Stephen Butler
“Right now, the world needs this message—so I’m delaying a full streaming release and keeping ‘Gentle Word’ here on YouTube where everyone can watch and share it. Please copy this link: https://youtu.be/L71E29ftH0E and, the next time you feel driven to post a harsh comment on social media, share the link instead. Let’s choose grace, spread compassion, and move the world toward peace—together.”
— Stephen Butler, award-winning songwriter and writer of “Gentle Word”
My step‑by‑step songwriting process
1) Spark → Save it
, a melody, a phrase, or a groove pops into my head. I immediately record a quick voice memo so it doesn’t drift away.
2) Write the song
I finish the lyrics and chords. I keep the focus on a clear story and a sing‑along chorus.
3) Make a “scratch track”
This is a rough demo—usually my vocal and one instrument. It’s not pretty; it’s a map that shows the key, tempo, and feel.
4) Decide the feel
If the song needs a steady heartbeat, I use a simple click (metronome). If the song wants to ebb and flow, we go without so it stays natural.
5) Invite the team
I work with session players, studio musicians, and professional artists from all over. Many say yes because they want to help a blind veteran keep creating award‑winning music. I’m grateful for every hand on the rope.
6) Add parts, one by one
each musician listens to the scratch (and whatever’s been recorded so far) and adds their part—drums, bass, guitars, fiddle, steel, piano, strings, percussion, harmonies. After each addition, I update the guide so the next person hears the current version.
7) Keep the emotion
I often use early takes because they feel honest. If something moves you, it stays—even if it isn’t “perfect.”
8) Edit & mix
I line everything up and remove little bumps or background noises. Mixers balance the voices and instruments so it sounds like one band in one room, even though people recorded from many places.
9) Mastering
a final audio polish so the song sounds good everywhere—car radio, phone, earbuds, and big speakers.
10) Copywrite, ASCAP, Release. I confirm the score sheets are finnished, the chord progression sheets are finished, then I sometimes develope the Nashville Numbering System chart, I produce an MP3 file, a WAV HD file, I register my copywriter then when the copywriter is compleate I register the song with ASCAP followed by scheduling a release date and uploading to Ditto or Distro Kid.
11) Release & stage
I upload to streaming services and radio. Then I arrange it for the live band so what you hear on stage feels like the record.
Why this works for me
Clarity: The scratch track keeps everyone rowing the same direction.
Community: Dozens of generous musicians lift the music higher than I could alone.
Mission: As a blind veteran, I make accessible art with help from people who care— proof that heart beats gear, every time.
If you’re not into tech, remember this
It’s like building a house: I draw the plan (song), frame the walls (scratch), invite the crew (players), and we finish the rooms (mix/master) until it’s ready to live in (stage/radio).
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