Is songwriting really that complicated? Children’s rock performer Ralph Covert shares 4 simple steps to being a songwriter. To show how easy it can be, he creates one live on stage with the audience’s participation.

At the heart of the success of Ralph Covert’s thirty year career as a Grammy-nominated recording artist is his songwriting. His songwriting classes for the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago were used as the model for their songwriting department. He has released over two dozen albums between his kids music project Ralph’s World and his Rock n’ Roll band The Bad Examples, and has toured the world, including prestigious venues like the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, New York’s Central Park, the Milky Way in Amsterdam, and many festivals, including Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits.

His songs have appeared in films, TV shows, like Six Feet Under, and commercials for companies like Huggies, Rice Krispies, and Sears, as well as being covered by other artists including the multi-platinum band Styx. Ralph’s World is viewed by millions on the Disney Channel.

In addition to his music work, he is an award winning playwright, winning two Joseph Jefferson Citations for Best New Work, has published four books, and has composed music for plays, dance companies, and circuses At the heart of the success of Ralph Covert’s thirty year career as a Grammy-nominated recording artist is his songwriting. His songwriting classes for the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago were used as the model for their songwriting department. He has released over two dozen albums between his kids music project Ralph’s World and his Rock n’ Roll band The Bad Examples, and has toured the world, including prestigious venues like the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, New York’s Central Park, the Milky Way in Amsterdam, and many festivals, including Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx