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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Dear IFS Readers,

I hope this email finds you well


Ande

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NAMM is taking place in austin over the next few days

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The Recording Academy Texas Chapter

invites you to attend

Texas Chapter Open House and Membership Mixer
Summer 2007


Saturday, July 28
6 - 8 p.m.
Texas Chapter Office
3601 S Congress Ave., G-500, Austin, TX 78704

Enjoy live music from
DrumJam
Winner of 2006-2007 GRAMMY U band showcase

Complimentary Admission

RSVP by calling 512.328.8176 or
e-mail rsvp_texas@...

From: "Texas Chapter" RSVP_Texas@...
Subject: REMINDER - P&E Texas Tour 2007: Austin
The Recording Academy Texas Chapter
in partnership with
The Producers & Engineers Wing
presents
A GRAMMY® Professional Development Series:

The P&E Wing Texas Tour 2007: Austin

Designed to appeal to both novice and seasoned professional, this
series of
Up Close & Personal workshops with three of the music industry's most
successful producer engineers will provide an unprecedented look into
the
world of music production. Come out, meet your peers, and learn
recording
tips and tricks in an intimate and creative studio environment!

These half-day sessions will begin with networking time for workshop
attendees, followed by a moderated technical discussion and a mixer
open to
citywide music industry members.

Austin
3 – 4 p.m. Registration / Networking
4 – 6 p.m. Workshop
6 – 8 p.m. Open House and Networking Mixer

COST PER SESSION:
Recording Academy Members $25
Non-Members $75

Call 512-328-8176 or e-mail rsvp_texas@...
Space is limited and pre-registration for the workshops is required.


July 28, 2007
Austin: Up Close and Personal with Ken Scott
Gibson Guitar Showroom
3601 S Congress Ave., G-500
Austin, TX 78704

Throughout his forty years in the recording industry, Ken Scott has
had a
reputation as being "one of the best". He was THE backroom boy for
acts
like the Beatles, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, the Hollies, Procol Harum
and many
more and has worked on multi-platinum records with artists such as
Elton
John, George Harrison, Harry Nilsson, the Rolling Stones and
America. Take
advantage of this unique opportunity to gain insight and knowledge
from "one
of the best."

The P&E Wing Texas Tour is made possible in part by: JBL Professional

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Yesterday I received Terri Hendrix's latest CD "The Spiritual Kind"
http://www.terrihendrix.com/discography.html
I absolutely loved "If I had a Daughter" It's a beautiful spoken word
song that sounds like a narration by character in a movie you'd
love. I think it will deeply resonate with mothers, fathers and
daughters. . "If I had a daughter" is the kind of writing that people
love and eagerly share with their friends and family.

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3rd annual NewSong Academy, Aug. 9 â€" 11 One of America’s finest
songwriting and performance workshops, the Academy features
extraordinary instructors in an intimate setting. This year’s
instructors include Craig Bickhardt, Susan Werner, Jason Blume, Paul
Reisler, and Devon Sproule. The Academy will be held in venues
(within walking distance of each other) around Shepherdstown, a hip,
historic college town located less than 90 minutes from Washington,
D.C. and Baltimore, and easily accessible from three major
international airports. Free camping; other lodging options too.
Three students will be chosen by the instructors to share the stage
with them at the NewSong Academy Concert, Saturday evening at the
Frank Performing Arts Center at Shepherd University (admission is
included with Academy registration). Plus, one Academy student will
be picked to go on to the 2007 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest finals
on Sept. 22 in New York City!
www.newsongacademy.org

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What Every Songwriter Needs to know
http://www.audionashville.com
Interviews with industry pros, like publishers, hit writers, rising
and established artist and those "way off music" row making a living
in this great business. Go to http://www.audionashville.com to listen"

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SongU Spin N' Pitch Congratulates....

June was another great month for Spin N' Pitch as several members
either received notes of interest in their songs and/or had their
songs forwarded by the SU screeners. As a reminder, you can now
listen to some of these songs off the special listening page linked
off of "My Pitching". NOTE: Since this page was launched at the end
of the first week of June songs pitched during that first week of
June will not appear on that page. As of the July pitches, that page
should be running up to date.

Congrats to the following members who received notes of interest in
their songs:

Steven Richards "This is War"
David Carter "Venus And Mars"
Moker Jarrett "Even the Candles Cried"
Marla Lewis "We All Laugh in the Same Language"
Rebecca Peaden "Men in Texas Ain't Sexist - Best of SongU!"
SUE HASTY "A FAMILY OF ONE"
Steve Axelrod "You Don't Know Jack"
Thomas Hendley "One of the Guys"
Ken Joniec "Links in a Chain"
Rebecca Peaden "Eufaula - Best of SongU!"
Lance Sims "Got My Country On"
Gary D. Smith "Not No, But Hell NO"
Dempsey Watson "A Train To The Blues"
And a round of applause to the following members who had their songs
forwarded during the month of June.
Shelley Jacobson "Don't Even Think About It"
Marc Kuchner "Start Now "
Joe Lickteig "Slip Into Something Mexico (full band demo)"
Elizabeth Milcarek "Y CHROMOSOME - VERSION 2"
Bill Osofsky "It's Not You, It's Me"
Mike Todd "Live, Love and Learn"
Germain Brunet "IF I COULD KILL YOUR MEMORY"
Chris Caminiti "I'M ONE OF 'EM"
Donna Galbraith "On My Family Tree"
Scott Hamilton "Real Tough"
Trisha Jordan "Jesus Was A Blue Collar Man"
Joe Lickteig "First Last Kiss"
James (Jim) Smith "Just A Song"
David Swinford "Lacey Mae's Hot Wings"
Marc Kuchner "American Idol"
Joe Lickteig "First Last Kiss"
Rebecca Peaden "Baby It Feels Good"
James (Jim) Smith "Just A Song"
Dempsey Watson "I'd Forget To Know Better"
Thanks for your proving that working on your craft, networking, and
determination are key components to reaching your goals. Keep up the
great work! We always love hearing about your successes so be sure to
email them to me at danny@... so I can include them in our next
Gold Stars edition.

www.SongU.com/ifs

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Congratulations to Winners of Austin Songwriters Group Contest


Congratulations to Grand Prize winner Chip Dolan for his
song "Paris."

Here are the first-place winners in each category:

Lyrics -- Margret Goforth - "Your Affections Are Divided"
Jazz -- Billy Winston - "Other Side of Heaven"
Inspirational -- Scott Pearce - "Rings In The Water"
Pop -- Michael Hysinger - "Do You Still Think Of Me"
Blues -- Scott Pearce - "Last Man Standing"
Rock -- Gina Livingston - "Kisses in So Co"
Country -- Mary Beth Stone/Alan Turley - "What He Doesn't Know"
SingerSongwriter -- Chip Dolan - "Paris"
Instrumental -- Jannie Funster - "Mystery Tune"
General -- David Spence - "Cresent City"

To check out all the songwriters who placed in each category, go
here. Congratulations to everyone!
Everything's Gone Green


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In a message dated 7/12/2007 3:36:48 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
musicthoughts@yahoogroups.com writes:
Sweet Ann Will Sing Your Song
Posted by: "Jimmie Vestal" sand_and_palms@...
sand_and_palms.rm
Wed Jul 11, 2007 6:42 am (PST)


I'm amazed at all the music-related products that hit the market.

I disovered a software program where you input the notes and lyrics
of your
song . . . and a female singer on a software program, Sweet Ann, will
sing
it for you.

I don't know how you can sync her voice with your background track in
Cool
Edit Pro, Adobe Audition, or use her with Band-In-A-Box.

The Program, Vocalold2, sells for $169 on DVD and $149 by download. I
didn't
see that they offer a trial version.

Is anyone on this list using this program and would like to review it
for
us?

Hear a sample of the cyber darling at:
http://www.myspace.com/vocaloidsweetann

Their website is
http://wwww.powerfx.com

The sample song, "Killing Me Softly", sounds pretty realistic.






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~ ~ ~ ~ ~

jeffrey steele
http://www.bmi.com/musicworld/entry/535201


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GibsonLives writes:
Ande,
Just a quick thank you for your enlightening lecture on songu.com
about songwriting contests. It's especially helpful to have songu,
complete with information from folks like yourself, to people who
live outside the music centers. Thanks again.

Sincerely,
Steve Sutcliffe

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7 Ways for Musicians to Work the Web for Dollars
"The fact that you can promote yourself more directly using tools
that are not expensive makes being a musician as a job so much
easier. If you really want to work at it, you can do it and make a
living."

--Steve Ellis, CEO of PumpAudio, a specialist in providing synch
licensing opportunities for indie labels and artists

Indie artists shouldn't ignore the potential income sources Internet
services can provide. But with all the opportunities to make money
from your music on the Web, it's hard to know where to start. Brian
Garrity in Billboard (May 12, 2007) tells you where to focus your
efforts.

1. Sell Through Major Retailers

Make your music available through CD Baby, which in turn places your
music with the major digital music retailers as part of the deal.
Also check out TuneCore, which performs a similar service. (CD Baby
is an AMF membership partner.)

2. Take Advantage of Affiliate Programs

"iTunes offers a free affiliate program that allows artists to link
and sell their music via any Web site, MySpace page or e-mail." These
programs auto-generate links to your music and can be incorporated
into Web pages or e-mails." Artists can also generate money by
integrating links to music and content from Rhapsody onto their
sites."

3. Turn Your Site into a Store

Don't pass up an opportunity to sell your merch. "Some of the biggest
developments in artist services for independent acts surround
offerings that help artists turn their blogs, MySpace pages and Web
sites into stores." You can sell your songs on MySpace via Snocap,
which allows you to sell digital tracks and albums from a display on
your page.

4. Empower Fans

There are a number of services that allow fans to turn their sites
(Web pages, blogs, MySpace pages, etc.) into retailers for their
favorite bands' music.

Indie911.com "launched a service called the Hooka, a music store web
widget that allows Indie911 members to make music available for
sample and purchase on sites outside the social network." (Indie911
is an AMF membership partner.) Fans typically receive a commission on
sales generated from their links.

5. Sell Ringtones

Check out these services that help indie acts sell ringtones:
Xingtone, Mixxer, Indie911, and MusicFreedom.

6. Offer Merch

IndieMerchandiser.com allows artists to set up their own Web merch
stores. Spreadshirt helps artists design and sell their merch on the
Web.

7. Embrace Synch Opportunities

"Synch" (i.e., "synchronization"--music synchronized with visuals)
licensing means getting your songs placed in TV shows or films.

There's a huge demand for music in TV and films, and indie artists
are a great value for creators who can't or won't pay an arm and a
leg for well-known acts. Check out PumpAudio or Indie911 for help
getting your music noticed by music supervisors.

Caveat

Hooking up with all these services doesn't guarantee the cash will
automatically start rolling in. But, the more your music is readily
available to fans and music buyers, the more opportunities to
generate sales.

PumpAudio CEO Ellis notes, "I don't know if it is going to make you
rich and famous. But if your objective is to make a living, you can
do it now more than ever with these tools."

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A new songwriting contest, the "Music City Songwriting Competition"
has come to Nashville.

The competition is sponsored by the Nashville Convention & Visitors
Bureau with help from a long line of partners, including Phil Vassar,
XM Satellite Radio, Jack Daniel's, GAC, Southwest Airlines, Universal
Records South, The Music Group International, f.y.e., American
Songwriter magazine and Renaissance Nashville Hotel.

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2007/07/09/daily5.html

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Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the ship is filling up! If
you plan to attend the 3rd
Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise you must pay your $200 per person
deposit by JULY 23, 2007!!! We
may not have any cabins left, if we do, the prices will be much
higher due to Carnival's rate
increase.

16 SINGLE SONG PUBLISHING DEALS WERE SIGNED FROM LAST YEAR'S
CONFERENCE/CRUISE AND SEVERAL SONGS
WERE PLACED IN TV/FILM INCLUDING "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"!!

The 3rd Annual Texas Songwriters Cruise is an event where aspiring
songwriters attend a songwriting
conference aboard the Carnival Funship "Ecstasy". Participants will
hear discussions on the craft
and business of songwriting from some of the most successful
professional songwriters, publishers,
and A&R reps in the music industry. Participants will also receive
opportunities to pitch their
songs to these pro's while on board ship and to other top pro's
through our Absentee Pitch Program.


The cruise will leave from Galveston Texas on December 1, 2007, for a
5-day cruise to Cozumel and
Progresso in the Western Carribean.

Some of the confirmed attending Music Industry Pro's include:

Ted Lowe, President-ChoiceTracks, Inc., Los Angeles.
Placements include spots for "16 Blocks" and "Take The Lead" movie
trailers, Ad music for clients
such as Coors and Honda; Television shows including " Without A
Trace", "Ghost Whisperer",
"Numb3rs", "Las Vegas", "Bones", "The Shield", "America¹s Next
Top Model", and extensive
placements on numerous MTV Network's shows.

Norman De Vasure, Owner-Sunset Music/Norman Productions, Nashville.
Placed Tracy Byrd’s mega-hit “Keeper of the Stars”.
Cuts with Montgomery Gentry,
Ty Herndon, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Jeff Bates, and many more.

Monte Warden, Hit Songwriter, Austin, Texas.
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".

Jason Blume, Hit Songwriter/Songwriting Author
With credits for writing songs that have been on albums with more
than 50 million sales and the
author of best-selling songwriting books, Jason will headline our
teaching faculty. Click Here for
Jason’s Bio and Credits. Jason will speak on a variety of
topics regarding the craft and
business of songwriting and expand on topics presented at last
year’s conference.

Carie Long, Director of A&R, Universal, Nashville
Carrie started her career in A&R at MCA Records in 1996. She moved to
Sony Records with Mark Wright
in 2003 and currently serves as Director of A&R for Universal South,
Nashville. She has worked on
projects with Brooks and Dunn, Montgomery Gentry, Lee Ann Womack,
Josh Turner, Gretchen Wilson,
Gary Allan, and Van Zant, among others

Brandi Warden, Founder-Moonkiss Music, Austin, Tx
She began her own music career in the mid 90's 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
Strait's "Desperately", which
earned a BMI Award in 2005 and a BMI Million-Air Award in 2006.

Brice Long, Hit Songwriter/RCA Recording Artist
As an new artist his new single just charted and he wrote Gary
Allen's "Nothing On But The Radio".
As a songwriter, Brice has had cuts on Josh Turner, Randy Travis,
John Michael Montgomery, Tracy
Byrd, Steve Holy, and Nashville Star winner Chris Young.

Shannan Neese, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC Nashville

Visit
www.txsongwriterscruise.com
for more info. Contact
Jeni at 512-585-3007

We'll see you there!

Lealean Peace
founder- Texas Songwriters

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What do you think of Lost?
Written by Kara Dioguardi and Mitch Allen

"Lost" is the first single on Faith's up coming greatest hits CD
titled The Hits.

Faith said "When we heard the final playback of the song, I don't
think that there was any question - everyone knew that it was
special,"

you can hear Lost at:
http://www.faithhill.com/

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Some Secrets of the Star-Spangled Banner



On July 4th, Americans everywhere celebrate our country's
independence. The National Anthem of the United States of America,
written by Francis Scott Key, is a song that stirs strong emotions
in us. Here is a description of the events that led to the writing
of our nation's great Anthem, taken from the words of noted writer
Isaac Asimov:



In 1812, the United States went to war with Great Britain, primarily
over freedom of the Seas. For two years, we held off the British
and our seamen proved better… Great Britain turned its attention to
the United States, launching a three-pronged attack.



The northern prong was to come down Lake Champlain toward New York
and seize parts of New England. The southern prong was to go up
the Mississippi, take New Orleans and paralyze the west. The
central prong was to head for the Mid-Atlantic States and then
attack Baltimore, the greatest port south of New York. …



On September 12, [the British] arrived and found 1,000 men in Fort
McHenry. If the British wished to take Baltimore, they would have
to take the fort. On one of the British ships was an aged
physician, William Beanes, who had been arrested in Maryland and
brought along as a prisoner. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and
friend, had come to the ship to negotiate his release. As twilight
deepened, Key and Beans saw the American flag flying over Fort
McHenry. But toward morning the bombardment ceased, and a dread
silence fell. …



As dawn began to brighten the eastern sky, Key and Beanes stared out
at the fort, trying to see which flag flew over it. After it was
all finished, Key wrote a four stanza poem telling the events of
that night called "The Defense of Fort McHenry" [and] for obvious
reasons, Key's work became known as "The Star Spangled Banner," and
in 1931, Congress declared it the official anthem of the United
States. Presumably, the old doctor is speaking. This is what he
asks Key:



Oh! say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,

o'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly steaming?

and the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh! say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave,

o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?



On the shore, dimly seen through the mist of the deep

Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,

What is that which the breze, o'er the towering steep,

As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?

now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,

in full glory reflected, now shines on the stream

`tis the star-spangled banner. Oh! long may it wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!



and where is that band who so vauntingly swore

that the havoc of war and the battle's confusion

a home and a country should leave us no more?

their blood has washed out their foul footstep's pollution.

no refuge could save the hireling and slave

from the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave,

and the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.



oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand

between their loved homes and the war's desolation,

blest with victory and peace, may the heaven – rescued land

praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.

then conquer we must, for our cause is just,

and this be our motto – "in God is our trust."

and the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave

o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.



God Bless America.

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Check out this great video by Michael Peterson

www.irememberamerica.com

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I'm sure you have all heard of Shoutlife, but in case you haven't I
wanted to let you know about it.

I've posted a few things I've done there, including some cool versions
of "Breathe" and "Have Thine Own Way", as well as a new ditty I wrote
a few days ago, produced, and posted the next day.

Check it out at http://www.shoutlife.com/ericcopeland






Write On!