Coming up…a down & out songwriter named Mentor Williams and a down & out singer named Dobie Gray after the TV show came together to collaborate on a song that nobody wanted. “Drift Away" The writer was living in his brother Paul Williams's shadow who was one of the most famous songwriters ever having written numerous hits for the Carpenters, Three Dog Night, and Rainbow Connection for Kermit the Frog. and the singer Dobie Gray was well-traveled with a few minor hits but was looking for the big one to set his career in stone… Even though they had no juice in the record business, they landed a pitiful recording budget- went to Nashville, and created a million-selling single beloved by generation after generation. We break down the 70s rock classic Drift Away and “get lost in the Rock n’ Roll” next on Professor of Rock…..

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Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time. If you remember the scary Tv Movie of the week that ranged from Nuclear War to Murder you’ll dig this channel of deep Meaningful nostalgia…Make sure to, subscribe below right now. click the bell so you always know what’s coming. New interviews new videos. You’ll dig what we’re putting down here! Also, check out our Patreon where we have full interviews and check out our merch below….

Mentor Williams loved to write songs, it’s what he felt he was born to do. ….But the music industry didn’t want Mentor's songs and repeatedly snubbed him. He was living in the shadow of his famous brother…lyricist Paul Williams, who had written hit songs for artists like- Three Dog Night, Helen Reddy, The Carpenters, and perhaps the greatest vocalist of the Rock Era….Kermit the Frog.

Eventually, Mentor caught a little break, when Herb Alpert from A&M Records gave him a publishing deal in 1970. It was a modest deal, but it was enough to revive his faith in his dream of striking gold as a songwriter. The following day was a Saturday, and Mentor awakened with excitement for the future that awaited him. He was in such a great mood, he decided to go fishing- a pastime that he truly enjoyed, but rarely had the opportunity to do.

Out on the lake, he reflected on all the hardships he had faced- trying to make it as a songwriter.

A feeling of peace came over him, and the lyrics to the all-time 70s classic “Drift Away” began to flow within his rejuvenated soul. In that moment, he had discovered the secret of how he was gonna make it as a songwriter. The secret was to stop trying to emulate other writers and trust his inner emotions. It was time for Mentor to get rid of the frustration from years of rejection, step out of his brother's shadow and celebrate his newfound joy and inspiration.

Mentor finished “Drift Away,” convinced that he had FINALLY written a hit song that couldn’t be denied, but when he began to present it to potential artists to record it, that old familiar disappointment returned when there was very little interest in his song. There were two exceptions…The first was a swamp rocker named John Henry Kurtz who cut “Drift Away" for his Reunion LP in 1972.

Kurtz’s record included performances by some highly respected musicians, such as Jim Gordon & Larry Knecktel from