Have you ever listened to a favorite song and wondered about its inspiration? Was it written about the songwriter’s personal experience or that of a friend? Were the lyrics first written on a cocktail napkin or were they deliberately crafted over the course of months – or even years? Was the subject of the song a cherished friend or a favorite pet?
Get the answers to these and many other questions about a bunch of familiar country and crossover hits at the Fourth Annual “Stories Behind the Songs” at the Elmhurst American Legion THB 187 Post on Saturday, Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day.
You’ll get to hear the stories behind the songs – by the songwriters themselves – and then get treated to a live performance, with all the heart and soul of the people who were inspired to write them.
Award-winning songwriters Frank J. Myers, Wynn Varble and Danny Wells will share their talents at this year’s event, beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $125 ($100 before Sunday, Oct. 1), a table of 10 is $1,000. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the Post’s website, www.americanlegionthb187.org or calling 630-833-7800. Heavy appetizers and an open bar are included in the ticket price.
More about Frank Myers
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Frank Myers moved to Nashville in 1981. He got his start there as band leader, road manager and lead guitarist for Eddy Raven in 1981 and worked with Eddy for 9 years. It was with Eddy that Frank started writing, playing and co-producing sessions. They had two #1’s, five #2’s, and three Top Ten hits. Songs such as “I Got Mexico, “Bayou Boys,” “You Should’ve Been Gone By Now,” “Sometimes A Lady,” and many others.
It was in 1982 though, that Frank had his first solo-written #1 single with “You and I” for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle. The song stayed #1 for four weeks on the country charts, #2 for six weeks in the Adult Contemporary category, and #6 for four weeks on the Pop charts.
It was during his time with Eddy Raven that Frank met Gary Baker. They had their first #1 together in 1993 with “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. Gary and Frank recorded one album for MCG/Curb Records as Baker & Myers and were three-time nominees for Duo of the Year at the ACMs and CMAs.
Baker and Myers’ greatest accomplishment as cowriters came when John Michael Montgomery recorded “I Swear”. Montgomery’s version was #1 for 4 weeks on the Country charts. “I Swear” was subsequently recorded by male pop vocal group All 4 One and went to #1 on the pop charts, where it remained for 11 weeks.
Among many other awards, the song garnered a Grammy in 1994 for “Country Song of the Year” for the duo and a Grammy for All-4-One for “Best Pop Performance by a Duo” for their version of the Song.
Myers headlines the Songwriters Event for the third straight year, as his passion for helping veterans is strong.
