CONTENTS
Happy Holidays, everyone! I don’t know about you, but 2013 went
3) Songsalive! look and feel - a whole by incredibly fast for me. In case you have not noticed, Songsalive! has a new look and upgraded website. Please stop by www.songsalive.org and new makeover check out the changes. Read more about the change on page 3. This will 4) Calendar of Events/Featured Event be our last issue of Songnotes for 2013. Hope you have an incredible holiday season & New Year! In this issue, we have a special guest column by True Talent Management’s Jennifer Yeko. Please read her article on 5) Guest Writer - Jennifer Yeko page 5. We invite you to share your own songwriting stories on our “Member Run Blog.” Read more about it on page 6. Also find out about 6) Songsalive! Blog our new “What’s Trending?” feature and how you can be apart of it on page 7. Check out our upcoming events on page 4, including our 7) What’s Trending on Songsalive! upcoming Los Angeles Holiday Party. Congratulations to Rik Lawrence for being chosen to be our Songsalive! Team Member Spotlight! You can read 8) Forums & Community about Rik and our Los Angeles chapter on page 11. Our Partner of the Month is A&R Registry. Find out about this awesome directory on page 9) Chapter News 12. Please check out all of our chapters’ news on pages 9 & 10. On the cover this month is PRO Members, Gil Mosard (with Mitchell DeJarnett) 10) Chapter News performing at the Songsalive! Orange County Monthly Songwriter Showcase at Sam Ash Music Store (in Westminster, CA) on October 17, 11) Team Member Spotlight 2013. 12) Get Involved
13) Featured Partner
Have a Fantastic Holiday Season & New Year! Mary Lemanski Director of Operations
14) Back Page
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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Songsalive! look and feel - a whole new makeover Sometimes you just need a change. A change is as good as a holiday, right? Normally we go buy a new outfit, new shoes, or get our hair cut. At Songsalive!, we changed our whole look and feel. So, us volunteer folks at Songsalive! decided to change our logo and banner and the theme of our website/social community. But wait, there's more. Not just a pretty face, we also created so spunky new features. Check out our latest "hair do" below: 1) New website look and feel - banner, logo and color scheme. We love blue. Do you too? And feel free to link to our website from yours! Go here to get our logo and banner for your page, and let other songwriters know about us. Always link to www.songsalive.org. If you see our old logo anywhere on the internet, please help us to make the change universally and email us so we can go make the change. 2) Backstage for Pro Members - is getting a makeover: Forums are becoming the hub for opportunities (and you can post too); Member Directory is now exclusive to Pro Members and you can connect with others (collaborate, communicate, become friends, find members in your area or with your same interest)
4) All members can now write Blog posts in the Member only Blog 5) You can TREND on our website and reach more fans. Read how you can rank highest on our website, and Twitter. Details here
We're always adding new features. Log in to www.songsalive.org and have fun, and gain opportunities for your songwriting.
Best, Gilli Moon Songwriter and President Songsalive! The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community, since 1997. Your songs. Your business. Got songs? http://​http://www.songsalive.org
6) Chat with other members online. We've always had this feature but it was kinda hidden. Just go to Community and start Chattin'....
3) Upgrade to Pro Membership for 2 years and save money. (New Pro Members only0. Choose at checkout for 1 year $50, or 2 years, only $90)
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Tuesday, November 19 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Thursday, November 21 7:30pm Orange County Songsalive! Showcase Sunday, November 24 7:00pm Orange County Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop Tuesday, November 26 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Tuesday, December 3 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Sunday, December 8 6:00pm The Songsalive! End of Year Holiday Party - Los Angeles Tuesday, December 10 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic Sunday, December 15 12:00pm Los Angeles Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop Tuesday, December 17 8:30pm New York Songsalive! Showcase & Open Mic
FEATURED UPCOMING SONGSALIVE! EVENT THE SONGSALIVE! END OF YEAR HOLIDAY PARTY WHEN: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 TIME: 6:00 PM WHERE: THE CORK LOUNGE 5043 Van Nuys Blvd Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (Just north of the 101 on the East side of street (adjacent to Corky’s Restaurant). COST: Free for Pro Members. Donation for the rest. As usual, this is a fundraiser for our non-profit efforts. PRO MEMBERS, APPLY TO SHOWCASE: Go to our Website, click on Backstage, Apply to Showcase. Will be offering 1-3 songs for talented performers. DEADLINE Dec 1 RSVP FOR THE HOLIDAY PARTY on Meetup so we can ascertain numbers in advance. www.meetup.com/songsalive www.songsalive.org/events.htm for Calendar and Upcoming Events www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm for details on our Chapters.
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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GUEST WRITER What's your attitude? Are you an optimist or a pessimist? By Jennifer Yeko
and try. And they aren't put off by things not going their way. They keep persevering and going again and again and again until they succeed!
What's your attitude?
Artists like Katy Perry and Alicia Keyes and Robin Thicke and many others whose first (or second) or even third record deals didn't pan out. They reinvented their sounds and image and everything.
In life?
Try something new! And remember - always keep a positive attitude!
And about your music?
**** Also, do you know the 3 answers to these music questions?
http://tinyurl.com/nxw2yzo
http://tinyurl.com/n5kvdpf
I truly believe your success is determined by how positive (or negative) a person you are.
Most artists I observe become successful because they have an amazing work ethic and great music - of course! But mainly because they have a positive attitude! This PR campaign didn't work? Maybe I should write another amazing album and promote that one because it may get a better reaction.
Maybe this concert didn't get a huge turnout. But it's ok. I'll work hard and promote the next gig twice as hard and it will be a success!
Copyright @2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without author's prior consent. Jennifer Yeko True Talent Management ~ True Talent PR 9663 Santa Monica Blvd. # 320 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 http://www.truetalentmgmt.com http://www.truetalentpr.com http://www.truetalentmgmt.wordpress.com - Read my music blog for advice on making it in the music business
I see successful artists become successful because they try and try
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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SONGSALIVE! BLOG Songsalive! Pro Members, do you have something inspiring, educational and thought provoking to say? Come write on our Songsalive! Blog We have several blogs to choose from for fun and educational reading - "What's New on our Website", "Articles", and our "Pro Member Spotlight.� But we also have a "Member Run Blog" where Pro Members can post. We would love to hear from you and your stories, relevant to songwriting. This is not a self-promotion space. Write something that inspires others! Happy reading and writing! www.songsalive.org/blog.htm
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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WHAT”S TRENDING ON SONGSALIVE!
We are starting a new “what’s trending” feature at Songsalive! and you can be part of it. The more you visit our site and log in, update your profile with cool pics, videos, and songs, and reach out with shouts to other members, you will become visible in our “what’s trending” updates. More visibility from us, more fans for you. Get started: simply log in to www.songsalive.org and GET ACTIVE. More details on how to rank to the top of our Trending promotions under BACKSTAGE on our website.
Rank #1 on our Twitter Follower of the Week Competition Are you one of our top 5 Twitter followers this week? Find out in our weekly leaderboard. To play all you need to do is follow us, retweet our content and mention us in conversations with your friends on Twitter. There's no prize only the pride that comes from being one of our top followers and we'll promote you on our website http://www.songsalive.org You'll get 1 point for being a follower of @songsalive, 4 points each time you retweet one of our tweets and 1 point each time you mention us in one of your own tweets. Follow us http://www.twitter.com/songsalive and retweet us or mention us!
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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Forums & Community SONGSALIVE! OPPORTUNITIES
Participate and find opportunities in our Forums as a Songsalive! Pro Member. Opportunities Forum - Gigs, Jobs, and Music forum SONGSHOP - Get song leads where music business professionals (record labels, publishers, film producers and music supervisors) hunt songs from the Songsalive! song pool. GIGS, JOBS & MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES - Listings of cool gigs, jobs and music opportunities posted by Songsalive! staff as well as members themselves.
LATEST POSTS: Songsalive! Songshop - get song leads and pitch your songs forum Indie Rock/Pop Instrumental Tracks Needed ASAP For Placement - Deadline Novemeber 15th Fervor Records Urgently Seeking Original Songs Recorded Prior to 1989
Community SONGCHAT - Members, have your say. Speak out, shout out. Tell it like it is! Find collaborators, other members, talk about songwriting, the biz, and speak your mind! Including: Songchat Songwriter Discussions Song Critique Discussion Lyrics-Only Critique Discussion SONG CRITIQUE - Critique other members songs and add yours for critique.
ARIZONA ART TANK - DEADLINE: DECEMBER 10TH RED Distro Seeks Metal/Hard Rock Lifestyle Rep Interns Across US Buzznet Seeks Music Interns Wide Open Radio In Search of Top 40/Pop/DJ Interviewees MTV Seeks Music Coordinator For Los Angeles Office Get Your Recordings Reviewed In A National Publication Talenthouse Seeks Los Angeles Intern in Hollywood Music Publicist Needed New Label Seeks Established Artists And last week... Nerd Culture Podcast Seeks All Creative Types Jazz, Rock, Urban, Dance, & Instrumental Tracks Needed For Publishing Pop, Rock, and Contemporary Country Songs Wanted for Distribution Commercial Songs Needed For Publishing Company AND MANY MORE!!! PRO MEMBERS ACCESS - GO TO: Log on to Songsalive.org and click on BACKSTAGE / then FORUMS / then Songshop or Opportunities. Visit our Songsalive! Forums for more information on these opportunities: www.songsalive.org/forums/
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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CHAPTER NEWS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! Orange County September Workshop - Three familiar faces came together for the monthly Songwriting Workshop in Orange REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS County, California. A small number, but each brought along a song to present — and in the end, it worked to our advantage. Having only Songsalive! Los Angeles September Workshop – The Los Angeles three songs gave us much more time to go into greater detail in our chapter of Songsalive! Workshop series continued Sunday, critiques and suggestions — and, to do something we very seldom September 15 at The Cahuenga General Store with guest speaker have time to do: Go into detail on the musical aspects of a song, bestselling author, Janine Warner. Janine’s topic was “Social Media examining the chord progressions and working with variations to see for Musicians. What’s the best social media site for a musician?” Her presentation was a comprehensive overview of inspiring visuals, a list which might work better, if any. Gil Mosard began things with a simple, of free tools and tips, and web-related information on how technology straightforward love song, very much in the tradition of a 1970’s singeris impacts music and songwriters. -Rik Lawrence songwriter or folksinger. Sherif Guirguis came next, with one of his textbook blaring emotional songs — this time, about a woman whose Songsalive! Orange County September Showcase – The biggest drug habit forces her to abandon all she holds dear. Finally, Rod crowd the OC Songsalive! Showcase has seen in some time was O’Riley presented a rocker in the protest song tradition, this one treated to a pair of full-blown musical bands at Sam Ash Music in focused on people’s bad eating habits and how they affect the health Westminster this month, and they were blown away by the musical of people, and the planet. Yes, people write songs about that. talent and energy on display. We knew from his performances at the Spending more time discussing each song was a fine way to spend an Sam Ash Music Store Open Mic Nights that Sherif Guirguis was a evening among fellow musicians — but we definitely want to have powerful-voiced blues singer, but you should hear him backed up by an electric band! Fortunately for the more than 30 people seated, the more next time! -Rod O’Riley roof stayed on the place! Following Sherif came a new musical collective, the Original Sideshow Band, featuring Songsalive! member Doug Hansen. Based around ukulele music, the band presents a rousing buffet of olde-time tunes, vocal harmonies, and jazzy stylings, even diverging into a surf-rock pastiche for one song! Toes were tapping all over Southern California after this event. -Rod O’Riley
www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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CHAPTER NEWS REVIEWS OF RECENT EVENTS
OUR CHAPTER NEWS
Songsalive! Chicago October Workshop - Songsalive! Chicago hosted a workshop on October 12th at the Beat Kitchen. Four people brought songs for critique. The songs were all very well done. One song by PRO member Elena Dimitrov, was in traditional Bulgarian style and language, and was about enjoying the moment. There was a jazz fusion piece by Kevin Sconiers, a pop song by Hope Gartner, and a folk-rock song by Doreen Vanunu about tearing up your song lyrics. Quite an eclectic mix! In the second half, we did songwriting analysis on awesomely bad songs, picked from Google search results of “Worst Songs Ever.” These included “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus, “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen, “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas, and “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by the Beatles. We talked about why each song was bad, and discussed lyrics, harmony, structure, and melody. We also talked about the performance, arrangement, and production of each piece. It was a spirited discussion, and all agreed that the term “worst song ever” was completely subjective. Fun workshop! -Mary Lemanski Songsalive! Orange County October Showcase - Family and friends came out for an evening of fine music at Sam Ash this October for our monthly Singer/Songwriter Showcase, hosted by Songsalive! Orange County. Our host Rod O’Riley made note of an interesting fact: One of the evening’s performers was born in New York and now lives in Orange County, and the other grew up in Orange County and now lives in New York! First up this night was Gil Mosard, who is another performer who joined Songsalive! after making a name for himself at the Sam Ash Music Store weekly open-mic nights. As he often points out, he’s come back to songwriting and performing after a hiatus of more than 30 years.The audience certainly appreciated the return! Gil played acoustic guitar, ably assisted by Mitchell DeJarnett on electric guitar. Annie Calder, on the other hand, simply played and sang, backing herself up on acoustic guitar for the first half of her set, and piano for the second set. She sang and played softly, which perfectly complimented her “pictures of life” songs — and had the audience holding their breath to catch every word. -Rod O’Riley
Songsalive! Los Angeles October Workshop - The Los Angeles chapter of Songsalive! Workshop series continued Sunday, October 20th at The Cahuenga General Store with guest speaker Publisher Joanne Ledesma. Her topic was “Is Your Music Relevant”? Her critiques were offered from a publishers point of view, comprehensive and enlightening, stressing the necessity of keeping your music current sounding and knowing the genre in which you write. -Rik Lawrence Songsalive! Springfield October Workshop - The Springfield, IL Chapter of Songsalive! hosted another songwriters’ workshop on Saturday, October 26th at The Pharmacy. One person had a song for critique. He received great feedback, as the song was completed or close to complete and very well done. There was a short discussion on how to improve his song to make it even better. Since there was a small audience, the original discussion topic was changed to a general Q&A session on various music business topics, including music licensing, how to get your music in the hands of industry professionals, and how Songsalive! can help through our various programs. Good workshop! -Mary Lemanski
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT We are all excited about Rik Lawrence being chosen for the Songsalive! Team Member Spotlight!!!
Congratulations Rik Lawrence on being featured as our Songsalive! Team Member Spotlight!
Rik Lawrence is the Los Angeles Songsalive! workshop coordinator.
RIK LAWRENCE BIO: Los Angeles Songsalive! Workshop Coordinator, Rik Lawrence, is originally from Newark, New Jersey and lived his "wonder bread" years in Shaker Heights Ohio. His musical pursuits began by playing trumpet at 10 years old adding baritone horn, French horn and electric bass to the mix during junior and senior high school. He attended The Ohio State University and Cleveland State University, graduating with a degree in Psychology. After playing the typical “musical chairs” in numerous bands, and having a couple of near miss label signings in New York, he moved to Los Angeles in 1989 to pursue his musical career. Since arriving in LA he worked at Capitol Records, Private Music, Windswept Pacific and Chameleon Records in public relations, marketing and promotion before landing at the Los Angeles Songwriters Showcase with John Braheny. From there, he moved on to The National Academy of Songwriters where he worked for over 4 years as Managing Director and associate editor of Song Talk magazine. After leaving NAS, he transitioned to the technology sector during the day but continued to write and play bass at night. Current projects include producing, playing bass and writing material for the alternative indie rock group, Crinoline. He is also co-writing and expanding his musical horizons towards country music. He reentered the music education arena by volunteering at Songsalive! several years ago and was asked to be the Los Angeles Workshop Coordinator shortly afterwards
For more information on the Los Angeles chapter, visit www.songsalive.org/group/losangeles
In the above is our Songsalive! LA Workshop team. In the middle, Rik Lawrence our LA Workshop Coordinator. Surrounded by the "roses" volunteers, Danielle Carter and Jessica Akintunde. Together, they are a powerful trio.
Visit Rik’s Songsalive! page at www.songsalive.org/profile/RikLawrence/ Also featured on our HOME PAGE and Members Page: www.songsalive.org/members.htm
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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FEATURED PARTNER A&R Registry - brand-new issue released! Just a quick announcement to let you know that the brand-new, completely updated September/October 2013 issue of the A&R Registry was just released so you can place your order now. Since there have been so many changes in A&R and Record Label executive personnel, you'll want to make sure to order the brand-new September/October 2013 A&R Registry issue that is available as a PDF download (completely hyperlinked), in print or as a database file. Covering the major and indie label A&R and executive personnel contact information at labels throughout the US, Canada and UK, the A&R Registry has over the last 20 years become the Music Industry bible for accurate and up-to-date A&R contact information.
The Music Blog Registry - newest directory!
Songsalive! Featured Partner: A&R Registry
The 2013 Music BLOG Registry is now available! The Music Registry is proud to announce the release of the 2013 Music Blog Registry. This debut issue lists complete information on over 1,000 of the top music blogs from around the world. Each listing includes the name of the music blog, website address, contacts, email, full description including what style of music the blog focuses on, location, as well as their Twitter contact info. The Music Blog Registry is available in two formats, a PDF version for $75.00 and an Excel or database format for $150.00. This directory is so new we don't even have it up on our website yet so you'll need to call our office to place your order.
Film & Television Music Guide - new 15th Ed. The brand-new 2014 Film & Television Music Guide is here! We are letting our Music Industry friends know first that this 473-page directory* has been released and that you can place your order now! Since there have been so many changes in Film, Television and Video Game Music personnel lately, you'll want to make sure to order the brand-new 15th Edition Film & Television Music Guide (our 2014 issue) right away. We've added quite a few new Music Supervisors, Music Placement Companies as well as new Trailer Houses. The new Film & Television Music Guide lists the contact information for Music Supervisors, Film Studio/TV Network Music Departments, Film/TV Trailer Houses, Music Placement Companies, Record Label and Music Publisher Licensing Departments, Music Libraries, Film/Television and Video Game Companies, Composers and Composer Agents, Orchestras, Music Editors, Score Mixers, Commercial Music Production, Music Clearance, Performing Rights Societies, Scoring Stages, Recording Studios, Music Preparation, Music Contractors, Music Payroll, Music Services and much, much more. The directory is indexed by company and individual contacts and the PDF version is completely searchable, hyperlinked for email and websites and can even be printed right from your computer.
Call 800-552-7411 (or 818-781-1974 Los Angeles; 740-587-3864 East Coast). Or order online at www.musicregistry.com. MENTION "SONGSALIVE!" to get the 10% off.
About the Songsalive! Partner Directory: Discounts to our friends’ products, promotions, resources, services and events to help you with your songwriting career. Music resources, books and directories / Online websites and services for marketing, promotion and social networking / Artist development, production and training / Music Licensing (Film, TV, Ads, Games and A&R contacts / Music creation, sales and distribution / Songwriting learning and writing tools / Legal Services / Sponsored Events Behind the Songsalive! Backstage, you can access 100 exclusive discounts, only for our Songsalive! Pro members. www.songsalive.org/backstage.ht m for all Pro Member exclusives, or access the Partner Directory here: www.songsalive.org/linkdirectory.htm Go Pro today! Join Songsalive! on our website at www.songsalive.org/join.htm.
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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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 Songnotes
Sponsor us or become a partner
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Volunteer Positions Open: 1. Austin Chapter Coordinator 2. Europe Chapter Coordinator 3. Las Vegas Chapter Coordinator Austin Chapter Coordinator As the Songsalive! Austin Chapter Coordinator you will manage the monthly Workshop event (1) and showcase event (1) . 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. Europe Chapter Coordinator As the Songsalive! Europe Chapter Coordinator you will manage the monthly Workshop event (1) and showcase event (1) . 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. Las Vegas Chapter Coordinator As the Songsalive! Las Vegas Chapter Coordinator you will be at forefront, managing the monthly Workshop event (1) and showcase event (1) .You will enhance and accelerate our presence in the community and be charged with maintaining and growing a vibrant membership. You will also manage a team of volunteers that carry out specific roles.
Apply for these and other Songsalive! positions at www.songsalive.org/getinvolved.htm
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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BACK PAGE The Songsalive! Community
Make sure you're on our Discussion Groups/Lists
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).
eNotes - free weekly discussion list where the art and business of songwriting meet online. eNotes is all about opportunities: songwriting, songwriting & music business and all that pertains to the Update your profile song and the songwriter. We post relevant opportunities as well as There are hundreds and hundreds of other songwriters, artists and music business articles, resources and special events that will help our members professionals waiting to meet you! Update your profile on the website with some info about maximize their songwriting careers. Plus up to the minute posts from 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. our program SONGSHOP (looking for songs). We also encourage Woo hoo! posts from our subscribers of the above, as well as tasteful selfSongsalive! exists because of the songwriters and composers community at large. We feed it, promotions including upcoming music and songwriting events, and and we feed off it. We are all about community. Get involved today! JOIN A CHAPTER songwriting discussions. GROUP - READ AND CREATE BLOGS - COMMENT ON BLOGS - ADD PHOTOS AND VIDEOS - FIND OTHER MEMBERS.... Have FUN!
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Contact us with questions www.songsalive.org/contact.htm info@songsalive.org – 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
Songsalive! - The largest international non-profit membership organization and social community for songwriters and composers, since 1997. www.songsalive.org
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