DAY - 97+98

Home for the holidays.  My wife, Susan and I and our dog, Indy made the 14 hour trek back to NJ on Friday afternoon.  We were considering flying for the first time with the little guy but didn't want to chance it.  He's such a loud mouth (7 pound Yorkie) he'd probably have us kicked off the flight.  So we drove, in the rain, and arrived around 3:30am.  Honestly, sans the rain and the late arrival, the drive wasn't bad.  Leaving at 1pm put us in the D.C. area around 1am in which there was NO traffic.  If you've driven through that area you know how bad it can be!

Feels great having nothing to do but spend time with family and friends, relax and re-charge.  Besides last minute Christmas shopping, we've crashed my sister's bakery every day for a daily sugar rush. They're doing the "12 Days of Christmas Cupcakes"... a crazy new flavor every day!    www.sweettbakes.com

Down to business...

This weekend I booked a new writer's night.  Michael Scott, a songwriter from Franklin, TN reached out and asked me to join his writer's round at the locally famous Mercantile Deli in downtown Franklin. Check it out HERE.  I met Michael at the Bluebird Cafe writer's night on December 1st.  Like I was saying earlier, writer's nights are some of the best places to do quality networking.  Show up on time and prepared, play your heart out, and stick around to chat with people/watch the other writers perform.  You never know who you'll meet and who's gonna dig what you're doing.

Today, I reached out hit songwriter, Brent Baxter after reading a fantastic post on his blog (check it out) regarding being busy vs. productive.  The concept of the post is the very reason my blogging adventure  began.

It's almost 1:30pm... time to do some shopping before it gets crazy out there.  Not to mention, today is Day -11 of the 12 Days Of Christmas Cupcakes at Sweet T's ;)

DAY - 95+96

GRADUATED!  Wooo hooo...finally!  I have officially completed my 3 year journey back to music school and I'm proudly standing in the metaphoric light at the end of the tunnel.  It's bright, it's warm and it feels so good.  I thought going back to school would be a difficult...it was.  However, absolutely worth it for me.  Following in the footsteps of a family of professional musicians, I feel ready as ever to make my mark on the musical world.  Wish me luck :)

Yesterday, I reached out to hit songwriter and head of the songwriting department of Belmont University, James Elliott.  As both a hit songwriter and a distinguished professor I felt compelled to reach out to James and introduce myself.

Today, I emailed mega Nashville producer, Dan Huff in regards to the Band Perry's new project.  I pitched a song that is totally out-of-the-box.  The song is one I wrote with Grammy winning songwriter, Scot Sax.  The demo we did is totally retro rock/pop.  However, at the Steve Bloch Speedpitch session last week, one of the publishers loved it and said it could make a totally fresh country/pop song for a female singer w/ attitude.  I decided to give it a whirl.  You can check out the song HERE

Cheers!

DAY - 94+95

Sorry for the delay!   If I'm off this week I apologize.  Last week of student teaching, 2 major tests for certification, a meeting a Belmont University and packing to head back to NJ for the holidays.  It's a bit nutty but I'm keeping up.  I'll keep this short and sweet.

Yesterday, I reached out to song-plugger, and publisher Shane Barrett thanking him for hooking me up with one of his writers, Tammy Jacobs.  Tammy and I wrote a really cool tune.  Actually, you can check it out if you want...it's just a little acoustic work tape, but you'll get the idea... http://mynameisaugust.bandcamp.com/track/start-a-little-life-with-you-wt 

Today I reached out to hugely successful music supervisor, Alexandra Petsavas.  You can check out her stuff at www.chopshoprecords.com.  She is one of the top music supervisors in the biz.  I reached out to Alexandra to send her "Heart On A String".  My co-writer, J Fred Knobloch has been sending it around to the who's who of Nashville songwriters and producers and he's been getting rave reviews.  Come on Bublé!  I'll even give you some of the publishing ;)  Lol...wishful thinking. 

DAY - 93

Happy Happy Friday!  Glad the weekend is here although it's not going to be that relaxing.  I have to take two major tests (Praxis Exams for teaching certification) next week so this weekend my head is going to be buried in the books.  I'll be glad when it's over...that's if I pass...

Anyway, there's a new Country/Pop artist by the name of Leah Turner.  She has a single out called "Take the Keys" and she's signed with Sony Music in Nashville.  I've been hearing the song everyday on the Sirius radio station "The Highway".  Very cool voice and a fresh sound...not to mention a great song.  I just pitched a couple songs to her debut project.  We shall see...

Have a great weekend!

DAY - 92

The winter concert is tonight for my school and I'm conducting 3 songs.  First time I've ever conducted a group in concert.  A little nerve racking.  I have to head back to school soon so I'll make this quick...

Today I pitched producer, Michael Knox 2 songs for Jason Aldean's new project.  Obviously this is a long shot.  Jason is probably getting pitched thousands of songs.  But hey, here's hoping mine goes to the top of the pile ;)

Cheers!

DAY - 91

Today I pitched "Here We Go Again" to producer, Luke Wooten in consideration for Dustin Lynch's new project.  On Monday night,  4 out of the 6 industry pros took a copy of that song. (Refer to yesterday) I know Dustin is looking for something on the New Country side of things and I figured it'd be a good pitch.  I haven't heard anything from the FGL camp yet so I'll keep the pitches flowing.  Fingers crossed, prayers being said.

Just got an email from J Fred Knobloch with a brand new mix and master of "Heart On A String".  He did such a great job on it.  Definitely kicked it up a few notches.  This song still remains one of my absolute favorite songs I've been a part of writing.  Fun fact: My father wrote and recorded the horn parts and my mother played tenor sax on it. :)

DAY - 89+90

Apologies for the delay....

Last night I participated in Steve Bloch's Speed Pitch.  Personally, I thought it was great!  I meet with over 6 music industry pros in less than 2 hours.  From publishers, to managers, to an American Idol finalist, all of whom were looking for music.  I had a fantastic night with amazing response!  5 out of the 6 people I met with wanted copies of one or more of the songs I played for them and 3 of which gave me their personal contact info.  Couldn't have gone better! :)  If you've got a decent size catalog of well-recorded music I highly recommend this event.  You can even do it via Skype.  However, the vibe I got was that some of the pros actually liked meeting in person.  I for one liked meeting in person as well.  You have a better shot of making an actual connection.  Nothing beats a hand shake.  I also met a really cool songwriter who was also attending the session.  All in all, a great night.

Today I reached out to the 3 people that gave me their contact info.  Unfortunately, I'm technically not supposed to divulge the names...but... what I can say is that one was the American Idol finalist, and the other 2 were song pluggers for publishers.  I'm sure if I develop a relationship with any of these people in the future I'll be able to throw out some names.  ;)

So that's the story! 

DAY - 88

I had a half day of teaching today due to inclement weather!  That's 3 extra hours of precious time to use however I wanted to.  I have to say it was a productive 3 hours.  Not only did I work on my professional resume, I cranked out a decent sounding work tape for the song I wrote with AWMG writer, Tammy Jacobs and I contacted Steve Bloch to sign up for his "Speed Pitch" this coming Monday night.

After finishing the work tape I sent it over to Tammy for some final tweaks after which we'll discuss demo options.  I'm pumped... it's a really fun tune.  Looking forward to posting in the near future.

And yes,  I decided to partake in one of Steve Bloch's "Speed Pitches".  I discussed the Speed Pitches about a month ago but couldn't find which day to refer to.  Anyway, if you're interested...  www.steveblochmusic.com 

I had a great phone convo with Steve today and I'm really excited about the event on Monday.  There's going to be some very cool industry pros attending this week!

I'll tell you all about it on Monday night afterwards or on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

DAY - 87

Heard back from Bluebird Cafe today with a date for March!   I also from Terry Seay at All About Z Music with a writer's night date for February.  (refer to yesterday)

Today I reached out to hit songwriter, producer, remixer, DJ, and A&R rep for Major Bob music, Jesse Frasure aka Telemitry.  (Can you say over achiever? Geez...save some work for the rest of us :) )

I decided I'd contact Jesse to introduce myself.  I really admire his writing and production and his ability to be so versatile.   I let him know a little bit about myself, and that I'd love to meet this month to play him some music.  Of course this is a long-stretch.  He is undoubtedly a busy man so for him to want to meet with an unknown is highly unlikely.  But like I said before, that's what this blog is about.

Cheers!

DAY - 86

Today I reached out to Bluebird Cafe as well as some other booking contacts to book myself on some more writer's nights.

One of the biggest advantages about living in Nashville is being able to get involved in writer's nights.  These events are some of the best places for solid networking... both business contacts and future co-writes.  Not to mention, they're a lot of fun!  I'm also finding that some songwriters even host their own writer's nights at some great venues around town.

After speaking with someone at Bluebird today I found out that after you play at least 4 writer's nights they'll give you your own night (if they think you can handle it)  

3 more to go 'til you see "Michael August & Friends" on the calendar!  ;)

Cheers!

DAY - 85

Today I reached out to mega producer, Buddy Cannon.  Mr. Cannon is in the midst of producing Kenny Chesney's latest project and is looking for songs.

I pitched 2 relatively new songs for the project.

I also just posted so you can check them out as well...

Summertime Looks Good On You:  is brand new song I wrote with Nashville hit songwriter, J Fred Knobloch.  Fred and I finished up the demo about a month ago and this is the first pitch.  It's a total country/soul type throw back tune with some very cool and modern loops/production. Fred is singing the vox on this demo and we're both singing the backgrounds.

Rambler's Lament: is a song I wrote with Eric Schwank.  This is actually a live recording of Eric performing the song in my studio back in NJ.  One acoustic guitar, one voice, one take.   It was only supposed to be a work tape, but his performance was so heartfelt and compelling I decided to use it as-is.  

Hope you enjoy!

DAY - 84

I hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend.  I relaxed, ate, drank, and spent, a little too much...but I guess that's what Thanksgiving is all about...right?  Time to get back to the gym and back to work!

I played the world famous Bluebird Cafe last night.  It was a blast!  I got there around 7:30pm and the line at the door was already down the street. It's unbelievable what the show, "Nashville" has done for the Bluebird.  It's always been a famous spot since Garth Brooks set foot on stage in 1987 and was discovered that night.  Now, with the popularity of the TV show, nightly attendance at The Bluebird is of the charts!  Last night was no different.  It was fantastic playing to packed house of folks from all over the world.  I'm not kidding...USA, Canada, Holland, Ireland, and Australia were all in the house last night!!  Crazy.

Today I had a short Skype writing session with long-time friend, bandmate and co-writer, Eric Schwank.  Eric had a great idea that we started laying the groundwork to this afternoon.  It has the makings of a really strong country rock ballad.  Now all we have to do is NOT screw it up.  Lol...easier said than done.

Before the session today I reached out to the Creative Director of Magic Mustang publishing, Juli Newton-Griffith.  I've been hearing some great things about Magic Mustang and their writers. (Jason Aldean and Thompson Square happen to be Magic Mustang writers) I tried reaching out to the other creative director Keithan Melton in the summer but never heard back so I figured I'd try to make another contact.  We shall see.

More to come this week. Stay tuned!