Dear IFS Readers,

First I'm sorry about yesterday's "1985" issue.
1985 is a song by Bowling for Soup that I intended to send to one
of my other yahoogroups, but didn't. I think it's a catchy song with
well written lyrics, it's a great example of focus and use imagery.

IFS celebrated it's 6th anniversary.

PR Web has a story about My forever Family that I cowrote with Tommy
Byrd:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/5/prweb523228.htm

The Grammy organization annouced some details about the 50th Grammy
event, I'm planning to attend and I'd be happy to tell you how to
get tickets.
Have you joined the Grammy Org

Last week I drove to Keller Texas and had the priveledge of meeting
with IFS reader adn songwriter Ed Williams
www.myspace.com/ejwmusic
www.garageband.com/artist/EdWilliams
http://www.broadjam.com/artists/artist_home.asp?artistID=20886
http://www.ejwmusic.com
We started working on a cool song.

I had an interesting conversation with Jason Blume about the idol
contest.

I hope you enjoy the rest.

Ande

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The Austin Area NSAI Regional Workshop holds their first meeting on

Wednesday, May 16th at

Fern Bluff Municipal Utility District
Cochran Community Center
7320 Wyoming Springs Rd
Round Rock
from 7 - 9

Drop by meet some songwriters and share a song.

Please bring at least six copies (or more!) of your typed lyrics
along with a song on tape or CD (or you can perform it live or sing
acapella). Don't forget to bring a one or two dollar donation for
this "private" meeting space.

Meetings are open to current and former NSAI members & and anyone
interested in finding out more about the NSAI . Non-members can
attend 2 free meetings, after which meetings will cost $15 to
attend. Starting in June, meetings will be held the 4th Wednesday of
the month. No meetings in July or December.

Feel free to forward this email to anyone you think would be
interested in finding out more about the NSAI.

________________________________________________________________

Hello everyone,

This month's lesson will be taken from the April webcast of Jason
Blume's presentation, "This Business of Songwriting." We'll have a
detailed handout for you, and you can listen to the webcast before
or after the meeting on the NSAI website at
www.nashvillesongwriters.com under Webcast Archives. Jason really
gives a great presentation. Topics include:

-Understanding Music Publishing
-Understanding Royalty Payments
-Publishers' Creative Responsibilities
-Publishers' Administrative Responsibilities
-Self-Publishing
-Co-Publishing
-Understanding the difference between Publishing and creating a "Work
For Hire"
-Understanding the difference between a Music Publisher and a Record
Label
-Working with Independent Songpluggers
-How Independent Songpluggers are Compensated
-Pitching Music for Film and Television
-Understanding the Role of Production Music Libraries

Hope to see you there,
Ashleigh Wehmeyer (254) 213-3400
Cody Cotton (512) 285-3336

P.S. Check out our new workshop website at:
www.myspace.com/austinareansairegionalworkshop


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Take YOUR Songwriting to the next LEVEL drop by

http://www.SongU.com/ifs

Where you can:
+ PITCH your songs
+ Receive Professional critiques
+ Get Mentoring from industry pros
+ Network with talented songwriters at SongU and
TAKE a FREE songwriting course at

http://www.SongU.com/ifs

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Many artists say the INDIE BIBLE
is a wonderful tool for independent artists
drop by
http://www.indiebible.com/swb
to check it out

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SELL downloads of your songs and other creations at:
http://www.payloadz.com/rs/go.asp?rs_id=15854

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If you want to RECEIVE IFS or CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS with IFS
SEND an EMPTY email to
difs-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

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A gentle reminder to all my friends and classmates! Spaces are
limited and thus far, response has been strong -

(And, as always, a special thanks to Jan Bozarth, Bitsy Rice. Lisa
Richards [aka "The Sirens"] and Erin Guerra)

Joe


MATCHING MELODY TO LYRICS
Songwriting Workshop with Pat Pattison
St. Edward's University
Austin, Tx
June 2nd and 3rd, 2007

Workshop description: There's no use writing a great lyric and a
great melody if they don't work together. An unfortunate setting of
a word or phrase can sink the emotion of the song, calling your
listener's attention away from WHAT you are saying to HOW you are
saying it. This two-day seminar shows you how to get the most out of
your lyrics by combining them accurately and effectively with
melody. This is a "can't miss" seminar--it's bound to take your
writing to the next level.

SONG CRITIQUES: On the afternoon of the 3rd, Pat will do song
critiques for workshop participants.

***ALSO! Pat will talk again about co-writing - How to go about it,
what to do and what not to do, success stories and a number of
examples to illustrate each.

"I took a class with Pat Pattison, a really great teacher... I
learned a lot of stuff in that class, and I still read Writing
Better Lyrics. I've still got it on the tank of my toilet ... I
think it's great." --Grammy winning artist/songwriter John Mayer,
2004 --

Pat Pattison is a Professor at Berklee College of Music, where he
teaches Lyric Writing and Poetry. In addition to his three books,
Writing Better Lyrics, The Essential Guide to Lyric Form and
Structure, and The Essential Guide to Rhyming, Pat has developed
three online lyric writing courses for Berklee's online school,
available through www.patpattison.com. He has written over 30
articles for Home & Studio Recording Magazine, and The Performing
Songwriter. Pat continues to present songwriting clinics across the
US , Canada , and the UK. Several of his students have won Grammys,
in addition to John Mayer and Gillian Welch.

Cost? $100 per person for the two-day workshop. Current Berklee
College students and alumni pay $75.

Added bonus! You bring a friend at full price and you can take 20%
off ($80 for non-Berklee students and $60 for Berklee students!) for
your admission!

Please make checks payable to Pat Pattison. You can make them out to
me, but Ill just use it for the ever-so-possible Ireland Bicycle
Trip Special Vacation account instead...

Meals/Accommodations: On your own. We may order in for lunch -
depending on the groups preference. Were planning on another "field
trip" Saturday night, depending on the quantity of homework!

Location: St. Edward's University - an excellent location! The same
great classroom as the last three workshops - directions and details
will be provided to participant during the last week in May.

Time: 10 am - 5 pm both days.

Class size: Limited to the first 30 who send a check payable to
"Pat Pattison". No extra points if the check is made payable to Joe.
Or the "Ireland Bicycle Trip Special Vacation" account.

Mail checks to:
Pat Pattison Workshop,
c/o Joe Strouse,
P.O. Box 80444 ,
Austin , Texas 78708-0444

Questions? Contact Joe Strouse @
strousongs@...

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Durango Songwriter's Expo: SongU.com Member Discount
The 4th Annual Durango Songwriter's Expo/Santa Barbara Wine Country
will take place May 31-June 2. The Expo is a combination of
workshops, listening sessions, panels, showcases, and open mics and
features over 40 music industry pros and hit songwriters. In each
of the last several years new artists have been signed to deals
there and there have been two #1 songs written at the Expo by
participating hit songwriters. Special guests include
Chuck Cannon, Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon), Glen Phillips, Tony
Scalzo (Fastball), Big Al Anderson, Jeremy Stover Jack Ingram,
Danielle Peck.
SongU.com members will receive a 10% discount on their registration
fee! For more info check out
www.Durango-Songwriters-Expo.com
or call 970-259-9747.

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john Arthur has a new booking agent, Bobby Roberts
www.bobbyroberts.com and he's planning a nationwide tour!

It's official jAm has a new record deal with AGR TV Records
Distributed by Universal Records. The contract is signed sealed and
delivered to my office in my doublewide trailer. Plans set for
release of Rodeo Night in France and Germany.
http://johnArthurmartinez.net


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memservices@... writes:

2007 Summer NAMM Returns to the "Live Music Capital of the
World" - Austin,
Texas July 27-29.

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

Come see the gear, make some new contacts and enjoy some great
live music
after show hours. And don't forget to stop by The Recording Academy
booth in the
Austin Convention Center. To register for your FREE badge, please
RSVP by May 30
to RSVP_Texas@.... Your badge will be mailed to you prior to
the show.
Members cannot pick up their badges on show site. RSVPs received
after May 30
will not be honored.

For more information, please log on to summernamm.com


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Spidey
Accompanying the "Spider Man 3" film will be a soundtrack featuring
Austin's own
Sounds Under Radio
alongside national/international powerhouse bands like The Killers,
Snow Patrol, The Flaming Lips, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jet, and Wolfmother.

Sounds Under Radio is the only unsigned band featured on the
soundtrack--an unprecedented addition to a major summer blockbuster
release, and a first for the Spider Man franchise. The soundtrack
will feature Sounds Under Radio's track, "Portrait of a Summer
Thief."

Sounds Under Radio formed in mid 2005 with members Lang Freeman,
Bradley Oliver, Sonny Sanchez and Doug Wilson. Falling somewhere
between Muse, Queens of the Stone Age and Snow Patrol, the band's
debut full-length album 'Cinematica' is tentatively slated for a
late summer release.

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Rachael Loy is doing a songwriting workshop in Austin

Rachel Loy's Songwriting Workshop
Current mood: excited
Category: Music

I bet you weren't expecting this from me, huh? Well, I was driving
in my car the other day thinking: "I want to teach this summer...but
what can I really teach WELL?" Well, I then dreamed up this idea for
a songwriting class for beginning songwriters who want to grow and
treat songwriting as a craft and a skill. I called up Paul Oveisi at
Momo's and Beth at Titos' and this is what I got!

WHAT: 4-week long songwriting class, with a focus on identifying and
using musical "tools" for writing compelling melodies.
WHEN: Every Tuesday in June (starting June 5th) from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
WHERE: Momo's on W. 6th Street
COST: $150 per person
MATERIALS: 3 ring binder for notes and lyrics, basic guitar or piano
playing skills
CLASS METHOD: Each week a new songwriting "tool" will be discussed,
using classic songs as examples as well as written notes and basic
music theory to explain. The students will then write a song using
the new tool and present it at the next class by either performing
it or recording it (low quality recordings are okay, as long as we
can hear it!) and providing a lyric sheet. The teacher and the whole
class will discuss each original song, giving honest and
constructive criticism.

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 20 STUDENTS,
SO SIGN UP NOW!

For more info, go here and add the profile as your friend.
To sign up for the songwriting class, contact me directly at
rloy@...
to reserve your spot and pay with a check, cash or a PayPal account.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Who Should Attend this class?

This class is for people who are passionate about writing songs! You
do not have to be extremely experienced, but it is recommended that
you have written at least a few full songs and find yourself
regularly making time to start and finish songs. Anyone is welcome,
but these are the BASIC REQUIREMENTS if you want to get the most out
of this workshop:

1) you must be familiar with at least one instrument (guitar or
piano preferably) that you regularly write with.
2) you must have EITHER a small background in music theory (piano
lessons as a kid, high school band experience, private lessons), or
lots of experience with your instrument and a very sharp ear. This
is not a theory class, but the "tools" presented in each lesson will
be presented in the "language" of both written music and aural
identification. You must be familiar with these two "languages" in
order to keep up with the concepts of the class.
3) You must have the time in your week to write at least one song.
4) You must have the time or resources to prepare your new song for
listening (with recording equipment) or for performing each week.
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Applications are now open for
PLAY FOR PUBLISHERS
a Barbara Cloyd Songwriting Workshop
THURS JUNE 28 through SAT JUNE 30
with
Scott Gunter, Universal Music Publishing
Rusty Gaston, This Music
Mike Doyle, Major Bob Music
Nate Lowery, Oglesby Writer Management
Jennifer Johnson, Midas Publishing
Kos Weaver, Warner Chappell
and hit songwriter Walt Aldridge
(For complete details including bios of the publishers, visit
www.barbaracloyd.com )

This three-day event will be held in Nashville and applications are
open to any writer with a desire to write for the commercial Country
market. Fifteen applicants, carefully selected for their
originality, creativity and craftsmanship, will be selected to
attend the three day event.
During the workshop there are three different listening sessions,
each attended by two established publishers or professionals who are
actively involved in the day to day business of getting songs
recorded. Each participant presents one song at each listening
session (live or a recording) and the group listens to the
publishers and Barbara give feedback on the craft and commercial
potential of the songs.

This gives every writer who attends a chance to spark the interest
of six different publishers, and, equally important, by listening to
the feedback on all the songs, it gives them incredible insight into
what qualities a song needs to have in order to get cut. The
workshop also introduces the participants to other talented writers
who are serious about their careers.

To round out the experience, the workshop participants are given the
opportunity to play at a local writers night and attend a show with
hit writers at The Bluebird Cafe.

(For more information visit www.barbaracloyd.com or email
barbara@... )

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
The deadline is Tuesday May 15th. All applications received by 5 PM
will be considered.
To apply send -
1. Three songs
2. Lyrics
3. Contact information including email address if possible
4. A $10 non-refundable application fee

If applying by mail:
Send the songs on cassette or CD, lyric sheets and a check or money
order to:
Barbara Cloyd's Songwriting Workshop
PO Box 121497
Nashville, TN 37212
Please makes checks payable to Barbara Cloyd.
If you need to send your package over-night, please use the US
Postal Service and send it to the PO Box address. If you need to use
Fed Ex or UPS, please call or email for the street address as they
will not deliver to a post office box.

If applying on line:
Email an mp3 of each song to barbara@.... To avoid
delivery problems, send each mp3 in a separate email. Please type or
paste the lyrics into the body of the email. Be sure to include your
phone number. Pay on line with Pay Pal at
http://barbaracloyd.com/workshops.htm#payonline .

RECEIVING NOTIFICATION:
All applicants will be notified whether or not they have been
accepted. Notice will; be sent by email no later than 5 PM on Friday
May 18.

TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK:
Applicants who would like to receive feedback on their songs instead
of just a "Yes" or "No" can pay an additional $25 for a total of
$35. Feedback will be sent within 3 weeks of the close of the
application process.

AUDITING:
In addition to the fifteen applicants who are chosen to present
songs to the publishers, up to ten writers will be allowed to audit
the workshop. Auditors will participate in all activities of the
workshop except for presenting their songs to the publishers.
Applicants who would like to be considered for an opening to audit
should make that known when they apply.

ADDITION INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING:
* It's okay to submit co-written songs
* The demos can be fully produced studio demos, work tapes sung into
a hand-held tape recorder, or anything in-between. Songs will be
judged on the quality of the writing, not the quality of the demo.
Just before sure the vocals and chords can be heard.
* The goal of the workshop is to connect publishers with talented
writers who are interested in writing for the commercial Country
market. Feel free to submit your very best songs in any genre, even
if they may not fit the Country market - we are looking for
songwriters with personality, creativity and originality who want to
apply their talents to the Nashville market - not just those who
already write Country songs.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Location: Days Inn - Vanderbilt, 1800 West End near Music Row

Cost: $275 (Does not include lodging. Financial assistance
available) The fee to audit is $125.

Rooms: $65/night single or double. (Applicants may secure their own
lodging.)

SCHEDULE:
Thurs June 28
9 AM Introduction to writing for Music Row by Barbara Cloyd
3:30 PM Question & Answer session with Walt Aldridge
7 PM Writers Night at Lyrix Music Bar and Cafe - participants get a
taste of the local songwriter night scene and those who wish can be
scheduled to perform.

Fri June 29
9 AM Listening session with 2 publishers
12:30 Lunch break
2 PM Listening session with 2 publishers
6 :30 PM Show at The Bluebird Cafe with hit writers

Sat June 30
10 AM Listening session with 2 publishers
7 PM Dinner and song swap at Barbara's house

(For more information visit www.barbaracloyd.com or email
barbara@...

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Claude's songwriting tips
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?
fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=18081717

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Got this note from Rickey

I am very delighted to tell you that I have accepted a position as
Marketing Outreach Coordinator with Famecast
(http://www.famecast.com), an Austin-bred company which hosts online
music competitions for independent artists! Not unlike American
Idol, Famecast invites musicians to upload a video (professional or
self-made) to the site for the public to vote on. After 3
elimination rounds, the top 5 get invited to perform LIVE in Austin
for the finals in order to crown a "Fenom", a title that gains the
artist national exposure (Billboard, Rolling Stone among others) and
$10,000 cash! And some amazing people are behind this project -
including the man who has his hand in all that is music in Austin,
Mr. Charles Attal!

I am very excited to be on the ground floor of this brand new
venture. I am currently working on a contract basis, but the success
of this season of Famecast (which I am directly attributed to) will
determine if I get offered a full-time position. I've spent just one
day working here and I already feel at home. I love the creative
freedom and energy of this company. I share this info with you in
hopes that you will use it in your own endeavors. Here's a little
ditty I made up which I think summarizes what it's like - "In the
music business there is no security, but plenty of opportunity."
Make sure you're going into this because your heart is telling you
to, not your wallet.

Lastly, I need YOUR help in making this project a success! If you
are a GRAMMY U Band/artist (I'm looking at you Showcase performers!)
PLEASE sign up at the site! All you need is a video (it can be a
professional video, such as the one Fairday shot, or a homemade
performance video with just a camera) and you’re on your way to
win $10,000! Please look through the website,
http://www.famecast.com, and upload a video today. If you don't have
one, again, all you need is a camcorder and a will to perform. It's
all very easy. If you're serious about entering, shoot me an e-mail
at my new address, ricky@.... Ha! Look at that. New e-mail,
heeehee. There are no strings attached - all it takes is an artist,
a video, and a dream.

Thank you all for a wonderful year! My last day with The Recording
Academy and GRAMMY U is this Friday, May 11th. I'll be emailing you
guys with my contact info later this week so you can keep in touch.
Now that I'm working at Famecast, I know I can help all you artists
who are serious about your careers. To those working the business
side, I can offer you some words of wisdom in your careers.

Best of luck with finals and such!

Ricardo Vasquez
Student Representative
GRAMMY U - Texas Chapter
The Recording Academy
ricardo.vasquez@...


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Write On!