Cris Teaches Songwriting
Now I teach songwriting, because I want to live in a world of poets. How many times have people come up to me and said, “You need to write a song about abuse.” And I look at them and I say, “I don’t, but you do.” But how about I teach you.
A song is a made thing. Like a cake. Some cakes are better than others. Basically it’s a recipe.
You’ve got to pass on your skills as you go. History is being made every minute. Thirty years just flies by.
In honor of that, I’m doing a Changer tour this Fall. I’m going to do a kick off show in November in North Carolina. And it’s going to honor Ladyslipper as well. They’ve been around for 30 years also.
I played also this year at Michigan. Which was so great. It was also Michigan’s 30th anniversary.
Kathy: After 30 years, do you ever get sick of singing those old songs?
Cris: The way I don’t get sick of it is I don’t do it all the time. I usually do Waterfall. For 30 years I’ve closed the show with Waterfall. Mostly I just haven’t trotted them out because that is all people would want. They are so in love with that piece. It’s like if an artist just painted one painting and just want you to paint that one painting over and over. And I’ve got new paintings to show.
The Butchies recorded Shooting Star. In fact we played it together at Michigan. With Amy Ray. It was really fun. I’m like their old Auntie. They’re very respectful. They know what I’ve done.
Kathy: What does the future hold for Cris Williamson?
Cris:I wonder. I don’t know. And I’m content with not knowing. I’m really just taking it day by day. I think I’ve actually arrived. I’m here. I’m not dreaming of being in the future. I’m not looking back over my shoulder.
