V.Penny Gottsche

Dad would play his sweet old curve-top acoustic Orpheus guitar and sing cowboy songs to us kids as we went to sleep. Music has always remained a fluent and growing language for me. I started cello at 10 and still play cello. Dad taught me guitar chords when an early teen so I could back him on his harmonica on Five Foot Two and a few others. I began writing when I left the old homestead in the 70's. My husband, who I met at band practice '77 when I was the trap drummer and he the visiting rhythm guitar, and I have had fantastic moments in time where one or more or all four of our kids have performed with us. Now teaching the grandkids. I am always reading on how to continually improve my songwriting and how many times I've wondered "Now why didn't I think of that?"
Roots in country/cowboy, then church hymns, onto big band and the "ratpack" type of big singers, still love that material. Then came my own playing cello classical music studiously for 8 school years then, and shortly after that began "writings" we'll call them. I can't help but think in terms of song hooks and titles. I could feel guilty knowing I am in a conversation , for instance, though giving 100% my undivided attention, but always present is that observer side analyzing words and phrasing, unknown , I realize to the other participant. But I am grateful. I am thankful!! I LOVE songwriting and I guess the family thinks it is OK, they've not asked me to stop, or to leave. How sweet is that??!