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

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Dear IFS Readers,

I hope you are doing great.

It's been a while since I launched the last issue.
Lot's of stuff is going on as always.

I recently received Jason Blume's latest book and I highly recommend
that you order yours. No Songwriters personal songwriting book
library would

Last night I saw my buddy John Gilliam at Cheatham Street in San
Marcos, John told me a songwriter asked to cover one of his songs. I
congratulated him, it's always an honor when someone does that.

If you're out somewhere and you hear a truly great song, that you
want to try out, walk up to the artist and talk. Compliment her and
her song and ask her,
"Would it be alright with you if I tried out your song?"
My cowriter Steve Brooks, just got a cut with Slaid Cleaves.

yesterday I had lunch with Gary Powell at Austin's Headliners Club.
www.GaryPowell.com

I have a few cuts in the works, a few songs in the mill.

Saturday I got an email from a cowriter on a song we worked on a few
years ago, we never really put the finishing touches on it and it's
a really good idea. He wanted to invite a melody writer in on the
song to help take it to the next level. So I told him I'm fine with
that. I hope I'm not being too difficult with them, I just want to
love every line, word and note. I want us to have super high
standards so we make the song as great as it can be.

I met Kyle Wyley at Sandy Knox's house. Kyle is truly phenomenal.
www.KyleWyley.com
Lately He's been cowriting with Karen Staley, Jeffery Steele, Sandy
Knox, and other well known hit writers.
I believe Kyle will get a deal.


Ande

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pat Pattison is doing a workshop in Austin
June 3rd and 4th

there maybe still be time to sign up
contact Joe
strousongs@...

You've received this email because you're signed up to be a part of
this great workshop! We will definitely have a diverse group of
songwriters.

First and foremost, thanks go out to Jan Bozarth for arranging the
location (again!), Erin Guerra (for being so helpful with the
location) and Bitsy Rice, Debbie Beinhorn, Mary Shanahan and Ande
Rasmussen for helping spread the word about this workshop. And of
course, Pat, for coming back!

As past participants will agree, Pat will give us a lot of great
songwriting information and everyone should expect to actively
participate. And we should anticipate some sort of homework
assignment as well. (Oh oh!)

Wear comfortable clothes - dress for the weather - Kindergarten
rules apply!

Location: We'll be meeting in the Main Building, Room G-18 (just
south of the soccer fields). The is the same classroom we've had and
is located on the southeast corner of the Main Building, but watch
for signs, just in case there's a slight change in location. The map
is located here: http://www.stedwards.edu/map/campmap.htm

Parking is anywhere on the map marked in yellow or blue. I usually
try to find a spot in the lot near the Mary Moody Theater.

Time: 10 am to 5 pm both days with an hour or so for lunch. I'll be
there early on Saturday morning to set up (I'll bring the tasty
empanadas), so get some coffee and come by any time after 9 am!

Lunch: You can bring your own lunch if you like – we may order in or
wander about the area. There's also a cafeteria and coffee shop
across from the Main Building and even though it's institutional
food, it's pretty good. One caveat – since school is out, the hours
of operation may be limited, so stay flexible.

Song Critiques: Pat will do these Sunday on a limited basis - as
time allows. However, please be sure to bring your lyrics on a
transparency so they can be projected for the class to see. You can
usually get these done on a computer printer or Ginny's or Kinko's
for a relatively nominal fee. Sign up will be on Saturday so be sure
to have the transparency ready on Sunday. You can bring a CD,
guitar, a capella or cassette – it's all up to you.

Field Trip: Strictly optional. Let's visit about this on Saturday-
any suggestions?

Please email me if you have any questions.

See you Saturday morning, June 3rd and thank you again for taking
the time to further your songwriting career!

Joe
strousongs@...

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Singers Searching for Songs

Date: May/17/2006
By: Peter Shields
E-mail: shields@...


Subject: Harvard Boy Band

Comment:
My friends & I are making a boy band @ Harvard. We are interested in
hot, uptempo, and CATCHY pop songs. We are not looking to earn
credibility points - we're talking Britney & N'Sync style. We are
performers who sing... You can check out one of my solo projects
here, ( a song I wrote & recorded by myself... tis amateur, but to
have a glimpse at the style:)
http://kingstoneentertainment.com/AfroditiLayout.htm Thanks!!!!

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Grammy Awards return to Sunday night in 2007

The Grammy Awards will return to Sunday night in 2007. The 49th
annual event will air live on CBS from the Staples Center in Los
Angeles on Feb. 11, Recording Academy President Neil Portnow
announced Tuesday.

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Legendary club owner Clifford Antone dies
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?
ArID=162598

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Ever heard of Jenna Lee?
She's an IFS reader, an actress and a songwriter.
She played the mom in Rascall Flatts video
"What Hurts the Most"

you can see her headshot and resume at:
http://tinyurl.com/jk9l9

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I loved this quote:

To be an artist one must first be a man vitally concerned with all
problems of social struggle, unflinching in portraying them without
concealment or evasion, never shirking the truth as he understands
it, never withdrawing from life. As a painter his problems are those
of his craft, he is a workman and an artisan. As an artist he must
be a dreamer; he must interpret the unexpressed hopes, fears and
desires of his people and of his time, he must be the conscience of
his culture. His work must contain the whole substance of morality
not in content but rather by the sheer force of its aesthetic facts.
~ Diego Rivera

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

have you seen Paul Oakenfold's new song?
http://music.yahoo.com/ar-288173-videos--Paul-Oakenfold

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ever heard of
http://www.myspace.com/antjeduvekot
I think she's great.

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I loved this quote, maybe you will too

"what I like doing best is writing.
Nothing matches this feeling.
Nothing brings me this particular joy.
I need it. I crave it.
When i don't have it
I suffer."
~ Elizabeth Berg

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

congratulations to David Choi

www.broadjam.com/davidchoi
www.myspace.com/davidchoimusic


DAVID CHOI signed on as a staff writer for WARNER/CHAPPELL
Publishing

Here's his story:

Where do I start? lol...

Well, as a staff writer, you write a certain number of songs; in my
case, 10 this year. A co-write equals half a song. My awesome
publisher Judy Stakee sets me up with various writers and artists
and we basically just write. The focus is to write for either the
artist I'm working with, or people who are looking for material
(Kelly Clarkson, Backstreet Boys, Cher, etc.). Other than that,
there's not much else. I get an advance for the year. Sometimes, all
in one check or as a salary.

How I got there was luck and persistence. As I posted on LTM awhile
ago, I was in ASCAP's Lester Sill Workshop which Judy was one of the
hosts. I was 1 among 15 artists/writers/producers (luck) who were
pre-screened for the workshop, so it was fairly private. Keith
Emrick from ASCAP was the one who selected my song (That Girl) and
he told me he fought to get me in lol (luck. That's why I'm
switching over to ASCAP lol). I learned about the workshop through
browsing the internet (luck). I knew this was my big chance, so I
seized every opportunity I could at the workshop. During the
workshop all 15 of us were paired up to write a song together and to
make a long story short, me and my collaborator's song was the only
one recorded on CD while everyone else performed it live, so I think
that showed the seriousness of music I have. I'm not really sure
what went on in the "talks backstage" right after the workshop, but
I know Brendan Okrent (another host at the ASCAP workshop) had a lot
to do with getting the ball rolling to get me signed. She really
believes in me and tries hard to connect me with various industry
people.

So I guess a lot of factors came about to getting me signed. I gave
the best impression I could, was nice, and showed how much music is
what I wanted to do, while making sure I didn't sound too desperate
or annoying. Age also played a big role in my opinion, as I did a
lot compared to most people my age (20), which shows my work ethic.
I also had a lot in common with Judy including having the same type
of dog lol...

I also have to say, the music you write needs to sound like what's
on the radio NOW. Cookie cutter music, or "bad" music...whatever you
want to call it. That's what's selling, so if you don't want to or
can't write that, there's the film/tv industry to pitch your songs
to which isn't bad at all.

Another very important thing I learned which everyone should drill
in their heads... "networking" is not knowing someone... networking
means becoming their friend. Whether it be A&R reps, publishers,
music supervisors, etc.

If I think of anything else, I'll write it down here.

PS. Casey, you can add 2 more years to the age of your socks lol...


Thanks again everyone for their support!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My friend Kyle Wyley appears in some scenes in danielle pecks video
"findin a good man" He's after the married guy

you can see the video at
http://www.myspace.com/daniellepeckmusic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Why are Fall Out Boy's song titles so long?
you can find the article at:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/life/content/life/daily/0513wentzasaps
ide.html

audio clip where
Wentz explains the art of song titles.
http://asap.ap.org/data/audio//20060508/20060508112633-8539.mp3

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

the 5th Annual CMT/NSAI Song Contest announced Winners
I see several IFS readers in the list,
Congratulations
http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/news.ez?viewStory=90

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What process do you use to write songs to be as great as you can?
Recently I listened to a few demos a friend of mine did and I felt
like she demoed them too soon and could really benefit from getting
pro critiques before she demoed his songs.

as far as a critique service
there's
www.jasonblume.com

kim copeland
http://www.songwritersconnection.com/page21.html
but I read she's not accepting new clients

www.NashvilleSongwriters.com


I also created a peer critiquing group called
Advanced Lyric Writers
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/advancedlyricwriters/

another peer critiquing group is
http://www.songramp.com/forums.ez

there's jpf message boards
http://www.justplainfolks.org/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi
they have several lyric critique boards

just remember to give critiques on 4 or 5 lyrics for each one you
ask for
if you participate on peer critique sites

I also encourage you to cowrite
find talented people to cowrite with
locally and globally

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

are you using google alerts
find out where your name is popping up on the web
follow the news on topics that interest you
http://www.google.com/alerts

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

'BLESSED' SONGWRITER HILLARY LINDSEY BLOSSOMS
http://magazine.angrycountry.com/article.php?story=20060530113618779

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I love what Adrina Thorpe wrote

*** "Emptiness inspires me. Silence beckons me, thrills me, fills me
with ideas. Vacant amphitheaters, like a blank canvas of delight,
dazzle me with visions only I seem to see... I love to write... it's
a passion I've had since I was very little. Melodies are all little
miracles, and the perfect arrangements are like discovering heaven.
I hope I can contribute beauty to the silence in the air. It's such
an ache... to create something truly beautiful... you have no idea
how many little melodies have flitted from my mind onto the same
tape player I've had since I was hardly ten years old. Even though
I've had the opportunity to work with several top notch producers,
that beat up little tape recorder always ends up being more
convenient at the moment of inspiration. My favorite place to stand
is right under the stage of a giant amphitheater, looking out over
the seas of empty chairs... envisioning a stage of lights and
sound ...becoming lost in the swirl of it all, singing for the world
to hear. Its the most exciting spot in the whole world to me." -
Adrina
http://www.myspace.com/adrinathorpe

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SongwriterUniverse Monthly Newsletter

In This Issue: May 2006

• Rising singer/songwriter Holly Brook talks about her
hit "Where'd You Go" with Fort Minor and her debut album; watch her
videos
• The deadline to enter the next song contest is May 31
• Superstar Pink talks about her new album "I'm Not Dead," and
about her songs and collaborations; hear her two singles
• Message from our New Sponsor: MasterWriter
• New "Best Song Of The Month" Winners Announced
• Message from Dale Kawashima (head of SongwriterUniverse)



Rising singer/songwriter Holly Brook talks about her hit "Where'd
You Go" with Fort Minor and her debut album; watch her videos

Our latest article is an interview with talented, young
singer/songwriter, HOLLY BROOKS, who is already on the charts as the
featured vocalist on the Fort Minor smash hit, "Where'd You Go." She
talks about having a Top 5 hit, and how she teamed up with Fort
Minor. Brooks also talks about her debut album, which will be
released shortly on Machine Shop/Warner Bros. Records. You can watch
the video of her hit "Where'd You Go," and also the video of her new
song, "Curious," from her album.

NEW ARTICLES COMING SOON: We're also lining up many new
interviews/articles, such as country star Gretchen Wilson, R&B
superstar writer/producer Jermaine Dupri, Jesse McCartney, Michelle
Branch, DMC of Run-DMC, India.Arie, Teena Marie and others.
Click here to read the Holly Brook article




Superstar Pink talks about her new album "I'm Not Dead," and about
her songs and collaborations; hear her two singles

Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artist PINK talks about her hot new
album, I'm Not Dead," which includes her hit "Stupid Girls" and her
new single "Who Knew." She talks about all the writer/producers
she's worked with on her albums, and whom she worked with for her
new album. Pink co-wrote 45 songs for the album with such top
writer/producers as Billy Mann, Max Martin, Butch Walker and Mike
Elizondo. You can also listen to her singles "Stupid Girls" and "Who
Knew."
Click here to read the Pink article




New "Best Song Of The Month" Winners Announced

Meg Allison (pictured right) a modern pop/rock singer/songwriter
from Chicago, IL, has won this month's song contest, for her
song, "Old Soul."

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

"Broken". Written by Will Brock of Philadelphia, PA.

"Beautiful". Written by Felicia Rives and Carl Rives of
Fayetteville, GA.

"My Gravity." Written by Melody Verdugo of Los Angeles, CA.

"Could You Be." Written by Jon Gillette of North Hollywood, CA.

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 May 31

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 May 31. 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





Message from Dale Kawashima (head of SongwriterUniverse)

I hope everyone's year is going well.

We're working hard to continue to bring you the best magazine
content and resources for songwriters, artists and the general music
community. We're looking forward to further building the site
throughout the summer.

BRIEF MUSIC BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE:

Is the slump in the music industry finally coming to an end? There
is evidence that CD sales have stabilized this year, with digital
online sales booming. The EMI Group has just announced that their
profits rose 14% this past year, and their sales increased for the
first time in five years. Some industry pros are saying that the
music biz rebound may finally be near.

However, to the people working in the music business, it seems that
the job market is still shrinking. There is heavy speculation that
EMI is about to acquire Warner Music, which would lead to many more
layoffs. If this should happen, then there would be only three, huge
music comglomerates remaining: Sony/BMG, Universal and EMI/Warner.
So it's still a nervous time to be in the industry, especially if
you work for EMI or Warner Music.

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
http://www.songwriteruniverse.com/ SingerUniverse
Los Angeles
Please click here to visit the SongwriterUniverse site


Write On,

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