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The Muse's News |
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Issue 4.2 - May 2001 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
@-- Q&A with Nancy A. Reece from Carpe Diem Copyright Management
@-- Music Reviews - by Ben Ohmart
@-- Songwriting Book Review - by Allison Durno
@-- Featured Article THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC: GROUP NAMES : How to
Choose a name and Protect it -
by Charles Katz
@-- Musical Notes - Songwriting Contests & Market Info.
@-- Muse's Clues - by Irene Jackson
@-- Songwriter In Spotlight - San Francisco-based, performing
songwriter, AUSTIN WILLACY
@-- 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 - 2001, Jodi Krangle. For more contact information, see end of issue.
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This ezine featured at EzineCenter.com - the Ezine Search
Engine(tm) - http://www.ezinecenter.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!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
POWERGIG.COM, THE BETTER WAY TO BOOK MORE GIGS.
Free PowerPromote gig promotion to CitySearch, Pollstar,
Musi-Cal/Mojam, more. Be found when talent buyers search for acts.
Get more gigs-receive and submit booking requests online. Fill tour
dates by finding new venues. Save phone/fax costs, details at
"one-click" for directions, contacts. Ratings for both the
performer AND the talent buyer. Free media kit--drive traffic to
your existing Web and MP3 sites.
Musesmuse Special: 50% off membership! $4.98/month, $40 per year
(Use promo code: MUSESMUSE when you join--thru May 31, 01)
http://www.powergig.com/
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E d i t o r ' s M u s i n g s :
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Hello again and thanks for staying with the newsletter!
There are a few really fantastic additions to the web site this
month that I'd love to tell you about.
RADIO MUSE IS NOW ONLINE!
Radio Muse - http://www.musesmuse.com/radiomuse.html is a radio
show/webcast put together especially for songwriters to showcase
their music - and the first show is online at this very moment! :-)
I hope you'll drop by and support your fellow songwriters by having
a listen to the show. There will be a new show each month at
around the middle of the month. Jan Best has done an *incredible*
job as the host of the show and it really has come together nicely.
I'm super pleased. If you'd like to hear *your* music on the show,
simply drop by the url supplied above, follow the instructions and
send in a CD. We can't guarantee that we'll put you on a show, but
we CAN guarantee that all CDs submitted will be listened to and
considered.
NEW MUSE'S MUSE MESSAGES BOARDS:
The Muse's Muse now has its own message boards. You spoke, I
listened. ;) Drop by and participate in the ongoing discussions at
http://www.musesmuse.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi . Some of those
ongoing discussions include how to overcome writer's block, tips on
how to get the most out of home recording equipment, ideas on how
to find inspiration for songs and strategies on how to get radio
airplay. The message boards are a *great* way to network with
other songwriters and to discuss issues of importance to you. If
there's anything you think I should add to the forums, or if you'd
like to be a moderator (there are still several opportunities
available!) please feel free to contact me about it at
support@musesmuse.com . I would love, for instance, for someone to
moderate a topic and make a short editorial every once in a while
in order to start discussion. My intention is to occasionally post
those editorials in this newsletter (along with a 100 word bio on
the author) so that everyone here will see what's going on over
there and possibly be intrigued enough to participate. ;-) There
are tons of things that can be done. Let me know if you're
interested. Hope to see you there!
And to top it all off, you can now also register a domain name AND
register your copyright, through The Muse's Muse! Check out the
index page for details - www.musesmuse.com . The links for those
handy services are right at the top there in the "Songwriter's Tool
Kit". That index page has been changed just a bit to make it
easier for you to find what you're looking for.
JUST PLAIN FOLKS SHOWCASE UPDATES:
As per the newsflash that I sent out to this list a little while
ago (there's further information in the "Musical Notes" section
below), there are Just Plain Folks showcases coming up all over.
(See http://www.musesmuse.com/markets.html for details). The event
in Toronto will be taking place on June 18 @ Ted's Wrecking Yard -
549 College Street (west of Bathurst) between 7:00pm and 12:00am. I
fully intend to be there so if you're there too, please do
introduce yourself! I'd love to meet you. There's also a show in
Ottawa on June 16th @ Rasputin's Folk Cafe, 696 Bronsan Avenue
between 7:00pm and 12:00am, and there are many other shows as well,
all over the US. Sign up to participate asap. The shows are
filling up fast!
MEANWHILE (I should probably actually mention the NEWSLETTER, huh?
) there's TONS of useful information in this issue and I'm
really happy with the way the interview with Austin turned out too.
I hope you'll find it an interesting read.
The winner of this month's book give-away is Chris Squier from
Buffalo, NY (and check out his web site too! www.chrissquier.com ).
He's won himself a copy of SONGWRITING AND THE GUITAR: A Complete
Guide, put together by the folks at Acoustic Guitar Magazine (so
you *know* they know what they're talking about!). It's a fantastic
book and a full review of it is included below. If you're a guitar
player, this is a book that can give you tons of tips.
Best of luck with your writing, folks.
--Jodi
Back to Menu
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SHAMELESS PLUG:
Drop by http://www.musesmuse.com/musemerchandise.html today to pick
up your very own Muse's Muse shirt, mug or mousepad! And while
you're at it, think about starting your *own* store. It would be
pretty cool to sell your own band's logo or design on promo items,
wouldn't it? And starting up a store requires no investment of
money on your part at all. Details on how to do that are only a
click away...
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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 Nancy A. Reece of Carpe Diem Copyright Management
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Q: Dear Nancy, Two questions:
(1) On Oct. 26, 2000 I submitted several of my songs for copyright
registration, sent certified mail that confirms the date for my own
records. I am not familiar with how long the process takes, but
meanwhile, there is an upcoming opportunity to submit a couple of
my songs in a songwriters contest. Must I actually wait for my
registration to be issued before safely submitting my songs to
public view, or am I sufficiently covered since the copyright
application has been submitted? And just because you submit an
application, do you always get registration of it, or are there
some circumstances that would cause it to be rejected?
(2) I am vaguely acquainted with patents, and that when a patent
request is submitted, actual research is completed to make sure you
are not infringing on a previously acquired patent. Is similar
research done on copyright material, or is your proof of
registration merely a way of legally acknowledging in the copyright
office a "dated registration" your material, should a situation
arise down the road where proof is required on "who registered
first"? Thanks for your help to these questions. -- Karen M.
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A: Hi Karen. Duff Berschback, our resident law expert,
(http://www.musesmuse.com/songlaw.html) has answered these
questions for you. His response is below:
"Registration typically takes about 6-8 months. Registration is a
time-stamping mechanism that triggers additional rights, and gives
you "prima facie" validity. In other words, in a later fight, if
you've got first registration, it becomes a swearing contest about
who thought up what and when with burden on challenger b/c of your
first registration. I wouldn't hold back submitting for a song
contest b/c I hadn't gotten my registration back. Yes, you can do
some due diligence, but as a practical matter it's often not worth
the hassle--way too much material = effective searching is too time
intensive. --Duff"
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Q: Dear Nancy:
I was recently contacted by a publisher who heard through a mutual
acquaintance that I had some songs worth listening to. He asked me
several questions and then asked me to forward these two songs to
him. He then asked me to do two things which I thought kind of
strange: 1. Please e mail just the lyrics while the package was
enroute to him so that he could review the lyrics. 2. Please
include information regarding the registration #'s so that he could
begin to check on the copyright info. Unfortunately, I complied
with his requests. I just want to know if his requests sound
strange to you and is there anything illegal he could be up
to. Thanks for your response in advance.
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A: I suppose that looking at a lyric in advance can't hurt. The
publisher has opened themselves up to "access" and may want to be
sure that the works are registered before proceeding with review
for legal protection from you.
Keep copies and dates of all correspondence.
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Q: Some months back I signed a publishing contract. .... but if
they do get some artist to record/release the song, are they
obligated to tell me? Should I join BMI now? (According to what I
understand from BMI, I should only join if I know the song has been
recorded and is about to be released.) Thanks for your time.
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A: Single song agreements can be difficult to manage form both
perspectives. It is to your advantage that you are clear as to when
statements are due and follow up if you do not see a statement at
the designated time. This may be semiannually or quarterly.
You'll have to look at your agreement to see.
Sure, go ahead and fill out your songwriter application with BMI
and register that song and any of the others in your catalogue that
may be available for public performance royalties.
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Q: If an artist owns the mechanical license for an ASCAP song then
the artist is free to use that song on mp3.com because of mp3.com's
association with ASCAP. Know anything about this?
See the response to this question online at
http://www.musesmuse.com/pub-april01.html as answered by guest
columnist, Steven Cass of Solid Walnut Music/ASCAP, Solid Maple
Music/BMI.
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TO VIEW OTHER QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES, SEE NANCY'S COPYRIGHT &
PUBLISHING Q&A ONLINE AT http://www.musesmuse.com/pubq-a.html .
Please note: Nancy received a *lot* of e-mail in a month. If you
sent in a question but have not heard a reply, it's very likely it
already *has* an answer online. It's always a good idea to
thoroughly look through the Copyright & Publishing Q&A online to
see if your question has already been asked before you send in a
request. Thanks!
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*****
Carpe Diem's owner and president, Nancy A. Reece has been
involved in the music business since 1983. She was the president
of an independent advertising agency for eight years as well as a
successful personal artist manager for nine years. She
represented the careers of several recording artists and
songwriters including those with EMI, Zomba and Liberty Records
as well as Benson, Starsong, WoodBridge, Temple Hall and N'Soul
Records. She also represented, for a number of years, a Grammy
and Dove nominated record producer. Reece has won awards of
excellence in print magazine advertising and has been named as
one of 2,000 Notable American Women (1995) as well as being
listed in the International Who's Who of Professional and
Business Women (1993). She was also named Cashbox Magazine's
Promoter of the Year (1989).
**If you would like to ask Nancy a copyright or publishing
question for our continuing Q&A section, please send your e-mail
to nreece@musesmuse.com. She can't guarantee she'll get to all of
the questions, but she'll certainly try.**
Back to Menu
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M u s i c R e v i e w s : by Ben Ohmart
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Tina Vero - In the Waiting
Tina's 10 track, 45 minute CD is a personal tribute to life and
lessons. Her record company is well-named: Handmade Muse Records.
Very fitting, since Ms. Vero's very acoustic album is a collection
of guitar poetry that is calling upon alternative pop, contemporary
folk and demon-freeing modes of music.
'Another sleepy, rainy Thursday / Finds me alone / I'm walking home
/ With the rain getting heavier now / They say I'm safe and sound /
but there's something going 'round' is seeking to exercise rather
than 'Live With the Demon'. Not a misprint. No one believes she
wants to exorcise her demons because Tina radiates strength from
the powers that drain. A believer of the 'without pain, there's no
pleasure' syndrome, and you know at once she's right.
Some think folk music has to mean country or political, but
consider this collection of songs a public domain diary that has
been opened up after 100 years and set to music. And yet, the rains
and the laughs are definitely of this time. 'In the Waiting' is
public confession of weaknesses and hope that singing these with a
true and highly desirable voice will give credence to her prayers
over all others. 'Never mind me / That's just the other / Part of
my life now / You can spare me / This is blue to gray / And the
rest is all behind me / Try to believe these words / Pack a grin,
ease your way in / There's no back door to my life now.'
A talent, a voice like this doesn't just happen into the studio one
day. Tina's abilities are constantly stretching and confident, she
has obviously been trying at life and song so long, she's got it
half right. The songwriting/performing part. Life it's still a
mystery, still a 'Hunt For the Red', seeking always a fall that
isn't dying, but is dying to be seen. 'And the summer gives out /
To autumn instead / And I hunt for the red in October instead /
What I wanted, died in the heat / What I needed, refuses to
sleep.' It is a beautiful song; my favorite.
Tina speaks to the poet in us all. That part of our person which
half-seeks truths, but also wants to discover. Read her words once,
you might not understand fully. Read them again, and the language
becomes clearer. Listen to the music and all eyes will open.
www.tinavero.com
tellmenow@tinavero.com
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OTHER NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:
Yoon Ju Lee - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-yoonjulee.html
Left Coast: Jerry Gontang & Tony Irvine -
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-leftcoast.html
Chrissy Lomax - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-lomax.html
Brian Cline Band -
http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-brianclineband.html
Joe Turley - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-joeturley.html
Molly Zenobia - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-zenobia.html
April Hall - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-aprilhall.html
Jack Kid - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-jackkid.html
Lorraine Ferro - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-ferro.html
Angelhaus - http://www.musesmuse.com/mrev-angelhaus.html
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******
Ben Ohmart has had 100s of stories and poems in zines and
journals, and had 4 plays produced last year. His lyrics will be
on 2 CDs this year, 1 a gothic album, the other a rock album.
He's currently writing films, with hopes of having one done in
Malaysia soon, and is also trying to break into the prison of
television. He's white, 26, single and loves British comedy. He
lives in Boalsburg, PA, and enjoys watching rabbits eat his
garbage. Contact him at: ohmart@musesmuse.com .
**Ben has kindly consented to do music reviews for this
publication and also for The Muse's Muse itself. If you have an
independently released CD or tape that you'd like to get
reviewed, send it off to: Ben Ohmart, P O Box 750, Boalsburg, PA
16827 or drop by his Music Reviews web section at
http://www.musesmuse.com/musicreviews.html for more details.**
Back to Menu
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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 Allison Durno
SONGWRITING AND THE GUITAR:
The Complete Guide ( Acoustic Guitar Guides)
Edited by Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
http://www.acousticguitar.com/books/guidebooks.html#song
For a taste of what the book has to offer, see the article by
Patty Larkin at http://acousticguitar.com/lessons/muse/1.shtml
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This songwriting guide is a useful and inspiring collection of
interviews and essays by well-known songwriting guitarists. Among
those songwriters who share their creative tips and techniques for
writing songs with the guitar are Paul Simon, Patty Larkin, David
Wilcox, Gillian Welch, Don McLean and Joni Mitchell. The book
explores the intense link that exists between a songwriter and
their guitar when trying to write an effective song.
The book is divided into three sections. As explained by editor
Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, the first section, In Their Own Words, is a
series of nine interviews where renowned songwriters, including
James Taylor, The Indigo Girls, David Crosby and others, explain
how they get ideas and how they use assorted guitar techniques in
writing their songs. The second section is a series of Workshops by
experienced songwriters and teachers on how to fine tune melodies,
lyrics and chord progressions. The third section is on Tools and
Resources and it offers tips on buying guitars, using a capo and
using a tape or digital recorder in your writing. There is also a
list of 25 alternate guitar tunings, to help launch a guitarist in
whole new directions on how to use the guitar in their songwriting.
I found the ideas in this book helpful and thought-provoking and I
have been inspired to talk to other guitarists about their
experiences in writing with the guitar and their experiences in
using alternate tunings because of the ideas and the motivation I
found while reading these essays. I would recommend this book as a
good place for guitarists to find fresh inspiration in their
continuing efforts to "break out of familiar habits and patterns"
and find "words and music that really -sing-.".
******
Allison Durno is an elementary school teacher who also teaches
vocal and instrumental music to children. She plays guitar, sings
and writes songs for the folk/filk group, Urban Tapestry
(www.urbantapestry.org).
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F e a t u r e d A r t i c l e :
Charles will be providing us with a series of articles discussing
common problems performing songwriters might face within the music
business.
THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC: GROUP NAMES : How to Choose a name and
Protect it by Charles Katz
©2001, Charles Katz. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
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"Name Game" was a song performed by Shirley Ellis in the 60's.
It was a play on rhyming with peoples' names. It was a tremendous
hit and was no. 1 for several weeks on the charts.
For a Performing Song Writer, it is essential to have a name that
is original but easy for the public to remember.
Great names all have a story. Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, U2, Pearl
Jam, Korn, Puff Daddy, Greatful Dead, LL Cool J, Jefferson Starship
etc. Where to start in searching for your name is not an easy task.
A well known Toronto Indie artist did a simple but remarkable act
by claiming an Internet Domain name for her performing name. In
today's Cyber world that is where you start!
Think up some eccentric memorable name. Then go to the top Indie
Music sites such www.mp3.com or www.iuma.com. Another place to
check is the BillBoard International Talent and Touring Directory:
http://www.billboard.com/directories/ . Do a search on the name
you've chosen or similar names. You will have just gone through a
database of some 200,000 names. If your name is unique then you are
successful. If not, you can get some creative ideas.
After you have chosen your name, then determine if that domain name
is in use. You can do this by simply typing in "uniquename".com or
www."uniquename".com (Do not put in the quotes - only your chosen
name!!) If you get the ugly message unable to locate server you
have hit the jackpot. Go to http://www.internic.com/ and pay your
$75 and register your domain name.
Now , one last task.
Go to
http://www.ezdomainnameregistration.com/domain-names-trademark.html
Results are from 5 sources of data:
The US Federal trademark database
The Canadian trademark database
The Internet domain name database
The Info USA company names database
NEW The European Trademarks database
Hopefully there has been no known use of your unique name.
You now have a service mark and you can obtain a federal service
mark registration, even for an individual performer.
Now you must protect that unique name.
In the city where you live, register your unique name with the
municipality as a trade name. The cost is about $100 and usually
lasts for four years. Go Online to the Trademark Registration of
the country where you reside and register the name. If you feel
confident as a Songwriter/Performer, incorporate the name as a
legal entity with your attorney. He will also do one final name
search.
Performing these boring, meticulous tasks saved me a small fortune
several years ago.
My company Printerm had developed some computer software, CheckRite
2000, that printed checks on laser printers. Some company in Ohio
had the name CheckRite for manual check signing plated machines. I
had received an ugly letter from their attorney demanding I stop
using that name. Fortunately I had obtained the trademark on the
name and was in the clear.
Stay tuned for next month's article:
Collaboration Agreements : Let the Songwriter Beware
******
Charles Katz owns a high-tech company, Printerm, established for 20
years, and manages a Record Label, Windrift Music Inc. He currently
has a CD "Night Driving Music" installed at Internet sites in the
US, UK, and Asia collecting royalties. Charles is presently working
on his second CD with a female recording artist and has established
a virtual band, Spencer K for that project. As a business leader,
musician, publisher, and promoter, he is now providing his
expertise for fellow artists. Contact: ckatz@windriftmusic.com
Back to Menu
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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!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UNLEASH THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THE INTERNET WITH SONGSCOPE.COM!
SongScope is a valuable tool enabling you to build an on-line song
catalog, accessible only by proven industry professionals. Receive
FREE email informing you every time record producers and industry
professionals make requests. Song listings are only $29.95 per
year. An ecommerce enabled marketing/promotion page and tour
calendar are also available for performing songwriters to get
further artist exposure. See www.musesmuse.com/songscope.html for
details or contact: writerinfo@songscope.com ~ Tel: 770.754.4543
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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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JIM BEAM ROCK BAND SEARCH TURNS UP THE VOLUME ON NATIONAL TALENT:
The fifth annual Jim Beam Rock Band Search is now on for the
nation's best-unsigned band. Unsigned musicians are encouraged to
compete for a five-market tour aboard the Jim Beam tour bus, as
well as other cool prizes. Jim Beam will accept applications until
May 9. For additional contest information, visit
www.jimbeam.com or call 866-JBB-ROCKS.
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NEW 'RADIO MUSE' WEBCAST FOR INDEPENDENT SONGWRITERS
- NOW SEEKING MUSIC!
The Muse's Muse & Host, Jan Best of Independent Songwriter
Web-Magazine, are putting together a series of shows, one every
month, featuring the songs of independent songwriters just like
you! See http://www.musesmuse.com/radiomuse.html for details on how
you can send in your own music for consideration.
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THE NASHVILLE NEW MUSIC CONFERENCE:
NASHVILLE, Tennessee- Headquartered in "Music City USA" The
Nashville New Music Conference is a 5 day event designed to
showcase and empower independent bands, labels and artists from all
over the world. The Nashville New Music Conference will take place
October 10th through the 14th, 2001 in Nashville, TN, at various
clubs and venues throughout the city.
Better known as 2NMC, the Nashville New Music Conference is
designed to provide maximum benefits to attendees with high profile
showcases and networking opportunities in one of the top music
centers in the World.
Visit http://www.2nmc.com/ for more information and click here:
http://www.musesmuse.com/MM_2NMC.PDF (for the PDF) or
http://www.musesmuse.com/MM_2NMC.txt (for straight ascii text)
for a special Muse's Muse $10 showcase application.
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SIBL PROJECT SONGWRITING COMPETITION:
Have you written a song inspired by a book, poem or play?
Kate Bush did: "Wuthering Heights" was inspired by the novel by
Emily Brontė. Bruce Springsteen did: "The Ghost of Tom Joad" was
inspired by John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. Tori Amos did:
"Cornflake Girl" was inspired by Alice Walker's Possessing the
Secret of Joy.
Have you?
If you have, submit it to The Songs Inspired By Literature (SIBL)
Project's Songwriting Competition. Submit your song inspired by any
book, play or poem, in any style you want!
You can win:
o $2,500
o Inclusion on a star-studded compilation CD
o Prizes from our sponsors
30 finalists will be chosen, and from those, 10 winning songs will
be included on Chapter One, the first SIBL Project Compilation CD,
including SIBLs by some of the top musicians in the world.
Did you know that 1 in 5 American adults cannot read to their
children, fill out a job application or pass a written driver's
test? Your song will play a vital role in the fight. All proceeds
from Chapter One toward the fight to increase adult literacy.
Deadline for entries is September 7, 2001
For more information on The SIBL Project and for entry forms,
official rules and regulations, go to: www.siblproject.org
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JUST PLAIN FOLKS 2001 NORTHEAST US/CANADA ROADTRIP SHOWCASE:
Every Just Plain Folks member (becoming a member is free and all it
requires is signing up for the Just Plain Notes newsletter!) is
welcome to participate in any of these events, even if you live in
another area of the world. All levels of experience are encouraged
to get involved and even if you aren't a performer, we want you to
come out and meet your peers and fellow members. If you want to
know what our showcase are like, please visit this link to answer
most of your questions. If you would like to sign up yourself or
your band to perform at one or more of these showcases, you MUST
follow the instructions located at
http://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000031.html, or your
request will not be honored.
For those who will be in the Toronto or Ottawa area on the dates
below: Locations have just recently been found for two showcases
in those areas in conjunction with the Songwriting Association of
Canada & The Muse's Muse:
June 16th - OTTAWA: Rasputin's Folk Cafe - 696 Bronsan Avenue -
7:00pm - 12:00am
June 18th - TORONTO: Ted's Wrecking Yard - 549 College Street (west
of Bathurst) - 7:00pm - 12:00am
For further information and more locations, times and dates of
other showcases, please see
http://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000031.html.
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JAI JOSEFS SEMINAR - SATURDAY MAY 19th:
Jai Josefs "Secrets of Songwriting Success" Seminar- Part 2
Saturday May 19th, 2001-10:00am till 5pm @ Schuba's 3159 Southport
773-525-2508.
At the door $55. Pre-Register now or before May 9 and it's only $45
Those who have attended Jai or/and Pat's previous seminars only $40
https://www.signmeuponline.com/events/register.asp?eventid=7738
To reserve a space call Frank Polancic @ 773-935-3856 or email
thelyricfactory@hotmail.com .
Send payment to 4036 N. Hoyne Chicago Il 60618.
JOHN BRAHENY AT THE NATIONAL GUITAR SUMMER WORKSHOPS:
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JOHN BRAHENY will teach a rare week-long CRAFT AND BUSINESS OF
SONGWRITING workshop for the National Guitar Summer Workshops June
26 July 1, 2001 at Loyola Marymount College in Los Angeles. John
has conducted three previous workshops for NGSW in Murphreesboro
TN. Tuition is $695 if you register before June 1. go to their
website at http://guitarworkshop.com, Along with great songwriting
craft and business info, critiqes and workshops, John's special
guests are hit lyricist Will Jennings and Songwriter guitar
giant/hit songwriter, Steve Lukather (pending availability).
John is the author of the best-selling Writer's Digest Book, "The
Craft and Business of Songwriting,"
(see http://www.musesmuse.com/1.8-November98.html#book for a
review) a Music Biz Magazine columnist, former co-founder/director
of the Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase and a songwriting and music
business consultant.
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M u s e ' s C l u e s : by Irene Jackson
©1998-2001 Moonstone Productions All Rights Reserved. Used By
Permission
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I very often get emails from people asking about song structure, or
lyrics sent to me that incorrectly identify different parts of the
song. I notice that many writers haven't yet understood the
purpose of each part of a song...what is the chorus supposed to
convey? What is a bridge? A refrain? When we're first sitting
down to write, we're not always thinking too much about structure
or form. Instead, we're focused on how the melody is flowing
and/or what the song is about, and much of what we "do next" is
very right-brained in nature.
I've often mentioned one of my favourite authors on the subject of
songwriting, John Braheny, and his well-known book "The Craft and
Business of Songwriting". What a treat to find another partial
chapter of his book online, and this is a great one. It's called
"Constructing A Song: Words and Music Together" and it's featured
at the ASCAP J.A.M. site. (Incidentally, J.A.M. means "Junior
ASCAP Members" and is a branch of ASCAP for younger, newer members,
especially teens. Wish they had this when I first started!) The
webpage with John's article is here:
http://www.ascap.com/jam/constructing.html
This article covers all of the basics, from the components of a
song that I mentioned above, to exercises, lyrical and instrumental
hooks, dynamics, AND one of the most important parts...rewriting!!
John always uses examples of popular songs as examples or to
reinforce his points and has a very straightforward style of
writing that takes a lot of mystery out of the process. This is an
excellent read...AND, if after that you feel you'd like to read
more of his book, you can order it through the Muse's Muse website,
right here:
http://www.musesmuse.com/books.html
Speaking of which, just about any book that was written on the
topic of songwriting is also available online through the Muse's
Muse, so be sure to visit and catch up on your reading!
******
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
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S O N G W R I T E R I N S P O T L I G H T :
San Francisco-based, performing songwriter, Austin Willacy
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Q: What are your earliest musical memories and influences? How do
you think they've shaped the musician you are today?
---------------------------------------------
A: My earliest musical memories are like little mini-movies. I took
this music and movement class with my brother when I was very
young, 3 or 4 yrs. old, and we moved around to music and balanced
sticks on our heads and stuff. We had an advantage with the stick
thing because we both had little Afros and the stick nestled in
there very comfortably.
The next mini-movie is of taking recorder lessons with this tall
strawberry blond man named David (I think). I had a brown and white
recorder and my dad played, too, so we played a few duets. I loved
the way the parts fit together.
The last musical snapshot is of listening to 8-track tapes of
Stevie Wonder in my family's buick regal on long road trips to
Jackson, Mississippi. It was about a 13 hour drive from Cleveland,
Ohio (where I grew up) and my brother and I slept as much of the
way as possible. But Stevie Wonder's Musiquarium and Johnny
"Guitar" Watson were playing a lot as I drifted in and out of
sleep.
I think that the music and movement class didn't influence me all
that much, but playing the recorder led me to the clarinet and
saxophone as an elementary and junior high schooler. I think that
playing these instruments did two things. One, they got me pretty
firmly rooted in a sense of tonality. Unlike fretless instruments
or trombone, once you're in tune, if you finger the note and blow,
the note will come out. I think that helped me out when I started
singing. The other way in which they helped me was that both
clarinet and sax (sax particularly) have a rather human vocal
timbre. I really got into that and the funk, soul and r&b music in
which I heard them (sax more than clarinet) played.
My dad's a huge blues fan. I grew up hearing blues all the time.
Johnny "Guitar" Watson is one of many bluesmen I grew up hearing
and humming along with, but he's the one we had the 8-track of.
Stevie Wonder has such a versatile, powerful voice that I can't
help but be inspired and intimidated when I hear him sing. I love a
lot of his music, from the early motown music through the jungle
fever soundtrack. Over the years I've sung a number of his tunes in
a number of different contexts.
As a songwriter, the fact that he wrote about social and political
issues, and did it so powerfully, had a big effect on me. It raised
the bar for me in terms of the type of lyrical content that I
expected of myself once I started writing. I felt that I had to
push myself to write about my thoughts, feelings and experiences in
a different way so that I didn't get bogged down in
"oohbabywannarubyouallnightlongcomedancewithme" land.
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Q: So what got you writing songs in the first place? I mean,
there's a big leap from listening to great songwriters to wanting
to be one, right? :) Was it just a natural progression from the
instruments you were playing? The singing? Or was there a specific
reason you started - and then continued?
---------------------------------------------
A: I'm a very communicative person by nature. I love to read and
learn new words. My conversation skills in French and Spanish are
dull from lack of regular use, but I can understand both languages
reasonably well. I had a problem writing poetry in high school; I
was just too embarrassed, but there was this woman that I was
totally into my sophomore year of college and there were things
that I needed to tell her that were in that delicate and beautiful
place that exists only when words are set to a melody.
It felt so good to have what I needed to say out of me, but I also
loved the process of getting there. I didn't play any instruments
at the time, so it took me a while to get up to ramming speed on
the writing front, but even back then, I was definitely hooked.
I was listening to lots of great, and rather eclectic music and
that lead me to approach my own writing from a comparative
standpoint. I was listening to Peter Gabriel and Tom Waits and Bob
Marley and The Beatles and Stevie Wonder and Prince and Patty
Larkin and Sting and trying to find a voice for myself that I would
want to listen to.
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Q: So how long have you been writing now? And which song do you
consider to be your most successful? Why?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For the remainder of this interview, see
http://www.musesmuse.com/int-willacy.html#newsletter .
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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 :
The Hit Song Puzzle by James Linderman
http://www.musesmuse.com/art-hitsongpuzzle.html
James gives us some hints on how to look at songwriting from the
publisher's point of view. A very useful and insightful article!
Back to Menu =================================================================
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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USA INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Songwriters! Enter to win a grand prize of over US$50,000 in cash,
merchandise and more! This the largest prize package in any annual
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US and Canada. Judges include A&R Managers from Major Record labels
and publishers. Visit: http://www.songwriting.net/mm.html
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LYRICIST! THE SONGWRITER'S BEST FRIEND HAS ARRIVED . . .
Virtual Studio Systems, Inc. is proud to announce Lyricist, the
first of its kind word processor designed for musicians,
songwriters, and poets. Includes rhyming dictionary, spell checker,
thesaurus, album categorization and more. Visit our web-site at
www.virtualstudiosystems.com and download your free 30-day trial
today. Call us at 888.732.1176 U.S or 603.726.4911 outside the
U.S. and mention this ad to receive a $10 discount towards your
purchase.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE SONGWRITER'S GUIDE TO DEMO SUBMISSION...
Everything you need to know to get your songs heard! Updated for
2001, our guide can give you an edge over the thousands of other
songwriters trying desperately to get their songs listened to.
You'll learn how to package your demos like a pro, discover where
to send your demos, learn how to market your songs online, locate
songwriter organizations and more! http://www.music-song-lyric.com
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WINDRIFT SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Windrift Music, a new music label in Toronto is sponsoring a free
songwriting competition. THERE IS NO ENTRY CHARGE:
Grand Prize * $500 in cash * Make Your own demo CD * 50 CDs
courtesy of Windrift Music * Web Hosting of Your Song on Windrift
Music Site * Artist Home Page with download of music * 1000
promotional Flyers of CD * Free promotion of artist CD to major
labels. The deadline is June 30th, 2001. Contest details are
located on the Windrift web site:
http://www.windriftmusic.com/contest.html
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OPPORTUNITIES AT POWERGIG:
www.PowerGig.com, has 3-5 hour/week opportunities for enthusiasts
of live entertainment. Commissions paid for memberships and updated
venue profiles. Easy, low-pressure work and a great way to stay
connected in the industry. If interested, email info@powergig.com
or call toll-free 866-GIG-POWER.
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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, no
setup fee and no sales equals no cost!
Check it out - http://www.cdstreet.com
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GET YOUR COPY OF THE INDIE CONTACT BIBLE & START MAKING WAVES!
This is an absolutely priceless resource for indie musicians. If
you want your music reviewed, on the radio, *heard*, THIS is the
resource you need to have. It's not going to tell you "how" but it
will *certainly* tell you "who". I highly recommend you pick it up
in order to compliment your other music marketing techniques. Have
a look at this url and read through a few sample pages to see what
I mean: http://www.bigmeteor.com/muse
(Full review at http://www.musesmuse.com/3.4-July00.html#book)
=================================================================
ADVERTISING RATES: For Classifieds: US$25 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 .
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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 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:
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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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