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February 21, 2008 08:32PM
I just wanted to go ahead and bring my songwriting experience up to date. April '08 will be 14 years of songwriting. Before I started to write this, I went back to see where I had left off in chronicalling my journey. What I found was all dollar amounts I mentioned were replaced with "0's." I'm sorry if I did something wrong or offended someone! I thought what I had listed was common knowledge regarding amounts spent on demos and amounts collected from mechanical licenses. I did go back and edit my post, making the "0's" into "X's." I didn't want it to look like I spent 0 dollars on my songwriting! It actually can be a rather expensive offering!
I've heard it said that success is where preparation meets opportunity. I wanted to share some of the opportunities that have come my way and how I found them.
I finally signed my first publishing contract 5 years ago...9 years and 100+ songs into my writing. I say that, again, as an encouragement to anyone who may be wondering if it will EVER happen for them. Mine was with Eugene McCammon and his annual convention-style songbook published by Cumberland Valley School of Gospel Music. Mr. McCammon was one of my theory teachers at the Stamps-Baxter school and it meant the world to me to finally find an outlet for my writing. Someone who saw value in what I was doing and could use it! I've made a point to work hard toward having a song in each book he's published since then and he continues to be a tremendous help to me in my learning the craft. Three years ago I found a place in Mr. Charles Towler's convention book as well. His is published by Gospel Heritage Music. The lesson here was to study what a publisher puts out and try to match it. In the process, it helps to be where they are and allow them to put a face to the name. Nevertheless, I tried to crack the convention songbook "market" for 7 years before I finally made it. Perhaps it is sweeter that way!
The next opportunity that came along was from Chris White. It was October 2003 when Mr. White placed an ad in The Singing News saying they were presenting a window of opportunity for songwriters to submit their best 2 songs for consideration with Chris White and Crossroads music. Two points here: study the trade magazines and always be ready should someone be willing to listen to your music! I jumped on the opportunity and received a follow-up saying they would like to send one of my songs on to a potential co-writer for tweaking if it was all right with me. The answer to an opportunity given to work with a stronger writer is ALWAYS "yes!" With that, the song "If It Wasn't For The Cross" came to be. The song was co-written with Tery Wilkins and recorded by The Dills, Greg Bentley, and a few others. The bigger opportunity is being able to continue sending songs to those I've made contact with and, again, continuing to learn from their expertise. I will forever be grateful to Mr. White for taking a chance and opening the door to unknown writers. It has resulted in 3 other songs signed.
To date, I have 15 songs assigned to various publishers. Only the one already mentioned actually recorded...others placed here and there with interest and on hold but, if you write very long, you learn to never count anything as certain until you have it in hand. Like in a movie, mine is the "scene" that usually ends up on the cutting room floor. Obviously, I'm not up to the high quality required. That's okay. I love writing and I love learning so I'll just keep inching along in the right direction and making myself available and ready should the opportunity arise!
'Til next time, let's keep writing!
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November 02, 2007 10:03PM
We received a call around 5:00 this afternoon saying that my Grandfather had died in a farming accident. He was 85. He was also a hero to all of us who had the privilege of knowing him.
He had been in a lot of pain recently from shingles and a battle with cancer that was making a return and he was very lonely following the death of his wife of 66 years this past March. However, he made it clear that the only real joy he had was when he was out of the house and at work. In our hearts, we knew that is how he would like to go...so he has. God bless us in our mourning as he certainly has in our lives together as family.
Thank you for your prayers for us at this time.
Susan
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July 16, 2007 08:21AM
I posted this last year and visited daily. It is a student blogger from the singing school. I thought others might enjoy as well.
allisonlynn.blogspot.com
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