Parenting Panel with Winchester 7

Parenthood has a way of changing every part of life, including the way we create. For Winchester 7, the songwriter behind Winchester 7 & The Runners, becoming a father wasn't something that pulled him away from music; it became the catalyst that brought him back to it.

From writing songs inspired by his daughter before she was even born to eventually co-writing with her years later, family has become an enduring thread running through both his life and his art.

In this special feature, Winchester 7 reflects on the realities of raising a child while pursuing a creative career, the lessons fatherhood has taught him about patience and perseverance, and why inspiration often comes from the people closest to us. Along the way, he shares stories of songwriting, sleepless nights, first crushes and the quiet moments that have shaped not only his music, but the person behind it.

How many children do you have? And what are their names and ages?

I’ve got one, who’s often credited as M.M. as she’ll help me work the camera when doing music video shoots.  She used to make appearances too, but as she’s sixteen now and driving, she hasn’t been on screen in a while.

Did you have fears or concerns about how becoming a parent would interfere with your artistic endeavors?

Some people seem to have always known that they wanted kids. I still felt a kid at heart when we were deciding to have our daughter and didn’t know what to expect. I did, however, know that my wife wanted a baby. So, I sort of rolled with it as she helped and, indeed helps, guide me through it.  When I first held my daughter though, I understood.  From there, things became very clear and I ended up more inspired to pursue creativity than ever, really.

Have those fears come true, or no?

I don’t suppose they have.  I was more concerned about how I’d do than anything specific to creativity.  So far, so good, I suppose.  I don’t think anyone ever gets it right, but it helps to try.

In what ways has parenthood helped your creativity, if any?

Apart from picking up on the occasional Gen-Z slang, I think that my daughter helps keep me more aware of popular culture than I think I’d be on my own. At a certain point, you may keep trying new things, but you’ve lost the plot a little.  It’s nice to hear her view on things.  It adds some fresh perspective and gives me moment’s where I think through it all and arrive at some form of inspiration or another.

What has parenthood taught you about yourself, your music, or your creative process?

I think we hear so much about the outcome of the creative process that all of the rough spots get quickly glossed over.  I remember when my daughter was taking piano lessons and would become frustrated at her mistakes or when she seemed to hit a plateau.  That’s just practice though, I suppose.  You never start great.  You need to make mistakes to get better.  I think, for me, seeing someone I cared about working through those moments helped me to more authentically offer words of encouragement. And, from that, I like to think I’ve become just a bit more patient with myself when I hit the odd bum note.

How do you juggle your family and your career? Who’s your support system?

Well, I think the saying goes “family first”, but when you’re working it’s your primary focus.  I just work to contribute to the family and step away when the situation necessitates it.  So, I suppose that’s called “being present”.  I try to do that for whatever ball’s up in the air.  But, they let me know when I’ve got it wrong and, therein, exists my support system.

What’s one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a parent? Any advice for others?

I’m not sure there’s any sage advice lurking out there in the traditional sense which I wish I’d known, specifically.  I’ve read that there’s a sort of amnesia that happens after tragic events and parental sleep deprivation due to teething and the like. I wouldn’t have minded knowing that!  At the time I wondered if it would ever end.  Now, I just recall that it happened.

Do your children inspire / inform your music?

Definitely inspire.  I had taken a break from songwriting to focus on a cybersecurity career for years, but I remember taxiing into wherever my wife and I were traveling when she was pregnant.   The start to some lyrics and melody came to mind just thinking of our soon to be born daughter.  I haven’t stopped writing since.

Have you ever written a song for or about your kids? If so please share a description and a link.  

Absolutely!  I’ve written several.  But, more recently I co-wrote one with her called “Just a Crush”. She’d started it inspired by Taylor Swift while in grade school, I think.  I’d written some music around it and the thing ended up in a drawer.  

When I was coming to terms with that she had her first boyfriend,  I took it out, dusted it off, and gave it a full production.  It occurred to me that, while it was possible that they’d never break up, it was probable that she’d experience heart ache in some form or another at some point in her life.  I wanted to use the song to give her something to help her through that…and to, hopefully, earn her some royalties, one day.

Not every artist parent incorporates their children into their music – if you do not is this a conscious decision?

It’s definitely a conscious decision not to when I’m writing about something unrelated.  Otherwise, it’d be sort of odd, I think.

Listen to Winchester 7 & The Runner’s new album No Worse for Wear here:

Follow Winchester 7 & The Runners HERE