DAY - 279-280

Fall break is fast approaching!  I'm looking at a full week off from school starting this coming Saturday. You know what that means...time to go on a writing binge!  This two writing sessions a week thing has been totally killing the creative flow.  Normally, I'm able to do more but with the purchase of the house...renovations, etc. it's been too hectic to fit more in.   Next week, I'm going to try and write as many songs as possible.  I'll be playing "creative catch up" if you will.  Can't wait!

Speaking of writing sessions, I've got a great one lined up for tomorrow night.  I'm writing with Jason Eustice, Tammy Jacobs, and Tammy's friend, Erica who I haven't written with yet. Tammy, Jason and I have written three killer songs together already so I'm looking forward to knocking another one out of the park!

This morning and yesterday morning, I spent some time sending emails out to schedule writing sessions for next week as well as trying to schedule some publisher meetings.

I want to get everything booked and scheduled ahead of time because Sue and I are also trying to do the majority of our move next week.  We pushed back the move date as much as possible to allow time for the renovations we're doing so it looks like we officially move in October 12th now.  Crunch time!

DAY - 278

Morning Starbucks routine.  The weather has been amazing this week.  Fall at it's best.  I'm staring into a weekend full of home renovation.  Even though it's tough work, I'm looking forward to it!

I took another big swing this morning and pitched Keith Urban's team.  I pitched his A&R at Universal Music, his producer, and his management at Borman Entertainment.  I decided to send only one song... Beach Town.   I know the song is a strong pitch for Keith.  I'm just hoping to get through and in the mix on this one.

Hope you have a great weekend!

DAY - 275-277

Gotta keep this one short.  Busy day ahead and I have to be at school extra early to get some papers graded, etc.  

Tuesday, I took a big swing and pitched Luke Bryan's team a few songs.  I reached out to his A&R at Universal Music Group as well as his manager at Red Light Management.  The two songs I pitched were "Rebound" and "Happy Hour". 

Wednesday, I made a couple pitches.  I reached out to Joe Nichols producer, Derek George and pitched "Rebound" as well as "Die Happy".  I also pitched a new country duo called American Young.  They had a single last year that was a great song called, "Love Is War".  I love their sound so I figured I'd reach out.  They're currently signed with Curb records so I sent emails their A&R at Curb.  I sent them, "Happily Ever Over" and "Bring Me Back to Life".  

You can hear all these songs at www.mynameisaugust.bandcamp.com 

Last Friday, while waiting in the lobby of Warner Music for my meeting, I met a few people who were also waiting for meetings.  One of which, was a manager by the name of Louis O'Reilly from Invictus Entertainment Group.  We got to talking and Louis gave me his card and told me to send him some songs.  So I did this morning. We shall see! 

Hope you have a great Thursday!  

DAY - 272-274

Apologies for the delay in posting.  I usually try to get a post in before the weekend, but I got totally consumed with home renovation.  My father-in-law has been in town helping us sand and stain the floors, patch drywall, run new electricity, etc, etc.   Almost ready for the official move-in which has been pushed back to October 9th.  The place is really coming together nicely.  I'll try to post some before and afters soon.  :)

Last week is a blur.   I did a lot of pitching and a lot of following up.

I also had the BIGGEST meeting of my career as a writer so far.  Last week, I met with director of A&R at Warner Music, Rebekah Gordon.  The experience was surreal.

I drive up and down Music Row, every other day, wondering what the insides of these big major labels look like and when or if I'll get the opportunity to be invited in the doors.  Well, the opportunity came.  And I am confident in saying, I was ready.  The meeting went fantastic.  Rebekah, besides being a super talented A&R rep, is an awesome person.  I played her about 5 or 6 songs and received great response...especially on 3 them that she thought might be a good fit for some of her artists.  Fingers crossed.

Ultimately, even if nothing happens (and odds are, it probably won't) at the end of the meeting, the door was left open...and that's a success all by itself.

I love Nashville.  

DAY - 270+271

Great day yesterday.  Woke up early for the usual Starbucks hang and pitched Billy Currington's A&R a couple songs.  I heard he's still looking to finish up his latest project so I pitched a few more.  I sent over "Die Happy" and a brand new song called, "One Kiss".

"One Kiss" is a new song I wrote with Demolition Music's, Jon D'Agostino, as well as Troy Castellano, and Stone Aielli.  Jason Garner productions demoed the song and it turned out killer...at least in my humble opinion. ;)  Check it out...lemme know what you think!

Last night, I had a writing session with the incredibly talented husband and wife team of Scot Sax and Suzie Brown.  We knocked another one out last night and, honestly, I think we knocked this one out of the park!   Very cool song.  Outside-the-box lyric approach and topic, and a killer melody and arrangement.  Looking forward to demoing this one.

This morning, I decided to follow up yesterday's pitch by sending the same songs to his whole team, A&R, management, and producer.  Fingers crossed.  I'd love a Billy Currington cut.  He's one of my favorite country artists.  As always, we shall see.

Cheers!

DAY - 269

Here we are, Monday morning.  Always comes faster than you want it to.  Right now, I'm at the usual Starbucks enjoying my first pumpkin spice latte of the season.  They started offering them a couple weeks ago, but it just didn't feel right. Too hot outside.  This morning, it's 62 degrees in Nashville,  my car windows were fogged when I left the house and there is a faint smell of burning firewood in the air.  Perfect.  If you've been reading this blog for the past couple years, you know that Fall is my favorite season.  I love anything and everything pumpkin.  Next on my list, a good pumpkin beer.  Let me know if you've heard of any new ones!

The new house is awesome!  Sue and I have been hard at work ripping up carpets, tearing down walls, and doing misc. demolition.  On Saturday, we took our first trip to the dump and yesterday, we painted the entire inside.  Official move-in date is October 9th.  We're hoping to have a big portion of the reno done before we move.

Back to biz...

I just got done pitching "Break" to Cassadee Pope's team.  If you haven't heard of Cassadee Pope, she won The Voice a few seasons back and has had two big hits on country radio since her win.  When J Fred Knobloch and I wrote, "Break" the first person I heard it for was Cassadee Pope.  Hoping to get through on this one.  I pitched her producer as well as her A&R team at Big Machine.

DAY - 267+268

Dragging a bit this morning.  I went to Soulshine last night with co-writers, Jon D'Agostino and Adam Searan to check out some writers. (Jon, Adam & I, co-wrote "Young & Stupid, the song Tim Sweeney is cutting for his new album refer to day 257+258)

I wasn't even out that late, but I guess my body has become accustomed to hitting the hay early now.  Ahhh the life of a teacher.  :)  Anyway, it was fun just hanging and catching up.  Jon and Adam had a killer week.  They came in first place for the prestigious, "John Lennon songwriter's competition" for their song "Last".  It's on Adam's new EP he just released.  If you haven't heard Adam Searan, check him out...he's gonna blow up!  www.iamtheband.net    Also, Jon got a cut on Sammy Kershaw's new album.  Pretty awesome stuff! I feel blessed to have become friends with such talented and just awesome people like Jon and Adam.  

Before I went out last night I taught at School of Rock.  One of my students father's happens to be a manager and boutique label owner that reps some pretty cool acts.  I met him for the first time last night and we hit it off.  He gave me his card and asked me to send over some music.  Umm Sweet! Hopefully more to come on that.

Closed out this week by making a pitch to country artist, Josh Thompson.  Josh is looking for uptempo radio songs so I pitched "Happy Hour" and "Rebound" to his A&R and producer.  Fingers crossed and prayers being said...as always. :)

Have a great weekend!

DAY - 264-266

Crazy days!  Pitching, writing, repeat... Oh and btw... My wife Sue and I bought our first house!!!   Here's a pic.

                                                                       

                           

On the pitch list has been...
Thompson Square, Natalie Stovall & The Drive, Sarah Ross, and Reba McEntire.  Yes, Reba.  Swinging for the fences on that one ;)

Here's a brand new song I wrote with husband and wife, dream team, Scot Sax and Suzie Brown.  It's called "Bring Me Back to Life" and I'm in love with this little song.  Scot did a great job with the demo.  Simple and straight to the point.  Hope you enjoy.

https://mynameisaugust.bandcamp.com/track/bring-me-back-to-life

DAY - 262+263

VERY cool couple of days!

Right after I posted my last post, before leaving Starbucks, I check my email one more time.  There was another email from Red Light Management letting me know they forwarded "I'm Not Practice" directly to The Band Perry!!  (refer to days 259-261)  Crazy stuff!  It is definitely an out-of-the-box pitch so I'm glad they dug it enough to send to the band.  I haven't heard anything since Wednesday but still, fingers crossed and prayers being said.

I heard back from the director of A&R at Warner Music Nashville.  A&R is in charge of scouting and signing major label acts.  A&R is also responsible (in most cases) for listening for hit songs to send to their roster of artists.  Today, I'm feeling very blessed and totally pumped that a BIG door has opened.  Warner Music has invited me in for a meeting to play them songs!!   Warner artists include, Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow, Gloriana, and many more huge name acts.  I can't wait to get in there, shake some hands, play some songs, and hopefully be invited back.  ;)

Pitching news...

Yesterday, J Fred Knobloch and I pitched "Break" to Kellie Pickler's team.  Kellie is looking for an anthemic, soaring chorus, type song so J Fred and I thought it'd be a strong pitch.  J Fred has worked with pretty much everyone on her team at one point or another so I figured it was wise to have him make the pitch.  As always, we shall see.

Stay tuned and have a great weekend!

DAY - 259-261

Hope you had a fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend!  My weekend wasn't very relaxing but it was a blast!  Sue and I went to a friend's wedding in the Outer Banks. (Duck, NC)  Everything about the weekend was perfect.  The weather, the venue, the food, the friends, etc. How much fun was it?  Let me sum it up by saying, by the end of the party half the guests ended up in the pool...fully clothed! Including myself. :)  Now that was a party.  Congrats Adam and Amber!!

Also, a big congrats to co-writer, Liv Devine and her husband Chris Dunn who we're also married this weekend!

Been working hard the past few days pitching and following up with contacts...here's some highlights.

Connected with Natalie Harker from Liz Rose Music and we're setting up a meeting for this month! Natalie is a super-talented creative director with a great ear for hit songs.  I'm totally pumped to meet with her again and show her the new stuff I've been working on.

I pitched new country artist Michael Ray.  I pitched him "My Happy Hour".  Heard back from Warner Brothers letting me know they are done looking for his project.

This morning, I pitched the Band Perry's team.  I pitched both their management at Red Light as well as their producer.  I sent something totally outside-the-box production-wise but I just have a hunch that if it gets to the band...they'll dig it.  I wrote the song with grammy-winner, Scot Sax and it's called "I'm Not Practice".   Wait...just got email...as I'm typing this post, I actually just heard back from their management.  He said he's going to "pass it along."  Sweeettt!  I don't know to whom, but that's awesome!  Fingers crossed it gets in to the right hands!

Alright gotta run, get my free ice coffee refill, and head to school to educate the future of America.  Cheers!