Are you covering a song or composing an original? If we cover songs, do they have the same depth and dimension as a song of our own creation? Listening to musicians converse, there are distinctive memories about the moment a rift or refrain reveals itself. Those in the room, when an idea is founded, possess a connection that is formidable to transfer to those who join us along the journey.

My friend Kate Schutt has been composing new songs for years. Through her music, she shares the most defining moments of her life. Listening to her newest release is a joy because I heard her tell the stories behind the lyrics. I may not have been in the room for the song’s genesis, but Kate has been generous in her ability to provide the audience with context. If it was not for her willingness to do the work that matters, we could just be entertained by the most notable songs to cover.