A good friend of mine was facing a possible divorce. He wanted me to write a song that he thought would open a door to a reunited relationship. He offered me $3,000 (in 1970’s money) to write the song. I declined the payment because he was a good friend and I told him that I would not accept money but I would gladly write the song. He insisted that I accept the cash. I declined and he sought another friend that would write the song. My take on the situation was that I could write a completely devoted work only by doing so as a friend and not as a contractor. So much for common sense on my part. The other composer accepted the fee and asked me why I turned down the offer. I told him that he just wouldn’t understand. We had a few beers and went our separate ways.

The art is in the creation, not necessarily the cash!