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Inspirations For Songwriters is I F S
IFS aims to INSPIRE YOU into ACTION
2,612 songwriters, music publishers, artists, and music fans receive
IFS
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Please forward IFS to your songwriting friends

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hello IFS friends,

First a big welcome to IFS' many new readers.

I hope 2004 is getting off to a good start for you.

In this IFS you'll find a couple "IFS Singers Searching for Songs"
blurbs

Plus an essay on what I think should be contained in an
effective "singer searching for songs" blurb.

THE FIRST THING I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO IN 2004 is to BACK UP the
essential DATA on your PC hard drive, so your data will be archived
and protected in case your computer crashes, gets destroyed, or gets
stolen. Make more than one COPY of your essential data. Some people
are very good about this and others not so good. Keep back up one
copy at home and keep another some place else. Today, I backed mine
up on a CD, it took less than 30 minutes. I copied all my MP3 and
doc files.

SO IFS readers
BACK UP YOUR DATA
Or you may get to recreata

Last year I got a Christian cut with Sienna produced by Eric
Copeland, she recorded "Come to Me" I finally got around to putting
it up on the web, please drop by, have a listen and let me know what
you think of it
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/9/andersmusic.htm

Also If you'll drop by,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/
you'll notice I rewrote IFS' description again. (I think this version
will stick for a while)

Also IFS is on the grow, we now have 2,612 members as we get larger
we gain more muscle and influence I hope to do some really cool
things in 2004 to benefit IFS readers.


"Inspirations for Songwriters" is a FREE ezine that shares
inspirational and practical information about SONGWRITING with
songwriters, artists, producers, music publishers, and song lovers
all over the world. We tend to send an email a week.

Are you a songwriter who's hoping to improve your songwriting
ability, song catalog, and songwriting career? IFS can help you.

Are you a songwriter hoping to find artists who are searching for
excellent original songs?
IFS often shares information about artists and singers who are
searching for original songs. Several IFS readers have placed their
songs with artists because of leads we've provided them.

Are you a singer, producer, music publisher, or artist manager who is
searching for excellent original songs? IFS can help YOU find songs.
Many artists have told us that they got a tremendous response from
their IFS Song Search Blurb. They were sent many songs to consider
and found several songs they wound up using or recording.

If you'd like IFS to help you search for songs
EMAIL IFS a detailed blurb about the artist and the project, and
we'll let our readers know.
Send your email to:
DIFS-owner@yahoogroups.com

To subscribe to IFS, SEND an EMPTY email to
difs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

You can read the IFS message archive at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/messages

Ande Rasmussen is the editor and publisher of IFS
http://hometown.aol.com/anderasmussen/myhomepage/profile.html

IFS often writes reviews on new CD's, songs, songwriting and music
books, and songwriter products and services. So If you have something
you'd like us to consider reviewing for or mentioning to IFS readers,
send us an email or mail the package to:

Ande Rasmussen / IFS
835 Martindale Falls
Martindale, TX 78655

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I received a nice update from IFS reader Eric Copeland highlighting
some of his 2003 accomplishements. Way to go Eric!

from: eric Copeland

Hey Ande,

Had a pretty good year all told.

Got three co-write cuts on the new Jana Stanfield album (Nashville
Indie Queen), a cut on Denise Davis album (Nashville based Christian
touring Christian artist), and wrote the entire album for Sienna (New
York City based Christian artist), including the song you and I
wrote "Come to Me".

Produced 10-20 album projects this year as well ranging from Urban
Gospel to Contemporary to Hymns to Reggae to Children's album.

Got some MAJOR bites on songs including a major motion picture in
Hollywood (still pending), a CBS movie of the week (passed), a
television series (pending), and another major motion picture in the
works.

My new studio came together in May and it's a great facility that
lets me keep cost down while actually making money (who woulda thunk?)

Also, I started doing alot of consulting for artists to help them
determine the right path for their music and writing.

2004 should be even better. New artists, new song opps, and lots more
opportunity to help artists.

Thanks as always for your friendship, lyrics, and info.

Your friend,

EC
---------------------------------------
Eric Copeland
Producer . Writer . Consultant

Copeland Creative Group
---------------------------------------
Masterscore Music Production
Creative Soul Records
From the Moment Music Publishing
210 East Reynolds Road
Lexington, KY, 40517
www.MasterscoreMusic.com
859-492-6403
---------------------------------------

A NOTE from Ande about Eric Copeland

If you are a Christian artist who hopes to improve your ministry,
whether you just need consulting or you're about to record a CD, Eric
is a great person to know and hire. He's an excellent songwriter,
musician and producer! He does a lot of consulting with artists about
what next steps to take.

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Networking is a critical part of your Songwriting Success

I encourage you to "Become Part of a Community" Locally and Globally

Locally is where you are or near to where you are. I'm lucky, I live
45 minutes away from Austin Texas which is one of the major music
cities in the US.

Globally is all over the in the world. There's two types of
NETWORKING you can do
1) Actual and 2) Virtual

Actual networking means physically going to a particular place, like
New York, Miami, Nashville, or LA. Many IFS readers chose to be
where their kind of action is happening. If you want to know what
the major music cities are in the US
here's where NARAS has chapter offices, Atlanta, Chicago, Miami
Beach, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Seattle,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Austin, and Washington, D.C. In case
you don't know NARAS are the folks who award Grammy's. Maybe you
need to start regularly visiting one of these cities.

Virtal Networking is networking online, by phone, or by mail. There
are many ways you can network with people online. Several people in
the songwriting community have created online communities.

So IFS Readers,

What are some of your favorite online songwriting communities? and
What are some online networking techniques that have worked for you?

Hit reply and let me know
in the subject field write
IFS NET

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IFS SINGERS SEARCHING FOR SONGS

leharpers@... writes:
My 10 year old daughter is looking for country/pop songs to reocord.
It is very difficult to find age appropriate songs for her. She
loves upbeat songs like Shania, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, and Tanya
Tucker but some of the lyrics are too old for her. This past year
she appeared on NBC's "America's Most Talented Kid" Show. She has
already recorded two CD's and performs all over the
Southeast.

Thank you,
Martha Harper

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IFS Singers Searching for Songs

Greetings, I manage this Young Country Sensation Amy Rose, you may
check her out at
http://www.soundclick.com/amyrose
for three tracks, photos and bio information.

We are seeking songs for this artist to record as well a booking
agent and label for this artist and would appreciate your
consideration and any assistance. Amy can perform upwards of over 4
hours stage time and is based in Barrie, Ontario, and is available to
freely travel.

Kind Regards,

Mrs. Allen
Manager
L A Productions
The Lion Of Africa
lapdmgt@...

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HOW to write an EFFECTIVE SINGER SEARCHING FOR SONGS BLURB

After seeing many "SINGER SEARCHING FOR SONGS" blurbs I've come to
the conclusion that some are more effective than others. A blurb's
effectiveness is determined by it's ability to get songwriters to
take action and pitch their songs to the artist. Here are a few
instructions for what may help people write more effective "Singer
Searching for Songs" blurbs.

Here's the information an effective SINGER SEARCHING FOR SONGS BLURB
should contain:

1) Describe the Artist
name, age, sex, genre, location, highlights of a bio, awards,
website where can we see pics, hear recordings, and read the bio.
Also the website look and feel makes will make an impression, It lets
people know if the artist is dabbling or if they are serious.

2) Describe the Project, song need, and intended use once you find
the songs
Tell us what to send, Tell us what not to send
Do a little name dropping if any industry players are involved
What do you plan to do with the music?
Is it for a for sale CD?
Is it for a not for sale demo
Do you just want some songs to try out and perform?
Is there a dead line?
How urgent is your need?
Do you need any particular songs specifically written for your
project?

3) Tell us how to get songs to you
typically what is best is
a) URLs where you can go listen
b) snail mail address
c) if you have a fast connection you might allow people to email
mp3 files

4) what else?
I encourage you to write in an interesting way to compel people to
respond to your request. Use blurbs from industry pros.

I want IFS to be the reason you found all the great songs you did!

Here's a few other tips,

Tell the truth.

I think if you have some industry PROs working on your project it
tends to indicate you're serious and talented and that there's some
money behind the project.

If you're going to shop your demos to major labels, write it.

Keep in mind that other pitch sheets read IFS SSS blurbs and if they
are impressed by the artist and their project they might mention your
search in their tip sheets, giving your song search more muscle.

whether you're a songwriting looking to place your songs with artists
or an artist hoping to find the very best songs for your project,
good luck and I hope this helps

written by Ande Rasmussen,
Jan 2004


IFS readers please let me know if you have further suggestions,
please think about what makes you want to pitch your songs to an
artist after you read an IFS SSS blurb.

hit reply and send them in.
in the subject field write
IFS BB
(BB is short for Better Blurb)

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Yesterday I spoke with my cowriter and friend Brock Goodwin
he said that he and a friend are definitely going to the BEAMS
workshop in Colorado at the end of January.
http://www.beamsonline.com/seminars.php?type=upcoming&seminar=1

IFS READERS what workshops and conferences do you highly recommend
and plan to attend in 2004?

hit reply and in the subject field write

IFS CONF

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The Science of Hit Songs

ever heard of Hit Song Science?
http://www.hitsongscience.com

"Our technology is to music what X-rays are to medicine," says
Polyphonic HMI's chief executive, Mike McCready. "We help the record
industry see their market and their music in a way they were
previously unable to do."

All five of the major record companies - BMG, EMI, Sony, Universal
and Warner Bros. - are currently using the service, founded last year
by Barcelona-based Polyphonic HMI. A modified online version, geared
toward songwriters, was introduced this week at

Read their FAQ's
http://www.hitsongscience.com/index.php?p=f

Has any one tried it yet?

Disclaimer - To protect the integrity of our HSS technology this is a
simplified explanation. Certain aspects of the technology have been
omitted and other information has been expressed in simplified
laymen's terms. It is intended only to give the user a basic
understanding of how our technology works.

To have a hit song you should ideally be able to answer "yes" to the
following three questions:
1. Does the song sound like a hit?
2. Does the song have encouraging mathematical patterns?
3. Does the songs have the right kind of promotion for the current
market?

We can only help you answer the second question. But our research has
shown that if the answer to that question is "no" your song most
likely will not see commercial success and music labels are taking
this research very seriously. You should too.

Through our partnership with Loudeye Technologies, a Seattle-based
company we have been able to analyze approximately 3.5 million songs.
This includes almost everything that has been released by the music
labels since the 1950's until the present time. The database is
updated weekly with new releases. The analysis application is able
to "listen to" any CD and isolate patterns in many musical events,
some of which are melody, harmony, tempo, pitch, octave, beat,
rhythm, fullness of sound, noise, brilliance, and chord progression.
This is a process called Spectral Deconvolution. Each song is then
mapped onto a grid we call the music universe and is positioned
according to its mathematical characteristics. Each song is
represented by a dot on the universe and the songs on one end of the
universe are vastly different from songs on the other end of the
universe. Songs with mathematical similarities are positioned very
close to one another.


What do hit songs have in common with each other?:
We were so astounded by how songs with similar mathematical patterns
related to each other that we asked ourselves a few questions:

Is music appreciation learned?
Is it genetic?
Is it tied to culture?
In the course of trying to answer those questions there was one
question that also begged an answer. That question was:

What do hit songs have in common with each other?

In order to answer that question we removed all of the songs from the
music universe that had not been hits in the past five years. An
amazing thing happened. The songs that were left were grouped into a
limited number of small clusters all over the universe but with vast
spaces between them, as illustrated below.

Hit songs seemed to have common characteristics. It was rare to see a
song that fell outside of the clusters and had become a hit. But
every time we spotted one we identified it and when we listened to a
few of those songs it was immediately apparent why this was so. Most
of the time it was due to their lyrical content which our application
does not analyze nor understand. For example, some hip hop songs have
become popular, not because of the music but rather because of the
lyrics. A patriotic song that was released shortly after the
September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US became popular,
again, not because of the music but because of the power of the
message in the lyrics.

It then become obvious that many factors influence whether a song
becomes a hit or not. Who the artist is. Where they are in their
career. Who they are dating. What they wore to the Grammys and not
least importantly how much money and effort was put into promoting a
given song.

We realized that we could help music labels predict the hit potential
of new music by analyzing new tracks and superimposing them on the
already existing clusters. Below is an illustration of 12 songs from
a new CD as analyzed and graphed on the universe of hits.

In this illustration there are two songs that fall squarely within
hit clusters. Most of the time the hit songs are easily recognizable
by professionals at the music labels. Other times songs sound and
feel like hits and even the call-out research comes back positive but
when the song is released it does not perform to expectations. Our
technology helps labels see which songs may or may not have the
mathematical characteristics that help predict success or failure in
today's market. There are currently an overwhelming majority of
misses promoted rather than "hits". Our technology is helping labels
turn this ratio in their favor.

As we said at the beginning of this explanation:

To have a hit song you should ideally be able to answer "yes" to the
following three questions:

1. Does the song sound like a hit?
2. Does the song have encouraging mathematical patterns?
3. Does the songs have the right kind of promotion for the current
market?
We can only help you answer the second question. But our research has
shown that if the answer to that question is "no" your song most
likely will not see commercial success and music labels are taking
this research very seriously. You should too.

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IFS reader Charlie Craig wrote me

songmachine@... writes:

My name is Charlie Craig. I have been a songwriter in Nashville for
35 years. I have a new cd out with myself performing some of the hits
I have been fortunate to write or co-write over the years. Some of
the selections are:
Wanted (a hit by Alan Jackson)
Between An Old Memory And Me (recorded by Keith Whitley and later a
hit for Travis Tritt)
I Would Like To See You Again (a hit by Johnny Cash)
She's Single Again (a hit by Janie Fricke)
Let's Get Over Them Together (a hit duet by Moe Bandy & Becky Hobbs)
Following The Feeling (a hit duet by Moe Bandy & Judy Bailey)
Brittany Allyn sings the female songs and performs the two duets with
me.

Other songs on the CD include
She's Got A Way (recorded by Aaron Tippin)
I'll Take The Memories (recorded by Lorrie Morgan)
Bring On The Night (recorded by Alan Jackson)
Lay A Little Loving On Me (recorded by B.J. Thomas, Wayne Newton,
Bill Medley, Del Reeves)
Midnight Tennessee Woman (I performed this song, along with 5 others
in the Robert Duvall award winning movie Tender Mercies)

There are several other songs on the cd and chats bewteen myself and
Aaron Tippin, and myself and Lorrie Morgan.

Your songwriting members might be interested in another songwriters
cd. It can be purchased through my website
www.charliecraig.com or through cdbaby.com

The title of the cd is "Old Memories And Me." It will be released to
radio January 10th on an indy label called Acclaim Records. The first
single will be "Between An Old Memory And Me" and you should be able
to buy it in stores by February, especially at Walmarts.

Regards,
Charlie Craig



Write on!

Ande Rasmussen
Editor and Publisher of I F S, Inspirations For Songwriters

Contact info is:

Ande Rasmussen
835 Martindale Falls
Martindale, TX 78655

AndeRasmussen@...
512-217-2728 cell

You can read my Bio at:
http://hometown.aol.com/anderasmussen/myhomepage/profile.html

YOu can hear a few of my tunes at:
http://www.soundclick.com/anders

If you want receive IFS or change your email address with IFS
send an email to difs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

FORWARD IFS to your songwriting friends!

IFS home page is
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS

All IFS messages are archived on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/messages

Once you're in the IFS archive, if you're looking for something in
particular, you can do a key word search

I F S stands for Inspirations for Songwriters, I F S is an ezine for
songwriters filled with inspirational and practical information about
the art, craft, and business of songwriting. We want to help YOU
become a more successful songwriter.

COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
The entire text of
"Inspirations for Songwriters"
© 2004 Anders Rasmussen