The co-founder of the Grand Rapids Songwriters Alliance today reveals the artists who have most influenced his own music. Check out his picks and a couple of his own songs.
Collaborator Extraordinaire: Jeff Oxford during a Grand Rapids Songwriters Alliance meeting. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
EDITOR’S NOTE: All musicians. songwriters and producers can trace their inspiration to key recordings that influenced their careers. Writer Ross Boissoneau today showcases music that changed the world for West Michigan musician, songwriter and producer Jeff Oxford. Scroll down for a Spotify playlist of his picks, including a current favorite and a couple of his own songs.
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He may be working more behind the scenes, but Jeff Oxford is very plugged into the Grand Rapids music scene and beyond.
Oxford collaborates with songwriters from Connecticut, Los Angeles, New York, even Canada, as well as West Michigan. “I’m mostly a songwriter and producer. I’m not doing live performance as much anymore,” he says.
A Grand Rapids resident for more than 30 years, Oxford says he initially joined a songwriting group shortly after moving to the city. After it foundered, he and his friend Tim Perry revived it, dubbing it the Grand Rapids Songwriters Alliance.
That was back in 2004 and 20 years on, it’s still going strong. “I had a daughter who’d turned five and had some time. I’ve been writing steadily since then,” he says.
In His Studio: Oxford (Courtesy Photo)
It’s been made easier since he doesn’t labor over lyrics anymore. “A big revelation was that I didn’t have to write lyrics. Until that epiphany it was too hard. I had to be really depressed,” he says with a laugh.
Once he began collaborating with lyricists, the ideas began to flow. “I’m always recording ideas onto my phone,” he says. Sometimes he writes new music to lyrics his collaborators have provided; other times he’ll match musical ideas he has on hand to the words. He’s worked extensively with up-and-coming indie-pop artist Gianna Stansell, among others.
Oxford started piano lessons at around 8, then moved on to guitar lessons. “I had a band in 6th grade. We toured other elementary schools. That was cool,” he says. In college he was part of another band and played some coffeehouses. Now he’s all about working with others, helping them find their voice as he continues to hone his.
1. The Beach Boys, “Endless Summer” (1974) – That was formative as I was in school. I’d do my homework to it. There were catchy melodies and great harmonies. I didn’t have very many records and it was something I could listen to over and over again. I didn’t try to learn the songs, I was just comfortable listening to it alone. I applied the style and harmonies. I listened to other bands, too, like the Eagles, James Taylor, a lot of Jim Croce.
Listen: “Don’t Worry Baby”
2. Queen, “A Night At The Opera” (1975) – It’s such great music to listen to. Freddie Mercury was so out there. My college roommate really liked it too. That helped. I’d listen to it in the car. “Crazy Little Thing” is a rock song, then there’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” I saw the band at Cobo (Hall in Detroit); seeing it live really reinforced things. Guitarist Brian May was low-key, then he’d step forward for his solos. It was a pretty good stage production too.
Listen: “Bohemian Rhapsody”
3. Dan Fogelberg, “The Innocent Age” (1981) – He was an amazing songwriter. I was delving back into songwriting, and he had sophisticated chord progressions and melodies. I don’t know who exposed me to him, but when I got the record I thought, “Damn, this is amazing.” There’s a lot of great songs, like “Leader of the Band.” I even bought one of his chord books. I use a lot of that now.
Listen: “Leader of the Band/Washington Post March”
Currently Loving: Finneas, “Optimist” (2021) – He’s brilliant. The diversity – it crosses so many styles. He can write amazing love songs, then cool pop with a beat, then almost classical. His voice is really good, his (vocal) range is about like mine. He’s got like a zillion plays on Spotify.
Listen: “The Kids Are All Dying”
ALBUMS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD: Jeff Oxford’s Playlist on Spotify
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