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CONTENTS Notes from homebase > 1. Sponsored Event: Durango Songwriters Expo 2. Sponsored Event: Unsigned Only – Music Competition 3. Calendar of Events/Featured Event 4. Songsalive! Opportunities 5. Chapter News 6. Chapter News 7. Songsalive! News 8. Pro Member Spotlight 9. Featured Partner 10. Get Involved 11. Back page
Welcome to the February/March 2012 edition of Songnotes! Songsalive! is busy with two upcoming sponsored events, plus our ongoing chapter events. Songsalive! is proud to again be a sponsor of The Durango Music Expo - Santa Barbara Wine Country 2012, which will be happening March 1-3. We are also promoting a new songwriter competition, and we encourage our songwriters to get involved. Unsigned Only is a unique international music competition geared toward solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company. You can read about these sponsored events on pages 3 & 4 of this Songnotes. Please also check out page 5 to see all of our chapter events taking place. Congratulations to our PRO Member Spotlight artist, Walter Ehresman! You can read more about him and his latest album on page 10. Our Partner of the Month is Indie Bible. Check out page 11 for a discount on the new edition of Indie Bible out now! In this issue, you can also find out about how to create your own profile page on the Songsalive! website on page 9, as well as read the latest news from our chapters on pages 7 & 8. On the cover of Songnotes this month is Songsalive! member, Susan Picking, performing at the Songsalive! Chicago Showcase in January. Would you like to volunteer your time to Songsalive!? See page 12 to see how you can get involved.
Be Amazing! Mary Lemanski Director of Operations
Songnotes is designed, edited and published this month by Mary Lemanski. We tend to spread the workload around each time.
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SPONSORED EVENT • • •
• Songsalive! is proud to again be a sponsor of…
The Durango Music Expo - Santa Barbara Wine Country 2012 March 1- 3, 2012 • • • •
Enjoy a captive audience of over 40 Music Industry Pros Music Supervisors from Television and Film - including Madonna Wade Reed, P.J. Bloom, Tony Von Pervieux, Jon Ernst, Chris Jackson, and many more. Major LA and Nashville Publishers including Warner Brothers, EMI, Universal, Sony, and top Indies. Head A&R reps from Warner Brothers, Capitol, and Universal.
Hang out all weekend with hit songwriters: Shawn Mullins, Chuck Cannon, Al Anderson, Brigette Tatum, and more. They'll take the stage for the Saturday Night Showcase.
• • • •
Registration is limited to 200 attendees: By day you'll get 3 intimate listening sessions where industry pros give you feedback on your songs. By night you'll get live showcase opportunities in the main ballroom plus open mics in the lounge. Meet other great artists and build real connections that last a lifetime Three #1 Songs Have been Written at the Expo! 4 Major signings and Placements Occurred at the Most Recent Expo! For over 15 years this event has been the best-kept secret of many serious songwriters. You won't find any music event with the personality and power to boost your music career.
Go to: https://sites.google.com/a/hipco.com/durangosongcom/ For information and registration. Songsalive! will be there with our booth full of Songsalive! Info and Goodies! Come by to say Hi!
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SPONSORED EVENT Unsigned Only - Music Competition Songsalive! is promoting a new songwriter competition and we encourage our songwriters to get involved: Unsigned Only is a unique international music competition geared toward solo artists, bands, and singers who are not signed to a major label record company. Unsigned Only is looking for an outstanding, talented performer… the “gem” of an artist waiting to be discovered. Unsigned Only has a highly esteemed judging panel, including recording artists such as Robert Smith (The Cure), Cyndi Lauper, 3 Doors Down, Manchester Orchestra, Kelly Clarkson, and many more. In addition to $5,000 and other great prizes, the Grand Prize winner will also receive one-on-one mentoring from highprofile music industry executives from some of the world’s top record labels including Universal, RCA, Capitol, Atlantic, Razor & Tie, and many more. Deadline is March 5, 2012. For more information and to enter, go to http://www.unsignedonly.com
More Songsalive! Sponsored Events at http://www.songsalive.org/sponsoredevents.htm
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS Tuesday, February 14 6:30pm Las Vegas Workshop 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Sunday, February 19 12:00pm Los Angeles Songsalive! Workshop Monday, February 20 7:00pm Grass Valley Workshop Tuesday, February 21 7:30pm Orange County Songsalive Showcase 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Sunday, February 26 7:00pm Orange County Workshop Tuesday, February 28 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Thursday, March 1 7:00pm San Francisco Songsalive! Showcase Saturday, March 3 7:30pm Los Angeles Showcase Songsalive! (NoHo) Tuesday, March 6 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Wednesday, March 7 6:30pm Long Island Songsalive! Workshop Thursday, March 8 7:00pm Grass Valley Showcase Saturday, March 10 11:30am Chicago Songsalive! Songwriter Song Critique
www.songsalive.org/events.htm for Calendar and Upcoming Events www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm for details on our Chapters.
FEATURED UPCOMING SONGSALIVE! EVENT SONGSALIVE! LOS ANGELES WORKSHOP GUEST SPEAKERS: CHRISTIANE CARGILL KINNEY & GARY SIMONIAN, LeClairRyan, LLP TOPIC: The Do's and Don'ts of Artistic Collaborations: A Legal Overview and Real-World Perspective WHEN: THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH NEX WORKSHOP: FEBRUARY 19th TIME: Starts @ NOON SHARP WHERE: The Finnish Center 10701 Magnolia Blvd. North Hollywood, CA COST: Free for Songsalive! Pro Members. Non-members pay a donation of $10. See our Events page at www.songsalive.org for more details
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Opportunities SONGSALIVE! OPPORTUNITIES
Songs for Independent THRILLER Needed We are currently in the pre-production stages of an independent thriller about living in a world of Superheroes and Villains alike. No score or soundtrack has been assembled yet, but any song imaginable could be potentially perfect - we need variety, and everyone stands a chance.
Pop/Rock, Reggae and Adult Contemporary Needed for Several Artists Call 1 - European Pop/Dance songs for mature soulful artist ala Thelma Houston (good vocal range) Call 2 - mid and uptempo songs ala David Bacharach (eg "Do You Know the Way To San Jose" or "Say A Little Prayer" for Dionne Warwick type singer. Call 3 - Pop/rock song for 14 year old actor/singer ala "Animal Neon Trees", or "Over my Head" by The Fray. Call 4 - Songs ala Beyonce and Rihanna but with a Reggae feel (more pop) for 17 yr old Jamaican artist.
Solo Piano Vocal Position Open For Asia Performances Wanted ASAP We've received a lead from our friend Vanessa Feltner of PTIPremier Talent International: HI Everyone! Just wanted to let you know that I have multiple solo piano vocal positions opening in the UAE from March. Anyone who is interested, please notify me ASAP as I must provide a list of candidates this week! SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY!
Manager, Music Synchronization Needed in New York Imagem Music is currently seeking a manager for its US location--in New York City. The job includes pitching, negotiating, processing licenses, dealing with advertising licensing, offering clients copyright advice and much more. Must have a background in sales and/or music supervision for advertising and films--or the record/music publishing business. Visit our Songsalive! Opportunities Forum for more information: www.songsalive.org/forums/
Visit our Songsalive! Songshop Forum for more information on these opportunities: www.songsalive.org/forums/
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CHAPTER NEWS REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! Los Angeles January Showcase – The Los Angeles Songsalive! showcase at Hallenbecks on Jan. 7th. had a great lineup with great talent and original songs! This was an evening featuring Katie Garabaldi, Josh Rich, and Thomas Hornig. Each of the artists played a great selection of songs from their CD's and new songs as well. This showcase is known for quality and we continued in that tradition to a good turnout.. Most of the audience stayed to the end and there was a big buzz in the room when we were done. Another great night of music!
Songsalive! Long Island January Workshop – The Long Island chapter is creating a lot of buzz, especially from our Meetup group we just recently created. I'm excited for this new year and I'm looking forward to building up the LI Chapter even more as EVERYONE who has attended our workshops has only positive things to say about it. Songsalive! Los Angeles January Workshop – The January Songsalive! Workshop started 2012 with a great event. We had an enthusiastic group in attendance and had some of the best songs we've had yet presented for the Song Critique session. Guest Speaker Jimi Yamagishi of Songnet had a very informative Q & A session where he demonstrated from his years of experience how songwriters can think outside the box to find a niche market for their music. There was a buzz in the room after we concluded. What a way to start the year! Songsalive! Las Vegas January Workshop – Las Vegas is back and putting together a fabulous 2012. The January Songsalive! Workshop was an organizational meeting. We had lots of ideas for speakers and shared some local happenings. Next month we will be meeting the second Tuesday of the month Feb 14th at 6:30 pm. We are looking forward to February 14th to share some songs.
Songsalive! Orange County January Showcase – Things got up and rolling again in the County of Orange as we started the year off with our very first Monthly Songwriter Showcase of 2012. The NAMM show is coming to town later this week, so lots of people were in a musical mood. Kern Richards began the night, one year later, bringing back his bear-growl of a voice and his harmonizing bass player as they both showed off songs from his latest CD, released just recently.After that came our Showcase's first appearance by Amanda Abizaid, whom we had seen do such a fine job at the Songsalive Holiday Party last year. There it was her and a piano player, while here she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar. Wonderfully, we might add. Both performers left the crowd wanting more -- so they happily signed up on mailing lists and took home CD's! Songsalive! Orange County November Workshop – Songsalive Orange County finished up the year with a quiet but productive songwriting critique session, featuring four people and three new songs. Craig Smetana started off with a country-style song lyric about missing the one you love -- and making plans for when you see them again! Peggy Glenn followed with a soaring song about a different sort of missing: A beloved family member you remember from childhood. And Rick Willingham finished up with a rousing country-rock number about getting in trouble -- the GOOD kind -- with your spouse! Then it was time to talk about plans for 2012, especially the exciting month of January in which we have several interesting events on the horizon. Stay tuned! Songsalive! Chicago January Showcase – On January 26th, the Chicago chapter of Songsalive! held their bi-monthly showcase at the Heartland Cafe. We had two Songsalive! members perform. Susan Picking played an amazing set of original music on the ukulele and piano. The crowd fell in love with her beautiful voice and great storytelling. Simeon Peebler rocked the house with his set of folk-rock tunes. People were captivated by his wonderful voice and unique songwriting style. The audience had a fantastic time and loved each performance!
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
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REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! NAMM Showcase – Once again Songsalive returned to the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) annual winter trade show in Anaheim, California, with another representative group of performers to impress the crowds there to check out all the latest musical gear. Songsalive took the stage at the Hilton Anaheim (one of the main hotels next to the Anaheim Convention Center) on Friday morning of the show. The event was hosted by Rod O'Riley, Songsalive's Orange County representative. Things kicked off with the Conlons, Anette and Doug, and their excellent vocal harmonies and quirky, darkly-humorous lyrics. Up next was Katie Garibaldi, visiting all the way from San Francisco. She really impressed with her beautiful voice and striking stage presence. Local favorite Kay Reznick came next, joined on her well-known songs about "life in the southland" by Susie Husner. Then it was Susie's turn to have a go on her own, and the crowd loved it. Finally Annie Calder (visiting from Brooklyn!) charmed with her pretty songs and pretty harmonies with a friend. Having a little extra time, the Conlons returned to the stage for one more song to leave the crowd humming. Then we all headed off into the show to see what's hot! Songsalive! San Francisco February Showcase – Songalive! is running a San Francisco showcase series every first Thursday of the month, currently held at Velo Rouge Cafe in San Francisco, CA hosted by local artist Katie Garibaldi, which features Songsalive! members performing outstanding original acoustic music. The most recent showcase took place on February 2nd, and featured two San Francisco Bay Area-based artists Deborah Crooks and Don Shearer. Deborah played the first featured set, sporting a new guitar which she picked up that day, made by a local guitar maker/friend. She kept the audience mesmerized with her warm and worldly stories/songs. Don Shearer, new member to Songsalive!, followed with a set of his high-energy quirky songs. Everyone in the cafe enjoyed Velo Rouge's food and drinks, along with the music, and the showcase was a success.
CHAPTER NEWS Songsalive! Orange County January Workshop – Songsalive Orange County finished off a busy first month of 2012 with a fine workshop that featured four songs. Peggy Glen began with a song she's been working on through several workshops (Songsalive and otherwise) about a favorite grandpa and the memories he left. Rick Willingham followed with a perky folkrock song about perseverance. Rick's friend Kip Corley gave us a song about a man's unswerving pride. And finally lyricist Craig Smetana submitted a blues song (on blue paper no less!) about leaving behind a loser town and its loser inhabitants. As usual the discussion was animated for each song, with several offers for collaboration going around the room. After the song critiques, the discussion moved on to "Songwriter Resolutions for 2012", sort of a musicians' confessional. Interestingly, several of the people present had similar resolutions they had made for the year, including: To write more. To FINISH more songs and get them ready, as in put down on demo CD's and mp3's. To get bands out and gigging this year. To go to more of OTHER people's gigs. And to learn to play instruments well enough to really know what sounds good in a song. That's a sampling of what you're likely to hear from Songsalive Orange County this year. Songsalive! Los Angeles February Showcase – The Los Angeles Songsalive! showcase at Hallenbecks on Feb. 4th. had great talent and original songs! This was an evening featuring Julia Stark, Michael Vanagas, and The Conlons. Each of the artists played the top songs and premiered new ones too. This showcase is known for quality, and we continued in that tradition to a good turnout. Another great night of music!
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
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SONGSALIVE! NEWS Create Your Own Member Website on Songsalive! Also in Backstage, Did you know that as a Songsalive! member you can have your own website page on our site?
* Apply to Showcase - at any of our Songsalive! showcases at Chapter worldwide
That's right. Simply fill out your Profile with everything about you, and then you can promote yourself to the world with your unique URL based on the username you choose.
* Knowledge Wiki - music business articles, resources, Songsalive! Touring Map of the World (find venues worldwide)
E.g., http://www.songsalive.org/profile/username
* get a Professional Song Critique or CD review
Upload pictures, up to 10 music tracks, your bio, and what you are looking for. Update your status, which will show on the home page on our Members Activity feed.
* Download songwriting and business resources
Other members can find you through your unique url or from the Members Page (under community) as well through the Members Activity feed.
* Get promoted and be eligible for Pro Member Spotlight (and more...) www.songsalive.org
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PRO MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations Walter Ehresman on your new CD and on being featured on our Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight!
We are all excited about Walter Ehresman being chosen for the Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight!!! You too could be featured by Songsalive! ... to 16,000+ subscribers on our mailing list, social networks and members. Join as a PRO MEMBER at www.songsalive.org/join.htm and find out more under Backstage.
WALTER EHRESMAN Interview excerpt: "Basically, I write, record and perform songs in a bunch of different styles, because I get ideas--pretty much fully formed--for a piece of music and then set about trying to record it (whatever style it might be in) to the best of my self-taught abilities. Although I've had bands over the years, most of my material comes out on my solo albums where I play almost all the instruments myself. " Read the CD Review by Songsalive! and Interview with Songsalive! in the Songsalive! Pro Member Spotlight blog or at www.songsalive.org/blog.htm Also featured on our HOME PAGE www.songsalive.org and Members Page: www.songsalive.org/members.htm
Well....Let's Look at Your Track Record, Shall We? Album Review
“… Well....Let's Look at Your Track Record, Shall We? is an ambitious and musically eclectic smorgasbord of storytelling, music experimentation, solid musicianship, and a journey through time and eras. I felt like I was in Walter's movie of his life and it was a very pleasant ride.” Read more of his review and other MEMBER REVIEWS at www.songsalive.org/blog.htm
Check out Walter’s Songsalive! Profile page and listen to his music at www.songsalive.org/profile/snipehunt/
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FEATURED PARTNER SONGSALIVE! PARTNER OF THE MONTH: INDIE BIBLE The New 2012 Indie Bible is now in database format and has just been released! Cover designed by gilli moon, the Indie Bible features Songsalive! members on the cover. But besides all that lovely stuff, the new Indie Bible is PACKED WITH GOODNESS. If you are not familiar with this extensive directory (over 300 pages), it contains over 9,000 contacts to help you get your music reviewed, your songs played on the radio and get your music distributed. More than 300 pages with over 9,000 contacts. Available in soft bound and electronic form for only $34.95 US - GET a SPECIAL $5 discount for Songsalive! members! (Normally $39.95). You can also start a free trial! Wow! www.indiebible.com/sa/ $5 discount off e-book More of our Partners and discounts for you (hundreds!) at www.songsalive.org/link-directory.htm (Pro Member log in)
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Join The Songsalive! Team
GET INVOLVED "Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds." - President William Jefferson Clinton
Advertise your services
in
Songnotes
Sponsor us or become a partner Contact us at www.songsalive.org/contact.htm
Volunteer Positions Open: 1. Austin, TX Chapter Coordinator 2. Songsalive! Business Development Manager 3. Los Angeles Workshop Assistant Coordinator 4. Los Angeles Showcase Assistant Coordinator Austin, TX Chapter Coordinator Manage the membership, programs, events, and team for the greater Austin area. Songsalive Business Development Manager Manage our Partnerships, sponsorships and music industry relations for the benefit of our members and organization. Los Angeles Workshop Assistant Coordinator As the Workshop Coordinator of the Los Angeles Songsalive Chapter you will manage the monthly Workshop event (1) that takes place currently in North Hollywood, and handle all duties leading up to the workshop and post the workshop. You will be the visible ambassador for Songsalive! You will heighten our presence in the community and will be charged with maintaining and growing a vibrant membership. You will also manage a team of volunteers that carry out specific roles.
Los Angeles Showcase Assistant Coordinator Manage the showcases for our particular Los Angeles chapter, including managing artist showcase applications, the showcase at Hallenbecks North Hollywood (assisting Dave Harvey), and Talking Stick Santa Monica, plus new showcases for 2011.
Apply at www.songsalive.org/volunteer.htm
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BACK PAGE The Songsalive! Community
Make sure you're on our Discussion Groups/Lists eNotes - free weekly discussion list where the art and business of songwriting meet online. Regular posts from our partners - music business professionals offering opportunities, plus up to the minute posts from our program SONGSHOP (looking for songs). Songchat - free weekly discussion list to self promote! Dedicated to self-promotion, gig and music news, plus interaction with songwriters and composers around the world.
Our Social Networks Facebook Group LinkedIn Songsalive! Video Blog on YouTube MySpace Twitter
Access ALL at www.songsalive.org/groups.htm
Confirm your email address: Please confirmed your email address on the site to continue with your membership. It's important that you either: a) click on the link within the email you may have received, or b) go to the website and LOG IN with your username and password (which may then ask you to confirm your email address).
Update your profile There are hundreds and hundreds of other songwriters, artists and music business professionals waiting to meet you! Update your profile on the website with some info about you, some pics, and even use our integrated music player, where you can show off up to 10 of your own songs! Pro members can also create their own blogs, groups and add videos. Woo hoo! Songsalive! exists because of the songwriters and composers community at large. We feed it, and we feed off it. We are all about community. Get involved today! JOIN A CHAPTER GROUP - READ AND CREATE BLOGS - COMMENT ON BLOGS - ADD PHOTOS AND VIDEOS - FIND OTHER MEMBERS.... Have FUN! ACCESS: All at www.songsalive.org Join as a Pro Member today!
Contact us with questions www.songsalive.org/contact.htm usa@songsalive.org – USA/World general inquiries membership@songsalive.org – for the obvious songsalivepr@gmail.com ONLY for Songnotes questions. Looking for Songsalive! Australia? Go to www.songsaliveaustralia.org.au
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