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SONGWRITER ACTIVITY
ole writer Chris Wallin, Recent NSAI Delegate in Washington, D.C., Has Three Co-Writes on Upcoming James Otto Album
It has been an eventful period for ole writer Chris Wallin, not only for his own career but also as part of his involvement in the fight for songwriters' rights, a cause long dear to his heart. He returned to Washington D.C. with a delegation from the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) to further press the case with federal lawmakers. (See accompanying pictures)
Wallin's recent collaboration with CMA Song of the Year Award winner and Warner Bros. Nashville recording artist James Otto has resulted in three co-writes with Otto for his upcoming, and as yet untitled, album including "Soldiers and Jesus," "Sunshine," and "Are You With Me?" the latter with writing contribution from Marv Green.
In late May, Wallin was part of a delegation of 20 NSAI staff and writers, along with delegates from the California and Texas songwriters associations, who made their way to Washington, D.C. to meet with Congressional legislators and staff members on a variety of songwriter-related issues.
Wallin, who wrote "This Song Ain't Free," the unofficial theme song in the fight to discourage illegal downloading, has been to Washington with the NSAI numerous times. On one trip, he even performed the song to an audience of senators.
"In this whole thing, there are a lot of people that blame the price of music," says Wallin. "They say it's too expensive. I always tell people that I can go right now to Dillards and buy a plain white T-shirt for $50. I know for a fact that a T-shirt is not worth $50. I also know that if I try and take that T-shirt out of that store without paying for it, I'm going to jail."
Wallin became acutely aware of the struggles that often face songwriters and recording artists as a youngster. His mother was a recording artist and songwriter in Nashville when he was seven years old. "I used to go all over town with Mom as she tried to get her records in the jukeboxes," Wallin recalls. "You think about things like that... people don't realize, when they're sitting at home downloading songs… they don't see people starving to death to do what they love to do. They think it's just a song. If someone else is making money out of something that you've created yourself, then you need to have a part of that. Anybody would do that no matter what sort of creator you are. When we first started this fight, nobody really cared about the songwriter until people started downloading $50 million movies. All of a sudden people were saying, 'Whoa, wait a minute!'
"Two years ago when I was going to Washington, there were 2.6 billion - not million - illegal downloads per month. Songwriters are the only people for which the government mandates our salary. We have a statutory rate which I think has gone up six cents in 25 years."
Wallin was in New York City on July 15 where he participated in the CMA Songwriters Series at Joe's Pub along with James Otto, Robert Ellis Orrall and the evening's host, Bob DiPiero. He performed a number of his songs including "Don't Blink" (Kenny Chesney), "Love Me If You Can" (Toby Keith), "Something To Be Proud Of" (Montgomery Gentry) and "I'm Tryin'" (Trace Adkins).
