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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IF YOU WANT TO RECEIVE IFS or
CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS WITH IFS
SEND an EMPTY email to
difs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dear IFS Readers,

I hope this email finds you great.

Tonight I'm going to be at the NUTTY BROWN in Dripping Springs at
8:00 pm with Sandy Knox to see the BomShels do a short acoustic
set. Buffy Lawson is one of Sandy's longtime friends, she's a great
singer and songwriter. I look forward to meeting her. Maybe I'll see
you there. Please walk up to me and say Hi if you do.

I'm going to be in NYC from Sat July 15th - 22nd, maybe I can meet a
few IFS readers or catch one of your gigs

I've exchanged emails with Adam Anders who cowrote More than That
for the BackStreet Boys
www.AndersMusic.com

Take Care,

Ande

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Consider entering the DSA 2006 Song Contest
http://dallassongwriters.org

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Here's some Important
Recording Academy / Grammy
Grammy.com Dates and Events

June 27:
Awards: Record Company Online Entry Process Opens
(Round 1 of 2)

June 30:
Awards: Last day for to join The Academy and have access to online
entry process

July 26
Awards: Record Company Online Entry Process Closes (Round 1 of 2)

July 15:
"Here, There & Everywhere: An Evening With Beatles Engineer Geoff
Emerick" at ACL Studio in Austin

August 1:
Awards: Member Online Entry Process Opens

August 22:
Awards: Record Company Online Entry Process Opens (Round 2 of 2)

September 1:
Awards: Member Online Entry Process Closes

September 6:
Awards: Record Company Online Entry Process Closes (Round 2 of 2)

September 6:
ADVOCACY: Recording Arts Day on Capitol Hill

September 26:
7th Annual Latin GRAMMY Nominee Press Conference

September 29:
Awards: Last day to join The Academy and receive voting ballot

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ever Heard of Taylor Swift
her dad does the same job I do and I read about her on our companies
website.
http://www.myspace.com/taylorswift

I play a 12-string guitar, and have since I was 12. I'm a songwriter
first and foremost, and I have never written anything I didn't mean.
I am obsessed with lyrics. I love Tennessee. And talking to people.
I write for Sony/ATV Music Publishing and I recently signed with Big
Machine/ Show Dog Records. When you love what you do, you can't
really consider it work.. So I consider myself lucky. I am the most
competetive person I know. I never really got into sports, so I
guess you could say music is my game. I love people who are nice to
me, I've never been one to say things like "All you people think you
know me, well you don't". I'm not that complicated. My complications
come out in my songs. All you need to do to be my friend is like me.
I sing country music, I am obsessed with that too. I guess you kinda
have to be. I love everyone I've ever gone creeking with. I have
beautiful friends. Be one. I really like it when people tell me they
like my music, it's everything I've got so it really means alot to
me. I'm really weird sometimes, but you are too. I need everything
to be organized. All the time. I love trucks. They are works of art.
I'm a thinker and an over-analyzer. I'm not jaded. And to all the
people who have ever blasted my songs from their car stereo, thank
you from the bottom of my heart.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Derek Sivers, the founder of CDBaby, offers many wonderful music
career tips at:
http://cdbaby.net/tips
I believe these should be required reading for anyone who wants to
carve out ANY career.


Introduction by Derek Sivers
http://cdbaby.net/derekintro
http://dallassongwriters.org

Be Considerate : Think of everything from their point of view

Constantly ask, What do they really want?
http://cdbaby.net/what-do-they-really-want

Reach them like you would want to be reached
http://cdbaby.net/reach-like-you

They know nothing about you. Don't assume anything.
http://cdbaby.net/dont-assume

Read about new music. Use the tricks that worked on you.
http://cdbaby.net/what-worked-on-you

Have the confidence to target

If you don't say what you sound like, you won't make any fans
http://cdbaby.net/say-what-you-sound-like

Proudly exclude some people
http://cdbaby.net/proudly-exclude-most

The Most Expensive Vodka
http://cdbaby.net/most-expensive-vodka

If you target sharp enough, you will own your niche
http://cdbaby.net/target-sharp

Bad Targeting Example: progressive rocker targeting teenybopper
http://cdbaby.net/progrock-teenybop

Grab people's attention, senses and emotions
Touch as many of their senses as you can
http://cdbaby.net/touch-all-senses

Never use corporate-speak
http://cdbaby.net/no-corporate-speak

Leave 'em wanting more
http://cdbaby.net/wanting-more

All the world's a stage. What character are you?

Imagine a play with 1000 actors on stage
http://cdbaby.net/thousand-actors

Be an extreme version of yourself
http://cdbaby.net/extreme-version

Even conservative legends were extreme
http://cdbaby.net/conservatives-were-extreme

Well-Rounded Doesn't Cut
http://cdbaby.net/well-rounded

Think test marketing - proof of success
Test. Improve. Perfect. Announce.
http://cdbaby.net/test-marketing

A good biz plan wins no matter what happens
http://cdbaby.net/good-biz-plan

Was 10%, now 90%
http://cdbaby.net/was-10-now-90

DIY = Decide It Yourself
http://cdbaby.net/diy

This is only a test. See what happens.
http://cdbaby.net/this-is-a-test

Business is Creative
http://cdbaby.net/creative-business

Captain T
http://cdbaby.net/captain-t

The Power of People
Someone you know
http://cdbaby.net/someone-you-know

Be a friend, not a mosquito
http://cdbaby.net/mosquito

Persistence is Polite
http://cdbaby.net/persistence

Stay in close touch with hundreds of people
http://cdbaby.net/close-with-hundreds

Get used to the idea of database and quantity
http://cdbaby.net/database-quantity

Database tips
http://cdbaby.net/database-tips

Meet three new people every week
http://cdbaby.net/people-per-week

Always think how you can help someone
http://cdbaby.net/how-you-help

Get personal
http://cdbaby.net/get-personal

Don't be afraid to ask for favors
http://cdbaby.net/ask-favors

Small gifts go a long way
http://cdbaby.net/small-gifts

Life is like High School
http://cdbaby.net/high-school

Shining example: Rayko
http://cdbaby.net/rayko-example

Make these habits, and they won't seem hard
http://cdbaby.net/habits-not-hard

More thoughts about people
http://cdbaby.net/keep-in-touch2

The Power of Words
Why words matter more than ever
http://cdbaby.net/words-matter

A short description - 10 seconds or less
http://cdbaby.net/short-description

How to describe your music
http://cdbaby.net/description-how

Hillbilly Flamenco
http://cdbaby.net/hillbilly-flamenco

Tell people why they should care
http://cdbaby.net/sound-like-someone

Blah blah blah... What NOT to say
http://cdbaby.net/what-not-to-say

Think like a person or poet, not a musician
http://cdbaby.net/not-musician

Have fun - do NOT be corporate
http://cdbaby.net/not-corporate

Or you can not talk at all
http://cdbaby.net/not-talk

Tools and Skills
Know the important skills
http://cdbaby.net/internet-skills

Promo box on your desktop
http://cdbaby.net/desktop-box

Your Interactive Website
http://cdbaby.net/interactive-website

Big Strategies
Call the destination, and ask for directions
http://cdbaby.net/call-the-destination

Put your fans to work
http://cdbaby.net/fans-to-work

Make your success a we or us. Include everyone.
http://cdbaby.net/include-everyone

Photos of your audience on your website
http://cdbaby.net/photos-of-audience

Go where the filters are
http://cdbaby.net/get-filtered

Assume the basic sale, and go for quantity
http://cdbaby.net/quantity

Have someone work the inside of the industry
http://cdbaby.net/work-industry

Be a novice marketer, not an expert
http://cdbaby.net/novice-not-expert

Extreme results = extreme actions
http://cdbaby.net/extreme-results

Stay In Over Your Head
http://cdbaby.net/over-your-head

If this is draining your energy, please stop!
http://cdbaby.net/dont-drain

Compass in Your Gut
http://cdbaby.net/compass

How to get into the college market in 4 steps
http://cdbaby.net/college

A Musician's Advice About the College Market
http://cdbaby.net/college2

The Philosophies of Fame (source anonymous)
http://cdbaby.net/fame

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

BMI INVITES SONGWRITERS 'BACK TO SCHOOL'
with Jason Blume

June 15, 2006 --Nashville-- BMI remains dedicated to educating the
creative community through its popular Songwriters' Workshop Series
in Nashville. The 2006 / 2007 season kicks off July 11 under the
continued tutelage of hit songwriter and best-selling author Jason
Blume. The workshop offers a building-block style curriculum
designed to supply songwriters with invaluable creative tips and
business counsel.


Jason Blume appears fresh off the triumphant release of his latest
book published by Billboard Books entitled This Business of
Songwriting, an exhaustive guide to navigating the murky waters of
copyright law, publishing contracts and other realities of the
business world that don't always come naturally to creative minds.
With songs on albums that have sold more than 50 million copies,
Blume is well-known among new and established songwriter circles
alike. The BMI songwriting guru has established himself as a cross-
genre go-to guy, penning tunes for pop superstars like Britney
Spears, Jesse McCartney and the Backstreet Boys, along with hits for
country artists Collin Raye, John Berry and the Oak Ridge Boys.


In addition to his artistic pursuits, Blume formerly served as
Assistant to the Director of A&R for RCA/BMG Records, broadening his
knowledge of the industry on "both sides of the desk." He expounds
upon such versatility and success in his books including "This
Business of Songwriting," as well as "Inside Songwriting" and the
No.1 best-seller "6 Steps to Songwriting Success: The Comprehensive
Guide to Writing and Marketing Hit Songs." The songwriter and author
also produced the acclaimed instructional CD series, "Writing Hit
Melodies with Jason Blume" and "Writing Hit Lyrics with Jason
Blume." Blume routinely rolls up his sleeves and teaches songwriting
and music business workshops for BMI and Nashville Songwriters
Association International (NSAI) all over the world.


Each session is held from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in BMI's Music Row
offices, and dates and topics set for the series are as follows:


July 11.............................Creating Melodies Listeners
Can't Forget

August 16........................Writing Lyrics That Communicate
What's In Your Heart

September 12.................Producing Successful Demos

October 24......................Taking Care of Business

(Pitching and Publishing
Your Songs)

January 9.........................Creating Melodies Listeners Can't
Forget

February 13 ....................Writing Lyrics That Communicate
What's In Your Heart

March 13..........................Producing Successful Demos

April 10.............................Taking Care of Business

(Pitching and Publishing
Your Songs)

May 15..............................Creating Melodies Listeners
Can't Forget

June 12.............................Writing Lyrics That Communicate
What's In Your Heart


The workshop series is open to all on a first-come, first-served
basis; last year's series was quickly filled to capacity. There is
no cost to attend, but applicants must pre-register.


For registration and additional information, contact Chrissy by e-
mail at nashvilleworkshops@....


Now celebrating more than 65 years in business, BMI is an American
performing rights organization that represents more than 300,000
songwriters, composers and publishers in all genres of music. With a
repertoire of more than 6.5 million musical works from around the
world, the non-profit-making corporation collects license fees from
businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to
the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Consider Consulting as Another Revenue Source

Join Faith for a Private Lesson/Consultation
in VEGAS Thurs 6/29 - Fri 6/30
http://www.faithrivera.com/fr/Consultations.html


I will be offering 30 min & 60 min Lessons/Consultations in Vegas on
Thurs
6/29 & 6/30 to support any & all of your musical dreams & pursuits
from
singing, to songwriting, to launching a career in music & more! You
can
get all of the information here:
http://www.faithrivera.com/fr/Consultations.html and of course feel
free
to email me about any questions you might have.

With all the travel & performance I do now, I rarely have a chance
to do
these one-on-one lessons/consultations that I know make such a big
impact for those of you that really have music in your hearts. Years
ago before I traveled so much as an artist, I ran into Bert Minter -
a
beautiful 70 something year old who cried through his lessons
because he
was just so moved by music & had kept it hidden because of a
traumatic
childhood experience. He had about 2 teeth left, emphysema which
made
it hard to breathe, he sang off pitch and as I mentioned, he cried
through the songs. I wasn't sure at first what I could do for him or
help him with, but with commitment on both our parts we found out he
was
a great songwriter! We developed this talent of his & before he
passed
away just a few years later, he wrote & recorded 4 beautiful
songs...they weren't songs destined for radio, but they were songs
that
freed his soul, his talent & he let it shine bright before he moved
on.

I hold onto this story & others like it and know that there is much I
can do to support the musical dreams of others, the way I have been
supported. So if you feel called, it would be my joy to share with
you
what I can for the limited time I am in your city.

Again all the information including available time-slots are at:
http://www.faithrivera.com/fr/Consultations.html. Please share this
with any friends that you think might benefit from it.

See ya in Vegas!!! ~Faith

+++++++++++++++++++++++

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm enjoying the CMT series
unsung stories
below you'll find info on the series and episodes

The stories that make headline news today -- a reunion, a rescue, a
relationship -- come to life through the words and music of country
music's top songwriters. Each episode focuses on one real-life story
that provides the inspiration for a song. This behind-the-scenes
look at the songwriting process will be driven step-by-step by the
firsthand account of a particular tale by those who lived it. At the
end of each episode, the songwriter will perform the song for the
family or individuals whose life the song was based on.

http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/unsung_stories/series.jhtml


Episode 1 (Football)

Jake would suit up for every high school football game and never
seemed to question not playing on the field, according to his
mother, Liz, and his coach, Dave Frantz.

The premiere episode of Unsung Stories begins with songwriters Keith
Anderson ("Pickin' Wildflowers") and Jeffrey Steele ("These Days")
who are inspired by the story of a young man from McDermott, Ohio,
who scores the touchdown of a lifetime. Jake Porter, a
developmentally-challenged student at Northwest High School, had
practiced with the school's football team for four years but had
never played in a game. Now, in the final game of the season,
Porter's coach comes up with a plan to put him on the field for the
first time. With the help of the opposing team's coach, Porter not
only took the field but ran the ball for a touchdown that touched an
entire community. Using that story, Anderson and Steele pen the
song, "Jake's Goin' All the Way," and travel to the Northwest High
School to perform for Porter, his coaches, the players and the
community.

http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/unsung_stories/98998/episode.jhtml



Episode 2 (Tattoo convoy)

Jack Martin, a tattoo shop owner, and his friend, James Livingston,
were provoked into action by news footage of Hurricane Katrina.
Their rough, tattooed exteriors exposed them as unlikely
candidates...

Jack Martin, a tattoo shop owner, and his friend, James Livingston,
were provoked into action by news footage of Hurricane Katrina.
Their rough, tattooed exteriors exposed them as unlikely candidates
for becoming civic leaders, but they took charge and amassed
everything from clothing and sleeping bags to water and cash. These
two men from Lake Elsinore, Calif., were able to round up 86 tons of
aid to be hauled to the Houston Astrodome, where many hurricane
survivors were taken. Their story is told in the song, "On My
Sleeve," written by Travis Howard and Dennis Matkosky.

Howard debuted as a contestant on the first season of Nashville Star
in 2003. On this show, he began to write some of the hits that
kicked off the blazing career of rising country star Miranda
Lambert. He is currently writing songs for the follow-up to her gold-
selling debut CD, Kerosene. Howard also has music featured in Justin
Timberlake's upcoming debut film, Alpha Dog, and The Virgin of
Juarez, starring Minnie Driver and Esai Morales.

Matkosky's career spans over two decades and his work can be found
in practically every genre of music and film. He has written and
produced hit songs in the pop, R&B, country and Christian genres,
for artists including Diana Ross ("Mirror, Mirror"), LeAnn Rimes ("I
Need You"), Keith Urban ("You'll Think of Me") and the No. 1
single, "Maniac," from the movie Flashdance. His production and
songwriting credits are included in more than 50 million records
sold.

http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/unsung_stories/98999/episode.jhtml



Episode 3 (Sin and Redemption)

By the time Tom Miller was 37, he had 36 felonies to his name. After
spending time in a maximum security prison, he knew what it felt
like to lose his faith. Determined to change his life, he went from
being convicted for organized crime to working as a prison minister
traveling the country attempting to bring hope to thousands of
prisoners. Within the pages of a stolen Bible, he found forgiveness
and his faith was restored.

Songwriters Brett James and Bill Luther captured Miller's story in
the gospel-flavored song, "Heed the Call," which explores how Miller
found the strength that helped him get back on his feet and pursue
the mission to help others.

James had more singles on Billboard's Top 40 country singles chart
in 2001 than any other songwriter. In the past five years, he's had
more than 150 songs recorded by major label artists, including Kenny
Chesney and Uncle Kracker ("When the Sun Goes Down"), Jessica
Andrews ("Who I Am") and Martina McBride ("Blessed"). In addition to
songwriting, James works in production and artist development.

Luther was named Billboard's No. 2 country writer of the year in
2000. That year, he had two Top 5 country singles -- Chesney's "What
I Need to Do" and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's "Let's Make Love." In
2001, Luther co-wrote four songs on McGraw's album, Set This Circus
Down. He also co-wrote Chesney's "Who You'd Be Today."
http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/unsung_stories/104784/episode.jhtml


Episode 4 (Adoption)

Tammy Overholt was 16 when she decided to give her daughter,
Candace, up for adoption. Seventeen years later, Tammy realized that
the biggest mistake she made was going to turn into one of the best
things in her life.

The summer before Candace was starting her senior year of high
school, she found out she was pregnant. Candace immediately knew
adoption was an option, so she reached out to the one person she
knew could understand her situation -- her birth mother. Tammy
discovered she was getting a second chance when she got a call from
Candace asking for advice. Written by Jeffrey Steele and Kip
Raines, "A Long Way Around" tells the story of how really good
things in life can take a long time to get to.

With a career beginning in 1990, Steele performed as bassist and
lead singer for the country group Boy Howdy for six years. The band
scored a major country hit with "She'd Give Anything." His
songwriting put nine songs on the Billboard country charts in 2002.
In 2003, he was named BMI's country songwriter of the tear, for
writing Trace Adkins' "Chrome," Tim McGraw's "The Cowboy in Me,"
Montgomery Gentry's "My Town" and Rascal Flatts' "These Days." That
same year he was named Nashville Songwriters Association
International songwriter of the year. Some of his other cuts include
Faith Hill's "When the Lights Go Down" and LeAnn Rimes' "Big Deal."

Raines penned Tim McGraw's 1998 hit, "One of These Days." He also co-
wrote Van Zant's 2005 hit single, "Help Somebody." Raines currently
writes for Windswept Pacific Music and 3 Ring Circus Music. In
addition to songwriting, he played drums on the hits "Every Once in
a While" and "Sure Can Smell the Rain" for country trio BlackHawk,
sang on Steven Curtis Chapman's album The Great Adventure and wrote
the novel, The Ink Stain.

http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/unsung_stories/104785/episode.jhtml


Episode 5 (Army)

Despite her mother's protests, Billie Grimes, of Lebanon, Ind.,
joined the Army in March 2002 only six months after 9/11. She had
been part of the Army Reserve in college, then went on Active Duty
as an Army Medic in March 2002, keeping her enlistment secret from
her folks for two months.
When her mother, Wanda Grimes, learned of Billie's decision, she was
very concerned. After all, she had very different plans for her
daughter. Mrs. Grimes, who is a registered nurse, wanted to see her
daughter use her college degree in a more traditional setting, but
Billie had made up her mind. Additionally, Wanda Grimes already had
one child in the Army, Billie's brother, Sgt. Christopher Grimes,
who is a Military Police Officer with Mighty 118th.

Though Billie's father had once been in the Air Force, she wanted to
travel her own path, so she joined the Army. She was deployed to
Iraq on Mother's Day 2003. She was the only female member of her
platoon nicknamed the Tomb Raiders, based in Giessen, Germany, and
she was sent to Baghdad to work as a medic.

On Dec. 10, 2003, Billie jumped into a Humvee seconds after a
grenade explosion and rendered medical aid to two soldiers and two
civilian journalists. One of the journalists, Time reporter Michael
Weisskopf lost his hand in the explosion and would have bled to
death had it not been for Billie. She also treated photographer
James Nachtwey, Pfc. Jim Beverly and Pvt. Orion Jenks, all of whom
had suffered shrapnel wounds.

All the training she received as a trauma medic came into play when
Grimes was called in to help treat the journalists. "I did what I am
trained to do," she said. "There wasn't time to think about what to
do. I reacted like it's second nature."

A couple of weeks after the December attack, Grimes turned up on the
cover of Time with two sergeants from her unit, Sgt. Marquette
Whiteside and Sgt. Ronald Buxton. The three were chosen to represent
all American soldiers (but inevitably these three have been in the
spotlight). None of the three feel it's a singular award, but that
it recognizes all soldiers.

Billie didn't even know she was featured on the cover. A stranger
recognized her and showed her a copy of the magazine. She returned
home on Dec. 24 to a flurry of phone calls from folks who wanted to
congratulate her, interview her, etc.

Billie made her dream of saving lives a reality. She's now been in
the Army for five years and believes it has helped her grow as a
person. She has re-enlisted with the Army through November 2008, and
will start Orthopaedic Specialist School in August 2006 to further
her career as an Army Medic (and hopefully lead to a promotion to
Staff Sergeant). Her mother has come around to be not only
supportive but downright proud of her daughter (and her son). While
the Army wasn't something she would have chosen for her daughter,
Wanda Grimes realizes that her daughter has chosen the right path
for her life.

Born and raised in Westland, Mich., about 30 minutes west of
Detroit, Josh Gracin grew up listening to his parents' favorites --
Elvis, the Beatles and the vintage rock and pop on a favorite local
station. Then, when he was 11, the station's format changed to
country, and he started getting into artists such as Garth Brooks,
Joe Diffie, George Strait and Randy Travis. His first public
appearance was at an eighth grade talent competition where he sang
Brooks' 1993 hit "Standing Outside the Fire" and managed to win over
an audience full of dance music-loving peers.

Growing up as the only boy among four sisters, Gracin found his
parents unwilling to sign a release for him to play sports, so he
took up saxophone instead. He also had experience singing everything
from opera (as a member of his school choir) to Motown (as the only
male singer in a review called the Fairlane Youth Pop Orchestra).
While still in school, he was part of a talent competition that took
him to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

After high school, he enlisted in the Marines and a few years later
got married. About two years into his four-year term of the Marines,
he saw the first American Idol show. Though he hadn't sung in a
couple of years, he auditioned and was chosen as a finalist in the
second year of the series, ultimately placing fourth.

Well after he became part of the show, the U.S. invaded Iraq and the
military's world changed. Although he had no control over his
deployment or that of his unit in Camp Pendleton, he did some soul-
searching nonetheless. "The toughest moment through all of this was
when we were doing the show, and I was staying up until four or five
in the morning just watching the news and trying to keep track of
how the Marines were doing over there. I felt guilty because I was
singing on this show, and there were fellow Marines over there in
foxholes."

Gracin's transition from reality show contestant to recording star
began when he sang Rascal Flatts' "I'm Moving On" on one episode.
The guys in Rascal Flatts happened to be watching the show on their
tour bus that night. Bass player Jay DeMarcus, impressed with
Gracin's talent, called and put him in touch with Marty Williams,
who had co-produced both the band's breakthrough album and its
successful follow-up. That set in motion a series of events that led
to a record deal with Lyric Street, the same label that signed
Rascal Flatts.

Gracin's debut album, featuring the first single "I Want to Live,"
was released in 2004.

http://www.cmt.com/asm/shows/unsung_stories/?_requestid=17177



Episode 6 (Habitat for Humanity)
Millard and Linda Fuller realized it was a calling from God to build
homes for the poor, which led to Habitat for Humanity.

With dreams of becoming a millionaire, Millard Fuller's career
overshadowed his family, leaving his wife, Linda, painfully lonely
because he was always gone. Their marriage fell apart, and Millard
realized what he needed to do to save what mattered most -- his
family.

After giving up his money and career, the Fullers decided to live a
life of Christian service, building modest homes for the
underprivileged. Believing that everyone should have a decent place
to sleep, Habitat for Humanity started with a single house in
Georgia. Today, new houses go up every 30 minutes. Songwriters Jamie
O'Neal, Tim Nichols and Shaye Smith tell the powerful story behind
the Alabama couple who founded Habitat for Humanity in "Look What
Love Built."

O'Neal's 2000 country debut, Shiver, had two No. 1 hits -- "There Is
No Arizona" and "When I think About Angels," earning her three
Grammy nominations. She has recorded songs for the soundtracks of
Bridget Jones's Diary and When We Were Soldiers. She co-wrote nine
of the 11 songs on her album, Brave, including the hit, "Somebody's
Hero." She has also written songs recorded by Martina McBride, LeAnn
Rimes and Chely Wright.

For one week in 2004, Nichols had two songs at No. 1 at the same
time: Terri Clark's "Girls Lie Too" was on top of Billboard's
country chart, while Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" stayed
No. 1 a record-setting 10 weeks on the Radio & Records country
chart. "Live Like You Were Dying" won a Grammy for best country song
in 2005, as well as song of the year from the Country Music
Association and the Nashville Songwriters Associations International
in 2004.

Smith has a string of No. 1 hits, including Kenny Chesney's "That's
Why I'm Here," O'Neal's "There Is No Arizona," Collin Raye's "One
Boy, One Girl" and Wright's "Single White Female." Smith has also
written for Trace Adkins, Faith Hill, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and
McBride, in addition to co-writing five songs on O'Neal's album,
Brave, including "Somebody's Hero."

http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/unsung_stories/104787/episode.jhtml

~ ~ ~

Hear Your Life in Song

Many people have achieved personal success despite difficulties. We
asked CMT.com fans to share their story for a chance to have it put
to music. Thousands entered, and the winning entry has been chosen.

Winner Announced In the Unsung Stories "Born With It" Contest

Melissa Williamson's story has been chosen as the winning entry for
the Unsung Stories "Born With It" Contest. Songwriters Gary Burr and
Victoria Shaw have turned her story into a song, "I Like That Girl
in the Mirror." Read Williamson's story in her own words, and see a
performance of the song by Burr and Shaw.

Melissa Williamson's story:

Dad left when I was 9. Hasn't been a Dad since. Raised by
Grandmother since Mother was alcoholic and had no job. Mother was
around as much as possible, and did the best she was able to, which
wasn't much.

I became pregnant at 15, made to marry the father who was physically
abusive. Dropped out of school. Everyone said I wouldn't amount to
anything. After birth of beautiful son, got GED, divorced abusive
husband, went to business school and graduated with 4.0 GPA. Got job
as secretary and have since gone thru the ranks to Chief Financial
Officer.

Now married to my best friend for 11 years, and am enjoying my
biggest life's accomplishment! Raising my son -- who is now 19 and
in college himself!

My Mother died 10 years ago, Grandmother, who is 92, has now lived
with me for over 7 years, and I now get to repay her for encouraging
me to achieve everything I have been blessed with.

from
http://www.cmt.com/asm/contests/unsung_stories/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

IMDB.com
list songs in movies like:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0209475/soundtrack

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

you might enjoy reading the bios on
http://www.tinpansouth.com/performers_a_e.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Artist and Peeps in SHOWBIZ

If your a musician, director, artist, ANYTHING...when you go to
promote your product...KNOW IT! Know your product (that is)!

I'm really amazed at how many people come on my shows (TV and/or
RADIO) and they have no idea when they are playing, what shows are
coming up, website addresses, so on and so forth....

I know this may sound crazy to you (crazy to me too)...but, I can't
get over how many people have no idea how to utilize promotion of
their product.

ANYWHO...I'm just venting a little b/c I go through the trouble of
booking people to come on the shows to promote themselves...they get
there, and it's like they have no idea about ANYTHING!!

It really doesn't bother me personally...I just think to
myself..."Do these people have any idea how silly they look"! I
also know, after one interview, who is serious about their career.
Sad to say...the numbers are low!

I know only a handful of people will understand this blog...BUT, if
your one of them...Get prepared!

If you don't care...why should we???

That's all...just an observation about my business.

www.myspace.com/annehudson

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Write On,
Ande Rasmussen

Does anyone ever read IFS to the VERY END?