1. Information on singer/song writers
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical
material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music
singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form
of artistry, closely associated with the folk-acoustic tradition. Singer-songwriters often
provide the sole accompaniment to an entire composition or song, typically using a
guitar or piano; both the compositions and the arrangements are written primarily as
solo vehicles, with the material angled toward topical issues sometimes political,
sometimes introspective, sensitive, romantic, and confessional.
History:
The concept of a singer-songwriter can actually be traced to ancient bardic culture, which
has existed in various forms throughout the world. Poems would be performed as chant
or song, sometimes accompanied by a harp or other similar instrument. After the
invention of printing, songs would be written and performed by ballad sellers. Usually
these would be versions of existing tunes and lyrics, which were constantly evolving. This
developed into the singer-song writing traditions of folk culture.
In large towns it was possible to make a living performing in public venues, and with the
invention of phonographic recording, early singer-songwriters became celebrities. Radio
further added to their public recognition and appeal. During the period from the 1940s
through the 1960s, sparked by the American folk music revival, young performers
inspired by traditional folk music and groups began writing and performing their own
original material and creating their own musical arrangements.
Singers would attend rallies for labour unions, and so wrote many songs concerning the
life of the working classes, and social protest; as did other folksingers, while blues singers
wrote songs about their personal life experiences. This focus on social issues has greatly
influenced the singer-songwriter genre.
By the mid-1970s and early 1980s, the original wave of singer-songwriters had largely
been absorbed into a more general pop or soft rock format, but some new artists in the
singer-songwriter tradition continued to emerge, and in other cases rock and even punk
rock artists such as Peter Case, Paul Collins and Paul Westerberg transitioned to careers
as solo singer-songwriters.
Also in the 1980s and 1990s, artists such as Bono, The Edge, Dave Matthews, Duncan
Sheik and Elliott Smith borrowed from the singer-songwriter tradition to create new
acoustic-based rock styles. In the 2000s, a quieter style emerged, with largely
impressionistic lyrics. Some started to branch out in new genres. Others used drugs as a
mind-altering way to boost creativity; for example, Emil Amos of Holy Sons took drugs

2. daily from age sixteen on, wrote over 1,000 songs, and landed a record contract with an
indie label.
Recording on the professional-grade systems became affordable for individuals in the
late 1990s. This created opportunities for people to independently record and sell their
music. Such artists are known as "indies" because they release their records on
independent, often self-owned record labels or no label at all. Additionally the Internet
has provided a means for Indies to get their music heard by a wider audience. During the
2000s Amy Winehouse, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Lady
Gaga and Shakira are amongst the newest generation of singer-songwriters to emerge.