Tune the radio to any country station and chances are you’ll hear the melodies of someone Ed Rode has photographed. For over thirty years, he has experienced life behind the curtain of Nashville’s music scene, capturing moments with performers, musicians, and those who tell stories through their lyrics. His life’s work beautifully unfolds across the pages of a photo documentary book released this year, Songwriter Musician.
Having started out in Nashville as a photojournalist for the afternoon newspaper, Ed Rode came to understand photography as a way of storytelling, preserving the emotion of each musical moment. Meeting some of the best songwriters and musicians in the world, Ed discovered, “History was being made in every writing room, recording studio and honky-tonk, and [he] knew
[he] needed to be there, documenting those moments before they slipped away.”
For most people, the artists and songwriters Ed Rode has photographed seem out of reach. But one look through the pages of his book will make you feel as though you have stepped behind the curtain yourself. Ed has the incredible talent of both capturing the moment and drawing the viewer in with captivating light, emotion, and imagery. Describing his creative process, Ed says, “Being present in the moment is key. Some of the best shots happen when I let the scene unfold naturally. For me, photography is all about documenting the unscripted moments that speak for themselves.”
In Songwriter Musician, Ed Rode shares the story of those who write the songs that are the soundtrack of our lives. Those seen on the stage in the spotlight, as well as those who make their living writing songs, are found in the provocative images of his book. Feeling a deepening connection to the songwriters and musicians in the community, Ed says, “Their stories deserve to be celebrated. Music is universal, and being able to connect these artists to their songs and the stories behind them helps you see their work in a new light.”
“Every picture is a chance to reveal something real–whether it’s a brief moment or a deeper truth about someone’s life.”