Randy Goodrum

Like many professional songwriters, Goodrum may not be a household name, but ask George Benson, Toto, Chicago, Steve Perry or Anne Murray about this hall of fame songwriter's career chops and Randy’s marquee shines plenty bright. Add to that musician credits like playing keyboards for Perry Como, Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Kenny Rogers and Olivia Newton-John—alongside countless industry accolades—and it’s clear there are precious few musical scribes with as polished a pedigree.“I realized from an early age that I had a natural ability not only to play music, but also to create melodies pretty quickly and add words as a way of venting or putting down emotions that fit the rhythms,”Goodrum says. “From the beginning of my journey as a jazz musician, I applied the ethic to songwriting of being 100% original and 0% derivative.” And thus: songs. From there, he says the innate ability to create music “morphed" into something. I began to feel like a method actor. I find the passion to write about things that haven’t necessarily happened to me, I create characters for my songs.”Goodrum’s “method” has left its mark.