Interview with Tim Bezy
by Janelle Landauer
How did you get your start in the music business? And, how long have you been writing?
In 1992, I made a decision to learn to write songs. I read books and studied popular songs as well as the country classics.
How do you balance trying to keep up with everything that’s going on in Nashville – all while being located miles away in a different state?
I work hard continuing studying what’s going on in the biz and trying to anticipate any future trends. Much of my communication is via phone and email. I also am in Nashville writing at least one week a month sometimes two.
What goals have you accomplished and what do you still hope to accomplish with your music career?
I have reached many of my goals in the music business. I have had several publishing deals and I am currently managing my own catalogue under the name of IMBEZY Music SESAC. I continually have many up and coming artists recording my songs. I was fortunate to have recently had a song I co-wrote with Chad Lee called “Git-R-Done recorded by Montgomery Gentry for the Larry The Cable Guy Movie “Health Inspector". I currently have a song plugger working my catalogue anticipating a major cut.
Who has been the greatest influence in your life (music related or not)?
My greatest influence in my life has been myself. It’s all about making decisions that are best for me.
If you could collaborate with anyone musically (whether songwriting, in the studio, etc) who would it be and why?
I would love to write a song with George Theren. I think he has so much talent.
What’s the most valuable lesson that you’ve learned through the years of working in the music business?
The biggest lesson I have learned in the music business is that it is a business first and music second.
Do you have a certain brand of guitars that you prefer to play and would recommend to others?
I am still learning guitar. Any guitar that has strings is my dream guitar. Just another tool in the box.
Where do you find the ideas and inspirations when writing songs?
I find ideas for songs everywhere I turn. Life is my palette.
Do you have a favorite song that you’ve written overall? If so, what is it and why is it your favorite song?
I’m still writing my favorite song as of now. The one that gets to number one will definitely be my favorite.
“Dead Soldiers” is such a powerful song… How did this song come about?
"Dead soldiers" is a tribute to the soldier and nothing else. Not many people can even say the words…Dead Soldier. The song is about a group of Army guys that had a pact that if they were ambushed, any survivors would go to the graves of the lost ones and have a beer for them. Only one guy made it back so he takes a six pack and has one for each buddy on the anniversary of their deaths. Empty beer cans are known as dead soldiers…so it is a play on words. Jon Russell from Kentucky recorded the song recently. His myspace address is www.myspace.com/jonrussellcountrymusic
Can you explain the process that goes on from the point after you write the songs? (Do you sing on / make the demos? Pitch the songs to the artists? etc?)
A song is constructed pretty much the same every time. It starts with a hook or story idea. It will then fall into a song form and a melody will develop. After the song is written, it is rewritten and rewritten until it is done. A guitar vocal of the song is then recorded. It is then sent to my demo studio and a fully produced demo is done using a singer of my choice. It is then sent to my song plugger. She then sets up appointments at A&R departments at record labels or to producers and artists themselves. Best case scenario is that it is a perfect for the project they are working on. Then months later the first check comes!
What other songwriters (or artists) have you written with or for?
I have several writer circles I have been fortunate enough to write with. Tom Bezy, Jimmy Weber, Dave Brainard, Phil Valdez, and Peter Wagner are writers I have the longest history with. Chad Lee and Nathan Wade have spent years writing together.
There are many other writers such as Dan Couch, Rick Tiger, Rich Wayland, Craig Monday, Mark Dunning, Curtis Brown, Cori Jean, David Graham just to mention a few.
I have had artists such as Sheila Greenland, Cori Jean, Bethany Pope, Colt Prather, Daryle Singletary, John Cowan, Rigo Sanchez, Jon Russell, Tami Hall and many more record my songs.
Have you worked on any new projects lately that you’d like to tell us about?
I am currently working on projects for David Graham, Cori Jean and Bethany Pope.
For those who don’t know, you had your song “Git-R-Done” on Larry The Cable Guy’s soundtrack… How did that song come about and how did the song find its way to Montgomery Gentry?
The song for Larry called “Git-R-Done” came about during a writing session with Chad Lee. He brought the idea up on a whim thinking Larry needed a song. We wrote it on a Saturday afternoon sitting on the deck at my studio. He later recorded it for a little Nebraska Husker project Chad did to sell at Husker stores. We wrote it dreaming that maybe Montgomery Gentry would record it. We are both Eddie and Troy Fans.
Chad just happened to be subbing as a guitar player at Coyote Willy's Country bar in Lincoln, NE. Larry just so happened to be there having his bachelor’s party. Chad went right up to him and said we wrote a song for him. We had no idea he was even doing a movie which needed a song. He took a copy of it and said he loved it but would give it to Warner Bros. To see what they thought. Luckily we got a call from the movie's producer Alan C. Blomquist who had done movies such as “Walk the Line”, “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”, “Chocolate” and many more. Alan requested some changes to tailor it to the movie. We made several rewrites until he said “perfect”. It was enough they liked it, the icing was that Montgomery Gentry was going to sing it. We had some shaky moments though. They were on Sony, the movie music was being done by Warner. Thank God they worked it out! Then there was a soundtrack.. Somebody up there loves me!
Can you talk more about your company BEZY WADE Merchandising? When did you start it? What made you decide to start the company? Who are some of the artists you’ve worked with so far?
Bezy Wade Merchandise came to life because of our love for country music artists. I have been taking pictures of artists for years. It just seemed right to expand into merchandise in addition to the pictures. We do logos, glossies, shirts, hats, cozies, you name it we do it. We just finished a projects for Jon Russell, Tami Hall, Travis List and have many more in the works.
Finally, is there anything you would like to say to all the country music fans and all our readers?
To country fans….Keep loving country music and buy the CD!
Added: April 27, 2008
Songwriter Spotlight: TIM BEZY /// NATHAN WADE
