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The Muse's News |
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Issue 11.3 - June
2008
ISSN 1480-6975
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I n T h i s I s s u e :
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@-- Editor's Musings
@-- Music Reviews - Gian Fiero, Jarrod Brogdon, Chris Propfe &
Chip Withrow
@-- New Artist Spotlight Additions
@-- Songwriting Book Review - by Ed Teja
@-- 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 - On The Subject of Co-Writing
- by Bronson Herrmuth
@-- On Site Featured Article - An article already online for your
viewing pleasure.
@-- Classifieds & Useful Services
@-- Contact information
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ISSN 1480-6975. Copyright 1998-2008 - Jodi Krangle.
For more contact information, see end of issue.
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FIND WHAT YOU NEED AT THE SONGWRITING STORE ON THE MUSE'S MUSE
All sorts of products and services especially for songwriters,
negotiated so that you get the best price possible. You'll find
means of promotion and distribution, songwriting aids,
educational products, musical instruments and their accessories,
and lots more. Find the perfect gift for that songwriter in your
life, too - even if it's you!
http://www.musesmuse.com/songwriting-store.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THIS YEAR - USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Win $50,000 Grand Prize worth of cash, cool music gear from Sony,
Ibanez Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Audio-Techica, Ik Multimedia &
more! Not to mention radio ariplay for winning songs. Judges
include A&R from Universal, SONY/BMG, and Warner.
Hurry, last few days to enter! Enter here:
http://www.songwriting.net/mm.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
E d i t o r ' s M u s i n g s :
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Welcome to the beginning of summer (unofficially, of course).
Does it feel like summer to you? It really doesn't to me. But
ah well. The weather is weird. And that's all I'll say on that
subject of I could take the whole newsletter talking about THAT.
It's been a very productive month for me in a lot of ways. I've
been working hard at the voice overs (there's been work coming in
though it's still pretty slow) and I'm (once again) working on a
new demo ... (This is a never ending process.) I did some radio
imaging for a a Smooth Jazz radio station in Oregon recently.
What a blast *that* was! :D
Anyway, on to what you *really* want to hear about - the
songwriting stuff. :)
Here are the winners of gift certificates for the August
Retreat, "How Songwriting Really Works":
Sarah Honkala $200 gift cert for August 2008 retreat
Bob MacDonald $100 gift cert for August 2008 retreat
Ruslan Moiseev $100 gift cert for August 2008 retreat
Other applicants will each receive a $50 gift certificate, so
they're not left out either. Thanks for all that decided to
enter and I hope you hugely enjoy the event! Thanks also to
Bryan Fogelman and the staff over there for making this give-away
possible. :)
We've introduced a couple of new reviewers, so if you've been
waiting to get a CD review, I hope you'll go over there and have
a look. Please help me welcome Jarrod Brogdon and Chris Propfe
to our regular Music Reviewer line-up. They're doing a *great*
job so far!
Last but certainly not least, here are the raffle winners for
this month:
* Rod Miller, from Rogersville, MO, has won a copy of
Virtual Studio Systems' Lyricist software
(http://www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html).
* Lisa McGuire from Minneapolis, MN, has won a free 3 month
membership to SongU (http://www.SongU.com), an Internet-based
learning environment providing online coaching, co-writing and
pitching opportunities, in addition to over 70 multi-level
courses developed by award-winning songwriters.
* Jon West from Livermore, CO, has won a copy of
Bronson Herrmuth's "100 Miles To A Record Deal"
(http://www.songrepair.com/bookforweb2.htm).
* Guillaume Depierre from Cluses, France, has won a
copy of Sean Farrington's "The Little Black Book of Band Profit
Secrets" (http://www.bandprofit.com/).
* Kevin Walsh from Grand Canyon, AZ, has won a copy of Nick
Johnstone's "The Amy Winehouse Story" - the book reviewed in last
month's newsletter (http://www.omnibuspress.com for more
information!)
* Monte Richardson from Ennis, TX, has won a copy of Paul
Gilreath's "The Guide to MIDI Orchestration" - the book reviewed
before the Amy Winehouse book (the month before last). Monte was
relocating, so we waited. ;)
* Charlie Twain, from Naples, FL, has won a copy of
Indie-Music.com's Musician's Toolkit CD
(http://www.musicianstoolkit.com/muse/)
Once again, if you have your eye on a prize, feel free to email
me with your contact information and your first and second
choices for a raffle prize! I'll be happy to put you in the
queue.
All the best,
--Jodi
Back to Menu
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Visit http://tinyurl.com/35t3lz for more details and start
yourself on the road to improving your vocal chops today!
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M u s i c R e v i e w s : Gian Fiero, Jarrod Brogdon,
Chris Propfe & Chip Withrow
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NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:
Jarrod Brogdon:
* Phil Barry
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-philbarry-carolinas.html
* Jackson County Line
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-jacksoncountyline.html
Chip Withrow:
* Shane Philip
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-shanephilip-moment.html
* Vine House
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-vinehouse-youngregret.html
* Ten Foot Pole Cats
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-tenfootpolecats-sternosoup.html
* Emma Cook
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-emmacook-hitandrun.html
Chris Propfe:
* Kristen Grainger & Dan Wetzel
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-grainger+wetzel-circus.html
Gian Fiero:
* Samantha Molin
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-samanthamolin-foolinme.html
* Tomorrow's Bad Seeds
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-tomorrowsbadseeds-vices.html
* Orentia
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-orentia-confused.html
* Sean Costello
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-seancostello-gettogether.html
* Psycopatrik
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-psycopatrik-cyberzoo.html
* Rosey
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-rosey-luckiestgirl.html
* Times 4
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-times4-relations.html
* Taylor Thompson
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-taylorthompson-notalone.html
* Charlene Lite
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-charlenelite-grown.html
* Natalie Walker
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-nataliewalker-urbanangel.html
* Lina
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-lina-morningstar.html
* Jesse McArtney
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-jessemcartney-departure.html
* Rozzi Crane
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-rozzicrane-backandforth.html
* Craig David
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-craigdavid-justareminder.html
* Eoin Harrington
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-eoinharrington-story.html
* Byron Zanos
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-byronzanos-ifonly.html
---------------
******
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!
Back to Menu
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N e w A r t i s t S p o t l i g h t A d d i t i o n s :
Great music is only a click away!
Here are just some of the great CDs highlighted in the
Artist Spotlight section of The Muse's Muse at
http://www.musesmuse.com/artistspotlights.html
----------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Teja - Genre: JAZZ
Ed Teja’s music is rooted in jazz although he has played a
variety of music over the years. Earl Beecher, a long-term jazz
fan, who owns Outstanding Records, suggested fusing his smooth
guitar lines and vocal styling to create this CD.
http://www.geocities.com/edteja
(Yes, this is our very own book reviewer. :D )
-----
Plunky & Oneness - Genre: R&B AND SOUL
Plunky plays the funkiest jazz sax on the planet and with his
group, Plunky & Oneness, it's like John Coltrane and George
Clinton playing with Kool & the Gang. On stage or on disc it’s
P-funk, hot licks, high-energy rhythms and soulful vocals -
Plunky Drops the Cold Heat!
http://www.plunkyone.com/
-----
Nancy Falkow - Genre: SINGER/SONGWRITER
Nancy Falkow is a melodic and soulful singer-songwriter from
Philadelphia, who is relocating to Dublin, Ireland in June 2004
as she simultaneously celebrates the release of her latest album
"Clear View." As a vocalist Falkow has landed guest spots on
recordings from Astrud Gilberto to G Love. Her most cherished
career highlight was when she toured as a vocalist with Daniel
Lanois on his "Shine" Tour in 2003.
http://www.nancyfalkow.com/news/ =================================================================
S o n g w r i t i n g B o o k R e v i e w : by Ed Teja
Schirmer's Complete Rhyming Dictionary
By Paul Zollo
http://www.musicsales.com
----------------------------------------------------------------- The advent of a new rhyming dictionary might come as a surprise
to those who use online rhyming dictionaries or programs, such as
Lyricist, that have them built in. Who needs a book, after all?
It might also surprise those who regularly use a printed rhyming
dictionary. Why another one?
As one who uses both printed and electronic versions, I am here
to tell you that they are quite different tools. But let's begin
with the printed word. New ones arise, in part because usage
changes (a fact that some of us consider grossly unfortunate, but
there you have it). So this is an update. But the differences
among printed dictionaries is enormous. Early on, I followed
Jimmy Webb's advice (from his book) in selecting a rhyming
dictionary, and the results were... okay. But the organization of
a rhyming dictionary tends to be fairly personal, and obviously
he and I differed. These differences tend to be in basic
editorial choices. For instance, how do you want the
pronunciations spelled out (phonetically, phonemically, in
approximate English)? What sort of rhymes do you include
(perfect, of course, but what about slant rhyme or near rhyme)?
All the dictionaries work, but if the book isn't extremely easy
to use, then when you face an interesting challenge, you probably
won't grab it too quickly that "physique" provides a good rhyme
for "geek," but so do "grosbeak" and "batik." Then you will go
with whatever pops into your head. This book is, in my
estimation, the best for songwriters I've ever seen. It appeals
to the word lover in me and, I suspect, other lyricists.
I find electronic rhyming dictionaries quite useful. When I am on
the computer they can quickly help me find a better rhyme. But
not all my songwriting takes place on a computer. Creating on the
screen kicks in my internal editor (who stifles creativity, in
favor of correctness), so, at times, a pad of paper, pen, and a
comfortable recliner are my answer to getting fresh ideas. In
that environment, a printed dictionary (and a thesaurus) are
great companions. Printed books also offer the advantage of
allowing words you weren't looking up, to catch your eye and
capture the imagination. If you aren't a true word lover, then
this might not make much sense, but this sort of blissful
distraction is wondrous. In my experience serendipitous
wanderings through words have resulted in entirely new songs.
While this is ultimately a reference work, to be grabbed to find
a perfect rhyme, the introduction deserves a significant mention.
Zollo has written an insightful, provocative and thoughtful essay
on rhyme, in particular as applied to songwriting. He covers the
history and the role of rhyme in song, and explores its use,
turning to examples covering the history of popular songs,
including such notables as Bob Dylan, the Beatles, Cole Porter,
Lorenz Hart, and his own songs. I would encourage him to turn
that essay into a full book. It is instructive and, for a
songwriter, at least, incredibly readable. Given the depth of his
analysis, (he is, after all, the Senior Editor for American
Songwriter) I'd be interested in hearing more from him on
songwriting in general.
******
ABOUT THE REVIEWER:
Ed Teja has been working on his own music and now his new CD --
"SOFT DREAMING BLUES" has been released released by Morrhythm
Records (www.outstandingmusic.com). It's a collection of original
(written alone and with an international group of cowriters)
smooth jazz vocals and instrumentals. Ed has appeared at strange
venues in Hong Kong, Canada, St. Martin, Bequia, Venezuela,
Grenada and Trinidad, as well as the Silver City (New Mexico)
Blues festival and the Tucson (Arizona) Folk Festival.
You can hear some of Ed’s music at: http://www.myspace.com/edteja
If you'd like *your* book reviewed (as long as it has something
to do with songwriting, of course!), please do email us and let
us know!
Back to Menu
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S p o n s o r M e s s a g e :
(Many thanks to the sponsors that help support this newsletter!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
WRITE BETTER SONGS WITH MASTERWRITER AS YOUR SONGWRITING PARTNER
NOW WITH SPECIAL DISCOUNTED PRICING!
"This remarkable piece of software turns your Mac or PC into a
valuable songwriter partner"
-- Richard Leiter, Keyboard Magazine
If you have a high speed connection, you can download a 30-Day
demo. If not, we will send you a copy for $9.95 which will be
deducted from the purchase price if you decide to buy.
Receive a special ** $70.00 ** discount off the $289.00 list
price when purchasing through the Muse's Muse!
Please use discount coupon # 3004.
Endorsed by: BMI, ASCAP, NSAI, PRS and Taxi.
Winner Best of Show Macworld 2003
http://www.musesmuse.com/masterwriter-songwriting-software.html
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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!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
COORS LIGHT SONGWRITING CONTEST ON RHAPSODY.COM - YOU COULD WIN
$5,000
Have you heard about the "Catch the 4:53 to Happy Hour"
Songwriting Contest?
http://rhapsodyextras.com/coorslight/contest/
Coors Light invites you to write lyrics to the song "Catch the
4:53," the time of day when we start thinking about kicking back
with friends. Winners will be judged on creativity, originality,
composition and relevance to the Rocky Mountain spirit of Coors
Light. The winner will receive $5,000 and will have their lyrics
recorded by the Seattle folk band Westerly!
Contest Deadline: June 15, 2008
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FREE MUSIC PROMOTIONS EBOOK!
The author of The Little Black Book Of Band Profit Secrets has
come thru again! He's just published: "Co-Op Synergy Power, Your
Fast-Track To Profit, Exposure And Free Advertising..." and
musesmuse.com fans can get it for free.
Click here> http://jodimuse.ssl4000.hop.clickbank.net/
And be sure to check out The Little Black Book Of Band Profit
Secrets while your there... It's worth the look.
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STUDIOTRAXX.COM: BREAKING NEW GROUND - FOR YOU!
StudioTraxx.com provides an e-commerce platform that allows
artists/bands to purchase and book time with musicians,
engineers, producers, and other music professionals for online
studio collaboration purposes. They facilitate the entire music
production process from beginning to end — from finding and
booking the right talent to managing all resulting collaboration
activities.
StudioTraxx is actively building its talent network and is
encouraging both those who offer services and those who need
services to sign up and register. There are no costs to join the
site. Creating an account is FREE.
http://www.studiotraxx.com/?partner=837
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THE INDIE GUIDE IS ON SALE FOR $10.95 AND INCLUDES THE INDIE
CONTACT GUIDE!
For a limited time only, North Shore Records, Inc, in celebration
of tour season and music success has put The Indie Guide on sale
for $10.95 plus shipping. The normal cost is $25.95 plus
shipping. In addition to the 190-page book, The Indie Contact
Guide, which contains thousands of contact names, address, email
addresses, phone numbers and contact names will be included.
To Your Music Success! http://www.theindieguide.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FREE SONGWRITING, FILM, TV, AND VIDEO GAME SUBMISSIONS AT
MUSICGORILLA.COM!
MusicGorilla.com works with Songwriters, Bands, Musicians, and
Artists to get their original material into the eyes and ears of
industry members who have the ability to take their careers to
the next level. We work with Reps from all facets of the Music
Industry. Our artists have the opportunity to submit their songs
to established artists looking for new material. In addition, our
clients get access to submissions for film, TV and video games,
all of our submissions are FREE. MG Artists are eligible for free
live label showcases, digital distribution with MSN and Loudeye
and more. We don't take any piece of any deals made on our site,
and have had many successes including placement, songwriting and
publishing deals.
Muse's Muse artists get 10% off of memberships!
Just enter the promotional code "muse" during registration.
http://www.musicgorilla.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE INDIE VENUE BIBLE - A GROUNDBREAKING VENUE DIRECTORY FOR ANY
ARTIST PLANNING TO TOUR IN THE US OR CANADA!
26,000 live music venues of all sizes are featured including
clubs, bars, restaurants, lounges, coffee shops, theaters, halls,
churches, book stores, community centers, house concerts and open
mics. There are also 1,500 festivals listed as well as over
1,000 colleges for any artist that wants to plan a college tour.
Jumpstart your tour today!
Visit https://nt4.magma.ca/bigmeteor/ivbmuse_order.cfm
for more information!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
INDIE ARTISTS: JOIN MYBANDSMUSIC.COM & YOU COULD WIN $1000!
Come and join a new site called MyBandsMusic, dedicated to indie
artists where you can create a profile, upload tracks and videos,
start your own blog, open a storefront, post announcements and
events, get input from fans, and more. The best part is that it
is all free!
Currently we are running a contest until the end of March. The
artist that has the most fans sign up on their MyBandsMusic
account wins a check for $1000!! Visit MyBandsMusic.com for more
details.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SONGWRITING CONSULTATION SPECIAL OFFER:
Pete & Pat Luboff will pay for the phone call for Muse's Muse
songwriters who use the Luboffs' songwriting consultation
service. The service provides detailed, constructive song
analysis, answers to all your creative and business questions and
references to contacts when appropriate. Visit
http://www.writesongs.com/consults.htm for more information.
Back to Menu
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M u s e ' s C l u e s : by Irene Jackson
©1998-2008 Moonstone Productions All Rights Reserved.
Used By Permission
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, this month I thought we'd have a little fun with this
terribly serious topic of songwriting. You've gotta laugh
sometimes! And who knows? Some of these sights and sounds might
just inspire you to write your first funny song. Hey...don't
laugh!
I was introduced to my first funny song when my Dad had me listen
to Yogi Yorgesson's "I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas" when I was
about six years old. There are, as we all know, many, many funny
Christmas songs and parodies. And some artists and bands over the
years have made a very good living from writing funny songs.
Weird Al Yankovic is a more familiar one to most of you.
Comedians have done pretty well putting their funny ideas to
music too. If you've never heard Allan Sherman's Hello Muddah,
Hello Fadduh (A Letter From Camp)", then check it out here:
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=J7e9geRIkBE. In this video, the
song was put together with some images from one of the Harry
Potter movies. But you can listen to Sherman's parody in its
entirety. Sherman was a writer for the Steve Allen Show, when
one day he decided to take the music from a 1876 Ponchielli opera
"Dance of the Hours" and write some new lyrics to it :-) . I
think it's probably safe to say that Allan Sherman was the first
Weird Al!
There's a popular group here in Canada called the Arrogant Worms.
My teenaged daughter went to see them with a friend once and they
laughed about the Arrogant Worms for weeks after! Here's a
YouTube video of theirs called "Carrot Juice Is Murder":
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=KmK0bZl4ILM. It's the sad tale
about the mass murder of veggies. These guys have done very well
with their funny brand of songs and have a pretty solid
following.
On her website, songwriter Molly-Ann Leiken writes about meeting
Chester, who is a writer-wannabe
(http://www.songmd.com/col_chester.shtml), on a hiking vacation
in Prince Edward Island. She's a pretty good storyteller and
it's an hilarious account of an almost-romance. You know, a lot
of songwriters or lyricists, also write columns, poetry and
stories, and even entire books. Maybe you should try writing a
funny story about songwriting yourself some day! It can't hoite!
By the way, Molly has a lot of other songwriting tips on her
website that are worth checking out.
Then there's another YouTube video that's been floating around
featuring John Mayer on the topic of his own songwriting
(http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=4NxeHFydLMQ). First of all, I
should warn you that there's some pretty coarse language in
there, so watch your tender ears! So just how does he come up
with his (or somebody else's) ideas? What is his process? How
many seeds can a wooden-legged monkey kick out of a watermelon?
Never mind.
Take a little time to lighten up this month. And don't think of
funny lyrics as being nothing more than a cute little novelty
either...being funny is a lot harder than you think!
******
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 a songwriter's messageboard.
Songwriting Tips: http://www.irenejackson.com/tips.html
Homepage: http://www.irenejackson.com
Songs: http://www.soundclick.com/irenejackson
Back to Menu
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F e a t u r e d A r t i c l e : by Bronson Herrmuth
On The Subject Of Cowriting
(© 2004 - but just as relevant today!)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you look at the current issue of Billboard magazine and check
out the radio play list charts closely, you will quickly notice
that the vast majority of the songs you see charted there were
cowritten by two, three or more writers. There are many reasons
for this, including the old saying "two heads are better than
one" being high up on the list. I have cowritten with songwriters
who write 10-15 songs a week on a regular basis, while cowriting
with a half dozen (or more) different songwriters. They write
with one songwriting partner in the morning, another one in the
afternoon and a different one in the evening on a daily basis.
They will actually go on the road with famous artists and write
with them while they are on tour. It is normal for these writers
to write hundreds of songs in any given year with most of those
songs being cowritten.
My first cowriting session was inspired by a trip to Nashville in
1983 and a meeting with a publisher who had expressed interest in
publishing one of my songs, but only if it was rewritten. He
loved the melody but was not sold on the lyrics, so he left it up
to me. Rewrite and get a publishing contract, no rewrite, a pass.
I went back home and tried several times to rewrite my song, but
I just couldn't do it. I really did like it just the way it was
and I couldn't come up with anything that I felt made it a better
song. I was fortunate to know a very successful songwriter named
Johnny McCollum, who lived in my hometown in Iowa. I called him
and explained the situation, and he graciously agreed to cowrite
with me. (Thank you, Johnny)
I was still very apprehensive about the thought of changing what
I had written in any way and Johnny realized this immediately. He
gave me a wonderful lesson on how to cowrite that day and over
the next few days, as our cowriting relationship and friendship
progressed. We both agreed to leave my song just like it was and
actually wrote a whole new song. We just rearranged the chord
structure, using the same chords that the publisher had shown an
interest in. A different melody and brand new words, but in the
same key, style, and tempo of my other song. The publisher loved
it and his company did end up publishing that song, and still
does. I have gone on to write many songs with Johnny, and one of
our songs was recorded and released by the group Mason Dixon in
1985. That song was called "Christmas Memories," and was actually
a 3-way write with hit songwriter Dan Mitchell. Johnny and I
wrote the lyrics and Dan wrote the music and sang the demo.
Another of our cowrites entitled "Outlaw On The Run" was recorded
and released by Michael Mason in 1996 on his CD, Say You're Gonna
Stay.
Here are some of my thoughts on the subject of cowriting:
1. PITCHING:
For the rest of this article, visit:
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-bronson-cowriting.html
*****
Based in Nashville, Bronson Herrmuth has worked in music
publishing for more than 25 years. He is President of Iowa
HomeGrown Music and Stepping Stone Productions. Signed as a
recording artist with RCA Mexico from 1981-1985 with Iowa band,
The Ozone Ramblers. He is a band leader, a multi-instrumentalist,
and he has toured 42 states and 18 countries as a performer. As a
producer, Bronson has worked with many songwriters and artists in
the studio and on stage. He's traveled the USA speaking at Music
Conferences as a Panelist, a Mentor and Workshop Instructor. An
associate writer for MusicDish.com and 5 Star Productions, author
of the book 100 Miles To A Record Deal
(http://www.songrepair.com/bookforweb2.htm), a contributing
author to the Indie Bible, a columnist for the Nashville Music
Guide and a staff writer for Digital Muze Magazine.
Back to Menu
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" O N S I T E " F E A T U R E D A R T I C L E :
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Screwin' Around" - Practical advice from Composer, Engineer,
Producer Stephen Sea - by Jerry Flattum
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-jerryflattum-recordingadvise.html
In tackling the the concept of the role a producer plays in
recording, Stephen Sea offers some practical advice and lays out
a blueprint for "screwin' around," a technique most songwriters
are already familiar with when writing tunes.
-----
Music Life: 2 - How NOT to Practice - by Brian Donovan
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-briandonovan-notpractice.html
This month, we'll set goals to make our practicing SO efficient,
that we'll hardly have to practice at all . . .
-----
Blue Collar's CD Reviews, Volume #1 - by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-cdreviews.html
Hey kids, time for CD reviews!! And as we all know, opinions on
music are like, er, well, you know what they're like - everybody
has one!!
-----
The Funk - Filled Soul Of Jazz Organ Trios and Hammond B -3
Players!! - by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-hammondb3.html
Grits n' gravy, hip-shakin' - just some of the terms described
for the music that involves the Hammond B -3! Mick cites some
personal experiences and thoughts, as well as a great story from
our ol' friend, Mr. Don Archer....
-----
Blue Collar Salutes Teachers! - by Mick Polich
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mickpolich-teachers.html
With the one-year anniversary of writing for the Muse's Muse,
Mick adds another column for the month of May saluting the art of
teaching, especially music instructors. Remember, teachers
surround us in our lives everyday - we just need to keep our ears
and eyes open for the lessons!
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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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THE 9th 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 Seventh Edition, The
Indie Bible has 330 pages of valuable contacts and music-related
articles.
The 9th Edition of the Indie Bible contains:
4200 publications around the world that will REVIEW your CD!
3400 radio stations around the world that will PLAY your songs!
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200 sites where you can UPLOAD your band's MP3 files!
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52 articles that will help your career to MOVE forward rapidly!
Listings include web, e-mail and physical address, as well as
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For details and to order online visit:
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LEARN HOW TO PLAY GUITAR - QUICKLY AND EASILY!
You Can Play Guitar author and publisher Scott Morris now offers
7 Free email guitar lessons that include easy to learn guitar
tablature, a sound file and free guitar lesson videos of his easy
to learn Billboard top rated guitar method that includes learning
guitar scales and theory used by professional songwriters. The
Free Guitar Lesson Videos - teach samples of learning the names
of the notes, sharps and flats, easy to play guitar chords and
more great information for beginner to professional level
guitarist.
Click here to find out how you can improve your
guitar playing today!
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THE SUCCESSFUL SONGWRITER MOTIVATION & MEDITATION AUDIO
Inspired by the songwriter's journey, and through understanding
the principles talked about in "THE SECRET", this audio program
is specifically created for the songwriter based on those
findings. Through Power of Thought and Understanding the Law of
Attraction, you will have the tools, knowledge & ability to
create the thoughts, experiences, and circumstances to be a
phenomenally Successful Songwriter. Included is a guided
meditation that is as passionate as it is empowering!
Muse's Muse Visitors - Enter Promo Code: 42567 for Discount.
http://www.songwritermeditation.com/
Limited Introductory Offer of $12.95 for Digital Download
Discounts for CD, and CD/Digital Download Combo shown on ordering
page.
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LYRICIST VERSION 3: THE SONGWRITER'S BEST FRIEND
Lyricist is the first-of-its-kind word processor designed
specifically for musicians, songwriters, and poets. The software
includes a Rhyming Dictionary, Thesaurus, Album Categorization,
Chord Charting, Chord Generator, Song Arrangement, and On-Line
Copyright Link.
The new version 3 release adds support for "Piano Style" chord
symbols, Nashville Number System, and Transposition features -
all in one easy-to-use package - and all for only $44.95! (That's
$5.00 off to all Muse's News readers who purchase from the review
link at www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html!)
This tool will revolutionize the way you write and organize your
writing. Be the best songwriter you can be and purchase Lyricist
today! http://www.musesmuse.com/vss-review.html
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INDIE-MUSIC.COM - WHERE SERIOUS MUSICIANS SURF
One of the most respected and imitated indie music sites on the
web, Indie-Music.com has been serving the Independent Music
Community since 1996 with streaming audio, monthly CD Reviews,
huge industry search directory, success-building resources,
classifieds, and much-needed recognition. The site offers a
wealth of information to artists trying to survive & thrive in
today's competitive music industry.
http://www.indie-music.com/
=================================================================
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
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C o n t a c t I n f o & C r e d i t s :
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Jodi Krangle ............................................. EDITOR
Kathryn Obenshain ...........................GRACIOUS PROOFREADER
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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 (how to subscribe and
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The Muse's News is part of The Muse's Muse, a web resource for
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For further information, send your e-mail to:
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The Muse's News.
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Back issues of the newsletter can be read at the National
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