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Inspirations For Songwriters (I F S)
IFS aims to INSPIRE YOU into ACTION
over 3,500 songwriters, music publishers, artists, and
music fans receive IFS
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Dear IFS Readers,

I usually wait much longer to launch an IFS but I had more time
sensitive info to share with you.


Today I received the greatest songwriting honor I've ever received.
Someone asked me if my song could be performed at their funeral.

here's the story:

This morning Sunday May 1, 2005 I was sitting at computer assembling
today's IFS. Our phone rang around 8:30 am. I thought it was my
father, he's the only person who calls at my house that early on
Sunday. I'd been awake for hours and didn't mind the call.

When I answered the phone, it was a gentleman who attends the Sunday
8:45 am service at Saint Marks Episcoplal Church in San Marcos, Texas
where they perform "Send Me Out" just before the close every
Sunday. He told me he loves Send Me Out.

Then he asked me, "Is it all right with you if your song, "Send Me
Out" gets performed at my funeral?"

I told him "I'd be honored to have Send Me Out played at your funeral
and I'm sure my cowriter Alice Olsen won't mind and would feel
honored too."

he and I spoke a little more about other things.

After I hung up, I realized I forgot to tell him that I hope it won't
play for many years.

I think of his simple request my greastest songwriting accomplishment
so far.

Here's where you can hear "Send Me Out" and
read what inspired it.
http://www.songramp.com/view.ez?sampleid=12567

That moment reminded me of this quote.

"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the direction of
his dreams, and endeavors to live the life he has imagined, he will
meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
Henry David Thoreau

It's my hope that more churches around the world
will perform "Send Me Out" as part of their closing services.

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Brief Update on totay's swimming article:

For a little while you can see my photo at
http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/sports/

and read the full article on the web at
http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/articles/2005/05/01/sports/sports1.txt

One correction is my time was fastest in the world for 40 - 44 year
old men, not 4 to 44.

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I got this email from Kim McDaniel.

hi ande!

thanks for including my old no. 9 write-up in the recent IFS -- i
even got an e-mail from jacque mack because of it! (she said she
agreed with the whole idea of singing one's songs in front of people
for the feedback -- even if one has to sing acapella to do it ;)

& congrats on your newspaper write-up -- 15 minutes of fame, baby!
woo hoo! :D

hey, are you going to the kerrville folk festival perchance? are any
IFS readers going? i'm definitely planning on going to the
songwriter's school (june 2-4) & thought it would be nice to meet
fellow IFSer's, if possible? i don't know how that might be done, but
it would be fun if we could think of a way?

gotta run 4 now -- i've got 1001 things to get done today before
going back to work on monday ...

peace

miss kim
visit my website:
www.songu.com/members/kimilenemcdaniel

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IFS readers I forgot to mention how truly inspired I was by her old #
9 email. Where she gathered the courage to perform her song. It hit
home in a major way for me, because I have never performed any of my
songs in public. That's a demon I need to sly. Kim's courage
inspires me to face my fear and insecurities.

Please let me know if you're going to Kerrville.

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This email arrived this morning

Hi Ande,

Yes, I am an IFS reader, and I am a New Folk Finalist!  Can't wait!

Best regards,

-s-


Stan Swiniarski
UpCellar Music
http://www.upcellar.com

- Just released!  My 2nd CD "Ain't That Love".  Pick up a copy today!
- 2005 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Finalist
- 2005 NACMAI CD of the Year - Country
- 2004 Mountain Stage NewSong Festival finalist
- 2004 NHCMA CD of the Year
- 2004 NHCMA Songwriter of the Year
- WOKQ-FM 2004 New England Country Star Search Finalist

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Write On,

Ande Rasmussen