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The Muse's News |
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Issue 6.2 - May 2003
ISSN 1480-6975
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This issue sponsored by:
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I n T h i s I s s u e :
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@-- Editor's Musings
@-- Copyright & Publishing Q&A with Nancy A. Reece from Carpe Diem
Copyright Management
@-- Music Reviews - by Ben Ohmart, Stacey Board & Gian Fiero
@-- Songwriting Book Review - by James Linderman
@-- Musical Notes - Songwriting Contests & Market Info.
@-- Muse's Clues - Songwriting Web sites that inspire - brought
to you by singer/songwriter & teacher, Irene Jackson.
@-- Featured Article - WALKING THAT LINE by Harriet Schock
@-- Songwriter In Spotlight - Singer/songwriter, Shannon Cutts
@-- On Site Featured Article - An article (interview this month,
actually!) already online for your viewing pleasure.
@-- Classifieds & Useful Services
@-- Contact information
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ISSN 1480-6975. Copyright 1998 - 2002, Jodi Krangle. For more
contact information, see end of issue.
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LOOKING FOR A PIECE OF THE MUSE'S MUSE? :)
Visit http://www.musesmuse.com/musemerchandise.html for great
Muse's Muse products like mugs, mousepads, shirts, and even wall
clocks! Start your own store too - with no up front costs!
See http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/storeref.aspx?refby=musesmuse
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Please support the sponsors that support this newsletter! Thanks!)
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DEADLINE LOOMS - 2003 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Last Chance To Enter This Year! Enter 2003 USA Songwriting
Competition now! Winning songs receive radio airplay! Win Grand
prize of US$50,000 of cash, music gear and more! Judges include
from Warner and SONY Music.
EARLY ENTRY BONUS: First 1,000 entries will each receive a FREE
gift! Hurry to: http://www.songwriting.net/mm.html
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E d i t o r ' s M u s i n g s :
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Hello again at the end of another month! Thanks for continuing to
take the time to read these newsletters. After over five years, I
never take that for granted. ;)
News? Well, yes. I'm working on a way to accept press releases
here on The Muse's Muse so that all of the cool happenings you guys
want to let people know about, can be displayed to others that will
find them of interest. Up to now, I haven't had any place to put
them. But I'm hoping to change all that soon. Keep an eye on the
index page of the site for more information on that when it becomes
available, ok?
Also, there are a bunch of Just Plain Folks chapters opening up all
over the place. The Muse's Muse fully supports Just Plain Folks
and its activities (it's a great organization! Check out
http://www.jpfolks.org/) and you can read more about the Boston chapter
here on the Muse's Muse message boards:
musesmuse.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000154
There's a Just Plain Folks chapter starting up here in Toronto too!
For those of you able to make it to the Richmond Hill area on May
21st, I'm actually going to be the guest speaker at this one
(though I'm honestly not sure what I'll be talking about yet. If
you have thoughts on topics you'd like to hear more about and that
you think I might be able to help you with, let me know! I'd love
to hear your suggestions!). I'm thrilled to have been asked and
I'm hoping it'll be a very successful, regular get-together. For
more info, have a look here on the Muse's Muse message boards:
musesmuse.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000151
The raffle winners for this month are Alesia House from
Bristow, VA, who has won a copy of "Bluesprint: Black British
Columbian Literature and Orature" edited by Wayde Compton (reviewed
previously at http://www.musesmuse.com/6.0-March03.html#article2,
Raul J. d'Ablaing from San Diego, CA who has won a copy
of IndieMusic.com's "Musician's Toolkit" (for details on this
package of useful indie musician-related tools, see
http://www.musicianstoolkit.com/muse/ ), and Lori Rosolowsky from
Buckingham, PA, who has won a copy of VSS's helpful songwriting
organization product (for a review of Lyricist & information on a
discount offered, see http://www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html ).
There's lots of great stuff in this newsletter - including a
wonderful new article by Harriet Schock (thanks, Harriet!) and a
new, inspirational interview! So I'll let you get to it. :)
Keep writing and keep well,
--Jodi
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Please support the sponsors that support this newsletter! Thanks!)
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TAKE ONLINE SONGWRITING CLASSES AT BERKLEEMUSIC.COM
Songwriters: sharpen your craft with Berkleemusic.com, the online
extension school of Berklee College of Music. Whether you're a
relative beginner or an experienced writer, our online courses will
help you generate more and better ideas, master the elements of
style and structure, and express yourself more effectively in words
and music.
Learn how to build great lyrical ideas into great songs. Discover
tips and techniques the most successful writers use in their music.
Master powerful programs like Finale and ProTools to notate your
songs and make great-sounding demos. These are just a few of the
skills you can develop this spring in our online school. Study
anytime, anywhere with Berklee's award-winning faculty. Work with
other serious writing students in a rich learning environment.
The next semester begins on June 16th!
Visit Berkleemusic.com to enroll: http://tinyurl.com/abtp
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C o p y r i g h t & P u b l i s h i n g Q & A :
With Licensing executive Nancy A. Reece
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Nancy is taking a break this month - but if you'd like to see some
of the great Q&A's she's conducted over the years she's been with
The Muse's Muse, you can drop by her previous listing of Q&A's at
http://www.musesmuse.com/pubq-a.html .
Her new page contains some of her newest Q&A's along with
information about her upcoming book at
http://www.musesmuse.com/realarealq.html . And as per usual,
you're welcome to ask questions!
*****
ABOUT NANCY A. REECE:
Since 1998, Nancy Reece has been providing a question and answer
forum for Muse's Muse readers. Now all of the articles, forums and
Q&A's are being compiled into a book. Nancy is wanting to be sure
that you have the opportunity to receive a copy of the book as soon
as it is ready. If you are interested in getting an E-mail
notification to indicate that the book is ready for purchase,
please send your request to RealARealQ@musesmail.com .
How to Ask a Question:
If you have a question for Nancy about publishing or copyright
administration, you can e-mail her at nreece@musesmuse.com. Please
indicate in the subject of your e-mail that your submission is for
The Muse's Muse guest forum, Real Answers to Real Questions.
Thanks!
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M u s i c R e v i e w s :
by Ben Ohmart, Gian Fiero & Stacey Board
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Rick Duke – "Second Son" (by Stacey Board)
Within the first 30 seconds of listening to this CD my ear was
completely captivated. Rick Duke's acoustic guitar playing is
outstanding. It is beautifully melodic, rich and compelling. Hats
off to his skill AND to the recording job – it's not easy to get a
great recording of an acoustic guitar and it's very easy to get a
bad one!
"Blue Heaven" is especially hypnotic, excellent playing here and a
wonderful mood. I admit I may be biased having spent some time in
"the southern part of heaven" but he captures it here very well.
Duke includes two instrumental 'cover tunes' and another cover, but
in my opinion his original instrumentals outshine everything else
on the CD.
The CD includes vocals and lyrics on 5 out of 11 of the tracks. The
title track "Second Son" is "dedicated to all victims... of 9/11"
and is the strongest of the non-instrumental songs. It has the most
unique melody of his original songs and his best vocal performance.
Anyone who enjoys great acoustic guitar playing should include Rick
Duke's "Second Son" in their collection of new favorites.
http://rickduke.opsyhopsy.com/
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OTHER NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:
The Kicks (by Gian Fiero)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000463.html
Maine Attraction (by Gian Fiero)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000464.html
Paul Suftra (by Gian Fiero)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000465.html
The Knights (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000456.html
The Stan Bock Ensemble (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000455.html
Lloyd Gregory (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000458.html
Jon Nicol (by Stacey Board)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000459.html
James O'Malley (by Stacey Board)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000460.html
Rick Duke (by Stacey Board)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000461.html
Artie Tobia (by Stacey Board)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000462.html
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******
For bios on each of the reviewers, see
http://www.musesmuse.com/musicreviews.html . If you're considering
sending in your own CD for review, you can also view that page to
find out which reviewer reviews your genre. Thanks!
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S o n g w r i t i n g B o o k R e v i e w : by James Linderman
And Then I Wrote, Edited by Tom Russell and Sylvia Tyson
http://www.arsenalpulp.com/
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A five-minute conversation with me would reveal that I actually do
not possess a whole lot of wisdom myself, but I am very fond of
quoting the wise.
Therefore, if you were to spend about five minutes looking through
my bookshelf, you would find a lot of anthologies of quotes and
anecdotes; short and usually clever snippets that represent a
person's personal philosophy or public persona. They are really,
really fun to read.
When a reader of "The Muse's News" e-mailed me and recommended that
I review a book she had read titled "And Then I Wrote" and I
discovered that it was a book full of songwriters' quotes and
anecdotes, I was very eager to begin acquiring a whole new set of
smart things to say.
I also felt that I could put it to a fairly tough scrutiny as I
have read and re-read the very best that the publishing world has
to offer of this kind of book and although I love to read them, I
do not love them when they are uninteresting or not smartly
compiled.
"And Then I Wrote" was edited by Tom Russell, a noteworthy
songwriter in his own right, with songs that have been recorded by
Johnny Cash, Suzy Boggas, Ian Tyson, Jerry Jeff Walker and Nancy
Griffith. He wrote the song, "Outbound Plane" which was among the
most performed songs of 1992. He is also an acclaimed author.
Sylvia Tyson was part of the landmark folk and country duo, Ian and
Sylvia through the 60's and has spent the last 3 decades
establishing herself as a breath-taking solo artist, producer,
writer and troubadour. She is in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame
and has won the prestigious Order of Canada Award. Sylvia Tyson
also performs with Kaitlan Haniford, Cindy Church and Gwen Swick as
Quartet, one of my favourite groups to see live.
The fact that the editors personally know most of the songwriters
quoted in the book, (because they themselves are celebrity
songwriters), and because they are also authors themselves, gives
this volume some real advantages over many other anecdotal
collections.
"And Then I Wrote" is 233 pages of interesting and smart stuff. It
has so many great quotes that I've used bright yellow highlighter
on, that when I flip through the book now, the pages have a kind of
radioactive glow. That's how I know I liked it!
I don't know which quotes you will enjoy the most but a few of my
favourites are, Hank Williams' extraordinary quote, "I pick up the
pen and God moves it", and Steve Earle's observation that
creativity is "the ability to look into the darkness and not
blink".
In another chapter, David Byrne considers, "pop songs are the folk
music of high-tech countries" and Frank Zappa's admits that his,
"sense of humour is probably some form of genetic deformity".
It's really hard for me to find a place to stop quoting because
these artists seem to know exactly how we feel and express it with
tools that are just a bit sharper and a little more accurate than
the ones most of us have to use to explain ourselves.
There are quotes from Tin Pan Alley writers, jazzers, rockers, pop
stars and Nashvillians, some "lesser knowns", but lots and lots of
legends. The book is compiled in very interesting, interconnected
sequences so that there is a thread of insight sewn right through
the edit, but you can also just flip it open at any spot and find
that every quote stands up very well on its own.
Learning how we should view ourselves, our art, and the world we
live in, is so vital to producing truly visionary music. It's also
essential to retain a sense of connectedness to a whole community
that feels like we do; a community that doesn't feel it's so
incredibly weird to be a grown person who makes stuff up and then
sings about it.
And Then I Wrote by Tom Russell and Sylvia Tyson is published by
Arsenal Pulp Press and can be checked out at http://www.arsenalpulp.com/
******
ABOUT THE REVIEWER:
James Linderman lives and works at theharmonyhouse, a music lesson,
songwriting and music pre-production facility in Newmarket,
Ontario, Canada. He is the Songwriters Association of Canada
regional coordinator for Newmarket and leads a music workshop
program for Life 100.3 Christian radio. James writes songwriting
articles for The Muse's News web magazine, Canadian Musician
Magazine and Professional Musician Magazine.
Contact James at: theharmonyhouse@rogers.com
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Please support the sponsors that support this newsletter! Thanks!)
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LYRICIST! VERSION 2.2 HAS ARRIVED-INCLUDES ON-LINE COPYRIGHT LINK
Virtual Studio Systems, Inc. is proud to announce Lyricist V2.2 -
The Songwriter's Best Friend: the first-of-its-kind word processor
designed for musicians, songwriters, and poets. The software
includes a rhyming dictionary, thesaurus, album categorization,
chord charting, chord generator, song arrangement, On-Line
Copyright Link, and much much more - all in a user-friendly
package. Check out the review at www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html
Muse's Muse visitors can take home the product for $5.00 off the
regular selling price just for purchasing through the form provided
off of the review + Free Priority Shipping in the USA if you order
in April or May.
For more information, visit the review url above or call us at
888.732.1176 inside the U.S.A. and Canada or 603.726-4499 outside
the U.S.A.
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M u s i c a l N o t e s : Songwriting Contests & Market Info.
In the interest of conserving space, I will only be including
changes to this listing in this newsletter. All other contests
and market information that have already been listed here, are
displayed at http://www.musesmuse.com/contests.html &
http://www.musesmuse.com/markets.html . Please check there
regularly for updates!
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DALLAS SONGWRITERS LYRIC CONTEST
http://www.dallassongwriters.org/dsa_lyric_contest.htm
Lyricists! Here's your chance to shine. DSA is very excited about
hosting a bi-monthly, ongoing contest for lyricists. The main prize
is what we all aspire to - RECOGNITION FOR OUR LYRICAL WORK! 1st
place winning lyricists receive $50 cash. 1st, 2nd, 3rd place
winners and lyrics will be published both in the DSA "Songwriters
Notes" newsletter and the website along with the judges critique.
Entry fee is $10 per lyric.
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TONOS HITMAKER BYRON GALLIMORE LOOKING FOR SONGS FOR TIM MCGRAW!
Tonos hosts many songwriting contests and Industry Opportunities
specifically for songwriters every month. The newest contests
include:
- Tonos Hitmaker Byron Gallimore Looking For Songs For Tim McGraw!
- Tonos Hitmaker and top country music producer Byron Gallimore is
currently reviewing songs for Tim McGraw's next album. This
multi-platinum country star is the hottest performer in country
music and is known as much for his country-pop ballads as for his
rougher country-rock material. As you can imagine, the competition
from Nashville's finest writers is stiff to get a slot on McGraw's
album, but Byron is ready and willing to consider some outstanding
country songs from some of the tonosPRO country songwriters.
- Major Label Looking For New Artists! - Haven't been able to get
your material to a major label executive? A Major Label is looking
for new artists and are interested to hear tonosPRO members
performances. This label is currently all over the Billboard
charts. Their A&R executives are looking for the next pop or
pop/rock artist or band. You must have a distinct sound and strong
vocal ability. They want to hear a solo artist or band that is
extraordinary. So send us your best pop or pop/rock performance
now!
- L.A. Producer Seeking Artists For Production Deals! - A top Los
Angeles producer/mixer/engineer (whose resume includes projects
with the likes of Marilyn Manson, Eric Clapton and Southern Culture
On The Skids) is looking for male or female pop/rock
singer-songwriters for a production deal. You must have great songs
and a distinct sound. A strong following, band accomplishments and
accolades (local awards, press mentions, notable tours, radio
airplay, CD/merchandise sales) are a plus and will be considered.
See http://www.qksrv.net/click-793658-8152068 for details on these
opportunities and more!
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BERKLEEMUSIC.COM WEBSITE LAUNCHED
After nearly two years in development, Berklee College of Music has
launched its Berkleemusic.com web site. This ambitious new offering
provides songwriters opportunities to take online music writing
courses and explore new music career directions. Users can create a
personal or band web page containing bios, MP3s, images, reviews,
news, and links that are useful resources to potential employers,
collaborators, and students.
For more information visit: http://www.berkleemusic.com/
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THE FIRST AMATEUR ONLY SONGWRITING CONTEST IN THE WORLD!
Cooch Music has launched it's sixth "Amateur Songwriting Contest"!
January 18th, 2003 thru August 31st, 2003. Songwriters, Bands and
Musicians are now able to enter a contest that is aimed for
amateurs only! Songs are to be judged on originality, lyrics,
melody and composition by our panel of judges. Our panel consists
of professionals from Publishing, Producers, Management, Artists
and Songwriters. We also have a voting member of The Grammy Awards
on our Panel. Quality of performance and production will not be
considered. Entry fee is only $10.00 per song. All prizes are
designed to help amateur songwriters further their career. Cooch
Music will run it's Amateur Songwriting Contest twice a year. For
information on how to get an entry form, rules regulations and the
prize list visit http://www.coochmusic.com/.
** As a visitor to The Muse's Muse, Cooch Music is offering a
special discount to You! Get One FREE Entry when you enter Two
songs into our 6th contest! Just copy and paste this article and
send it in with your entries to receive the discount!
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2002 GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Jim Bizer has won top honors in the Great American Song Contest
2002 with his song "We Are All Connected." First-Place category
winners are: Jean-Ann Hand for "Daddy's Arms" (Christian/Gospel);
Bob Macdonald for "Jukebox Therapy" (Country); Willie McCulloch for
"Sea Field Coal" (Special Category); Jennifer Marks & Jenny Bruce
for "Make It Right" (Pop); Steve Tannen for "Picture Of You"
(Rock); Alain Bradetter for "Montreal-Marseille" (Instrumental);
Kamidahze for "4Deep Rydahz" (HipHop/Rap/R&B); and Michael R. J.
Roth for "Farewell, Pennsylvania" (Lyric Writing). Hear these songs
at the Great American Song Hall Of Fame: www.GreatAmericanSong.com
2003 GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES!
The 5th annual GAS contest features awards & prizes for 45 winners
in 9 categories. Judges include publishers, recording artists & hit
songwriters. EVERYONE receives written evaluations of their songs.
Open through November 7, 2003. Sponsored by Songwriters Resource
Network, a free online news & education resource for songwriters.
For details, visit: http://www.greatamericansong.com/ or
http://www.songwritersresourcenetwork.com/ or e-mail
info@GreatAmericanSong.com
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IMC2003 ANNOUNCES SHOWCASE APPLICATION THROUGH SONICBIDS
The first ever Independent Music Conference, a national conference
by and for indie musicians, is accepting Showcase Performance
Workshop applications from those interested in performing at the
event. The event promises to be radically different from typical
music conferences in many ways, not the least of which is its DIY
ethos.
Organized and presented entirely by indie musicians and
organizations, the IMC2003 will focus most heavily on education.
Even the showcases have been upgraded to "Performance Workshops" to
maximize the learning value of this event for its attendees.
Artists wishing to be considered are encouraged to visit the web
site where information and a link to the Sonicbids online EPK
application can be found: http://www.imc2003.com/ If you need more
info, you may call anytime: (203)606-4649
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GREAT ARTICLES TO CHECK OUT COURTESY OF GALARIS INDEPENDENT MUSIC:
http://www.galaris.com/
* Shouting Over the Band
http://www.galaris.com/articles?id=237
* 21 Songwriting Tips
http://www.galaris.com/articles?id=236
* Mastering for Radio
http://www.galaris.com/articles?id=230
Sign up for the Galaris Independent Musicians Newsletter. Simply
send a blank email to mailto:addmuse@galaris.com and Twice monthly
you will receive FREE, direct to your email box, articles
containing: Promotion tips, Career advice, Recording tips,
Practicing tips, Legal advice, Musician's health, Radio promotion,
Songwriters tips and much more.
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COMPO-10 INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST
Every week 10 artists are featured on Original Compo-10. They rank
each other and the ones who have been ranked best will be promoted
on the website. The winner of each week's competition gets to join
a final that will be held after there has been 10 competitions. The
10 winners will rank each other in the final. As the rankings are
done by the artists themselves, the outcome of the voting won't
depend on how many friends the artists have. Instructions in 17
languages on the website. Participation in the contest is
completely free. For more details, see http://compo10.com/.
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ENTRIES FOR 2003 MOVA SONGWRITERS/COMPOSERS COMPETITION ARE NOW
BEING ACCEPTED
Geared toward new, emerging, and semi-professional songwriters.
Semi-finalists compete before an exceptional panel of professionals
at the MOVA Arts Festival in Guntersville, Alabama, (Sept 19 - 21)
and compete for $4,000 in cash awards (including a $1,000 Best of
Show) plus paid booking opportunities, and other awards. 14 genres
of music (we do have a lyrics only category). Deadlines: Early Bird
May 26, 2003; Night Owl: June 18, 2003. Our 2003 Musicians'
Conference, "The Art & Business of Music" with workshops, master
classes, private coaching etc is also available.
Get full information at: http://mova.mountainvalleyartscouncil.org/
or e-mail: artscouncil@mindspring.com Phone: 256-582-1454. Or
write: MOVA Songwriters Competition, 300 Gunter Ave, Guntersville,
AL 35976
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THE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwritingcompetition.com/
The ISC is now accepting entries. $100,000 in cash and prizes to be
shared by 68 winners from 13 different categories. ISC's panel of
judges include industry heavyweights such as Monte Lipman
(President of Universal Records), Bruce Lundwall (CEO/President of
Capitol Records Jazz/Classics), Arif Mardin (Producer of the Year
at the 2003 Grammy Awards) and more. Deadline is Sept. 15, 2003
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OSCA "ONE PLUS ONE" SONGWRITING CONTEST
The Oklahoma Songwriters and Composers Association is now accepting
accepting entries for its 5th "One Plus One" songwring contest.
There are two categories, 1) The "One Plus One" category which
allows only one voice and one accompanying instrument, and 2) The
"Open" category, with no production limitations. Prizes for winning
entries are $250 for 1st place entries, $100 for 2nd, and $75 for
3rd, in addition to a one year membership to OSCA. The postmark
deadline for entries in this contest is July 31, 2003. Entry forms
and complete rules can be obtained at oksongwriters.org, or write
to OSCA, P.O. Box 6298, Moore, OK 731153, or call 405 799-4536.
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M u s e ' s C l u e s : by Irene Jackson
©1998-2003 Moonstone Productions All Rights Reserved. Used By
Permission
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Every now and then in the songwriting Usenet newsgroup
rec.music.makers.songwriting, we have a little competition. We all
throw out song titles, then vote on them, and when we narrow it
down to one, everyone who wants to writes a song around that title.
Lyrics and links to audio files, if possible, are posted. It's not
really a competition, although some songwriters can't help but be a
little competitive. :-) What's most interesting, to me, is how
many DIFFERENT songs can come out of one title. Sometimes you
think the song could only be in one style or the story in one
direction, but darned if somebody doesn't always come up with
something right out of left field! It's great fun.
There is a website dedicated to exactly this type of competition
called SongFight (http://www.songfight.org/). On SongFight, you can
enter the competition with your version of the latest title which
is posted by the webmasters on a weekly basis. Visitors to the
website vote on each song, and the winners are posted at the end of
the competition. They also have an archive of all of their older
competitions so you can listen to mp3 files of all of them if you
like. They have recently created streaming versions of all of the
entries so that you don't have to download and listen through each
one. To enter the competition, you obviously have to have the
ability to create and upload an mp3 file, and while some of the
entries are full-blown productions, many of them are simply guitar
and vocal, with the occasional entry just an a capella version!
Also included on the site is a messageboard where you will find
various discussions on both the songwriting process and the
production aspect.
The title in competition at the writing of this article was "Look
Good In Black". I heard everything from rock to grunge to rap
versions of the title, and anything in between. :-) Even if you
don't want to enter, have a listen through the latest bunch and
vote on what you think is the strongest entry. I noticed one
really interesting thing that seemed to happen in most of the
entries of "Look Good In Black"...I wonder if you can too. :-)
******
Irene Jackson is a performing songwriter from Victoria, BC in
Canada. Aside from writing, recording and performing, she also
maintains a website for songwriters that includes tips, articles
and more links of interest. Her eagerly anticipated CD "Catnip" is
finally here, and her earlier recordings have had attention
everywhere from Japan to South America.
Songwriting Tips: http://www.irenejackson.com/tips.html
Homepage: http://www.irenejackson.com/
Songs on MP3:
http://www.mp3.com/artists/20/irene_jackson.html
Back to Menu
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F e a t u r e d A r t i c l e :
WALKING THAT LINE - By Harriet Schock
© Harriet Shock, 2003 All Rights Reserved. Printed with Permission.
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There's a line between art and commerce and for some people, it's
wide enough to walk. Finding a way to do it is an art in itself.
I know some of the best songwriters walking the earth but you might
not know their names. That doesn't mean they're not great. And I
know some really successful ones who are also exceptionally good.
That doesn't seem to be too popular an idea right now. Today, even
in a city as known for songs as Nashville, there's a feeling that
"formula" is taking over. And the pervading attitude is that merit
doesn't necessarily accompany success, and certainly vice versa.
Some blame the record companies who are being bought left and right
by people who know very little about music. Some blame the
constricting radio formats and shrinking play lists.
I just got back from Nashville last week and one of my meetings was
with a former promoter from the record label for which I recorded
three albums in the seventies, in L.A. He's been very successful
in Music City since then and when I recorded my last two CDs in the
90s (I skipped the 80s entirely) I sent them to him. We've talked
by phone, but I hadn't really sat down with him in over a decade.
When he heard the newer songs, he announced that he was still a
fan. This was my opening to ask him a question I didn't dare ask
the strangers I'd been meeting with all week. "Could co-writing
here actually hurt my writing?" He gave me a candid "yes." I
thought about it long and hard. I took "could" to mean if I wrote
with the wrong attitude, it "could" harm me but I would make sure
that didn't happen. Some of the greatest songwriting I've ever
heard is coming out of Nashville, in my opinion. So I decided to
adopt the attitude that I could learn from anyone or anything I
admire. But I wouldn't let it dilute the style I'd become known
for in my own writing. I had found another thin line to walk.
I had arranged three writing appointments while I was there. My
first appointment was with a former student. That was fun, because
we're good friends. Basically I helped him map out his title and
left it for him to make the next move. The concept was his and it
was wonderful.
My next writing session was with someone who also teaches
songwriting and that was really fascinating. It was like speaking
"shorthand." I just sat in the library where we'd found an
available grand piano and played endlessly to a drum track until
we found a melody for the chorus. We discussed the lyric direction
and he wrote the lyric to the verse with my minimal participation.
I took home the tape and wrote the verse melody, then called him
and played it to him over the phone. His answering machine kept
cutting me off because it was voice activated, I suppose, and there
was too much dead space even with my gardener using the blower
outside. So he called me back for the third time, put me on the
speaker phone and recorded it onto a portable tape recorder. I
acknowledged his ingenuity, which had brought to mind a Texas
expression I first heard from my friend, Gerry Hallford, who liked
to say, "There are more ways to kill a cat than choking it on
heavy cream." The good thing about collaborating with a really
experienced writer is that no matter how much he liked that
expression, he won't try to incorporate it into the lyric.
This particular collaborator also helped me learn some of the
unwritten rules of Nashville collaboration: The B writer (the one
with fewer hits) brings the concept to the A writer (the one with
more hits).
Therefore, in my third songwriting session, I brought the concept.
I had no sooner said the last syllable of the title than he had the
guitar up, playing and singing a melody that made me feel totally
at home and enraptured. I began to realize the reason this
multi-hit-writer is so successful is that he's really good. Melody
and harmony fell out of this playful creature like a fountain
overflowing.
This brings to mind another kind of thin line, one mentioned by
Irving Berlin, who spoke of the thin line between familiarity and
plagiarism. Berlin walked this line deftly and attributed his
success to it, and my collaborator was walking it like a trained
gymnast. When I heard the melody and chord changes, it was
nothing I'd heard before and yet it felt completely familiar. Every
note went where I wanted it to go, just like when someone finds
that place on your back that itches.
Another interesting line I encountered this trip was between
hanging out and becoming a drinker. I noticed a lot of networking
going on at songwriters' hangouts, which happen to be bars in many
cases. I don't know how they spend day after day there without
liver damage, but the "whiskey flows and the beer chases their
blues away." And since I was drinking water and trying to stay in
"The Zone," it didn't have much effect on me except as an observer.
And even though legal sobriety is now determined by Breathalyzer
tests, for which I understand Listerine can cause a false positive,
I still try to walk the line. All of them.
******
Harriet Schock is a multi-platinum songwriter/recording artist
whose songs have been recorded my numerous artists, nominated for
a Grammy and used in films. Her fourth, fifth and sixth CDs,
"American Romance," "Rosebud" and "Harriet Schock Live" are in
current release, as well as her book, BECOMING REMARKABLE,
published by Blue Dolphin. As well as performing worldwide, she
speaks, teaches and consults in person and via the internet. For
further information about her correspondence courses, her book,
cds, concerts or consultation, go to http://harrietschock.com/ or
call (323)934-5691.
Back to Menu
=================================================================
S o n g w r i t e r I n S p o t l i g h t :
A Muse's Muse Interview with Singer/Songwriter, Shannon Cutts
conducted by Jodi Krangle
http://www.musesmuse.com/int-shannoncutts.html
Shannon Cutts is a singer/songwriter with a penchant for upbeat
lyrics unveiling the beautiful simplicity of God's love at work in
our lives. Although her songs and signature pop sound have been
tagged as having 'crossover appeal', Shannon simply views music as
'what she does'. "Music is healing – it is a tie that binds all of
us together", Shannon says. "Music is a trusted universal language
that can reach into places where words alone cannot go, bringing
healing, recovery, joy and love in with it. It is the most powerful
and beautiful language I know, and I am privileged to take part in
this divine conversation."
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Question: What's your background in music? Is your family musical?
Did you grow up with it or was it something you discovered?
----------
My family is verrrrryyyy musical. I think I started to talk and
sing at the same time. My parents play guitar, my bro plays awesome
fiddle, and when I was 8 my parents made a 'deal' (at least that's
what they told me it was) with me that if I'd chip in 25 bucks
they'd buy me a piano. All I could figure was 'wow - that's pretty
cheap for the biggest piece of furniture I've ever owned!' At no
time did they explain to me about lessons, or daily practice. They
apprenticed me to a towering, terrifying giant of a classical piano
teacher, and while I never really managed to learn to read music, I
did get pretty good at learning by ear since the music she was
giving me interested me so little I never practiced it at all. All
I did was sit at the piano and noodle around - I'd play a few bars
of Bach or whatever it was that week and then realize that reading
music was boring and I could come up with my own ending. So then
I'd go to the lesson, piece still unlearned, and ask the teacher if
she could 'just play it for me once so I can remember how it goes',
and I'd rattle it off back to her. And week after week, for 4
years, that's how it went. So while I turned into a pretty good
off-the-cuff songwriter, I wouldn't say I have much Bach in my
repertoire. :)
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Question: How did you first get involved in music professionally?
----------
My first 'professional' foray into music performance was actually
singing lead and playing mandolin (which I was handed when I was 10
- another long story!) in my family's bluegrass band. I've been on
stage ever since. Interestingly enough, while I was always aware I
'had talent', it took me a lot longer to find my own heart and
wings and learn to love what I seemed to be naturally good at.
'Love' for me, with music, came when the music proved its power and
purpose in my life by bringing me back from a slow suicide from
anorexia and bulimia. I wrote songs, not even knowing why or where
they were coming from or really how I was writing them - every day
another song would come to me and I would write it down - and later
I realized that that was the one thing I loved enough to keep
fighting to recover. It's what I now call the "Key To Life" - that
one thing an anorexic/bulimic cares more about than her disease.
The music literally healed me, and that's why I feel called to
share it with others now, because I believe that if the songs could
heal me, then they can heal others who need them as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: How long have you been writing songs? Which song of yours
do you consider your most successful and why?
----------
I have been writing songs since I was 8 years old. My first song
was co-written with my Dad, and we called it "Babbling Brook &
Brave Buffalo" in honor of our Cherokee heritage. I wrote it on the
piano and Dad helped me note it out on sheet music. When I realized
that there was a way to make my tortuous theory studies in early
Bach bearable by trying my hand at 're-writing' them by ear, I was
hooked! A songwriter was born... and to me writing over the years
has become like opening up a direct channel of communication to God
- calling Him up on the phone and having Him answer every time. It
has been an amazing constant source of peace, inspiration, hope,
joy and love in my life.
The songs that have been most 'successful' to me are the ones that
seem to speak into the common life experiences we share. For one
person a song will be about anorexia, for another the same song
will be about adoption (I've had both of these comments and many
more about my song 'Hold Me Teach Me')... each person can find what
he or she needs to feel connected, heard, validated and healed in
the same song by experiencing it in a unique way that is relevant
for them. I do think success sometimes is simply found in the
writing of the song – perservering when the topic is difficult and
personal or the Muse is playing hide-and-seek, continuing to trust
the gift when all that comes out seems disjointed and without
meaning – often my most appealing songs (like 'Lift Me Up') came
out under a hailstorm of mental criticism that was trying to
sabotage me during the writing process. When I first wrote that
song I was in the midst of a mental/writing block, and I just
couldn't stop my mind from berating myself for everything that
would come out while I was writing the verses. Then the chorus
popped out, and I thought 'Wow!' Now THAT is a message... talk
about God speaking back to us. "Oh, Lift Me Up, my God, such a
mighty awesome God, oh let me sing Your praise, in my weakness I am
saved..." I was amazed at how He used my willingness and
perseverance in continuing to try to write the song to show me Who
is really writing it anyway and where my help will come from to
finish it – to make something out of nothing.
And I think this touches on another universal theme – no matter
whether it's writing or something else that we are trying to
accomplish, we are not alone. We always have help and support.
Everyone can relate to that in some way, even if it's not from a
spiritual perspective but simply from a relationship perspective.
Now, I do think there is another kind of success that comes from
writing songs that are more specific, but are self-healing and
illuminating and move us forward in our growth and knowledge. And
those songs can have their own kind of appeal to specific audiences
– my song 'Tangled Up' indirectly arose from my fascination with
nature and my battle to recover from anorexia and bulimia. Talk
about two unrelated topics that each appeal only to a small select
group of people! But anorexia is only one kind of issue people are
recovering from, so even though it took me a lot to recover from it
and the song is very personal to me, people recovering from
alcoholism, narcotics abuse, codependency, homelessness, illness,
recovery from life itself...they can all relate to the song in
their own way. And the image 'Tangled Up' presents of the spider's
dependence on his web for food and survival and shelter – and the
irony that the web he needs originates from inside himself – this
points us back to our connection.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Question: As an indie musician, you need to do a lot of your
promotion on your own. What sorts of things have you done to
promote your music? What has worked and what hasn't?
----------
To read Shannon's answer to this question and more, visit:
http://www.musesmuse.com/int-shannoncutts.html#newsletterBack to Menu
=================================================================
" O N S I T E " F E A T U R E D A R T I C L E :
Just the Facts, Ma'am, Just the Facts - by Paula Carpenter
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000457.html
Hopefully this Spring is bringing each of you new successes and
inspiration with your career goals. I wanted to talk about some
ACTUAL organizations and events which really might be of practical
use to you songwriters, in the ultimate goal of getting your songs
signed, published, performed, and cut (or put into print...).... I
wanted to bring you some FACTUAL, ACTUAL information!
=================================================================
C l a s s i f i e d s & U s e f u l S e r v i c e s :
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ENTER THE WINDRIFT MUSIC SONGWRITING COMPETITION 2003 NOW!
Over US$25,000 in cash and prizes to be won!!!
Fabulous Sponsors and Industry Professional Judges.
Open now till July 31st, 2003 deadline. $20US/$30CDN entry fee
FREE e-Book, & Music Industry Discounts with every entry!
Monthly spot-prizes, Early Bird Bonuses & FREE entries available!
Enter online or by mail. For more info: www.windriftmusic.com/2003
-----------------------------------------------------------------
NEED TO BOOK GIGS & ADVANCE YOUR CAREER? ORDER THIS UNIQUE CD-ROM!
It is packed with essential tools to save you time and money, and
give you a competitive advantage in the music business. Compiled by
Suzanne Glass, author, speaker, and founder of Indie-Music.com, the
ToolKit comes with nearly 50 articles, printable copyright forms,
templates for common music items like flyers, music fonts, musician
papers, software, and much more for only $19.95.
http://www.musicianstoolkit.com/muse/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
HEY SONGWRITERS! POP QUIZ. GIVE ME THREE RHYMES FOR "HEARTBREAK"...
Locate every song's lead sheet you ever wrote, their genre, and
album. What's the fingering for a G#sus4 chord at the ninth fret?
Now copyright a song from where you're sitting without removing
your hands from your mouse or keyboard. Your time is up! You know
what you need? LYRICIST! It's the songwriter's best friend.
Includes Rhyming Dictionary, Album Categorization, Chord Charting,
On-Line Copyright, and more. Check out the review at
www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html . Muse's Muse visitors can take
home the product for $5.00 off the regular selling price just for
purchasing through the form provided off of the review + Free
Priority Shipping in the USA if you order in April or May.
For more information, visit the review url above or call Virtual
Studio Systems at 888.732.1176 inside the U.S.A. and Canada or
603.726.4499 everywhere else.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE 4th EDITION OF THE INDIE BIBLE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
The Indie Bible shows you where to get your music reviewed, your
songs played, and your CDs sold. Now in its fourth edition, The
Indie Bible has 310 pages of valuable contacts and music-related
articles.
The 4th Edition of the Indie Bible contains:
3500 publications from around the world that will REVIEW your CD!
2900 radio stations from around the world will PLAY your songs!
350 vendors and services that will help you to SELL your music!
400 helpful resources and sites where you can PROMOTE your band!
500 sites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3 files!
39 articles that will help your career to MOVE forward rapidly!
For details and to order online visit:
http://www.bigmeteor.com/muse/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MUSIC BOOKS PLUS
The Songwriter's One Stop Resource for Books, Instructional Videos,
CD-ROMs and DVDs. We feature over 5,000+ titles at
www.musicbooksplus.com - areas covered include: International Music
Directories, Music Business, Song & Lyric Writing, Music
Publishing, Rhyming Dictionaries, Theory & Arranging , Instrument &
Vocal Technique, Recording, Internet ... and so much more. Free
electronic newsletter, monthly & customer specials, new titles
added weekly. Come check us out!
http://www.musicbooksplus.com/affiliate/mark.cgi?id=jodimuse
-----------------------------------------------------------------
2003 UNISONG INTERNATIONAL SONG CONTEST OPEN FOR ENTRIES!
Unisong is THE opportunity for songwriters and writer/artists
around the world to have their songs heard and their careers
enhanced. Over $50,000 in Cash and Prizes! Grand Prize will win a
trip to NY, London, Nashville or Los Angeles to write with a
professional songwriter!
Enter by Cassette, CD or MP3! Entry deadline is April 30, 2003.
Enter by January 31, 2003 to take advantage of our earlybird
rates! Visit http://www.unisong.com/muse for more details.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MUSIC BUSINESS SOFTWARE FROM PATTEN SOUND
Record Company in a Box is complete independent record company
management software. Tour Manager allows the tracking of all
concert and tour specifics. Music Business Contracts contains
100 of the most necessary music industry contracts available.
Studio Business Forms is a collection of 43 recording studio
business forms.
For more details, point your browser to:
http://www.musicbusinessstore.com/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE GALARIS MUSICIANS DIRECTORY - 2003 EDITION
If you are serious about pushing your music career to the
next level, getting your music into the right hands, promoting
yourself to others and creating a buzz, YOU NEED THE GMD!
Visit us to check out the demo, and see what industry
professionals say about the GMD.
Receive a 10% discount if you place your order through The Muse's
Muse: http://www.galaris.com/GMD.html?musesmuse
-----------------------------------------------------------------
GO GLOBAL WITH CDSTREET.COM
CDstreet.com is your secure source for credit card music ordering
in your own website. As a member of the CDstreet network, you will
have access to the most cost-effective, secure transaction
processing for global music merchandise distribution. Plus, low
setup fee and no sales equals no cost!
Check it out - http://www.cdstreet.com/signup/musesmuse
=================================================================
ADVERTISING RATES: For Classifieds: US$50 Max. 8 lines, where
a line = 65 characters including spaces and punctuation. All
contracts must be prepaid. Write to: editor@musesmuse.com
For Newsletter Sponsorship rates and other advertising
opportunities, please see http://www.musesmuse.com/media.html .
Back to Menu
=================================================================
C o n t a c t I n f o & C r e d i t s :
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Jodi Krangle ............................................. EDITOR
Kathryn Obenshain ...........................GRACIOUS PROOFREADER
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Muse's News is a free monthly newsletter for and about
songwriters. Subscribers are welcome to recirculate or reprint
The Muse's News for nonprofit use as long as the appropriate
credit is given and the ENTIRE text of the newsletter is
included (including credits and information at the end of each
issue). Others should contact me at editor@musesmuse.com.
All articles copyrighted by their authors.
Back issues and other information will be available at:
http://www.musesmuse.com/musenews.html
The Muse's News is part of The Muse's Muse, a web resource for
songwriters: http://www.musesmuse.com/
For further information, send your e-mail to:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
adinfo@musesmuse.com - How to place a classified ad, pass
on market information or sponsor
The Muse's News.
info@musesmuse.com - How to subscribe, unsubscribe, etc.
editor@musesmuse.com - To submit articles,reviews,ideas,etc.
SNAILMAIL: Please contact me first at editor@musesmuse.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back issues of the newsletter can be read at the National
Library of Canada ecollection:
http://collection.nlc-bnc.ca/100/201/300/muses_news/index.html
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