Jack Hardy lived and breathed songs and the craft of writing them. He wasn't into waiting for a song to happen. His belief was to write, and write more (at least a song a week believing that it would make you a better writer). When someone was playing his or her song for the first time he would listen with such concentration that it was as if nothing else in the world mattered. The importance of the art and craftsmanship of songwriting poured out of him. Like countless others who passed through the Songwriters Exchange, I couldn’t help but feel inspired by his passion for it. He inspired me and made me a better songwriter for it. In a world where everything is transient, there was a sense of something eternal about Jack that can’t be put into words. My life and art were forever changed by his tutelage. Goodnight to my brother in song.
“The songs of the working people have always been their sharpest statement and the one statement that cannot be destroyed. You can burn books, buy newspapers, you can guard against handbills and pamphlets, but you cannot prevent singing...Songs are the statements of the people. You can learn more about people by listening to their songs than any other way; for into the songs go all the hopes and hurts, the angers, fears, the wants and aspirations”. John Steinbeck