Southern Rock Songwriting Cafe

This is a workbook for writing Southern rock lyrics using executive coaching techniques. Coaching is the art of asking powerful questions. This workbook connects 40 writing exercises with the coaching tools of thought-provoking questions to help the songwriter find a successful outcome. These exercise recipes are presented in the form of a humorous cookbook using popular topics of Southern rock music; women, whiskey and barroom brawls etc….. Other than group coaching session workshops, some additional uses for this book include: • A practice workbook- We’ve provided song block pages next to each lyric recipe so you can write lyrics as you read along. • A manual/guide on Southern rock songwriting- This book is also designed to teach principles of how to build detail within your lyrics by use of powerful questioning. • A small group study guide- Southern rock Songwriting Café is an exciting way to get the whole band involved in the storytelling aspect of writing original music. It includes story clues, discussions and interview questions, and focus on character detail. • A training in working with desires and purpose as a writing tool-A training that teaches writers to engage lyrics from the heart and build believable cultures where living from the South is the normal way of life. “Most of us grew up listening to Southern rock music only to play it in the business of being a musician. The image we needed to grasp from what the Southern rock lyrics were saying has already been planted in our hearts by a decade- long anthem, “Freebird”.” ~Jo Whitney

The South is famous for many things, not the least of which is Southern rock music. This usually means heavy blues-driven electric guitars and storytelling vocals about the Southern culture. While the actual origin of Southern rock remains unclear, “many point to my hometown, Jacksonville, Florida as integral in the genre's rise. It is from Jacksonville where many of Southern rock's most prominent groups have originated, most notably Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band dominated this genre in the late 1970’s but that came to an end after a fatal plane crash which claimed the life lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. To this led The Rossington –Collins Band, formed by the surviving members and fronted by Dale Krantz, one of the few female Southern rock vocalists. Other groups also from Jacksonville, Florida were The Allman Brothers, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet, and Blackfoot. Although Southern rock's popularity peaked in the 70's, the influence of the genre can still be heard today. That is particularly the case in outlaw country music, where artists such as Toby Keith, Travis Tritt, and Kid Rock and have enjoyed considerable success. Bands such as Black Oak Arkansas, Point Blank, The Marshall Tucker, The Allman Brothers Band (formed in Jacksonville, Florida), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Gainesville, Florida), Ozark Mountain Daredevils, ZZ Top and The Charlie Daniels Band to name a few have also thrived in the genre. This is a workbook for writing Southern rock lyrics using executive coaching techniques. Coaching is the art of asking powerful questions. This workbook connects 40 writing exercises with the coaching tools of thought-provoking questions to help the songwriter find a successful outcome. These exercise recipes are presented in the form of a humorous cookbook using popular topics of Southern rock music; women, whiskey and barroom brawls etc….. Other than group coaching session workshops, some additional uses for this book include: • A practice workbook- We’ve provided song block pages next to each lyric recipe so you can write lyrics as you read along. • A manual/guide on Southern rock songwriting- This book is also designed to teach principles of how to build detail within your lyrics by use of powerful questioning. • A small group study guide- Southern rock Songwriting Café is an exciting way to get the whole band involved in the storytelling aspect of writing original music. It includes story clues, discussions and interview questions, and focus on character detail. • A training in working with desires and purpose as a writing tool-A training that teaches writers to engage lyrics from the heart and build believable cultures where living from the South is the normal way of life. “Most of us grew up listening to Southern rock music only to play it in the business of being a musician. The image we needed to grasp from what the Southern rock lyrics were saying has already been planted in our hearts by a decade- long anthem, “Freebird”.” ~Jo Whitney

Jo is highly respected in her local music community as an outstanding songwriting & performance coach. She presents several presentations and workshops each year, all of which have provided excellent insight into highly effective, practical ways in which songwriters & performing artists can successfully reach their musical goals. Among the workshop attendees were highly successful musicians searching for ways of improving their songwriting and/or performance skills. Jo is a delight and highly recommend for any songwriting/performing artist wishing to raise the bar in their writing skills, and/or wish to deliver performances that live up to their true potential as an artist. Jo has a Bachelor’s Degree as an Educational Sign Language Interpreter (making her proficient in the English language and fluent in the art of body language) and her Master of Arts as a Certified Professional Coach (PCC). This Jacksonville, Florida native firmly believes that, “all roads lead to music” and with that motto she focuses both degrees into her passion of Southern rock.