ARIZONA SONGWRITERS Coming Events

February 26th, March 5th, 8th and 16th, 2005


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 2005

Noon to 3:30 pm.
Sign-in starts at 11:30 am.

Location: Fiddlers Dream

On 17th St.(Dreamy Draw) one block N. of Glendale Avenue.

(S.E corner of 17th St. & Cactus Wren) Just West of the 51 Freeway.
For a map go to fiddlersdream.org

Admission: $20 members, $25 non-members

DAN HODGES from MURRAH MUSIC CORP. (NASHVILLE PUBLISHER)

SONGSCREENING

LOOKING FOR GREAT SONGS FOR ALL THE NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTISTS

Born in the Washington, D.C area and raised in Nashville, Dan Hodges has built a creditable reputation as a music industry professional over the past 12 years. After receiving his degree in music business, at Middle Tennessee State University, he immediately began his career as manager of BMG Music Publishing’s catalog and tape room. After showing a diligence to “get the job done” and competence in many areas, including his exceptional ability to cast songs for various artists, Dan was ultimately promoted to Professional Manager. Having flourished in that position, in 1997 Dan completed a successful five-year stint at BMG.

Always looking for opportunities that allow him to grow professionally, Dan set out to increase his contacts and experience by accepting a position as Creative Director for legendary R&B producer/publisher Rick Hall’s company, Fame Music Publishing.

In 1999, following a successful run at Fame, Dan was hired by veteran songwriter/publisher Roger Murrah, and became Creative Director of Murrah Music Corporation. Dan’s tenure with Murrah was briefly interrupted, while he took some time to help form Create Real Music, an independent publishing company which he eventually sold his share of. With encouragement from Murrah, Dan returned. As part of his new alliance with Murrah Music, he formed his own publishing company, Large Opportunity Music, along with an independent song plugging service, through which he represented a number of additional clients. In January of 2005, Dan dissolved his independent songplugging service and went to work full-time at Murrah Music Corporation and currently holds the position of Vice President, Catalog Development.

Among the many songs that Dan has successfully placed are Martina McBride’s “Where Would You Be” and Reba McEntire’s “I’m A Survivor”, which also became the theme song for her hit television show, Reba. He was also responsible for pairing artist Rachel Proctor with songwriter Chris Tompkins for cowriting, resulting in Rachel’s hit single and video “Me and Emily.” Dan’s Large Opportunity Music is also enjoying recent success with songs recorded by Trick Pony, Billy Currington, Lauren Lucas, Pinmonkey, Megan Mullins and Lila McCann.

As a result of Dan’s efforts, other songs have been recorded by Mark Chesnutt, Colin Raye, Tracy Lawrence, Ricky Van Shelton, Doug Stone, John Anderson, South 65, Keith Harling, Chad Brock, Shannon Brown and Tim McGraw.

Dan and his wife Susan, and their daughters, Josie and Lillian all reside in the Nashville area.


If you have a song you want heard, bring it on CD or cassette, with lyric sheet. Dan will review all the songs and give you immediate feedback. As a courtesy to our out-of-town members (Tucson, Prescott, etc.), their songs will be played first, so they can get back on the road if need be.

You can join Arizona Songwriters Assoc. at any of our events. Still just $25 a year.

Meetings are usually the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Saturday of the month. (but not always)! (as in March 5th &16th).

The best way to reach us is by E MAIL at azsongwriters@cox.net

SATURDAY, MARCH 5th, 2005

11 AM to 3 PM
(Sign-in starts at 10:30 AM).

Songwriting Workshop and SongScreening

(Location in Phoenix to be announced)

Admission: $15 members; $20 non-members

Featuring Nashville platinum writer, producer and picker, JEFF DAYTON

Jeff Dayton has played with Lee Greenwood, Kenny Chesney, Glen Campbell, Tammy Cochran and more...

He has cuts with George Strait, Doug Stone and more... and cowrites with Eddie Montgomery, Jeff Carson, Lee Greenwood and other major label artists...

Jeff’s production artist Justin David is a finalist on Nashville Star 2005....

Another of his cowriter/production artists, Jason Sever is in development with hit writer/producers Steve Bogart, Steve Diamond and Don Cook...

Dayton is currently appearing in videos with Toby Keith (Honkytonk U) and Kenny Chesney (Live Those Songs Again)...


Jeff is looking for pitchable demos (great guitar/vocal or full demos) for Nashville artists that are about to record. Some of the acts currently listening are Lonestar, Sara Evans, Tracy Byrd, Kenny Chesney, Jeff Bates, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, etc.

Jeff Dayton Music is a co-venture with Glen Campbell Music. He wants to hear the most heartfelt, fresh and energetic songs you have.

Songs picked up at the meeting will be pitched within one week!

www.jeffdaytonmusic.com

11 AM to 1 PM Songwriting Workshop Jeff will play some demos of hits and talk about zooming in on writing the best songs possible. He’ll also cover the state of Nashville business today, the street stuff.

1 PM to 3 PM SongScreening as discussed above. Please bring a lyric sheet with your CD (or cued cassette, if you don’t have it on CD). (All times are approximate.)

The 2nd Tuesday Songs in Progress Workshop

MARCH 8th, Tuesday Night, 7 to 9 pm

The 2nd Tuesday, Songs in Progress Workshop is held the 2nd Tuesday of every month. Hosted by One Foot in the Grave’s Gavan Wieser, this workshop gets you some feedback from peers on your new or partially finished lyrics or songs. You can present your work on CD, cassette, or live. Bring a few lyric sheets. Very casual. Held at 8607 N. 59th Avenue in Glendale, AZ. Call Gavan for more 623-934-8681.



WEDNESDAY NIGHT, MARCH 16th , 2005

7PM to 9:30PM
sign-in starts at 6:30 PM

at FIDDLERS DREAM

on 17th street one block north of glendale ave.

(see directions above on the Dan Hodges meeting)

SONGSCREENING

with nashville publisher STEVE BLOCH of writer zone music

admission: $20 members $25 non members

Looking for great and moving songs for pitching to nashville recording artists.


Steve is a successful publisher in nashville with a small staff of hit writers contributing to each other’s success at his new company, writer zone music. Steve always has an ear out for a great song. He says to bring a song that moves you!

Bloch has placed many songs with major recording artists. We’ll have an updated list for you soon.

put march 16th on your calendar!

NSAI TUCSON STUFF…..

Sunday, Feb. 27, Buzz Cason "question and answer" session after his book signing from 2pm til 4pm on Sunday, 2/27 at Border's Book Store (Tucson). I am still putting the place (location) together, but the plan is to have an informal question and answer session after Buzz' 2pm til 4pm book signing.

Buzz' most recent claim to fame was a co-writer on Martina McBride's hit song "Love's The Only House".

Please RSVP if you think you'll be able to attend. D2LCEIZ@aol.com

FYI--there will be no regular workshop this month, however, we'll hold next month's workshop on Monday, March 7th from 7pm til 10pm at the Junior League meeting room, 2099 E. River, Tucson, AZ 85718.

Also, the Songpitch with Steve Bloch is back on for Saturday, March 18th, and tentatively scheduled from 1pm til 5pm. I'll give you more details as they come together!

Thanks for your patience as this all comes together-
Denny Ceizyk
NSAI Coordinator



many thanks to everyone who helped make our
9th Annual ARIZONA SONGWRITERS GATHERING AT ENCANTO PARK on January 22nd another tremendous event!

We especially want to thank our out of town guest speakers and songcritiquers

Hit Songwriters Kye Fleming (songjourney.com), Jenny Yates (jennyyates.com),and Music Biz Educators John and Joann Braheny (johnbraheny.com)
And Arizona Panelists Jeff Freundlich (wild whirled music group) and Les Scott (source q botique) on music licensing for film and tv.

And our closing concert headliners Jenny Yates and Hans Olson.

And Ballad Tree and Inspiration hosts Dean Cook, Wally Bornmann, Virginia Anders, Phil Shanks, Pat McInnis, Lauren Terece, Andy Hurlbut and Human Jones.

And ASA volunteers Randy Brown, Diane Delander, Gavan Wieser, Dave Moskowitz, Jody Gnant, the City of Phoenix, Encanto Park Honchos Julie and Lee, and of course The Man, Lon Austin.

and the rest of the hardworking volunteers

and all the great songwriters & musicians that performed and attended.

(sorry if we missed anyone).


Let’s do it again for number Ten!


Thanks!

Jon Iger

Arizona Songwriters Pres./Founder



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Mary Lemanski
http://paintedgirl.com
http://marylemanski.iuma.com
http://www.broadjam.com/artists/artist.asp?artistID=9907