Arizona Songwriters Association: Home
ATTENTION ARIZONA SONGWRITERS
Those of you who attended our June 26th SongPitch featuring Dan Hodges, received a FREE gift card from www.MyStudio.net . Remember to use those cards soon, since they expire on 8-31-10. And, let us know how you like it!
We still have 20 gift cards available, so the FIRST 20 people to register at our July 31 SongPitch will get one, good for a FREE audio/video demo session (It’s a five minute session, so be prepared when you go in to use it!) It’s a $20 value! Go to their website above for more details on MyStudio.
Our next SongPitch will be Saturday, July 31, from 2pm to 5pm, with sign-in starting at 1pm.
Location is Fiddlers Dream Coffeehouse in North Phoenix at 1702 E Glendale. Go to www.fiddlersdream.org for a map or more info on the location.
Admission: $20 Members of ASA, NSAI, NARIP, & Chicks with Picks; Non-members $25.
Our featured guest will be Richard Hellstern of Pen Music Group in L.A. www.penmusic.com
PEN Music Group, Inc. has operated as a full-service independent music publishing company since 1994 and is celebrating its 16th anniversary in 2010. President Michael Eames co-founded this alternative to multinational publishers with Colorado-based partner Pat Hoyman. For these fifteen years, PEN has offered one-on-one attention as a boutique company combined with A-list music contacts in film, TV and advertising with an ever-growing success rate. PEN represents the catalogues of: writer/artists such as GRAMMY®-nominated Wendy Waldman, Dan Bern, Fisher, Michael Ruff and Gina Shock (The Go-Gos); writer/producers such as Elicit Music (Rob Hoffman & Heather Holley), Jeeve, 5x5 Productions and Matt & Paul Sherrod; and writers such as Emmy®-nominated lyricist Amy Powers and Oscar®-nominated Gwil Owen.PEN’s songs have been on albums by artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae, k.d. lang, Santana, Christina Aguilera, Faith Hill, Paulina Rubio, Macy Gray, Kenny Rogers, Kenny Loggins, Bonnie Raitt and Luther Vandross among countless others. PEN also proudly represents a developing roster of independent and up-and-coming bands and artists that includes Hypnogaja, Gypsy Soul, Dive Index, Sara Haze, Cord and Feel among many others. PEN's catalogue spans every musical genre from jazz standards, pop, rock, R&B and hip-hop to folk, Latin, world music and film scores. The company secures hundreds of placements in film, TV, advertising and video games every year.
Richard Hellstern has used his educational background in music and theatre to produce live music events starring all kinds of musicians from American Idol runner up Kimberley Caldwell to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Eddie Van Halen. He has worked with the likes of musician Raymond Pounds (Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life), conductor Damon Intrabartolo (Halloween: H20, Eight Legged Freaks) and composer John Ottman (X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Superman Returns) among others. As Royalties Manager for PEN, he is responsible for mechanical licensing, income tracking and quarterly accounting, while as Creative Manager he assists Michael in pitching music to television, films and advertising campaigns.
They are looking for pretty much all types of music, except country, (unless phenomenal).
Here’s what Mr. Hellstern had to say about what music they need right now:
“Regarding the kind of music we are looking for, I'll sum it up...
What I'm NOT looking for:
1. Country. We already have several country acts, and country is a very specific pitch. Even in the realm of cuts on a-list albums, I'm not really looking for country. Of course, if it's phenomenal I'll listen, but I'll be generally uninterested in country.
2. Bad recording quality. Even if the writer is seeking cuts on an album and wants to excuse the demo quality because it will be re-cut, a bad demo will always go in the trash.
What I AM looking for:
1. Hip hop, soul, R&B. Basically any good urban music would be nice to hear.
2. Happy or upbeat songs. Too many writers write about breakups and sad things, and those songs don't sell toothpaste or airlines. I'll be particularly interested if a song is bright and cheery and doesn't talk about a relationship gone wrong.
3. Songs that are lyrically relatable to more than one situation. If a song talks about Santa Fe, or New York, or a girl named Jane, it's not going to be very useful, either for pitching or for cuts.
4. Any 'hit single' type of music. This is the case where 'you know it when you hear it' but obviously, if music is good, it's good.
5. Writers who have deep catalog. We can't take on a client based on one song, no matter how good it is, unless it's already the single on Rihanna's next album. We need writers who write A LOT and who already have a decent amount of music recorded. Artists who don't yet have an album's worth of music recorded haven't written enough yet. It usually takes writing 20 or 30 songs to get 10 good ones.
Genre-wise, I'm open to just about anything, aside from what I've already laid out.” Richard Hellstern
See you Saturday, July 31st.
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Songwriters Challenge…Due Aug. 7th
“No More”
Many songwriters, 1 song title and no more than 30 days to write a song
WHAT: An event where songwriters will present an original song, all using the same song title and having been given no more than one month to work on it.
SONG TITLE: “No More” This title was randomly selected from title submissions online at AzOpenMic.com. This title was submitted by and we offer our thanks to Bob Tippen a local songwriter. Thanks also to everyone who submitted titles.
THE POINT: To have a fun exercise in songwriting and share and observe it with other songwriters. It’s an exhibition, not a competition as such although for some there are radio appearances or other opportunities that are based on the song and performance at the event. We also have drawings for prizes amongst the participants including studio time, services and merchandise donated by generous and supportive local music-related businesses.
WHEN: 2:00pm - 6:00pm, Saturday, August 7, 2010
WHERE: Chino Bandidos in Chandler, 1825 W. Chandler Blvd
San Marcos Square, Chandler, AZ 85224, (480) 889-5990
(SE corner of Dobson and Chandler Blvd. behind Walgreens)
To participate, write a song entitled “No More” and be prepared to present it live at the event. We ask that the song be presented live as it makes the event much more interesting to the audience. For those who want instrumental backup we will have rehearsals at SER Soundworks a week before the event and can give you guitar, bass, keyboard or backing vocals for your song. It’s free thanks to the guys at SER. A sound system will be provided at the event. Questions? Contact Chris Frazer at chris@azopenmic.com or better yet, add AZ Open Mic on facebook. Also, if you would like to volunteer with various tasks associated with this event contact Chris also. Thanks!
CONSIDER YOURSELVES CHALLENGED!!
You have less than 30 days this time…get to writing!
Note: Some spectators very much enjoy this event as they watch the different directions that songwriters go given all the same song title. Some, including local media, may and at past events have video taped performances. Feel free to ask them to stop if you do not wish to be taped.
Songwriters Challenge Chris Frazer http://www.azopenmic.com
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Any questions, you can reach us by email at azsongwriters@cox.net .
The website address is www.azsongwriters.com
Thanks,
Jon Iger
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Tuesday night, July 13th from 7 to 9pm, is the 2nd Tuesday Songs in Progress Workshop. Location is 8607 N. 59th Ave., Glendale AZ, at the office of Connolly Accounting, hosted by Gavan Wieser. Get feedback on your songs from several of your peers. The songs can be finished or unfinished, and can be presented live with or without guitar, or on CD or cassette. Bring a half dozen or so lyric sheets to pass around. No charge to attend. More info from Gavan at punkfolker@aol.com .
Our next SongPitch will be Saturday, July 31, from 2pm to 5pm, with sign-in starting at 1pm.
Location is Fiddlers Dream Coffeehouse in North Phoenix at 1702 E Glendale. Go to www.fiddlersdream.org for a map or more info on the location.
Admission: $20 Members of ASA, NSAI, NARIP, & Chicks with Picks; Non-members $25.
Our featured guest will be Richard Hellstern of Pen Music Group in L.A. www.penmusic.com
PEN Music Group, Inc. has operated as a full-service independent music publishing company since 1994 and is celebrating its 16th anniversary in 2010. President Michael Eames co-founded this alternative to multinational publishers with Colorado-based partner Pat Hoyman. For these fifteen years, PEN has offered one-on-one attention as a boutique company combined with A-list music contacts in film, TV and advertising with an ever-growing success rate. PEN represents the catalogues of: writer/artists such as GRAMMY®-nominated Wendy Waldman, Dan Bern, Fisher, Michael Ruff and Gina Shock (The Go-Gos); writer/producers such as Elicit Music (Rob Hoffman & Heather Holley), Jeeve, 5x5 Productions and Matt & Paul Sherrod; and writers such as Emmy®-nominated lyricist Amy Powers and Oscar®-nominated Gwil Owen.PEN’s songs have been on albums by artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae, k.d. lang, Santana, Christina Aguilera, Faith Hill, Paulina Rubio, Macy Gray, Kenny Rogers, Kenny Loggins, Bonnie Raitt and Luther Vandross among countless others. PEN also proudly represents a developing roster of independent and up-and-coming bands and artists that includes Hypnogaja, Gypsy Soul, Dive Index, Sara Haze, Cord and Feel among many others. PEN's catalogue spans every musical genre from jazz standards, pop, rock, R&B and hip-hop to folk, Latin, world music and film scores. The company secures hundreds of placements in film, TV, advertising and video games every year.
Richard Hellstern has used his educational background in music and theatre to produce live music events starring all kinds of musicians from American Idol runner up Kimberley Caldwell to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Eddie Van Halen. He has worked with the likes of musician Raymond Pounds (Stevie Wonder’s Songs in the Key of Life), conductor Damon Intrabartolo (Halloween: H20, Eight Legged Freaks) and composer John Ottman (X-Men 2, Fantastic Four, Superman Returns) among others. As Royalties Manager for PEN, he is responsible for mechanical licensing, income tracking and quarterly accounting, while as Creative Manager he assists Michael in pitching music to television, films and advertising campaigns.
They are looking for pretty much all types of music, except country, (unless phenomenal).
Here’s what Mr. Hellstern had to say about what music they need right now:
“Regarding the kind of music we are looking for, I'll sum it up...
What I'm NOT looking for:
1. Country. We already have several country acts, and country is a very specific pitch. Even in the realm of cuts on a-list albums, I'm not really looking for country. Of course, if it's phenomenal I'll listen, but I'll be generally uninterested in country.
2. Bad recording quality. Even if the writer is seeking cuts on an album and wants to excuse the demo quality because it will be re-cut, a bad demo will always go in the trash.
What I AM looking for:
1. Hip hop, soul, R&B. Basically any good urban music would be nice to hear.
2. Happy or upbeat songs. Too many writers write about breakups and sad things, and those songs don't sell toothpaste or airlines. I'll be particularly interested if a song is bright and cheery and doesn't talk about a relationship gone wrong.
3. Songs that are lyrically relatable to more than one situation. If a song talks about Santa Fe, or New York, or a girl named Jane, it's not going to be very useful, either for pitching or for cuts.
4. Any 'hit single' type of music. This is the case where 'you know it when you hear it' but obviously, if music is good, it's good.
5. Writers who have deep catalog. We can't take on a client based on one song, no matter how good it is, unless it's already the single on Rihanna's next album. We need writers who write A LOT and who already have a decent amount of music recorded. Artists who don't yet have an album's worth of music recorded haven't written enough yet. It usually takes writing 20 or 30 songs to get 10 good ones.
Genre-wise, I'm open to just about anything, aside from what I've already laid out.” Richard Hellstern
See you Saturday, July 31st.
You can reach us by email at azsongwriters@cox.net
The website address is www.azsongwriters.com
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Arizona Songwriters SongPitch Saturday
Plus special FREE bonus from MyStudio! See details below*
Saturday, June 26, 2010, 2pm to 5pm
Registration begins at 1pm
This SongPitch features Nashville Publisher Dan Hodges.
Dan is looking for great songs to pitch in Nashville.
Here’s a quote about what he’s looking for:
“I’m mainly looking for songs I think I can pitch and have a shot with. We pitch to all the major country artists and producers. I’m also always looking for talented up and coming writers.”
Dan’s company, Dan Hodges Music was awarded ASCAP Country Song of the Year 2008 for the Billy Currington smash, “Good Directions”, written by Rachel Thibodeau and Luke Bryan!
Dan has placed songs with many other major label artists including Martina McBride, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Marie Osmond, Katharine McPhee and many more.
In addition to his success at placing songs, Dan has proven that he has an exceptional skill in discovering talented songwriters before they happen! Among those Dan has discovered and signed to their first publishing deals are Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins (cowriters who penned ASCAP 2007 Song of the Year “Before He Cheats” for Carrie Underwood), Victoria Banks (sole writer of the Sara Evans smash “Saints and Angels”) and most recently, Rachel Thibodeau, mentioned above! Find more details on his website, or in the Biography below. www.danhodgesmusic.com
The Arizona Songwriters SongPitch featuring Dan Hodges will be held June 26 at
Fiddlers Dream Coffee House and Acoustic Music Venue in Phoenix.
Admission is $30 for members of ASA, NARIP & NSAI; $35 for non-members.
Remember, registration starts at 1pm. (Slight price increase is due to travel cost increases).
Bring your song on CD or cassette, along with a LYRIC SHEET. Have your Lyric Sheet wrapped around your CD or cassette with a rubber band. Have cassettes CUED up to the correct song. If you have more than one song on your CD, mark the outside of your folded lyric sheet as to which track you want played, (such as track #2) Due to time constraints, one song per writer, please.
Songs will be listened to in the order that they are signed-in. Songwriters from Northern & Southern Arizona (Prescott, Tucson, etc.) that need to leave early to get back on the road will be offered the courtesy of playing their songs early.
Location of Fiddlers Dream in Phoenix:
SouthEast Corner of 17th St. & Cactus Wren, just 1 block North of Glendale Ave. & a little West of the 51 Freeway. (closest major cross streets are Glendale Ave. & 16th St.) For a map go to www.fiddlersdream.org .
*Special FREE bonus from MyStudio & AZSongwriters…
(While supplies last…Get there early to be sure to get YOUR gift card!)
Arizona Songwriters Association attendees will receive a complimentary MyStudio Gift Card - $20 Value
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This Changes Everything!
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Dan Hodges Biography
Born in the Washington, D.C area and raised in Nashville, Dan Hodges has built a creditable reputation as a music industry professional over the past 15 years. After receiving his degree in music business, at Middle Tennessee State University, he immediately began his career as manager of BMG Music Publishing’s catalog and tape room. After showing a diligence to “get the job done” and competence in many areas, including his exceptional ability to cast songs for various artists, Dan was ultimately promoted to Professional Manager. Having flourished in that position, in 1997 Dan completed a successful five-year stint at BMG.
Always looking for opportunities that allow him to grow professionally, Dan set out to increase his contacts and experience by accepting a position as Creative Director for legendary R&B producer/publisher Rick Hall’s company, Fame Music Publishing.
In 1999, following a 2 year run at Fame, Dan was hired by Hall of Fame Songwriter and veteran publisher Roger Murrah, becoming Creative Director of Murrah Music Corporation. Dan’s tenure with Murrah was briefly interrupted, while he took some time to help form Create Real Music, an independent publishing company which he eventually left. With encouragement from Murrah, Dan returned. As part of his new alliance with Murrah Music, he formed his own publishing company, Large Opportunity Music, along with an independent song plugging service, through which he represented a number of additional clients. In January of 2005, Dan dissolved his independent songplugging service and went to work full-time at Murrah Music Corporation and held the position of Vice President, Creative until April 2008.
Dan Hodges Music opened its doors on April 15, 2008. Operating from just off the round-a-bout on world famous Music Row, DHM builds music careers and catalogs in conjunction with its clients through the development of their songs and networking of their writers. In addition to many cuts since opening DHM, Dan had the opportunity in late 2009 to shop Bicycle Music's artist/writer Josh Kelley for a country record deal. As a result, Josh was signed by Universal Music Nashville in November 2009. Kelley's album and first single should be released late 2010.
Dan has successfully placed songs on albums generating over 10 million units in sales throughout his career. Among those songs are the hits “Where Would You Be” by Martina McBride and “I’m A Survivor” by Reba McEntire, which became the theme song for her hit television show, Reba. He was also responsible for pairing artist Rachel Proctor with songwriter Chris Tompkins for cowriting, resulting in Rachel’s hit single and video “Me and Emily.” Dan’s Large Opportunity Music is also enjoying recent success with Billy Currington’s ASCAP 2008 Country Song of the Year and 3 week #1 “Good Directions” and songs recorded by Lila McCann, Blaine Larsen, Kenny Rogers, The Isaacs, Carmen Rasmusen, Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Jill King, Little Texas, Dianna Corcoran (Sony, Australia), Jill Johnson (Lionheart Records, Sweden), Swedish Pop artist "The Gentlemen", Katharine McPhee(American Idol finalist), Pinmonkey and Marie Osmond, as well as two songs on Martina McBride’s “Waking Up Laughing” album which is certified Gold. As a result of Dan’s efforts, other songs have been recorded by George Jones, Buddy Jewell, Clay Walker, Colin Raye, Jeff Bates, Dean Brody, Blake Wise, Lauren Lucas, Tracy Lawrence, Ricky Van Shelton, Doug Stone, John Anderson, South 65, Keith Harling, Chad Brock, Shannon Brown, and Mark Chesnutt.
In addition to his success at placing songs, Dan has proven that he has an exceptional skill in discovering talented songwriters before they happen. Among those Dan has discovered and signed to their first publishing deals are Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins (cowriters who penned ASCAP 2007 Song of the Year “Before He Cheats” for Carrie Underwood), Victoria Banks (sole writer of the Sara Evans smash “Saints and Angels”) and most recently, Rachel Thibodeau (the writer of the 3 week #1, ASCAP 2008 Song of the Year “Good Directions” for Billy Currington as well as 2 songs for Martina McBride).
Dan, his wife Susan, and their children, Josie, Lillian and Galen reside in the Nashville area.
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You can reach us by Email at azsongwriters@cox.net If you want to deleted, send us an email.
Website is www.azsongwriters.com
See you at Fiddlers Dream on Saturday, June 26th!
Jon Iger
PS…Please pass this newsletter along to anyone you think might be interested in participating. Thanks