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Inspirations For Songwriters (I F S)
IFS aims to INSPIRE YOU into ACTION
over 2,600 songwriters, music publishers, artists, and
music fans receive IFS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/
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Please FORWARD IFS to your songwriting friends

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Allow IFS slide past your SPAM FILTERS.

IFS hopes to help you E N L A R G E your
songwriting ability and results.

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DID YOU KNOW THAT 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

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Wanna know the easy way to find the IFS home page?
Type in
www.SongwriterBlog.com
or
www.SongwritingBlog.com

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Dear IFS readers

I hope you're doing well
One of my 2004 goals is to create a decent looking website for
myself.
I'm really gonna get on this and get it done before the year ends.
I think I'm going to use
http://www.citymaker.com/
to build it.
Would you suggest something else?

New Yorkers I'll be in New York City on vacation
from Sat Dec 18 – Sat Dec 25th
maybe we can meet or catch one of your gigs

Tonight I plan to attend Austin Songwriters Groups December 2004
Meeting at Threadgills, more details below. The board and volunteers
are working hard and have an excellent line up for tonight.
Hope to see you there.

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A painter paints pictures on canvas.
But musicians paint their pictures on silence.
~Leopold Stokowski

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AUSTIN SONGWRITERS GROUP
Official December 2004 Announcements

Speaking of celebrations, we are looking forward to tomorrow with our
last official Threadgill's show of the year, and it's going to be one
that should not be missed. (If you're not familiar with Threadgill's
World HQ downtown, it's at Barton Springs and Riverside Drive right
across from the Embassy Suites Hotel.)

Open Mic 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
bring your guitar,
play on the Threadgill's stage.
The order will be FIRST Sign up FIRST Perform
The earlier you are, the better chances of your playing.
(Limit 2 songs per person –
They want to give everyone a chance to play)

8:00 pm - 10:00 pm is ASG's Writers in the Round:
Featuring:

Scott Hawley
www.ScottHawley.com

Chip Dolan
Google "chip dolan" he's quite accomplished

Pauline Reese
http://www.paulinereese.com/

Monte Warden
Songwriter and Recording artist
Cowrote George Strait's top 10 single "Desperately" with Bruce
Robison.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2004-04-
02/music_feature.html
http://www.clickdesign.com/montewarden/
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/warden_monte/artist.jhtml
Google "monte warden" to discover more

Come out and enjoy this really great lineup!

www.austinsongwritersgroup.com

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I got this email from Let's Talk Music

LetstalkMusic.com Email Broadcast
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi All,

We've some great news for you. In the last few days a whole lots of
new opportunities have been posted on the boards in a variety of
genres. Each one is a genuine and excellent opportunity and LTM are
working directly with the people making the decisions. The people
you're writing for are huge stars and if you're successful it might
be one of those career changing moments.

Act fast though. These opps do not run forever and if you don't
submit to them then you have no chance at all with them. Remember
someone will get chosen. So it's your choice!

To check these new opps out and submit go to:

http://www.letstalkmusic.com/opportunities/index.aspx

Here are a few words about each one:

Opp 136 - Jentina - Ends 1st Dec 04 - Urban
Currently recording her new album Jentina is still looking for co-
writes. Album is due for release in March 2005

Opp 137 - Rachel Stevens - Ends 1st Dec 04 - Pop
Looking for 70s / 80s/ glam pop rock material, Rachel's last album
got into the UK top 10. The album is almost finished so quick
turnaround is required.

Opp 131 - Dance Label requires material for mix of - Ends 10th Dec
04 - Dance. UK based dance label is actively looking for great
material for its artists being solo and group orientated.

Opp 132 - VANY looking for pop R&B - Ends 10th Dec 04 - R&B
German artist Vany is currently in the process of recording her new
album and is still looking for pop/r&b tracks. Lyrics must be in
English. Album is due for release in April.

0pp 135 - Faith Evans - urban - Ends 15th Dec 04 - R&B
Singer Faith Evans - who's last album went Top 40 in the USA is
looking for co-writes for her new album. No date for release of album
but she is already in the studio so need to be quick.

Opp 140 - Liberty X - Ends 18th Dec 04 - Pop
Currently in the studio with a release date of March 2005, but still
looking for material, Liberty X are looking for pop/urban tracks.

Opp 139 - Gareth Gates - Ends 20th Dec 04 - Pop
To follow up his last Top 20 Album Gareth is looking for pop-rock in
the style of Maroon 5 / New Radicals for his next album. he is
currently in the studio but no release date has been set.

Opp 133 - Female singer looking for pop/r&b - Ends 23rd Dec 04 - Pop
MYA is currently recording her new album although no release date has
been set. Signed to a major label in the States she is looking for
danceable pop/rock - like Prince or early Janet Jackson.

Opp 138 - Simon Webbe - Ends 1st Jan 05 - Pop
Taking a year out from successful boy band Blue, Simon is in the
process of recording his first solo album. No date of release is set
as yet and he is looking for Pop / MoR with up-lifting distin...

Opp 134 - Sophie Ellis Bextor - Co-writes - Ends 3rd Jan 05 - Pop
Sophie has a new album planned for the new year and is looking for co-
writers ONLY. She has not specified whether that is for music or
lyrics. Send either or both.

Songwriters, Artists Fantastic Opportunity - Ends 10th Feb 05 - Pop
Major Music Publishing is looking for unpublished songs with chart
potential. They are looking for new talent to supplement their staff
writers. Artists listen up too! Two new record labels are abo...

To submit go to:

http://www.letstalkmusic.com/opportunities/index.aspx

But there's more news.

After taking on board many of the requests about the on-site player
we've now implemented them and you can now check out the new player
at www.letstalkmusic.com Simply choose any track to play, the player
will come up automatically, and enjoy.

As requested the player shows more information about what's being
played as well as having a very pleasant little new slider.

We'll keep you posted as we get more opps in but don't forget to
check in from time to time to see what's there. Alternatively come
and have a chat on the forums which are always busy and are very
friendly.

Best wishes from LTM and keep making the music!

LTM Admin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
www.letstalkmusic.com

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Christian and Worship songwriters
check out
www.shareSong.org

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Ever Checked out
http://www.GreetingCard.org/

Here are their writer guidelines
It shares some tips that could apply to lyric writing as well

http://www.greetingcard.org/pdf/GCA_Writers_Guidelines.pdf

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I love hearing from IFS readers

Subj: MISSING THE MARK

From: cledford@...

Ande,

I have something that I would like to share with you and, if you
think that it is worthy of your newsletter, please feel free to print
it. I am almost certain that I am not the only one that has been
guilty of "missing the mark." Here goes . . .
Although I am a retired high school administrator and thought that
I would have a "world of time" to offer toward writing gospel music
full-time, I found myself "missing the mark" with the time available
to me for songwriting. I had let other things creep into my daily
schedule that took away from my time as a songwriter. It was as if I
had never retired! I began to notice that some of these things were
insignificant and were distracting from the time that I should be
working on my craft as a songwriter.
Just to mention a few: checking e-mails several times a day,
responding to e-mails several times a day, doing paperwork in the
studio, packaging demos for mailing all during the day, cleaning the
studio, and thinking of ways to make my working environment more
comfortable.
I looked back at the "Songwriter's Golden Rules" that you gave to
us many months ago and reread the second rule of songwriters. It
states that, "our main job as songwriters is to write incredible
songs."
While becoming engrossed in the administrative and secretarial
aspect of everything, I was neglecting precious time that I could
have spent reading about my craft, practicing my craft, and putting
my knowledge to good use by penning that "hit" song! In other words,
I was "missing the mark!"
To correct this problem, I developed a priority list. When I come
to the studio, I have set aside a time to do the administrative and
secretarial duties and I have set aside a time to write and produce
new songs. I am amazed at the difference that it has made in my
songwriting! I have really been blessed with some powerful gospel
songs because I took time to be attentive to God. By being
attentive, I have been inspired to write songs that will definitely
touch the lives of others!
All that it took to make these changes was the realization that I
was "missing the mark." The "mark" being "songwriting." Although so
obvious, it was so inconspicuous in many ways!
Is there anyone else that is "missing the mark?" If so, I suggest
that you sit down and make out a priority list of things that you
must do when you take time to write songs. As number one on my list,
I am going to place, "SONGWRITING!" Regardless of your occupation or
your retirement status, when taking time for songwriting, make that
time a "golden opportunity for success!"
I hope that by sharing this e-mail with others and by sharing my
analylitical perspective, we, as songwriters, can become more
competent at our craft!
Thanks for listening!

Craig W. Ledford

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Congratulations to Byron Hill

Gary Allan #1

Gary Allan's "NOTHING ON BUT THE RADIO" remains at #1 for a second
week in Billboard Magazine, and goes to #1 in R&R Magazine next
week. Thanks to
everyone who called radio and requesred the record. Thank you Gary,
John, Hannah, Odie, Brice, Mark, Scott and everyone at the label,
and to everyone at Radio!

"NOTHING ON BUT THE RADIO" was written by Byron Hill, Odie Blackmon,
and Brice Long.

For more information visit: _www.byronhillmusic.com_
(http://www.byronhillmusic.com)

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Speaking of Byron Hill I received this announcement from Doak

Byron Hill - Dave Gibson Songwriting Seminar
Saturday Jan. 29th


Ande,

Please forward the seminar with Byron Hill and Dave Gibson to your
great group of songwriters. The event will take place in Dave
Gibson's studio/home in Nashville, TN.

This is a very unique seminar for songwriters, including the "33 and
1/3" co-writing session where the pros will write to the best title
brought in by a participant and that person is a co-writer on the
song with Byron and Dave and "Fly on the Wall" session.

Details below!
Byron also wrote the #1 song on the charts this week - Gary
Allan's "Nothin' On but the Radio". Byron is the person that brought
Gary to Nashville and produced his first album. Now - years later,
they combined for a #1 song!

Doak

Songwriting Seminar and House Concert with
Dave Gibson and Byron Hill

Saturday, January 29th, 2005

Limited to 25 participants

Dave Gibson www.dave-gibson.com
(Queen of Memphis),
(Lonely and Gone),
(Ships That Dont Come In) and Gibson-Miller Band will discuss:

+ Writing to the Groove or Guitar Lick

+ Starting with your guitar lick

+ From the top to bottom, the process of writing hit songs.

+ Editing yourself what Not to put in your song

+ What is a great idea and what is not

+ Not Stopping till you find your best line

Byron Hill www.byronhillmusic.com
(Fool Hearted Memory),
(Born Country),
(Nothin' on but the Radio) and 400+ cuts will discuss:

The Art of Co-Writing

+ Best ways to co-write with a hit writer

+ Co-write with an artist

+ Ways to initiate the co-write

+ Tricks of the trade

+ Pitfalls of co-writing

33 and 1/3 Co-writing session.
Bring your song idea, and one will be chosen for Dave and Byron to
write that song. Participant whose title is chosen will be 1/3 co-
writer on the song. All participants will be Fly on The Wall,
watching the pros write the song. The song will be demoed by Dave
Gibson.

A House Concert with Dave and Byron on Saturday evening.


Sunday, Jan. 30th
"One-on-One Sessions with the pros are available at
$45.00 for (1/2) hour and
$80.00 for (1) hour.


To Register: Send your check
$145.00 by December 31st.
$175.00 on or after Jan. 1
$225.00 price will be and week of even (If any openings)
Lunch is included for the Saturday Seminar.
Be sure to include your Sunday one-on-one session fees with your
registration check.

Checks to:
Doak Turner
PO Box 121456
Nashville, TN 37212.
Questions:
doakt@... and 615-354-6400.

(Organizers reserve the right to cancel if there are not enough
participants.
All money will be refunded in full to participants)

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From: sara@...

Thanks for your e-mail. Sara Church has a new project out!!!
Order a CD and be sure to not miss her in
Nashville on
December 7th at the
Bluebird Cafe!!!!

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From: nolen@...

Hi Ande,

Still enjoy your IFS! Just wanted to let you know that Tony Douglas
(a Country Music legend in Texas) just released a video of a song he
recorded of mine in 1965. The video premier was in Canton, Texas
last weekend. The song and video are DID I SAY SOMETHING WRONG. It
was written when I was a contract writer with Acuff-Rose Pub. Tracy
Pitcox at KNEL Radio 95.3 FM Brady, Texas has been playing the song a
lot. You might even pick it up in Austin.

Glen Vest who was in the hit TV show Walker, Texas Ranger for 8 years
acted in and produced the video. He did a fantastic job.It was a
first for both Tony and me. Tony had never done a video and I had
never had a video made from one of my songs.

Texas Country music fans are GREAT! The crowds were there to support
Tony and they love him.

I had never met Tony until last year when he performed at the One
More Ride show at the Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport, La.(home of
the KWKH Louisiana Hayride). It was an event to get all the past
performers at the Hayride together again. He is the absolute Country
Gentleman that loves Texas and his fans. He turned down a contract
to be on the Grand Ole Opry simply because he loved Athens, Texas and
that is where he wanted to be. He is still there today!

Also, Tony is wanting to do another video of a song of mine that was
a weekly winner in the latest Nashville Song Search contest,
Traditional Country Category. Another one of my songs was one of
only four to reach the finals in the Traditional Country Category in
the same contest.

Keep the IFS coming!
Nolen Brown
Minden, Louisiana

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Ande,

i really appreciate all the kind words of encouragement you've given
me and Sam and I look forward to seeing you soon...we're releasing
another single to Texas radio come January, we'll be on the January
CD Tex....
have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!
take care,
all the best,
Templeton:)

Templeton Thompson
http://www.templetonthompson.com/

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What's Up With Leonard
From: lpat96@...

Hi Ande ---

I just wanted to drop you a note and let you know what's going on
with me. My band, Living Proof is continuing to sell our first full-
length CD: Price of a Dream and find opportunities to perform here in
Indianapolis, IN. In fact... I've got a tip for people that may be
in bands or artists performing for New Year's Eve that seemed to work
out really well.

We used our cd as a negotiation tool. We are playing at a popular
restaurant/bar for New year's Eve. Nowadays, most places will have
dinner, champagne, party favors, etc. for a set price and maybe
dancing afterwards. Well, instead of asking for a higher paycheck,
we took a "cut" and asked the owner if he would be interested in
making our CD a part of the evening's "package". He agreed. And
we're selling him 100 CDs upfront to give away for everyone that
makes a reservation that night. Now, we also gave him a discount
price -- $7 a cd, instead of $10. But 100 more people will have our
cd in one night, and we will have made $700 before we played a note.
We're just a little excited, if you couldn't tell.

And yes, our collaboration: "Say It Like U Mean It" is on that CD.
You can hear a clip of the song we worked on -- and the whole cd --
by going to www.priceofadream.com. The band's website it
www.livingproofmusic.com

If you could encourage fellow IFSers to check it out, that would be
cool. Thanks Ande, hope you're doing well. And OH, by the way ---
yes, I do read IFS to the very end.

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If you are a passionate expert or received some sort of notoriety
consider being a professional speaker. As a professional speaker you
may be able to significantly supplement your artist and songwriting
income.

Miles Copeland does some professional speaking and IMG books him.

http://www.imgspeakers.com/speakers.asp

http://www.imgspeakers.com/speaker_detail.asp?SpeakerID=177

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Did you know that Miles Copeland hosts an annual songwriter's retreat
where he brings together writers and artists from all over the world
to his castle in the Dordogne region of France. This has led to hits
for platinum selling artists such as Celine Dion, Aerosmith, Jars of
Clay, Toby Keith, Aaron Tippin and Jon Bon Jovi. The castle retreat
is now held twice annually, in May and September.

I believe each day they put 3 songwriters together and tell them to
write and finish a song before the day is done.

I think several IFS readers have attended this special invitation
only event.

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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@...

You can read my Bio at:
http://www.AndeRasmussen.com/

You can hear a few of my tunes at:
http://songramp.com/ande
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

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"
(c) 2004 Anders Rasmussen

Does anyone ever read IFS to the very end?