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Sunday, December 29, 2013

Songwriting 101 from Free Country Loops


Become A Songwriter Right Now






Become A Songwriter Right Now
The Dream
For all people in the music business, it starts with a dream. Everyone who ever achieved success, the musicians you admire – they started with a dream too. They had to start from nowhere, to arrive at “somewhere” just like everyone else. Wait!” you say, “Some of these people got where they are because they knew someone, had relatives in the biz, famous parents, etc.” While that may be true that some are born into music business connections and experienced influences, having those things alone will not make it happen for them. One has to be able to walk the walk. You can have all the well-connected friends and relatives you want, but you still have to deliver on the talent side. Skill is something that each person has to develop through their own effort. At the end of the day, everyone has to deliver the goods. Connections may get you to the doorstep, but talent allows you to remain in the room and be invited back.
The Unknown
For many people, sadly, it will remain a dream. Not because they do not have the talent, but because they will not make the true effort and commitment it takes to reach their goal. This world is full of brilliant and talented people that will go undiscovered and will remain unknown.
You May Be Your Biggest Barrier
We are often our own worst enemy. We want to “make something happen,” yet we don’t take the steps it really takes to get there. Or worst yet, we don’t take any steps at all. We sometimes do part of the work, (usually the creative part), but not the rest of the work it takes to succeed. We come up with excuses as to why we can’t get started right now. There are many excuses.
Excuses, Excuses.
- When I have more money / Money is tight right now.
- When things in my life to settle down / my schedule slows down.
- When I learn to play an instrument / or play it better.
- When I don’t have to work full-time.
- After my kids get out of school / or start school.
- When I can move to a music center.
- After my divorce.
- When I finish school.
- When my spouse/partner/roommate get a higher paying job.
- When the timing is right.
- When I figure out what I need to do.
- When I meet the right people / I don’t know how to meet the right people.
- When I find an investor.
- When my style comes back in/ or when people get me
- When the economy improves.
- When work/business picks up.
- After the holidays.
- When I improve my songs a bit more.
- When I can afford to record demos.
- When someone discovers my songs on youtube (add any site here).
- When publishing companies start hiring more writers again.
- When music styles go back like they were.
- When traditional country music comes back in.
- When this high tech stuff in music goes away.
- When I “hit it big” in Vegas (lottery, whatever).
- When the right people discover me.
- I’m too old / too young. 

Do any of those above sound intimately familiar to you? Hmmm?
Do it now – No More Excuses
As bad as this sounds to say, it’s a fact: every day your life is getting shorter. Every day you are losing time. There is no right time, nor will there ever be a perfect time. There is only time itself and time moves ever forward for us Earthlings. The time is now. Right now.
Action!
Every step you take right now moving forward – is a step towards your dream. Only by taking action, will you have any chance of making your dream a reality. You may have the greatest talent in the world but without taking action – all that talent cannot make your dream come true. Only action can. Make a commitment to yourself and to your dream to take action. Take it today. Right now.
Next, for further discussion of this topic of “no more excuses,” read our article about 5 successful songwriters who overcame challenges, conquered all excuses, made sacrifices along the way and achieved success. You’ll find it inspiring and you’ll see they could have made many of the excuses listed in this article, but they didn’t. Instead, they took action, and ultimately made their dream come true. Read this article: 5 Songwriters Who Overcame Challenges and Found Success
- See more at: http://freecountryloops.com/become-songwriter-right-now/#sthash.YkLpo08m.dpuf

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

USA Songwriting Competition Begins

 
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SONGWRITING NEWSLETTERDec 2013
..
 The World's Leading International Songwriting Competition 
-
 
"I don’t write a song with an artist in mind. I just try to write a great song." ~ Diane Warren, songwriter of #1 hits such as "Because You Love Me" and "i Don't Want To Miss A Thing" 
 
Hit Makers Dominate USA Songwriting Competition, USA Songwriting Competition (2013) Results Out 
The top winner of the 2013 USA Songwriting Competition (American Authors) is currently on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. Tony DeSare (Overall Second Prize Winner), hit #5 on the Billboard Charts. He is signed to Telarc/Concord records. Auburn Williams (Overall Third Prize Winner), hit #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. She is signed to Beluga Heights/Warner Brothers. This is the first time that all top 3 winners have all hit the Billboard charts. READ MORE » 
 

19th Annual USA Songwriting Competition (2014) Begins Sponsors of the 2014 Competition are: Gibson Guitars, Epiphone, New Music Weekly, AirplayAccess, Loggins Promotion, Sony, Audio-Technica, D'Addario Strings, BerkleeOnline, Presonus, iZotope, Notion Software, Sonoma Wireworks, Acoustic CafĂ© Radio Program, Songwriters Pad, M+ New Release, Reverbnation, Broadjam, Sirius XM Radio, Sonicbids.. ENTER HERE »



Alumni Winners & Finalists' Updates
~Jeff Gutt (9th Annual IAMA Finalist) made it to the Top 3 of Hit TV show "X-Factor". This is the 2nd time that he has appeared on X-Factor live event. He is vying for the top award tonight (Fox channel, 8pm Eastern)
~Sahsa Allen, a backup singer of Air Gold, 13th Annual USA Songwriting Competition Top Winner, was a top 5 contestant the #1 hit NBC TV show "The Voice".
~Gail Swanson (2002 USA Songwriting Competition First Prize Winner, Country)'s acoustic version of "Sympathy for the Devil" was featured in the ABC series "666 Park Ave". Her song "Half A Heart" was recorded with country legend Willie Nelson. 
~Alexander Cardinale (2011 USA Songwriting Competition First Prize winner & Overall 2nd Prize) won Hollywood Music in Media Award for "Best Song in a TV Show" on "90210" with the same song he won for USA Songwriting Competition "Traffic Lights". 



Songwriting Masters Tips



Other Musicians Articles



SPONSORED BY:

Sonoma Wire Works is proud to sponsor this competition by offering prizes including RiffWorks Standard recording software, KitCore Deluxe MIDI drum instrument plug-in (VSTi/RTAS/AU) featuring the sounds of legendary drummers, and the RocKit Pack add-on for KitCore Deluxe.http://www.sonomawireworks.com
 
NEW MUSIC WEEKLY covers the radio and music industry within its
weekly magazine, website, NMW-mail and fax services. NMW, built
by radio stations who "break" the hits first, has become the
standard for tracking radio airplay nationwide. For information visit:www.newmusicweekly.com or call 310-325-9997

 From the D'Addario-pioneered phosphor bronze acoustic strings
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 LOGGINS PROMOTION is the leading radio promotion and marketing
firm providing services to all genres of music.  We operate at
the highest level of efficiency and integrity, so that you
receive maximum promotion, exposure, and attention. For further
info: 888-325-2901 or email: promo@logginspromotion.com


HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 



IAMA Featured Artists Of the Month Spotlight 
Amirah Ali (Malaysia)
Michael Fix (Australia)
Berteal (USA)


 

Compilation CD
"NEW MUSIC NOW Vol 11" will out later next year. "New ACOUSTIC MUSIC Vol 8" is out now. 


Cool Merchandise
Purchase USA Songwriting Competition T-shirts, Hats, etc. READ MORE »


Products For Musicians
Soundcloud App for iPhone & Andriod, Mixcraft 6 (Acoustica), iRig PRE (IK Multimedia), ATM-610 Microphone (Audio-Technica), GuitarJack (Sonoma Wireworks). READ MORE »


Music Auditions, Conferences & Festivals
Winter NAMM 2014, Anaheim, CA - January 23-26, 2014
MIDEM 2014: February 1-4  2014; Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France

2014 Folk Alliance Conference: Feb 19 - 23, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA
 
SXSW Music: March 11 - 16, 2014; Austin, TX, USA
 
Winter Music Conference: March 21 - 30, 2014; Miami Beach, FL, USA
 
ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo: April 24 - 26, 2014; Loews Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles, CA, USA

 

MUSIC RESOURCES
Songwriting Blog



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ASCAP Inside Music


DEC
2013
 
This is the final Inside Music of 2013.
Have a safe and happy new year from all of us at ASCAP!
 
 
NEWS
 
ASCAP Releases 100th Birthday Song & Video "More Than the Stars"
 
"More Than the Stars" features an extraordinary collaboration among 15 top ASCAP songwriter and composer members, including Ne-Yo, Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, Dan Wilson, Bill Withers, Aloe Blacc and others.
 
 
 Read More  
 
 
 
 
 
ASCAP "I CREATE MUSIC" EXPO
9 Reasons to Be at the ASCAP EXPO and Boost Your Music Career
 
 
Be it the songwriting workshops, the business panels or the fantastic networking opportunities, the ASCAP EXPO is a must attend part of your music career calendar. This will be the 9th annual EXPO, so here are 9 reasons to go.
 
 
 Read More  
 
 
 
 
NEWS
ASCAP Writers Dominate Golden Globe Music Noms
 
 
If the 71st Golden Globe nominations are any indication, it’s going to be a tremendous awards season for ASCAP composers and songwriters: ASCAP members and PRS affiliates wrote 7 out of 10 scores and songs nominated for 2014 Golden Globes.
 
 
 Read More  
 
 
 
 
 
PLAYBACK
ASCAP Audio Portrait: The Ash & Clay by The Milk Carton Kids
"WE CREATE MUSIC" BLOG
#ASCAP100: Our Favorite ASCAP Publishing Company Names
NEWS
Sondre Lerche, Lee Ann Womack, Andrew Dost of fun. and KT Tunstall Among Acts at Sundance ASCAP Music Café
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
What's the Deal: Understanding Co-Publishing & Admin Deals
 
 
 
NEWS
ASCAP Members Continue to Rule Top Ten Most-Played Holiday Songs List in 2013
 
 
"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" has aired more times on radio than any other holiday song this season, ending the four-year reign of previous list-topper "Sleigh Ride." Find out what other songs, all written by ASCAP members, made the top 10!
 
 
 Read More  
 
 
 
PARTNER CONTENT
 
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
MusicPro and Disc Makers Have Teamed Up to Offer Free Musician Guides
 
 
Looking for tried-and-true home studio tips or advice from the experts on how to improve your vocal technique? Our musician guides are the perfect way to energize your music career and MusicPro Insurance and Disc Makers are pleased to offer them to you. Download our free instructional PDFs and get a Free Single Song Submission from CD Baby (a $12.95 value).
 
 
 Read More  
 
 
 
 
 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
4/24
to 4/26
The 9th Annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO
Hollywood, CA
 
 
DEADLINES
 
12/31ASCAP OnStage Deadline: 3rd Quarter 2013 Shows
 
2/1The ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
 
 
 
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