Jerry Buckley

I've been writing and performing original music for over 30 years. I love the craft of songwriting, the act of creating something that never existed before.

I play guitar, piano, bass, and sing – all tools for the songwriter. I perform my songs, of course (songs need performances to exist), but I am a songwriter first and foremost.

My current project is recording and documenting my large catalog of songs written since the age of 17... along with new material that I continue to write.

Although I am not a well-known songwriter, I don't allow this influence my work at the job of writing better songs. For me, the cliché is true: I write because I need to write. As an experienced musician I long ago reconciled my love of songwriting with the fact that exclusively performing and writing original material does not often lead to many knowing your material ... but there are few things as good as the feeling you have the day you start or finish a song that is meaningful, speaks with your best voice – is good by your standards.

I have a degree in Music Performance (Jazz) that has brought a great appreciation of the instrumental masters like Miles, Coltrane, Wes Montgomery and Monk ... and an appreciation of the need to let go of my studied technique during writing and performance to tap the artist and voice residing inside at the time of musical creation.

I am influenced by so many great songwriters including: John Hiatt, David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Lou Reed, Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Wilco, Nick Drake, Van Morrison, The Shins, Cat Stevens, Springsteen, Neil Young, Tom Waits, Jackson Browne, Harry Nilsson, Randy Newman, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, Willie Nelson, Aimee Mann, Nick Cave, Ben Folds, Warren Zevon ... the list just goes on and on ... and of course, Dylan and The Beatles. Well, who isn't?

Learn more about my songs and hear additional performances at:
http://www.buckleydesigns.com/songs