April 2011

SongWritersNotes
29 Years Supporting San Diego Songwriters
The San Diego
Songwriters Guild
SDSongwriters.org
[email protected]
858 270 7169 (Sandi Shaner)
3368 Governor Drive #326
San Diego, CA 92122
2011 SDSG Board of Directors
President
Sandi Shaner
Vice President
Kevin Thomas
Treasurer
Annie Rettic
Secretary
Diane Waters
Webmaster
John Pape
Member
Sean Reilly
Sharon Hazel
Advisors
Bridget Brigitte
Mark Charles Hattersley
Photographer
Steve Covault
Volume XXV • April 2011
SDSG's Fifth Annual
Performing
Songwriters Showcase
A new twist on this year’s event has added flair to the Performing Songwriter’s
Showcase. Instead of submitting CD’s to qualify for the Live Performance Finals, members and supporters are invited to come to a live venue and perform
their two songs live before a welcoming crowd and our panel of judges.
From each of three live qualifying events, we will choose three Finalists who
will perform at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, and compete for the winning
prize. We will also choose a Wild Card Finalist from each event. The Top Three
from each live qualifier are automatically chosen to be included in the 2011
Best of SDSG Compilation CD. This CD will be given to every guest throughout the year who participates in pitch sessions, legal seminars or other SDSG
events.
On Saturday March 26th, at Davina’s Cabo Grill in Oceanside, we had our first
live qualifying event. The Top Three songwriter’s chosen that day were:
In this edition...
SDSG's Fifth Annual
Performing Songwriters
Showcase - Pages One and Two
Signature Sound
Music Production
Training for Songwriters - Page Three
Venue Review
Annie Rettig talks about PB's
Tiki House - Page Five
Marshall William Hattersley
Bombs and Bullets - Page Five
Candace Graham
Maynard Evans
Miff Laracy
Our first Wild Card is newcomer, Morgan Kat Becker. Morgan will compete
with two other wild card picks for a spot on the
compilation CD and a chance to compete in the
finals at Humphreys. Wild Cards go to Humphreys the day of the finals and play one song for
the judges. Then the Wild Card winner, will get to
play again later that day!
Go Wild Cards, you can do it!
The last qualifying event is April 16th at Winstons. There will be two segments with up to 12 people in each segment. Only a total of 24 more people
can compete, so hurry up and sign up! Entry for this year’s contest is only $5
per song.
SDSG Sponsors
Email me at [email protected]
Page Four
Or for questions, call me at 858-270-7169
Sandi Shaner - SDSG President
From the Songwriter’s Desk
2011 started out slow, but the pace has certainly increased... here we are in April already, enjoying lengthening days, warmer nights, and Spring kicking into high gear. Yeah, we've been here before, but the
energy picks up regardless. I can't help it, and I love it!
Our ability to translate Spring's excitement into our songs is what separates us from those who haven't succumbed
to the addiction of songwriting. How we choose to accomplish the translation is what makes us each distinct and
unique... like the language of love, the lyric of a successful song strikes the perfect balance between the familiar
and the mysterious, the heartfelt and the descriptive, the quirky and the seductive. It all floats on melody, weaving over and through a bed of rhythm, bass, and harmony. Signature Sound can help you realize your vision...
see page three for details about this SDSG Sponsor's new training program for songwriters.
In our Fifth Annual Performing Songwriters Showcase, SDSG brings another opportunity to expose
your music to the world. Now is the perfect time to channel your fire into a performance that moves
your friends, fans, family, and peers. Drop Sandi Shaner a line and let her know you want to be a
part of this year's event. And if you get a chance, stop by iTunes and check out my son Marshall's
first album, Bombs and Bullets, reviewed by Paul Santos on page five.
Inspiration is in the air... don't forget to breath deeply. And write!
Mark Charles Hattersley
[email protected]
Performing
Songwriters Showcase
Last Qualifier April 16
Miff Laracy
Candice Graham
Finalist Maynard Evans had a few thoughts concerning SDSG's approach to the Showcase qualifying this year...
I liked the live qualifier better for a couple of reasons. 1) What is done on a recording allows
for lots of extra stuff to be added and to some degree is a showcase for the recording production as much as the songwriter and/or performer. 2) Performing live in front of the judges and other contestants provides an energy that is exciting and alive.
Maynard Evans
As a performer I feel like I got to make a connection with the people who were judging and others watching. And I got to have a connection in a different way with everyone as I watched and
listened to their performance. 3) Being there, meeting the other performers and judges, talking,
listening etc. It got to feel more familiar and more like a family of musicians supporting each
other than a competition. 4) I like that and now will recognize and feel more at ease when seeing
everyone in future meetings. Past contests were nice, but I felt a little lost in the big group, didn’t
know anyone much, and felt small and insignificant. This felt much better. Thank you for making
this possible Sandi. I know it must take a bunch of your time and energy to keep it happening.
- Maynard.
SDSG Sponsors
Beach City Graphics
[email protected] 760 415 8900
Black Cherry Music Group
blackcherrygroup.com
Bionic Sisters Productions
bionicsisters.com
Cervantes Guitars
www.cervantesguitars.com
Mark Charles Hattersley Music Production
[email protected] 619 823 3917
The KPRi Homegrown Hour & www.ListenLocalSD.com
Every Saturday Night at 9PM on 102.1 FM
Tree Hill Media - Jeff McCullough
[email protected] 866 996 2064
Signature Sound Studios
[email protected] 858 268 0134
Steve Covault Professional Music Photography
stevecovault.com [email protected]
Taylor Guitars
taylorguitars.com
Steve Covault Photography
StevePhotoMan@gmail/com
RockMusicPhotos.com
Rancho Bohemia
studios
Producer-Keyboardist-Engineer
Mark Charles Hattersley
[email protected]
SongWriters Notes • Page Four
619 823 3917
Venue Review
by Annie Rettic
The
Tiki
House
When she lived
in PB, my mother
was fond of
saying that there
were more bars
per capita there
than anywhere
else in California,
and if you stroll
up and down Garnet Avenue, it seems that every other business is a drinking establishment. But when those in the know
want to relax, raise a glass or a pint, and hear some good live
music by local musicians, they head to the Tiki House.
Bombs AND Bullets
Marshall William Hattersley
Eight years into two American wars sees the
release of Bombs and Bullets, a sublime protest album that could not be more eloquent, or needed.
The music of singer-songwriter Marshall
William Hattersley, this concept work reflects
on the tragedies of war, and in turn, shows
us that lessons of the past are sadly forgotten by a new generation. Marshall plays the
role and interprets the perspective of the
victims of war: families, soldiers, and the heart
of a nation. He shines a light on the human
condition that creates the villains of conflict,
the beauty of sadness, and music’s ability to
transport the listener.
Established on April Fool’s Day 1980 by owner Dave Miller,
the Tiki is celebrating its 31st year in business. Located at
1152 Garnet Avenue, it’s a long and narrow bar with a pool
table at the far end. On Sunday nights the table is covered up
and a small stage is set up in the corner for the Open Mic.
Signup starts at 9, and it gets underway around 9:30. The
crowd, though appreciative, can be a bit noisy, but those sitting closest to the stage are usually attentive and enthusiastic.
When I was there last week, the sound was good. On Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday you can hear good acoustic solo
performers such as Trent Hancock and Tim Malley, who take
their turns as hosts of the Open Mic, and Jimmy Lewis. On
Friday and Saturday nights you’ll be treated to a good local
band.
If you’re looking for a tasty Micro Brew or imported beer, the
Tiki House has a good selection on tap, which includes Black
Butte Porter, Fat Tire, Shiner Hefe, Guinness, Heineken, and
Stella Artois, to name just a few. For those who prefer a glass
of wine, there is a nice list to choose from, plus a Wine-ofthe-Month, and on Thursdays it’s “think wine” day so it’s only
$3.00. There are drink specials of one kind or another every
night to enhance your enjoyment of the live music. You can go
to Tiki's website, www.tikipb.com, to view the calendar and
the list of wine and beers they serve.
The Tiki House is a great place to go any night of the week,
so come on up to PB some night and check it out for yourself.
Once you visit the Tiki, you’ll want to keep coming back.
A hauntingly beautiful CD, Bombs & Bullets
highlights Marshall’s vocal talents and gift for
melody and unconventional hooks. Traces
of Neil Young, John Lennon, Pink Floyd and
other classic influences mix seamlessly with
more contemporary artists’ influences like the
Decemberists, Fleet Foxes and The Smiths,
making this a timeless work and one that
should be heard by all who need reminders of
the psychological and physical toll of war.
Paul Santos - Melodica Music
Bombs and Bullets is available on iTunes
SongWriters Notes • Page Five
San Diego
Songwriters Guild
Performing
Songwriters Showcase
Last Qualifier April 16 at Winston's
Register now... see pages one and two for details
SDSongwriters.org
[email protected]
SongWritersNotes
The San Diego Songwriters Guild
3368 Governor Drive #326
San Diego, CA 92122
Address Correction Requested