I spent the day Sunday in Malibu sunshine with oceanside-fish'n'chips, beautiful wine from a paper cup. with my Girlfriend, Aunt, Sister, Niece, and the Man who wrote the lyrics and melody for 3, huge songs that have irrigated through most of our lives consistently since their birth. Whether it be radio, film, television or commercials his lyrics are still part of the soundscape of living in America for over 40 years. An undeniable evident mark in society. and the music business. I knew his songs, but I had never heard of him, most of us know what these lyrics are from and have sang or danced to them at one time or another.

"Oh no not I, I will survive as long as i know how to love I know I will stay alive I've got all my life to live I've got all my love to give and I'll survive I will survive

His name is Dino Fekaris in his portfolio? Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" Peaches and Herb's "Reunited", Rare Earth's "I Just Wanna Celebrate" there are others that you may know. Listening to him describe circumstances surrounding the song , and the cast of characters behind them was a treat. He hated disco, loves the fifties, and hummed "I will follow you" as we risked our lives darting across PCH in heavy traffic. Cool outing, amazing stories told, a majestic day.

We spoke of Brian Wilson, Phil Spector, Beethoven, Burt Bacharach and Rice Krispie Treats. Generations, marriage, mothers, fathers, kids, divorce, cars, the starbucks logo, the murderous meat man, and eating fried eggs with fingers.

I love discussion with songwriters I couldn't shut up, I had a lot to ask. there is a humbleness and bright eyed brilliance when you time your question right. Artists come alive, when they realize their work has touched others' lives, in a trip through the past. Lyrics and melody is a link to memory. some of us have our own little videos that play out the past, a smell, taste, touch or feel; it all finds it way back to you through music. That's the soul.

JW