Love's Gate

a spiritual journey in eclectic prog rock into God through Christ.
Kinda funny.. I wrote this song in the early seventies. Went to Nashville to visit with United artist exec Dick Obitts about signing on. I have always enjoyed many styles of music. So we had a few country tunes..he put the tape on..moved in forward sample listening did it again..he was looking for change in the song.
He said he was interested in signing but the subject I was singing about was not a money maker... had to be formula..
Girls, pickups, dog, hunting..etc...thats what sold.. He was of course right business wise. I don't know John Rich but respect his music and decision to leave the mainstream. I assume his decisions were like mine. there comes a point where it gets real.

So I told Dick I was not there to get rich, the formula wasn't important..talking about the Lord was important...
I said you know any Christian hard rock promoters..he laughed
and said let me hear some. I played this song. Love's Gate.

The words then were close but being I was a young man then was content about nuclear war, where earth was headed.
He looked at me and said, ya know sometimes the GOATS come from a place none saw., I laughed and said only God is good..he liked the song although not country. As far as I remember it was before there was Christian Rock, during the rise of Prog.
Country songs were Okie from Muskogee..which I love till today..
So you can see the contrast poor Mr Obitts was looking at..
and said maybe one day the world music may be this honest.
Looked at me shook his head,,never heard anything like it..
I said so let's do it..formula doesn't help.. We need honesty about our beliefs and morals...was pre gangsta ..He said Im a country record exec and this is business..
I'll give you some advice. If you want to be in the business choose topics that are in folks everyday lives. I said God is..He said no not God..unless it fits with what folks think.
I laughed and said I know you are right..thank you..
I guess I no longer crave the business.. To me music is a way of talking with folks about my journey..perhaps they will find something in it that helps in their walk with God.
He said..stay in touch,,who knows what will come..
a wonderful Christian fellow..
so off to engineering I went, retired. now playing the song again 50 years later.. light on my path, or foolishness, yours to choose..
I can't help but wonder if some of societies issues could have been bypassed if the music industry was focused on God...an outreach to all walks of life, thus all forms of music. it is a powerful communication device.