I thought of writing my bio like an action adventure screenplay, you know, about a modern day troubadour on a quest for the city of Lost Dreams. In fact, that's what songwriting is for me: an adventure.

Of course, the big question is, did I join bands to meet girls and do I write songs just to make money? The answer is: absolutely not. I do it all for art. Do I care about fame, glory and reaching the top of the Billboard charts? The thought never enters my mind.

I’m a songwriter, screenwriter and freelance writer.

Hmmm, you're wondering about the freelance writer and screenwriter thing? Well, let me explain.

I started out playin’ the blues on piano, listening to James Cotton, John Mayall and other black/white blues artists. After reading a couple of plays, I got into amateur theater and started taking dance classes. The first 15 songs I ever wrote were for a musical.

After a few scattered experiences in amateur theater, I left Minneapolis for New York. I ended up working for an independent film company, doing anything and everything, including a couple of bit parts. Shortly thereafter, I wrote the score for my second musical, which ran for 3 weeks at the Nat Horne Theater on 42nd Street. It was a rock-based score.

To support myself and to gain experience in the business side of entertainment, I took jobs with CBS, Samuel French Play Publishers, and the Harry Fox Agency/National Music Publishers Association. I’ll never wear a tie again.

Theater and film gave way to playing in coverbands. I played in many, all over New York, Minneapolis and on the road. Back to Minneapolis, I pursued a BS in Songwriting from the University of Minnesota, followed by a Masters in Liberal Studies with a screenplay as my major project.

Next stop: Las Vegas. Turned off by the coverband scene (been there done that), I ended up writing articles about the Las Vegas film scene. This led to my second screenplay. I got paid $7500 and wrote a full length comedy in 3 weeks. That'll never happen again, that's for sure. Writing a screenplay in such a short period of time was based on the thrill of getting paid and believing the screenplay would actually get produced. It did not.

While freelancing, I did an interview for Script Magazine with G. Marq Roswell, one of Hollywood's top music supervisors.

So, I have a multiple creative personality disorder.

I'm a songwriter, screenwriter and freelance writer. But JerryFlattum.com is exclusively about my songs. A few blogs and other websites explore the screenwriter and freelance writer sides of me (see the Links Page).

Moving to Palm Harbor, Florida I purchased a ton of equipment and started a home studio (see equipment list under Home Studio). Outside studio support was used to record lead vocals, harmonies and backup vocals, and mastering.

My influences are musical theater, film, country, jazz, folk, Latino, R&B, rock, blues, dance, techno, New Age and World Beat. For me, there’s no such thing as a favorite artist. It's important to note I have a serious problem with genres. As you'll hear, I can't be pigeon-holed into any one genre or style. The industry is very keen on placing songs and artists within a set genre, largely for marketing. I appreciate this. But, I can't help writing the songs I write.

My ultimate goal as a writer and artist is to break down the barriers imposed by genres. I love "crossover,” or fusion or convergence.

I left out many details in this bio, but the essence of who I am as a musician has hopefully been captured.

One problem I hope this website will help solve is my being torn between writer and artist. My original intentions were to market my songs to other artists, publishers, Hollywood music supervisors and even the advertising community. But the thing is... I'm an artist by default. I sing, play, arrange, produce and record. I've performed extensively. I love an audience.

Although I’m not stepping up for any awards, there are a handful of people I’d like to thank in making my songs and this website a reality.

The website, with a template and hosting courtesy of AllWebCo, could not have been possible without Sue Hamilton, currently living in Istanbul, Turkey. Sue not only built the database, redesigned the layout and navigation and created graphics, but also became a friend. She promises to make me Turkish coffee when I go to visit her.

Retired Air Force Colonel Richard Jones and his wife Joanne gave me financial and moral support in ways that could never be paid back. Who ever thought angels could be friends? Do you realize that not only are they responsible for guiding me through this thing called life, but also let me use their washer and dryer when I couldn’t find a Laundromat? Now that’s love.

Jonas Mayer, bandleader and drummer for Jonah and the Whales, based out of Minneapolis, can’t play golf. Without his long distance phone calls and emails to follow me where ever I went, I never would’ve gotten my act together. I think I owe him a few bucks too.

My dad, Lou Flattum, only talks about football and occasionally, Meg Ryan. Well, without him, I simply wouldn’t exist...duh!

DC Langer created the artwork you see on my site. She happens to be a keyboardist and got me back into taking Pilates and yoga classes.

I am a member of BMI. I am also a member of the International Songwriters Association (ISA), the Songwriter's Guild of America (SGA) and the Nashville Songwriter's Association International (NSAI).