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USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION
http://www.songwriting.net
3/25/08
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** 2008 USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION BEGINS
2008 USA Songwriting Competition is now accepting entries! Winning songs
will receive radio airplay in United States and Canada along with great
prizes such as a Top Prize of over $50,000.
Sponsors of the 2008 Competition are: New Music Weekly, Acoustic Guitar
Magazine, Sony, Audio-Technica, Ibanez Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Sam Ash
Music Stores, ARC (Advanced Room Correction System), IK Multimedia,
Mi7.com, Intellitouch Tuners, Shari's Berries, Indie Bible,
LivewireMusician.com, AirplayAccess.com, Loggins Promotion, Superdups.com,
Acoustic Café Radio Program, Sonicbids.com, and XM Radio.
FREE Early entry bonus: first 1,000 entries postmarked by March 31 or
earlier will each receive a copy of the USA Songwriting Competition
Winners Compilation CD just by entering! Please obtain the entry form at:
http://www.songwriting.net/entryform.html
Or enter online here with your MP3 or WMA file:
http://online.songwriting.net
You may also enter using Sonicbids here (mp3 only):
http://www.sonicbids.com/usasong
** ENTRY FORMS IN 10 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES ONLINE
USA Songwriting Competition has added entry forms in more foreign
languages due to the requests from songwriters and composers all over the
world. We now have entry forms in languages of Japanese, Korean, Chinese
(both simplified and complicated characters for China & Taiwan), Italian,
French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and of course in English. Entrants can
click through any of the languages from our homepage near top left hand
side.
===[Sponsored in part by New Music Weekly]======================
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
==================================================================
** UPCOMING SHOWCASE:
*BLUEBIRD CAFE SHOWCASE
USA Songwriting Competition will present a showcase at the world renowned
"Bluebird Café" in Nashville
Thursday May 8, 2008 6pm - 8pm
Bluebird Café, 4104 Hillsboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37215-2700, Tel: (615)
383-1461 (alcohol & food are served, reservations are accepted).
Songwriters to Perform:
~Mary Danna (2006 1st Prize Winner, Country)
~Mary Sue Englund (2006 Honorable Mention Award Winner)
~Tim Mathews (1999, 2005 & 2006, & 2007 Honorable Mention Award Winner)
~Jesse Terry (2006 Honorable Mention Award Winner)
~Moe Loughran (2004 USA Songwriting Competition 1st Prize Winner, Pop)
~Jackie DiPillo (2007 Honorable Mention Award)
~Mark Stepakoff (2007 Finalist)
~JJ Appleton
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YOUR ONE-STOP SONGWRITER'S RESOURCE
www.musicbooksplus.com -- Features over 8,000+ products that includes
Books, Instructional DVDs, CD-ROMs, Software. Some of the areas covered
are: Music Business, Songwriting, Publishing, Recording, Audio Production,
Instrument Technique, Voice Training, Internet Promotion ... and much
more. Secured online ordering, 30-day guarantee, free electronic
newsletter, monthly specials, worldwide shipping.
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PAST WINNERS & FINALISTS' UPDATES
*Darrell Scott will appear as a panelist at ASCAP's I CREATE MUSIC EXPO on
April 10 to 12. Darrell Scott's song "Good Ol USA" (first prize winner of
the country category in 2005) was released by Faith Hill's album in 2006.
*Ari Gold (2007 Overall Grand Prize Winner) was a guest on Sirius Out Q
Radio The Derek & Romaine Show on March 24, 2008. He was also on Whoopi
Goldberg's show 'Wake Up With Whoopi!' on Wednesday Jan 16th.
*Markel Luna, from the Philippines( 1st prize winner with co-writer Jay
Gomez in the World Category of the 2003 USA Songwriting Competition) won,
together with another songwriter, Reuben Laurente, the Best R & B Song of
the year of the the "20th AWIT AWARDS 2007" (the Philippines' counterpart
of the Grammy Awards). The song is called "A Single Soul".
*Jeff Talmadge (2007 USA Songwriting Competition Finalist) has his song
"White Cross," (co-written with Claudia Russell) from his latest CD
nominated for song of the year by the Academy of Texas Music.
*Cathy Fink (signed to Rounder Records) was nominated for a Grammy for
Best Traditional Folk Album for her album Banjo Talkin’ at the 2008
Grammy Awards. Cathy Fink is part of the duo Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer and
they won 1st Prize in the Children's category in 2004. They won a Grammy
award in the Children's category in the next year in 2005. Wow,
congratulations Cindy, we hope you win a Grammy this year!
*Joe Hogue 'JOJOHO' & Sean Petersen, co-writers with Ari Gold of the 2007
Overall Grand Prize winning song 'Where The Music Takes You' has produced
and written songs for major stars such as Michael McDonald, Roy Orbison,
Donna Summer, Faith Evans, Take 6 and Melinda Doolittle (American Idol
Finalist). Joe Hogue 'JOJOHO' is also a Grammy and Emmy award winner. He
also composed distinctive ID for Logo TV network. His company 'HitPlay
Productions' is based out of Nashville.
*Vikki Simpson (2006 Overall Grand Prize Winner) won a WAM Award for Song
of The Year, for her hit single Sun Dirt Water.
~Were you a past winner or finalist of the USA Songwriting Competition
and have some interesting news on yourself? If so, please e-mail us at:
info@songwriting.net
===[Sponsored in part by D'Addario]==============================
From the D'Addario-pioneered phosphor bronze acoustic strings
to the world-famous XL electric strings, D'Addario has your
instruments covered. Quality, consistency, and innovation make
"The Player's Choice." http://www.daddario.com/
==================================================================
** COMPILATION CD [sponsored by WWW.SUPERDUPS.COM]
"NEW MUSIC NOW Vol 5" - THE USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION COMPILATION CD
sponsored by SUPERDUPS.COM. USA Songwriting Competition's CD Compilation.
This CD will include the 2007 winners such as Ari Gold, Barry Privett
(Carbon Leaf), Jules Anna Jones, etc. Details will be out shortly.
** COOL MERCHANDISE
You can now purchase our cool USA Songwriting Competition T-shirts, Hats &
other stuff online:
http://www.cafepress.com/usasong
** CD RECYCLING INFORMATION
Did you know each year, billions of CDs and DVDs are manufactured, while
millions of these discs end up in landfills and incinerators? This is
harmful to our environment.
If you use, sell, promote, distribute, or manufacture compact discs, it is
important to know how and where to recycle them.
Compact Discs, when recycled properly, will stop unnecessary pollution,
conserve natural resources, and help slow global warming. Learn how at:
www.cdrecyclingcenter.org
===[ Sponsored in part by IBANEZ Guitars ]========================
Ibanez Acoustic Guitars... Diversity in Size, Sound, and Style. Ibanez has
over 75 different acoustic guitar models in 12 very different body shapes to
help you FIND YOUR VOICE. http://www.ibanez.com/acoustics/
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MUSIC CONFERENCES, FESTIVALS & WORKSHOP PARTNERS
~Winter Music Conference: Miami Beach, FL, USA: March 25 - 29, 2008
~Remix Hotel: National Hotel, Miami Beach, FL, USA: March 27 -30, 2008
~I CREATE MUSIC EXPO SET FOR 2008
The third annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO will be held April 10-12,
2008 in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
http://www.ascap.com/expo
~MUSEXPO 2008, Panelists include legends such as Diane Warren and Peter
Asher: Los Angeles, USA: April 27 - 30 '08.
~Florida Music Festival & Conference. May 14-17th.
www.Floridamusicfestival.com
~NXNE '08, Toronto, Canada, June 12-15, '08
http://www.nxne.com
~M.E.A.N.Y Fest 2008, Dates: TBA ; New York, NY USA
http://www.meanyfest.com
~Summer NAMM - June 20 - 22 '08, Nashville Convention Center, Nashville,
Tennessee
*** HOW TO WRITE HIT MELODIES, Part 1, by Molly-Ann Leikin
After the title, the tune is the most important part of the song. The way
our brains are wired, the melody is the first thing we hear. If we like
it, we’ll stay tuned and listen for the words. If the tune
doesn’t get to us, it’s over.
Melodies need hooks. Without them, nobody will ever hear your work, no
matter how brilliant the lyric. I know lyricists won’t be happy to
hear this, but it’s true and knowledge is power.
In constructing a melody, there are several guidelines to follow. I
recommend to all my clients, no matter where in the world they are
writing, getting to the hook/chorus, within twenty-five or thirty seconds.
I advise them, and you, to keep their introductions short. The intro is
usually instrumental, and the song doesn’t officially start until
the verse begins. So keep the intro to eight bars or less. Often writers
who are in love with their software wail on and on for sixteen or
thirty-two bars before beginning the actual song. Don’t. Eight
bars are plenty. The audience will only give you a few seconds of ear
time and then move on to something more accessible. You worked hard to
get ‘em. Don’t let ‘em get away.
If we like a melody, it usually isn’t until we’ve heard it
several times that we finally hear the words. You can write a brilliant
lyric, but if it has a weak melody, nobody will ever hear any of it
because the tune hasn’t done its job. The function of the melody is
to grab us in an unguarded, primitive, totally emotional state and hold
our attention long enough for the more civilized and intellectual lyric to
take hold and give us some words to sing. Leikin’s Law is giving
them what they want. Express yourself as only you can, absolutely. You
have a fingerprint as a writer that nobody else has. But don’t
expect a lyric to do the melody’s job.
Parts 2 and 3 of Molly’s “How to Write Hit Melodies”
will appear in the April and May 2008 USA Songwriting Competition
newsletters.
~Molly-Ann Leikin (rhymes with bacon) is a song marketing consultant in
California, who, for a modest professional fee, works one-on-one to help
you find the right writing partner and then helps you market your finished
work to all the right people. A Eurovision finalist (American Idol in
Europe), Molly is the author of “How to Write A Hit Song, Fifth
edition”, (June, 2008) from which this article is excerpted, and
“How to Be a Hit Songwriter”, both published by Hal Leonard.
She has a house full of gold and platinum records plus an Emmy nomination,
has written themes and songs for over four dozen TV shows and movies,
including “Eight is Enough” and “Violet” that won
an Oscar. From the USA and Canada, you can reach Molly, toll-free, at
800-851-6588, or from anywhere in the world, at www.songmd.com. Please
note: Molly does not accept unsolicited material. © 2008 Songwriting
Consultants, Ltd.
===[Sponsored in part by Loggins Promotion]=================
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
www.logginspromotion.com
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*RADIO STATIONS THAT WILL PLAY YOUR MATERIAL:
XM Radio - XMU/The R.A.D.A.R. Report, airing Thursday 9pm USA eastern time
http://www.radiounsigned.com
WFUV (90.7 FM and WFUV.org)
eva@buzzwordpr.com
Influential New York City radio station WFUV (90.7 FM and wfuv.org) will
test-drive its forthcoming new music radio channel with a special program,
which debuted on March 17th and will be heard again on Monday March 24th
from 10:00 PM to midnight. The program, called This Is Only a Test, will
preview the new channel, which debuts later this year on a full-time basis
and will feature established and emerging New York City-based indie rock
and other styles. This Is Only a Test will air on 90.7 FM and wfuv.org as
a kind of open-source experiment to engage listeners in shaping the future
service.xa0; Following its debut on March 17th and 24th, the show moves to
Friday at 10 PM beginning March 28, following The Whole Wide World with
Rita. xa0; It will be available on demand at wfuv.org, as well as on 90.7
FM. For more information, e-mail eva@buzzwordpr.com
Samm Brown’s "For The Record", a weekly radio program on KPFK 90.7
FM, is seeking artists/bands for airplay and critique. Each Sunday, Brown
hosts a program that focuses on the entertainment industry in general and
the music business in particular. He also presents a special segment that
showcases new and emerging artists. If you would like your music played
and critiqued by industry pros, send a package to Samm Brown's For The
Record, KPFK Radio, 90.7 FM, 11054 Ventura Blvd. No. 237, Studio City, CA.
91604.
KFJC 89.7 FM
19144 Brookview Dr. Saratoga, CA 95070
PH: 831-325-9013
Meat Hooks meathooks@unfunrecords.com
www.kfjc.org
I have been a DJ at KFJC in Los Altos Hills, CA since 1999 and will get
any CDs or vinyl you send me to our music director. Please send to me
directly, or to the station ATTN: Meat Hooks.
Radio Rietveld
Frederik Roeskestraat 96, 1076 ED Amsterdam, The Netherlands
PH: 003120-5711600 FX: 003120-5711654
Hans Kuiper/ Gijs Muller radiorietveld@gmail.com
www.radiorietveld.nl
We feature independent music, originally produced programs, soundscapes,
radio plays, interviews and art specials. We are connected to the Gerrit
Rietveld Art Academy in Amsterdam.
WBMB Baruch College Radio, 87.9 FM The Biz
55 Lexington Ave. Ste. 3-280, New York, NY 10010
PH: 646-312-4720
Gina Alioto ginanalioto@gmail.com
www.wbmbradio.com
Featuring all styles of music.
WNCW - Isothermal College
PO Box 804, Spindale, NC 28160
PH: 828-287-8000 x349 FX: 828-287-8012
Martin Anderson marting@wncw.org
www.wncw.org
We're always looking for new Americana, Rock, Singer/Songwriter and World
music to play.
WOJB - Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa College
13386 W. Trepania Rd. Hayward, WI 54843
PH: 715-634-2100 FX: 715-634-4070
Nicky Kellar programdirector@wojb.org
www.wojb.org
We're one of the most diverse and popular stations in Wisconsin.
KRCK-FM 97.7
73-733 Fred Waring Dr. #201, Palm Desert, CA 92260
PH: 760-341-0123 FX: 760-341-7455
The Big KC kc@krck.com
http://www.krck.com
KRCK supports local talent and encourages independent artists. Rock &
Alternative format.
WRHO FM
Hartwick College, 1 Hartwick Dr. Oneonta, NY, 13820O
PH: 607-431-4555 FX: 607-431-4064
Alex Cameron wrho@hartwick.edu
http://users.hartwick.edu/wrho
Please send us your promo CDs. We play all genres of music, however we
tend to lack in the Folk/Country/Jazz/Blues/ Classical/Spoken Word genres
- so more of those genres would be greatly appreciated!
WGRX FM
4414 Lafayette Blvd. Ste #100, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
PH: 540-891-9696 FX: 540-891-1656
Stephanie Taylor staylor@thunder1045.com
http://www.thunder1045.com
A mainstream Country station that mixes in Americana and Southern Rock. We
air a two hour Americana/Bluegrass/Texas Country show on Sunday nights
that incorporates independent artists.
*The list of radio stations are brought to you by INDIE BIBLE. You can
find the Indie Bible in these stores: Borders Books & Music, Barnes &
Noble, Sam Ash, Virgin Records, Tower Records and Mars Music. All USA
Songwriting Competition subscribers can get the $5 discounted Indie Bible.
Go to:
http://www.indiebible.com/usasong
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I CREATE MUSIC EXPO SET FOR 2008
The third annual ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO will be held April 10-12,
2008 in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
http://www.ascap.com/expo
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*** IAMA Featured Performing Artists Spotlight
Featured Artists of the Month are:
~Randy Kohrs & The Lites (1st Prize Bluegrass/Country, 4th Annual IAMA)
~Justin Levinson (1st Prize Best Male Artist, 4th Annual IAMA)
~Melanie Dekker (Runner Up - AAA/Alternative, 4th Annual IAMA)
For more details of the artists, please visit:
http://www.inacoustic.com/artists2.html
==================================================================
You could be one of 50 WINNERS! Celebrating 50 issues of Singer&Musician
magazine with 50 prize packages that include Daisy Rock Guitars,
TC-Helicon Pedals, Audio-Technica Microphones, Intellitouch Tuners, and
much more. No purchase necessary. Enter now at "The Hot Spot" at
www.L2PNet.com
==================================================================
===[ REFER A MUSICIAN FRIEND TO US ]==============================
Tell a musician or songwriter to sign up for this FREE informative
e-mail newsletter of USA Songwriting Competition with chock full
of opportunities for the musician or songwriter, please e-mail
them on where to sign-up:
http://www.songwriting.net/join.html
==================================================================
NEW PRODUCTS FOR MUSICIANS
*ARC System (Advanced Room Correction System) - a combination of a
professionally calibrated measurement microphone, a measuring software and
a multi-platform plug-in that can be integrated with any DAW-based studio,
capable of correcting the distortion caused by room acoustics and able to
improve how a studio will sound forever. ARC System will correct acoustic
problems for any DAW-based studio, dramatically improving the clarity,
stereo imaging and frequency response, for faster, more reliable mixing.
ARC provides a convenient, unique, and easy-to-use mobile correction
solution for the traveling professional engineer and musician. The IK
Multimedia ARC room correction software system measures, calculates the
acoustics in your room, then applies correction via an advanced EQ
plug-in. Using an included professionally calibrated measurement
microphone, ARC (Advanced Room Correction) software measures your room's
acoustics and formulates corrections. The system then uses a
frequency/time-correction processing plug-in to work with your DAW, giving
you a "corrected" environment every time. If you want the most accurate,
optimum room for recording, it's time that you use this product.
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/arc
MUSIC RESOURCES
*Acoustic Guitar Magazine
http://www.acousticguitar.com/
*BerkleeMusic.com - online music courses such as Songwriting, Music
Production, etc.
http://www.berkleemusic.com/?pid=1835
*Indie Venue Bible - comprehensive directory that lists 26,000 live music
venues and 2,000 booking agents in the US and Canada. You'll find
thousands of bars, coffee shops, restaurants, house concerts, theaters,
clubs, halls, churches and book stores - any place you can land a gig!
http://www.indievenuebible.com
*ASCAP
http://www.ASCAP.com
*AirplayAccess.com - available to Program Directors, Music Directors,
Syndicate Radio, and Internet radio. Radio airplay is tracking using the
STS technology. AirplayAccess is the music industry’s answer for
fast, secure music delivery, enabling registered industry professionals,
records labels, artist/bands to get their promotional music directly to
radio as broadcast quality digital files. Airplay Access is a
complimentary service to radio stations from a trusted name in radio
airplay tracking...STS
http://AirplayAccess.com
*New Music Weekly
http://www.newmusicweekly.com
*Loggins Radio Promotion
http://www.logginspromotion.com
*Songsinc.com is the new, ingenious online Music Company offering
songwriters, lyricist, poets and composers the opportunity to collaborate,
create, market, and promote songs through an amazing process called
TrackWriting™ - and they never ask for publishing or copyright
http://www.songsinc.com
*Hal Leonard
http://www.halleonard.com
*Ibanez
http://www.ibanez.com
*Sony
http://www.sonystyle.com
*Livewire Contacts
http://www.livewiremusician.com
*IK Multimedia
http://www.ikmultimedia.com
*Onlinegigs - Onlinegigs Version 4 fully automates the booking and
promotional process for bands, booking agents, record companies and music
managers. Onlinegigs will do it all for you, from finding the right venue
to automatically reminding your fans about upcoming performances right on
their cell phones.
http://www.onlinegigs.com
*Intellitouch Tuners
http://www.tuners.com
*SongCast - world class music distribution company that delivers
independent music to iTunes USA, Australia, Canada, UK/Europe, Japan and
ALL of their other International Stores.
http://www.songcastmusic.com
*Shari's Berries - The Unforgettable Gift. Shari's Berries originated in
1989 as a retail and local delivery business in the Sacramento area out of
the simple desire to create the world's greatest gourmet dipped
strawberries.
http://www.berries.com
*PauseAndPlay.com
http://www.pauseandplay.com
*want2bdiscovered.com - We help unsigned and indie music artists of all
genres get their music heard by thousands of new fans! Create your FREE
music profile and upload up to 10 MP3s, "LIVE" stream one of your
performances on our homepage, upload photos, videos, links and much more!
http://www.want2bdiscovered.com
*FingertipsMusic.com - The intelligent guide to free and legal music,
Fingertips finds great songs every week that you can download legally and
for free.
http://www.fingertipsmusic.com
*Indie Community - acts as a booking agent and mentor for Christian
artists and speakers who want to use their gifts to minister in their
communities. Christian bands, worship leaders, and speakers can sign up
at:
http://www.indiecommunity.com
===[ To Advertise ]===============================================
To advertise in the newsletter, please e-mail: ira@songwriting.net
==================================================================
Many thanks to those that attended our Borders/SXSW Showcase, ASACP, BMI,
SOCAN, Music Connection magazine, all performers of our Austin showcase
including Pepper MaShay and Eric Blakely.
....Jessica Brandon, Artist Relations ~~
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--
Jessica Brandon
Artists Relations
USA Songwriting Competition
*World's Leading International Songwriting Competition*
http://www.songwriting.net
info@songwriting.net
Artist Information
Marketing tips and self-promotion
