singing their own songs. My biggest joy is that many more people are becoming aware that there are a lot of talented individuals out there that create these songs. If I had a wish that could be granted, it would be for all the people in the world to read their CD covers completely and make sure they notice who wrote each song on every CD. Each song had a home before it went out into the world ... Knowing where the songs came from and from whom should be explored by all. Music is such a wonderful experience, I think learning where the song came from can also help understand a song better although I also understand that some song’s appeal might come from the idea of individual interpretation. You know what I mean, like a particular song can have one meaning for one person, then a totally different meaning to someone else. I find those songs to be very interesting. I then set out to find out what direction the writer had for the song.
Greg and Donna provided their personal bio:
They were married July 10, 1998 and just celebrated their second wedding anniversary in Virginia Beach. Greg has three daughters and Donna has two daughters by prior marriages. Greg and Donna are enjoying being grandparents together and they just celebrated the birth of their third granddaughter. Theirs is definitely an “all girl” family.
Sharon: Where do you live? General vicinity.
Both contributed the info for this question: They bought a house in May of this year in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Georgia.
Sharon: What advice would you give other song writing teams?
Donna: Have a lot of fun with what you are doing, if you are a married song writing team, have patience. Just kidding! The only advice we would give would be to not try to push or rush the creative process. If you don't feel like writing today, don't! When you do feel like it, it will be a good one.
Sharon: Donna, what was it like singing with your husband on his latest CD? What songs did you sing?
Donna: Well, I was very nervous, I am not a professional singer, but I do enjoy singing, always have. We would have the demo in the car and when “Really I Do” would come on, I would just sing along with Greg. It got to the point where the song didn't sound right without me singing to it so I agree to try and record it. After it was done, I was kinda surprised that it sounded nice. I do think that our voices, especially on this song compliment each other. I also sang some background vocals on "Love Goes On" in the chorus. I sang a little back up on the first CD to a song called "If I'd Had Sent a Rose." Now that song, I was scared to death on and really didn't enjoy it because I had never been in a recording studio and was not comfortable at all. This time it was 100 percent easier and I can say that I even enjoyed it.
Sharon: Greg, what was it like having Donna sing with you on your CD?
Greg: It was great! I knew it would sound good, but she had to be ready. It's like trying to get someone to not be nervous the first day at a new job. I'm sure it was hard for her since she wanted to please me with it and I she knows I am a bit of a perfectionist. Another thing that I don't think people think about. If you have a bad day at work and make a mistake, it's forgotten the next day. In the studio if you make a mistake and no one catches it, everyone in the world will be hearing it on the CD for heaven only knows how long ... I am very pleased with the result, although it was a little hard getting her to do the sexy whispers in the bridge. She thought it would sound a little silly. I am happy that she agreed to do it because I think it gives the song a sexy character that sets it apart from other duets out there. When asked if what would be the equation for success, Donna had the correct answer.
Donna: I would like to add 4+15+14+14+1 to 7+18+5+7 to get a total of 85 then add 8+5=13 add 1+3 to get 4 and divide that in half to get a total of 2 which is basically just 1 + 1. That is the formula for two hearts coming together for one goal and that is to write beautiful songs together while sharing the great experience we call life.
Greg and Donna are proving that those numbers do add up when it comes to sharing their ups and downs, life experiences, thoughts and dreams with others through their music.
Donna: We have been writing together since 1996. We started writing long distance on-line, our personalities clicked immediately.
Greg: We moved in together in 1998 and started writing together in person. That was a little difficult to get used to after all the on-line writing, but we figured it out quickly.
Sharon: What are the two favorite songs you've written together and what inspired them?
Donna: I would have to say "Really I Do" since we wrote that one for each other with each other in mind. It really is how we feel about each other.
My other favorite would have to be "Footprints in the Sand" I love the chorus and the chords in that song. It really has a kick to it. Now, Greg might not agree that these are his two favorites so we will just have to ask him, Greg?
Greg: Hmm, that's a tough one to answer. I definitely agree on Donna's choices, but it's like trying to pick your favorite children, not an easy choice. Every one of the songs we write are special to us for one reason or another and each has it's own special place in our hearts for those reasons. As for the what inspired those two songs, it is our love for each other shining through. I also have to add a third song though since the number three is special to us. "Duty Called" it's one we CO‑wrote with a friend of ours and is about the Vietnam Vets. It's going to be the first video (from the Take It Slow CD). It's a message that has to be heard. Those men and women who served in Vietnam deserve much more than they got in the area of recognition. It's our tribute to them.
Sharon: What are the advantages and disadvantages of writing together?
Donna with Greg nodding his head in agreement: The advantages? Well, we don't have to go anywhere to get to each other. Seriously, we think alike, and usually when one of us gets an idea, the other one picks up on where we want to go with it and it happens. The only time I think there is a disadvantage is when we might not agree all the way on a chorus or verse or chord pattern, then it is hard to say, “I don't like what you are doing there,” because you are not only saying that to your song writing partner, you are saying it to your life partner. Feelings can and do come into play. Things can get personal, heck, song writing is a very personal thing.
Sharon: What is your shared goal with your song writing? Related question: For what do you both want to be remembered?
Donna: It would be great to be remembered as wonderful talented songwriters and also that we were married songwriters. I think that is pretty unique in itself. What everyone gets to hear comes from the deepest parts of us, and it is not always easy to bear your soul. But, it is easier when you do it with someone you love.
Greg: Our shared goal, I think, would be to have this craft that we love so much (and song writing is a craft) someday be able to be (the main source for paying) all the bills so we can spend more time together writing more songs.
Sharon: Do you have a set time to work together? If so, describe the creative process.
Donna: Hmmmmm, yeah, when I say, “hey, I have a song idea!” No, seriously, we really don't have a set time. It is whenever a song idea strikes us. We did try to set up a certain night a week for writing but we found that not to work. It is hard to push inspiration to surface. We basically just write when we feel inspired and ironically what ends up happening is that if one of us gets a great song idea, whether it be lyrics, melody, chord pattern, the other usually gets excited and inspired by the other and jumps right in. I guess you can say, that’s how it works for us.
Sharon: How long have you been making the trek together to Nashville?
Donna: We moved to Georgia from Long Island in May of 1999 so it has only been a little over a year. We love our Nashville trips, wouldn't trade them for the world, they are truly inspirational. We always come home feeling like there is a great song around the corner and can't wait to go back. I don't know if we would feel that way if we lived there full time. We are happy to keep things the way they are for right now and commute every couple of weeks.
Sharon: How is the Broken Spoke project, Live On the Net, coming along?
Donna: It is great, wonderful, and I am having the time of my life! I am getting to meet so many great people and making so many contacts. I am also doing something I truly believe in and that is getting the songwriters out there singing their own songs. My biggest joy is that many more people are becoming aware that there are a lot of talented individuals out there that create these songs. If I had a wish that could be granted, it would be for all the people in the world to read their CD covers completely and make sure they notice who wrote each song on every CD. Each song had a home before it went out into the world ... Knowing where the songs came from and from whom should be explored by all. Music is such a wonderful experience, I think learning where the song came from can also help understand a song better although I also understand that some song’s appeal might come from the idea of individual interpretation. You know what I mean, like a particular song can have one meaning for one person, then a totally different meaning to someone else. I find those songs to be very interesting. I then set out to find out what direction the writer had for the song.
Greg and Donna provided their personal bio:
They were married July 10, 1998 and just celebrated their second wedding anniversary in Virginia Beach. Greg has three daughters and Donna has two daughters by prior marriages. Greg and Donna are enjoying being grandparents together and they just celebrated the birth of their third granddaughter. Theirs is definitely an “all girl” family.
Sharon: Where do you live? General vicinity.
Both contributed the info for this question: They bought a house in May of this year in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Northern Georgia.
Sharon: What advice would you give other song writing teams?
Donna: Have a lot of fun with what you are doing, if you are a married song writing team, have patience. Just kidding! The only advice we would give would be to not try to push or rush the creative process. If you don't feel like writing today, don't! When you do feel like it, it will be a good one.
Sharon: Donna, what was it like singing with your husband on his latest CD? What songs did you sing?
Donna: Well, I was very nervous, I am not a professional singer, but I do enjoy singing, always have. We would have the demo in the car and when “Really I Do” would come on, I would just sing along with Greg. It got to the point where the song didn't sound right without me singing to it so I agree to try and record it. After it was done, I was kinda surprised that it sounded nice. I do think that our voices, especially on this song compliment each other. I also sang some background vocals on "Love Goes On" in the chorus. I sang a little back up on the first CD to a song called "If I'd Had Sent a Rose." Now that song, I was scared to death on and really didn't enjoy it because I had never been in a recording studio and was not comfortable at all. This time it was 100 percent easier and I can say that I even enjoyed it.
Sharon: Greg, what was it like having Donna sing with you on your CD?
Greg: It was great! I knew it would sound good, but she had to be ready. It's like trying to get someone to not be nervous the first day at a new job. I'm sure it was hard for her since she wanted to please me with it and I she knows I am a bit of a perfectionist. Another thing that I don't think people think about. If you have a bad day at work and make a mistake, it's forgotten the next day. In the studio if you make a mistake and no one catches it, everyone in the world will be hearing it on the CD for heaven only knows how long ... I am very pleased with the result, although it was a little hard getting her to do the sexy whispers in the bridge. She thought it would sound a little silly. I am happy that she agreed to do it because I think it gives the song a sexy character that sets it apart from other duets out there. When asked if what would be the equation for success, Donna had the correct answer.
Donna: I would like to add 4+15+14+14+1 to 7+18+5+7 to get a total of 85 then add 8+5=13 add 1+3 to get 4 and divide that in half to get a total of 2 which is basically just 1 + 1. That is the formula for two hearts coming together for one goal and that is to write beautiful songs together while sharing the great experience we call life.
Greg and Donna are proving that those numbers do add up when it comes to sharing their ups and downs, life experiences, thoughts and dreams with others through their music.
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