John Kilzer Returns to Music Highway

Way back in September of 2005 when Music Highway was just an infant we booked Jackson native John Kilzer, former Geffen Records artist, on the pilot show that aired a week or so later in October on Rock 92.3 FM.

This past Sunday night, July 2, John made a return appearance on the show and had some very nice things to say about where the show has come in just the past nine months or so. John is always a most gracious individual and certainly one of the most talented artists of his era. As a matter of fact, John continues to re-create himself and his musical endeavors (which can be the true mark of an artist, in my book).

He currently works in youth ministry at a local Methodist church here in Jackson and his people in that church speak very highly of the man as well.

Back in the 90's and involved in other projects, I had never really been introduced to John's music until the first appearance he made on Music Highway back on our pilot show nine months ago. Needless to say, I became not only an instant fan but immediately knew we was a very special artist, and particularly, a songwriter.

Having written my share of songs over the past several decades I know the job of a writer is not an easy one. There are many songwriters out there but not near as many true poets in the truest sense of the word. John Kilzer is a true poet.

What is the difference? A songwriter takes rhyming words and phrases and puts them together to construct interesting, clever, and even meaningful lyrics that are matched to a melody that compliments the words that are written therein.

Not to say that a songwriter is not inspired or anything, but a true poet sees things differently than the masses do. A poet comes from a perspective that ultimately paints a picture so vivid the listener wonders how he or she ever missed such an obvious and complete explanation of the topic being written about.

There are other elements that differentiates poets from a mere songwriter, but perhaps the explanation above (that, mind you, is simply my personal observation) will suffice to express the major difference as I see it.

Again, John Kilzer is a true poet. His lyrics paint a vivid picture of what he is writing about. You can touch it, see it, taste it, and most of all, experience what he is saying with his songs. That is the way I like to see a songwriter write. Songs are more than just musical stories that sound good, make us want to dance, smile, cry or whatever. Songs are an expression of our very existence on this earth, at the risk of sounding too philosophical.

Songs are a musical piece of our lives that live in our memories once we hear, learn and experience them. They become a vital part of our personage and in some ways help to define who we ourselves are.

The songs a person holds dear say a lot about the person who cherishes it. I have many songs that have enriched my life and so do you, if you are normal.

John Kilzer brings songs such as this to life. He births them and shares them with the rest of us. What a gift. What a treasure. Thanks, John for providing some of the soundtracks that accompany our lives and help us understand who we are and what we are all about.

John Kilzer is a poet. A very talented, observant, honest and sensitive poet. I am glad to have come to know this wonderfully gifted man on a personal level and appreciate his heart for creating songs all of us can adopt into our lives as we travel on our way.