TAKE a FREE songwriting course at
http://www.SongU.com/ifs
plus they do so much more it will truly blow you away as well as
take your songwriting to a whole new level.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear IFS Friends,

I hope this email finds you well.

Tonight Nashville Star Reveals it's top 3 and TONIGHTS VOTE
determines the WINNER, I give my support to:
CHRIS YOUNG
I believe Casey Rivers will be runner up and Matt Mason will be
second runner up.
The show comes on tonight at 9:00 CST on the USANetwork which I
think is cable channel 66 in the Austin Area
VOTING BEGINS 10:00 CST
http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar
http://www.myspace.com/chrisyoungmusic

plus john Arthur will be there as well
here's what he wrote me

Nashville, TN, Nashville Star 9 P.M. (I'll be in the audience as
guest of producers) and Nashville Star Alumni After Party at
Gibson Guitar Stage (I'll be performing with my old friends from
Nashville Star and NS Band) at Opryland 10:00 P.M. Tickets at door.


I'm still enjoying MYSPACE and my site is approaching 2,000 friends.
I've found some incredibly talented songwriters and artists and I've
had a few singers contact me about using some of the songs I've
cowritten.
Send me a FRIEND INVITE
Read and Subscribe to my Blog
Check out my top 8
Explore my friend list, find singers and songs you love
www.myspace.com/anders
NOT www.myspace.com/ande <~~~ this address is NOT me

like
http://www.myspace.com/terranaomi
really impresses me

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IFS readers This thought arrived the other day as I was driving
through Wimberly Texas:

Ordinary?

As songwriters we put a spotlight on ordinary moments, situations
and stories. We describe them in ways no one else ever has before.
We work on our songs.

Sometimes we get lucky and our songs seem to drop down from Heaven
like gifts that we transcribe, but more often than not, songs arrive
in bits and pieces. It's like we're trying to solve a difficult
puzzle. We agonize over each note and word till we love them and
find the courage to stamp DONE on on this new song.

Then we reveal them to our unsuspecting listeners with conviction
and emotion, hopefully the combination lyrics, vocal melody and
music moves them in unexpected and satisfying ways.

Through this process we realize, what we thought was ordinary isn't.
It is sacred. Songs are our gifts to the world.

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here's a Opportunity for songwriters and artists to earn money and
gain exposure.


https://www.trusonic.com/artists.html

New Artists

If you are already a Trusonic Independent artist, sign in now to
access your Artist Admin area. Artist Admin allows you to:

Upload songs for review
Administer existing songs
Create new Artists that you administer
Trusonic is always on the lookout for fresh upcoming acts with
artistic vision and control of their own content. If you would like
to upload your music to Trusonic for consideration, click here to
sign up.

Here is what some of our Artists have to say about Trusonic:

"Part of the NEW music business, Trusonic provides national exposure
and creates an invaluable opportunity for independent artists to be
both heard and paid for their work."
Cindy Alexander
Trusonic Independent Artist
www.cindyalexander.com

"Trusonic is very cool! I can't tell you how many times people all
around the country have contacted me saying they heard my songs in
retail stores while shopping. It's also a little money I wouldn't
otherwise be seeing with no extra effort on my part."
Michael Brandmeier
Trusonic Independent Artist
www.michaelbrandmeier.com

"Trusonic without a doubt represents a valuable and viable way for
an artist to have their music heard".
Curtis S.D. Macdonald
Trusonic Independent Artist
www.ampcast.com/CurtisSDMacdonald

"I like Trusonic because it is non-exclusive, and it puts my music
out into new places that I have never been. And they pay me!"
George Kahn
Trusonic Independent Artist
www.georgekahn.com


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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This Email arrived regarding the
Create a Ripple Story
I shared in the last IFS Issue.

Dear Ande,

You stated "this next article doesn't reflect my political beliefs
it's just songwriting news" I don't know who wrote it and I don't
know why you feel that it was important songwriting news. I think
the comments regarding how the person feels about the President
were very inappropriate. There are many of us who feel completely
opposite of what was stated. Perhaps according to the election 3
million more. We just choose to not make too many waves about it.
It is offensive to a lot of people and this is not the forum to be
voicing it. I think the President has done what he thinks needs to
be done. And from most accounts I hear that our soldiers fighting
this war are 100% behind him, just as many of us are. We know a few
soldiers who are in Iraq and they want to be there. They do not feel
that are pawns. I think if someone wants to write a song about
how they feel about it, that is their right ... but to make the
remarks made to all who subscribe to this newsletter to read,
thinking that we all feel that way is wrong. I would not have
included that article in the newsletter, it feels like a very
political statement and it sours the whole newsletter.

Thank you,

Debbie

~ ~ ~

Here was my response:


Dear debbie,

You are entitled to your opinion

I sometimes feature songs that make an impact.

The story is about the creation of 2 politically charged songs
written that were written questionioning choices our leaders have
made and actions our leaders have taken. the article chronicles the
stories of

what inspired Neil Young,
what one singer described who was at the recording session and
what another singer (who was also part of the recording session did)
after she left.
The article was called "Create a Ripple"

If you disagree with their point of view, write a song, create
another ripple

Ande

PS Facts have shown that we never found the weapons of mass
destruction we invaded Iraq to find, months ago we declared victory,
yet, we're still there, americans are dying, and we'll be there for
years to come. Many more mothers and fathers, wives or husbands,
brothers and sisters and sons and daughters will hear a knock on
their doors, two soldiers will be waiting to inform them that their
loved one is dead.

Are you happy that "At least 2,378 members of the US military have
died since the war began in March 2003" and "At least 17,648 have
been wounded."
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2006/04/20/ameri
can_deaths/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SINGER SEARCHING FOR SONGS

Hi Ande!

My name is Alison Nolan, and I just recently saw your post about
singers searching for songs. So, I am going to take a crack at
writing an effective singer searching for songs blurb. (c:

To get to the point, I am a singer who just graduated college, and I
am really just starting in the music scene. I spent most of college
singing show tunes and jazz, and recently have broken into
classical, madrigal and some traditional tunes. During college I
made a demo, which, unfortunately I didn't get to spend enough time
with. The demo turned out okay, but I never felt that it got enough
love in the studio. There are some pitch problems, and a lot of
problems with the accompaniment. I think I made every mistake I
could have in creating my first demo (not rehearsed well enough, not
enough time spent on the project, etc). So, I don't feel I really
have a product worth showing people in the industry.

Because I just graduated, and the loan payments will be starting
soon, I am not looking to hurry into a project. However, I am always
looking for songs to include in a future project; whether that be
one I produce myself (full release or demo), or one that I create
through a label or another producer.

More about me: I am from the Twin Cities (Minnesota), I am 23 years
old, and I have a website which I have created myself.
www.alisonnolan.com I have a friend who is doing some design for me,
but because he is still in college, the finished product is slow in
the coming. On my site you can listen to a few live samples of my
voice, and see a few videos. I also have my demo songs online, but I
prefer to give those links out on an individual basis to those who
ask. I did not pay for the rights to these songs, and it would be
wrong to distribute them freely. Plus, I would prefer that someone
hear me live rather than in my first awkward studio experience.

My influences in music came from two people; Linda Eder and Bette
Midler. I have a very powerful belt, and a very large range. I
prefer to sing in my alto range and in the belt, but am working hard
on the soprano portion of my voice with lessons.

The types of songs I am looking for would most likely be classified
as "easy listening". However, I am open to any style that someone
thinks I could do well with. I don't believe in just sticking with
one genre for my whole life. Give me a rock song you think I could
sing, and you better believe I'll try it. Same with country, folk,
pop, etc. The only genre of music I'm not interested would be rap.

If anyone wanted to send me songs, the best way would be by e-mail.
However, I am currently awaiting a song by snail mail, and would
gladly give out my address for such purposes through a private e-
mail. My e-mail address is alison@....

Again, I would like to stress that I don't have any projects in the
works, and I am not in a hurry to find songs, but I would like to
put myself and my interest out there so that when I do have the
money and time to put into a production that I can spring right into
it.

I hope that included anything. Feel free to ask me anything I may
have left out. And thanks for the opportunity you are giving to
singers. It's great to know that theres someone out there working
for us.

-Alison Nolan
www.alisonnolan.com
alison@...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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MUSIC IN FILM & TV WORKSHOP

Harriet Schock, Award Winning Songwriter
www.harrietschock.com

MONDAY, MAY 1st 6-9PM
Brook Mays Music 3940 Pipestone Rd. Dallas, TX 75212
$45, $35 Members
Please RSVP to info@..., Space is limited,
Pay at the door with cash or check, or in the DSA store with credit
card.

Harriet just wrote all the music for Henry Jaglom's wonderful new
film,
"Going Shopping" which opened September 30! For information on it,
and to hear part of the opening song, go to:
http://www.goingshopping-themovie.com/ See a screening of "Going
Shopping" at the USA Film Festival in Dallas on April 30, 5PM.
NorthPark Center is 8080 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206.
Tickets for the film are $8. Q&A afterwards.

Tuesday, May 2, 2006 8:00PM-Harriet Schock in concert
Andrea Ross-
Greene singing backup
Poor David's Pub 1313 South Lamar St., Dallas, Texas 75215 $15.00

Harriet Schock wrote the words and music to the Grammy-nominated #1
hit for Helen Reddy, "Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady" plus many songs
for other artists including Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Lee
Greenwood, Carl Anderson, Gloria Loring, Manfred Mann and the Little
Mermaid. Her songs have been featured in numerous films and TV
shows, including "The New Adventures of Pippi
Longstocking, " "Matters of the Heart," "Berry Gordy's The Last
Dragon," "Baby Geniuses II," "Delta Force II," and the
animated "Secret Garden." Currently she has a PBS series theme
song, "Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks" playing weekly (and
nominated for 4 Emmys) and two cuts on the new Jeannie Kendall album
All The Girls I Am, one of which was nominated for hot AC single of
the year by New Music Weekly. Her fourth, fifth and sixth CDs,
American Romance, Rosebud and Harriet Schock - Live from Fairfax to
Pasadena are in national release, as well as her book, BECOMING
REMARKABLE: For Songwriters And Those Who Love Songs. She
recently scored the new Henry Jaglom film, "Going Shopping," which
was released in September currently being screened at the USA Film
Festival in Dallas. Harriet is currently scoring his
film, "Hollywood Dreams". She also won a Dramalogue award for her
live show which she has performed worldwide. She teaches songwriting
for the Songwriters Guild of America, as well as privately and by
correspondence. For her performance schedule, list of credits and
samples of her work or information on her songwriting consultation,
go to www.harrietschock.com.

We're so lucky to find out at the last minute that Harriet is
planning to be in Dallas and will do a workshop for us. Also, It was
good of Julie Romeo ( 214 631-0928 x80446 julieromeo@...)
at Brook Mays to find us a room at this late date. At the last
meeting, many of you expressed interest in this workshop. I know you
will enjoy it. It's been about 10 years since we've had a workshop
with Harriet. The last one was really super. Folks couldn't quit
talking about it. To those of you who do not live in Dallas,
forgive me for teasing you, and for sending this email, but we
didn't know about this soon enough to get into the monthly email,
sorry - Barbe

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


The NSAI chapter is opening this event up to all songwriters
interested in attending.

When: Wednesday May 17th, 6:30 pm to 8:30pm

Where: The Black Lab, 4100 Montrose, 77006, 713-529-1199

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?
addr=4100+Montrose&csz=77006&country=us&new=1&name=&qty=

Charge: $10 for non NSAI members.

Dinner: Order off the menu, (your expense).

RSVP: to guarantee a seat.

We are meeting in the Cezanne room upstairs.

Don is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. I'm sure this will
be an informative discussion you won't want to miss.

I hope to see you there.

Dave Bannen

NSAI Houston
http://NSAI-Houston.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Apple iTunes now the ultimate music retailer
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/4000/937/

UMG executive says gift cards fueling digital music

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jennifer Applequist "Beautiful Life"
http://www.myspace.com/jennifermusic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Susie Suh impressed the heck out of me, plus he worked with Glen
Ballard.

On Susie Suh's self-titled debut from Epic Records, the soulful
singer-songwriter takes listeners on an emotional journey. Forging
her own path, Suh brings her introspective songs to life by boiling
each of them down to their essence. "I wanted this first album to be
as honest and sincere as possible with the intent focused around my
voice, guitar and words."

The album's organic instrumentation complements Suh's smoky voice,
tender delivery and gift for melody, which gives these 10 deeply
personal songs an air of intimacy and a timeless appeal. Recorded
over an eight-month period at various studios in California, SUSIE
SUH was produced by Grammy Award-winner Glen Ballard (Alanis
Morissette, Michael Jackson, No Doubt) and engineered and mixed by
Scott Campbell (Dave Matthews, Shelby Lynne).

"There is a world-weary and wise power in her burnished amber
voice," Ballard says. "These stories come from a woman impossibly
young to communicate so much experience, with the sexual urgency and
poignancy of a Billie Holiday and the lyrical clarity of a John
Cheever short story. I feel like every drop of every line is oozing
from her pores, no crocodile tears, no excess musical or verbal
baggage. I'm mesmerized by her ability to express the ineffable in
her lyrics and by her ability to capture the human heart in conflict
with itself. There is shade and dappled sunlight in her landscapes
of the soul, but ultimately hope of love, of fulfillment, of
connection."

ALBUM AVAILABLE on iTunes | Rhapsody | Real | Napster | Walmart

WANT TO HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT SUSIE SUH? Cut and paste the
banner code in the boxes below and insert it into anything that is
HTML compatible. Thank you!

http://www.myspace.com/susiesuh

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Got this note from john arthur martinez

**April 25 '06 Nashville, TN, Nashville Star 9 P.M. (I'll be in the
audience as guest of producers) and Nashville Star Alumni After
Party at Gibson Guitar Stage (I'll be performing with my old friends
from Nashville Star and NS Band) at Opryland 10:00 P.M. Tickets at
door.

April 28, '06 Private Party Thurman Mansion, Salt Lick, Austin,

April 29-30 '06 Featured artist at Benini Art Gallery, Sat. 1:30 &
3:30 P.M., Sun. 1:30 P.M. www.ArtsEncountersatBeninis.com

April 30, '06 Johnson City, TX, The Silver K, 209 East Main St.
(U.S. 290) 11-2:00

April 30, '06 Sunrise Beach, TX WCR Scholarship Fundraiser at Lost
Creek Vineyards, 4-6, show at 5 P.M. contact: Zina at: 830-265-0310,
zina@..., bring lawn chairs please.

April 30, '06 Austin, TX Benefit for Correa family 9:00 P.M. H & H
Ballroom, 4402 Brandt Road, Austin 78744



Here are a few details...

Cruise Dates Feb 5-10, 2007 (5 Day Cruise)
Leaves from Miami...visits Key West and Grand Cayman and has 2
relaxing days at sea.

At present, the cost of the cruise is as follows;

Inside stateroom $479
Outside stateroom $599
Balcony stateroom $719
These prices are the current and may change in the future.
All food and entertainment is included.
Port charges are included.
At the time you book the cruise a $100/per person deposit will
reserve your cabin.
You pay only for acoholic drinks, Off ship sightseeing Tours
packages and Tips and your transportation to and from the port of
Miami.

The ship is going into dry dock to be refitted to add 130 balconies
in April so it should be beautifully appointed and look like new.

Do not book this cruise directly with Celebrity, We are working with
a travel agent who has set up special pricing should we want to
proceed.

Here are a couple links which will help you decide..

The Century

http://www.celebritycruises.com/plancruise/ships/ship.do?shipCode=CN

The Itinerary

http://www.celebritycruises.com/search/vacationSearchResults.do;jsess
ionid=0000_90h4WrLXPtkYpg5jdQq9Uy:1051tg3ld?
dest=ANY&date=200701&ship=CN&price=ANY&x=10&y=4

Russ

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

just a reminder to watch
Nashville Star at
9:00 pm CST
this coming
Tuesday April 25th on the
USANetwork Cable Channel (channel 66 where I live)

my favorite and my votes go to:

Chris Young
http://www.myspace.com/chrisyoungmusic


Ande

Write On,

Ande Rasmussen