COUNTRY NOTES

The NSAI bulletin for the Los Angeles area Workshop

May-June 2004

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June 26 Hit Songwriter Seminar with Rick Beresford

The NSAI Los Angeles Regional Workshop is proud to present an all-day seminar with Nashville hit songwriter, instructor, and author Rick Beresford on Saturday, June 26.  The seminar will include lecture in the morning and song critiques in the afternoon.  Rick will talk about music--lyric-rhythm manipulation tricks that the pros use to maximize the emotional impact of songs.  In addition, Rick will answer questions about the craft and business aspects of songwriting.

Some of Rick's career highlights include:

S O N G C O A C H I N G   S E R V I C E ‘ S     T R A C K   R E C O R D:
Many of Rick's clients have gotten songs published in the last 5 years, two of them with artist's deals, two with staff writer's deals. The list includes: Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Georgia Middleman, David Wilcox, Mary Gauthier, Lisa Aschmann, Connie Howard, Shari and Christi Baker, Stephanie Richards, Barry Dean, Neil Cody, Becky Muncy (children’s album)Neil Herman, Lisa Silver and Ann Freedman.

S O N G C O A C H,  T E A C H E R,  L E C T U R E R :  Rick has been coaching individual songwriters since 1985 and teaches commercial songwriting at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. He is the director of the Kerrville Folk  Festival Song School held in Kerrville, Texas each year and a curriculum writer and lecturer for The Nashville Songwriters Association International's song camps and Workshops. Rick has conducted 3 hour to 3 day seminars for songwriter's groups and conventions across the United States, Canada and England.

S T A F F   W R I T E R : Window Music and Silverline Music: 1978-85 Pete Drake's Company. Wrote commercially successful songs, produced and performed demos.  Discography includes:
"If Drinkin' Don't Kill Me, Her Memory Will” sung by George Jones
     BMI MUSIC Award
     CITY NEWS Award
"Harmony” sung by John Conlee
     BMI Award
"Especially You” sung by Don Williams
"Taking My Time” sung by Everly Brothers
"Easy Come, Hard to Go” sung by Mickey Gilley
"Taking My Time” sung by Brenda Lee
"Born Again” sung by B.J. Thomas
"Far Beyond Good Reason” sung by Shanley Del
     ARIA Award (Australian Grammy) for best Country Album of the Year 1998
"Song for Brent" sung by Cindi Church,
     SOCAN Humanitarian Award, Canada

P R O D U C E R :  Shanley Del, BMG, Australia. Wrote, arranged, produced 1998 ARIA (Australian Grammy) Award winning Country Album of the Year album. 2 Rex Foster albums, 1989 and 1992.

B O O K   A U T H O R :  “Songwriting Dangerously”. The book due in 2004, about the songwriting process based on the lectures Rick teaches at Belmont University and to his private clients.
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SEMINAR DETAILS

Location:  Hill-Harbison House, 1841 Alhambra Rd., San Marino, CA.  Directions can be found under Country Notes at www.sethjackson.net.

Time:  10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday, June 26.

Cost:  $25 for NSAI members and $35 for non-members if paid in advance; $40 at the door.  To receive the advance price, payments must be postmarked by June 19.

How to Register:  Mail a check payable to "NSAI Los Angeles, CA Chapter" to the following address:
                        Seth Jackson
                        2540 Cumberland Rd.
                        San Marino, CA 91108

Be sure to include your name and phone number/contact information with your payment.

May-June '04 Workshop Schedule

Due to concerns with freeway traffic at rush hour on Monday evenings, we've changed the day and time of the workshops to Sunday evenings at 7:00pm. 

Thursday, May 13, 7:30-10:30pm - Songwriter Lineup at Hallenbeck's General Store, 5510 N. Cahuenga Blvd, North Hollywood. Host Marty Axelrod.  Marty Axelrod hosting featuring Michele McCord plus John Legrande, John Stowers, Edward Tree, Brad Colerick, Earren Sellers. Michele McCord’s songs have been recorded by Tammy Wynette & Wynonna Judd (“Girl Thang”), Tricia Yearwood (“Woudn’t Any Woman), Sammy Kershaw & Lorrie Morgan (“He Drinks Tequila”), Alecia Elliot (“I’m Diggin’ It) and more. Michele splits her time between LA and Nashville. Her sophomore solo album “Fragile” is due this summer on go-girrl records. Admission is free.

Sunday, May 16, 7:00-10:00pm at Hill-Harbison House - Guest Speaker Michael Dulaney. This Sunday, 5/16, instead of the originally scheduled Group Song Evaluations, we are fortunate to have hit songwriter Michael Dulaney from Nashville as our special guest.  The meeting will include  include song critiques as well as the opportunity to hear Michael share his insights about the craft and business.

Michael Dulaney, originally from Colorado, has lived in Manhattan, Los Angeles, and twice in Nashville where he currently resides. Dulaney has had immense success in both country and pop genres.  “The Way You Love Me” (Faith Hill), spent four weeks atop the country charts and was a top 5 HOT 100 hit as well on the pop charts. His first trip to the number one spot was with Collin Raye’s  “What The Heart Wants” which he wrote by himself. His most recent radio hit was “You Can’t Hide Beautiful” by Aaron Lines, also a top 5 Country hit.  His other cuts include the top five hit “What Do You Say” (Reba McIntire), the top ten hit “Little Things” (Tanya Tucker), “Angels Working Overtime” (Deana Carter), “Goin’, Goin’ Gone” (Thrasher Shiver), “No End To This Road” (Restless Heart),  “Two Pump Texaco” (Diamond Rio), “She’s Gone” (Ricochet), “Please” (Pam Tillis) and “Sweet Summer” (Diamond Rio). His song “Some People Change” is on the current Kenny Chesney CD, and he has songs cut by just about every major country artist.

Sunday, May 30 - Memorial Day Weekend.  No workshop.

Thursday, June 10, 7:30-10:30pm - Songwriter Lineup at Hallenbeck's General Store, 5510 N. Cahuenga Blvd, North Hollywood. Host Marty Axelrod.  Seth Jackson hosting featuring Randy Sharp plus Bryan Clark, Craig Lackey, Charity Chapman, Mike Bellotti, Dan Nahmod, Phil Kimbrough. Free admission.

Sunday, June 13, 7:00-10:00pm at Hill-Harbison House - Group Song Evaluations. Bring a song to play live or on CD or cassette plus 10 copies of your lyric sheet.

Saturday, June 26, 10:00am-5:00pm at Hill Harbison House - Seminar with Rick Beresford.  See main article for details. 
Sunday, June 27 - No Workshop
Workshop Location
Unless otherwise noted, workshops are held from 7-10:00 p.m. at Hill-Harbison House, 1841 Alhambra Rd. in San Marino. Unless otherwise noted, admission is free for NSAI members, $10 for non-members. For more information, email Seth Jackson at webmaster.hitmeister@mindspring.com.

Directions to Hill-Harbison House

1841 Alhambra Rd., San Marino, CA


From Santa Monica:

Take I-10 E toward LOS ANGELES.      12.8 miles    
Merge onto CA-110 N via the exit- on the left- toward PASADENA.     9.7 miles
Take the FAIR OAKS AVE exit.     0.1 miles    
Turn RIGHT onto FAIR OAKS AVE.     0.2 miles    
Turn LEFT onto MISSION ST.     0.4 miles
Turn RIGHT onto GARFIELD AVE.     0.7 miles
Turn LEFT onto HUNTINGTON DR.     1.2 miles
Turn RIGHT onto VIRGINIA RD.     0.2 miles
At the 2nd stop sign, take a SHARP left onto ALHAMBRA RD.     0.1 miles
1841 Alhambra Rd. is the white Spanish house on the left with the Girl Scout insignia on the front.
It is the first house on the left, just before the road curves to the right.
Park on street.


From Downtown:

Take the 110 N. Stay in the very right lane, following the signs to I5 and I10.  This will put you on the 101S.  Exit at Mission Rd. 
Take a left off the ramp and head north on Mission Rd.  After a few miles, Mission Rd. will merge into Huntington Dr.
Stay on Huntington Dr. through South Pasadena and into San Marino. 
Turn Right onto Virginia Rd.
At the 2nd stop sign, take a SHARP left onto ALHAMBRA RD.
1841 Alhambra Rd. is the white Spanish house on the left with the Girl Scout insignia on the front.
It is the first house on the left, just before the road curves to the right.
Park on street.

From the San Fernando Valley:

Take the 101S -> 134 E -> 210 E.
Exit at Sierra Madre Blvd./Altadena Dr. Take a right off the ramp onto Altadena Dr.
Take a right at the light onto Sierra Madre Blvd.
Turn right at Huntington Drive.
Turn left onto Virginia Rd.
At the 2nd stop sighn, take a SHARP left onto Alhambra Rd.
1841 Alhambra Rd. is the white Spanish house on the left with the Girl Scout insignia on the front.
Park on street.

From east of Pasadena:

Take the 210 W (towards Pasadena).  Take the San Marino exit (Sierra Madre Blvd.).  At the end of the ramp, you'll come to a light.  Go straight at the light, then make a left onto Altadena Dr.
Take a right at the light onto Sierra Madre Blvd.
Turn right at Huntington Drive.
Turn left onto Virginia Rd.
At the 2nd stop sign, take a SHARP left onto ALHAMBRA RD.
1841 Alhambra Rd. is the white Spanish house on the left with the Girl Scout insignia on the front.
It is the first house on the left, just before the road curves to the right.
Park on street.

From East of San Gabriel/Rosemead:

Take the 10W (toward Los Angeles)
Exit at Del Mar Ave.
Go North on Del Mar Ave. approximately 4 miles
Turn left on Huntington Dr.
Turn left onto Virginia Rd.
At the 2nd stop sign, take a SHARP left onto ALHAMBRA RD.
1841 Alhambra Rd. is the white Spanish house on the left with the Girl Scout insignia on the front.
It is the first house on the left, just before the road curves to the right.
Park on street.
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Member News

Seth Jackson and Craig Lackey have signed a co-publishing agreement with Nashville publisher Banner Music for their song "Echo Canyon".

Marty Axelrod's song "Desire" was recorded by Dyer's Daughters on their new CD "My Lucky Stars and Stripes" on LuDon Records.  The song was co-written with Cathy Carlson-Hollinghead and the band. www.dyersdaughters.com.

Seth Jackson had two songs recorded by Dyer's Daughters on their new CD "My Lucky Stars and Stripes on LuDon Records. The two songs are "Daddy Tried" and the title cut.  Both songs were co-written with Cathy Carlson-Hollingshead and the band. www.dyersdaughters.com.

MARRIED: Singer/songwriter Deborah Poppink to David Hirshland, VP of Business and Legal Affairs at Bug Music. They met when Deborah had her first placement (The Wheel) on network television and needed a publishing administrator. www.debpop.com

Got Email?

Send your email address to seth@sethjackson.net to keep informed of the latest workshop activities and last-minute updates.

Events

NSAI Orange County Event - Writing Up

In March we did something that had never been done before and we are offering it again from May 27 - June 4.   WRITING UP WITH NASHVILLE PRO WRITER, MARC-ALAN BARNETTE!  Many of the songs have already been played out in clubs in Nashville, given to Marc's publisher, and some have already been pitched to artists!  MARC is a "Gate-keeper" in town for songwriter's who don't live in Nashville.  He loves songwriters and singers and truly wants to help you get where you long to be!  You can't do it alone.  He's already helped so many of our people!  Marc's been in Nashville for 16 years, and knows and is known by everyone in town!  He's written with (19) #1 writers and has had songs up on the charts. 
 
1.  "WRITING UP":  It is extremely difficult to break into Nashville.  When a town is built on relationships, you are as good as who you've written with.  The next step for many of you is to write with the pros in Nashville.  To do this is hard unless you have a reputation or you've written with someone they respect.  How do you get that chance?  Here's how you get that chance in a non-threatening, coaching type environment, but one where you are actually writing a new song together.  It is a hands-on learning experience, as well as, a realistic Nashville writing session.  It is a 2-hour appointment with a pro, MARC-ALAN BARNETTE.  As the newer writer, just as in Nashville, you are expected to come to the session with the idea, concept, etc. as a starting point.  Be ready and prepared.  A SONG IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE INITIAL IDEA.  You will leave that session writing at a whole new level and will have learned by doing!  This has never been offered before.  The cost will be $100 for a 2-hour pro writing session.  You can share the time with another writer and split the cost.  Sessions will be held between May 27 and June 4.  The spaces are extremely limited and will go fast.  Contact Cliff and Bev at hye4usc@cox.net to schedule.
 
Here are some quotes from some of the people who did it last time:
 
"I highly recommend the WRITING UP sessions with Marc-Alan Barnette.  Marc is great at taking ideas, putting a whole new twist on them, pairing them up to amazing music and bringing the song to life!  He puts 100% into the WRITING UP sessions.  Every serious songwriter should definitely take advantage of the opportunity to write with Marc."               Sharlin Craig
 
"The session with Marc was a great experience and I encourage everyone to give it a try.  We should all take a shot at co-writing and when you get a chance to write with a Nashville pro you should jump on it.  Marc is a great writer and a very funny guy, so at the very least the session will be entertaining!  We laughed a lot as we bounced lines off of each other and traded licks as we tried to find a groove for our song.  Working with another writer opens up your lyrical and musical avenues to places you might not have thought of or gone to on your own and it works both ways.  In my session Marc decided to use a riff I had because all of his were getting to be too similar!  Marc works very quickly as well and in one session we had most of the markings of an entire tune.  Do yourself a career favor and take advantage of this unique opportunity!"                               Dave Smith
 
"I am part of a duo, so I am both a songwriter and an artist.  The two of us (the other half of the duo and I) shared the WRITING UP session since we obviously work together in both respects.  It was a unique experience of which enough cannot be said!  We had actually been working on setting up some co-writing situations with some of the pro-writers in Nashville prior to this, and had been craving a way to find out ahead of time (before venturing into these co-writes) what the process is really like out there.  We were really worried that OUR process would be completely different from the writing process that these Nashville hit writers use, and that we would come up severely lacking!  The experience with Marc-Alan Barnette was not only an incredible learning environment in regards to crafting ideas, words, melodies, and grooves, but also showed us that very process we'd been wanting to find out about ahead of time.  I cannot think of a better way to learn this.  In many ways Marc re-assured us that what we've been doing and thinking and the whole path we've been on so far in our musical journey has been right on, yet he also re-directed us in some other key areas that can totally transform our entire approach to our writing and our act.  I am extremely grateful to have had this opportunity to work with and get to know someone with such an extensive knowledge of both the creative and business sides of music.  His knowledge is rivaled only by his enthusiastic spirit and huge heart for selflessly and genuinely helping other people to achieve their goals and dreams in any way that can."                                                              Jeni Dominelli
 
2.  One on One Sessions:  We have just a few of these special sessions available on a first come, first serve basis.  This is a way to get MARC-ALAN BARNETTE'S undivided attention and fine tune it to your needs as a songwriter or performer.  He can answer any questions, help with your game plan, give personalized performance advice, give input on how you can make your songs more competitive.  One on one sessions are $35.00 /half hour, $50.00/hour.  Sign up with Cliff or Bev Nelson at hye4usc@cox.net.
 
Los Angeles Area NSAI Members - DO YOU HAVE: Let us know, so we can tell the world what you're up to! Submit to Country Notes by sending e-mail to webmaster.hitmeister@mindspring.com.
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NSAI LOS ANGELES WORKSHOP VOLUNTEERS


WORKSHOP COORDINATOR - Seth Jackson

TO GET INVOLVED:
send email to seth@sethjackson.net

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