have you joined the Grammy yet?
www.Grammy.org
the 50th Annual Grammy Awards were Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008
I went and have the details


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


Take YOUR Songwriting to a WHOLE NEW 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
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
Every songwriter should have a songwriting Library
Drop by:
http://astore.amazon.com/ifsande-20
find what's missing from yours
 
I recommend books by Jason Blume and Sheila Davis


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


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

The Folks at INDIE BIBLE just released a brand new directory called 
The Indie Venue Bible. 

The Indie Venue Bible is a unique, comprehensive directory of live 
music venues. It is in electronic (.pdf) format and lists 26,000 
venues and 2000 booking agents in the US and Canada. The 
listings are arranged by area, making it easier for artists to 
route and plan their tour. 
check it out at:
https://nt4.magma.ca/bigmeteor/ivbaras_order.cfm
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 
Dear IFS Readers, 
 
I hope this email finds you well. 

How have you been, please let me know what you've been up to

I just got back from the Grammy's and had an awesome time
you'll find details below 


RSVPed that I would attend next weeks Texas Grammy Board meeting at the House of
Dereon in Houston.
which is at Matthew Knowles office.
Matthew is on the TX Grammy Board, he owns music businesses and manages artist
careers, His daughter Beyonce, is one of them
http://www.berklee.edu/news/2003/03/zafknowles.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS137503+07-Dec-2007+MW20071207
http://musicworldent.com

music world also owns compadre records
http://www.compadrerecords.com
check out their list of artists and
Trent Wilmon's video
"There Is a God"


Sent 3 songs to Jason Blume to critque
I'm an old student so he'll critique my songs
but he's not accepting new students to critique
but his business http://www.JasonBlume.com
does critiques by prowriters and they are extremely helpful 


my friend and cowriter
Tony Walsh has been working with anne lorelle and invited me to meet with them,
cowrite, and submit lyrics

http://www.annelorelle.org

http://www.myspace.com/annelorelle

posted at the AI songwriter thread
http://www.americanidol.com/myidol/forums/topic/?tid=806957


pitched several songs at http://www.songu.com/ifs pitching

Pitched Look Up to Dad
and
If Only I could http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=14915
on this one below

All genres. Specialty Project. ASAP. Our friend Quint Randle is doing the A&R
and co-producing a "Father's Day" tribute to Dad's compilation CD. He is seeking
"Master Quality" (or close to it) original songs (all styles) paying tribute to
fathers, or about fathers, grandfathers, father/child relationships, etc. This
can be a previously released track, HIGH-quality demo, or totally new. The
compilation CD is set to be distributed and promoted in a regional bookstore
chain (25+ stores), etc., for Father's Day. Writer(s) must own rights to the
master recording. 

IFS readers I hope you enjoy this issue and would love to hear from you. 

Ande
 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tuesday February, 12th 2008

just got back from the Grammy's, had a blast

MAIL: Received a royalty check from an Artist who cut
"It's All of Us Together"
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=23717
need to send my cowriter his share.

Friday
arrived in LA from San Antonio. We flew the United direct flight that left at
6:00 am so we left home at 3:30
Got to LA around 7:00 am got our bags and rent car and got breakfast.

Went to our hotel then to the Staples center to pick up our tickets.

Saturday Feb 9th
Went to Manns Chinese theater

noon I went to BMI's 2nd Annual
'How I Wrote That Song' panel discussion on the art of songwriting at The Key
Club in Hollywood
http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/536027
I invited Ryan Jirovec and treated him and his mom, I recorded the whole thing
and was thinking about pod casting it.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=460547\
52
The guys from hinder performed Lips of An Angel
I heard a song Rev Theory  http://www.myspace.com/revtheory
Autographs: Chris Daughtry, Fat Joe and Polow da don


Evening I went to the
Grammy Special Merit Awards and Nominee Reception
they honored
Burt Bacharach, (not there, kids accepted)
The Band, (several were there, Robby Robertson)
Cab Calloway, (daughter accepted)
Doris Day, (not there sent a letter)
Izhak Perlman, (not there kids accepted)
Max Roach and (decd kids accepted)
Earl Scruggs (was there, his son Randy wast there too)

Trustees awards were given to
Clarence Avant (Quincy Jones introduced him)
Jac Holzman
Willie Mitchell (was there, huge memphis, songwriter and producer)

Nominee Reception was fun
Autograph: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry
had a nice conversation with Gentle Thunder.
wanted to stay longer

Sunday grammy stuff
Took a shuttle van to the grammys around 1:20
(waiting on women to get ready, doors opened at 12:30 event started at 1:00)
walked the backside of the red carpet
(the red carpet is split in 2 sections
front part is for famous people and muckety mucks, with news people and handlers
lining up interviews,
back part is for every one else, there's police officers and bouncer types
present to encourage people to keep moving)
found out later I should have told them I was a governor and I would have gotten
to walk the celebrity side. (maybe next time, if there is a next time, I'm up
for reelection in April)

Pretelecast: Arrived as #43 the Hawaiians were on stage.
They awarded 100, I looked behind me a few rows back was Ace Youngfrom Idol
Season 5. http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season5/

Many famous artists weren't present to accept their grammys, but I was impressed
that Carrie Underwood ran to the stage to accept hers, Brad Paisely was present
to accept his in the instrumental country category and the Foo Fighters were
also there to accept theirs. I was thrilled that Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, 94
http://www.pinetopperkins.com/ from Austin, TX won the traditional blues Grammy
for their appropriately titled album
"Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen:
Live in Dallas." He got up and played he wore a bright red suit and hat with a
blue feather.

Autographs: I got Carrie Underwood's
My daughter got Ace Young's and David Grohls from the Foo fighters in my
songwriting book

when the pre telecast was over we walked over to the Grammys
as we walked over I said hello to band members from Shiny Toy Guns and asked if
Steven McClintock was around. They said he was, a little later I said hi and
shook his hand while we were in line.

My son an I sat in the Platinum Section for Grammy Governors, we were about 35
feet from stage left in the 9th row on the side next to the stairs. Stage left
means if you're facing the stage from the audience we were on the right.

On the floor I saw Cindy Lauper, Ringo Star, Yoko Ono, Bonnie Raitt, George
Martin (beatles), Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, the Foo fighters, Tony
Bennett, Josh Groban, Carrie Underwood, and many others

Had an absolute blast

Made a scrap book of all the Grammy stuff I collected
including a little of the confetti they blasted out during the final
performance, many people shuffled near the end, not realizing that there was a
finale performance of a beatles song.

It felt great to be part of such an awesome organization and event and I
encourage you to get involved too.

Autographs: got Tony Bennett and Robby Robertson from "The Band" (take a load
off Annie) I asked, Yoko Ono but she refused. I was an arms length from George
Martin but like a fool I was suddenly too shy ask.

after party,
had some great hordeourves type food, it was open bar, had one cab, I walked
past Evander Holyfield but didn't get his Autograph. We walked around a little
then made our way to the stage where Cindy Lauper was about to perform. she
wasn't on stage so a crowd hadn't formed but when she walked on and performed
several songs there was a sea of people behind me. We stood right by the stage
and watched her perform her hits barefoot, Several times she gave angry looks
and hand signals to the sound guy. I guess wanting to adjust her monitors.

Food at the after party was delicious, open bar, lavish decorations and athletic
barely dressed cirque du soliel type performers performed on multiple stages and
wandered through the crowds it was quite a specacle. We were feeling tired and
decided to leave as Cindy wrapped up her set. Near the exits they were handing
out Grammy Bags filled with TIGI Bedhead Type Products.

We walked over to the shuttles, got on it took us to the Biltmore which was
close to our hotel.

Monday I met with Harold Payne and Allison Sattinger for lunch. Harold and I
have a song in the works.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/haroldpayne93/from/ande
http://cdbaby.com/cd/haroldpayne01/from/ande
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gravityband/from/ande

http://cdbaby.com/cd/sattinger2/from/ande
http://cdbaby.com/cd/sattinger/from/ande

I met Harold through JPF and Allison went to school with my friend and cowriter
Adam Donmoyer. Both people are awesome artists and class acts. Harold is the
featured perfomer and one of the cowriters of JPF's theme song
We're all in this together.



Tuesday I went home, If I get re elected as a governor or officer and go again I
want to arrive a few days earlier and participate in more of the events.

If you want to go to the Grammy's
(here's what you might budget for one person)

$100 grammy membership (allows you to buy 6 tickets)
$300 airfare
$300 - $600 hotel (could be more if you go fancy)
$300 - $1,000 ticket
$200 after party ticket
then there's food, transportation, and airport parking
We rented a car, the funny thing is the hotel parking was $42 a day and the car
cost $20 a day
There tends to be lots of food at Grammy

don't forget shopping

when we arrived we needed to kill a little time so we went to el segundo beach
to watch the surfers waves, pelicans and dolphins

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

February 3, 2008
BMI & Los Angeles Times Announce 2nd Annual ‘How I Wrote The Song’ Panel
Marquee Lineup Includes Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody,
Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes

BMI will pair with the Los Angeles Times to present the second annual “How I
Wrote the Song” panel Saturday, February 9, from 1p.m. until 3p.m., at the Key
Club in L.A. Mirroring the format of 2007’s sold-out forum, another elite
cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins, Chris
Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody of Evanescence, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and
Brian Howes will discuss their work, the raw ideas and the occasionally
idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad
spectrum of listeners. Moderated by BMI’s Vice President, Writer Publisher
Relations Catherine Brewton and Los Angeles Times Music Critic Ann Powers, the
event is open to the public. Advance tickets are available now for $10 through
Ticketmaster at http://www.keyclub.com or the Key Club box office; day-of
admission at the door will be $20.

Grammy Award-winner Rodney Jerkins’s creative dexterity materializes in
distinct but diverse musical triumphs. The pen behind take-charge smashes
including Destiny Child’s “Say My Name,” Brandy & Monica’s duet “The
Boy is Mine” and Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu,” Jerkins has also produced work
by contemporary superstars including Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Michael
Jackson, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child. His unerring ear
led to a vice president of a&r position with Island Def Jam, while Janet
Jackson’s forthcoming project Discipline features his signature production.

American Idol alum Chris Daughtry has brazenly staked a record-breaking place in
contemporary music, confidently fronting the aptly titled rock band Daughtry.
The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter signed with RCA and management powerhouse
19 Entertainment after his fan-propelled success on American Idol, and his
band’s eponymous debut sold more than 1 million copies in only five weeks. The
projectile success of the album, featuring songs “It’s Not Over,”
“Home” and “Over You,” resulted in the fastest-selling debut in the
history of SoundScan.

Rapper, actor, musician and activist, Mos Def’s sheer versatility places him
amongst contemporary pop culture’s premier creators. Musically, his work
includes blithe collaborations with legendary group De La Soul and artist Talib
Kweli. Def’s partnership with Kweli, the duet album Black Star, resulted in
underground frenzy and glowing critical praise. His subsequent solo album, Black
on Both Sides, produced more of the same. Nominated for two Grammys, Def also
boasts Golden Globe, Emmy and Source award nods.

Serial hitmaker Ben Moody first gained recognition as guitarist and co-founder
of the Grammy Award-winning group Evanescence. His output during and after the
band has further exposed an adroit singer/songwriter capable of powerful hooks
and lush layers; songs including Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” and
“My Immortal,” along with Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” sprang
from Moody’s id. Collaborations as a producer with Clarkson, Celine Dion, Bo
Bice and Lindsey Lohan further emphasize his seemingly limitless versatility.

Super producer and innovative songwriter Polow Da Don’s quintessential hip
factor springs from authentic skill. His innate musical savvy has finessed
infectious hits including Fergie’s “Glamorous,” the Pussy Cat Dolls’
“Buttons,” Ciara’s “Promise” and Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love
Song.” Fergie’s enthusiastic shout out, “Polow!” on her smash “London
Bridge,” made Da Don’s fluid alias a pop culture catch phrase, adding
household recognition to the power player’s growing reputation.

Singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton’s blend of old-school soul and cool
contemporary grit is artist’s art in the best sense of the phrase: Members of
the neo-soul and poetic hip hop elite including D’Angelo, Tupac Shakur and Eve
have looked to Hamilton for backup harmonies, while the North Carolina
native’s critically-acclaimed solo work has landed on arguably avant-garde
projects including the American Gangster film soundtrack. His 2007 effort,
Southern Comfort, features eleven new songs all written by Hamilton.

Brian Howes' life in music did not come as a surprise with a great-great
grandfather who was a baritone opera singer, a grandmother who was a songwriter,
and a grandfather who played alto sax for swing band greats Benny Goodman and
Louis Prima, his career choice was practically predetermined. As part of
punk-ska-rap band DDT early on in his career, Brian toured with bands such as
Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, The Scorpion and DOA. Post DDT, he penned
hits and earned placements in several movies all while maintaining number 1 and
top 10 international hits. Brian then added production to is arsenal and has had
success by writing and producing with Grammy-nominated Atlantic band Skillet
amongst others. Brian’s recent success has included collaborations with Kara
Dioguardi, Shelly Piken, Chad Kroeger, Hinder and Chris Daughtry of American
Idol fame for his RCA Records Album

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

this is old news but I wanted to let folks know that
I resigned from ASG's board on Aug 24th 2004

here's my resignation email

Dear ASG Board and friends,

I've decided to resign as an ASG Board member.   It is time for me to
focus on my marriage, children, and career.  I've enjoyed serving
with each of you. ASG is strong and in capable hands. Best wishes to
all of you as you work to support and celebrate Austin Area
Songwriters.

Your Friend,

Ande Rasmussen


here was the email I received from ASG's president, Lee Duffy right after I
resigned

From: Lee Duffy
Sent: Friday, August 27, 2004 10:38 AM
Subject: Re: [ASG-Board] Re: resignation
 

 Good morning, 
 

      Ande, I will be both sorry and sad to see you leave. You are the
reason most folks joined the board in the first place. You have served better
and given more time than any president on any board I have ever served on. You
contiued to give time and energy for nine months after you left the office. As a
direct result of that songwriters and musicians in general have benefited
greatly. You have helped many an artist get their music or themself or both out
there in the real world. You led by example in your own writing and networking.
You were always available to talk with by phone, in person, or on the web. I
didn't always agree with you, but I never felt worried about rather to speak up,
and I never doubted that you had the best interest of the group at heart. I
learned a lot from you while working with you.  


I appreciate that this did not come out of the blue. You have told us about once
a week now that you would be doing this so the group has been able to try to
prepare and adjust.  I understand how it is to juggle the family and a passion
for the music. I think you are right when you speak of how the kids are growing
up and your wanting to spend time with them. It goes quick.  

 
    From the heart, I wish you the very best of everything. May all your
dreams come true. You did a great job at ASG, and we all learned a lot from you
that hopefully we can continue to apply to the art of serving the members.

Peace
Lee Duffy
Co President, ASG

PS.....You know where we are......I hope you decide not to move that far from
ASG.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I got this email: (below) and my comment is:

It's too bad that this NSAI Workshop is ending, further I want to remind folks
this NSAI Workshop originally started in Austin / Travis county but they were
ordered to relocate the workshop 2 counties North. (they were kicked out of
Austin) NSAI is a wonderful organization and I disagree with their decision to
move this workshop.


Sent: Thu, 14 Feb 2008 6:38 pm
Subject: Last Meeting of the Belton-Waco NSAI



Hey all,

 

First of all, thanks to all of those who supported the idea of having an NSAI
workshop in Central Texas.  Unfortunately, after the move north, we were never
able to establish a regular attendance for our monthly meetings.  After six
months, of preparing classes and promoting the group, we have to assume there is
not enough interest to warrant a workshop in this area.  Our last meeting will
be Wednesday, February 27th at 7pm at the Harris Community Center.  We won't be
having a regular lesson.  We will be visiting and talking about songwriting
and sharing songs if people so desire.

 

We encourage those of you who are NSAI members, to take advantage of all that
NSAI has to offer, including pro song evals, webcasts with lessons and chats
from the pros, as well as one on one counseling when in Nashville, the annual
song contest, song camps and syposiums.  Here's our info for the last
meeting.  Also, don't forget to plug into the music organizations in Austin,
Dallas, Ft Worth, Houston, & Marshall.  Get on their mailing lists and see what
they are doing.  I've always felt that fellowship & feedback were worth
traveling for.

 

God Bless You & Keep Writing,

Ashleigh & Cody 
 
The BELTON-WACO NSAI REGIONAL WORKSHOP
invites you to
join us for our last meeting
Wednesday, February 27th
at 7pm at the
Harris Community Center
 
For more information contact:

Ashleigh Wehmeyer, NSAI Regional Coordinator,
(254) 213-3400,
adw246@...

Cody Cotton, NSAI Regional Coordinator,
(512) 285-3336,
cody5mile@...

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~


NASHVILLE STAR NOW CASTING!


One dream. One country.
One NASHVILLE STAR.



NBC is proud to launch the Nationwide search for the next American Country Music
Superstar. Nashville Star returns, and this year it's on NBC.



We are looking for the nation's proudest and most ambitious musical talent. Do
you have what it takes to represent the best American music has to offer?



We are scouring the country for the nation's best Country singers to compete for
the musical opportunity of a lifetime ... a major-label record deal and a chance
to represent your country on the world's stage at the 2008 Olympic Games.





We want you! We're casting honky-tonk heroes, singing sensations, and performing
prodigies who are at least 16 years old and there's no upper-age limit. This
year the competition is also open to singing duos and trios.



Every country singer tells a story and we want to hear yours. Do you have the
ambition the talent and heart to proudly compete in the next nationally
acclaimed musical competition series?



To apply immediately go to: www.nashvillestarcasting.com ...
Specific locations and times will be available shortly.
Please check back soon! Nashville Star will be coming to the following cities
for Preliminary Casting Open Calls:





Feb. 17: Tallahassee and Denver

Feb. 21: New Orleans and Portland


One dream. One country.
One Nashville Star!

http://www.nashvillestarcasting.com/


~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

there was an article in the wsj about david martin and his song "Something in
Your Eyes"

you can see the video at:
http://davidmartin.com/

February 14, 2008

He May Not Win Grammy, but He's Big in Walgreens Box of Chocolates Plays David
Martin's Tune; A 'Positive Love Song'
By ELLEN BYRON
URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120293876783466291.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

congrats to Greg Watton
Take a peep at a song I cowrote called "Out of Time"
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=27709144

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

check out Craig Bickhardts
http://ninetymilewind.blogspot.com/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Want Better Music?
Don't Stiff the Songwriters
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/music/commentary/listeningpost/2008/02/listen\
ingpost_0204

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

what do y'all think of
The new rhyme site, WikiRhymer is at
http://www.wikirhymer.com
a myspace site:
http://www.myspace.com/wikirhymer

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

one of the really cool things that the Grammy org does is
Musicares
http://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/Default.aspx

today to show Musicares a little love, I ordered an XL Christian Audigier
MusiCares T shirt. MusiCares provides funds for music people in need, and 100
percent of the proceeds from the shirt sales support this cause.

thought it would be cool to wear to Grammy events.
(scroll down on the above link to see it)

they've got some excellent videos on sobriety and recovery
http://www.grammy.com/MusiCares/Recovery/

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ande's Songwriting Process

01) Fish for Hooks and find excellent song ideas:
I am always looking for
titles, hooks, stories, or situations to write songs about.
when I find an idea, I ask myself has it ever been done before, I want to find a
unique angle or title
sometimes I invite potential collaborators to read through lists of my song
ideas then pick one or a few faves, then I/we focus on getting the ones they
like to a solid first draft)
I keep a songwriting journal, I am very disciplined about writing ideas down in
it.
when I have enough of a song going
I transfer what I have into my computer
I put them in my email archive and or in a word doc.
Many times I'll google the title and the phrase to see where on the web it comes
up
I also do title searches on BMI.com and ASCAP.com
I think about
who'd want to hear it
who'd want to sing it
what sort of emotion it stirs


02) write the chorus
I want the chorus to be simple, catchy, easy to remember, hard to forget, well
crafted, rhymy,
my choruses tend to have short phrases
I look at syllable patterns of each line
repetition of the title
correct placement of the title which is covered at:
http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=537816

03) write the verses,
( I write way more lines than I need and attempt to edit it down to the very
best)

04) write bridge or bridges (usually have several alternatives to offer)

05) complete first draft lyric

06) let it sit for a while

07) rewrite it on my own

08) get peer critiques & rewrite some more if necessary

09) attempt to place it with a collaborator

10) collaborator send lyric modifications and a rough recording

11) listen to first draft recording

12) rewrite and let it sit a while

13) ask for peer critiques

14) get pro critiques

15) rewrite

16) if we feel it's ready to demo, we demo it at this point
I want my demos to sound like they were done by professional songwriters
I prefer cowriters who can create excellent demos in their home studios

17) if we're pleased with the demo
I put it up on web and start pitching it


My process is kinda complex but it's what works for me.
Usually songs arrive in bits and pieces.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

been enjoying the music of Delta Goldrem
loved her songs on myspace
http://www.myspace.com/deltagoodrem
http://www.deltagoodrem.com/
John Shanks produced her last CD

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Write On,

Ande



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