|
|
| Jan. 25, 2005 | ||||
|
|
ASU alum pens music hits If you have heard and enjoy songs by artists such as Alabama, Ray Charles, Kenny Rogers, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire and George Strait, former Appalachian State University student Byron Hill is most likely the musical and lyrical genius behind their hits. From 1971-1973, Hill attended Appalachian State, where he began to play guitar locally and his songwriting strengthened. “Appalachian was a huge influence on my songwriting,” Hill said. Today, as a songwriter, nearly 500 of Hill’s songs have been recorded. He has received 68 certified gold and platinum albums from the Recording Industry Association of America, eight awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and six No. 1 one singles in the United States and Canada. It doesn’t stop there. Not only does Hill use his talent to write songs for others, but he also performs in Nashville, Tenn., and others areas in the Southeast. His second album, titled “Ramblings,” was released in November 2004. Thirty-three years earlier, at age 17, Hill came to Appalachian. He took a few music courses here but he learned to play mostly from his formal music training. “My main influences while at Appalachian were my friends,” Hill said. He and his fellow Bowie Residence Hall roommate Liston Smith began playing guitar together. Smith introduced Hill to the finger-picking style of guitar playing and to the music of Doc Watson. Soon after, he formed small groups to play in the campus coffee shop (which at that time was on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union), local ski resorts and some nearby bars in Blowing Rock. Hill joined Gene Wooten in 1972 and the two played bluegrass together. They performed frequently at Beech Mountain’s Four Seasons Hotel. Thirty years later, Hill continues to give back to his stomping grounds that helped launch his career with Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) workshops. Cheri S. Maynard, a senior education major, started the Boone regional division of NSAI three years ago. Members meet the first Tuesday of every month. As coordinator, Maynard plans meetings and discussions, and arranges group performances along with her co-coordinator, Greg M. Taylor. For each NSAI workshop, Maynard brings in a professional from Nashville. Hill said these workshops are meant for “groups of songwriters that live in the area to help others’ careers.” “He’s our hero for songwriting,” Maynard said. Hill is currently the vice president of NSAI. “I feel real good about the route I have taken,” Hill said. “I have stayed true to songwriting.” With so many accomplishments, Hill continues to set goals and now has hopes to win NSAI songwriter of the year and/or a Grammy award. To students with similar aspirations, Hill said perseverance and passion are most important. “Stick with it,” Hill said. “If you’re happy and you love it, success and security will come.” Hill explained that too often we just look at financial aspects. “It’s so important for young people to find happiness,” Hill said. Especially for Appalachian students, “look around, you are so fortunate to live in such beauty,” he said. For anyone interested in joining the Boone NSAI Workshop, meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Living Water Christian Fellowship Church on Boone Heights Drive. Check out www.byronhillmusic.com for more information or to purchase his albums. |
© 2004 ASU Student Publications
