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Saturday, February 2nd 2008

Hi Kester
You're welcome

I leave for the Grammy's this coming Friday Morning and intend to give y'all a full report
I had an extra grammy ticket
I offered it to Harold Payne but he was recording that day
I offered it to Allison Sattinger, she's a friend of my cowriter Adam Donmoyer but she couldn't go.
http://www.myspace.com/allisonsattinger

Allison is a good friend of Terra Naomi
Youtube helped launch Terra's career into the stratosphere
http://youtube.com/user/terranaomi
my favorite songs of Terra's are
Say It's Possible
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ARHyRI9_NB4
Up Here (PG 13 warning she cusses on it)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3CUkylQ7150
but what's awesome is
Look at where she got to perform
Say It's Possible
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rz09nw__FLs


at From Youtube to Live Earth Wembley Stadium


so Terra Naomi loaned or gave Allison her spare video recorder now Allison's kicked off an excellent youtube strategy
she's regularly creating and posting videos
I believe it's just a matter of time before
one of her's goes viral
http://youtube.com/allisonsattinger
she's an undeniable talent

two of my favorites are:

At Last
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fGH_Tlxz7jg

Across the Room
http://youtube.com/watch?v=krwvC_1bv5M

Anyway, today we placed the grammy ticket with my daughters friend.

Tonight I plan to see Steve Seskin in San Antonio, TX at
www.urbancampfires.com
it's a house concert series
I cowrote "Home Made of Stone" with Steve and John Arthur Martinez
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=34089

Fat Tuesday is Tuesday February 5th 2008
a January 2004 ago I cowrote the
"Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras song" with
Gayla LeJeune, Mike Simmons, & Max Fontenot
I didscovered Gayla through JPF's 2002 song contest
she was a finalist or a winner in the cajun/lousiana music category
I loved her voice & vibe
so I offered her my the fat tuesday lyric I wrote on fat tuesday 2003 because I wanted it to be fun and authentic
I was very pleased with how it turned out
she cut it on this CD
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gaylalejeune1/from/ande

NOTE: when you cowrite with an artist,
if they love the song
they might cut it on their next project.

you can hear the full song at:
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewprivtrack.php?trackid=26210
if you listen
let me know what you think of it

I'm going to promote "Fat Tuesday" a little to see if a few radio stations will give it a spin on "Fat Tuesday"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I love the story behind the song of
Say It's Possible

About This Video Hello to my new Russian Youtube friends!!! i will be playing in Moscow for the launch of Youtube Russia this Sunday, Dec 11! Hope to meet some of you there.



A year after 'Say It's Possible' was f... (more)
Added: July 11, 2007
Hello to my new Russian Youtube friends!!! i will be playing in Moscow for the launch of Youtube Russia this Sunday, Dec 11! Hope to meet some of you there.

A year after 'Say It's Possible' was featured on Youtube, I was fortunate enough to play my song at the Live Earth London concert at Wembley Stadium.

The song was inspired by Al Gore's film, 'An Inconvenient Truth,' so when I saw him at a party in Los Angeles last February, I gathered my courage and introduced myself. I told him the story of how his film had inspired this song which basically changed my life.

I sent him the links to my video and felt lucky just to have met him. I had no idea that I would later be asked to be part of Live Earth. I am grateful for this incredible opportunity and hope that my experience can encourage other people to dream big and expect the unexpected. Nothing is beyond our reach.

with love
terra

Sunday Feb 3rd 2008

Had a blast seeing steve seskin last night
www.SteveSeskin.com
Had a nice talk with him before the gig
we talked a little about the state of nashville

told him he might enjoy reading what Bob Lefsetz writes
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
If you would like to subscribe to the LefsetzLetter,
http://www.lefsetz.com/lists/?p=subscribe&id=1

I recorded both sets and they sound pretty good
I might ask him if I can podcast them
I also shot several videos of songs till my camera died

I'm starting to do some planning for my music business meetings while I'm in LA
Hope to visit with Harold Payne, Allison Sattinger, Steven McClintock who manages Shiny Toy Guns, and a few other music business pros

started a song with Heidi Thompson who I met here at JPF

sent a lyric to andy cochrane in australia
haven't heard from him what he thinks of it

got an mp3 of a song I writing with Moker Jarratt

Tell Harold I said hi and that he's a weasel for missing the Grammy's with a free ticket! = )

Brian

Monday, February 4th, 2008

Hi Brian,
great to hear from you
glad to know you read my blog
thank you introducing me to Harold< I met him and you at the Austin JPF event at the Broken Spoke
he's one wonderful person and writer, as are you


Yesterday I got back critiques from Jason Blume
He now does them by email,
I emailed lyrics and links to the MP3s.
Made a paypal payment.
Yesterday he emailed me MP3's of his critques.
Should I go into detail about what he said?

Tammy is a cowriter on "Dreamer and Her Dream" which was one of the songs I sent to Jason.
you can hear it on her page at:
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=60475

I called Tammy to let her know the critique arrived.
We spoke for a while. Talking about what to do. We're going to implement Jason's suggestions then see what we think of it.

I also told Tammy we should write more so I sent her a new lyric and she liked it.

Andy Cochrane passed on the first lyric and requested a country lyric.

Had a nice email exchange with Heidi, she too wanted a country lyric so I sent her one.

I really need to go through and organize all my unplaced lyrics.

I was very happy with how my recording of Steve Seskin's concert turned out.
I recorded it with my new tiny Olympus digital recorder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...mp;camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000VDQAU0
I think it's a must have for every songwriter. Small portable easy to use. plug it into your PC and transfer files

I haven't seen Steve in a couple years now.. I need to check in with him. You should try to co-write with Melody Guy Ande. She's pretty experienced with co-writing down in Nashville.

Brian

Just found this, Ande!
Very cool to see your thought process and to see how busy you are on a day-to-day basis. That keeps me motivated!
Thanks - this is fun.
Linda

Tuesday February 06 2008

I leave for the Grammy's early Friday Morning.

I was very happy with how the recording of Steve Seskin's concert turned out, I recorded it with my new Olympus digital recorder
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...mp;camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000VDQAU0
I think it's a must have for every songwriter.
It's small portable and easy to use.
It can hold hours of recordings.
I bring it into cowriting sessions and turn it on so it captures our entire interaction then I plug it into my PC and transfer files.

Hi Brian,
steve is wonderful, doing well, he's making his living writing songs, performing house concerts and doing programs at schools for
http://www.dontlaugh.org/educators/assembly_steve_seskin.php
He's written a couple books and has a new one on the way
Don't Laugh at Me
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...mp;camp=1789&creativeASIN=1582460582
A Chance To Shine
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...mp;camp=1789&creativeASIN=1582461678

I would love to co-write with Melody Guy, she's awesome, I love her song "Hang out with the Angels" I'll write her
thanks Brian

Hi Linda,
great to hear from you, thanks for following my blog
good luck with your writing

didn't do much songwriting yesterday

did hear back from andy cochrane,
he liked the lyric I sent him and asked for more

I sent Jason's critiques to Harold, Harold wrote me back
so I wrote a response to him, we're supposed to talk today around 11, he's been in mexico

corresponded with Wake Eastman,
an artist said she liked and wanted to record
Safe In Your Arms
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=12390

dropped by www.SongU.com/ifs
checked out pitch opportunities

I really like the "Dreamer and Her Dream" song. Memorable melody. Would love to hear what Jason's suggestions were. One possibilty I thought of in your chorus was:

You have

Cause I won’t stop and I won’t quit
I won’t give up, not a little bit (And I'll take my nicks) or (learn to take my nicks) or (take my scrapes and nicks)
Until I get what I’m after
Through all my tears and laughter
I’m almost there, I’m so close
I will fight for what matters most
Cause nothin’s gonna come between
This dreamer and her dream

and at this part you have:

I’ll persevere in the face of fear
Give all I am year after year

(curious if he suggested changing the "year after year" part)

If he did some possiblities could be:

I'll persevere though it may seem/get tough,
And if I fall I'll just get back up.

Didn't know if it would be nice to sing the last line of your final Chorus twice "this dreamer and her dream" ??

I'm just one person but I hope you both pursue this song.

Best,
Lynn

Fri Feb 8th 2008

in LA
tomorrow ( 1:00 - 3:00 ) I'm going to this BMI workshop at the key club (below)
06:30 - 08:30 Grammy Special Merit Awards
08:30 - 10:30 Nominee Reception


February 3, 2008
BMI & Los Angeles Times Announce 2nd Annual ‘How I Wrote The Song’ Panel
Marquee Lineup Includes Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes

BMI will pair with the Los Angeles Times to present the second annual “How I Wrote the Song” panel Saturday, February 9, from 1p.m. until 3p.m., at the Key Club in L.A. Mirroring the format of 2007’s sold-out forum, another elite cross-section of established hitmakers, including Rodney Jerkins, Chris Daughtry, Mos Def, Ben Moody of Evanescence, Polow Da Don, Anthony Hamilton and Brian Howes will discuss their work, the raw ideas and the occasionally idiosyncratic processes pooled into composing songs that resonate with a broad spectrum of listeners. Moderated by BMI’s Vice President, Writer Publisher Relations Catherine Brewton and Los Angeles Times Music Critic Ann Powers, the event is open to the public. Advance tickets are available now for $10 through Ticketmaster at www.keyclub.com or the Key Club box office; day-of admission at the door will be $20.

Grammy Award-winner Rodney Jerkins’s creative dexterity materializes in distinct but diverse musical triumphs. The pen behind take-charge smashes including Destiny Child’s “Say My Name,” Brandy & Monica’s duet “The Boy is Mine” and Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu,” Jerkins has also produced work by contemporary superstars including Mary J. Blige, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Destiny’s Child. His unerring ear led to a vice president of a&r position with Island Def Jam, while Janet Jackson’s forthcoming project Discipline features his signature production.

American Idol alum Chris Daughtry has brazenly staked a record-breaking place in contemporary music, confidently fronting the aptly titled rock band Daughtry. The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter signed with RCA and management powerhouse 19 Entertainment after his fan-propelled success on American Idol, and his band’s eponymous debut sold more than 1 million copies in only five weeks. The projectile success of the album, featuring songs “It’s Not Over,” “Home” and “Over You,” resulted in the fastest-selling debut in the history of SoundScan.

Rapper, actor, musician and activist, Mos Def’s sheer versatility places him amongst contemporary pop culture’s premier creators. Musically, his work includes blithe collaborations with legendary group De La Soul and artist Talib Kweli. Def’s partnership with Kweli, the duet album Black Star, resulted in underground frenzy and glowing critical praise. His subsequent solo album, Black on Both Sides, produced more of the same. Nominated for two Grammys, Def also boasts Golden Globe, Emmy and Source award nods.

Serial hitmaker Ben Moody first gained recognition as guitarist and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning group Evanescence. His output during and after the band has further exposed an adroit singer/songwriter capable of powerful hooks and lush layers; songs including Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal,” along with Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You,” sprang from Moody’s id. Collaborations as a producer with Clarkson, Celine Dion, Bo Bice and Lindsey Lohan further emphasize his seemingly limitless versatility.

Super producer and innovative songwriter Polow Da Don’s quintessential hip factor springs from authentic skill. His innate musical savvy has finessed infectious hits including Fergie’s “Glamorous,” the Pussy Cat Dolls’ “Buttons,” Ciara’s “Promise” and Jamie Foxx’s “DJ Play a Love Song.” Fergie’s enthusiastic shout out, “Polow!” on her smash “London Bridge,” made Da Don’s fluid alias a pop culture catch phrase, adding household recognition to the power player’s growing reputation.

Singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton’s blend of old-school soul and cool contemporary grit is artist’s art in the best sense of the phrase: Members of the neo-soul and poetic hip hop elite including D’Angelo, Tupac Shakur and Eve have looked to Hamilton for backup harmonies, while the North Carolina native’s critically-acclaimed solo work has landed on arguably avant-garde projects including the American Gangster film soundtrack. His 2007 effort, Southern Comfort, features eleven new songs all written by Hamilton.

Brian Howes' life in music did not come as a surprise with a great-great grandfather who was a baritone opera singer, a grandmother who was a songwriter, and a grandfather who played alto sax for swing band greats Benny Goodman and Louis Prima, his career choice was practically predetermined. As part of punk-ska-rap band DDT early on in his career, Brian toured with bands such as Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Alice Cooper, The Scorpion and DOA. Post DDT, he penned hits and earned placements in several movies all while maintaining number 1 and top 10 international hits. Brian then added production to is arsenal and has had success by writing and producing with Grammy-nominated Atlantic band Skillet amongst others. Brian’s recent success has included collaborations with Kara Dioguardi, Shelly Piken, Chad Kroeger, Hinder and Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame for his RCA Records Album.

Tuesday February, 12th 2008

just got back from the Grammy's, had a blast

MAIL: Received a royalty check from an Artist who cut
"It's All of Us Together"
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=23717
need to send my cowriter his share.

Friday
arrived in LA from San Antonio. We flew the United direct flight that left at 6:00 am so we left home at 3:30
Got to LA around 7:00 am got our bags and rent car and got breakfast.

Went to our hotel then to the Staples center to pick up our tickets.

Saturday Feb 9th
Went to Manns Chinese theater

noon I went to BMI's 2nd Annual
'How I Wrote That Song' panel discussion on the art of songwriting at The Key Club in Hollywood
http://www.bmi.com/events/entry/536027
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news..._bmi_honor_songwriting.html?200802130458
I invited Ryan Jirovec and treated him and his mom, I recorded the whole thing and was thinking about pod casting it but when I looked at my recorder when I got home all the files were erased.

Autographs: Chris Daughtry, Fat Joe and Polow da don

Evening I went to the
Grammy Special Merit Awards and Nominee Reception
they honored
Burt Bacharach, (not there, kids accepted)
The Band, (several were there, Robby Robertson)
Cab Calloway, (daughter accepted)
Doris Day, (not there sent a letter)
Izhak Perlman, (not there kids accepted)
Max Roach and (decd kids accepted)
Earl Scruggs (was there, his son Randy wast there too)

Trustees awards were given to
Clarence Avant (Quincy Jones introduced him)
Jac Holzman
Willie Mitchell (was there, huge memphis, songwriter and producer)

Nominee Reception was fun
Autograph: Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry
had a nice conversation with Gentle Thunder.
wanted to stay longer

Sunday grammy stuff
Took a shuttle van to the grammys around 1:20
(waiting on women to get ready, doors opened at 12:30 event started at 1:00)
walked the backside of the red carpet
(the red carpet is split in 2 sections
front part is for famous people and muckety mucks, with news people and handlers lining up interviews,
back part is for every one else, there's police officers and bouncer types present to encourage people to keep moving)
found out later I should have told them I was a governor and I would have gotten to walk the celebrity side. (maybe next time, if there is a next time, I'm up for reelection in April)

Pretelecast: Arrived as #43 the Hawaiians were on stage.
They awarded 100, I looked behind me a few rows back was Ace Youngfrom Idol Season 5. http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season5/

Many famous artists weren't present to accept their grammys, but I was impressed that Carrie Underwood ran to the stage to accept hers, Brad Paisely was present to accept his in the instrumental country category and the Foo Fighters were also there to accept theirs. I was thrilled that Willie "Pinetop" Perkins, 94 http://www.pinetopperkins.com/ from Austin, TX won the traditional blues Grammy for their appropriately titled album
"Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen:
Live in Dallas." He got up and played he wore a bright red suit and hat with a blue feather.

Autographs: I got Carrie Underwood's
My daughter got Ace Young's and David Grohls from the Foo fighters in my songwriting book

when the pre telecast was over we walked over to the Grammys
as we walked over I said hello to band members from Shiny Toy Guns and asked if Steven McClintock was around. They said he was, a little later I said hi and shook his hand while we were in line.

My son an I sat in the Platinum Section for Grammy Governors, we were about 35 feet from stage left in the 9th row on the side next to the stairs. Stage left means if you're facing the stage from the audience we were on the right.

On the floor I saw Cindy Lauper, Ringo Star, Yoko Ono, Bonnie Raitt, George Martin (beatles), Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, the Foo fighters, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Carrie Underwood, and many others

Had an absolute blast

Made a scrap book of all the Grammy stuff I collected
including a little of the confetti they blasted out during the final performance, many people shuffled near the end, not realizing that there was a finale performance of a beatles song.

It felt great to be part of such an awesome organization and event and I encourage you to get involved too.

Autographs: got Tony Bennett and Robby Robertson from "The Band" (take a load off Annie) I asked, Yoko Ono but she refused. I was an arms length from George Martin but like a fool I was suddenly too shy ask.

after party,
had some great hordeourves type food, it was open bar, had one cab, I walked past Evander Holyfield but didn't get his Autograph. We walked around a little then made our way to the stage where Cindy Lauper was about to perform. she wasn't on stage so a crowd hadn't formed but when she walked on and performed several songs there was a sea of people behind me. We stood right by the stage and watched her perform her hits barefoot, Several times she gave angry looks and hand signals to the sound guy. I guess wanting to adjust her monitors.

Food at the after party was delicious, open bar, lavish decorations and athletic barely dressed cirque du soliel type performers performed on multiple stages and wandered through the crowds it was quite a specacle. We were feeling tired and decided to leave as Cindy wrapped up her set. Near the exits they were handing out Grammy Bags filled with TIGI Bedhead Type Products.

We walked over to the shuttles, got on it took us to the Biltmore which was close to our hotel.

Monday I met with Harold Payne and Allison Sattinger for lunch. Harold and I have a song in the works.
http://cdbaby.com/cd/haroldpayne93/from/ande
http://cdbaby.com/cd/haroldpayne01/from/ande
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gravityband/from/ande

http://cdbaby.com/cd/sattinger2/from/ande
http://cdbaby.com/cd/sattinger/from/ande

I met Harold through JPF and Allison went to school with my friend and cowriter Adam Donmoyer. Both people are awesome artists and class acts. Harold is the featured perfomer and one of the cowriters of JPF's theme song
We're all in this together.



Tuesday I went home, If I get re elected as a governor or officer and go again I want to arrive a few days earlier and participate in more of the events.

If you want to go to the Grammy's
(here's what you might budget for one person)

$100 grammy membership (allows you to buy 6 tickets)
$300 airfare
$300 - $600 hotel (could be more if you go fancy)
$300 - $1,000 ticket
$200 after party ticket
then there's food, transportation, and airport parking
We rented a car, the funny thing is the hotel parking was $42 a day and the car cost $20 a day
There tends to be lots of food at Grammy

don't forget shopping

when we arrived we needed to kill a little time so we went to el segundo beach to watch the surfers waves, pelicans and dolphins

Ande

That is so Awesome! I'm glad for you and the kids.

What a treat and great thing to be around professionally. And you got a royalty check for a song as well...... thats very cool!

See people (who are songwriters) need to do a lot more of what you do instead of just complaining and knocking everything down.
There is so much more to the game than meets the eye, and some of of that hard struggle can be exciting and fun too...

Great stuff! keep it up bro!

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008

Hi Mike,
thanks for your comment
at some point I decided I didn't want to be the kid on the outside of the candy shop with his nose pressed against the window and no money in his pocket.
I wanted to step inside the circle and be viewed as one of them.





sent a few thank you notes to people yesterday


RSVPed that I would attend next weeks
Texas Grammy Board meeting at the House of Dereon in Houston. which is at Matthew Knowles office.
Matthew is on the TX Grammy Board, he manages artist careers. His daughter Beyonce, is one of them
http://www.berklee.edu/news/2003/03/zafknowles.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS137503+07-Dec-2007+MW20071207
http://musicworldent.com

music world also owns compadre records
http://www.compadrerecords.com
check out their list of artists and
Trent Wilmon's video
"There Is a God"

Sunday, Feb 16 2008

just launched the latest IFS Issue

ande

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/DIFS/message/777

Tuesday February 19, 2008

Mail: ASCAP International performance statement arrived
Home Made of Stone earned
$4.10 for perfomances in France during July 1, 2006 - Dec 31, 2006
$0.01 for perfomances in Greece during Sept 1, 2006 - Aug 31, 2007

no check

it also reminded me about the
www.ASCAP.com/expo

it also included a page that listed many countries
the PRO's for each and the allocation of royalties by performance category
http://www.ascap.com/about/affiliated.html


haven't written a new lyric in a while would love to find an idea that excites me, maybe I'll did in my journals to find something great

I did speak to john arthur yesterday and he told me he's working on a christian CD

I Loved reading this Ande!!! I plan to be there next year - hope we'll meet up!!! Cher

Saturday, February 23rd 2008

Hi Cher,
great to hear from you
I hope you will be, that would be great
you emailed be about cowriting, let's



Eline Neelis recorded "We Ran Out of Time" that I cowrote with Betsy Foster
http://www.myspace.com/elineneelis
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=12392


Last night I launched many emails inviting Heart Gallery's to consider using My Forever Family at their events and in their media, this morning one director wrote me saying she wanted to use it

http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/srplayer.php?type=hipub&trackid=55107

you can read the lyrics at:
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=55107

News 8 in San Diego used My Forever Family in this news story.
http://www.cbs8.com/flv/video_pop_hd3.php?startID=113259

we hope it helps many children get adopted.
I hope more directors respond with interest.



www.theslideshowcompany.net
has licenced my song Kick Ass
in their programs and I just saw their sample
drop by
http://www.theslideshowcompany.net/content/view/85/51/
the slideshow is on the right side
2nd up from the bottom or
6 down from the top
beneath the photo of the preety blonde tan girl in the bright pink dress

Sunday February 24, 2007

Saturday night I launched a campaign to let adoption organizations
(that specialize in older hard to adopt children)
know about
My Forever Family
and invited them to use it to help their cause.

you can hear My Forever Family (and read more about it) at:
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=55378
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=55107

So far, 4 organizations wrote back expressing interest.

Here's how one decided to put it to use:
http://www.sacheartgallery.org/the_children.htm

My hope is to find talented singers artists and choirs across the country to:
+ learn the song,
+ perform it at local events for these organizations,
+ make records and videos of it, and
+ help get these children find their own Forever Family.

Please let me know, if you're interested.

Thursday March 6th, 2008

I went to a talk at UT by Phil Ramone (phil is a famous music producer who's worked with almost every one) http://www.philramone.com/

Bought his book and he signed it.

I saw many Grammy and Austin Music Friends, Craig Hella Johnson, Gary Powell, Theresa Jenkins, Kat Edmondson, Kathy Tabor, and Sarah Sharpe are several I remeber

after the event I sat down and started talking with 2 women who came in late and sat in the front row. I introduced myself, one of them said, Hi I'm Kathy. I asked them what they do in music.
Kathy's friend said, she's Kathy Valentine and was in a band called the GoGo's

I should have known that. Kathy said she has a home studio, she's been writing songs, one is being used in a Jello commercial, she's been cowriting with Rachel Loy and Johnny Goudi. Jan Mirkin is a mutual friend. Said she was going to play Antones this Saturday.

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

went to the Texas Grammy Board meeting, saw Yolanda Adams, Ray Benson from Asleep at the Wheel, and Randy Miller

"the Black and White Years" is one of the bands Randy signed and manages, along with Blue October, Bowling for Soup,
"Black and White Years" just got a very favorable review in the Austin Chronicle.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid%3A601844

found out that
"SHERRY LYNN HAS SIGNED A NATIONAL DISTRUBITION DEAL WITH SONY RED!!!! THE CD WILL BE ON STORE SHELFS AUG 19TH 2008. HER CURRENT SINGLE "WRONG TRAIN" IS CURRENTLY #48 ON THE
MUSIC ROW BREAKOUT CHART AND #29 ON NEW MUSIC WEEKLY AND #15 ON POWER SOURCE.. WE START GOING FOR R&R STATIONS THIS WEEK."

Sherry Lynn cut my song "Suddenly"
http://www.sherrylynnmusic.com/store.html


South by South West is Stirring in Austin
Friday there's
Abi Tapia 1:30
Texas Music at Scholtz's 1:00 - 10:30
Texas Grammy Party, 3:00 - 7:00
Justice Records 4:00 - 7:00

Saturday I go to the SXSW panel below
I'll also check out the tradeshow and catch a few other panels

SXSW Advocacy @ The Convention Center

Saturday, March 15

2:00-3:00
How is Congress Rockin’ the Music Industry?
(The Recording Academy’s GRAMMYs on the Hill Initiative supported panel)
Daryl Friedman (mod.), VP, Advocacy & Government Relations, the Recording Academy, Washington, DC
Chip Roy, Senior Counsel to Senator John Cornyn, Washington, DC
John Simson, Executive Director, SoundExchange, Washington, DC

Christine Albert, Artist, Austin Texas

Legislation is being considered in Washington that will affect music makers for decades to come. What are the issues, and how can the music community effectively shape policy in a positive way? Washington insiders will discuss current policy issues involving royalty payments and other key music issues.

trying to decide which other panels to hit
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/conference/panels_schedule/

Friday March 14th 2007

saw Abi Tapia perform at Austin City Hall

went to Grammy Celebration at the Red Bull Moontower

Saw and talked with

Monte Warden who was there with Nakia.

Bob Schnieder performed

Treva Bloomquist performed and had a chance to visit with her

Met Sir Earl Toon from Kool and the Gang.

Met and spoke with Maren Morris and her parents, she's an excellent Texas singer songwriter
www.myspace.com/marenmorris

Met Grammy Trustee, Leslie Ann Jones, Director of Music Recording + Scoring, at Skywalker Sound
http://skysound.com
she liked my Christian Audigier MusiCares shirt
http://www.grammy.com/musicares/
http://www.grammy.com/PDFs/MusiCares/ChristianAudigierOrderForm.pdf

Saturday March 15th 2008

Got a Day Pass and went to SXSW
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/conference/panels_schedule/

First attended
12:00 Quickies 4: In the Studio
met with:
Gary Powell Composer/Producer, Powell Studio Productions
Phil Nicolo Studio 4 Recording
Andy VanDette Chief Engineer, Masterdisk NYC
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/conference/panels_schedule/?action=show&id=MP060309

Sat at a table with:

Daria Musk http://www.dariamusktrio.com/

Mike Drummond from http://www.citizenmundi.com/
Mike raved about Google webmaster tools, that provides you with a free and easy way to make your site more Google-friendly.
http://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/


then caught the tail end of
SXSW Interview: Daryl Hall
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/conference/panels_schedule/?action=show&id=MP060319
(got Daryl's AutoGraph in my Songwriting Book)

walked around the Tradeshow floor with Gary Powell
then attended

2:00 pm · CLE 7: How Is Congress Rockin' the Music Industry?
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/conference/panels_schedule/?action=show&id=MP060329
where they talked about bills that affect songwriters and artists
The key bill is the
Performance Rights Act. HR 4789
it's well explained at
http://www.musicfirstcoalition.org/#/home/
http://www.musicfirstcoalition.org/#/faq/
A song has 2 copyrights
1) the song and
2) the sound recording
for years Radio has paid royalties only to songwriters but not to artists and the owners of sound recordings. Most countries around the world pay royalties to both.
The radio lobby is fighting it.
They encouraged artists to follow it, support it and be vocal with your representatives
http://www.capwiz.com/musicfirstcoalition/home/
so I learned my reps are:
http://www.capwiz.com/musicfirstcoa...mp;azip=78655&state=TX&bzip=2537

then caught the tail end of
SXSW Interview: Ice Cube and DJ Pooh
http://2008.sxsw.com/music/conference/panels_schedule/?action=show&id=MP060353
(got Ice Cube's autograph)

Drove home and listened to a few of the CD's folks gave me

Started working on a new lyric

Congratulations on the Sherry Lynn "Suddenly" cut!!

Hi Lynn,

thank you
the cut is old news
Sherry Lynn's distribution is new news
so I included it.

Ande

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

decided to take Marc Alan Barnette up on his Write Up offer
so he and I are sending PM's on songramp
and I'm writing about some of it on
http://www.songramp.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=58906&page=1

I sent him a lyric I thought was really good and he shot it down
so I sent another one and I'm waiting to hear what he thinks

~ ~ ~

I'm also cowriting another song with our own Heidi Thompson
she sent me a verse chorus and it sounded pretty good I look forward to hearing more

~ ~ ~

Been corresponding with Rose Reyes
Rose Reyes, Director of Music Marketing for the
Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.austintexas.org
www.myspace.com/austinmusicoffice
and hope to set a lunch appointment and meet her



plan to enter something in
http://songwriter.americanidol.com

Friday April 4th 2008

got 2 wisdom teeth pulled yesterday

Next Wednesday I find out if I got on the Texas Grammy Ballot to run as a Governor again
http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Academy/Chapters/Texas/

Plan to Participate at:
GRAMMY U: Summit At The Field
April 12, 2008
Texas Chapter Office and Gibson Guitar Showroom,
3601 S. Congress Ave. G-400 & G-500,
Austin, Texas at Penn Field in central Austin.
http://www.grammy.com/Recording_Aca...fault.aspx?eventID=1600&chapterID=11

Started cowriting a song with Jeff Hughes
http://www.myspace.com/chaparralaustin

Got a $56 4th quarter check from Trusonic
http://trusonic.com/artists.html

entered 2 songs in
http://songwriter.americanidol.com/
Aint Gonna Stop
that I cowrote with Steve Callif from Austin, TX
performed by Mez
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/srplayer.php?type=hipub&trackid=32584

Dreamer and Her Dream
That I cowrote with Tammy Edwards from Nashville TN
That's Tammy playing and singing on the demo.
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/srplayer.php?type=hipub&trackid=60475


got an email yesterday from an artist who cut
Zip Zero http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/srplayer.php?type=hipub&trackid=15270
and now wants to cut.

Where Have the Good Guys Gone http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/srplayer.php?type=hipub&trackid=60796

I Think I Think Too Much
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/srplayer.php?type=hipub&trackid=59062

Hotter than the Hinges
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/srplayer.php?type=hipub&trackid=14489

so I sent of info to all my cowriters and await their reply

Post deleted by TAMERA64

Saturday April 5th 2008

edited Ande's Lyric Writing Tips
http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=537816

Several of my cowriters and friends raved about Marc
Alan Barnette, I met Marc Alan when he started and actively participated on this thread on SongRamp
http://www.songramp.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=57759
ON that thread around page 33
the participants started cowriting a song
which turned out to be
Where Have the Good Guys Gone http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=60796
if you read the history you'll see I got on to the song

Marc now has a whole board
http://www.songramp.com/mod/forumpro/showforum.php?forum_id=35

Several of my friends and cowriters had done "Write Up" Sessions with him, so a while back I asked Marc Alan Barnette if he did write ups by email or phone, in early March he announced that he would, so I decided to take him up on it his "Write Up Program"

I captured the story of the song at:
http://www.songramp.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=58906

Put a link on JPF
http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/604093/page/1#Post604093

also started a new site on songramp because I ran out of room
it's AndeCountry


Hi Tammy,
great to hear from you, thank you, we need to write more songs
would you please write a melody for KNEEL?
I really love your new version of DREAMS DO COME TRUE
it's superb (folks can hear it at
www.myspace.com/tammyedwards2 )

on my wisdom teeth
I'm doing remarkably well NO PAIN which shocks me
the oral surgeon knocked me out
when they woke me up I was wondering when they were going to start and they were done
back when I was 18 I had enough room in my mouth for my wisdom teeth, they came in no problem, but my lower left tooth had several fillings and it got infected after I got the last filling, it hurt like crazy at the grammy's, one night I actually pulled out a phone book looking for emergency dentists
but it started feeling better, the dentists could see the infection under the tooth in the xray and said that tooth is a goner so he removed it and the one above it

Got your message Ande, and yes I will write a melody for Kneel. I will get on that here this week. Glad you got that tooth situation taken care of. Ouch! Heal up! Talk to you soon!

Tammy

www.tammyedwards.com
www.myspace.com/tammyedwards2

Wednesday April 9th, 2008

Today I found out that I will not be on the ballot
to run for another term as a Texas Grammy Governor for the
2008 - 2010 term. my term ends May 30th
I'll apply to serve next year.

Today I received an ASCAP statement reporting airplay royalties for Home Made of Stone. not much but much better than those, we regret to inform you letters.

Friday April 11th, 2008

Congratulations to my cowriters Noel Cohen & Hugh Colocott, they cowrote "We're Gonna Make It" with Amber Rhodes and it is one of the final 20 songs in the 2008 American Idol Songwriting Competition.
http://songwriter.americanidol.com/


This morning I posted "Reckless in Texas," the song I cowrote with Noel and Hugh at
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=64275
Hugh performed it.

Hi Ande,

On your blog of 1/31/2008 at #17 where you write you post it to the web and start pitching. Could you explain in more detail exactly what you mean there in terms of the web posting and the pitching? Thank you.

Best,
Lynn

Saturday, April 26th, 2008

last week a $75 royalty check arrived from an artist who cut Suddenly

went to Martindale Fun Fest, saw Star DeAztlan from Martindale perform at 11:00 am and spoke with her afterwards, She's signed with Curb, http://www.curb.com/home.html
gave her a CD. she said she's been writing with Liz Rose (Taylor swift's cowriter) Kyle Jacobs, and Doug Johnson
Gave me her # hope to visit with her and see if we can write a few

Here's Star's Bio
The little girl who loved the classic country singers impressed the band, who began calling her to the stage no matter where they were playing, and they impressed her with their flawless renditions of the songs she sang.

Eventually, she learned that these were no ordinary musicians. Three of them were members of the Ace In The Hole Band, playing for the love of it in the place that gave them their start, and they were joined now and then by members of Asleep At The Wheel. Star had proven herself among some of country's finest.
Nine years of experience and hard work later, Star's first single is bringing her to the attention of a national audience. Called "She's Pretty," it embodies the traditional country sound she has loved for so long and shows off the songwriting skills she has honed along the way.

"I wrote it after my ex-boyfriend walked into a place where we always sang on Tuesday nights, with his new girlfriend beside him," she says. "It crushed my world, and I dealt with it by writing about it."

It was a skill she had developed growing up in a crowded house in Martindale with her parents, three sisters, her grandparents and an aunt.

"I've always been very close to my family and we were very, very happy," she says, "but whenever things got tough, I wrote. It started with poems, and then, whether things were good or bad, I could express how I felt on paper and turn it into a song. I could take my happiness, my sadness or my anger and turn it into something positive, something that somebody else could relate to."

Her earliest musical memories are of her grandfathers, one of whom played violin and sang opera, while the other sang her to sleep at night. She took Suzuki violin lessons beginning at age 5, and had her first experiences playing in public at recitals. Her parents owned a family restaurant in San Marcos, where her father would sometimes feature mariachi music, which Star learned to love early. After performing at Fiesta San Antonio when she was 12, she returned often to perform in the city's Market Square area. By the time she was in high school, she was in the school's mariachi band and performing regularly at Cheatham Street as well. "Cheatham Street came back into the picture again," she says. "It's where I did the showcase for Mike Curb that got me my record deal as well as showcased for Dennis Hannon and other Curb VIPs. It's been kind of a lucky charm!"

Just 22, Star is a veteran performer with a passionate approach, a mature writing style and a world-class voice. She remains both a fan and student of classic country.

"I was and still am in love with all the greats--Tammy, Tanya, Patsy, Loretta, Willie," she says. "They have unforgettable voices really left an impact. You know right away who they are, and there is something real and raw in all of them. I'm a big believer that if you're going to sing something to other people and want it to get through, you need to feel the songs and live them, and they really lived their songs."

With her debut single, Star shows that she has learned those lessons well. Star De Azlan was just 13 when she started singing at open mic nights in San Marcos, Texas. The music was country and the place was legendary--the Cheatham Street Warehouse, where George Strait and his Ace In The Hole Band got their start in the mid-'70s, and where the sounds of Willie Nelson, Flaco Jimenez, Jerry Jeff Walker and Asleep At The Wheel still echoed in the cobwebbed rafters.

Saturday, May 11th, 2008

swam in Masters Nationals last week
working on a song with our own Tammy Edwards
hope to hear something soon
she's awesome

Thursday June 19th

I need to be a better blooger

my term as grammy governor ended on June 1st

got an email from Jeff Moxcey saying a female artist is interested in recording
"That Magic"

Saw John Arthur Martinez this past sunday at Gruene Hall
he said he performed "Lone Starry Night" before I got there
I have several cowrites stirring with him

Cowrote a song with Mez for the Henry Pool is Here OPP
I'll post a link when the deadline has past

Last night I fell in love with LOST by ANOUK
what a poignant song
Heard it on So You Think You Can Dance
here's a link to the video
http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--24528755
when I went to youtube
there were many videos of dances choreographed to LOST
which reminded me that I want to write poignant songs that dancers use in their lyrical routines

Sent a new lyric to Tammy Edwards
hope she jumps on it

Ande,

Just a bit of self-promotion. We have been lucky to have worked with so many quality songwriters over the years. It might be interesting to readers (and writers) that we are one of the few publishers in Nashville that still has an open door to new songwriters. And, one of the few companies that will set your words to professional music, create the recordings, and pitch the songs to established as well as up-and-coming new artists.

Thought you'd like to know. We have just celebrated 31 years in business.

Richard
NCA Music
wessite: www.ncarecordings.com
email: ncamusicpub@gmail.com

Sunday June 28th

Loaded up our entry to the Henry Poole is Here song contest at
www.myspace.com/anders cowrote it with MEZ
http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/622595/page/1#Post622595

I was in San Diego Mon June 23rd - Wed June 25th
did a lot of lyric writing
attended the San Diego NSAI Workshop
http://hometown.aol.com/sdnsai/myhomepage/index.html

had a great time
the event was a group cowrite with Warren Sellers
http://www.myspace.com/warrensellers
He lives in Irvine and often makes trips to Nashville where he cowrites with awesome A list writers
nice guy excellent writer

I'll be in LA July 9th - 14th & NYC July 17th - 21st
have a few appointments with cowriters

just spent Wed July 9th - Mon July 14th in LA

had dinner with last night
http://alanoday.com and his wife in Venice

got to hear some of the songs on his new album

when I got home a letter from ASCAP was waiting for me
it was my
Writer Performance Statement July Distribution 2008 for
October 1 2007 - Decfember 31 2007 Performances
I received payments in the
Other Music Uses Category
ORIGIN
Internet - Straming Lone Starry Night

Thursday, July 24th

back from LA & NYC

yesterday I got an email from a cowriter I hadn't heard from in months on a lyric I must have sent her 5 years ago
she pulled it out and started working on it
so I worked a little on it

The lyric personifies an object and is like a break up letter

There are moments when lyrics gush and I can't write fast enough
and there are other moments when it slows down to a trickle

With songwriting there's always something to do
I've got many uncompleted lyrics and a few irons in the fire I need to check and encourage melody writers to send me something
I've got about 7 or 8 really good lyrics I'm excited about and waiting for my cowriters to send me something

plus a couple time sensitive type songs that need to get done


I think I got busy and forgot to submit for my ASCAPLUS award
http://www.ascap.com/ascapplus/index.aspx

Sunday July 27th

Spoke with Jen Rathbun and we started working on a song
I sent her a couple years ago

had a nice conversation with john Arthur martinez and brent allen

this is a great thread well worth reading

Building an Artist. The REAL DEAL
http://www.songramp.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=59333&page=1

Wednesday August 20th, 2008

may have a cowrite going with two top nashville writers
will post more later as details firm up

spoke with my buddy Halie Loren,
she's doing several demos for me.
So far she's done:

Eventually

Blue Holiday

That Magic

Send Me Out

She's recently made a career change and now has time and interest in doing demos for songwriters

you can reach Halie at:
halieloren@comcast.net
She performed and recorded Blue Holiday, That Magic and Eventually in her home studio. I am a fan.
Can't wait to hear the new ones she's doing

My cowrite fell through
at least I knew in days, not weeks or months

been enjoying marc allens posts on:
http://www.songramp.com/mod/forumpro/showthread.php?thread_id=57759&page=141

Sunday Aug 31st, 2008

I've got a new demo up on Songramp

Hotter than the Hinges on the Gates of Hell
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=66899
cowrote it with donna Aylor and Brock Goodwin

here's Brock's original version
Title: Hotter than the Hinges + Brock Goodwin
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=14489

Ande

Tuesday September 02, 2008

today I received a check for a cut I got on "Stop the Truck's" new CD Sendero for the "Honky Tonk Zone"
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=13617

Been Getting some comments and feedback on
"Hotter than the Hinges"
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=66899

JPFolks http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/647630

Monday Sept 8th

got a letter from ascap saying I'm going to receive an ASCAPLUS award in Jan 2009

Faint of Heart got 4th place in this contest
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=12703
http://www.goodnightkiss.com/contest.html

Tuesday September 16th, 2008

I found out I got another cut today
Melissa Wray cut Red Stiletto Mood
it's in the song list on the bottom of her site
just scroll till it comes up


I cowrote it with Jen Rathbun
Here's Jen's Live Version

Sunday October 6th, 2008

2 demos by Halie Loren arrived today


Pieces of Her Past
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=67597
here's the JPF mp3 thread on it
http://www.jpfolks.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/234819/page/1#Post234819


My Forever Family
http://www.songramp.com/mod/mps/viewtrack.php?trackid=67601