by Debi Champion

Richard Fagan was born and raised in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He’s a VietNam veteran, and spent 5 years in L. A. where he had a Pop record deal on Mercury Records, and got his first cut, “The Good Lord Loves You” by Neil Diamond. He moved to Nashville in 1985. His songs are in 6 feature films and on more than 30,000,000 records. Fagan’s had three #1 Country singles; “Be My Baby Tonight”, “Sold, (The Grundy County Auction Incident)”, and “I Miss You A Little” all by John Michael Montgomery. He’s had 6 toptens and 18 charted singles. COUNTRY. Fagan’s songs have been cut by George Strait, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr., Shania Twain, Clay Walker, Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Ricochet, Shenandoah, The Crickets, The Blues Brothers Band, and many others. His songs are also in 6 feature films, including George Strait’s PURE COUNTRY. Most recently, Fagan has a cut on the new Jason & The Scorchers CD, Halcyon Times. How long have you been writing?
Probably most of my life… Melodies and progressions came easy, but I don’t think I wrote a good lyric until around 1969. Tell us about the first song you wrote and what inspired you to start writing?
I was always fascinated with songwriting. The first “official” song was “Same Old Day To Day”. It was about my “old lady” having my baby, my being drafted and my stint in Vietnam, marijuana, drugs, alcohol and homelessness. It was autobiographical, and a bit humorous in some parts. Who are your biggest influences?
Early on, Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan and The Beatles, though I’ve had a lot of musical influences through the years, including Doo-wop, Rockabilly, Blues, Folk and R&B. What was your first big break?
Neil Diamond recorded “The Good Lord Loves You”, released in early 1980 on his September Morn LP. Producer Bob Gaudio heard it on a tape with no address or phone number that found its way to his 14 year old daughter. Bob hired a private detective to find me. He was retired from the FBI and put out the word. We heard the FBI was looking for me, then found out about Gaudio wanting my song… The first press release read, “FBI Solves Diamond Caper, Song Gem Leads To Hunt.” How long did it take to get your first publishing deal and How did you get it?
Bob Gaudio signed me to All Seasons Music shortly after we got in touch, and he also got me a deal with Mercury Records. Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli are founding members of The Four Seasons, and Bob wrote most of their hits. Where are you currently writing at?
I am writing for Broadminded Music, LLC. My partners are Tom Oteri Jr. and Bridgette Fox. We have the OF Music, Inc. catalog, including all of my hits and cuts. Do you believe you need a publishing deal to get a major cut?
Deal or not, it helps to work with a publisher if they’re interested in your songs or even just one song. You can offer them publishing, contingent on a cut. It’s hard to get a publishing deal these days, especially with a big draw, but you can work with willing publishers on a per song basis, or first refusal, meaning if they want your song, you’ll sign it to them with a reversion if they don’t get it cut in 2 years or whatever you agree to. What was your first major cut and how did it come about?
“The Good Lord Loves You”, as I explained. My first Nashville cut was “Oh Naomi” by Mel McDaniel, who later cut my first Country top ten, “Real Good Feel Good Song.” Is it true that after you get your first cut it is easier to get other cuts?
It was nine years between my first and second cut, not counting my Mercury LP. It is, however easier to get a cut after your first hit… for a while at least. What do you believe is the secret to getting your songs recorded by major artists?
The rule is still the same; any way you can. Networking and co-writing are both important, and building a good rapport with A&R people, producers, managers and anyone who may be able to help. What is one of your greatest moments in your career?
Getting my first #1 single and going to my first #1 party! What is one of your worse moments in your career?
After a great four year run, I didn’t get a bite or a nibble for 3 more years, then worse, our Administrator Peggy Bradley, died of breast cancer… She was so good in so many ways and such a close friend, it was heart breaking to lose her. What do you think of writers nights, and do you think they benefit the writers?
In what ways?
I enjoy them. Besides doing the obligatory hits, I get to run new songs by an audience and get their reaction… That’s how I knew I had a hit when I first played “Sold.” Also, there may be some music industry folks in the audience, looking for song like the new one you’re playing. you co-write with other writers and how do you choose who you write with?
co-write a lot, and I try to be open to anyone that I vibe with regardless of if they’ve ever had a cut or not, and I continue writing with the ones I write well with. When It gets too hectic, slow it down and tighten up who I’ll still write with. I’ve cowritten with well over 200 people. Do you co-write with aspiring writers?
I just mentioned, yes, if I feel there’s something there. Have you ever had writers block, and if so, how did you get over it?
the short term, co-writing, we all have days when we can’t think of a damn thing. Over the years, my writer’s block was always a result of writing too much for too long, or trying too hard to write a “hit.” Stay inspired by music you love, and get back to writing for the love of it. you think you need to have a fully produced demo of your song to be able to pitch it, or can you use a work tape tape (guitar-vocal)?
full demo, done right, is usually your best bet, but sometimes a song can stand on its own, and sometimes you get your guitar/vocal to someone who can “hear” it. What “tips” do you have for writers when they are going a meeting with a publisher or someone in the business?
Bring only your very best 3 to 5 songs, and plan on only getting to play one or two. Be friendly and don’t over-talk. Is there anything else you would like to say to aspiring writers that you feel will help them?
Be willing to accept criticism and rejection as part of the game… Don’t take anything personally. Be willing to learn and grow, but always follow your heart and your muse. Are you playing anywhere or have any current projects you would like to tell us about?
Do you have CD’s for sale?
I play out just about any time I’m asked to, if I can… I’ve never had any CDs for sale, (which is kind of stupid and lazy of me), but I hope to have some CDs for sale in the near future. What do you think about the music industry, how it’s changing and where it’s headed?
That’s a complex question. New innovations always help some and hinder others. First, there was the player piano with its music roll, (which is where the term “mechanical royalties” comes from), then there was the phonograph, the synthesizer and the drum machine, then the CD… Digital music opened up a Pandora’s box. In 1989, Roger Linn, inventor of the Linn-drum told the music industry big wigs, “You’d better make your music available digitally before the kids figure it out.” In the next ten years and beyond, the record labels did absolutely nothing, and now they are dinosaurs, only functioning as promoters and marketers. One thing about that Pandora’s Box story though… After all the demons were unleashed on the world, there was still one thing left in that box… Hope!