DAY - 257+258

Back at Starbucks this morning.  Have you noticed the drastic improvement in the turkey bacon, egg white breakfast sandwich?  That's the best 230 calories I'll eat all day!

I forgot to mention yesterday.  I got a new song cut!!  Just got the word on Friday that a country artist will be cutting a new song of mine.  The call came from co-writer and Demolition Publishing owner, Jon D'Agostino.  More details to come asap!

Last night, I heard back from Casey James' manager, Bryan Frasher, about the song I pitched.  He loved the song, but didn't think it would fit on the record.  When I wrote him back, I thanked him for the kind words and for listening.  I didn't even mention that I heard from Casey directly.

This morning, I started follow ups.  I reached out to my rep at ASCAP, LeAnn Phelan as well as Mark Brown from Round Hill Publishing.  Just wanted to touch base, give an update and try to schedule a meeting for September.  My catalog has grown in leaps and bounds since I last met with both LeAnn and Mark and I'd love to play them some new songs.

That's a wrap for today!  Looking forward to Friday and a long weekend!

DAY - 255+256

Staying positive.  Easier said than done sometimes.  I'm not adjusting to daily grind (day job) as well and as fast as I had hoped.  Maybe I've been a free bird for too long.  Maybe I'm selfish.  Maybe I don't like being responsible for anything extra...outside myself and my family.  Maybe I don't like having to answer to someone else.  Maybe I hate not being in control of my own time.  Maybe it's all of the above and more.  Probably is.  I don't mean to make this a venting session or a sounding board, but I'm sure many of you reading this can relate.  And I'm sure many of you can't relate.  You can say, "Get over it!"  "That's life...and it only gets harder!"  And you'd be right.  But, for me, these feelings are brand new.  So "Stay positive" is my focus.  My plan? Push harder, work longer, get up earlier, go to bed later.  But, how do you balance family?   How do you do what you HAVE to do and do what you really WANT to do all in one day when there isn't enough time?   I guess we're all figuring that one out.

Back to business...

Two great writing sessions back to back.  Monday, I wrote with Scot and Suzie Sax and last night I wrote with Matt Santry.

Scot, Suzie and I strummed out another really cool song.  Btw, I have to post the last one we wrote.  It's beautiful and Scot's plugger really loves the song!  Coming this week.

Matt Santry and I are putting the finishing touches on a song he is about to release.  The music is already recorded, we're just tweaking the lyrics before Matt hits the studio to sing.

Yesterday, I pitched "Pretty Little Liars" star Lucy Hale.  She is a burgeoning country artist looking for songs for an album.  I pitched her team, "Break" and "Happily Ever Over".  You can listen to those songs at www.mynameisaugust.bandcamp.com

Alright, I've got about an hour before school begins.  Time to pitch some more music!

DAY - 252-254

It's about 7am Friday morning and I'm sitting in my local Starbucks sucking down the usual americano and starting to wake up.  I've been here since 6:30am and don't have to be at school until 8:30am.  This gives  me a nice 1-2hour window to get some work done and post.

It's been a pretty cool week.  Some highlights...

 At School Of Rock, I started teaching a new student.  Her dad joined us for her trial lesson.  During the lesson, we got to talking and he said he was "a songwriter, producer, you know, you gotta be a little bit of everything in this town" very nonchalant.  After the lesson, I come to find out he's one of the biggest producers in Nashville!! Currently working on 2 or 3 HUGE new records.  That was definitely an "only in Nashville" moment.

Yesterday, I pitched Casey James a song for his upcoming project.  Casey is a super talented singer/ country artist that gained fame from being a finalist on season 9 of American Idol.  He was signed immediately to Columbia records.  Casey has a powerful voice and a great presence.  Long story short, he got back to me personally, right away, letting me know he listened to the song and thanked me for sending.  However, it wasn't his style.  Actually, a pretty cool tid bit of info...Casey does not sing songs that have drinking or alcohol references.  The song I sent, the first verse was set in a bar.  Anyway, I responded letting him know I dig that choice and that I opened for him a few years ago with Co-writer, Liv Devine. We've begun corresponding. Hoping to keep in touch!

Also, check out the new music video from rising country singer, Liv Devine. "Cupcakes &Wine" BIG thanks to Liv and the band for choosing the song we wrote for their next single!!

http://youtu.be/B6lmn7RYdLk

The pitching machine continues...

Yesterday, I pitched Jana Kramer "Break".  I pitched her A&R team.  This morning, so far, I pitched Rodney Aktins' producer for his new project.  He's looking for songs that say something cool about going through life so I pitched " Die Happy".  

Fingers crossed!  Another power-packed week in music city is coming to a close and I'm ready for the weekend.  Hope you enjoy!

DAY - 250+251

Pitching...teaching...writing...pitching...teaching...writing...repeat...

Head is spinning a bit...but...I'm starting to get a handle on things.  I think.

Three great writing sessions over the past two days.  Monday, I met Vince Constantino at a pretty sweet Starbucks in Hermitage, TN.  This Starbucks has a great outdoor area with ceiling fans and tons of space.  It made for a great location to hang and write, especially when no instruments were necessary.  Later that night, I met Jon D'Agostino for a Skype session.  We worked on tweaks to our latest song as well.  Tightened up both tunes and now looking to demo soon!

Today, I had co-write with co-writer, James Breedwell.  James is a talented writer who has been blessed with success!   He has a ton of cuts with indie artists and major label artists as well as a big cut with the young and super talented, Jackie Evancho of "America's Got Talent" fame.

On to pitching!
Monday, I pitched Thomas Rhett's A&R team.  I pitched "My Happy Hour" and a new song called "Rebound".  This morning I pitched Love & Theft's producer, A&R and Management.  I sent "Brand New Love Song" and Happily Ever Over".

You can check out all these songs (except Rebound) at www.mynameisaugust.bandcamp.com

"Rebound" demo is in the works and coming soon!!

DAY - 249

TGIF!!!!   I know I've said it before, but I've honestly never exclaimed it with such enthusiasm. Classroom teaching is hard work.  If people actually knew how much work it was before getting into it we would have a lot less teachers.  Because...it's not just teaching.  It's piles of paperwork, it's learning 10 different computer systems, it's memorizing policies and procedures, grading, it's having your air conditioner break in 95 degree heat and waiting a month for it to be fixed,  it's dealing with 7th grade middle school girl drama. :)  And I'm sure I missed a lot.  My point is that "Teaching" is literally only 50% of the gig.

Alright, got that off my chest now we can move forward... back to business.

School starts at 8:40am.  The plan, now, is to wake up extra early every week day and do my networking. Wether it's pitching songs, booking weekly writing sessions, or trying to schedule publisher meetings, I will attempt to stay disciplined and do all of this in the wee hours of the morning.

Today, I pitched Randy Houser's team.  I reached out to his producer as well as his manager.  The song I chose to pitch was Brand New Love Song

After that, I pitched new female artist, Lindsay Ell.  I reached out Lindsay Ell's production team, New Voice Entertainment.  I chose to pitch her 2 songs.  Break and Happily Ever Over.

That's it for today.  Hope you have an amazing weekend! Stay tuned.

DAY - 247+248

Short on time, but wanted to post!  The past couple days I've been waking up extra early and using the time to pitch songs.

Yesterday, I pitched Carrie Underwood again. This time, I pitched her producer's assistant.  Trying to get through the gates!  The songs I pitched were "Break" and "Happily Ever Over".

This morning, I pitched Billy Currington.  I sent songs to his producer and his A&R rep.  I pitched, "Old Beach Town", and "Young & Stupid".

You can check these songs out at www.mynameisaugust.bandcamp.com

Cheers!!

DAY - 245+246

Last night was an amazing night of music!

I was honored to be a part of the first annual Wrecking Ball Writer Showcase hosted by Demolition Music Publishing.  Belcourt Taps was packed all night.  So much talent showed up to play and we had an awesome crowd!  I want to thank all of you who came out to support.  It was a blast!

I was in the first round with Demolition writer, Jason Eustice and a phenomenal singer by the name of Taryn Papa.  I played, Die Happy, Caught In A Storm, and Happy Hour. My first song, Die Happy, was a little rusty...forgot some lyrics... think my nerves may have gotten the best of me.  I recovered, got comfortable and crushed the second 2 songs.  After the set, I made rounds, said hi and introduced myself to some really cool people. Here's the flyer with a list of the folks that played!

Tonight, I have a skype writing session with the super team of Tammy Jacobs and Jason Eustice.  We have a tweak session tonight to go over and edit some of our finished work.  Tighten things up and make sure we're good to go before demoing.

DAY - 240-244

My apologies for for the delay on posting.  To be completely honest, there's not much to post.  This week was the first week in "MI365 - Chapter 2: Nashville" history that I totally fell short of my goal.  I'm not going to sit here and give excuses.  Yes, the teaching gig is in full swing. Yes, I'm crazy busy.  However, the fault is mine for not creating the time.  Like I said earlier, this is going to be a test in time management and multi-tasking.  I blew it this week and have to deal with the fact that I have 5 whole business days of basically zero new progress.  Not happy.

Today, I made up for it a little.  I had a killer writing session at Demolition Music Publishing with Jon D'Agostino, Stone Aielli, and Troy Castellano.  We knocked out a killer new tune.  Something fresh and different. Country with a soulful R&B flair.  Pretty sweet.  Looking forward to finishing this tune.  Tonight, it's dinner with the Demolition family and possibly some Karaoke!

Monday night, I'm playing Demolition Music Publishing first ever Wrecking Ball Writer's Showcase!  It's at 8pm at Belcourt Taps.  If you're in town, come hang and check out some future hits! ;) I'm playing in the first round so don't be late.  Cheers!

DAY - 237-239

This past week I began a new chapter.  For the first time in my life, I have a boss. (Well, technically, a principle)  That's right, I have accepted a position to teach music at a middle school in Nashville, TN.
My program will consist of teaching piano, songwriting/composition, recording arts and chorus to 5th-8th middle schoolers.  I'm feeling anxious, scared, nervous, overwhelmed, excited, and a whole other host of emotions all at once.

Being able to teach these content areas is an amazing opportunity.  It's also a BIG commitment.  Full-time.  For the first time, my schedule is not totally under my control and that freaks me out!  I've been asked on numerous occasions lately, "How are you going to keep up with songwriting???"  My answer... really long hours!  I'm prepared to take on the responsibility of 2 full-time jobs... as well as being a husband, owning a home, and starting a potential future family.  How? You ask.  One day at a time. Lol!   My motivation, drive, time-management, and ability to multi-task will be tested at a whole other level.  I have no doubt that I will rise to the occasion, but not without a struggle.

For Sue and I, this opportunity gives us the means to purchase a home, pay off college debt, and do some things we've been wanting to do for a while.  As scary as it is to enter this new chapter, it is exciting.  Time to take it up another notch.  Wish me luck!!

Back to business...

The end of last week was spent working on new song demos.  Co-writer, Vanessa Branson sang vocals on the song we wrote with Kirk Penney.  I worked on a demo of the song I wrote with Jen Armstrong from the UK.   I also sent some follow emails to a few publishers.

New Music!!  Here's #4 of the 5 new demos I promised.  It's called DIE HAPPY.   It's a fun summer song with a cool storyline and a great beat.  Seems appropriate at the moment. ;)   Written with Jon D'Agostino & James Breedwell.  That's Daniel Mason on the lead vocals and me singing harmonies.  Track by Jason Garner.