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Inspirations For Songwriters (I F S)
IFS aims to INSPIRE YOU into ACTION
over 2,400 songwriters, music publishers, artists, and
music fans receive IFS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/
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DID YOU KNOW THAT All IFS messages are archived on
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Once you're in the IFS archive, if you're looking for something in
Particular, you can do a key word search

Here's an easy way to find the IFS home page, type in:
www.SongwriterBlog.com or www.SongwritingBlog.com

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The IFS Featured Song is

"Those O'le Blue Eyes"

written by Nanci Nation
http://www.songramp.com/view.ez?sampleid=18738
It's a terrific tribute to Frank Sinatra.
Drop by and have a listen for yourself.

If you'd like one of your songs to be considered to be the
IFS Featured Song
send me one email with one link to one song.
I won't download attachments.
I just want hear and point IFS readers to great songs.
Include the songs story if you like.

Send your email to:
AndeRasmussen@...
In the subject field write
IFS FEAT

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Dear IFS Readers,

Hope this email finds you well.
How's 2005 going so far?
Are you closer to or further from your goals?
What are you doing to make them happen?
Got any great news?

Let IFS know

Ande

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Ever heard of COUCH GROUCH?
AKA Robert George from Cochise AZ

He has to be one of the most profilic lyricists I've ever met.
He tends to write one to several IMAGE laden lyrics EACH day and they
tend to be consistently good.

He posts on many internet lyric boards

Infact on TAXI's forum they gave couchgrouch his own PAGE!
http://taxi.proboards27.com/index.cgi

how cool is that?
http://taxi.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=lyrics1

Here's what robert had to say
"yeah, they gave that to me and I didn't even know it!
one day I went to post and my name was on the site! crazy.

I've got a few songs I'm happy with but I'm really looking to break
into the genre of "the Good Stuff" and songs like it
where the verses tell a story and are conversational with a lift in
the chorus. I have managed to sign several songs in the last year or
so, though.

I could also use a few inside contacts, haha. I've got some but
they're hard to cultivate living so far from the hub.
of course that gives me lots of time to write which is good."

Way to go Couch Grouch

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an interesting thread on the 5,000 fan concept is taking place at
http://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/Forum2/HTML/003600.html

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When I presented the lyric to my collaborator, i did so with
trepidation, because it was so simple. Along with the lyric I wrote a
note that said:

OK here's my new lyric and it's simple, which can make it stupid or
brilliant, have a read and let me know which one you feel it might be
~ Ande

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EXPERIMENT

I did a little experiment on songramp.com/ande
I posted 2 songs on the same day
I promoted one and didn't promote the other
Here's how the numbers worked out so far

The song I promoted received
71 Plays and 36 Reviews.

The song I did not promote received
17 Plays and 5 Reviews.

So far the promoted song received
4 times as many plays and
7 times as many reviews.

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check out
Steve Cooper's article
"A Short Guide to Seeking Out the Independent Publisher"

Prompted by the question:
"A demo studio contacted me and as part of their services they'll
pitch my song to the major labels. Is this true?"

http://www.iwritethesongs.com/newsletter/steve_cooper1.cfm

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COWRITE INVITE

Find an artist you love and ask them if they'd like to cowrite.
All they can say is
YES,
Maybe,
Maybe Later or
NO.

It might help to provide them with a reasons to write with you. Like
1)it would be fun,
2)I have a producer who's looking
3)I have an artist or
4)I have a really great idea I think you'll love,
why not take a look at it.

here's a simple direct invite:

hi <songwriter>,

I love your songs and vocals. I have a few idea i think might be
perfect for you. I'd be honored to work on a song with you sometime.

If you'd allow me to send you a few lyrics or song ideas, depending
upon how you prefer to work, maybe we could kick things off and write
a really good song or several.

Thanks!

Ande Rasmussen
www.AndeRasmussen.com
http://songramp.com/ande

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After a long time coming Wake Eastman has finally released his new
debut CD titled
"Against the Grain".
He describes the record as "Pure Grit No Sugar". It's edgy driving
country music that you can sink your teeth into with the lyrics to
back it up. No sissy stuff. The 12 song CD includes the song

"How Can I Miss You (if you won't go away)" featured in the 2003
movie "Lone Star State of Mind" starring Joshua Jackson and DJ
Qualls. Even the ballad

"Raining all over My Heart"
a duet w/ Texas artist Pauline Reese has a certain
edge that cuts to the very soul of pure country music.

Ginger Harris quotes........

"From the upbeat "Light at the End of the Tunnel" (co-written by Ande
Rasmussen) to the haunting "Dead End Road" this singer/songwriter
captures a hardcore country sound all his own. "Against the Grain"
leaves us thinking that Waylon looked down on this project and
blessed it! Excellent quality and I say give me more of this Texas
singer/songwriter. Play this CD!"

Ginger Harris
Harris Music Group
Nashville,TN

Wake Eastman's debut CD "Against the Grain"
can be purchased on his website
www.wakeeastman.com

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ever check out Stephen Bruton?
I think he has the new Jimmy Buffett single.

Here's what folks have to say about him

"If music were a competitive sport, in a league pitting musicians
against each other, there's no
question that the most valuable player on team Austin would be
Stephen Bruton."
- Don McCleese, Austin American Statesman


"Stephen Bruton writes new classics. Part country and part Rhythm &
Blues and pretty much all rock-and-roll, he's a guitar player's
guitar player, a songwriter's singer and the producer of some of the
finest alternative country and R&B recordings I have heard in the
last few years. His songs contain his own brand of wit and roadhouse
wisdom and the observations and reflections of a man willing to look
life full in the face and smile."
- Jackson Browne

"Stephen Bruton writes the best brokenhearted love songs for 30
years"-
- T-Bone Burnette

"Texas tempered vocals, Strat-O-Blasted riffs and timeless songs of
the heart and soul make Stephen Bruton
one of my all-time favorites"
- Sonny Landreth

"Stephen is a great songwriter, a great guitar player and a great
friend"
- Billy Joe Shaver

"Stephen is one of those artists that evolved first as a writer and
now is coming into his own. He's great..."
- Willie Nelson

"Bruton is the best songwriter in America. It's only a matter of time
until some "brilliant" record executive decides to round-up our
favorite singers for the "Tribute to Stephen Bruton" album. I pity
the poor souls who try to top the performances on this new record..."
- Don Was

"I always new that Stephen was a great player, but Lord, I had no
idea that he was that deep from coming from the song well. I
can't stress how good I think the songs are"
- Lee Roy Parnell

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Dear Ande,

Just thanking you Douglas and Liz for the reponses to the co-writing
query. I really liked the common message through all that was said.
You know in the process of asking you about this ,(may I apologise
for the long winded e-mails involved !) I surprised myself with how
totally hung up I was about that one co-writing situation. Having
seen my grievances in print, I really had a burst of 'GET-OVER-IT'.
In truth, in any walk of life I would have been uncomfortable around
this person,we would never have 'clicked'. However,the random draw
from the hat decided we would write a song,
I offered 50/50
he took it,
end of story.

Liz's comment was a lightbulb moment; it's not the 50/50 that
bothered me it was with whom the 50/50 was split. Where she said
about find new co-writers.....as accomplished as you. There is such
truth in this- a level playing field always makes for fairer play but
instantly my own addition to this was 'and people on the same
wavelength as you'. I'm going to shake off that old defensive shield
that went up as a result of that experience and put myself in
sitiuations where it safe to work without it.

Thank you,
Warm Regards,

Allen

~ ~ ~

dear allen,

sounds like you ought to write more songs
it's good if there's a friendship sometimes to get to the heart of a
new song cowriters reveal intimate secrets
so you need to find people who you feel is safe to do this with
i don't think you always need to write up or sideways
sometimes it's good to write down depending upon the situation

if karen taylor good refused to write down she may not have accepted
an appointment with burton collins and she probably never would have
written "How can I help you say good bye" the biggest song of her
career
http://www.musicdish.com/mag/index.php3?id=8162

Ande

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MTV Music Supervisor Seeks Instrumental Hip-Hop Tracks

FILM MUSIC JOBWIRE
A service of Film Music Media Group
January 24, 2005 - Job# 4246
===================================
(Film Music Network Members-Only Job Listing)

---------------------------------------------------------------
REACH MUSIC SUPERVISORS DIRECTLY
Download the industry's most complete
guide to music supervisors, music clearance
and license pros, and studio music executives
2003-2004 MUSIC SUPERVISOR DIRECTORY
Download it today at:
http://www.theindustrystore.com/ne20musudidd.html
---------------------------------------------------------------

MTV MUSIC SUPERVISOR SEEKS INSTRUMENTAL HIP-HOP TRACKS

Music Supervisor for several MTV shows is seeking energetic
instrumental hip-hop tracks for shows including "Pimp My
Ride," "Newlyweds" and others. Several tracks from previous Film
Music Network member submissions were successfully placed with MTV
shows last year through this Music Supervisor.

All tracks must be ready for immediate licensing and be full length
versions of tracks (no medleys/partial tracks/samples of tracks).

It is MTV policy not to pay licensing fees for tracks used for these
programs, however MTV is very careful to file accurate cue sheets for
all shows to enable payment of performance royalties.

Please include complete cue sheet information with all tracks
submitted including writer name, writer affiliation
(ASCAP/BMI/SESAC), publisher name and affiliation, and track name.

Deadline: ASAP

Submission Information: Submit music on CD plus complete contact and
cue sheet information.

----------------------------------------------------

TO SUBMIT FOR THIS JOB:
Film Music Network members click on:
http://www.filmmusic.net/memberarea/jobSearchByJobId.html?job_id=4246
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, free legal and audio mastering
and more, visit http://www.filmmusic.net/join.html and get instant
access to our members-only area.

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP OR WISH TO UPDATE IT
Visit our Membership Services Area at
https://shop.paymentonline.com/film/custgw/submanager/login.html

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Sorry I didn't mention this
It looks like an excellent opportunity
maybe some of you can catch it next time.

Country Music Songwriting Workshop of Nashville

Moderator: Michael Doyle - Major Bob Music

The purpose of this workshop is to advance the songwriting skills of
a select group of writers through intensive song critiques. In
addition to the focus on the craft of songwriting, there will be
extensive presentations of information relating to all aspects of the
music business. The end goal of this workshop is to produce a well-
informed writer who not only has greatly improved his/her ability to
write, but has also come to understand the importance of the business
of songwriting.

FACILITY:
Songwriters Guild of America 1222 16th Ave. S, Suite 25
DATE: January - April 2005

TIME: Monday nights 7-9:30pm

January
24- Song critiques-Leann Phalen-Publisher-Creative Director-
Combustion Music

31- Song critiques- Liz O'Sullivan-Publisher-Sea Gayle Music-Vice
President of Creative

February
7- Song critiques-Kelley Lovelace-Writer-EMI Music-#1 He Didn't Have
to Be, #1 The Impossible, #1 Girls Lie Too

15- Song critiques-Neil Thrasher-Writer-Major Bob Music-#1 There Goes
My Life, #3 I Melt, #3 What Do You Say

21- Song critiques-Michael Dulaney-Writer-Full Circle Music-#1 The
Way You Love Me, #3 You Can't Hide Beautiful

28- Song critiques-Marc Driskill-Assistant Vice President, Membership-
ASCAP

March
7- Song critiques-Clay Bradley-Vice President of-A&R-Sony Records

14- Song critiques-Amy Stevens, Esq.-Vivatone Records-VP of Legal
Affairs and International Licensing

21- Song critiques-Jaime Cheek-Business Management-Flood, Bumstead,
McCready, & McCarthy-Wynonna, Dierks Bentley, Jo Dee Messina, Kelly
Clarkson, Garbage, Soul Live, lostprofits

28- Song critiques-Darrell Brown-Writer-Right Bank Music-#1 Rainin'
On Sunday, #1 You'll Think of Me, #1 Simple Things

April
4- Song critiques-Scot Sherrod-Creative Director/Producer-Major Bob
Music-Lane Turner (Warner Bros Recording artist)

11- Song critiques-Bob Doyle-Manager/Publisher/Owner-Major Bob Music-
Clients: Garth Brooks, George Canyon, Lane Turner, Anthony Smith

18- Song critiques-Frank Liddell-Producer/Publisher/Owner-Carnival
Music (Chris Knight, LeeAnn Womack)

25- Song critiques-Chris Oglesby-Oglesby Writer Management/Owner-
Clients: Craig Wiseman, Barry Dean

May
9- Song critiques-Jeff Biederman, Esq.-Bass, Berry and Simms-Clients:
Dierks Bentley, Blue Merle (Island Def Jam), Tia Sillers (I Hope You
Dance)

10- Song critiques-Final class

Each applicant must send a tape or CD of two original songs with
typed or neatly written lyric sheets, along with a brief resume or
bio with a statement explaining as to why he or she would like to
participate in the Workshop.
The deadline for submissions is January 19, 2005. Mail to
508 Maplegrove Dr.
Franklin, TN 37064. (
Tapes or CD's will NOT be returned.)
Applicants will be notified of acceptance
by phone by January 21, 2005.
The cost of the Workshop is $500.00.

For further information on the
Songwriters Workshop please email
Michael Doyle at
cmswn2000@...

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QUESTION:
I'm an 18 year old songwriter/producer and for the past 2 years, I
have been working my arse off to win awards to get attention. I won
30 grand from remixing one of David Bowie's songs, and won the John
Lennon Songwriting Contest for Teens in 2004. I tried to contact
(semi)big publishers to listen to my songs by looking for their phone
numbers and addresses at the ASCAP and BMI websites. I learned that
they will not listen to my songs no matter what I tell them, and I
know there's definitely no use in sending them materials which will
end up in the trash. I want to get an inside route but its really
hard. I have a pretty big network of friends going on but still no
inside route...I have worked really hard interning at a studio and I
believe I have paid my dues lol...
So who wants to help me?
My goal this year is to get a royalty check from BMI.
Even if it's a penny I'll be happy.


Any Suggestions?

my music website is
www.broadjam.com/davidchoi

~ ~ ~

My Response:

congratulations David

I agree Taxi might be helpful for you

Dale Kawashima at songwritersuniverse.com might be too

also if you have skills and gear, work your way into producing and
become an IN producer. Look for exceptionally talented up and coming
artists and produce their demos. If you have enough success the
labels will come to you.

work to place your songs in TV and Film

cowrite cowrite cowrite
then you'll have another writer or two who care about the success of
your songs.

affiliate with ASCAP or BMI then make an appointment with a writers
rep in the city that does your kinda music, you might find a friend
and if they think you're kickin they may give you a couple names and
pub co's.

do you have artist potential?
if so exploit all the above.
plus gig like crazy and work to develop 5,000 fans

you've gotta work to generate a BUZZ about yourself with out coming
off as cocky.

ande

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dan workman keeps an interesting blog running on
www.danworkman.com

Interesting tales from Dan Workman Music
Subscribe to our web blog here:
http://www.danworkman.com/studiolog.shtml

Dan Workman Music
5626 Brock St.
Houston, TX 77023
(713)926-2544
(713)926-1197 fax

www.danworkman.com
www.sugarhillstudios.com

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) 2005 Anders Rasmussen

If you read IFS to the VERY end
You might need therapy.