JPF Home Page Forums Post QUESTIONS or COMMENTS here!

Brian -

Regarding your posting "It is likely I will extend the entry period..."

It will be helpful if you can confirm this soon, because if the deadline stays at 9/30 I'm really going to have to scramble to evaluate my last batch of finalists - thanks.

Mike

BB Wilbur said:
"...The ones that were good were very, very good (I noticed these tended to be from regular JPF contributers), ..."

Well, well, that is a curious fact, and it gives me the chance to make an observation. I did notice that of the 63 who made my first list, most were regular JPF contributors - the quality of songs coming from the JPF-ers was consistently good. But ... after i chose my final eight, i realised that 7 out of these eight were people who were posting for the VERY FIRST TIME! Something "different" about these songs caught my eye...

It is dismaying that these people have not become involved in the other JPF boards, but their one-time-posts have remained one-time-posts. I, for one, would love to interact with these folks and read more of their material.

Just my thoughts,
Pramod

Pramod,

I am not sure when we'll be coming through India (it's my goal to start traveling outside North America as opportunities come up), but many of the folks who posted for the first time are folks who participate in the group in different ways than the message boards. For example, over 1000 members will participate in these September Northeast US and Canada Roadtrip events, and very very few of them post on the message boards, and very few of the folks who DO post on the message boards have come out to the shows (though we have notable exceptions like Ozone and Shandy and others...). I keep working to get folks to do all of the above (over 12K members have sent us their music in the last 4 years but only 3K are registered on the message boards and in total we have over 19K members worldwide..)

My suggestion to everyone is that you email the folks who entered lyrics that you liked and get them involved and network!

Brian

Something else that occured to me...

Once we have the nominees set, perhaps we should look into having the winning lyric recorded or if it is only a lyric, have someone write music to it. I think I will poll the actual nominees once they are chosen and find out how many are already full songs, how many have already been recorded etc..

Might make for an interesting album...

Brian

It sure would make an interesting album. And Brian, speaking for all those other "Lonely Lyricists" out there - a chance to have our lyrics put to music would be heaven!

Keep thinking in that direction!


QUOTE]Originally posted by Brian Austin Whitney:


Once we have the nominees set, perhaps we should look into having the winning lyric recorded or if it is only a lyric, have someone write music to it. I think I will poll the actual nominees once they are chosen and find out how many are already full songs, how many have already been recorded etc..

Might make for an interesting album...

Brian[/QUOTE]



[This message has been edited by sweetsong (edited 09-27-2002).]

Hi, Brian, I think putting the lyric to music is a scathingly brilliant idea. It might even be nice to have the 5 finalists on a CD which could be made available at a reasonable price to the JPF contestants and voters. Jeannette

Hey Brian,

Add me to the list of people thinking an album is an excellent idea. Before becoming a "strictly JPF Lyric Forum Poster" due to time constraints and other obligations, I interacted on another board that did just that. Created two cd's with songs from the members of the board. I thought it was truly an excellent experience. And although while in Nashville this June, I picked up several cd's from other JPF'ers (which is basically ALL I listen to anymore), I would love to have a compilation cd!

GREAT thinking!! That's why YOU'RE our leader!!

Tink

Brain I agree with Mike that only a limted number of lyrics are getting the most replies on the board. Numbers can mean anything. The first lyric I wrote was the one I put here. I know my lyrics are no where near as good as others. I have never gotten 11 replies on any lyric so the numbers are just numbers. I may have 20 replies total on lyrics. Sitting here with my g/f as she reads some of the lyrics. I think the lyrics getting the most attention deserve it. However, there are those of us who get maybe one or two replies per song or the most five. In my case it is usally the same ones all the time. When only a few comment do you know what to change what not to? My goal is to grow as a writer. I want to know what is good the chorus, verse 1 and verse 2. My feelings will not be hurt because I know they will be trying to help me become a better writer.
Well Nikki n I are off and going to the Movies. Thanks for the great job You do Brian.
Later,
Carl

Hi, Thunder Road, I understand your concern and desire to grow as a writer. I think we all want that. And, we do that from reviewing others' writing and the comments made about those lyrics. Sometimes, certain titles catch a person's eye and that is what they respond to. Perhaps, if you state'critique requested' when you post the title, you will get more response and suggested improvements. I think most of us want to support one another, but are hesitant sometimes to be too overt in offering suggestions; positive comments are a learning as well. And, you can always email someone if you have other questions regarding their comments....or if you admire the way they approach topics. Keep posting, Jeannette

hmm...I was assuming all these grouping of words existed inside of songs, i.e. "lyrics." Without the tune, are they not poems?

Anyway....I've had a difficult time judging this by that fact that I'm lacking music. So I found myself reading as poetry and looking to be moved with the imagery, suprise, metaphor, points of view and shifts. (And I know, I know the theories of "hit-construction")...

Much of what I hear on mainstream radio is simply dreck, lyric-wise. It's a pity. But god...I just heard the latest wilco for the first time tonight and opened up the lyrics to a great thrill of poetry. But I'm getting outside the topic here I guess by bringing up a specific artist. While I'm at it though...

I heard beck's newest tonight also and man-oh-man, it's something! I hope the mainstream embraces it because I think it would help the singer/songwriter thing move closer to the forefront--and I sense maybe that's what many of us here are. At least I hope weren't not the ones looking to continue on with the status-quo, flavor-of-the-month radio and tv music. (But then again that's where the money is. Money vs. Art) hmm...

~mike
theworryknot.com

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[This message has been edited by the worry knot (edited 09-27-2002).]

The low response thing on the board is always a problem. I think it's partly a "populatity" thinh and a "seniority" thing. It takes a while to get established.
I try to do mostly low responses and zeros, but haven't had time too be there much lately. Best I remember , Carls lyrics are pretty good. Some lyrics are "Not so great". I think they'd benefit by studying the high responses and see "why" they get so many. There's several quite good writers on the board. Also,if they're "serious" , read a rule book or two. Some lyrics, I can hardly tell what the various "pieces" are supposed to be. We've all got to start somewhere.
Yeah, critique requested or please critique or I need help, seems to increase reponses.
Also, be sure to respond to the critiqes you "do" get.

Just a thought:

If you are uhappy with the # of responses you have gotten to your lyric, and you yourself haven't posted on a 10 to 1 ratio on others songs (i.e. 10 feedbacks to others for each lyric you post) then you are bringing the average down. The average is still over 10 to 1 since day one. If you are asking for feedback, but haven't responded to others in kind, then you're creating your own problem. It's simple math.

Brian

Right on, Brian. There are some other factors that relate to the lyric board posters but I am going to post the topic in the songwriting forum.

JeanB

Brian, I am new to writing. The first lyric I wrote was for the contest. I know what I like and do not like in lyrics I read. Lyrics that deal with drinking I try to avoid. I lost a friend to a drunk driver. More people died last year from alcohol related accidents than from 9/11. This can be prevented. Roy's song on message forum 2 is how I feel. I liked the message of the song and posted that. When someone said about a song being kinda like Piano Man I replied that I never thought of it that it read country to me. As far as technical stuff for lyrics I do not think I can help anyone since I am just learning myself. Jean lord of the board was the first person to comment about my first posting on lyric board 1. (still thinking of that parole thing Jean) When I came nobody had writen anything religious or had been awhile. I did. Got comments from clairrejeann, Michael and a few others. Blake read one made some comments and I emailed him for tips. Was glad for his links. Next lyric will ask for feedback on.

I was checking posts concerning the lyric contest under the Songwriters Forum, and a couple of people were talking about the deadline for votes being midnight October 1. As far as I can tell, the deadline has not changed from September 30 at midnight. Perhaps someone should post just to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Otherwise some people may miss out on the voting. Thanks, Linda

The deadline draweth nigh.

Hi Folks,

Linda made a mistake on the date and posted October 1 instead of September 30. Don't worry, we will count all votes on October 1st. Just email them before midnight October 1st YOUR time in your country.

I will evaluate the number of votes and the results and decide whether to extend the voting period AFTER the deadline. The purpose for this would be because there are a large number of lyrics that are virtually tied for the last couple slots and I would rather have members decide the nominees rather than breaking ties myself. We are over the minimum 100 votes we wanted. If you want your votes to be counted for sure, you must vote before midnight Oct 1 YOUR LOCAL TIME (we have members literally around the world).

Thanks to those who took the time to enter and the time to vote!

Brian

ok, I've finally sent in my votes - tough choices!

I found that, for the most part, the well-written songs with clever twists ended up getting edged out by dark, imperfect songs with flashes of power and emotional insight.

Mike

Say, Brian and Linda,
Would it be possible to leave the entry pages up for a little while? I know some folks that might be a bit lyric-starved (as composer/songwriters), and would probably like a peek. There really is a cornucopia/plethora/dearth/pile/s**tload of great lyrics in there with a huge variety of subject matter!
Whadaya think?
(Always wanted to use 'cornucopia' some ol' place. )

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Ozone
http://www.mp3.com/OzonePete

Pete,

Who is lyrically starved? I'd love to help them out. I am musically starved. I can only play basic guitar. I wish I had talent in that area.

Jamie

Hi Brian and everyone!
I've been following the different threads here and this is my first chance to put some thoughts down in print.
First of all, I have to thank you, Brian, for everything that has gone into my even being able to sit here and find a platform to express not only my lyrics but opinions on other people's work - Just Plain Folks is a wonderful place for all of us!
You will find me dubbed a Casual Observer, having only recently joined JPF. I think it might be good to remember that in a cyber place where you don't really know that much about the people who are sharing their thoughts and inspirations, even intimating that there are people who think of others as "jumping on the bandwagon" could be counter-productive.
Building a sense of community amoung songwriters is a bit like gathering a flock of birds (some of us are strange birds, to say the least!) displaying that kind of attitude has the potential of being like someone beating on a metal pie plate and the results are obvious.
My experiences posting have been extremely positive and constructive and have encouraged me to step out more and more in sharing VERY newly written lyrics - Judy, Wyman, Vondelle, Deb, to name a few have really been a tremendous encouragement to me, even though I have been writing for 30 years and have had top ten records in Europe.
As a songwriter, you never outgrow your need for community and input from others, it's an invaluable asset and one that needs to be nurtured just the way you all have done it here - I have felt like I was coming home in many ways.
And you who have mentioned acknowledging those who give you input, even when your pride may have taken a hit, are totally right, it's not easy to "pick and shovel" on someone's song!
Anyway, this has been a great time, working on this lyric contest, thanks again!

I find it wrong for folks to state what type of songs the voted for and which they did not vote for. There will be plenty of time after the poles close for such discusions.
Thanks!

Hi Ozone!
I think Brian is planning on leaving the lyrics posted at least through the Awards Show in January. That way you can feed on your cravings!! We don't want anyone starving out there!

Thanks to all those who have voted! It's a very close race for the top nominees! Watch for the final announcement of the nominations.

Linda

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Linda Berger
Projects Director
Just Plain Folks

Hi, Mick.

Thanks for the nice comments. It's good to know that my feedback has been positive and constructive. I absolutely agree about the sense of community being important. See you on the boards.
I have to agree with kaboomachick (I didn't remember that accurately, sorry) that we shouldn't discuss types of songs til all the votes are in.

Thanks again for a great site, Brian.

Vondelle

Brian, thanks for the extra voting day. Yes, I'm one of those idiots that you see at the post office April 15th every year. I had my picks ready last week but every time I revisited my selections I found another jewel that I had previously overlooked. It's been a great learning experience to read through all of the submissions and could have easily voted for over a hundred of them. Good luck and inspiration to all.