David Cullen
Member
Biography
I'll never forget the first song I wrote. It was 1964, I was 23, played in a group (The Topics), and was influenced by The Beatles, 'cos they wrote their own songs. I don't think I consciously picked up my guitar to write something. I was just playing a few chords, in a certain sequence, then out of the blue I sang, 'Shame on You for Hurting me Baby'. The first line (very 1960s) of my very first song. When I'd finished the song, I drove to the bass player's house, played it to him, and within two weeks we were playing the song on our gigs. Nothing ever became of the song, or the group for that matter, but the passion for songwriting had begun.
I used to send four songs off to publishers on a small 3" tape spool, and have kept all the rejection letters to this day. Cyril Stapleton, Mickie Most, Dick James, Joe Meek, Tony Hatch amongst others have all written saying, 'thanks...but no thanks'.
By 1972 I was married, had two children (or my wife did), and had stopped playing in groups. So, somehow the songwriting and ideas ceased. Or maybe a proper job and marriage responsibilities took over. Anyway, on to 1986, and I spotted a mini Casio keyboard in a shop and thought, 'Great for the kids.' Who was I kidding, me being the biggest (and eldest) of the kids?
But...songwriting's in the blood, and within six months of learning some chords, I'd written a song again. Great, even with the little dinkety-dink drum and bass accompanyment. A local group I was managing at the time liked it, and included the song in their show.
On to 1995, and a friend played me a couple of his own songs he'd had recorded at a local studio. This inspired me to do the same with some of my (circa 1964/1972) songs, and another friend agreed to sing them for me. We recorded four songs and, impressed with what can be done in a small studio, I'm inspired to start writing again.
So, from 1995 to date, I've written a further 30 plus songs, and had them recorded at local studios by various local singers.
Singer Justine (who last year reached the final of 'Stars In Their Eyes' as Anastacia) has recorded 13 of them, prior to that appearance. Top North West cabaret singer Scott Deane recorded 'In a Perfect World' - the proceeds being donated to the charity Childline. Another of my songs, 'Look at Us', sung by Louise Rogan, has been published by JK Music (BMI) and recently released on their Americana compliation CD. A couple of other songs were published by Riviera Publishing.
I retired early from my family business in 2000, to concentrate on my songwriting, and yes...at 62 this year I still feel I'm improving. I've got a small studio set up at home which allows me to develop any song ideas, and to be honest, I don't know what I'd do without it.
However, just to make everyone else feel better, I reckon I've now got the biggest and best collection of rejection letters of all Academy members, with the possibility of more to come. The 'thanks..but no thanks' letter seems to have stood the test of time very well.
Passion and songwriting go hand in hand. With that said, I'm now off to continue working on my latest song, which by the way, is the best I've ever written!!
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