Songwriters: The Forgotten Musicians

Over the weekend as I was messing around on YouTube I happened to find out something interesting. Upon listening to different music I came across an artist named Brantley Gilbert. Now what intrigued me at first was to see that he had a song called "My Kinda Party". I thought it was a coincidence to see that because current country superstar Jason Aldean also has a song titled that on his new album.

So I clicked on the song intrigued to see if it was the same song. Low and behold it was the exact same song that is on the radio. Naturally I assumed this was a cover but I decided to investigate Gilbert more in order to see what else he has done.

Then I was stunned to find out that Gilbert is actually the original writer of the song My Kinda Party!

To here the original version by Brantley Gilbert click this link.
To here the version cut by Jason Aldean click this link.

Now Gilbert is a very talented musician in his own right. Many of the songs I listened to on YouTube are very good. The question I have is why is this guy not famous yet? It could be a combination of many things. Not in the right place at the right time, not enough exposure to the right people, there are many factors that a aspiring musician goes through in his or her quest to stardom.

One thing that is tough for some musicians is the situation you see here with Gilbert and Aldean. Gilbert wrote the song and all the songwriting credit goes to him. However his version did not get much exposure because he is not a national superstar. Once Jason Aldean heard the song, he liked it and made a cut/cover of the song and is taking it to the top of the charts.

Its not a matter of which version is better but rather who gets the right exposure for the song. Obviously Jason Aldean is going to have more exposure right now and therefore he is benefiting greatly from a great song. Its not a slap in the face to Gilbert, its more paying him a compliment and he even acknowledges that here.

Aldean also cut the song "Dirt Road Anthem" that Gilbert co-wrote with Colt Ford. (Original version here.) That is just another case of the same situation. It is nothing more than a cut, or cover whichever you wish to call it. The only reason the original writers do not make it as big with a song is because they are not as big as the person who takes their song and cuts it.

This is something that happens all the time in the music business. I just wish more people would know about the actual writers of many of the great songs that superstars take to the top. These people are the forgotten musicians in the music world sometimes. I'm glad I found this out because now I have a new artist that I enjoy in Brantley Gilbert, and I'm sure there are many more out there.

Until next time keep on rocking away music lovers,
JAS