writings by joe herbert

I've been writing lyrics since i was in my teens, but didn't really get around to putting them to music until i turned 30, so the whole idea of 'songwriting' is a relatively new experience for me. Over the years, I've been influenced by a great many artists, but always mention Bob Dylan as the single greatest influence. His style seemed to open things up for me, and I can't think of a single person who's come even close to matching his creative output. Pete Townshend, Todd Rundgren, and then later, folks like Nick Drake and Bruce Cockburn have all contributed to my writing style along the way.

I've also taken to writing short stories, a biography or two, lots of live music reviews, and even song parodies. I've interviewed hookers, bluegrass bands, and screwy people I've met on the street. I've also written and edited a small-town 'underground' newspaper, (Strasburg Hearsay News) and even delved into children's stories. Some of the material can be found on the links above, others continue to sit somewhere deep in my computer files, collecting dust until I get back to it. All in all, I'd have to say that writing, when it's flowing in a mad frenzy of pure unadulterated thought, brings with it some of the greatest pleasures in life. For me, it's pure freedom.