Writiing a Song with Steve Roberson
by Lorine Parks
“Russell saved me for his last meeting,” said Steve Roberson, as he took out his guitar. “I don’t know if that’s an honor, or he was scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
We knew we were in for a good time.
For those interested in learning how a song gets crafted, amateur singer and song writer Steve demonstrated with several of his own compositions. “When you get an idea, or a thought, it could go in a lot of possible directions,” Steve said. “Sometimes you have the melody first, sometimes it’s the verse. Once you have a song in your system, it takes about five or six hours to get it down, chorus and verses.”
Steve writes down-home country-western style songs, which means a ballad-type “verse,” with a refrain. Many songs begin conversationally, Steve said, “when we’re sitting around talking.” “It was Sunday morning. The coffee was hot. I still can remember…” Another was inspired by waking up at 7:30 am: “I don’t want to wake you up, and I’ve made a pot of coffee…”
“Everyone is familiar with how a song can focus your life, and help you find direction. And that becomes a song too,” Steve says. One song, to his wife Darlene, begins, “After twenty-five years I’ve made my decision…It’s been quite a ride,” and ends, “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Steve is a Downey Kiwanian, and many Downey Rotarians have worked with him on community projects where he generously gives his time, the Downey Family YMCA being a good example. In 2016, Steve received the Mayor's Distinguished Citizen/Business Award in 2016, the first person to receive the award. He has also won the YMCA Red Triangle Award, the YMCA's highest honor.
