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The Muse's News |
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Issue 4.9 - December 2001
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
@-- QColumnist Spotlight Michael Allison's THE MUSICIAN'S DESKTOP
@-- Music Reviews - by Ben Ohmart
@-- Songwriting Book Review - by Jodi Krangle
@-- Featured Article - THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC:
Publicity: Using the Internet to Promote
Your Music - by Charles Katz
@-- 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 - The Day the Walls Came Down
By James Linderman
@-- Songwriter In Spotlight - Don Ciccone
@-- 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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E d i t o r ' s M u s i n g s :
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Well, we're steadily moving towards the 10,000 subscriber mark. I
hope to reach that goal in the next few months. If you know of
anyone who might be interested in the information this newsletter
has to offer, I hope you'll let them know about it!
I also hope all the Americans out there had a wonderful
Thanksgiving with family and friends. Taking the time to make sure
that those you love KNOW that you love them, is a very important
thing at this time of the year - especially given what we've all
seen happen over the last couple of months. Why not write it in a
song if you're not comfortable speaking it directly? If you can't
say it, sing it. :)
I'll wish you all a very merry Christmas in this issue too, since I
won't be speaking to you again until the end of December. Once
again, enjoy it and remember all the things you have to be
extremely grateful for. I hope it's a very special time for each
and every one of you.
Though I've spotlighted Michael Allison's column below, and I've
mentioned Terri Ann Palumbo's new column below that (in the
interview section), I should also mention that there's a third
columnist who has come on board too. His name is Matt Borghi.
Matt will be exploring the sound we hear in our everyday lives and
how to harness that and use it to inspire us into creating our own
music. His column, "In Sound" is here:
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-mattborghi.html and I hope you'll
check it out.
Beyond that, there are two prize winners this month. Cammie
Macfarlane from Ayrshire (Scotland) has won a copy of the reviewed
instructional songwriting CD by Jason Blume, WRITING HIT MELODIES.
Donna Porter from Oliver Springs, TN has won a copy of
Lyricist Software - V2! - generously donated by the folks at
Virtual Studio Systems. More information on the product can be
found here: http://www.virtualstudiosystems.com/products.htm .
Thanks for subscribing, guys!
Enjoy the newsletter and have a wonderful holiday season. :)
All the very best,
--Jodi
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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...
http://www.cafepress.com/cp/info/storeref.aspx?refby=musesmuse
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C o l u m n i s t S p o t l i g h t : Michael Allison
THE MUSICIAN'S DESKTOP
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-michaelallison.html
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Music editor/reviewer Michael Allison focuses on the more important
aspects of gaining exposure on the web and in the real world. Often
these aspects are overlooked by independent artists, and could be
what is holding them back. Topics include areas such as press kits,
professionalism, review submissions, website fix ups, and much
more.
Michael also has a forum in the Muse's Muse Message Boards. You
can join him for discussions by dropping by
http://www.musesmuse.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi and looking
underneath the "Columnists" section.
MICHAEL'S BIO:
As the Founder/Editor of The Global Muse Music Magazine, Michael
Allison has written well over one thousand music reviews, artist
features, as well as editorials and articles on artist development
and music marketing. Michael's free eBook on music promotion and
artist development has been downloaded by many thousands of
independent artists and music professionals from The Global Muse
website. He continues to share his promotion/marketing and artist
development advice throughout the web, and through his popular
newsletter TGM Music News. One can subscribe for free to this
newsletter at www.theglobalmuse.com , and also submit their music
for review as well. Michael is now an associate writer/reviewer for
Music Dish, reviewing music from almost every genre. The Global
Muse continues to be a resource and host for Michael's articles,
eBooks, and bi-monthly newsletter.
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M u s i c R e v i e w s : by Ben Ohmart
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Katrina Bishop - Runaway Lane
It's not often a graduated voice comes through this reviewer's
hands, but Katrina Bishop has learned how to put songs together and
belt them out the hard way - she got herself a Contemporary Voice
degree from Vancouver, where she also attended the Vancouver
International Jazz Workshop Big Band, 3 years running. What follows
from all this hard toil is a voice that needs nothing behind it. A
sparkling magical tool that often, on this debut cd, makes one want
to cry like a baby spider.
The best song on the cd - as far as I'm concerned - is the
a capella 'Good Night For Stars' which runs in the seaman ballad
style, all voices by KB, and beautiful they are. Lonely, lofty,
more susceptible than Enya, sadder than a white Russian on a cold
night. 'And she turns away from the sunset, looking for darker
skies. / She waits for the great awakening, when the night
shall open its eyes.' Please do more like this, Katrina.
Adding one more instrument comes my 2nd favorite, the piano/voice
combo of 'Nothing Could Be Better' which reminds me more of 'Bridge
Over Troubled Water' than anything I've heard from a female voice;
even though the tune's not even close. Well, just listen to the
song. 'Take away the mountains high, take away all the trees; /
Take away the time that flies, stoppin' at the seas, yeah / Then
nothing could be better, we've been heaven blessed. / Times when
we're together, who'd’ve ever guessed?'
Meanwhile, the title song has a Latin flavor with the acoustic
guitar and rhythms of a very aggressive/easy listening nature. 'I
will be your runaway lane, I will break your fall / You dazzle me
with genius, how I love to watch you play / but underneath your
passion I see them glinting where they lay.' Even with a band
behind her, somehow, every song is clearly stamped Katrina, and
moves within the tranquility of her most acoustic charm.
41 minutes, 10 tracks written with unerring skill by KB herself. A
lot, lot of cds come through my hands. So believe me when I pay
this cd the supreme compliment by stating that KB's cd has to rank
in the top 1% of all submissions I receive. Ravishing and touching,
and that's all you need in an album.
www.katrinabishop.com
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OTHER NEW MUSIC REVIEWS SINCE LAST MONTH INCLUDE:
Larry Groupe (soundtrack)- (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000092.html
Tamika Williams-Clark - (by Eliot Popkin)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000088.html
Katy Miner - (by Eliot Popkin)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000087.html
Cubanismo! - (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000097.html
Tummel - (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000096.html
Niacin - (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000098.html
John Balint - (by Ben Ohmart)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000099.html
Jen Johnson - (by Eliot Popkin)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000100.html
Snowboot - (by Eliot Popkin)
http://musesmuse.com/columnistsgreylogs/archives/00000101.html
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******
Ben lives in Boalsburg, PA where greedy people want to put up
condos in place of a nature preserve. He spends his off hours
listening to radio comedy - especially British - loves reading and
watching horror, and hates trying to make ends meet. Send him money
and gifts. While waiting for bribes, he's currently writing the
official biographies of The Bickersons, Paul Frees and Daws Butler.
His latest bit of immortality? The text for bickersons.com.
Contact him at: ohmart@musesmuse.com.
Eliot is a Boston born singer/songwriter who saw his debut album
"Down Along This Road" have 3 songs find their way into movies,
radio airplay on more than 100 stations across the country as well
as countless wonderful reviews and feature stories. He currently is
writing songs for various major label and film projects, and is in
the studio working on his follow up album. He lives in Los Angeles,
enjoying a nice view of the Hollywood sign. To hear his music, drop
by his web site at http://www.mp3.com/eliotpopkin .
Contact him at: eliotpopkin@musesmail.com
If you're considering sending in your own CD for review, please
drop by http://www.musesmuse.com/musicreviews.html to find out
which reviewer reviews which 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 Jodi Krangle
YOU CAN WRITE HITS: VOLUME 1:
WRITING HIT MELODIES with Jason Blume
http://www.jasonblume.com/products1358.html
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Here's something different. I've reviewed a lot of books before,
but I've never reviewed a book on CD. And by that, I mean, a book
that is spoken rather than read BY me. It really was motivating to
hear Jason's voice (speaking and *singing*! He has a great voice,
too!) while he went through the information and exercises. I found
it very much like being in one of his live presentations - only I
was going through the material in the privacy of my own home. Now,
Jason rightly warns the listener that going through the entire CD
at once is probably a bit overwhelming. It's best to take it a
little at a time. But that said, what he has here is an amazing
piece of confidence-building instruction. His voice is very
sincere and relaxing. His examples are immediately recognizable.
His exercises are useful and helpful. He put his instruction in
terms I could understand.
Can't read or write music? Can't play an instrument? Well, you're
not alone. Many of the songwriting greats sang their melodies
first into a tape recorder before bringing any sort of musical
instrument into the process. As Jason points out (rightly so!),
being a great musician is something quite apart from being a great
songwriter. There is nothing keeping you from writing great
melodies, even if you can't play an instrument or read and write
music.
But this CD is much more than a confidence-builder. It's also
highly useful in explaining the nuts and bolts behind a great
melody, and even mentions a little about what music industry folk
are looking for when they listen to a song. The exercises then
take this one step further by involving you in the process rather
than simply keeping you as a passive audience.
He talks about writing a cappella, rewriting your melodies,
repetition, using short phrases, varying rhythms, and a great deal
more. Each exercise is preceded by examples and followed by
explanation. And throughout it all, Jason's enthusiasm and honesty
shines through. Finding books on the subject ponderous? Hearing
his voice actually explaining the ins and outs of writing a hit
melody takes instruction to the next level of involvement, truly
capturing your attention and imagination as you listen. This is a
unique and highly useful experience and one that shouldn't be
missed.
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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: Publicity: Using the Internet to Promote
Your Music - Great Indie Sites to Upload your Music to
by Charles Katz
©2001, Charles Katz. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
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"Follow You Follow Me" performed by Genesis, Words and Music by
Tony Banks, Phil Collins, and Mike Rutherford, was a classic hit in
the late 70's.
The repetitive lyric "I will follow you. Will you follow me" is
repeated several times in the chorus and gets the message across.
In the publicity game, repetition and follow up is extremely
important in advertising your product.
Getting your music listed on many well known music sites is an
important method for a performing songwriter to be visible.
To do this, you must have a high speed Internet connection such as
cable to upload files quickly and efficiently. Some cable providers
demand you use an FTP connection not email to send the files
across.
Two of the well known Indie Music providers are MP3.com and Iuma.
These sites provide the service of receiving your music, a web
site, listing your songs for sale, and providing you with a royalty
check based on downloads of your music.
These sites help you with your web design and with your image
uploading of your CDs.
MP3 also has a payola feature which is a favourite of mine. You bid
to get your music listed on their top 40 music page for your genre.
Your song may appear beside Michael Jackson and by visibility, your
song can be downloaded by thousands of listeners. Hold on to your
credit card. This can be expensive. Some songwriters pay hundreds
of dollars weekly for this form of advertising.
I actually made the top 40 a few times by using this feature.
Other songwriters start their own Internet Radio Station at Mp3.com
and promote their music as well as other artists in the same genre
with reciprocal arrangements.
Great Indie-Sites to Upload your music to are:
www.mp3.com
www.javamusic.com
www.garageband.com
www.audiosurge.com
www.peoplesound.com
www.zebox.com
www.ampcast.com
www.iuma.com
www.vitaminic.com
www.audiogalaxy.com
www.realnetradio.com
www.getmusic.com
www.audiosimplicity.8m.com/
www.music.com
www.ubl
Once you have your sites posted you can then go to several forums
to announce your music and get listeners/fans to download your
music and collect royalties.
The main advantages of marketing your music on the Net are:
1. You are not limited by the price of printing and postage
which makes selling economical.
2. You can change your content quickly and at no cost.
3. On Line Catalogues are searchable. A fan can find you by typing
in the artist name, title of CD or song.
4. You can offer video and sound clip demonstrations.
5. Your fans can have detailed and up to date information
including your current tours.
6. Your cost per month is low compared to other forms of
advertising.
Stay tuned for next month's article:
Managers and Agents: What a Manager Does
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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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'RADIO MUSE' WEBCAST FOR INDEPENDENT SONGWRITERS - 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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NEMO 2002 IS NOW ACCEPTING SHOWCASE APPLICATIONS!
Now in its sixth year, NEMO Music Showcase & Conference attracts
thousands of participants from all sectors of the music industry
who converge on Boston to network and exchange information about
today's new music and the current issues facing the music industry.
NEMO hosts two days and three nights of events, including panels,
clinics, workshops, mentor sessions, a Trade Show exhibition area,
and more than 200 artist showcases. NEMO also includes the
prestigious Boston Music Awards show at the Orpheum Theatre on
the first night of festivities.
To submit your music for showcase consideration, call our office at
781-306-0441 or email showcases@nemoboston.com to request an
application. For more information go to: www.nemoboston.com.
Don't miss your opportunity to showcase at NEMO. The deadline for
submission is January 12, 2002 - but don't delay, and get your
submission in early!
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DO YOU LIKE THE MUSE'S MUSE?
HERE'S ANOTHER COMMUNITY YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
Just Plain Folks - www.jpfolks.com - is a fantastic organization,
over 12,000 members strong - especially for people who want to make
it in the music biz. Participation could be a great thing for your
career! Have a look at the web site and if you're interested in
getting involved, just email me at jodi@musesmuse.com with your
full name, your city, your state/province and your country in the
body of your message. I'll take care of joining you up. :)
By joining, you'll also be entered into a weekly drawing for great
prizes (which is why they need your full name)! They send out a
free newsletter once every two weeks and it's a great way to keep
informed about what's happening out there - especially if you're an
indie.
I've been a mentor @ JPF for several years now. They're well worth
checking out! -- Jodi
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SPECIAL OFFER FROM THE MUSICIAN'S ATLAS
The Musician's Atlas is the a music industry resource created
exclusively for artists and the independent music community. This
368 page directory delivers over 15,000 key business contacts in
more than 25 industry categories.
Features include major & indie label A&R depts., commercial and
college radio program directors, club and festival talent buyers,
music journalists, publicists, publishers, managers, agents,
entertainment lawyers, producers, film & tv music supervisors, cd
manufacturers, merchandisers and much more.
We are pleased to offer Muse's Muse subscribers a 15% discount off
the already low retail price when you order your copies directly
from www.MusiciansAtlas.com. Or you can receive a free copy of the
2002 Atlas and still save 15% when you order a copy of the new and
improved Atlas CD-Rom.
Just log on to www.MusiciansAtlas.com and enter MUSESMUSE into the
purchase code key found on The Atlas order page.
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ATTENTION SONGWRITERS:
SONGSALIVE! www.songsalive.org - run by songwriters for
songwriters, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the
nurturing, support and promotion of songwriters and composers
worldwide.
Songwriters Showcase - Last Tuesday of each month. Members are
selected to perform at the Showcase, designed to promote
songwriters and their music in an intimate, acoustic
environment, surrounded by music industry professionals, fans and
supportive audiences. Where: The Hot Wired Café 11651 Riverside
Drive, North Hollywood (just East of Colfax); and Harbourside
Brasserie, The Rocks, Sydney. To perform at a Songsalive!
Showcase, go to www.songsalive.org, go Programs, for application.
Songwriters Workshop - L.A: First Sunday of each month / Sydney:
First Wednesday of each month. Songsalive! holds workshops where
songwriters gather to share their songs, gain feedback and develop
relationships within the songwriting communities we have created
around the world. Where: The Hot Wired Café, Los Angeles and APRA
Headquarters, 6-11 Atchison St, St Leonards, Sydney.
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RED JAGUAR RECORDS SEEKS MATERIAL:
Red Jaguar Records is the newest entrant on the music industry
scene. Our mission is to partner with artists in an effort
to create fresh, dynamic music that empowers artist and audience.
Currently, we are seeking material to record in the R&B, Pop,Jazz,
and Blues genres. We also welcome submissions in Classical,
Country, HIp Hop, Gospel and Christian. Visit our website at
www.redjaguarrecords.com and find out how you can join us in
building our dream, enter our exciting songwriter contests and
catch up on our latest news.
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CALL FOR ENTRIES:
NATIONAL "INDIE BAND SEARCH 2002" NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS
ModMusic Records is proud to announce the Indie Band Search 2002.
The Indie Band Search is a national contest that gives independent
musicians, artists, songwriters, and bands a chance to be heard by
entertainment industry professionals and compete for prizes worth
over $10,000. ModMusic will be accepting submissions from
independent bands of all musical genres, from October 29, 2001
through February 14, 2002. For entry forms, submission guidelines,
and rules, visit the website at www.indiebandsearch.com or call the
hotline at (212)479-8418.
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THE LADYSIXSTRING SONGWRITING CONTEST:
LadySixString is giving away a BR-8 Digital 8 Track Recorder ($800+
Value) to Best Entry in the LadySixString Songwriting Contest.
Judges are a panel of Professional Female Guitarsts/Songwriters
such as Linda Taylor of "Whose Line Is It Anyway" and Gaye
Adegbalola of Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women. Open to all Female
Guitarists/Songwriters. Performance on recording not required.
Recording quality not judged. Good Luck and Good Writing!
More information can be found here:
http://www.ladysixstring.com/songwritingcontest/
Deadline is June 30, 2002.
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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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Does anyone know what the oldest and earliest songwriting style is?
Let me give you a hint...its form is AAAA. Yep, it's folk music.
In fact, folk songs and chants and singing poetry were the only way
of passing along stories, historical events and information in
times when the population couldn't read or write, so it was
actually a very practical thing too. Anyone who lived in or
remembers the 1960's, will also remember how folk music made a huge
resurgence at that time. Some of our biggest songwriting
influences like Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs rose to prominence then,
giving a whole new generation a taste of folk.
Hugh Blumenfeld has created a wonderful online folk music resource
called "The Ballad Tree" (http://www.balladtree.com/). Just reading
the definitions of folk music alone will give you a chuckle...the
fact is that there are many definitions and ideas as to what folk
music really is! The Folk Music 101 section alone is worth the
read, moving through the history of folk, both older and more
recent, other internet resources, a collection of the major
American folk artists, an "essential" folk song list and much more.
There is an archive of articles and essays, CD reviews, song
collections and artist links, and a series of articles called "Song
Shop" which studies individual folk songs. Beyond that, there are
links to nearly 100 radio stations offering webcasts, along with
links to venues and festivals, and another massive collection of
links to other styles of music including bluegrass, Native
American, Celtic and even rap! Hugh has even gone as far as
creating an mp3.com site with collections of contemporary folk
artists' songs that you can listen to and download for free or
order.
I'd venture to guess that Hugh is a folk music fanatic :-) And I
mean that in a very nice way, because this is one of the best
online resources for folk music (and everything related) that I've
seen in a long time. Go to it!
******
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 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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F e a t u r e d A r t i c l e :
The Day the Walls Came Down - By James Linderman
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I believe that most artists live each day in a struggle to be open
and receptive, yet often find themselves withdrawn and reclusive,
sometimes even in odd simultaneous balance.
So...it was not surprising to see that the tragic events of
September 11 inspired some music celebrities to cancel tours and go
into hiding and some to come out of hiding and donate their talent
and fame to raise benefit money and some to do both.
The benefit, to top all benefits was, "America, A Tribute to
Heroes". 60 million viewers got to see Hollywood actors being real
people and got to hear some stunning musical offerings from the
planet's most successful recording acts. Viewers responded with
their cheque books in hand, pledging a record 150 million dollars.
An otherwise engaging show ended with Willie Nelson performing "God
Bless America". Looking deplorable and sounding even worse, Nelson
is certainly a symbol of patriotism and yet also embodies the image
of the outlaw (he even holds a dubious history with America's tax
department). Willie Nelson possibly represents the essence of what
it means to be an American, truly human and unyieldingly
individual, sometimes not very good and sometimes stunningly
brilliant. He has now gone into seclusion, as have many of the
artists featured on the program.
Michael Jackson came out of seclusion to hold a press conference,
where he appeared even more fragile and vulnerable than usual,
(even more than three decades of plastic surgery can hide). He
announced a benefit recording that will feature himself, and some
of today's top pop performers. He then, went back into seclusion as
well. The fund raising potential for this recording is estimated at
50 million dollars and it will certainly provide a "giving"
opportunity for the youth population of the world and provide them
with some music to frame this experience in.
Why music though? What is it about music?
Perhaps it is because music has become, for a lot of people, their
only link to something spiritual in the modern world and these are
times when we are all thinking with our sense of spirit.
The day the walls came down brought other walls down as well. It
made stockbrokers embrace, squeamish computer geeks give blood and
it has brought out the importance of stopping and listening to...
music.
To make that music, there are musicians being what they are; noble,
awkward, generous, opportunistic, eloquent, clumsy, beautiful,
hideous, sensitive and tough. At times, open and expressive, yet
also withdrawn and reclusive, sometimes even in an odd simultaneous
balance.
Much like the events of September 11th themselves, the music that
has and will continue to spring from these tragedies will forever
be a blessing and a curse, which will give us all a lot to think
about, with our spirit in hand, in the troubled times to come.
******
James Linderman lives and works at theharmonyhouse, a music lesson,
songwriting and music pre-production facility in Newmarket,
Ontario. He has worked as a collaborating songwriter and consultant
for The Toronto Office of Catholic Youth and leads a music workshop
program for Life 100.3 Christian radio. James writes songwriting
articles for The Muse's Muse Songwriting Resource, Canadian
Musician Magazine and Professional Musician Magazine. In 2001,
James is producing a national, music writing, development program
for the Songwriters Association of Canada and will also be teaching
Primary and High School music at New Beginnings Christian School in
Newmarket, ON. James has a Canadian University and American College
education in music composition and is the author of The Christian
Contemporary Songwriting Workbook and Song Anatomy, A Contemporary
Songwriting Playbook. Contact James at: theharmonyhouse@home.com.
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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 : Don Ciccone
Terri Ann Palumbo, our newest columnist, speaks with Don Ciccone
about the "seasons" of his songwriting.
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A SONGWRITER'S MANY SEASONS:
Don Ciccone's career as a singer and musician (The Critters,
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Tommy James and the Shondells)
has taken him around the world -- but songwriting remains nearest
to his heart. After all, his initiation into the music industry
came as a direct result of a producer overhearing him rehearse an
original song during a break in a recording session.
He started writing songs and putting together bands just a few
months after beginning guitar lessons at the age of 12. At 15, he
auditioned for a locally popular band in Westfield, New Jersey. The
Vibratones, led by Jim Ryan, were looking for a rhythm guitarist
who could sing. One of Ciccone's best friends, Bob Podstawski (who
would become the sax player and singer with The Critters), had
suggested to Ryan that Don would be perfect for the slot.
"I would have rather been a lesser member of The Vibratones than
the leader of my own band -- that's how good this band was. During
the audition Bob said, 'Hey, Don's written some songs too -- Don,
why don't you play some songs that you wrote?' I did, and that may
have been what clinched the deal."
Don's enthusiasm for the group motivated him to put together first
one management team, then another; eventually the group, by then
re-named The Critters, landed a recording contract with Kama Sutra.
It was during a break in recording their cover of John Sebastian's
"Younger Girl" (which would become the band's first hit) that
serendipity struck. Producer Artie Ripp walked by the rehearsal
studio at exactly the right moment.
TO READ THE REST OF THIS INTERVIEW, VISIT:
http://musesmuse.com/art-terriann-manyseasons.html
******
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Terri Ann Palumbo is an Emmy Award-winning television writer and
producer whose work has appeared on shows as diverse as "America's
Most Wanted" and "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous". Her current
activities include work on a non-fiction book, as well as articles
on subjects ranging from celebrity profiles to investigative
pieces. She's also recently started designing websites (the first
being www.donciccone.com), but she still hits the field to produce
television programming for a variety of clients, and has three
separate independent television projects in the works. In her spare
time, Terri wonders what "spare time" means, and prays that she
won't find an answer to the question for a long, long time.
To keep up to date on her latest interviews, drop by her new
column, "Songwriter's Speak" at:
http://www.musesmuse.com/col-terriann.htmlBack to Menu
=================================================================
" O N S I T E " F E A T U R E D A R T I C L E :
Building the Perfect Beast: Form Follows Function
by Pat Pattison
http://www.musesmuse.com/patart2.html
This enlightening article explains why it's a good idea to have
your rhyming and rhythm scheme follow your song's subject - and
gives you tips on how to do it too!
=================================================================
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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LYRICIST! VERSION 2 HAS ARRIVED - NOW WITH CHORD CHARTING.
Virtual Studio Systems, Inc. is proud to announce Lyricist V2 - The
Songwriter's Best Friend -the first-of-its-kind word processor
designed for musicians, songwriters, and poets. The software
includes a rhyming dictionary, spell checker, thesaurus, album
categorization, chord charting, song arrangement and much much more
- all in a user-friendly package. We have now begun shipping so
get your holiday order in soon. A review can be seen at
http://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!
For more information, visit the review url above or call us at
888.732.1176 inside the U.S.A. or 603.669.0411 outside the U.S.A.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
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 .
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:
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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
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Back issues of the newsletter can be read at the National
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