Lemon's Lurve List: Johnny Mercer

The other night after the show, I ran a bath for myself.  I stuck my hand under the water and turned and adjusted the knob until the water running from the faucet was warm and cozy.  While I let the bath tub fill up, I turned on the TV and flipped through the channels, seeing if any bit of news from the day caught my eye.  

Something did catch my eye "It is the best of all trades to make songs and the second best to sing them."  The quote appeared silent onscreen before introducing a two hour AMC special on the life of Johnny Mercer.  

I started watching.  I learned about how Johnny Mercer met his wife, and his life in Savannah, Georgia.  I was reintroduced to some of the jazz standards like "Old Black Magic" that I'm sure I've heard a bunch of times but never thought about who wrote the words.  In addition to being a singer/songwriter, Johnny Mercer was also actor!  Like me!  Pretty cool, huh?  

I grabbed my notebook and started taking notes like I was some sort of student in class.  There were some songs and people I wanted to look up online later!!  I sat in my towel on the hotel bed for the next two hours, watching and notating.  Somewhere during a commercial break, I turned off the water and drained the bath tub.  

Back in San Francisco, I bought a guitar and started learning how to play.  I have definitely made some improvements, but I'm still pretty bad and the only people who get to hear me play are myself and my famous guitar teacher who has been giving me lessons over Skype.  I started out trying to learn other people's songs, but instead, playing guitar lead me to write my own songs!   I have always loved writing poetry for myself, but until starting this tour, I hadn't written a song since high school!  

I loved listening to Mr. Mercer talk in old interviews about songwriting and how he would spend so much time finding just the right words.  Some words he used can't even be found in the dictionary!    

I think it's important as an actor to have other creative outlets or hobbies outside of just auditioning and performing.  Whether it is writing, or playing an instrument, or yoga, or dance class, every new hobby is bound to help you someday onstage or in an audition. Learning about Johnny Mercer sure inspired me this week to keep up my extra curricular song-writing-activity outside of the show!

Did you know Johnny Mercer wrote a song called 'Emily?'  It's a sign!  Johnny Mercer is officially on my Lurve List.  Maybe you'll listen to some of his music and discover an old movie musical you like or find a new song to use for an audition,...or even be inspired to write some songs of you own.

--  Lemon

Last night I had a funny dream,

Johnny Mercer sat and sang to me

He said, "My dearest 'Emily'..." 

Your fate must be to write and sing.

I said I don't know where to start,

He said "Just shake up and pour out your heart,

Like pancakes, words will pop and simmer..

No time for snacks, and you'll forget to eat dinner.

New words filling-up your soul and mind

On all your songs, the world will dine!

Essential nutrients, each melody can bring.

Yes, dear Emily...

Your fate must be to write and sing."  

Comments

[Hotel Kortet]

Oh nice one..
thank you for sharing your experience.