TAKE a FREE songwriting course at
_www.SongU.com/ifs_ (http://www.SongU.com/ifs)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IF YOU ARE A SINGER SEARCHING FOR SONGS
feel free to browse through my catalog
you might find something you love
_http://songramp.com/ande_ (http://songramp.com/ande)

Please let me know if you do

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Are you on MYSPACE YET
you'll find me at
_www.myspace.com/anders_ (http://www.myspace.com/anders)
Send me a friend INVITE
Put me in your top 8
Set up a site
put up a few songs and your gig calendar.
find friends and fans

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear IFS Readers,

I hope this email finds you well.

What do you hope to accomplish in 2006?
Sit down and imagine your future ~ Write Down your Goals
Imagine what you'll have to do to make it happen ~ Write down your plans
Then get to work ~ Do your plan

We live in a cause / effect world,
If you want to see some special effects in your life
you need to be the cause.

I believe in luck, but I also believe the harder your work the luckier you
get.

What's new in your songwriting world?
This week I found a $200 ASCAP plus Award check in my mail box.
I've also had a few artists email me and ask if they could try out, perform
or record several of my songs.

One cool thing is I was driving to the coast, I turned on the radio and my
song was playing.
"Hand Over Your Heart" that I cowrote with Abi Tapia was playing on 94.7 fm.
you can hear it at
_http://www.songramp.com/view.ez?sampleid=28875_
(http://www.songramp.com/view.ez?sampleid=28875)

One of the important issues for songwriters is
What is your annual songwriting budget?
How much willl you spend on your songwriting in 2006?
How will you spend it?

Will you attend any conferences?
Will you spend it on demos?
Will you invest it in a better website?
Will you get your songs on ITUNES?

I wish you the best as you make your way through this new year.

You'll find some wonderful stuff in this IFS / SongWriter BLOG issue.

Write on,

Ande Rasmussen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

john Arthur martinez sent this email announcing some of his 2006 plans


Quick Glance at Immediate Calendar:

Jan. 15 Fredericksburg, TX
KFAN Window on Texas Music Series, Hangar Hotel,
6 P.M. 830-997-9990
155 Airport Road, 3.

Jan. 19 _www.luckenbacktexas.com_ (http://www.luckenbacktexas.com)
Luckenbach Dance Hall, Live Recording of Viva Terlingua,
SOLDOUT Already! 7:00 P.M.

Jan. 20 Safety Harbor, Florida Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce sponsored
concert 7:00 P.M.

Jan. 21 Florida Private Party, Chandler Family

Jan. 22 Florida Brunch and Concert


Howdy Friends, Folks, and Fans,


It looks like 2006 is shaping up to be a fine year for us--I'm mean myself,
my
family and my jAmily. I wish ya'll could've helped usher 2006 with us at the
New Year's Eve show with Asleep At The Wheel. Yvonna says it was one of the
best the band has ever performed.

**We'll tour Europe in the summer (France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and
The
Netherlands).

**Luchenbach, Texas in conjunction with Palo Duro Records distributed through
Universal will release a compilation which will include yours truly and many
Texas stars this Spring.

**A nationally released book and CD with john Arthur martinez singing a
Spanish
version of "Don't Laugh At Me" will be released this year. "Don't Laugh At
Me"
which went to number one as a country single was released with great success
as
a childrens book by the co-writers Steve Seskin and Allan Shamblin.

**A bobblehead will be created of john Arthur, wearing the famous Manuel
"Texas"
jacket first seen on Nashville Star; it will be sold to benefit the American
Red
Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

**The john Arthur martinez/Mike Blakely duo album will be release within 45
days.

**A full fledged studio album of new and unrecorded material will be
released in
time for this summer's European tour.

**We're returning to Florida and New England for more concerts. And, Bette,
plans to do the same in other areas where there are willing hosts for fan
club
concerts.

Thanks for your purchase of Live In New England, from here on out I'll let
the
Connextion handle the orders.

Vayan con Dios,

john Arthur & Yvonna
_www.johnarthurmartinez.net_ (http://www.johnarthurmartinez.net)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

on _http://www.venturevoice.com_ (http://www.venturevoice.com/)
you'll find an interesting interview with CDBaby's Derek Sivers
it's show #19
_http://www.venturevoice.com/2005/11/vv_show_19_derek_sivers_of_cd.html#more_
(http://www.venturevoice.com/2005/11/vv_show_19_derek_sivers_of_cd.html#more)

Please let me know what you think of it
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Ever Heard of MATISYAHU

I think he's really great


The Buzz: A Hasidic Jew who's taking the reggae world by storm? You read it
right -- reggae! Drop your preconceptions and jump around to Matisyahu's
inspiring jam.

_http://music.aol.com/artist/main.adp?artistid=698529_
(http://music.aol.com/artist/main.adp?artistid=698529)

_http://www.hasidicreggae.com_ (http://www.hasidicreggae.com/)

MATISYAHU
Matisyahu's Official Website on Sony Music. ... By 11th grade, despite his
carefree days, Matisyahu couldn't ignore the void in his life. ...
_http://www.matismusic.com/_ (http://www.matismusic.com/)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Everything comes down to being real," she says. "Every song I do reflects
something I’ve been through or something I’ve felt. My songs are my
journals. Whatever I feel at the moment, whatever emotion I’m going through,
is what
I write about. It's very therapeutic for me to vent that way. I don’t cry to
my friends. I put it on paper."
~ Danielle Peck
_http://www.showdognashville.com/?content=danielle_
(http://www.showdognashville.com/?content=danielle)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

MUSEXPO 2006 CONVENES IN LOS ANGELES APRIL 30 – May 3
Open dialogue is key and communication the competitive edge. With this in
mind, A&R Worldwide is proud to announce MUSEXPO 2006, a forward thinking
exclusive gathering that will examine the most pressing and controversial
facets
of the global music business, and provide networking opportunities that lead
to deals.

MUSEXPO 2006 will focus on attracting a limited, exclusive group of
high-level music and media professionals from around the world, including label
presidents, A&R and publishing executives, programmers from some of the world's
most-influential and artist-friendly radio stations, film/TV and interactive
music supervisors, digital providers, mobile and online platforms, bookers and
promoters as well as artists and artist managers.

The round-table networking sessions will address international music and
media industry creative issues and bring about positive solutions. In addition,
identify artist development needs and opportunities in the changing
international music marketplace.

The conference will place a strong emphasis on the discovery AND development
of talent. MUSEXPO will explore creative avenues to market and break new
artists as well as highlight some of its stellar discoveries at its evening
artist showcases.
Registration will be strictly limited, to enhance the interpersonal
experience and enable maximum productivity.
Recording Academy members can attend MUSEXPO for 15% off the regular
registration price. Register before January 31 for $420.75 (regularly $495) or
after January 31 for $505.75 (regularly $595). Log on to
musexpo.net/recordingacademy.html to register. For more information on the
conference log on to
www.musexpo.net
Highlights from 2005
The inaugural MUSEXPO attracted some phenomenal executives from around the
world including: CNN’s Larry King moderated the Keynote Panel that included
Clear Channel CEO Brian Becker, The Recording Academy’s Neil Portnow,
Universal
Music Video Distribution Chairman Jim Urie, Rock artist extraordinaire Dave
Navarro, and NAPSTER Chairman/CEO Chris Gorog.

MUSEXPO also had participation from MySpace.com co-founder/President Tom
Anderson, (former) BBC Radio 1 Head of Music Policy Alex Jones-Donelly, BBC
Radio 2 Head of Music Policy Colin Martin, KCRW Los Angeles Head of Music Nic
Harcourt, EA Worldwide Head of Music Steve Schnur, ITB Managing Director Barry
Dickins, The Agency Group CEO Neil Warnock, Nettwerk Management’s Peter Leak
(Dido, Avril Lavigne), XM Satellite Radio VP Programming Lee Abrams, “Indie
103.1FM” Los Angeles Program Director Michael Steele, DKD Group Chairman
Donald
K. Tarlton, Chrysalis Music Group US President Kenny MacPherson, Sony Music
Executive VP A&R/Daylight Records President David Massey, Buena Vista
Pictures Group, EVP Motion Picture Music Glen Lajeski, Sanctuary Artist
Management
President Peter Asher, Atlantic Records Group Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman,
Virgin Records Group US Chairman/CEO Jason Flom and over 500 other key
executives
from around the world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


RajiWorld has just signed on to represent two artists, one of whom is an old
client returning to the stage, the incomparable Kathy Valentine
(_http://www.kathyvalentine.com_
(http://www.rajiworldnews.com/vtzcbvzj_yfwdpqwpwv.html) )
(GoGo's, Delphines) and the other is a newcomer to RajiWorld, The Lucky
Tomblin Band (_http://www.luckytomblinband.com_
(http://www.rajiworldnews.com/zvsbfmsw_yfwdpqwpwv.html) )! Kathy has a new CD,
Light Years, that has been
receiving loads of press, and a new band, The Impossible, that includes Clem
Burke, Gilby Clarke, Mark "Muddy" Dutton and Abby Travis. Lucky has an
all-star cast of players: Redd Volkaert, Earl Poole Ball, John X Reed, Bobby
Arnold, Sarah Brown and Jon Hahn! A mid-February CD release has them playing in
Austin February-April and takes them on the road in May. Check our website for
available dates in your area to showcase these A-Team bands.

join MySpace (_http://myspace.com/rajiworld_
(http://www.rajiworldnews.com/ixtkcftt_yfwdpqwpwv.html) ), so please join us
there.

RajiWorld/RTC
806A W. 10th St.
Austin TX 78701
512-478-0400
_http://www.rajiworld.com_ (http://www.rajiworld.com)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

18th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference
February 10 - 14, 2006 Austin, Texas
For the Sake of the Song
The premier professional development conference focused on folk, roots,
multicultural and world music in North America comes to Austin to kick up its
heels and strut its stuff in one of the continent’s great music cities. This
year’
s conference theme, For the Sake of the Song, is a tribute to Texas native
Townes Van Zandt, and to all our Folk Alliance members so actively engaged in
the performance, preservation and promotion of folk music, dance and
storytelling.
_http://www.folkalliance.net/conference/index.php_
(http://www.folkalliance.net/conference/index.php)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Are you going to
ASCAP's I Create MUSIC EXPO?

_http://www.ascap.com/expo/_ (http://www.ascap.com/expo/)


Hollywood Renaissance Hotel
Hollywood & Highland
Los Angeles, CA
(https://secure.rhq.com/ascap/ascap2006/attreg/index.cgi) The
First and Only National Conference
100% Dedicated to Songwriting and Composing
A MUST ATTEND EVENT CUSTOM DESIGNED FOR MUSIC CREATORS AND THOSE THAT
SUPPORT THEM • Songwriters
• Composers
• Music Publishers
• Music Producers
• Record Executives • Entertainment Attorneys
• Managers
• Agents
• Music Supervisors
DEVELOP YOUR CRAFT WITH THE GREATS > Be inspired by celebrity keynotes >
Participate in writing and producing workshops and master classes with
contemporary hitmakers > Receive one-on-one advice in special mentoring
sessions
with top writers and industry executives > Engage in unique panels and
programs with some of the most accomplished SONGWRITERS, COMPOSERS AND
PRODUCERS
in the world.
GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO BOOST YOUR CAREER > View state of the art
technology demonstrations and product displays designed exclusively for music
creators. > Customize your Expo experience by attending dynamic panel
sessions and genre-specific workshops featuring top creators and industry
professionals on how to build a successful career as a songwriter, composer,
publisher
or producer. Subjects will include "HOW TO": • Make Money in the Music
Business
• Build Your Dream Team to Reach Your Goals
• Navigate the Digital Superhighway
• Market Your Music to an International Community
• Read a Music Contract
• Place Your Songs in TV, Films, Advertising & Games
• Break Into the World of Film and TV Scoring
• Get to Broadway with a Stage Musical > Attend exclusive performances and
networking events.
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS JANUARY 31ST All mentoring sessions have
been filled, but the Early Bird discounted pricing offer is open until January
31st. Register today and save up to $170 off the regular full price.
PRICING AND REGISTRATION: Early Bird Pricing Available
For pricing information and online registration _Click here_
(http://www.ascap.com/expo/registration.html) .
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Winter Music Conference, in its 21st year, is regarded as the leading
networking event in the dance music industry, attracting professionals from
over 60
different countries. With its high concentration of top international
artists, DJs and industry professionals, WMC permeates the international press
and
is thereby one of the most publicized events in the business. Every aspect of
the industry is represented including the top technological innovators,
artists, DJs, producers, radio and video programmers, retailers, distributors,
audio manufacturers and many more.
There are countless reasons why people from all over the world return year
after year for this event, the most outstanding one being that there is
nothing else in the world like it.

Recording Academy members can register for WMC 2006 at a substantial
discount. Register before March 8, 2006 and pay only $195 (regularly
$235-$335).
After March 8, 2006 members of The Academy can register for $275 (regularly
$395).

Members who attend WMC are invited to The Recording Academy and Winter Music
Conference “Dance Music Forum” Panel on Friday, March 24, 2006 from
3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Regency Ballroom with a VIP Reception immediately
following in
the Vista Room-Penthouse at the Wyndham Miami Beach Resort. This special
VIP Reception is for Recording Academy members only and invited guests. No
entry fee but capacity is limited - guests should arrive early. RSVP is a must
to 305.672.4060 or florida@...

If you would like to take advantage of The Recording Academy discount for
WMC 2006, please fill out the attached form and fax to Winter Music Conference
at 954.563.6889.

When you pick up your registration, you must show your Recording Academy
Member Card. If you do not have a Member Card, please call the Florida
Chapter
at the above number for an alternative means of identification.

For more information on Winter Music Conference please visit
www.WinterMusicConference.com or call 954.563.4444.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Digital music enjoys a DReam Week


_http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/08/AR20060108006
32.html_
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/08/AR2006010800632\
.html)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Rouse House Concerts

Hi Everyone

My daughter Deb and her husband Lindsey are going to continue the tradition
of Rouse House Concerts by hosting housconcerts in their home in the
Heights in Houston. They will be starting with Erik Balkey, a Newfolk
winner from Kerrville. If you would like to be added to their mailing list
and/or if you would like to attend this concert, their contact information
is below. I plan to make as many of their concerts as I can!

Liz

From Deb and Lindsey:

One of the things Deb and I wanted to do this year is to begin hosting
house concerts. Well, we have our chance.

We will be hosting, Erik Balkey, a nationally touring songwriter from
Philadelphia, on Saturday, January 21st, 2006. Dinner (Lasagna) will be
served at 7:00 p.m. The performance begins at 8:00 p.m. $10 suggested
artist donation (all monies go to Erik)

To RSVP either call us at 713-426-6696 or email
Rouse_House_Concerts@...

Liz Rouse
612 Rio Grande Loop
Georgetown, Texas, 78628

e-mail address:
rouse_house@...
telephone:
512-931-2571

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Songwriting seminar with No.1 hit songwriters Gary Hannan and Max T. Barnes,
Jr. on February 11th and 12th in Nashville. This event is limited to 20
songwriters.

Gary Hannan - with his No.1 song "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" by Joe
Nichols. Gary has been a staff writer in Nashville for 8 years and has
several independent cuts (15 last year). Gary has written on the road with
Montgomery Gentry, Lonestar and Ricochet and has a new song being recorded by
Michael Peterson.

Gary will discuss:

Journey to the First Big Hit song - staying focused and staying driven!

Conversational Angle - Say it like you Speak It.

Max T Barnes Jr. with hit songs including Diamond Rio's "That's How your
Love Makes Me Feel", Colin Raye's "Love Me", Joe Diffe's "Tougher Than Nails"
and "A Night to Remember", John Anderson's "Let Go of the Stone".

Max T will discuss:

Coming from a Strange Angle - Real life to Cool Lines, such as the line,
"There's a cow in the road and you swerve to the left, fate skips a beat and it
scares you to death" from the Diamond Rio song, "That's How Your Love Makes
Me Feel"

Co-writer alliances - the right and wrong co-writing situation

Spending your time Wisely

The day will be set up with (2) groups of (10) writers each with Gary and
Max T and a question and answer and performance by the pros.

Powergroups on Sunday, Jan. 21st - (3) writers with (1) pro for song
critiques and question and answer session with your group for one hour. $90.00
for
the Sunday Power Group.

To register - send a check to: Doak Turner at PO Box 121456 Nashville, TN
37212 for the Saturday seminar - $135.00 includes lunch and snacks. After
February 3rd, the cost is $165.00 for the seminar if avails remain.

Questions - e-mail _doakt@..._ (mailto:doakt@...) or call
615-354-6400.

*Friday night, February 9th will include dinner (on your own) and a
songwriters round in Nashville for participants of the seminar.

The event will be held at 701 Brook Hollow Road in Nashville - Doak's home
which is the home of the 3rd Sunday at 3 and the Guitar BQ events

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Looking to get more Booking Opportunities for your music?

Announcing the Creative Soul Booking Seminar, featuring Dawn Jones,
author of "The Booking Workshop". Nashville, TN, February 9th, 2006.

At Creative Soul, we are specialists in creating great music and
products for you to reach a large audience successfully, but YOU have
to reach the audience, and you do THAT by getting out there.

So, how do you get out there?

We're planning a special, one-day event focused on how to get more
bookings for your music. This will NOT be a day of lectures! This will
be roundtables, hands-on, personal application, workshopping, learning,
and above all teaching you to IMPLEMENT these principles so you get
more bookings IMMEDIATELY!

For info and to reserve your seat, go to
http://www.creativesoulonline.com/bookingseminar

---

Thanks Ande!

EC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
Eric Copeland
Creative Soul | Music Production, Demo Services, Consultation
www.CreativeSoulOnline.com
Nashville, TN | 615-400-3910

Free New Christian Music Radio
www.CreativeSoulRadio.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

nextnumber1@... writes:

I just received a call from my friend at the RCA label and she said she is
listening really hard for these artists:

alan jackson, blaine larsen, john piercenew duo, jake owen, ronnie milsap

I have a pitch meeting with her next Friday. I need great uptempo MALE songs
for any artist listed. If you have something or know a great writer who
does, please feel free to forward this message on to them.

Songs must be to me by Wed. afternoon at latest.

~Patricia

NextNumberOne Music
1010 16th. Av. S. Ste. 105
Nashville, TN. 37212

615-430-9277

www.nextnumber1.com
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Put your music on Clear Channel's New Music site


_http://newmusic.clearchannel.com/register/member.html_
(http://newmusic.clearchannel.com/register/member.html)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sell your music in JAPAN

_http://www.cdjam.jp/_ (http://www.cdjam.jp/)

Don't be scared by the Japanese language at this website. On the left, in
English, is "Artist Login". This will then direct you to an English site
explaining what they do, etc.

Below is a June article about cdjam.

Indies - sell your music in Japan




CDJam - Linking Music Makers with Music Lovers Press Release by: Jeffrey
Martin FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Jeffrey Martin /
jeff@...
/ www.cdjam.jp Dateline: 24 June 2005 Japan is the world's second largest
market for prerecorded music and is known for its fanatical jazz fans. Many of
these fans would be interested in indie jazz - if they knew about. CDJam is a
new online project to help independent North American, European, African,
and Australian artists sell into the Japanese market. For artists with
recordings to sell, CDJam will create a web page for you in Japanese, process
and
handle all your Japan orders, and provide you translated feedback from your
Japanese fans. The project is being launched by Jeffrey Martin, who has lived
in
Japan for 13 of the last 15 years and has spent seven of those as a DJ on an
FM station in Fukuoka, and his partner of the last 12 years, Mutusmi
Kawamura, a professionally trained and experienced translator and interpreter.
CDJam
is currently recruting artists to place recordings for the launch of the
shop in late summer of 2005. Independent artists and small label owners are
invited to learn more at: _www.cdjam.jp_ (http://www.cdjam.jp)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


ALW is a lyric critique community to help advanced songwriters write better
commercial songs. We're looking for positive people who are strong lyric
writers and can constructively critique lyrics.

AWL also welcomes:
1) talented melody writers,
2) performing and recording artists, and
3) producers.

We want active participants. Meaning, critique others lyrics and offer your
lyrics for critique.
Please only post ONE lyric per day and comment on at least 4 other lyrics
for each one you post.
No spamming, No slamming and No bashing, Be friendly and professional
We're looking for constructive feedback.
No off topic chat, posts need to be connected to songwriting or music.

If a writer violates one of these policies
She will receive a warning, if it happens again
We simply REMOVE that person from this group.
We hope to create an community where writers feel comfortable posting their
creations and asking for feedback.

Membership is restricted and is granted on a case by case approval basis.

ALW is for serious songwriters
To qualify members need to have
1) written at least 50 songs
2) gotten at least one cut (indy's OK) or had a song win a song contest
3) thoroughly grasp advanced lyric writing concepts; or
4) belong in one of our exception categories

If you'd like to be considered here's the process

1) read the criteria on
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AdvancedLyricWriters

2) Send us a short email about you
why you qualify, your bio, and website
where we can read your lyrics or hear your tunes
AdvancedLyricWriters-owner@yahoogroups.com
In the subject field write:
ALW APP

3) Send an empty email to
AdvancedLyricWriters-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

let's write some great songs
_http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdvancedLyricWriters/_
(http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdvancedLyricWriters/)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I wish you the best!
Write On,

Ande


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