Rory Bourke

Norro Wilson Part 2: The Grand Tour

rory — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:43:17 +0000

Hi everybody,

Happy Thanksgiving Holiday. This is the second installment of my interview with poet and legend, Norro Wilson. I wish all of you could know Norro. He is one of the funniest, generous, all-around-good folks in our business. He has been important in so many careers, including mine.

I hope you enjoy this. I know I did just listening to him tell about songs. So get a little songwriter coffee, kick back, and watch as Norro takes you on “The Grand Tour.”

Keep writing. – Rory

Rory and the Round

rory — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:18:02 +0000

Hi everybody,

Please don’t write me to say this video is nothing more than a shameless piece of self-promotion because I knew that when I did it. This past week, we were in Portland. I told my daughter, Leslie, about the upcoming Bluebird round on August 16th. She said, “Dad, you should do a post to publicize the round.” Before I could say no or stop myself there I was promoting myself and my roundmates. They are not shameless self-promoters such as myself.

Keep writing. – Rory

Norro Wilson Checks In

rory — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 20:16:01 +0000

Norro Wilson’s career is beyond belief. Along with co-writer Billy Sherrill, he received a Best Country Song Grammy for Charlie Rich’s “A Very Special Love Song.” Norro is a NSAI Hall of Fame inductee since 1996 and a 2008 inductee into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. He was head of A&R for Warner Bros in the mid 70′s and produced with Buddy Cannon many of Kenny Chesney’s hits.

Norro was good enough to spend some time with me and talk about songwriting in the Billy Sherrill and Al Gallico music publishing world of which Norro was a big part.

Enjoy, Rory

“Redneck Radio” by Tailgate South

rory — Thu, 12 May 2011 22:58:49 +0000

A couple weeks ago, I witnessed a fantastic Bluebird round with the coolest group of writers, singers, and musicians (to me musicians are really magicians). Tony Lopacinski and Mickey Kelley of Tailgate South, aided by Mike Willis, Glen Mitchell and Devin Belle, tore the place apart for two hours. I recorded their “Redneck Radio” performance. If you like these guys, please give me a shout. Keep writing. – Rory

Charlie Black Renders “Another Sleepless Night”

rory — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:04:03 +0000

My pal Charlie Black was in town a few weeks back. After having dinner together, we adjourned back at the house. Charlie picked up my gut-string guitar and started playing some Anne hits. When he got on this one, I grabbed my camera and started filming. Partly because I recognized a great opportunity to learn how to play it better myself in future rounds. But mostly because writing it was so much fun. Without further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I present Mr. Charlie Black. Keep writing. – Rory

Josh Turner: Behind the Scenes

bourkela — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 03:48:26 +0000

Here’s a great behind-the-scenes look at Josh Turner making the “I Wouldn’t Be A Man” video. I think you’ll really enjoy it. Keep writing. – Rory

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

rory — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 02:27:13 +0000

Last June I received an email from my good friend, Terry Reilly, who lives in Ballina, Ireland. He described his plans to turn “On A Wing And A Prayer,” his book about Monsignor James Horan, into a musical. Born in Partry, Ireland, Monsignor Horan is known for building the Basilica at the Shrine at Knock. He was also responsible for the Knock International Airport built there. Terry asked me to help write one of the songs that would appear in the play. That song is “Lion Of Partry.”

Terry and I spent a good part of the summer working on this project. Terry was, at the time, also working with other writers on additional songs that would be used in the play. The musical “On a Wing and a Prayer” will be performed at The Royal Theater, Castlebar, Ireland for three nights, November 25- 27. The performance will benefit the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. It looks to be a complete sellout.

Rita and I went to Ballina about a month ago. We attended a rehearsal during which the chorus performed “Lion Of Partry.” Cynthia Clampett sang it beautifully along with Lavinia Gilmartin, the Musical Director. Tommy Marren, one of Ireland’s big talents, directs the play. I was allowed to video the cast singing “Lion Of Partry.” The man at the beginning is the fantastic and multi-talented Terry Reilly.

I loved working on this song because I never had to be concerned with the radio, but only the character of Monsignor Horan.

Enjoy, Rory

Belinda Sings About Devotion To The Dream

rory — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:09:51 +0000

About three weeks ago, I was in a round at the Bluebird with J.P. Williams, Jason Cox, and Belinda Smith. Belinda was singing, and I was up next. About halfway through her song “Another Day,” I realized something important was being said about being true to your dream. This song was written by Belinda and J.P. Williams. I asked Belinda to let me video tape her singing this song. She graciously agreed.

Songwriting is all about dreaming your dream and no one else’s. Listen and keep writing. – Rory

Charlie Black on Reading and Songwriting

rory — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:55:43 +0000

About a week ago, my pal and NSAI Hall Of Famer, Charlie Black, was in town from Mexico Beach, Florida. We met over at Bread & Company. After lunch, I asked Charlie about reading and songwriting. Hope you enjoy. Keep writing. – Rory

Goodbye Lala, We Hardly Knew Ye

rory — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:23:53 +0000

A friend of mine called a few minutes ago and asked what I was doing. Watching the last few hours of life tick away for Lala.com, I replied.

Lala.com was one of the sweetest ideas to come along in the last few years. Now it’s gone. Why? Because it was too good, and because they were competition for “you know who.”

What do we do when a competitor comes along, and they offer something so wonderful and so innovative, they are a threat to “business as usual?” We buy it and then, after a decent time, we bury it.

When I first visited Lala, it was love at first listen. Any music on the site was mine to hear, one time through. If I wanted to buy it, I could. The price was reasonable. I bought and bought and bought. This was nirvana to my songwriter ears.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a sad musical day. May Lala rest in peace.

It reminds me of that period in American history when robber barons roamed the country, making sure their competition was no longer competition. History is repeating itself.

Keep writing,
Rory