you'll find a SINGER SEARCHING FOR SONGS IN THIS ISSUE

Have YOU checked out songU?
Some IFS readers are PITCHING AND PLACING SONGS plus improving their
craft and making EXCELLENT NEW connections because of it.
Take a free course. check it out
http://www.SongU.com/ifs

~ ~ ~

Are you on myspace.com yet?

My site is
http://myspace.com/anders
You can now pick your top 8 friends
link to me as a friend

~ ~ ~

Dear IFS Readers,

I hope this email finds you well.
What's new with your writing?

I love to hear from IFS readers and surprisingly few IFS readers
ever write or say thank you.

There's a lot of great stuff in this IFS issue.
like a singer searching for songs

APPLY for the OLD # 9 Scholarship
NO ONE has SO FAR
you'll find details at:
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/message/716

I've got several new songs in the works.

A few of my songs got forwarded at SongU
I've got a several indie cuts in the pipeline but I don't write
specifics until the song is recorded and the CD is printed.

I've now have friends over 650 friends on www.myspace.com/anders
send me a friend invite or place me in your top 8
I think smart artists can use myspace as an excellent tool to find
fans in their cities and invite them to their gigs.
Did you see the pic of my kitty dena?

My buddy john Arthur martinez is playing Gruene Hall this Sunday
Nov. 20th and I hope to attend
John Arthur Martinez 4 - 8 pm no cover country,
he and I have several new songs in the works that I've very excited
about.

I was talking with a friend of mine who is in a band and tends to
write most of the songs by himself. I suggested that even if he
writes most of his songs by himself, he should still cowrite with
the best writers who are willing to write with him and he should do
song searches when he's about to record a CD,
1. to find a songs that blow him away and
2. to get his name and project known by industry insiders

I also suggested that he should consider one or two cover songs to
get more people to find him on itunes and other digital music
websites.

Yesterday I spoke with Monte Warden, Monte told me that he recently
went to Nashville for BMI's 2005 Country Awards show, and his song
Desperately was one of BMI's Most Performed Country Songs of 2005.

I loved this quote Jay shared in Changeyourstars

I AM ...

The words "I am ..." are potent words;
be careful what you hitch them to.
The thing you're claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming
you.
~ A. L. Kitselman

Enjoy,

Ande

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Yesterday I spoke with Steve Seskin and he told me about his
Nashville workshop. Steve is one of the most outstanding
songwriting instructors I've ever heard.

Steve Seskin's 2nd ANNUAL SongCrafting Seminar takes place in
Nashville, TN all day Saturday Jan 21 and Sunday January 22, 2006
plus attendees are invited to join Steve for a
Friday night show at Douglas Corner and a
Saturday night in-the-round at the world famous Bluebird Café

Be a part of this incredible seminar featuring Steve along with
special guests –
Chuck Cannon and other Special Guests for
two full days of lectures, workshops and critique sessions

Price: $275 to register

To reserve your slot or for more Info:
Please contact Claudia Young at
csyoung@...
or
615-309-9449

also if you'd like to be on Steve's email list drop by
http://steveseskin.com/mailinglist.php
Steve told me he's been doing many talks / performances connected
with
Operation Respect: Don't Laugh at Me which addresses bullying in
schools.
http://dontlaugh.org/

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Singer Searching for Songs

Katy Keenie is looking for outstanding country songs.
Drop by her website and have a listen,
I think she's wonderful.
www.katykeenie.com
She's working with Mark Winston Kirk from Elgin, TX.
Mail CDs to

Mark Winston Kirk,
106 Forest Dr
Elgin, TX 78621

mwkirk@...

www.markwinstonkirk.com

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pat Pattison is Coming to Austin the weekend of January 28th for a
two-day workshop

In the past year, we've worked with Pat on:

Writing from a Title (aka Hanging On To Hope) and
Writing Lyrics to a Melody (yes, the dirge).

However, there's three other topics we can also choose from.
They are:

1. Tools and Strategies:
Sharpen your lyric writing skills and discover the techniques that
have helped his students, including John Mayer and Gillian Welch,
win Grammys and write number one songs. In this seminar, you'll
learn how to craft more vivid lyrics by mastering the elements of
structure and the process of building great lyrical ideas into great
songs. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned writer, this course
will help you structure your lyrics more effectively.

3. Brainstorming Techniques:
Explore Object Writing in depth, learning the relationship between
showing and telling and how to integrate your Object Writing with
your Songwriting. Find out how to create powerful and effective
metaphor, using simple exercises you can do on your own. Learn how
to brainstorm more efficiently, working on several levels at once,
using a rhyming dictionary and thesaurus as tools for exploring
ideas. This seminar will open your mind and release your best ideas.

3. Verse Development:
Solve "Second Verse Hell" quickly and easily by learning to what to
look for in a title and how to develop the flow of ideas BEFORE you
waste time writing a lyric that dead-ends is some dark alley. Learn
how to advance your ideas so the song gains rather than loses
interest as it moves forward. Find out how to create a chorus or
refrain that can be repeated effectively without having to change
the words each time. This seminar will save you time and channel
your energies efficiently, allowing you to write more songs and
better songs.
Let me know which of the three (or five) topics you'd like to have
at this seminar.

I'll also have sign-up details soon.

Have great holidays -

Joe
strousongs@...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BMI's Most Performed Country Songs of 2005 were:

Awful, Beautiful Life
Writer: Harley Allen.
Publishers: Coburn Music, Inc., Harley Allen Music.

Baby Girl
Writer: Kristian Bush.
Publisher: Dirkpit Music.

Back When
Writers: Stephony Smith, Jeff Stevens.
Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Bless The Broken Road
Writers: Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna, Marcus Hummon.
Publishers: Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc., Jeff Diggs Music.

Days Go By
Writer: Keith Urban.
Publisher: Guitar Monkey Music.

Desperately
Writers: Bruce Robison, Monte Warden.
Publishers: Moonkiss Music, Tiltawhirl Music.

Girls Lie Too
Writer: Tim Nichols.
Publishers: Nichols Worth Music, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Gone
Writers: Bob DiPiero, Jeffrey Steele.
Publishers: Gottahaveable Music, Love Monkey Music, Songs of
Windswept Pacific, Sony/ATV Tree.

Good Little Girls
Writers: Brett Jones, Troy Seals.
Publishers: Diamond Storm Music, Ensign Music Corp., Fuzzy Dice
Music, Kiss My Cash Music, Mike Curb Music.

He Gets That From Me
Writer: Phillip White.
Publishers: Katank Music, Murrah Music Corp., Texabama Music.

Here For The Party
Writer: Big Kenny.
Publisher: Big Love Music.

Hey Good Lookin' (2nd Award)
Writer: Hank Williams.
Publishers: Hiriam Music, Sony/ATV Acuff Rose,
Jimmy Buffett with Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Toby
Keith and George Strait.

Holy Water
Writers: Big Kenny, Jeff Cohen, Vicky McGehee.
Publishers: As You Wish Music, Big Love Music, Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Corp.

How Am I Doin'
Writer: Jim Beavers.
Publisher: Skronk Bonk Tunes.

How Far
Writers: Ed Hill, Shaye Smith.
Publishers: Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc., EMI-Blackwood Music
Inc., Sagrabeaux Songs, Shaye Smith Music.

I Can't Sleep
Writer: Clay Walker, Chely Wright.
Publishers: Espiritu De Leon Music, My Mulligan Music, Songs of
Universal Inc.

I Got A Feelin'
Writers: Casey Beathard, Carson Chamberlain.
Publishers: Everything I Love Music, Sony/ATV Acuff Rose, Universal-
Songs of PolyGram International Inc.

I Hate Everything
Writers: Gary Harrison, Keith Stegall.
Publishers: Midnight Express Music, November One Songs, Ratpack
Music, Zomba Songs Inc.

I Wish
Writers: Ed Hill, Tommy Lee James.
Publishers: Careers-BMG Music Publishing Inc., Music Hill Music,
Still Working For The Man Music Inc., Tommy Lee James Songs.

If Nobody Believed In You
Writer: Harley Allen.
Publishers: Coburn Music Inc., Harley Allen Music.

If You Ever Stop Loving Me
Writers: Bob DiPiero, Tom Shapiro.
Publishers: EMI-Blackwood Music Inc., Love Monkey Music, Sony/ATV
Tree.

It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing
Writer: Shania Twain.
Publishers: Loon Echo Inc., Universal-Songs of PolyGram
International Inc.

It's Getting Better All The Time
Writers: Ronnie Bowman, Don Cook.
Publishers: Katy's Own Music, Sony/ATV Tree.

Let Them Be Little
Writers: Billy Dean, Richie McDonald.
Publishers: Mike Curb Music, Songs of Billy Dean, Sony/ATV Tree.

Let's Be Us Again
Writers: Tommy Lee James, Richie McDonald.
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree, Still Working For The Man Music Inc.,
Tommy Lee James
Songs.

Letters From Home
Writer: David Lee.
Publisher: Careers-BMG Music Publishing Inc.

Live Like You Were Dying
Writer: Tim Nichols.
Publishers: Nichols Worth Music, Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Mr. Mom
Writer: Richie McDonald.
Publisher: Sony/ATV Tree.

My Last Name
Writer: Harley Allen.
Publishers: Coburn Music Inc., Harley Allen Music.
Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense
Writer: Kylie Sackley.
Publisher: Steel Wheels Music.

Paint Me A Birmingham
Writer: Gary Duffey.
Publishers: Buck Moore, Brewbear Music Works, Dimensional Songs of
the Knoll, Mama's House Music, Princetta Music.

Party For Two
Writer: Shania Twain.
Publishers: Loon Echo Inc., Universal-Songs of PolyGram
International Inc.
Rough & Ready
Writer: Blair N. S. MacKichan.
Publisher: Careers-BMG Music Publishing Inc.

Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)
Writer: Big Kenny.
Publisher: Big Love Music

She Thinks She Needs Me
Writers: Sonny LeMaire, Shane Minor.
Publishers: API Country Music, Dimensional Songs of the Knoll, E
Ticket Music, EMI-Blackwood Music Inc., Shane Minor Music.

Simple Life
Writers: Aimee Mayo, Troy Verges.
Publishers: Careers-BMG Music Publishing Inc., Silverkiss Music,
Songs from the Engine Room, Songs of Universal Inc.

Some Beach
Writer: Paul Overstreet.
Publisher: Scarlet Moon Music.

Songs About Rain
Writer: Pat McLaughlin.
Publisher: Cake Taker Music, Corn Country Music, Sony/ATV Tree.

Stays In Mexico
Writer: Toby Keith.
Publisher: Tokeco Tunes.

Suds In The Bucket
Writer: Billy Montana.
Publishers: Mike Curb Music, Songs of Moraine.

That's What I Love About Sunday
Writer: Mark Narmore.
Publishers: Cake Taker Music, March Family Music, Sony/ATV Tree.

That's What It's All About
Writer: Steven McEwan.
Publisher: Careers-BMG Music Publishing Inc.

That's What She Gets
Writers: Ronnie Dunn, Terry McBride.
Publishers: Showbilly Music, Sony/ATV Tree, Warner-Tamerlane
Publishing Corp.

Tougher Than Nails
Writer: Max T. Barnes.
Publishers: Kendell Marvel, Phil O'Donnell, Big Yellow Dog Music,
Songs of Daniel Music, Sony/ATV Tree, Tanasi Island Music.

Trying To Find Atlantis
Writers: Zack Turner, Chris Waters.
Publishers: Chris Waters Music, Sony/ATV Tree.

When I Think About Cheatin'
Writer: Vicky McGehee.
Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.

Whiskey Girl
Writers: Scotty Emerick, Toby Keith.
Publishers: Big Yellow Dog Music, Sony/ATV Tree, Tokeco Tunes.

Whiskey Lullaby
Writers: Bill Anderson, Jon Randall.
Publishers: Mr. Bubba Music Inc., Reynsong Publishing Corp.,
Sony/ATV Tree, Wha Ya Say Music.

The Woman With You
Writer: David Frasier.
Publishers: Asierfra Music, Careers-BMG Music Publishing Inc.

You're My Better Half
Writer: Keith Urban.
Publishers: Coburn Music Inc., Guitar Monkey Music.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ever heard of bmemusic.com?

Check out their talent roster and their bios
http://bmemusic.com/Talent_Roster.htm

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Recently I've been corresponding to an artist who is thinking about
pursuing her music again she wrote the following to me and below is
my response to her.


From: Melissa
Date: Nov 17, 2005

gotcha.... music is my passion... that is why I am asking
questions. Thank you for answering... I am trying to get back into
singing... have never really been financially stable to persue...
but I'm at the point to where if I don't do something... it will
never happen.
and I wrote the following


hello

that's fine
music is a tough thing to pursue exclusively
I suggest you line up a good day job or a support spouse and do what
you can on the side
here's a wonderful essay on the topic
http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000889.html

here's more
on how to be creative
http://www.gapingvoid.com/Moveable_Type/archives/000876.html

I've written a lot about music and songwriting
you can find it at www.SongwriterBlog.com
click on the message archive

ande

----------------- Original Message -----------------

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I also bumped into IFS reader Kym Tuvin

hey ande,

it's so wild to find you in my inbox... ;) i've been on your
songwriter list for a few years now and i've found it a great source
of info and inspiration - so, thanks so much for putting that out
into the world!

i hope we can cross paths in austin if you're heading to folk
alliance in feb?

and, yes - very cute kitty... ;)

all the best to you,
Kym Tuvim
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=16348116



~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lee Ann Womack

Womack co-wrote "Good News, Bad News," as well as "Twenty Years and
Two Husbands Ago," which she performed during the ceremony.

Asked about her sudden prominence as a songwriter, Womack
answered, "I wrote a lot of songs. I was a songwriter at Sony Tree
Publishing for a couple of years before I got a record deal. I'm not
going to say I was a great songwriter or that I am a great
songwriter. I didn't get a lot of cuts, I got a few. But I just
think knowing country music the way I do and having studied it for
so long, I have something to bring to the table, to people even like
Dean Dillon and Dale Dodson, who are great country songwriters."

She added, "One day I was in my office with my assistant, and there
was a picture of me in a swimsuit that was 20 years old. She asked
me, 'When was this taken?' I said, 'Oh Lord, honey, I don't
remember. That was 20 years and two husbands ago.' That's where the
song was born. Country songs are about real life. They come from
real life experiences and I think a lot of times, that's what I
bring to the table."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

here's part of the latest Taxi email

Dear Passengers,

I promised to help you find your path to success with Film and TV
placements. This is the week I'm going to start living up to that
promise. Over the next few weeks, I'm literally going to show you
how to make at least $150,000 per year. Maybe much more. No hype. No
gimmicks. No course to sell you.

But I've got a short favor to ask of you before we get started.
Please take just ninety seconds to read the two notes from people
who came to our convention, the Road Rally.

I'm showing these to you for two reasons.

One: I want to you to remember them when it's time for the Rally
next year.

Two: You'll learn a great deal about writing hit songs from these e-
mails! Read on . . .

-------

To Michael and the Taxi Crew

I've got three words for you.
Life Changing Experience. I got the inspiration and information I
need to take my career to the next level. I hope you and your staff,
and the excellent music industry pros that participate in the Road
Rally, never get numb to the fact that you make a profound
difference in the lives of those of us who have the talent but,
before Taxi, didn't have a feasible way of getting our music to the
marketplace. This conference was worth ten times my annual Taxi
membership dues.
YOU GUYS ROCK
M. Norris
Cottageville WV

-------

Dear TAXI,
My wife and I had a tremendous time at "The Rally". I have been a
performing guitarist/singer in the music business for over 36 years
and I have never learned so much over a 3 day period as I did at
Road Rally 05. For me it was a career/life changing event. You could
not afford to pay for the industry relevant information presented in
the form of master classes, panels and presentations, all taught by
industry professionals in an intimate setting and all who generously
made themselves available for consultation throughout the entire
weekend. And to think, you get all this by being a TAXI member!!!
It's been said the Road Rally itself is worth many times the price
of membership, and it is. However, you would be hard pressed to
place a monetary value on what Mike and his staff put together and
delivered to the worldwide membership in attendance over Rally 05
weekend. My wife Barbara and I give our heartfelt thanks to all the
TAXI staff and their sponsors for a most memorable event.

All the best,
L. Belanger
Ps: See ya next year :) :) :)

-------

Did you see the obvious? Did you notice how both letters said
virtually the same thing, yet the FIRST one was MUCH easier to
digest? Go back and read them one more time with that in mind. It's
almost unbelievable how close they are in sentiment and actual
sentences, yet the first letter is just plain easier to read.

And when you see that it's short and to the point, you're MUCH more
likely to read it in the first place. The second one is ALMOST long
enough to cause you to not read it at all!

And I want you to know that I didn't edit these letters at all . . .
okay, I DID add a slash / to one. ;-) Thanks to both members for
their heartfelt comments. I'm sure they never thought they'd be used
to help you learn how to make money with your music.

Remember this lesson above all, and never forget it. It will make
you money some day. Get to the point quickly, and make your songs
short and easily digestible.

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. ;-)

The first thing you need to know about Film and TV music is that
there's a 95% chance that you've ALREADY got music that could be in
a TV show or movie right now! You probably recorded it some time
ago, and it's sitting on a shelf.

Oh, you'd NEVER submit THAT music. Your NEW stuff is MUCH better,
and much better "produced!" My opinion? Get over it! It's better
than you think.

I'm going to give you a little homework assignment to prove that
your music is good enough right now. Do this (it's fun), and we'll
move on to your next lesson in my next e-mail to you.

Here it is . . . Watch TV for THREE hours. Can you handle that? ;-)

I'll bet some of you have already earned an "A" for this assignment.
But I need you to watch your TV in a different way. I want you to
watch the WB network for one hour, the Food Network for the second
hour, and ESPN for the last hour.

Here's the catch: I want you to "watch" with the sound turned up
fairly loud, and your back to the TV! Yep, you read that right, keep
your back to the TV -- no peeking!

I want you to keep a pad of paper on your lap, and a pen in your
hand. Every time you here ANY music, make a chicken scratch on the
pad. Then make a note as to the kind of music -- was it scored, Pop,
Rock, Instrumental filler or background, etc.?

Do this little exercise, and don't forget to read my letter next
week. I'm eventually going to show you how to make $150,000 per year
making music. And the best part is that you'll never have to leave
your home to do it.

I know it sounds impossible, but it's not. It's completely
doable . . . if "doable" is even a word. ;-)

Do your homework tonight, and I'll talk to you next week.

See ya,

Michael

P.S. If you live outside the US, watch any combination of shows that
will give you variety similar to what the shows I recommended might.
You don't have to go for an exact match.

**********************

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ever heard of KCRW 89.9FM / Nic Harcourt?

This station and Nic Harcourt have been incredibly supportive of
lesser known artists providing a very cool opportunity for us to
shine. If you are unfamiliar with KCRW 89.9FM and its music programs
that aren't afraid to step outside of the box,
do yourself a favor and start tuning in.

www.kcrw.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Got this from Jason Blume

Have you written a great love song?

You can win a chance to study with and perform (or have your song
performed) with hit writers/artists including:
Tia Sillers, Mark Selby, Steve Seskin, Jason Blume, Gary Nicholson,
Benita Hill, Dave & Daisy Gibson, David Olney, and more special
guests . . .

in BELFAST (NORTHERN IRELAND)!

The writer of the winning love song will be flown from Nashville to
Belfast, stay in the 5-star Belfast Hilton, and participate in the
Belfast Nashville Songwriters™ Contest. Prizes also include a Gold
Series Custom AVALON acoustic guitar worth more than $2,500. For
details and an entry form visit:
www.belfastnashville.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

maybe your music should be found on isound

http://www.isound.com/artist_info.php

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Write On,

Ande

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
Ande Rasmussen's Inspirations for Songwriters (I F S)
www.SongwriterBlog.com
IFS aims to INSPIRE YOU into ACTION
over 3,800 songwriters, music publishers, artists, and
music fans receive IFS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS
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