Dear IFS Readers

I hope this email finds you well.

I recently bought the cd for the Desperate Housewives soundtrack
because I wanted to hear Shania Twain's new single, "Shoes," off
Written by Tammy Hyler, Joie Scott and Kim Tribble, the CD also
credits Mutt Lange and Shania Twain.
You can read the lyrics at:
http://www.coquet-
shack.com/00Shania_Twain/Desperate_Housewives/Shoes.php

On the same CD I also very much enjoyed the Shedaisy cut, Anna
Nalick singing "Band of Gold," the track by KD Lang. One of my
faves is Idina Menzel performing "Damsel in Distress" Jamie O'Neal
wrote it with her parents.

Idina Menzel just completed the movie Rent, she also sang on Ray
Charles Duets CD. She is definitely one to watch.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/idinamenzel/from/ande
http://cdbaby.com/cd/idinamenzel2/from/ande


On Itunes I recently bought:

Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch and
http://cdbaby.com/cd/aleximurdoch/from/ande
Colors by Amos Lee
http://cdbaby.com/cd/amoslee2/from/ande


Any one have any recommendations of any songs I should check out?


Nashville Star has announced their next season, plus audition
schedule and locations.
I've also provided some NS audition tips.

Enjoy,

Ande

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Post your Lyrics on the Web

My daughters dance teacher liked a song another team used in their
routine
You can hear the song and watch the routine at:

http://www.halloffamedance.com/halloffame/watchvideo.aspx?id=619
She tried to google the song title and phrases from it, and nothing
came up.
She couldn't find which artist performed it. So she asked me if I
could.

First I listened to the song and wrote down the lyrics.
I could hear God's Creatures but I had a hard time making out what
words came before it.

I did a search for "God's Creatures" on itunes and I couldn't find
it.

I did a search for phrases in the song and I couldn't find the
complete lyrics to the song.

I listened to it some more and finally figured out that the first
phrase was
"Among all of god's creatures"
Then did a search for that on Amazon to discover the song was
performed by Rachael Sage on her "Painting of a Painting" CD
http://cdbaby.com/cd/sage3/from/ande

So If you're an artist, right now someone might be looking for your
song, they might be googleing phrases from your song. If I could
have found it online, I would have bought a legal download.

Can your fans easily find your songs or will they give up in
frustration?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

THE SEARCH IS ON FOR AMERICA'S NEXT COUNTRY MUSIC STAR AS USA
NETWORK'S NASHVILLE STAR RETURNS FOR ITS HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED FOURTH
SEASON

Nationwide Local Market Auditions Kick-off in Los Angeles on October
21st


Season 4 to Premiere in March 2005


NASHVILLE, TN - October 6, 2005 - NASHVILLE STAR, USA Network's
original grassroots talent search to find America's next great
country music star and the nation's top-rated country music program,
will give another talented and deserving artist their big break when
the show returns for its fourth season, it was announced today by
Jeff Wachtel, USA's executive vice president of original
programming.

"Every country music star has a colorful story about how they got
discovered...their "lucky break." NASHVILLE STAR is not only an
entertainment television show and the number one-rated country music
series but it's also an opportunity for talented performers to do
what is almost impossible these days," explains Wachtel. "If we have
learned anything from past seasons, it's that there is some
incredible talent out there that deserves to be heard."

"I had been in Nashville for a decade writing songs," says first
season winner Buddy Jewel. "NASHVILLE STAR landed me a record deal
and gave me the opportunity to perform my own songs on the show in
front of millions of Americans each week - with fan reactions via
email and through my web site. It would have taken me years to get
that sort of dedicated fan base without the support of those people
who followed the show," says Jewell.

NASHVILLE STAR will launch a national casting tour beginning at the
Saddleranch Chop House in Universal City, Los Angeles, on October 21
and continuing on to 15 cities across America including Chicago,
Dallas, Portland and Atlanta.

CASTING TOUR SCHEDULE

October 21 - Los Angeles, CA
October 29 - Chicago, IL
October 29 - Morgantown, WV
October 29 - Phoenix, AZ
October 29 - Oklahoma City, OK
November 5 - Dallas, TX
November 5 - Lincoln, NE
November 5 - Raleigh, NC
November 5 - Tampa, FL
November 12 - Portland, OR
November 12 - Washington, DC
November 12 - Pittsburgh, PA
November 12 - Atlanta, GA
November 18 - Nashville, TN
November 21 - Indianapolis, IN
November 30 - Houston, TX
December 8 - Las Vegas, NV

How it works:
1. Those auditioning will have one minute to perform a song off an
approved song list.
2. A select few of the most talented will be invited back the next
day for a chance to sing either two cover songs from the approved
song list or one song off the list and an original song.
3. The top contestants then proceed to one of four regional
competitions to again audition for a chance to appear on the show.

The auditions are open to women and men, ages 18 and over, who think
they have what it takes to become the next NASHVILLE STAR. Updated
information on auditions including cities, locations and times, song
lists and applications can be found on
http://www.usanetwork.com/nashvillestar/ and through Yahoo's
dedicated NASHVILLE STAR web site.

As in the past, the winner of this season's NASHVILLE STAR will
receive a major music recording contract with a top-level record
label. But even runners-up come away with something most country
music artists work years to achieve. "NASHVILLE STAR was like a 10-
week audition in front of every record label VIP in Nashville and
country music fans across the country," says 1st season runner-up
Miranda Lambert.

The first three seasons of the series have launched the careers of
promising artists including Jewell, Lambert and 2005's Erika Jo.
Jewell debuted his self-titled CD at No. 1 on the Billboard Country
Albums chart and was eventually certified gold by the RIAA. Runner-
up Miranda Lambert became a household name when her "Kerosene"
became the highest-selling debut album of 2005. She is currently a
front-runner for CMA's Horizon Award honoring new talent. Erika Jo,
the most recent NASHVILLE STAR, landed at No. 5 on the same chart
with her self-titled debut CD and at No. 27 on the Hot 200 Album
Chart (all genres), outselling Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Big &
Rich, Tim McGraw and Shania Twain, among others.

NASHVILLE STAR is created by Reveille and executive produced by Ben
Silverman ("The Biggest Loser," "The Office") and H.T. Owens ("The
Restaurant," "30 Days"). Jeff Boggs will executive produce in
association with Reveille. The show is produced by Jon Small ("Garth
Brooks Live From Central Park," "Billy Joel Live at Yankee Stadium")
and his production company, Picture Vision, alongside co-executive
producer Mark Koops ("The Restaurant," "Blow Out").

REVEILLE develops produces and distributes new and non-traditional
programming formats for television and motion pictures across a
variety of genres, including comedy, drama, game, and reality for
American and international markets. In addition to selling
television formats for independent producers such as NBC Universal
Television Studios (USA Network, Sci Fi Channel), BBC Worldwide,
Renegade and Princess Productions, Reveille sells its own produced
program formats such as "The Restaurant" (NBC), "Blow Out" (Bravo)
and "30 Days" (FX). Reveille also distributed the internationally
renowned, award-winning "911" documentary and is a world leader in
creating integrated marketing opportunities for leading advertisers,
developing alternative financing paradigms and selling and
distributing television formats in markets worldwide.

Reveille has produced projects such as, "Coupling," "The
Restaurant", "The Biggest Loser" and "The Office: An American
Workplace" for NBC. Cable projects include "Blow Out" for
Bravo, "The Club" on Spike, USA Network's "NASHVILLE STAR," the
Morgan Spurlock project "30 Days" for FX Networks and MTV's "Date My
Mom."



NASHVILLE STAR Audition Information is NOW UP
Audition Cities and Dates
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/index.html

Approved Cover Song List
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/auditions/opencalls/fo
rms/approvedcoversongs.pdf

Audition by Sending in a video
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/auditions/homevideos/i
ndex.html

Overview of the Casting Call Process
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/auditions/opencalls/fo
rms/overview.pdf

FAQ's
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/auditions/faq/index.ht
ml

ROUND 1 - OPEN CALL
The Round 1 open call audition is simple: you will be required to
sing up to 60 seconds of ONE Approved Cover Song, performing either
a cappella or by accompanying yourself on an acoustic instrument. No
accompanyists and no music tracks will be allowed, and no original
songs are necessary. Bring a completed Short Form Application and
two forms of ID with you (one of which must be a photo ID).

Download the Approved Cover Song List
Download the Short Form Application

ROUND 2 - CALLBACKS
Selected performers from the Round 1 open call will be called back
to participate in Round 2. Round 2 callbacks will take place the day
after each city's Round 1 open call, so be sure to schedule any
travel arrangements accordingly.

In Round 2, you will be required to sing up to 2 minutes and 30
seconds of TWO separate songs (for a total of 5 minutes of
performance time). You may select either two songs from the same
Approved Cover Song List you selected from in Round 1, OR you may
select just one song from the Approved Cover Song List and then
perform an original song as your second song. Bring a completed Long
Form Application (NOTE: you will be given a Long Form Application if
you are selected to move on to Round 2) and two forms of ID with you
(one of which must be a photo ID).

As in Round 1, no music tracks will be allowed, but in Round 2 you
may bring along ONE accompanist. Your accompanist must complete and
sign an Accompanist/Bystander Release Form (found on pages 16-17 of
the Long Form Application). To perform an original song, you must
complete an Original Song Acknowledgement Form, an Original Song
Information Table, and an Original Song Grant of Rights Form (found
on pages 13-15 of the Long Form Application), as well as provide a
Certificate of Copyright, a notarized copy of the application
applying for a copyright (visit www.copyright.gov to obtain a
copyright application and learn more about registering an original
song), or proof of your song's registration with BMI, ASCAP, etc.


ROUND 3 - REGIONAL FINALS
Selected performers from Round 2 will be invited to one of two
regional finals, currently scheduled as follows:


January 3 - 4, 2006 - Tumbleweed Texas, Houston, TX
January 6 - 7, 2006 - Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville, TN

Specific details and performance requirements will be provided to
those who make it to the regional round.

LEARN MORE

Download a detailed overview of the casting call process
Get the answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about
the audition process
Can't make it to an open call audition, or want to double your
chances of impressing the judges?
Find out how to audition by sending in a home video

~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~

Ande's Nashville Star Audition TIPS

Dear Nashville Star Friends,

I thought I'd offer a few Nashville Star Audition Tips and Comments,
since

1) I'm friends and cowriters with john Arthur martinez
http://www.johnarthurmartinez.net who was runner up in season 1, and

2) I corresponded often with Sheila Marshall who was a top 10
finalist in season 2 and she recorded one of my songs called "Zip
Zero Nada" on her latest CD. Once she won the Austin audition I felt
confident she'd go all the way.

3) I've been to several auditions and watched the process
on a local and regional and

4) I think I've watched every NS show.

plus beyond my knowledge there's many NS fans here who can offer you
information and very helpful advice, that is if the shows audition
format stays the same.

In years past the NS show hasn't shown much of the audition process
like American Idol does. I do enjoy watching and hearing the really
bad people audition for the IDOL judges. I enjoy their singing and
antics as well as the judges and auditioners comments and reactions.
NS tends to only advance people with talent and a chance of being a
finalist.

Don't worry about your costume. My impression is the less talent a
person has the more gimmicks they try to rely on.

You've gotta be able to sing well. YOu need to sing country and
appear like you could be a country artist.
some really great singers will be turned away because they aren't
country.

NS is casting a show.
Talent alone won't make top 10.

If there's something unique about you, make sure the judges and
casting directors know. Like my friend Brock Goodwin, the fact that
he was actually in the towers when they got hit on 911 is an
incredible personal story that he probably didn't share in the 2003
auditions. So the judges chose the beautiful female artist who could
put her legs behind her neck and walk on her hands. they showed a
few NS home hot tub antics but this artist was cut in the first few
rounds.

If there are two equally talented yet similar artists but one has a
more compelling personal story,
or is more attractive or
has a better personality
guess who is going to get cast?

It helps to win a local or regional contest but some people who
don't win get advanced. john Arthur didn't win Austin or regions yet
got runner up. Sheila Marshall didn't win regionals.

So Personality is very important and shallow as it seems, beauty and
fitness are significant factors.

If you are an artist you should have a website
you should own your own name
like I own
www.AndeRasmussen.com
if you become a finalist and don't own your own name
an opportunist will register it.
john Arthur martinez doesn't own
www.johnArthurmartinez.com
his official website is
www.johnArthurmartinez.net
You should also make sure the company you registered your domain
name with has your most recent email address
also you should register and own your own domain name
don't let a band member, a friend or a web master register it for
you. there are many companies where you can register domains, lately
I've been using www.godaddy.com
where you can register a domain for around $9
get yourname.com if you are a christian artist you might pick up
yourname.org as well

If you do make top 10 it will help if you have a large email list
and fans with a large email list
NS doesn't get as many votes as Amercian Idol,
In fact the show hasn't given specific voting numbers.
so you're better off if you have an email list of 5,000 friends and
fans who want to hear from you instead of 50.
One of the reasons Buddy Jewell did so well is he had a very active
support team who was pulling for him.
Dig the well before your thirsty.
Relationships are important.
When voting time comes, you need as many people as possible to watch
the show and then vote for you as many times as they can till the
voting window is closed.

A sort of fan will try once

A better fan will try till they actually get to vote

A true rabid fan will vote and vote and vote till the window closes
and they will encourage their friends to as well.

If you make top 10 befriend and gain the support of your community
and state. Make weekly contact with local country DJ's, thank them
and see if you can schedule some air time.

Artist presentation and comfort on stage is important.

What else?
I'm sure participants have many excellent tips they can share here
to help Auditioners.

Good luck to all who participate,

Ande

~ ~ ~

One person asked me"

Any advice on what to wear?

My reply was

wear your talent
wear your beauty
wear your personality
wear your stage presence

the actual clothes you wear don't matter much

a talented person in jeans and a t shirt will get through
some ridiculous outfit won't get you on TV like it could with
American idol.

Ande

~ ~ ~ ~
another person shared

You probably remember Tamikia Tyler from last year on the show...She
give a very detailed account of the process she went through on her
website.. pretty good read.

http://www.tamikatyler.com/Feature/NS-one.html

~ ~ ~

Cliff Walker shared

Couple of things...

first, they are looking for YOUTH and LOOKS almost as much as
singing ability. If you are over 35, you may want to get a fake ID
LOL... or at least use some hair coloring if you are going gray

Second, stay away from the non-country songs on the list... Pat
Benetar, Mellencamp. Your best chance for success will probably be
to do a newer country song (even though many of them on the list are
pretty lame).

3rd, tape record yourself singing as many of the songs off the list
as you can a capella for 30 seconds, then listen to it and pick the
one that sounds best (maybe even have a few friends offer their
opinion), regardless of how much you may dislike it. 90% won't make
it past that first 30 sec a capella Round 1, so that's where to
focus your attention, not worrying about original songs.

If you have trouble starting on the right key a capella, bring a
harmonica or tuning fork to help you start on the right note.

It's best to show up a early, maybe an hour or so before they open.
The people who showed up early got to audition fairly quickly, while
the latecomers had to wait around forever.


Lucy Mac added

Mike do I also remember correctly people saying last year since you
may only get 30 seconds be sure to start the song where you're going
to get to the payoff quickly? Don't necessarily start at the
beginning?


Mike aka Cliffwalker replied

Yeah if you only have 30 seconds, you don't want to start at the
very beginning of the song... especially if it has a 30 second
instrumental intro!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Looking for Encouragement / Shannon's Dreams


I'm a 36 year old mother of three, ages 7, 5, and 4--who put my
hopes of a professional singing career on hold since I got pregnant
with my eldest when I was 28. I have tried to keep my voice in
shape, by practising regularly and always learning new songs, to
keep things fresh and challenging.

I have wanted to audition for NS since the first season, but always
found out about auditions after the fact. This year I have been
checking the website every day since the end of August to make sure
that I don't miss it.

My husband and kids are behind me all the way, but I face alot of
negativity from my extended family on both sides - my parents
especially--who make me feel as if by trying out I'm being
neglectful of my kids. I know it's not true--my husband is here and
we have a couple family babysitters that could help him out if I
happen to make it in--but it bothers me and it makes me feel as if I
no longer have the right to follow my dreams now that I have kids. I
never meant to abandon my dreams entirely, I only meant to put them
on hold until my kids were in school full-time, which they now are.

I feel its important to teach my kids to follow their dreams, no
matter how outlandish they may seem--and what better way to do that
than to follow my own?

Anyway, I was hoping that I could count on you all for some
emotional support as I go through this--maybe it would counter
balance all the negative comments that are going to be coming my way
from my family.

Wish me luck

Shannon

PS - What do think the odds are of them having auditions in NYC?

~ ~ ~

MY RESPONSE WAS:

hello,

here's a dose of encouragement with a dose of reality

my suggestions are for you to focus on your family and focus on your
dreams. Careful who you share your dreams with. Those closest to you
can be the biggest dream stealers because they want you to stay who
you are and where you are, they don't want you to change. So
sometimes it's good to have an inner circle of dream supporters and
don't share your dreams and goals with those who might discourage
you.

If you want to be an artist find a reasonable way to do it locally.
Like sing in your church choir or write songs or perform at open
mikes or even karaoke. Find a way to feed your soul.

When the NS rules appear,
read them and see if you're eligible to audtion.
(in years past there weren't maximum age limits)

If you are eligible to audition find out which audition cities and
days are most convenient for you.
Also some audition cities are more competitive than others. Like
Nashville and Texas are tough cities.

If you're going to go, claim the time and date on the family
calendar.

Prepare, but not obsessively, it's a long shot

Go in with small hopes and expectations, just enjoy the process.

I don't know how you stack up against the competition
but there are many very talented artists who have dedicated years at
their craft. Those types of artists tend to do better, I haven't
heard of any finalists who weren't doing anything with their talent,
that auditioned on a whim and got far.

I know somewhere in America there's bound to be a few with that kind
of talent.

The other thing, is unless you're a sure fire winner,
if a mother with 3 young children were to make the top 10, the fact
she had a family and several small children would make her an early
elimination target. If fans felt she didn't stand a chance to be a
top 5 finalist, my bet is she'd be voted out early.

Ande

~ ~ ~

Shannon's response to me was

Dear Ande,

Thank you for your advice. I do appreciate it. It is unfortunate
that sometimes the very people whose support would mean the most,
hold you back. At this moment I have only told a few people that I
have decided to audition, precisely to keep the negativity to a
minimum.

I realize that I should probably elaborate on my experience a bit. I
was a professional singer before I had my kids. I have sung in
choirs since I was 7 years old. I have been in a few bands in my
time, sang at weddings, and many open mikes. I have taken 10 years
of classical piano and written songs and lyrics. I was a
professional stage actress and have played quite a number of leading
roles in musicals and straight plays regionally. I have cut a full-
length demo. I moved to NYC when I was 26 and was called back to
play Cosette on Broadway (and was the only non-union, non-agent
represented person to be called back)--all before I got pregnant--
so I am no stranger to the entertainment world. I am very familiar
with cattle calls and what I need to do to prepare myself. I once
had to step in to play Shiela in Hair at the last moment and learned
the entire blocking and choreography and went on to perform after
only one blocking rehearsal and one run through.

I realize I don't have much experience in country, per se, but I
have always listened to and enjoyed singing country music and have
been always had a natural affinity towards it.

Will I be competing against women who have been devoting all their
time and energy to furthering their career and getting their name
out there? You bet. I get that--and I know that I have to be 10
times better than them to get through--but I believe I can do it.
Your right--once I get in I am subject to early elimination because
people may not want to vote to keep a mother away from her kids for
another week--I know that. I'm an underdog all the way, but maybe
the audience will like me for that--and if I get in, I'll do my best
to give them a run for their money. That's all I can do is try--the
rest is up to God.


Shannon

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Write On,

Ande Rasmussen


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