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 Readers,

I hope this issue finds you doing great.

first a BIG thank you
to everyone who wrote me about my recent great news, I very much
appreciate it.
http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Chapters/Texas/

Every songwriter should be on the email list for their local or
closest Grammy chapter.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wasn't Idol a shocker?
I thought the final 2 was going to be
Chris Vs Katharine.
here's an interview with Chris
http://tinyurl.com/gau9p

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What advice do you have for aspiring songwriters?

You absolutely MUST do it for the love of the process. If you don't
get satisfaction from just having "the gift" it will be a long and
frustrating road. This business is not worth it any other way. The
chances of anyone having a hit (no matter how awesomely talented
they are) is probably bigger odds than the lottery. You have to
accept that sometimes the most special songs you write will only be
heard by you , a few friends and family and God. Not everyone is
meant to be on the radio. You can touch people with your music in so
many ways. If you forget that and place all of your validation on
industry success you will have missed the whole point. If you are
lucky enough to have one song recorded you have done more than 99.9%
of people on the planet, let alone the industry. Writing a great
song is a miracle unto itself. I go through my catalog and wonder
why certain songs will never be heard when I think they are a
million times better than the ones I've gotten cut. I have no idea
why. But it was a gift to me to write it, so maybe that's all that
song was meant to accomplish. We won't know until we're in Heaven
and can look back over the big picture to see who was touched by our
songs that we didn't even realize.

http://www.karenstaley.com/bio.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

the 2nd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise December 2, 2006
www.txsongwriterscruise.com

This event provides instruction regarding the craft and business of
songwriting from some of the most successful songwriters, label
representatives, publishers and industry
pro's in the nation. Participants also receive the opportunity to
personally pitch their songs to these incredible pro's. We have
added two new Music Industry pro's to our lineup of pro's actually
attending this year's event on December 2, 2006...

Monte Warden
won his first Austin Music Award (for Best New Band) when he
was all of 15 years old. The band in question was the country trio
Whoa
Trigger!, which the young Warden rode all the way into his next
project -
the even more popular Wagoneers, which scored a major-label deal
with A&M
after performing at the 1st SXSW. The band's "Stout and High" debut
was
released to worldwide critical acclaim and is widely considered one
of the
best country albums of the 80s. The early-to-mid '90s found Warden
launching
a solo career, resulting in three albums showcasing his signature
blend of
Buddy Holly hooks, hot rockabilly guitar licks and straight-up Texas
honky-tonk. Warden's biggest success in recent years has been as a
professional songwriter, landing cuts in several movies and
television
shows, as well as with artists like Kelly Willis, Patty Loveless,
George
Jones, Bruce Robison, Travis Tritt, and George Strait, to name a
few.
Warden co-wrote Strait's smash, "Desperately". In the fall of 2005,
Warden was
awarded his first BMI songwriting award for success in the country
field.
In March 2006, Warden was awarded the prestigious BMI 'Million-Air'
Award
signifying over 1 million radio performances of his
song, "Desperately".

Brandi Warden
comes from a long line of country music veterans. Her grandparents,
Don & Gladys Scaife, father, Phil Thomas, uncle, Ronny Scaife, and
cousin, Joe Scaife, are all award-winning songwriters and /or
producers, with the familys record sales in excess of 100 million.
She began her own music career in the mid 90s in A&R with Decca
Records, before moving to Austin, TX to marry songwriter / recording
artist, Monte Warden. Since founding her publishing company,
Moonkiss Music, in 2002, she has earned numerous Gold & Platinum
records, had major label cuts in both country & rock, and several
charted singles, including George Straits "Desperately" which
earned a BMI Award in 2005 and a BMI Million-Air Award in 2006.
Brandi & Monte live with their three sons in Austin, TX.

Monte will manage a song pitch critique session and will provide one
on one
instruction on how to get your songs heard by top music labels and
pro's
without having to live in Nashville, NY or LA. Something he has
been very
successful at. Brandi will participate in panel discussions and
will be
listening for songs that might be suitable for Moonkiss Publishing.

Brandi and Monte will join the following music industry pro's on the
2nd
Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise:

Ted Lowe, President-ChoiceTracks, Inc., Los Angeles. Placed songs in
"Americas Top Modelâ�, â��"Making the Videoâ�, â
��"Desperate
Housewives�, �"Punk�d
�,
and many more.

Norman DeVasure, Owner-Sunset Music/Norman Productions, Nashville.
Placed
Tracy Byrds mega-hit "Keeper of the Stars". Cuts with Montgomery
Gentry, Ty Herndon, George Strait, Reba McEntire, and many more.

Mike Geiger, Hit songwriter, Nashville, penned Neil McCoy's "City
Put The
Country Back In Me" and George Strait's "Adalida", and many more.

Perry Howard- Songwriter/Publisher Relations BMI, Nashville

Brian Rawlings, Director of Publishing, Disney Music, Los Angeles

Brice Long, Songwriter/Artist, RCA - As an new artist his new single
just
charted and he wrote Gary Allen's "Nothing On But The Radio".

Shannan Neese, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC, Nashville

Roxie Dean, Hit songwriter, Nashville

Carie Long, A & R Representative, Sony/BMG, Nashville

Jason Blume- With credits for writing songs that have been on albums
with
more than 50 million sales and the author of best-selling
songwriting
books.

Look for our ad in the May-June issue of American Songwriter
Magazine or go
to our website at www.txsongwriterscruise.com for more info.

Thanks

Lealean Peace
Founder/Coordinator
Texas Songwriters Cruise
www.txsongwriterscruise.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Got a street team?

here's a recent street team email I received

jake@... writes:
It's time to start helping Cross Canadian Ragweed get on the upper
ranks of CMT.com! This will help get them up high on the charts,
and also provide more exposure for Cross Canadian Ragweed on CMT!

How can you help?

1. Post messages about Cross Canadian Ragweed on CMT.com by clicking
the link below:
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/cross_canadian_ragweed/artist.jhtml

2. Post messages about Cross Canadian Ragweed and general discussion
on their CMT.com message board:
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/cross_canadian_ragweed/message_board.jh
tml

3. Stream their videos often, and send their video stream link to
friends, family, and post on other message boards for people to
check them out! The more streams they get, the more CMT recognizes
Cross Canadian Ragweed fans want more of them on CMT!

To stream their videos, please click the link below:
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/cross_canadian_ragweed/videos.jhtml

Use the i-Squad e-mail system to e-mail the Cross Canadian Ragweed i-
Squad administrator that you have streamed, posted, and recruited
other people to do stream and post - and we will manually award you
points each month for your efforts. We have just received word that
are new items for the Cross Canadian Ragweed i-Squad store is on the
way, so look for the new items to be on the store in the next few
weeks. In the meantime - go ahead and rack up points by recruiting
for them now!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR HELPING CROSS CANADIAN RAGWEED!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A Asked me the following question:

Hi Ande,

Now that I have a myspace site and music,
what would you recommend is the best way to use it?
You seem to be especially smart about these things.
Thanks for your help.

A

~ ~ ~

hi A,

you could use myspace to be a sexual predator
to find fake children
to ruin your life when you wind up on the
"to catch a predator" TV show

but I suggest you use myspace to:

+ market your music

+ find great artists who are looking for songs

+ stay in touch with artists and writers

+ blog stuff

+ increase the number of myspace friends you have

+ read other peoples blogs (sometimes comment)

+ stay in touch with REAL friends

+ post bulletins

+ share your calendar and updates

so right now I am conducting an experiment to determine if the
effort to do all this is worth it or not

ande

I'll also ask IFS readers how they use myspace and what's happened
because of it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Blurb from a Talented singer

My name is Cameron Maxwell- I'm a young singer and songwriter and I
sing contemporary pop/soul/R&B. You can hear a few older samples of
my work on
www.SoundClick.com/CameronMaxwell
I'm looking for talented producers, songwriters,arrangers, other
lyricists to work on contemporary projects to pitch to major
artists. I co-write with songwriters both in LA and NY who have big
label management, so if we come up with something commercial, it
WILL be heard. Thanks y'all

http://www.justplainfolks.org/ubb/Forum4/HTML/002431.html


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ever Heard of Kelly Archer

I am a songwriter. Why? Well, that's just where I landed. I hopped
in my 88 Mazda 323 on Jan 7th 2001 and drove across the country with
no plan, just a gut feeling like I was pointed in the right
direction. So far, my gut was right. You can trace the last five
years through my song catalogue. Nashville isn't your typical town
and the 'music business' isn't your typical business. I'm adapting
as I go and i'm figuring things out as I go, most of the time with a
smile on my face. I have big goals and places I want to go that
expand beyond my music and Tennessee but I know already that there
will come a day when I will miss these days of struggle and trial
and error. The days in my crappy/cute little apartment, learning new
chords, and trying to be a business woman when most of the time I
still feel like a kid. I am happy to say I care alot more about what
the music lovers, the country bar patron's, CD buyer's, concert
goers, and country music festival beer drinker's think of my song's
then those here on the row. I hope more then anything that I can
look back and have a great story to tell. I have recently signed as
a staff writer with BMG Publishing and I am very grateful for the
opportunity to continue my treck out here in Nashville. I have a
GREAT family without whom I wouldn't be doing what I am doing. I
have a wonderful support system of friends out here too. We are
cheerleaders for one another and that is crucial. I Love my
friends!! I also have a gorgeous Australian Shepherd named Lizzie
and a fat and friendly Cat named Roja but pronounced 'Roger w/an
english accent. I hope you enjoy the tunes and if you catch a show I
hope you have a great time. To all of those who take the time to
leave me messages and comments and come to the shows and sing
along........YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW IMPORTANT YOU ARE!!!! THANK YOU :)
k
http://www.myspace.com/kellyarcher

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

anyone following

109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006)
H.R. 2594: Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-2594

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

you might enjoy
www.storybehindthesong.net

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

here was my reply to an anrtist who is considering recording one of
my songs

hello C,

great to hear from you
glad you think all of us together is Awesome

you wrote: "1) if i wanted to record it, what steps would i have to
take to record it, and what paper-work/red-tape i would have to go
through"

~~~> are you recording it to
make a NOT for sale demo or
a for sale CD

a not for sale demo:
no paperwork,
I just ask you to properly credit the writers and
provide us with a copy of what you record

for sale CD:
we need to send you a mechanical license,
it will state you need to
+ pay the standard mechanical fee,
(which is currently 9.1 cents per song per CD),
+ properly credit us (the writers and publishers) on the CD and
+ provide us with a copy of the recording and the CD


you wrote: "2) do you have this song done or demoed with male
vocals, just seem like the arrangement is high, and also if you
happen to do you have it where i could listen to it."
~~~> the orignal demo is a male vocal but I we made it back in 1998
and my cowriter didn't have a CD burner at the time, so I only have
it on cassette
It isn't as dynamic as the female vocal

(3) if everything worked out and does the track come with the just
the music or with the background vocals included, sort of like an
accompanent track or soundtrack some people call them, you know they
usually use them when they don't have a live band or musicians. If
you could get back with me on this i would appreacite it,
~~~> unfortunately I do not have backing tracks for this song, even
if I did they wouldn't work for you. (the key is too high) I have
friends in Nashville who could easily and affordably rebuild one for
you that would be in your key and designed to perfectly fit you
Galen Breen ~ www.thegatorhole.com
or
Denny Martin www.dennymartinmusic.com

and I'm Glad you like "Send me out," It is a simple hymn some
churches are using it around the country.

I'd also be happy to send you mp3's of the songs that interest you
there's no cost and no paperwork if you just want to try out a song
or work it up

thanks again and let me know

ande

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kristin Armstrong wrote an article that contained the phrase

fearlessly MSH
(our acronym for "Make shit happen)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

ever heard of Kimber manning?
www.myspace.com/kimbermanning

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

KIND NOTES FROM IFS READERS

Ande~
You send out so many wonderful Inspirations... I think that the
thing that Inspires me most is just the mere fact that you "Show
up". Often, and with great intention and enthusiasm. That is what
great work comes from. I think my teacher's got it right. He's
always saying the people that make it don't sit in judgement of
themselves or anyone else ~ they don't get on their own back ~ they
just keep sweepin. Just sweep the ally. With a smile and a good
attitude. Just keep sweepin. Thanks again and I hope your weekend
was beautiful. It's certainly been gorgeous here :)
Peace & Love,
Jenna

~ ~ ~

Hey Ande~

You are amazing! Your issues do inspire people to re-member their
Hearts and live what they Love.

I have been so busy out here in LA doing acting, makeup, and now
real estate. It has been all too easy to forget to sit down and
write. I have been on a huge learning curve that is finally coming
around. Sometimes doing what you Love successfully requires
reorganizing your life in a way that brings your life together and
allows you to Focus. For me, having so much to do, has been a
little confusing. But I can swear now, that as long as I Believe in
all I am doing, I am able to do it all, provided that I keep an
environment (organized files, logs, etc.) and a schedule that
allows me to Focus.

And because of your constant Inspiration and re-minders, even though
I've found Los Angeles difficult, I have never given up on my Love
for songwriting. I've written a couple of good things while here
but that was a while ago. And most recently, I was inspired by one
of your IFS pieces. And music has been coming back in my life.
It's really incredible how life works. I think things do come to
you when you open yourself to them. Key ~ staying Open to the
wonderful possibilities.

Anyway, long story, (a little shorter), I have set a session
tomorrow with someone I believe in who is extremely talented ~ who I
met and have worked with at The Beverly Hills Playhouse. He's a
wonderful actor, an excellent singer, and a stellar human being. I
sometimes wonder why we as Artists so often refuse to utilize the
Gifts that exist right in front of our faces. My best guess is that
we, often times, Focus too far away, or in the wrong direction. I'm
thinking the more I get clear on "Focus", the more successes I will
have in life.

In any case, I am writing out what Inspires me, in an effort to
share how much you are part of that. And I think most of us are
never told when we greatly affect people around us. We all need to
be more aware as Artists, that we re-present Hope to the world. It
is the Artist's vision that refuses to believe only what it is
told. It is the Artist who can take the ugliest things in life and
turn them into an Inspiration of thought and/or beauty. It is the
true Artist that needs no particular language or religion to
communicate to the world. An Artist helps all people think with
their Hearts and Spirits.

An Artist doesn't rely on anyone, or anything, that would seek to
dictate a Soul's journey.

Each Artist in this world takes a singular journey, and the only
directions given come from deep within the Soul. God gave us all
all of the tools necessary to be an Artist in life.

We create our world from the depths of our Souls. And from that, we
offer the world the Gift of seeing the world from perspectives
unimagined. Most people are good and beautiful, but they get caught
up in thinking as the world would have them think, and in believing
thoughts that are not their own, and they don't even know it.

Artists re-mind the world that things may not always be as they are
perceived, and that God gave us all a mind to think with, and the
gifts of our own re-creation.

You are a very important Artist. You share the depths of your Soul
and Inspire others to do the same.
That is what I am doing now. Thank you Ande and Congratulations on
your journey. God only knows your Devine Destination. When you
have Faith in that, all paths in your Soul are open to you.
And the Artist in you will keep you in the Constructive universe of
Creation. That is the Universe of God. You are there. To me,
anyway.

Xoxo!!!
:)
Peace & Love, Jenna Lee
Manhattan Beach, CA

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here was a question someone asked me followed by my response:


Hi Ande,

Thanks for the add. Great songs. Is that you singing the first one?
If so, really like your voice. Funny thing is my friend thought it
sounded like me at first. Like when I sing a mellow tune like that.

I'd love to start pitching some of my other songs to people. Any
pitching services you'd recommend?

Xtina aka Christina

http://www.myspace.com/christinarasch

hi xtina

you are a great singer, thanks for dropping by

that's not me singing, I'm a non performing songwriter, I just dream
up songs & cowrite them. the singer on BH is Halie Loren.
myspace.com/halieloren

you've done the first 2 steps in pitching
1) write strong songs &
2) create great demos

work on getting them heard, put yourself in a position where you get
invited on projects

my suggestions to you are

1) network locally & globally

2) find producers & cowrite with them

3) find awesome up & coming artists and help them,

4) find amazing songwriters and be friends, get to the point where
you can ask, "If I found a really great song idea would it be
alright if I ran it past you?

how many cell phone numbers and email addresses do you have of great
songwriters, producers and artists?

how many doors are open to hearing song ideas from you?

5) as far as pitching lists
there's
musicrow or row fax
song link
taxi
www.songu.com/ifs

6) you should also work to place your songs on TV and in Films

7) become the go to person in your community on songwriting

8) take actions every day on each front of your songwriting

9) create clear goals of what you hope to accomplish and find a way
to make them happen

10) persist, be patient

11) take a different approach than everyone else,

12) trust flashes of intuition that arrive
think them write them down
do them

13) save great song ideas to cowrite, like bottles of fine wine to
share with a special person,

14) write down ideas you get and do them

15) take so many long shots that you forget about all the things
you've done, then months later something you did will pan out.

16) subscribe to songwriterblog.com

17) find out what other people are trying to accomplish and help
them, encourage them.
the more you care about other people the more they'll care about you

Think up more ideas

you deserve much success

ande

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Subject: Recording Academy Member Benefit: Register For Your FREE
NAMM Summer Session badgeThe 2006 NAMM Summer Session Is Coming
To "The Live Music Capital Of The World"
� Austin, Texas, July 14-16 and NAMM and The Recording Academy Want
You There.

NAMM has graciously offered Recording Academy members the
opportunity to be a
part of one of largest gatherings of music products retailers and
manufacturers
in the country. Recording Academy members can register for the NAMM
Summer
Session absolutely FREE! (a savings of $200!)

Come see the gear, make some new contacts and enjoy some great live
music
after-show hours. For more information about the show, please visit
www.nammsummersession.com And don't forget to stop by The Recording
Academy
booth in the Austin Convention Center.

To register for your FREE NAMM Summer Session badge, please RSVP by
June 1 to
texas@.... Due to the volume of on-site NAMM member
registrations,
Recording Academy members will not be able to pick up badges on show
site.
Please respond today as RSVPs received after June 1 will not be
honored by NAMM.

If you have any questions, please call the Texas Chapter of The
Recording
Academy at 512.328.7997

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Note from an IFS reader


Hi Folks...my song, "Never Been To Carolina" is in the running for
Song Of The Month on Folk Alley, an internet Folk music broadcast.
You can go and vote for the song if you want to.....thanks
Bob

just go to :

www.folkalley.com

on the homepage you will see a link that says
"go to monthly song contest"...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Piano Press is currently accepting submissions of:

Spring songs
Earth Day songs
Easter songs
Passover songs
Mother's Day songs
Father's Day songs
Patriotic songs
Irish folk song piano arrangements
International folk song piano arrangements

Please send CDs or cassettes w/lyrics
(and lead sheets and/or piano scores if available) to:

Piano Press Submissions Dept.
PO Box 85
Del Mar, CA 92014-0085

__________________________________________

The 6th Annual Art of Music Writing Contest

Since 2001, The Art of Music Annual Writing Contest has
encouraged poets, authors, and songwriters to write on
music-related topics as well as come forward with music-related
poems, short stories, essays, and song lyrics they have written
which might have otherwise gone unnoticed. The winning
entries, along with the top 75 entries, are published in our
anthology, "The Art of Music - A Collection of Writings." The
anthology gives writers a chance to share their music-related
pieces and experience those written by others. "The Art of Music -
A Collection of Writings" has been used in university-level poetry
courses and can be found in libraries and bookstores as well as
museum and performing art center gift shops. Portions of the
proceeds from the anthology are donated to Breast Cancer
Research. The editor, Elizabeth C. Axford, is a ten-year breast
cancer survivor.

Please read the contest rules below.

Visit http://www.pianopress.com/artofmusic.htm
for a printable contest entry form. (78K PDF)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
---
The Art of Music Annual Writing Contest
RULES & REGULATIONS

Each entry must include the following:

* Completed entry form (photocopy is acceptable) with original
signature.
* Typed manuscript including title and music-related written work
only. Do not include any identification on the actual manuscript.
* $20 entry fee per entry.

Checks and money orders should be made payable to Piano
Press. Payment from countries outside the US must be in the
form of an international money order.

All entries must be postmarked on or before June 30, 2006

Categories include:

* Poem
* Short Story
* Essay
* Song Lyric
* Illustration for Cover Art

Mail entries to:
Piano Press Contest Dept.
PO Box 85
Del Mar, CA 92014-0085

All entries submitted must be original and shall not infringe any
copyrights or any other rights of any third parties. Entrant shall,
by
entering, indemnify and hold Piano Press harmless from and
against any claims inconsistent with the foregoing.

The Art of Music Annual Writing Contest is open to all amateur
and professional writers and anyone regardless of nationality or
origin. Employees of Piano Press, its families, subsidiaries, and
affiliates are not eligible. If entrant is under 18 years old, the
signature of a parent or guardian is required.

Entrant may submit as many writings as desired in each
category. Multiple entries must be sent in one package with one
check or money order. All entry fees are non-refundable.

Entry materials submitted will not be returned. Piano Press is
not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, postage
due, stolen, or misappropriated entries.

Piano Press will screen all entries, and the finalists will be sent
to the judges who will select the winners. The 2006 judging
committee consists of published authors, poets, and
songwriters.

Winners will be announced by October 31, 2006. Winners will be
notified by mail. Winners will be required to sign an affidavit
confirming that winner's entry is original and he/she holds the
rights to the writing. Failure to sign and return the form within
fourteen days or provision of false information will result in
immediate disqualification and an alternate winner will be
selected. Affidavits are subject to verification by Piano Press and
its agents. Entry constitutes permission to use winner's name,
likeness, and voice for future advertising and publicity purposes
without additional compensation.

Contest prizes include publication in The Art of Music - A
Collection of Writings (in the upcoming Complete Edition) or
publication by Piano Press, one copy of each poetry anthology,
an engraved trophy, a certificate, and a cash prize ($150 1st,
$100 2nd, $50 3rd). All federal, state, and local taxes, and
customs fees, when applicable, are the sole responsibility of the
winner. Piano Press will not pay any winners' taxes. Prizes will
be sent out within a reasonable amount of time, and Piano
Press will use its best efforts to send prizes out in a timely
fashion.

Entrant retains all ownership rights to the submitted writing(s).

Piano Press reserves the right to exclude any entries deemed
inappropriate.

By submitting an application form to Piano Press, entrant agrees
to be bound by the Piano Press contest entry rules and
regulations established herein.

� 2006 Piano Press Newsletter

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Subject: Recording Academy Member Benefit: Register For Your FREE
NAMM Summer Session badgeThe 2006 NAMM Summer Session Is Coming
To "The Live Music Capital Of The World"
� Austin, Texas, July 14-16 and NAMM and The Recording Academy Want
You There.

NAMM has graciously offered Recording Academy members the
opportunity to be a
part of one of largest gatherings of music products retailers and
manufacturers
in the country. Recording Academy members can register for the NAMM
Summer
Session absolutely FREE! (a savings of $200!)

Come see the gear, make some new contacts and enjoy some great live
music
after-show hours. For more information about the show, please visit
www.nammsummersession.com And don't forget to stop by The Recording
Academy
booth in the Austin Convention Center.

To register for your FREE NAMM Summer Session badge, please RSVP by
June 1 to
texas@.... Due to the volume of on-site NAMM member
registrations,
Recording Academy members will not be able to pick up badges on show
site.
Please respond today as RSVPs received after June 1 will not be
honored by NAMM.

If you have any questions, please call the Texas Chapter of The
Recording
Academy at 512.328.7997.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SongwriterUniverse Monthly Newsletter

In This Issue: April 2006

� Special new interview with Jewel; watch her new video
� The deadline to enter the next song contest is April 30


� New interview with gospel superstar Kirk Franklin; hear his
new single
� Message from our New Sponsor: MasterWriter


� New "Best Song Of The Month" Contest Winners Announced
� Message from Dale Kawashima (head of SongwriterUniverse)



Special new interview with Jewel; watch her new video

Our latest article is an in-depth interview with singer/songwriter,
multi-platinum artist JEWEL. She talks about her new album "Goodbye
Alice In Wonderland," and how it's her most autobiographical album
since her debut album "Pieces Of You." The album marks a return to
her more acoustic, pop and rock roots. She also talks about co-
producing the album with renowned producer, Rob Cavallo (Green Day,
Goo Goo Dolls). You can also watch the video of her current hit
single, "Again And Again."

NEW ARTICLES COMING SOON: We're also lining up interviews/articles
with R&B; superstar writer/producer Jermaine Dupri, acclaimed rock
bands Yeah Yeah Yeahs and the All-American Rejects, and new pop idol
Teddy Geiger.
Click here to read the Jewel article




New interview with gospel superstar Kirk Franklin; hear his new
single

KIRK FRANKLIN, gospel/R&B; star who has won three Grammy Awards and
has had five platinum albums, talks about his latest album, "Hero."
He talks about how his religious faith inspires his music, and how
he wrote the songs on his album. Franklin also talks about
collaborating with Stevie Wonder. Wonder sings on Franklin's
song "Why," and Franklin directed the gospel choir on two songs on
Wonder's "A Time To Love" album. You can also listen to Franklin's
hit single, "Looking For You."
Click here to read the Kirk Franklin article




New "Best Song Of The Month" Contest Winners Announced

Amanda Droste (pictured right) a modern rock/pop singer/songwriter
from New York, NY, has won this month's song contest, for her
song, "Thank You."

In addition, here are the other Top Five songs of the month:

"Driving Away". Written by SVOY of New York, NY.

"Far From Home ". Written by Erin Hobson of Rhinebeck, NY.

"A Dream." Written by Craig A. Thompson of Toledo, OH.

"I'm Not Laughing Anymore." Written by Stephen Desjardins of
Orlando, FL.

You can listen to their mp3s, and contact them directly. Their
contact info and links are listed on the "Best Song Of The Month"
Winners page.

Click here to read the Winners article




The deadline to enter the next song contest is April 30

ENTRIES ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE NEXT, 'BEST SONG OF THE
MONTH" CONTEST. ALSO, THERE IS A NEW PRIZE ADDED: THE MUSIC
PUBLISHER REGISTRY BOOK.

The deadline for the next, monthly contest is April 30. The winning
songwriter will be written about for a very positive article at
SongwriterUniverse. This monthly Winners article is now read by
industry music execs, plus thousands of songwriters and artists. The
three, free prizes for the contest winner are: (1) a copy of
the "A&R; Registry" directory book (pictured right); (2) a copy of
the "Music Publisher Registry" directory book; (3) a copy of
the "Indie Bible" resource book for independent artists; and (4) the
instructional video, "Guitar Playing For Songwriters," by top
Nashville session guitarist Gary Talley.

TWO PRIZES NOW FOR THE TOP FIVE FINALISTS

There are now two free prizes for the Top Five finalists each month.
First, the finalists will be offered to become Gold Artists at the
popular RadioIndy.com website/online radio network. Each finalist
can have their own, free web page on the RadioIndy site, and have
their songs broadcast on the RadioIndy radio network.

Second, each finalist will receive a free, three-month subscription
to the Songbridge pitch sheet. This comprehensive tip sheet has good
listings for U.S. and Canadian artists who are looking for songs.

The entry fee is only $12 per song (or $20 to enter two songs).
Click here to read the song contest instuctions




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Click here to visit the MasterWriter site and download the free, 30-
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Message from Dale Kawashima (head of SongwriterUniverse)

I hope everyone's year is going well.

We're pleased to report that last month's "Best Song Of The Month"
Winner, 15-year-old Antonio Pontarelli of Los Angeles, has been
offered a deal with a major label, and he has also received an offer
to be represented by a top manager. It's exciting to see one of our
song contest winners do so well.

BRIEF MUSIC BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE:

Music sales seem to be holding up pretty well so far this year. CD
sales are only down between 1-2% in 2006, while legal download sales
(such as iTunes) continues to grow at a very fast pace. Regarding
legal downloads, the major labels have all agreed that they want to
implement variable pricing on the downloading of songs. For example,
a hit single should cost more than the current standard of 99 cents
per download, and lesser or obscure album cuts could be sold for
less than 99 cents. However, at this time Apple iTunes is holding
firm to its position of charging 99 cents for all downloads.

Sony Corp. and its Sony Music division have been in the news lately.
First Sony/ATV Music Publishing has acquired half of Michael
Jackson's share of this company. So Sony now owns 75% of Sony/ATV,
while Jackson now owns 25%. There is also talk that Sony wants to
buy out BMG's 50% share of the merged Sony/BMG label. And this month
in Nashville, Sony's country division merged with BMG's RCA country
label division, thereby reducing the number of major labels in
Nashville.

That's the latest for now. Thank you very much for reading our
latest newsletter, and for your continued interest in our sites.

Best regards,
Dale Kawashima
SongwriterUniverse &; SingerUniverse
Los Angeles
Please click here to visit the SongwriterUniverse site

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Write On,

Ande Rasmussen
Does anyone ever read IFS to the VERY END?