Make Money Writing Songs?

....Absolutely. While you are waiting for that all important publishing deal, why not make some passive income along the way?

Here's the article...

http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/make-money-writing-songs.htm

Calvin Rele





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R.Kelly Accused of Assault & Stealing Songwriting Royalties

R. Kelly's legal woes continue to mount as the Chicago bred crooner has been accused of assaulting and stealing songwriting royalties from a former employee.

According to The Chicago Tribune, Henry "Love" Vaughn, who claims to have been a "mentor and guide" to Kelly since he was a teenager , filed a lawsuit on Wednesday (October 4th) claiming Kelly and others dragged him to the basement of Kelly's home in Olympia Fields on Feb. 19th, and "Kelly repeatedly struck him about the face and body with his fists."

Vaughn's suit also claims Kelly reneged on an oral agreement to pay him one-half of the money he earned from a song that was ultimately titled "Step in the Name of Love."

Vaughn alleges he provided Kelly with the "concept" for the song by suggesting that they create a song for the dance known as "Steppin".

Allan Mayer, a spokesman for Kelly, responded to the suit via a statement calling Vaughn a "hanger-on" who was trying to extort money from Kelly.

"Kelly has written more than 2,000 songs without ever using a co-writer. The lawsuit is a pathetic collection of half-truths, distortions, and outright lies," Mayer said, " To suggest that he needed Mr. Vaughn's help to write a song-or that he offered him any portion of his songwriting royalties-is ludicrous."

Mayer also revealed that police already investigated the assault allegations and found "there was nothing to them".

Olympia Fields police confirmed yesterday that they investigated the alleged assault and battery but would not discuss the incident.

Click here to finish reading the article

Source sohh.com

Songwriting Tips


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BMI Salutes Top Urban Music Makers at Star-Studded Gala in NYC

BMI saluted the premier r&b, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers at its 6th Annual Urban Awards held Aug. 30 in New York City. Hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Atlanta Writer/Publisher VP Catherine Brewton, the red carpet was hopping at the star-studded ceremony, which took place at the famed Roseland Ballroom.






Mariah Carey took home two of the night's top honors, including Song of the Year for her smash "We Belong Together" and Songwriter of the Year, which she shared with Miami-based producers Bigg D and Jim Jonsin. A highlight of the gala event was a special presentation to prolific songwriting and production team Kenneth Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "L.A." Reid, who were named BMI Icons for their "enduring influence on generations of music makers."

Other big winners included rapper Kanye West, who earned the Producer of the Year title for the second consecutive year; Warner/Chappell Music Group, named Urban Publisher of the Year; and Jazze Pha's "1, 2 Step," which nabbed the BMI Urban Ringtone Award. Executives from music trade magazine Billboard were also on hand to give out No. 1 Awards to the BMI songs that reached the top spot on its urban music charts.

Song of the Year "We Belong Together," which Carey co-wrote, ruled the top of multiple charts for months after its release in 2005, relaunching the five-octave singer's career back into superstardom. BMI writers Darnell Bristol, Sid "Uncle Jamz" Johnson, Patrick Moten, Sandra Sully, Bobby Womack and BMI Icon Babyface were also recognized with the Urban Awards' top song prize, as were the song's publishers - ABKCO, Ballads by Design, Hip Chic Music, Mister Johnson's Jams Music, Rye Songs, Songs of Universal, Sony/ATV and Warner-Tamerlane.

As the best-selling female performer of the 1990s, Carey stood apart by composing all her own material, and was twice before named Songwriter of the Year (1993 and 1999). She takes the top songwriter prize for the third time this year by placing three of her own hits on the most-performed list - "Don't Forget About Us," "Shake It Off" and "We Belong Together" - all from last year's comeback release, The Emancipation of Mimi. Carey, who also wrote 1992's Pop Song of the Year, "Love Takes Time," has a total of 23 BMI Awards and 15 "Million-Air" songs that have had one million or more broadcast performances.

Sharing the Urban Songwriter of the Year spotlight were producers Bigg D and Jim Jonsin, who also had three songs on the most-played list with the co-writes "Let's Go" by Trick Daddy (featuring Lil Jon & Twista), and Pretty Ricky's "Grind With Me" and "Your Body." Formerly known as the Unusual Suspects, this Dirty South production duo has been cranking out the hits, LPs, soundtracks and re-mixes for such heavy-hitters as Trick Daddy, Pretty Ricky, Trina, Jacki-O, Cee-Lo and Pitbull since 2000.

Multiple Grammy Award-winning songwriter/producers Babyface and L.A. Reid then took the stage to accept their BMI Icon honors. As co-founders of LaFace, the record label they started in 1989, the longtime writing partners are responsible for launching the careers of such multi-platinum artists as Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher and Pink. With a vast catalog of hits recorded by such A-listers as Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Boyz II Men, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Outkast, Dido, Ciara, Jay-Z and Songwriter of the Year Mariah Carey, songs penned by Babyface and L.A. have accumulated more than 40 million airplays on American radio and television.

Click here to finish reading the article.

Source bmi.com

Songwriting Tips

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Robbie May Duet With Shakira

LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - Robbie Williams could be set to record a duet with Shakira, if his former songwriting partner gets his way. Gy Chambers masterminded several of Robbie's biggest hits, including 'Angles' and 'Rock DJ', but the pair parted ways after a clash over the singer's multi-million pound recording deal with EMI.

However, Guy insists he is now ready to call a truce on the pair's feud and pen another hit for Robbie if he agrees to collaborate with Shakira.

Guy is convinced a duet between the pair could be the thing that launches Robbie's career in the US, where the Latin beauty is a huge star.

He told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "He should have always done that. It would be the perfect match and I would like to write the tune for it. It would be a worldwide hit and would break Robbie in America."

Guy has also revealed that one of the main reasons the pair disbanded their hugely successful partnership was because Robbie wanted to move to Los Angeles.

He added: "One of the main reasons our partnership ended was because he moved to Los Angeles. "If I'd also moved out there we may have continued working together. But that idea wasn't really going to be possible."

Source lse.co.uk


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Elton Writes about life-time co-writer Bernie Taupin

Elton John does seem to be everywhere are the moment!

Calvin
>> SongwritingTips




SIR ELTON JOHN decided to write a heartfelt song about his long-term relationship with songwriting partner BERNIE TAUPIN, after having endured 40 tumultuous years together as a team.

The rocket man star wrote The Bridge about his pal and is releasing it as the first single from his new album THE CAPTAIN AND THE KID on 19 September (06). He explains, "In the context that I sing it, it's about having crossed that bridge and survived and having the two of us still being together - Bernie Taupin and myself.

Click here to finish reading the article
Source contactmusic.com


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Big & Rich tear it up for Songwriting Success

Not everybody appreciates Big Kenny and John Rich's collaborative songwriting.

Under the name Big & Rich, the multiplatinum pop-country duo has changed the face of Nashville since "Horse of a Different Color" hit shelves in mid-2004.

But regardless of what you think about songs such as "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" or "8th of November," it's almost impossible not to admire the spirit in which they were created. Big & Rich were seasoned Nashville songwriters long before they met each other, but they're also just a couple of dudes tearing it up.

"Kenny and I are planning on taking a couple of trips. We actually met the bartender while taking a trip," Rich said recently, referencing the South Dakota bartender/Vietnam veteran who was the inspiration behind the battle-themed ballad "8th of November," the duo's current single. "Their stories are in our songs, and we discovered them by rocking around the country.

"He and I are going to Mexico in the winter to see what in the world we run into. We've been so busy we haven't been able to do it. But we're going to dig it up, tear it up, turn it upside down and see what we have left. We have an arsenal of new material, but we also want to find these stories that are out there."

Big & Rich have had a busy summer. They played 25 shows in August, and when they're not on the road, they're writing and producing for themselves and others.

Ask Big or Rich what they're doing at any given moment, and you'll always get a different answer. But no matter the reply, it will only reinforce these guys' overarching influence in mainstream country.

Click here to finish reading the article.

Source jsonline.com / Ricardo Baca

>> SongwritingTips.com


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Hawley: "I Had To Snub Robbie"

Mercury Music Prize nominee RICHARD HAWLEY has no regrets over snubbing ROBBIE WILLIAMS' offer of songwriting work, insisting the move would have been a step backwards. The COLES CORNER rocker admits joining Williams' pop star world would be lucrative, but he insists his integrity comes first.

He says, "It's a different world all that. "It would have been like winning the lottery. But it would also have been like taking whatever scant wisdom I've developed in this short life and throwing it away."

Source contactmusic.com

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Elton Announces Dates for Australia Tour

ONE of the world's greatest performers, Sir Elton John, is heading back to Australia.
The legendary musician will join a list of superstar acts including Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Billy Joel touring the nation before Christmas.

It has been four years since the Grammy award winner toured Australia and he has promised his two-hour non-stop show will be greater than any of his past events.
It will be his 12th tour of Australia.

Sir Elton, who has sold 250 million albums over 35 years in the business, will release a new record, The Captain and the Kid, next month.

The album is a sequel to his 1975 classic Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy and was written with songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.

Tickets for the tour go on sale on September 14, with the program opening in Brisbane on November 26 and concluding in Perth on December 11.

Source news.com.au

>> How to Write a Song - Songwriting tips to get your creative juices flowing.


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FEAR FACTORY Drummer Talks About The Band's Songwriting Process

Simon Milburn of Australia's The Metal Forge recently conducted an interview with FEAR FACTORY drummer Raymond Herrera.

A few excerpts from the chat follow:

On the response to last year's "Transgression":

"I think it's been good. It's been kind of interesting. We've had some reaction from Europe that was mediocre and then we've had other reactions that were that this was the best record that we've ever done. It's kind of weird this time. This time, it's almost like it's varied depending on who you ask. Usually, every record you pretty much get the same kind of feel — everybody's really excited about it, they think it's great. But on this one, it was almost either you loved it or your hated it. It was weird. So go figure. It was pretty interesting."

On Herrera's personal opinion of the last album:

"I would've personally liked something more heavier throughout. But I'm just one person in the band. I'm probably more the metalhead in the band. So for me, I'm more into the heavier, more fearsome, fast stuff. So I would've maybe liked it to be a little harder and heavier. There are a few tracks that are very heavy, very FEAR FACTORY-esque. But of course, there are some other tracks that are very different, which is something that we also do a lot as well. We kind of change things up a little bit sometimes. I kinda like that. I like the fact that we can do a wide array of metal and still make it sound like FEAR FACTORY, y'know?"On what he would change about "Transgression", if given a chance to do so:

"If anything, I would've probably liked Burt to interact more with us as we were writing the record. That's probably the only thing I would change that we're probably gonna change for this next time around. I think I'm so used to writing around guitars and writing with guitars, that it would be nice for me for a change to actually write around what Burt was singing. A lot of times, Burt does his lyrics and vocals so late in the game that I've already kind of committed to my parts, because I try to… during pre-production, I really concentrate on what I'm doing and try to make things more interesting and add other little nuances that I do on the songs that really kind of add to each song's character. A lot of times when I'm doing that, I'm not doing that with vocals either. If I had the vocals, I think I could actually write my parts a lot better. So that would probably be the one thing I'd like to change … maybe have a little bit more networking between the drums and the vocals as much as there is between the drums and guitars, which is what we're known for, y'know?"

On why it has been difficult to get Bell involved in the writing process:

"I don't really know what the definite answer is. I guess it could just be that Burt's state of mind is on touring and not so much on writing at that time. If I had to take a guess, maybe that would be it. I know part of the problem last time is that he didn't ask for music and we just assumed that he really didn't want to start yet. So part of the problem has really been us as well, y'know? It's kind of like the 'don't ask, don't tell' thing but at the same time, I definitely want to make it more of a focal point that Burt starts writing a little bit earlier. It's just one of the things. It's like, i'll be doing records for the next ten years and I'll probably still learn something new every time. It's always different. Even if you're working with the same people, there's always different situations in life that you gotta work around and that's what makes it different."

On Bell's near-electrocution on May, 2006 in Luxembourg:

"Well, essentially what happened is, we were told before we went on stage that there was a power problem in the venue. So we were like, 'OK, well, we'll see what happens.' So, we start playing and I think halfway through the second song, the power went out. Then, I think after the fourth or fifth song, Burt got shocked from the mic, and then I think a song later, Christian got shocked because he's doing back vocals. Then nothing really happened for two songs and then I think it was during 'Archetype', Burt got shocked again. It shocked him so hard that he fell to the floor. After that, he was like 'That's it. I can't take any more.' But at that point, we had already pretty much done the entire set. We had done about an hour and twenty minutes at that point. So it's not like it was gonna be a huge issue for us to not continue to play anymore. But I didn't blame Burt. I was like ‘Well, how can I argue with that?' So essentially, that's what happened. Luckily, he didn't get shocked enough the first time, because the first time, we would've only been like two or three songs into the set. Fans would have been really disappointed, and we probably had some legal issues with the venue. I'm not glad that it happened to Burt, but I'm glad it happened when it happened and we were able to just say 'We can't do this anymore', and I'm sure the fans could understand as well."

Read the entire interview at http://www.themetalforge.com

Source roadrunnerrecords.com

http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/howtowriteasong.htm

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A Quick update on CARNAL FORGE

Swedish thrashers CARNAL FORGE have issued the following update:"The pre-production of the new album has been a long, long process but in the end it has been really worth it. We have gone through all the arrangements and vocal parts in a way that we never have done with CARNAL FORGE before. The result is just utterly brilliant. We have also tried some stuff that we never did in CARNAL FORGE. We have a couple really heavy songs. One is so slow it almost falls apart... haha...

"Some wonder why it takes so goddamn long time this time around, but the thing is that we live in three different cities, so we have met for pre-production work once, maybe twice a month to work together. On all other albums with CARNAL FORGE, the vocals were made in the studio. But I promise you it's worth the wait... Soon we'll start the real recording...

"The follow-up to 2004's "Aren't You Dead Yet?", which will likely be mixed by Andy Sneap (NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY, MACHINE HEAD), will feature the following cuts, among others: "Godsend Gods End", "Hate Junkie", "Ante Mori", "End Game", "Testify For My Victims", "Biological Waste Matter", "Questions Pertaining The Ownership Of My Mind", "Subhuman", "Forever Guilt", "Burning Eden" and "The Dead".

CARNAL FORGE's upcoming CD will be the group's first with singer Jens C. Mortensen (LEECH, REVOLVER, SLAPDASH), who replaced Jonas Kjellgren in 2004.

Souce roadrunnerrecords.com

http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/howtowriteasong.htm

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GANGgajang Hit Home

The Australian Band GANGgajang have toured the world over since their debut offering 20 years ago in 1985, but have never actually performed in Brisbane's landmark hotel "Regatta".

In fact, singer-songwriter Mark Callagham from the band has only ever admitted to have 'drunk there' many times, but not performing there once.

Here's a light article on the subject and more...

Calvin Rele
http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/howtowriteasong.htm

GANGgajang All There




"There's been many times when I've drunk there – or even been drunk there – but we've never played at the Regatta," said Callaghan, who'll front up with his band, Resin Dogs and Sarah McLeod for the Regattafest next weekend.

"Good old sunny Brisbane on the river. It'll be good to be back. We've played shows at the Gold Coast and Bribie Island and the Cleveland Seafood Festival, but we haven't actually done a Brisbane city show in a couple of years," said Callaghan from his Sydney music publishing office, where he administers the songwriting activities of a flock of Oz composers including Grinspoon and Groove Terminator.

As the manager of Shock Music Publishing, Callaghan says he "signs songwriters and tries to further their careers".

"But I'm still finding the time to do some songwriting and strut my stuff in the band."

Click here to finish reading the article

Source news.com.au


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Paris Hilton's Debut Album

What is it with 'celebrity turning into pop singers' that I can't stand? As a songwriter, I try so hard to sit on the fence with material that's been 'put out' by Hollywood stars - even if the songs ARE good.

Paris Hilton has just released her debut album and it hit the stores on August 22nd. Critics haven't been so kind and it's no wonder why. Seems like it's a necessity to endorse every single track with a hip producer or a 'sound' that's working for the moment. To me, this is NOT the mark of a true artist. Paris Hilton may disagree, but with all the hype surrounding her, it really is hard to take her seriously.

Here an article on the subject.

Calvin
http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/howtowriteasong.htm

Hilton's debut CD a lesson in blandness

What else can you say when you're asking a critic to assess the debut by ultimate celebutante Paris Hilton? (Paris hits store shelves today.)
Colleagues will doubtless take the opportunity to shoot apples in a barrel and savage this album -- which has yielded one cross-Canada number- one hit with Stars Are Blind so far -- because they feel obligated to differentiate an act that sells itself with sex appeal and fame over, um, all the others. Truthfully, there is little to no difference between Hilton and many acts on the charts.

Don't believe it?

Then go ahead and dump on her for hiring some name brand hip-hop producers to craft catchy beats behind her infantile sex-obsessed lyrical teases (Nelly Furtado, Gwen Stefani, Madonna).
Perhaps you take exception with her hiring top notch songwriters to co-write (Avril Lavigne, Cheyenne Kimball, Kelly Clarkson, Beyonce).

Click here to finish reading the article.

Source canada.com


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Franz Ferdinand Spice Up Book Festival

I mentioned a few posts ago that Franz Ferdinand were due to appear at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on the 24th August. Well, the crowd were certainly lit up by their presence as they shared their secrets of songwriting.

Check it out.

Calvin

How to Write a Song - Unique mp3 download that will turbo charge your songwriting skills
Learn Piano - Unbeatable step-by-step course with pictures, audio & video
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Franz Ferdinand Share Songwriting Secrets

Yesterday, the fame and glitz of pop invaded the normally sober world of literature and reading. Hundreds of fans at the Edinburgh International Book Festival yesterday were treated to an hour of analysis of the secrets of songwriting from Franz Ferdinand, the top Scottish rock band.

Alex Kapranos, the band's lead singer, and Nick McCarthy, his fellow songwriter and guitarist, revealed their literary inspirations for a career that has so far netted six million album sales, the Mercury Music Prize and numerous other awards.

The duo also disclosed their latest creative move, a song for children written specifically for a charity album.

Click here to finish reading the article.

Source theherald.co.uk / Phil Miller

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Scientist Give Songwriting A Go...

I can safely say that when I was in school I lacked concentration in any academic subject and quickly re-gained energy once it was time for a creative class. I would be the one who people were asking to write their song in the music class. If felt good. But I bet it didn't feel half as good as the odd one that just seemed to be good at everything - like maths, physics, chemistry, biology, history AND music. Erm, this simply wasn't fair.

My guess is that those went on to be mathematicians or scientists anyway. But what about the creativity that they possess? Where does that go?

Well, here's a nice article of an Oxford Scientist who has decided to give songwriting a go and has already had a great start by becoming a finalist in a UK Songwriting competition.

Check it out (below).

Calvin
How To Write A Song - songwriting made easy!
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Scientist wows judges in songwriting contest

An Oxford scientist has discovered he has a hidden talent for songwriting after reaching the final of a national contest.

Memory research scientist Dr Andy Lee is celebrating after winning a place in the final of the UK Songwriting Contest.

He earned his spot in the final of the instrumental section with his classical piano composition entitled Airborne and he was also a finalist with his piece entitled A Walk in the Clouds.

Dr Lee, 29, first started playing the piano when he was five years old, but decided to make a career in the science world because it was more secure.

learn songwriting, tips, online, record demo, publish your song

50 Cent mocks The Game's songwriting

Tuesday, August 22 2006, 12:02 BST - by Daniel Kilkelly http://www.digitalspy.co.uk

50 Cent believes that The Game's rap career will struggle without his help.The In Da Club rapper, who publicly fell out with his protégé last year, has predicted that his second album will be a flop.

"I don't think [Game's new album] is going to be interesting," 50 told XXL magazine. "I think it's going to be what it was before I wrote his hits."I wrote six records for his album, three of them were his first three singles. Can he rap? Yeah. Is he a good songwriter? No."

(oh dear)

http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/howtowriteasong.htm

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Don't Go Straight To The Chorus...

Hi all,

After taking some advice from a Songwriter, (who's been doing it for decades) I've started to write in the following format:

* Verse
* Pre-Chorus
* Chorus

What do I mean by pre-chorus? Here's a snippet from the Veteran Songwriting Secrets Interview:

http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com/
Snippet_Veteran_Songwriter.mp3
(right-click above and choose 'save as' and then save the file).

He tells us that an effective way of grabbing a listener is to put in a 'link' between the verse and the chorus.

It actually works like a charm :-)

In fact, he shares a whole TON of idea' and secrets that will turbo charge your creativity.

You're seriously missing out if you haven't got a copy of this...

http://www.songwritingtipsonline.com

Grab it now while you get the chance.

Talk soon...

Calvin Rele


Related Tags: songwriting tips, verse, chorus, how to write a chorus, how to write a hook, song structure

Zimbabwe: International Songwriting Competition Opens

The ISC are taking things to even higher heights with the all new songwriting competition opening in Zimbabwe.

It's all happening for 2006 and you can check out the article on it here (below).

Calvin

THE 2006 International Songwriting Competition that provides opportunities for bands, artistes and songwriters to gain exposure is now open.

The competition also gives artistes a chance for their songs to be heard by some of the most influential members of the music industry internationally.

In Zimbabwe, so far, Chiwoniso Maraire, is the only artiste who participated and emerged second in the 2005 competition.

The 2006 competition has two new categories, many new judges and has also increased the cash portion of its Grand Prize to US$25 000, which makes it the largest cash Grand Prize in any songwriting competition.

ISC gives away over US$150 000 in cash and prizes, including an Overall Grand Prize package of US$25 000 in cash and over US$20 000 in merchandise, unmatched by any other songwriting competition.

Click here to finish reading the article.

Source http://allafrica.com/stories/200608180525.html

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Arctic Monkeys plan new songwriting style

The following news is directly taken from http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds35917.html





Matt Helders has revealed that the Arctic Monkeys are planning to reinvent themselves.
The band's drummer has warned fans their second album will break away from songs based on growing up in Sheffield.
"I don't think we're going to do that again and that's why we won't - because we've already done it.," he told the Daily Star.
"We've changed our subject matter; but it's still about actual circumstances and people we've met. We've got 13 or 14 songs we've been trying at soundcheck."


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The Songwriter's Way of Thinking

Is there ever a 'right time' to write a song?
So many songwriters have asked me, "can you write whenever
you want?" -- well, the answer is a resounding YES. You can
indeed.

But let's be real, what if your mum was in hospital or
you just went though a divorce.. then what? What if you simply
weren't in the mood? Well, here's the secret.

First of all, let's switch the word 'writing' with the word
'creating'. In theory we are 'writing a song', but in
practice we're actually creating something. Just think about that
for a second. We're 'CREATING' something here.

So if we are creating something, we need to fuel that creativity
with something. We fuel that creativity with INSPIRATION.

Before we even THINK about what to write about, what structure
the song should be, what melody to use, etc, we need inspiration.

I can hear you already... "what if I don't feel inspired?",
well this is exactly why you need to 'switch' your mind.

I can't even begin to tell you how important this is.

Let me explain -- stay with me here...
Here's a typical a scenario. You wake up early in the morning to
go work, you miss your train and when you get there your boss
gives you a hard time for being late.

Because you're late, you're made to work through your lunch hour.
When you do, you eat some crummy old sandwich which makes your
stomach upset. Despite the fact that you're now not feeling well,
you carry on working -- dying for the day to end.

Work is finally over. You get home, and cook yourself some food.

It's the best meal you've had all day. You're feeling a little
better knowing you can finally relax and watch some TV over a nice
beverage.

But guess what, you're too tired to write a song. You've had such
a mad day, you just can't be bothered. You don't know what to
write about. You just don't feel inspired.

Now here's where you 'switch' your mind. Everything that has
happened in your day are a series of events all leading up to
writing a song. How many events can YOU draw inspiration from?

The answer is ALL of them. You can write about your whole
'bad day' but the key here is to pick one or two events and
elaborate on them.

For example, we can do something with 'being late for the
train' and 'late for work'. You could structure it in a way were
your verses would be about getting up late, how your breakfast
was burnt, when you left it was pouring with rain and you left
your umbrella, the trains were running late, you were late for
work again.

In fact, that could actually be your hook -- 'I'm Late Again'.
The song can be structured in a way were you are simply stating
how you are always late! (It doesn't matter whether that's the
truth or not! It just has to flow well, that's all).

Songwriters who write constantly understand how to harness the
power of inspiration. The above example was quite a negative day,
but if was the opposite, then you would write about just that,
(ever heard of 'Lovely Day' by Bill Withers?).

Structure your song so you are keeping your listener interested
in where your song is taking them next.

More on structure in the next issue...(only available via email)

Sincerely,


Calvin Rele

PS: The above was taken from my online newsletter called
songwritingtipsonline.com. If you would like, you can subscribe for
more tips in the form at the top of this blog.

When Sam Cooke sang a Bob Dylan Classic

I get a bunch of emails every month asking me how to write for a particular style. While there may be difference in musical arrangement for different styles, my answer has always been that a vocalist (and/or his/her band) will convey the song in their style - whether it be pop, rock, soul, country, R&B, Jazz or whatever. And this will ultimately define the genre it may sit in.

The example here is Sam Cooke who sings Bob Dylans classic 'Blowin In The Wind'. The song itself is a great one and BECAUSE it is, it allows singers of different styles to put their own spin on it, giving it a new flavour. For what was originally a great Dylan folk song (which I love) Sam Cooke; with his soulful voice has transformed it into a more gospel orientated offering.

I've always --and will continue to say--... focus on writing a good song. Then worry about if it's punk rock or R&B later.

Calvin

Folk love Seth

Fiddler Seth Lakeman is helping to make the F-word a little more attractive in music land.

The Brit folk hero has just finished a sell-out UK tour.

Plus he has just switched to major recording label Relentless, in order to re-release his third album, Freedom Fields .

But Seth reckons that some people find his brand of acoustic songwriting hard to define.

The 29-year-old's last record, Kitty Jay, was nominated for the 2005 Mercury Music Prize.

Made on a tight budget, he says he's still blown away by its success.

His latest single, Lady Of The Water, a mythic tale of love and loss, has already hit the airwaves.


[The above news was taken directly from www.itv.com]


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California Student Wins Songwriting Contest For Teens

I always find it a refreshing change when there is an even for teenagers specifically. Here, we have a songwriting contest in California for 16 year old teenagers. Giving them the oppertunity to shine in front of a panal of judges which include the likes of Alicia Keys, Damisn Marley and Sara Evens to name a few.

Check out the article and the winner. (below).

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

Laurel Dammann, a 16-year-old high school junior from Arcata, Calif., is the winner of the 2006 Songwriting Contest for Teens sponsored by Billboard and USA Today.

Inspired by the theme "come together," Dammann's song "Through the Fall" beat out more than 5,000 other student entries from across the country. Her song was chosen unanimously by the panel of celebrity judges -- Alicia Keys, Damian Marley, Bow Wow, Hoobastank and Sara Evans -- as the best of 10 finalists (the first unanimous vote in the contest's five-year history).

"It's about prejudices and stereotypes. Everybody has them," says Dammann of her winning song. "The problem is, some don't look past the differences to see the person and, if they're in trouble, help them out."

As the winner, she receives a trip for two to the Billboard Music Awards in December in Las Vegas, where she'll hang out backstage; a $1,000 U.S. savings bond; and a Sony DVD/CD burner and production software. Runner-up Nathan J. Campbell, 14, of Brooklyn, N.Y., who gets USA WEEKEND in the New York Daily News, wins a $500 savings bond and Sony software.

Perhaps the biggest prize, Dammann says, is having her words printed in a national magazine. "I'm definitely excited about winning," she says. "It's given me more confidence because I've never really let people read [my music]."

Source www.billboard.com / Chris M. Walsh


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Lemar Meets and Greets Fans At Rock FM

Soul singer-songwriter Lemar has gone through quite a journey from the 'pop idol' days. He has now sold a boastful 1.5 million records from his first two albums, Dedicated and Time To Grow.

His latest offering The Truth About Love is set to be released on September 11th and he has been promoting the first single at Prestons Radio Station Rock FM.

Check out the article.

Calvin






The soul singer was at Rock FM to promote his new album The Truth About Love which is out on September 11.

The 27-year-old, who was a special guest at last year's Red Rose Awards, was also plugging the first single from the record, called It's Not That Easy, which is released on September 4.

He recorded an interview with mid-afternoon DJ Rick Vaughn which will air later this week.

And he made time to meet up to 100 fans who turned up at the radio station's St Paul's Square headquarters.

Click here to finish reading the article

Source http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=73&ArticleID=1680272

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Ferdinand Plan New Material Only Singles

The following news is directly taken from www.pr-inside.com...


Scottish hitmakers FRANZ FERDINAND have vowed to only release new material on singles in future.

The TAKE ME OUT rockers are convinced reverting to 1960s practice, when it was inconceivable for a band to release an album track as a single, will boost their creativity.
Frontman ALEX KAPRANOS says, "Putting out new singles is very good for the progression of a band's songwriting."

Songwriter Chapin Set to Perform at Café Arabica in Morristown

Jen Chapin is a New York-based singer-songwriter on the rise. Her 2004 Hybrid Recordings release, Linger, has earned the highest praise from sources as diverse as National Public Radio's All Things Considered, People, The Today Show, and Entertainment Weekly. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel lauded Linger as being "smart, observant, lyrically deft, politically aware and emotionally intuitive" while The Boston Globe called it simply: "addictive."

Now, 2 albums on, she is getting lit up to promote her new and highly anticipated album, 'Ready'.

She is set to perform at Café Arabica in Morristown on September 9th where she is accompanied by her trio band - including her husband Stephan Crump on acoustic bass.

Check out the article. (below)

Calvin

New York singer-songwriter Jen Chapin shares tastes and values with her husband, bassist Stephan Crump, when they work together on various music projects.

"We always set the ground rules early on as far as not stressing one another out," she said. "We try to keep things light and fun because we can both be pretty intense. But it gives both of us this arena where we can interact and share and respect each other's work ethic and artistry."

Chapin will perform with her trio (Crump on acoustic bass, Jamie Fox on electric guitar) at Café Arabica in Morristown Friday and again Sept. 9.

"It's all about performing with people you enjoy as individuals, not just as musicians,"she said. "The trio is a really great setting for being able to listen and respond to each other. There are enough elements to have richness and variety to the sound, but there are also moments where it's sparse and almost silent. We all have a great time."

Click here to finish reading the article

Source www.dailyrecord.com / by Robert Hicks

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Simon Fuller Not Sitting Idle

Music industry Mogul Simon Fuller has his sights on taking things to 'higher heights' with his vision of incorperating a songwriting competition in the pop idol show and producing it for the next 'American Idol' to sing.

Pop Idol - despite being a cultural phenomenon has had more failures than success, in terms of producing 'winning hit-making artists'. The successes of artists such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are a display of what the show 'can' produce - but on the whole there is more hype then musicianship.

Still, this won't stop Fuller from world domination. He's approach has always been one to admire - regardless of whether you like his public persona, or indeed despise the man.

Check out the article here. (below)

Calvin

THE Mogul Who Swallowed Pop Culture is perched in his office high abovebustling Sunset Boulevard, scheming. His groundbreaking project is thebehemoth that has come to rule not only television, but also much ofthe entertainment landscape.

Butif you thought Simon Fuller, the British creator of "American Idol,"would be sitting back by now celebrating his success, think again.

"I'm hungry," he says, and he's not talking about his next meal.

Nextitem on his agenda: taking the unscripted talent show to, yes, evenhigher heights, this time with a songwriting competition that will beincorporated into the show and produce a song that will be sung by thenext "American Idol."

After that, he plans to revolutionize the entertainment arena furtherthrough his production company, 19 Entertainment, and otherpartnerships. He wants to start using unique strategies that, in hisview, will change the way talent is developed and exposed.

Click here to finish reading the article.

Source www.latimes.com / by Greg Braxton, Times Staff Writer

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Songwriting Service Provides Quick Connections to Music Publishers, Record Labels, and Others in the Music Industry

After you've written your best songs, and you feel you want to pitch them, there is a very frustrating and often long period before anybody with high importance actually gets to listen to it. And even then, it's not just about listening to it, but 'doing something with your song' that will enable you to finally have some sort of career in songwriting.

Songwritingconnection.com is a songwriting service that 'connects' songwriters to artists, publishers, record labels, managers and agents. As simple looking as this website may look, it's impact is pretty huge.

They would send email or postal queries for songwriter to music publishers, record labels, managers and agents and help you write a powerful 'query letter' and target companies according to the location, genre or size. It's a way to fully maximize your chance of getting a response with your material.

In fact, they don't deal solely with songwriting - but also book publishing and pitching scripts for TV.

Read a recent article on songwritingconnection here.

Calvin

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Nashville Folk Festival Returning For Third Year

The annual American Folk festival is one which has only been around for a few years, yet it has grown into one of the most upscale and laidback music festivals in the Nashville area.

Even though the festival is a one-day event, the performers are allowed to bring their families and given lakeside cabins for the weekend.

Check out the article...

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Kaleidoscope Media and Nashville Scene announce that the third annual Americana Folk Festival will be held Oct. 21 at Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson.

Legendary singer/songwriter Patty Griffin is the headline artist for this year’s festival.

With at least 30 musical acts in bluegrass, Americana, folk and jazz, an arts village and a beautiful Tennessee state park as the backdrop, the 2006 festival will be one to remember, organizers said.

Ask any musical artist about their influences, and it’s a sure bet that Griffin will be named within most everyone’s list.....

Click here to finish reading the rest of the article.

Source www.dicksonherald.com

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James Morrison Could Never Have Been a Van Driver!...

Pop newcomer JAMES MORRISON is thrilled with his burgeoning chart career, because it takes his mind off losing out on his original dream - driving vans.

The YOU GIVE ME SOMETHING star was sacked for crashing several of the vans he was being employed to clean, because he simply couldn't resist getting behind the wheel.

But he became so depressed after being fired, he immediately turned to songwriting to channel his woes.

He says, "In many ways, getting the bullet was the best thing that ever happened to me.

"They gave me the boot because I crashed a couple of vans." A friend adds, "He was devastated when he got the sack, but it worked out well because it inspired him to write this album (UNDISCOVERED)."

Source http://www.pr-inside.com/morrisons-white-van-misery-r13742.htm

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A Quick Chat With Chris Carrabba...

Few recent singer-songwriters have injected their audiences with as much fervor for the song as Chris Carrabba. His troubadour revues under the stage name Dashboard Confessional are showcases of youthful longing come lyrically alive.

To watch 2500 of his fans sing along to every tune at the top of their lungs is to behold a catharsis seemingly unmatched in alternative pop-rock circles since the mid-'80s heyday of the Smiths.

Over here, VH-1 link up with the man for a quick chat...

Calvin

VH1: How old you were when you started writing songs and what were some of your early inspirations?

Chris Carrabba: I began writing at about age 15, because that'swhen I was given a guitar, but I noodled with melody all the time.That's the one gimme I got: I had to work hard to become a good playerand singer, but hearing melody and harmony has come prettyeasily to me; it's something I'm really interested in othersongwriters, that added thing that draws me into a song, really deeply.When I start to take pieces apart, I realize that the part that grabbedme was this strange harmony.

VH1: What's a good example of that early in your life?....

Click here to finish reading the 'quick interview'.

Source www.VH1.com/news

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Using Musical Hooks in a Song

There are of course many example of songs where different types of hooks are used. Using different musical hooks can make a song irresistibly interesting.

Madonna's multi-platinum hit 'Music' (from year 2000) is of those songs that exposes nearly nothing but hooks.

The song hits an underlying musical hook (reminiscent of the organ riff in The Animals '60s hit, 'It's My Life') combined with an unstoppable groove created by Miruais Ahmadzai (who co-wrote the track with Madonna).

Of course too many musical hooks can spoil a song, but over here you have some pretty cool lyrical content (though not clever - simply 'cool') to even out the pitch.

technorati tags:learn, songwriting, tips, online, madonna, record, demo, publishing

Nirvana: Using the ABCABCABC Song Structure

When you write a song, you have one of a few ways to structure it. In a few posts ago, I mentioned a very common song format 'ABAB' which the soul singer Alicia Keys used in her songs 'Fallin'. In that case, 'A' would be the verse and 'B' would be the chorus.

In this example, Nirvana pull out all the stops and use the 'ABCABCABC' song format. This is where 'A' is the verse, 'B' is the pre-chorus (ie. the link to the chorus) and 'C' being the chorus itself.

This gets even more interesting when they add an instrumental after the second chorus.

Of course the thing that strikes me most about this song is what the song is about. To this day, I'm still trying to think of one meaning.

It's a fine example of how powerful melody can be. Check out the song....

Calvin

technorati tags:learn, songwriting, tips, online, record, demo, publishing, nirvana

Singer/Songwriter Derek Webb To Give Away Mockingbird CD!

Now this is what I call good a good business strategy. While it's certainly not a new one, it's definitely one to score with in the music industry.

Singer songwriter Derek Webb is set to GIVE AWAY his 'brilliantly reviewed and controversial' album, Mockingbird. It will be announced and launched on the website www.freederekwebb.com and anybody will be able to go online and listen & download the album.

And that's not all. We are able to SHARE the album as well. It's a very clever way of dealing out your songs, and I believe will pay off big time for future.

Check out the article here.

Calvin

"Derek has always been an innovator and forward thinker in his life, songwriting and musical endeavors, and this FREE DEREK WEBB campaign is an example of such creativity," commented INO Records' President Jeff Moseley.

"We fully support Derek and this brave idea and are looking forward to watching fans react to his efforts."Mockingbird tackles many sensitive issues including poverty, war, and the basic ethics by which we live and deal with others in a raw way that has made some people uncomfortable. But that's okay with Webb. "I'm not trying to push buttons or make people upset," he......

Click here to finish reading the article.

Soruce http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060731/clm069.html?.v=43 / Derek Webb

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Songwriter Guy Hill -- A Texas Treasure

When you throw enough mud on the wall, some is bound to stick.

The statement holds true of songwriter Guy Hill who never stopped writing since the age of 18 and never left his guitar - wherever he went.

Check out the article...

Calvin


Guy Hill has been a songwriter for 33 years. Hill's songs have had the interest of several major country recording artists. Greenville, TX (PRWEB) July 31, 2006 -- Guy Hill has been writing songs for 33 years. Hill was born in Austin Texas and now lives in Greenville, Texas, about an hour from Dallas.

Hill has caught the eye of several major country recording artists as a result of his songs being pitched to them through LucKi Entertainment, LLC. Artists such as Gretchen Wilson, John Anderson, Hank Williams, Jr., Kentucky Headhunters, George Strait, Chris LaDoux, Cimarron, Pam Tillis, George Jones, Dwight Yoakum, Steve Holy, Chris Cagle, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, George Canyon and Randy Travis, and others.

His earliest musical influence was Hank Williams. Hill used to listen to his records as a small child. Hill also listened to his AuntÂ’s 50Â’s rock and roll records. Hill began making up songs to entertain himself at a very early age.

When he was 18 he got his first guitar. Hill taught himself to play. He practiced constantly taking the guitar with him everywhere he went. The first song he learned to play was "DonÂ’t Be Angry" by Stonewall Jackson. It was then he began songwriting in earnest. By this time Hill's musical influences were Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, the Eagles, Gram Parsons, Rodney Crowell, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, George Jones, EmmyLou Harris, and others.

Click here to finish reading the article

Source http://www.prweb.com

Michael Jackson: An Overlooked classic...

Leaving aside all the hysteria that surrounds Michael Jackson, he still remains a great pop songwriter.

Here is one of his most over looked singles, 'Stranger In Moscow'.

According to Jackson, he wrote the song while on tour in Russia.

The song was a successful European hit but is all too forgotten because of the dance remixes that overplayed the original version.

Here's the video - which might I add captures the essence of isolation and loneliness, beautifully.








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Sonya Kitchell on Pop Idol: "No, thank you, not really interested."

Sonya Kitchell's rare gift may result from some fortuitous conspiracyof genetics and environment, or it may be the manifestation ofsomething more mystical -- but there's certainly no denying herexceptional talent. Kitchell is an eloquent songwriter, dazzling singerand old soul who just happens to be 17 years of age.

Check out the article.

Calvin

Sonya Kitchell has been singing almost all her life. Before she reached her teens, she was leading her own jazz band in clubs, and later, she was singing and strumming her guitar on
tour opening for veteran entertainers. So friends thought Kitchell would have been a formidable contender on what has become the nation's ultimate entertainment stage,
the phenomenally successful "American Idol."

The teenage singer-guitarist-songwriter's response? "No, thank you, not really interested."

That's because Kitchell has no interest in performing songs that aren't her
own. Though she's just 17, Kitchell has written more than 100 songs.


Click here to finish reading the article


Source http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com / by Charles J. Gans

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Songstress is a Finalist in VO5 Red Hot Rising Star Contest

Singer-Songwriter Sherrie Adams started writing at an early age - cutting demo tapes at the tender age of 13.

She has drawn influences from the likes of the Beatles, Aerosmith, Cold Play and Sheryl Crow and at present is a finalist in the VO5 Red Hot Rising Star contest.

The winner of this popular competition will get a meeting with Maverick Records.

Check out the article...

"(I was) cutting demo tapes at age 13," revealed singer-songwriter
Sherrie Adams, one of five original music artists to make it to the
finals of last week's "Have A Nice Gig" contest to open for Bon Jovi.

Though Adams lost out to South Side band Stellar Road, she claims to have
slipped into second place by only a small margin. Still, she is pleased
with the strong showing of support her fans gave her in that
competition, and hopes it will continue on her next effort to grab the
brass ring of stardom.

Click here to finish reading the article.

Click here to check out Sherrie Adams My Space page.

Source http://www.thetimesonline.com

(thetimesonline.com / nwtimes.com)

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