Interview: Bill Bero

Bill Bero is an American songwriter, composer and vocalist who likes to dabble in real-life stories. He was born in Chicago, and now resides in Crown Point, Indiana. He started writing songs when he was about 17. He went on to become a career journalist for 44 years and wrote music all that time, as well. He has composed about 400 songs.

What was your approach to the world of music?

I don't know if I approached it, it's something that's always been part of me. We discovered each other and it has developed over the decades. It's a creative outlet; a stress reducer; a relaxant. Writing always has been easy for me, so I guess it's kind of a natural.

Do you remember what was your first poem or song about?

I think my first song was, Excuse Me. I had a rough night at my grocery store job when I was in high school and it just came out later and helped me deal with the frustration. Music also is a counselor.

You have also worked as a journalist for many years. Can you tell us something more about this experience?

Journalism provided a real-world look at people, places and things. I've covered just about every story imaginable and sometimes you came away cynical at the reality of dishonesty, mostly on the part of politicians.

What message do you want to convey to your public?

My songs are about reality; experiences and feelings with which hopefully many people can identify. One of the most satisfying experiences takes place when someone tells you how your song helped get through hard times and resolve personal issues. One woman told me a song saved her life.

You have composed about 400 songs. What song do you feel connected to the most?

There are so many, since I felt a connection to them in order to write them. Songs about events, such as the Boston Marathon bombings, caused a deep rush of pain and consolation others said they felt.

Is there any difference between a song lyric and a poetry?

I'm not sure. Most of my songs have rhyming lines so I guess they could be poems. Then again, poems don't necessarily have to rhyme. I just write what comes and don't label it. That's for others to do.

What are your future plans?

As far as future plans, I don't plan ahead with writing and music...I just act on it when it comes into my mind.

Do you think poetry & music are a powerful means to promote peace?

Yes, I think they have tried to do that for decades. But, like anything else, whether they can accomplish that is up to each individual. I know they have brought me peace.

IRMA KURTI is an Albanian poet, writer, lyricist, journalist, and translator and has been writing since she was a child. She is a naturalized Italian and lives in Bergamo, Italy. All her books are dedicated to the memory of her beloved parents, Hasan Kurti and Sherife Mezini, who have supported and encouraged every step of her literary path. Kurti has also won numerous literary prizes and awards in Italy and Italian Switzerland. She was awarded the Universum Donna International Prize IX Edition 2013 for Literature and received a lifetime nomination as an Ambassador of Peace by the University of Peace, Italian Switzerland. In 2020, she became the honorary president of WikiPoesia, the encyclopedia of poetry. In 2021, she was awarded the title of Liria (Freedom) by the Italian-Albanian community in Italy. In 2022, she was also nominated as the Albanian ambassador to the International Academic Award of Contemporary Literature Seneca of the Academy of Philosophical Arts and Sciences, Bari. She also won the prestigious 2023 Naji Naaman's literary prize for complete work. Irma Kurti has published 30 books in Albanian, 26 in Italian, 16 in English, and two in French. She has written approximately 200 lyrics for adults and children. She has also translated 24 books by different authors, and all of her own books into Italian and English. Her books have been translated and published in 17 countries.

Interview by Irma Kurti