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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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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 Friends,

I hope this email finds you well
it's been a while
I just got back from 8 days in New York,
I saw several broadway plays,
Moving Out, Rent, and Chicago to name a few.
I heard many amazing broadway singers.

Hard to believe it but this year is just about done,
Now is the perfect time to look back on the progress you made and
look ahead on your dreams and plans for 2005.

My biggest suggestion for you is to
plan and prepare for what lies ahead.
Plan and prepare for the opportunities you'll encounter.

Will you be ready to:

1) Offer some amazing ideas to new excellent cowriters?

2) pitch your songs online and by mail on a moments notice?

3) have your songwriting craft at such a level you'll win the respect
of those you respect?

4) capture and maximize the great song ideas you'll discover?

5) create or obtain demos that convince producers, artists and
publishers that they were written by a professional songwriter?

Congratulations on 2004 and I wish you the best in 2005

here's some info that's likely to help you along your songwriting
journey

IFS readers thank you for your friendship,

Ande Rasmussen
835 martindale Falls
Martindale, TX 78655

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check out
www.songu.com
they are doing some really great things

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check out durango song radio

http://www.live365.com/broadcast/scheduler/?
stationname=durangosong1&site=durangosong1

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in an interview jeffery steele said al anderson told him to:

"just say what you're trying to say"
- big al

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For the Creative Soul
Being You

Every so often an artist or musician relates a story to me about how
someone
told them they need to do something that would make them unique, and
make
them stand out. Maybe they could be more like Rachael Lampa, or Chris
Rice,
or Matt Redman.

They then obsess about this, and start to doubt themselves.

Just hearing someone or seeing those artists perform makes them
think, "What
am I? And why am I special? I can't do what they're doing!"

I've even had artists who get physically ill when they see the
talents of
others, and all that the world (yes even the Christian world) has
bestowed
on them.

Sometimes we get so caught up in what we want to be, that we forget
who we
were made to be. We forget that the God of the universe one day
decided to
put all his mighty power into making each of us.

If God is vast and large enough to make every atom of this universe
work
together for His will, then He certainly knew what He was doing with
each
individual, intelligent person He allowed to be born and gifted with
innate
talents.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I
set you
apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5)

So, you read that and go, "Whoa, cool".

Then you sit back and go, "Yeah but I still can't sing like Steven
Curtis
Chapman!!"

Really? Wow, good thing God made Steve Curtis Chapman then.

Seriously, were you formed by God to be someone else? Of course not.
God
already made Steven Curtis to be the wonderful songwriter and artist
he is
(but maybe not movie actor), and he formed you to be what you are.

What are you?

Take a look at your life. What has been a constant? Has a good part
of your
life been consumed with music or instruments or singing or the arts or
writing or some other creative talent?

I bet if you are reading this right now, you could ask your parents,
friends, church members, and they would say that you are the creative
type
you think you are.

Now, here's the rub: Be you.

Find the strange, wonderful, odd, cool, creative thing about you, your
talent, your background, your life experience, your worst days, your
best
days...let it all flow together, and that confluence of good, bad,
and ugly
stuff is YOU.

God didn't make you to be someone else, He made you to be the person
you are
through the life you've been given.

The question now is, that you know all that, what have you done with
it?
Have you given the talent that God gave you ALL that you have? Have
you put
your talent and your gifts in the best light, best stage, and best
use?

People wonder, why can't that be me? Well, from my perspective it CAN
be
you.

Are you willing to put all the resources at your disposal to make the
most
of your talents?

- to be continued -

EC
---------------------------------------
Eric Copeland
Producer . Writer . Consultant
---------------------------------------
We've moved our production & development company to Nashville.
Come and learn to be the ministry and artist God made you to be.
---------------------------------------
Creative Soul, Studio Production and Artist Development
www.CreativeSoulOnline.com
Nashville, TN | 859-492-6403
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------

Thanks for all your attention, business, work, and friendship this
year. We're going to do great things for the Lord in Nashville in
2005, and I hope you are all able to benefit from the work,
knowledge, and wisdom that we find along the way.

Enjoy your day.

Your friend,

Eric
---------------------------------------
Eric Copeland
Producer . Writer . Consultant
Creative Soul, Studio Production and Artist Development
www.CreativeSoulOnline.com
Nashville, TN | 859-492-6403


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IFS reader Vince Boston created the
Songwriting 101 group at google groups.

he wrote

Feel free to post anything you like, lyrics, info, your advice to new
songwriters, whatever. (I know you have lots of songwriting wisdom)

Please invite whomever you like to join this page, the more the
merrier!

Mike Parker, Glen King, myself and a few other people are already
members. I have a few interesting articles that I've posted from the
internet, various books and magazines and of my own experiences. My
hope is to create an environment that will foster creative thought
and that will also help shed the light on the mysterious and
sometimes intimidating world of the Music Business.

All are welcome to join and if you would like to mention this group
on IFS, feel free.

Also, any suggestions as to make this site better, more interesting
or helpful will be appreciated! :)


Yours in songwriting--

Vince
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/7/vincebostonmusic.htm


http://groups-beta.google.com/group/Songwriting101

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Dear Academy Member,

As a voting member of the Recording Academy, you should be receiving
your final ballot for the 47th GRAMMY Awards within one week
following our
mailing date of Wednesday, December 15, 2004.

Please ensure that your ballot reaches the offices of Deloitte in Los
Angeles by the Wednesday, January 12, 2005 deadline.

If you do not receive your ballot within one week of our mailing date
please
contact the GRAMMY office via e-mail at ballot@... or by
phone (310) 392-0439.

If you would prefer to priority ship your ballot back to the offices
of
Deloitte please do so using the following address:

Deloitte.
Attn: M. Robinson
350 S. Grand Ave
Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(213) 688-0800

Please note: your ballot must be first enclosed in the Deloitte
envelope
provided with your ballot. That envelope may then be enclosed in your
FedEx
or Priority mail envelope.

Our prime-time GRAMMY awards show will air February 13, 2005 on CBS-
TV,
broadcast live from Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Thank you for participating in the 47th GRAMMY Awards process. Your
vote is key to the success and integrity of our process.

The Recording Academy Awards Department

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Dear Voting Member:

It has come to our attention that some of our members have received
direct
solicitations from individuals and or record companies regarding the
GRAMMY
voting process.

Please know that the Academy does not authorize or condone any kind
of
direct vote solicitation.  Also, the Academy has not and will not
release
any member contact information to any outside source.  Unfortunately,
we
have no control over the mailing lists of outside sources.

We ask that you continue to vote for the most deserving recordings
and not
be influenced by any type of vote solicitation.

Best regards,

Rob Accatino
Membership & Marketing Manager
The Recording Academy

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SEXY MUSIC WITH VOCALS NEEDED FOR HBO SERIES

LA Music supervision company seeks sexy music, including music with
specific  lyrics about sex and making love for hit HBO show. Music
needed immediately. See online job description for complete details.


----------------------------------------------------
TO SUBMIT FOR THIS JOB:
Film Music Network members click on:
http://www.filmmusic.net/memberarea/jobSearchByJobId.html?job_id=4242

or login to the members-only area at www.filmmusic.net and access the
Film Music Job Board for complete submission information.

TO JOIN THE FILM MUSIC NETWORK
If you'd like to become a part of the Film Music Network and receive
access to all JobWire listings, online streaming events of Film Music
Network events, our Salary and Rate survey, free legal and audio
mastering and more, visit
http://www.filmmusic.net/join.html and get instant access to our
members-only area.

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SongwriterUniverse.com December 2004 Monthly Newsletter

In This Issue:

New "Best Song Of The Month" Winners Announced
Great New Articles &Interviews Coming Soon!

The deadline for the next song contest is December 31
New SingerUniverse "Best Vocalist Of The Month" Winners Announced

New Article in SongwriterUniverse Magazine
Message from Dale Kawashima (head of SongwriterUniverse)


New "Best Song Of The Month" Winners Announced

SHERISE VALLEY of Vancouver, BC, Canada (pictured right), has won
this month's song contest, for her song "Over The Border."

In addition, here are the other Top Five songs of the month:

"Angel". Written by Nina Martinez &Edwin Ramos of Bridgeport, CT.

"Latin Girl". Written by Zak Crawford of Paletine, IL & Darrell Sean
Peart of Mundelein, IL.

"Path 2 Luv". Written by Dmitry Rybnikov of Moscow, Russia &Donna
Wintergreen of Chicago, IL.

"Wanna Believe". Written by Michael Heart of Long Beach, CA.

You can listen to their mp3s, and contact them directly. Their
contact info and links are listed on the "Best Song Of The Month"
Winners page.
Click here to read the Winners Article





The deadline for the next song contest is December 31

ENTRIES ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE NEXT, 'BEST SONG OF THE MONTH"
CONTEST:

The deadline for the next, monthly contest is December 31. The
winning songwriter will be written about for a very positive article
at SongwriterUniverse. The four, free prizes for the contest winner
are: (1) a copy of the "A&R Registry" directory book (pictured
right); (2) a copy of the "Indie Bible" resource book for independent
artists; (3) the instructional video, "Guitar Playing For
Songwriters," by top Nashville session guitarist Gary Talley; and (4)
a free service with musicSUBMIT.com, which is a website &press
release submission service. The entry fee is only $12 per song (or
$20 to enter two songs). Click here to read the song contest
instructions





New Article in SongwriterUniverse Magazine

"SUPERHOT MIKE ELIZONDO CO-WRITES &PRODUCES 'JUST LOSE IT' FOR EMINEM
&'IN DA CLUB' FOR 50 CENT."

There is a new, feature article on Mike Elizondo (pictured right),
who is one of the hottest writer/producers in the music business.
Working primarily with Dr. Dre, he has co-written &produced the smash
hits "Just Lose It" by Eminem, "In Da Club" by 50 Cent, "Let Me Blow
Ya Mind" by Eve (featuring Gwen Stefani), "Family Affair" by Mary J.
Blige, and "The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem.

You can read about how Elizondo made the transition from being a bass
player getting into the business, to becoming a top writer/producer.
He also talks about working in the studio with Dr. Dre, Eminem and 50
Cent. Click here to read the Mike Elizondo article





Great New Articles &Interviews Coming Soon!

We are very excited to announce that ALANIS MORISSETTE has agreed to
be interviewed for a special article in SongwriterUniverse! The
interview will take place in mid-January, and the article should be
online shortly thereafter.

There are other great articles that will be featured soon. We will be
interviewing "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard for a special
article in SingerUniverse. Superstar vocal coach Seth Riggs (Stevie
Wonder, Josh Groban, Barbra Streisand, Christina Aguilera) and hit
producer Ric Wake (Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin) have
also agreed to be interviewed.

We are striving to bring you the best interviews &articles possible,
to truly improve the content of both SongwriterUniverse
&SingerUniverse. There will be many other, great articles posted in
the coming months.
Click here to check out SongwriterUniverse Magazine





New SingerUniverse "Best Vocalist Of The Month" Winners Announced

JASON BROWN (pictured right) of San Diego. CA, has won the
December "Best Vocalist Of The Month" Competition, for his
performance of his new song "Sing &Play".

Here are the other Top Vocalists of the month:

JOEY PEARSON of Hinesville, GA, performng the Stevie Wonder classic
song "I Wish."

NINA MARTINEZ of Bridgeport, CT, performing &co-writing the song, "I
Need A Man."

SUSAN LOPEZ of Simi Valley, CA, performing and writing the
song, "Celebrate With Me".

DIANE JESSURUN of Laguna Niguel, CA, performing and writing the
song, "Don't Forget Me".

You can listen to their mp3s, and contact them directly. Their
contact info and links are listed on the "Best Vocalist Of The Month"
Winners page.
Click here to read this article


Message from Dale Kawashima (head of SongwriterUniverse)

Happy Holidays! I hope you're in the midst of enjoying a great
holiday season.

Here is a brief summary of the state of the music industry, as it
pertains to songwriters and publishers:

After a strong first half of 2004, where CD sales were up 7% compared
to the first half of 2003, CD sales leveled off in the second half of
2004. So for the overall year, sales ended up just 2% higher than
2003, which was a poor year for the industry. Online music sales are
growing rapidly (from iTunes and other sites), but it's still just a
fraction (about 3%) of the overall music income. Hopefully, online
sales will become a larger percentage of the overall income in 2005-
6. Because of the leveling off of sales, there is now intense
competition for songwriters and publishers to place their songs in
films, TV shows and commercials. So while there are many
opportunities still for songwriters to generate income, it's very
competitive in all the various media and income streams.

Thank you for reading our latest newsletter, and for your continued
interest in SongwriterUniverse. We will be working hard in 2005 to
make both SongwriterUniverse & SingerUniverse the best sites
possible. Also, I would like to encourage songwriters and vocalists
to enter our respective Best Song and Best Vocalist contests. In
particular, because SingerUniverse is a new site, there are fewer
entrants to compete with for the "Best Vocalist Of The Month"
Competition.

Best regards,
Dale Kawashima
SongwriterUniverse &SingerUniverse
Los Angeles

visit
SongwriterUniverse.com

Visit
SingerUniverse.com

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from West Coast Songwriters:

Dear Subscriber,

The January newsletter has been posted to the website.
http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org/assets/images/Jan05.pdf

West Coast Songwriters’ Executive Director, Ian Crombie, will be in
England through January 13th. You will still be able to reach him
through email ian@... The office will be
monitored but not open during this period.

WIP Hosts Needed
Are you willing to host a Works in Progress in your area? If you want
more information you can email ian at ian@...
or call the WCS office at (650) 654-3966

Please note on the website â€" We have a number of upcoming
songwriting classes and workshops.

Songs Wanted
Robert Smith and Gary Tackett are finishing up their album for SJR
Records on Feb 27th - Mar 3rd and need great songs. Higher range
vocal w/ harmonies. You can go to the website to hear the type of
songs they have already and scroll down to hear "You're Right"
and "Weatherman". Send songs to: Gary Tackett, Smith and Jones c/o
SJR Records, 506 Baywood Court, Vacaville CA 95688 707-628-9460


Happy Holidays!
Ian
West Coast Songwriters
http://www.westcoastsongwriters.org

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an excellent note from wizard academy

Success Through Discontent

Success is conceived in the womb of the mind the moment you look
around and say, "I don't belong here. These are not my people." And
it is born when you cogently express - to yourself and to the world -
who you really are.

So who are you, really, and how will you express it? Will you rise
above your circumstances? Please understand I'm not talking about
money.

For the person born with privileges, success may be to rise above the
shallowness that so often accompanies aristocracy and do something
meaningful with his or her life. William K. Vanderbilt Jr. was this
sort of success.

For the person born into a family of redneck bastards, success may be
to develop an open and curious mind and become familiar with the
arts. Such a success was William Jefferson Blythe IV.

For the person who feels unloved, success may be to love others with
such fierceness that their love is multiplied exponentially in
return. Clara Barton succeeded using this technique.

As ad writer H. Jackson Brown once said, "People take different roads
seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your
road doesn't mean they've gotten lost."

Your rocky sidewalk to Success will be found by:
(1.) knowing who you are.
(2.) identifying the itch you need to scratch.
(3.) overcoming the factors that block your progress.

Accomplish these things and you will have discovered your destiny and
answered the question: "Why am I here and what should I be doing with
my life?"

That's why lottery winners so often become despondent; who they are
hasn't changed, but they can no longer pretend their unhappiness is
caused by a lack of cash. These sad souls exemplify the pithy
observation of Frank McKinney Hubbard, "It's pretty hard to tell what
does bring happiness. Poverty and wealth have both failed."

Any goal that begins with the words, "My goal is to have" is certain
to bring unhappiness. Goals that scratch your life-itch are the ones
that begin, "I will serve people by.

gathering what they want and having it in stock when they need it.
Sam Walton

making them feel good about who they are. Oprah Winfrey

designing an automobile they can afford to own. Henry Ford

creating worlds of fantasy into which they can escape. Steven
Spielberg

having hot food available for them at a moment's notice. Ray Kroc

writing songs that help them celebrate life. Richard Rodgers and
Oscar Hammerstein

People who live only for the consumption of pleasure are the walking
dead. But you care about others. So who are your people and how do
you plan to serve them?

What is holding you back and how will you overcome it?

Where do you belong and when will you go there?

Why not 2005?

Happy New Year.

Roy H. Williams

"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have
more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so
they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You
must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in
order to have what you want." - Margaret Young

"If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good
time."
Edith Wharton

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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?