and to our finalists! - Portland Songwriters Association

Great Songwriter
Fall 2007 Newsletter
www.portlandsongwriters.org
Congratulations
to our winner!
JUSTIN
JUDE
and to our
finalists!
ERNIE
BIRNEY
inside:
more on
the bite,
conferences,
upcoming
seminar
and more...
miguel
martinez
see more on the series...
congratulations
CHRISTINE
YUETTE
TIM RIBNER
NOT PICTURED:
SIG PAULSON
SEMI-FINALIST
JUDGE
DICK
WEISSMAN
to all our semifinalists
LISA
LEPINE
JUDGE
SHEL
BAILEY
JUDGE
JIM
BRUNBERG
DAN LOWE
thank you to our sponsors,
ANDREA
ALGIERI
SEMI-FINALIST
KATIE NAYLOR
SEMI-FINALIST
RICHEY
BELLINGER
SEMI-FINALIST
TOM ARNOLD
SHIRLEY SANDERS
SEMI-FINALIST
DAN’L
MCILHENNY
excellent judges, participants
DAN WORK
INDIEPENDENCEMUSIC.NET
SEAN GARCIA
SEMI-FINALIST
RICHEY
BELLINGER
SEMI-FINALIST
and all who helped with
THE LOVELY LOWE LADIES
GIL REYNOLDS
AL POLITO
SEMI-FINALIST
the 2007 road to the bite
Road to the Bite Series 2007
Presented by Portland Songwriters Association
Thanks to all for another great “Road to the Bite” Series. We drew a strong field of Singer Songwriters again this year with some well
crafted material. After every preliminary round our Mentors remarked how impressed they were by the talent and how difficult their
decisions were in deciding which three would move on to the Semi Finals.
Once we hit the Semi-Final round all the excitement fell first at Mississippi Pizza (to a capacity crowd), then shifted to Sunday for
the “Bite” Finals in downtown Portland’s, Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Finalists for 2007 were: Miguel Martinez, Justin Jude and 2006
Winner - Ernie Birney. This year’s Mentors were: Shel Bailey (Radio, TV Host and Musician), Jim Brunberg (Owner of Mississippi Studios
and Recording Artist), and Dick Weissman (Music Business Writer/Author, Producer and legendary member of the Journeymen). Dan
Lowe hosted the Finals on Sunday morning August 12th at the Fountain Stage.
Miguel Martinez was first up sharing the stage with local singer Christine Yvette who added some tasty harmony to his songs. Justin
Jude was accompanied by friend Tim Ribner on piano. And like last year Ernie Birney relied on his old pal Terry Wake to add some guitar
work and harmony. Each performer had a chance to sing four songs and when it was all said and done Justin Jude took top honors.
As winner Justin received a First Place Plaque, $100 PSA Cash Award, a $250 certificate for CD Cover/Web Design from 1st and
1st Media, a Video of his Bite Performance provided by IndiependenceMusic.net worth $1500 and a feature spot on PDXposed Broadcast
on CNW 14. Our other finalists received Certificate Awards, $50 PSA Cash Award and a Video of their Performance.
Special thanks to all our competing Singer-Songwriters, Mentors, and Sponsors: Mississippi Pizza, The Bite of Oregon, Oregon Special
Olympics, 1st + 1st Media,IndiependenceMusic.net, Lisa Lepine Promotion Queen and PDXposed.
On behalf of the PSA Board – Thank you!!
Dan McILhenny - Secretary
Nashville’s
Barbara Cloyd
September 22nd
10-5 @ the Buffalo Gap
“Ready For The Row”
Having learned a lot in her 20 years in Nashville pursuing her own career and working with other writers, Barbara has hit the road to
share her knowledge and insights with songwriters across the country. The event begins with Barbara giving an overview of how the Nashville
market works and how to work it. She covers topics like “Where the Money Comes From and How Much You Can Make,” “Who You Need
to Know and How to Get to Know Them,” Why a Songwriter Needs a Publisher and How to Find One,” “What to Do if You Live Out
of Town,” and “How to Make the Most of a Trip to Nashville.” Since she has worked with aspiring writers for many years she has a keen
understanding of what information they need and she conveys it with clarity and humor.
The second half of the event focuses on the craft of commercial songwriting. After briefly going over the basic elements of a hit song,
Barbara then listens to and gives feedback on songs brought in by the participants. It is always helpful to writers to get an educated opinion
about their own songs, but Barbara has found that writers learn the most by listening to critiques of other people's songs. Different aspects
of the craft are brought up naturally as songs are examined and since the writers aren't so close to them it is much easier to see their strengths
and weaknesses.
One on one critiques are available Friday Sept 21st in 1/2 hour slots.
Bring one song with lyrics for critique. 10AM-5PM
NAME:
Yes, I want to attend Barbara Cloyd’s workshop Sept. 22nd at The Buffalo Gap
Please send $50 (for each attendee) to: PSA P.O. Box 42389 Port., OR 97242
Email [email protected] to sign up for the individual one-on-one w/Barbara.
Next Deadline: Sept 15, 2007
TAKE A MOMENT
TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION
thank you
Update your membership online at
www.portlandsongwriters.org, or send this
form in to PSA, PO Box 42389, Portland,
OR 97242.
Will You Wake Up
by Sean Rees
NAME:
ADDRESS:
WEBSITE:
PHONE:
EMAIL:
c Please do NOT publish my contact info
CHECK ALL THAT APPLY
I PLAY:
c GUITAR
c DRUMS
OTHER:
I WRITE:
LYRICS
c
(June 2007 Deadline)
c
c
c
KEYS
VOCALS
MUSIC
I COLLABORATE:
YES
c
c
BASS
BOTH
NO
I LIKE:
c ROCK
c COUNTRY
c ADULT/CONTEMPORARY
c CLASSICAL
c R&B
c INSTRUMENTAL
c FOLK
c ALTERNATIVE
c CHRISTIAN/CHILDRENS
OTHER:
OTHER COMMENTS OR CREDITS TO
BE PRINTED IN THE DIRECTORY:
I WOULD PREFER MY NEW DIRECTORY:
c PRINTED/HARD COPY
c ELECTRONIC (PDF)
c BOTH
I watch you when you sleep at night and wonder what runs through your mind
Of all the things you’re dreaming of, am I the one you really love?
I’d like to take a peek inside the window to your brain
But knowing what you know might just make me insane
You’re danding with the symphony of secrets that you keep
Protected by the chemicals that keep you fast asleep
You’re running towards the forest but keep crashing into trees
It’s a race you don’t want to lose again, so get up off your knees
And wake up now
Wake up today
Open your eyes and see what I can see
Will you wake up now
Will you wake up for me
Will you open your arms so I can feel you breathe
The problem that we have right now has been going on too long
I keep swimming up the river but I’m really not that strong
Our battle is fought within a cage, pride is the only lock
We stumble around to find the key in the darkness that we’ve got
I’d like to make it end right now if I could just get in your head
So I’ve ripped off all the covers and now I’m jumping on the bed
The swirling that I feel right as we’re sucked down towards the drain
The alarm clock just keeps ringing, can you please turn off the pain
And wake up now
Wake up today
Open your eyes and see what I can see
Will you wake up now
Will you wake up for me
Will you open your arms so I can feel you breathe
If screaming now would help, I’d yell to fracture through your skull
But I might as well pick daisies and pull the petals off to tell
If you love me or you’re leaving, you just need to figure it out
Cause I’m running out of energy to just stand here and shout
And wake up now
Wake up today
Open your eyes and see what I can see
Will you wake up now
Will you wake up for me
Will you open your arms so I can feel you breathe
Now! Enter Online at
www.portlandsongwriters.org
portland songwriters association
opportunity!
PSA at the
FAR-WEST CONFERENCE
Dear PSA Members,
If you have not heard yet, Far-West Folk Alliance is coming to Vancouver,
Washington November 2nd through the 4th. Far-West is holding their annual Regional
Conference in our neighborhood which is really good news for us. The event draws
performers, agents and industry pros from all across the western states as well as
international artists from Europe, Canada and Mexico. It’s your opportunity to make
some new career connections, attend a few dynamite workshops and maybe showcase
some of your music too.
Back at the first of the year Dan Lowe and I began talking about the experience
we had at Far- West last fall in Northern California. Simply put, we were stoked; it
was one weekend devoted to pure fun, highly informative panels and jam packed
with creative musical energy. We both had the opportunity to showcase a few of our
songs there and meet some great performers.
Because of those good vibrations PSA is actively participating this year, we will
have a table in the exhibit hall and we will be hosting some showcases.
The entire PSA Board is enthusiastic about this big fall event - here’s a chance
for you to glean some nuggets to help boost your career and form some new
friendships. Please don’t stumble over the four letter word FOLK either… you’ll be
pleasantly surprised to learn this gathering is well attended by fellow singer-songwriters
just like you! Remember your roots, Folk is a very good thing it’s our foundation, the
core of most American music. So at the conference you’ll hear many genres; Blues,
Americana, Celtic, World Rhythms to name a few but all can be traced back to Folk.
Here’s our suggestion to you, go to the Far-West Folk Alliance website and check
it out.
www.far-west.org/conference.html
Yes… it’s an investment of time and money but it’s our feeling you’ll benefit by all
you see and hear within this extended community of music lovers.
One last thing, the crew
at Far-West needs volunteers
to help them present this
conference so we encourage
you to lend a hand if you can.
By doing so there may be a
discount available to you to
help lower your entrance fee.
Here is the person to contact
if you’d like to explore that
idea! Far-West Volunteers,
contact: Rick Aher n at
[email protected]
That’s it for now, hope to
see and hear you at Far-West
this year it’s gonna be great!
Happy Trails!
Dan’l
Dan McILhenny – Secretary
Portland Songwriters
Association
The PSA will be hosting
a Late Night Showcase
Fri. evening Nov 2nd
and a
Guerrilla Showcase
room on Sat. Nov 3rd
PSA Members wishing to perform at
either of these special venues need to:
A) Be a paid attendee of Far West Folk
Alliance Annual Conference (this applies
to all performing band members as
well)
B) Be a member of The Portland
Songwriters Association. If you are not
currently a member, you can join online
or fill out the form on the back of this
newsletter.
You must be a PSA member to submit,
but joining PSA does not guarantee you
a performance opportunity.
C) Submit a CD or tape of at least 3
or more songs with promo packet to:
PSA, P.O. Box 42389, Portland OR
97242.
NOTE * Submissions must be post
marked by Sept. 15, 2007.
D) If awarded a showcase time slot, we
ask that you volunteer at least 1 hour
working the PSA booth during the
exhibition. (this is a great way to
promote yourself as well as the PSA)
All submissions will be screened by a
team of music professionals not
associated with the PSA.
Thank you for your interest,
Gil Reynolds
PSA Seminar Coordinator
If you would like more information or
have any questions, contact us:
[email protected]
opportunity! grow as a songwriter! connect with industry pros!
WEST
COAST
S O N G W R I T E R S
CONFERENCE
September 8th & 9th
Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd., Los Altos Hills, California - 40 mlles south of
San Francisco, and 15 miles north of San Jose.
JUST SOME OF THE CONFERENCE EVENTS >> see more details on the WCS website
DAN KIMPEL- NET-WORKING THE CONFERENCE Maximizing your Conference Experience
WRITING WITH A SOCIAL CONSCIENCE: Tough times, deep songs. Hear how our guest writers
use social issues to write songs: Gar y Malkin, Steve Seskin and Michael Silversher.
PRO TOOLS FOR SONGWRITERS: Bruce Tambling will take us through the process of recording with
Pro Tools. Held in the Idea Lab.
GET INTO THE GROOVE: Rhythmn 1A - Understanding the principles of rhythm will make your songs
more dynamic and marketable. Jai Josefs
SHOW ME THE MONEY: Todd and Jeff Brabec demystify deals for songs and scores in feature films and
Television series, ringtones, downloads, CD Sales, and many other sources, and the money that can be made.
DO RE MI - VOCAL WORKSHOP: Kathy Kennedy & Katie Guthorn from the Voice Studio in San
Francisco will work with the class to show good singing habits.
COLLABORATION: Steve Seskin and Andre Pessis share their collaboration expertise.
PRODUCER PANEL: Larry Batiste, Curt Frasca, Sabelle Breer. Get the lowdown on successful record
making.
SO YOU WANT TO BE IN PICTURES: Marcus Barone will discuss the different uses of songs in film
and how to connect with decision makers choosing music for film & TV.
THE RECORD DEAL: BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR! - How to get a deal and what to do
once you’ve got it. How things can go wrong and how to make them go right for you! Elliot Cahn, Jeff Heiman.
CURT FRASCA & SABELLE BREER INTERVIEW: Two of today's Hot Pop writers and Producers
Interviewed by Dan Kimpel
PRO HOME RECORDING: How to make home recordings sound professional - Lou Dorren in the
Xytar Room - 6404
TOURING AT HOME AND ABROAD: Get the lowdown before you load your tour bus. John Lester,
Elliot Cahn, and TBA
STEVE DEAN INTERVIEW: Interview with Hit Songwriter Steve Dean from Nashville.
SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND: Put your feet up and enjoy our guest songwriters round-off the
weekend with their fantastic songs. The perfect way to end your action packed weekend. Hosted by Steve
Seskin
Kick Off Event on
September 7th
Two days of Seminars, Songscreenings,
Performances, lyric reviews, One-On-One
Consultations, Performance-Showcases,
Networking and more, including a fantastic
Sunset Concert.
MEMBER PRICES:
2 Days - $185 by 6/5 , $220 by 8/7 , $270
walk-up
1 Day - $115 by 6/5, $140 by 8/7, $190
walk-up
New This Year - "Bring A Buddy" - You can
bring a buddy to attend seminars, the
performances, and to eat the same meals
with you for $50 a day
NON-MEMBER PRICES
2 Days - $210 by 6/5, $245 by 8/7, $320
walk-up
1 Day - $150 by 6/5, $170 by 8/7, $210
walk-up
New This Year - "Bring A Buddy" - You can
bring a buddy to attend seminars, the
performances, and to eat the same meals
with you for $50 a day
Note: Before you register - The screenings
are not yet set up, so please don't worry
about making choices. You will be able to
log back in and make choices later. You will
be notified by email when it's time to make
your choices.
www.westcoastsongwriters.org
4th Annual
FAR-WEST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November 2-4, 2007 at the Hilton
Vancouver, WA
With three very successful annual conferences behind us, we're looking
forward to keeping the momentum going. Please join us for our fourth annual
conference! You will discover a wealth of music, networking and fun!
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?
Join the best of the west at the 4th Annual Folk Alliance Western Regional
Conference. Meet the people who are making things happen in folk music
from all over the West. The FAR-West Annual conference is ideal for Performing
Artists, Presenters, Record Industry, Agents & Managers, Media, Arts
Administrators, Folk Societies/Clubs, Folklorists, and DJs. Help build a stronger
folk music community on the west coast while advancing your career and gaining valuable contacts at the same time!
Registration fee includes all Workshops, Panels, Seminars, Exhibit Hall Entrance, Showcases, and Jamming Sessions. Learn
how to build your community, career and contacts while making and listening to music with your peers. It's about networking and
building relationships that will advance your music career. Showcase opportunities abound and it's very affordable.
PORTLAND SONGWRITERS ASSOCIATION TESTIMONIALS
DAN LOWE, PRESIDENT OF PSA: In November of last year, I was faced with a choice... attend either the TAXI Road Rally
in Hollywood (which Peggy and I had enjoyed for the previous three years) or the FAR-West Alliance conference in Sacramento
a week earlier - unfortunately, we couldn't do both! Well, we opted to take a break from the Road Rally in favor of the 'great
unknown' represented by the FAR-West Alliance Conference, and we are both so glad we did! (And, mind you, we REALLY
love the Road Rally too!) It was a near non-stop succession of meeting, hearing, and playing with some really wonderful
musicians and people... kind of like being in 'musicians' heaven' for a few days - but without having to die to get there, of
course! We are still reaping the benefits of the connections we made there - both personally and professionally - and the
conference that will be taking place just across the river in Vancouver this November became an absolute must on our
conference/musical schedule for 2007. I really can't encourage people enough to do the same in their planning for this year,
as I don't know when we will have a better opportunity to experience this level of conference so close to home!
DAN MCILHENNY, PSA SECRETARY: Last fall I attended Far-West Folk Alliance Conference in Northern California and
found the experience; engaging, supportive and worthy of my investment. The conference feels like a non-stop, E-Ticket
ride where attendees get to share their music and gather useful tools for their career. Be prepared to make some new friends
as you rub shoulders with your musical peers. The entire weekend is steeped in top-notch workshops, lively panels discussions
and amazing showcases. My hat is off to Far-West cast and crew for creating this incredible event! In fact... I enjoyed the
conference so much I volunteered to help with the 2007 production in Vancouver, WA.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR PSA MEMBERS!
Contact [email protected] for more information
REGISTERING FOR THE CONFERENCE: To register for the conference, just fill out the Registration Form and send it in
with your payment to FAR-West. (Credit Cards accepted.)
Advance Registration (Postmarked by October 12)
Weekend: $155
Single Day (Friday or Sunday): $100
Single Day (Saturday): $120
At the Door (or Postmarked after October 12)
Weekend: $185
Single Day (Friday or Sunday): $115
Single Day (Saturday): $135
See special Band Rates and more details on the website!
To register: WWW.FAR-WEST.ORG or call Michele at 949-646-1964.
Portland Songwriters
Song Contest
Deadline for Song Submissions: December 1st
Portland Songwriters Association’s annual song contest is judged by highly acclaimed industry
professionals from LA to Nashville and beyond. Judging will be done on two levels. Each song will
be heard by a minimum of three judges. To ensure impartiality, tapes will be assigned a number and
placed in a category. Judging criteria will be based primarily on song composition elements (melody,
lyric, structure, etc.), not on performance.
Entry Rules
All songs will be judged by at least three qualified judges, including
established regional artists and music industry professionals
selected for their specific interests and credentials in each
category. The top 10 songs in each category will advance to the
next level of final-round judging. Grand prize winner will be
selected from top category winners. Final judging to be announced
at a PSA showcase event, and will be posted on PSA’s website.
1. Enter as many songs as you
like. Each song must have a fee.
Enter online at SonicBids.com
under Song Contests or send your
name, address, phone, and song
title on an index card with your
entries or submit an official PSA
entry form.
Categories: 1) Pop, 2) Rock, 3) Contemporary Christian,
2. Cassettes and CDs only. ONE
SONG PER CASSETTE/CD.
4) Blues/Jazz/R&B, 5) Country/Americana, 6) Children’s,
7) Folk/Acoustic, 8) Instrumental, 9) Other
3. Send cassette or CD with 3
typed lyric sheets. Label
cassette/CD and lyric sheets with
song title and category only.
Writer's name:
Address:
City:
State:
Phone:
E-Mail:
PSA Member?
Name of song(s)
Yes
No
4. DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR
CASSETTE, CD, OR LYRIC SHEET.
Zip:
5. Send SASE for a list of contest
winners. Tapes/CD's will not be
returned.
(circle one)
6. The writer retains all rights
to songs submitted. However, PSA
reserves the right to use winning
songs for nonprofit promotional
purposes (i.e. a tape compilation).
Category
1.
7. Proceeds from the contest will
go towards prizes and to help
fund future PSA sponsored
activities.
2.
3.
4.
Entry form also available at: www.portlandsongwriters.org or sign
uponline at indiependencemusic.net!
submit entries to:
psa song contest
p.o. box 42389
portland, oregon 97242
Entry Number:
8. PSA officers, board members,
and their immediate families are
not eligible for entry in this
competition.
9. Because songs are a creative
work, the evaluation of the entries
is clearly subjective. The opinions
of the judges are final.
10. Entries that do not comply
with contest rules and requirements
will not be accepted.
11. Postmark deadline SEPTEMBER
30th. $20 PER ENTRY FOR NONMEMBERS, $15 FOR MEMBERS.
(for internal use only)
sept 1
the great songwriter
Dan McIlhenny ...........contributor
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Gil Reynolds .............contributor
Kelli Caldwell........design & layout
9
16
23
10
11
12
13
17
showcase 7pm
see web for
location
18
19
20
24
25
26
27
14 workshop 15
FAR-WEST
11 am
showcase
Buffalo Gap
submissions &
lyric
contest
22
deadline 21
tomorrow
28
29
psa officers
Dan Lowe ...................president
Vacancy ...............vice president
Dan McIlhenny .............secretary
Arlie Conner................treasurer
board members
Gil Reynolds, Kelli Caldwell,
30
oct 1
2
7
8
9
3
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
18
19 workshop 20
11 am
Buffalo Gap
showcase 7pm
see web for
location
14
15
16
17
21
22
23
24
28
29
30
31
25
26
nov 1 FAR-WEST
2
CONFERENCE
BEGINS
psa late night
showcase at
8 FAR-WEST
9
27
3
psa guerilla
showcase at
FAR-WEST
4
5
6
7
11
12
13
14
showcase 7pm
see web for
location
15
16
18
19
song
contest
deadline
approaching
20
21
22
23 workshop
24
11 am
Buffalo Gap
25
26
27
28
29
30 song
dec 1
contest
deadline
postmarked by
today
PSA SONGWRITING WORKSHOP
Location: Buffalo Gap
When: 3rd Sat of
6835 SW Macadam
every month
Portland
Time:
11:00 am
10
Tom Arnold, Peggy Lowe,
and Paul Kwitek
did you know?
all psa members
are welcome and
encouraged to
attend board
meetings
For details: email
[email protected]
17
what’s
happening every
month?
PSA SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE
When: 2nd Wed of every month
Time:
7:00 pm
Location: see website for location
www.portlandsongwriters.org
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
PSA’s quarterly newsletter is accepting article submissions
from its members. If you have a songwriting experience that
you’d like to share, would like to submit a review of a good
songwriting book, website, or other source, or other ideas that
would add to the enrichment and enjoyment of our songwriting
community, we would love to hear from you!
Portland Songwriters Association was established to:
1. Provide educational and networking opportunities for its
membership
2. To develop the songwriting talents of its members
3. To support members in their quests to become great
songwriters
If you have an idea for an article or would like to suggest
a source, please contact us at [email protected].
PSA is a not-for-profit organization, so submissions are unpaid.
Articles would be included online, as well as in any printed
versions of the newsletter, but authors retain rights. Thank you!
ADVERTISING INFORMATION: discounts available for
multiple ads. PSA members receive a 20% discount. contact
[email protected]
membership entitles
you to free admission to
monthly workshops and
discounted admission to
PSA sponsored events. you can join and pay online
at www.portlandsongwriters.org or send payment and
this handy form in to:
portland songwriters association
p.o. box 42389
portland, oregon 97242-0389
name
address
city
0 $50 membership
state
zip
0 renewal
p.o. box 42389 portland
oregon 97242-0389
full page $100 - 1/2 page $75 - 1/4 page $50 - 1/8 page $25
note!
new workshop location
3rd Saturday of the month
now at the Buffalo Gap!
www.portlandsongwriters.org