We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dan Washburn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dan, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
I’m really an observer of life…all life. I watch and hear what is going on around me as an observer and sometimes as a participant…if you look at the world and the people in it, there’s a lot to write about. If you love and have been loved, lost love, you will always have something to write about. I’ve learned a lot about life and myself from my faith, from my kids and from my relationships. I then try to write about them with music….songs.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I continue to have a busy writing and producing schedule. I’m actually still doing the odd tour and am looking at going to Europe, the UK and Ireland again.
As much as I love co-writing, I really enjoy producing recordings for the artists and songwriters I work with. I have an exceptional team of A-flight musicians in Nashville I’ve been working regularly with for the past 8 years. I get to write with several hit Songwriter’s in the USA. I’m working a lot in Ireland these days and most recently, with a German author. I have a group of writers in Canada as well that I get to work with. I’m really enjoying it all!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the most helpful skill I have is being able to play the bass guitar and sing. I started at a young age singing harmonies in a weekend amateur band and developed that; performing from the age of 13 until I was 18. Next, I became a lead singer in a few bands and became a professional in my early 20’s. I continued to develop and grow as a musician, paying my dues and observing and learning from my co-members. I was able to learn the invaluable lesson of what “not” to do as a professional and how to “never” conduct yourself. As I matured, I learned to shut-up more; to listen and learn. I’m still working on that last one… lol
I started writing as a kid. I was 10 when I wrote my first song for my mom….it was a Bakersfield shuffle and was directly influenced by the Buck Owens and Merle Haggard records I played daily.
People ask me often ”how do you write like that, just turn it on and off”? Well, I don’t have an off button, I threw it out several years ago. I look and when something hits me, I stop what I’m doing and dictate the idea or potential tile or lyric into my phone. You have to do it then or you will forget a lot of great ideas. If you want to develop your writing muscle, keep working out with it – just WRITE! Also, listen to well written songs. Those things alone will change how you write.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
This is an easy one – the Bible. It has been a great help in understanding myself and my fellow man. I learned it is great to offer prayers and thoughts for people, but even more important to tangibly help them. If someone needs food – feed them. If they are struggling with bills, money issues- help them there. If they are lonely – be that friend. Being a better human is intrinsic to being a better writer.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.danwashburn.ca
- Instagram: @danialwashburn
- Facebook: fb.me/DanWashburnMusic
- Twitter: @danialwashburn
- Youtube: @danwashburn355
