May 10, 2025
Alberta’s foothills spark songwriters’ wild muse
Nestled just north of Okotoks, Alberta, in the quaint community of DeWinton, songwriters gather to share their craft and fuel their creative passion. The Foothills Song Writers Troupe, founded by Chuck McKenna, provides an inviting space for musicians to explore new ideas, connect, and nurture their songwriting skills. This vibrant group meets monthly, drawing inspiration from one another and celebrating the art of music creation.
Fostering creativity through supportive challenges
The group thrives in a supportive environment where everyone, from their 20s to 60s, can grow their songwriting skills. Chuck McKenna, the founder, creates a fun and imaginative atmosphere at every session. Each meeting brings a new challenge—members draw song titles or themes from a box, inspiring fresh ideas. These exercises help songwriters like Breanna Sinclair rediscover her love for music after years of enjoying rock and roll. The group encourages open expression and supports each other's growth.
“Write and write and write and write, and then they start coming out smoother,” he says.
Songwriting tips to keep the muse alive
Chuck McKenna, an enthusiast of fast country, blues, and rock, believes the key to unlocking creative inspiration is through methodical yet enjoyable practices. His songwriting tips include keeping a running list of title ideas and using simple chord progressions as anchors. He writes early, when the house is quiet and the coffee’s hot. "That’s when the ideas slip in," he says.
Poets are welcome here, too. McKenna sees lyricists and poets as kindred spirits, both chasing meaning in a handful of lines. Feedback is gentle, honest, and always about the work—not the person. That atmosphere makes risk-taking possible. In these hills, the pressure to impress disappears.
Poets are welcome here, too. McKenna sees lyricists and poets as kindred spirits, both chasing meaning in a handful of lines. Feedback is gentle, honest, and always about the work—not the person. That atmosphere makes risk-taking possible. In these hills, the pressure to impress disappears.
A creative haven in the wild
There’s no spotlight here. Just wood floors, open chords, and the hum of connection. In Alberta, the foothills don’t just echo—they listen. And for songwriters in search of something real, that’s enough.
Chuck McKenna
“When you're just sitting in a line or something, and people are talking in front of you, listen in, pick three words they say, and there's your song title,” he says.
16
David Foster is the Canadian songwriter with the most Grammy Awards, having won 16 Grammys out of 47 nominations.
David Foster is mostly known as a record producer, composer, arranger, and musician. But he has also greatly helped write songs during his long career. He often worked with other songwriters, including the famous Diane Warren. He has written or co-written many popular songs for different artists in pop, R&B, and other genres. Some notable songs he co-wrote include:
- "I Have Nothing" (Whitney Houston)
- "The Prayer" (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli)
- "Grown-Up Christmas List" (Natalie Cole)
- "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" (Chicago)