Struck out, struck down, and washed up in this town
You’ve heard how there was no joy in Mudville when Mighty Casey struck out. Well, I assume you’ve heard that or read it. And I know what happens when you assume. So, maybe I should have given a spoiler alert. But the poem first appeared back in 1888. So, for cryin’ out loud, if you haven’t read it or heard it by now, then shame on you. Anyway… Mighty Casey struck out. But that’s nothing compared to Wyler’s woes. I know you’ve never heard of Wyler James. And I’ll explain how I know that, shortly. Just know for now, that when it comes to someone who knows what it feels like to be struck out, you don’t have to look any further than Wyler. He started out on a what looked like a fast track to stardom. Because his first 3 songs were covered by some Nashville names big enough to make him a fair sum of money as it made them a lot more. So, that was mighty cool. And Wyler gained a considerable amount of recognition from his appearances in the Nashville venues that featured songwriters “in the round.” People just plain liked him. And they liked those first 3 hits, a trio of soulful love songs. But one gray day Wyler hit two metaphorical, but solid, stone walls that stalled out his career. First, the music industry moved into a time where his style of soulful love songs just were “not what the public wants to hear,” according to publishers, promoters, and radio execs. So, that was a pretty big slap. Because Wyler wasn’t a “viral hits” and “dance tracks” kind of songwriter they said they needed. But the other stone wall was where he really got the rug pulled out from under him. And that wall was Wyler’s worldview. Yeah, it’s safe to say he didn’t tow the creative community’s party line. Because Wyler not only considered himself a Christian AND a conservative. He actually voiced his opinion. A lot. GASP! Can you imagine? (Yeah, you probably can, right?) So… Former so-called “friends” faded into the background. Or should I say into the woodwork? And publishers, and other songwriters, treated him as persona non grata (that’s Italian for persona non grata). And I can tell you, from experience, a persona with non grata has a much harder time paying the bills. So, Wyler’s desk filled up with past-due bills. And he headed toward total bankruptcy. Because the memories of the days of radio hits, sold-out shows, and awards motivated him to stick with his true love. Music. And, in a world that increasingly doesn’t appreciate the Christian worldview, Wyler seemed to face impossible odds. But he wasn’t the kind of guy who bet the odds. And night after night he’d go to his guitar, strum and hum, and look for “that song.” The one his heart wanted to sing to (and FOR) everyone who faced seemingly impossible odds because they dared to speak their Christian faith. Finally, one night he found some chords and strums that fit just right with 4 lines of lyrics that kept popping into his brain. And he wrote… You say you’re feeling empty and it doesn’t go away. And you live for your tomorrow and suffer in today. You need to blow your trumpet to tear down all the walls And keep your heart wide open to hear God when He calls. Suddenly Wyler felt revived. And it was as if his soul filled up with renewed hope, love, and determination. Then, he set up his computer studio, positioned his mic, and recorded the whole song in only a couple of takes. He listened to the finished song about 10 times. And every time he heard it, he liked it more. Then, he got this crazy idea that he’d just skip the Nashville publishing, promoting scene. He’d just put his song directly in front of the fans he still had on hi...
