DAY - 303-304

Flying back to NJ this morning for my sister Toni's wedding!!  Can't wait to have a blast with my family and watch my lil sis tie the knot. :)  Amazing!!  Not to mention, I'm gaining a brother-in-law.  Win win!!    My flight leaves in 2 hours so I'll make this one quick.

Yesterday and this early this morning were pitching days.  Yesterday morning, I finished up pitching the rest of Parmalee's team.  This morning I decided to re-pitch Cassadee Pope a newer song I wrote with J Fred Knobloch called "Break".  While we were writing "Break" I had Cassadee in mind the whole time so I really want to push for it to be heard.  We shall see.

Have a great weekend.  Cheers!

DAY - 300-302

Another year down.  Yesterday, was my birthday.  Not bad for a rainy work day.  Sue and I made the best of it last night and went to really cool new restaurant called "Sinema" and afterwards hit our favorite ice cream joint, Jeni's.  Sinema was really good.  High quality, chef inspired, gourmet dishes, cool atmosphere and a very knowledgable food and beverage staff helping pair food with wine selections.  It's a little pricey, but not too bad especially for a special occasion.

Dragging this morning.  I feel like I might be getting sick. Worst timing because this weekend my sister's getting married!  That's right, my sister, Toni and my future brother-in-law, Josh are getting married this weekend at a winery in Cape May, NJ.  Sue and I are flying back this Friday.  Looking forward to seeing my family for the weekend and celebrating such an awesome day!

This past Sunday, I played the Sunday writer's night at Bluebird Cafe.  Fantastic evening of music. About 10 songwriters performed including headlining hit songwriter, Hugh Moffet.  It's still amazes me to show up at a venue and see a line out the door and down the street.  The unassuming, Bluebird Cafe, set in a tiny strip mall, has become a true Nashville destination.  Folks from all over the world come to see shows.  Literally.  On Sunday, there were folks from Australia, England and Canada in attendance. Here's a pic...

Monday morning, I heard back from Joe Nichols' producer, Derek George.  (Refer to Day - 295-297)  I pitched Joe "One Kiss".  This is the first song Derek has gotten back to me about.  He said, "really cool song but not the one."  Damn! feel so close yet so far away.  It's exciting that I'm getting through the door, but of course a bummer I haven't hit the home run yet.  Patience is a virtue.  In the music business that proverb is especially important to remember.  :)

Yesterday morning, I made a few more follow ups and did a little writing with Jon D'Agostino.  This morning, I pitched Parmalee's team, "Brand New Love Song".

My head is up, my spirits are high, and I'm more excited than ever to take on this new year of my life and career.  Wish me luck!  Cheers!

DAY - 298+299

Beautiful week here in Nashville.  I'm excited it's Friday. Supposed to be 70 degrees today!

Shameless Plug Warning:  This Sunday night I'm playing the Sunday writer's night at Bluebird Cafe.  If you're in town, come on out and catch my set! I'll be playing some brand new material.  Doors open at 7:30pm but it's first come first serve and the line at Bluebird gets long early.  Hope to see you there!

Yesterday and today have both been follow up days.  I've been following up with new writer connections as well as publishers and producers.  Nothing to exciting report.  Hope you have a great weekend!

DAY - 295-297

The LA trip is officially booked!  (refer to last post) Co-writer, Bill Gue and I are all set to write with the amazing, Michael Jay.  I'm still so pumped about this opportunity.  Sue and I are actually going to make a little trip out of it.  We're flying out the weekend before and planning to spend a few extra days soaking in the California sun.   It's been a few years since we've been out to CA so I want to take advantage of it.

Monday, I pitched Joe Nichols' team "One Kiss".  Haven't heard anything back.

Yesterday, I had a writing session with UK artist/songwriter Jen Armstrong.  If you haven't heard Jen's music, check her out.  Really cool sound and a great voice! She also happens to be a killer songwriter.  We knocked another one out last night.

Later today, I'm skyping with Bill Gue to finish up a song we started a few weeks ago. Very cool concept with a nice little twist.  Looking forward to finishing.

This morning I also sent some emails following up and keeping in touch with contacts I've made thus far.  "It's all about the follow up" is an adage I learned in business school.  Honestly, the more I practice it, the more I realize how true it is.  

Cheers!

DAY - 291 - 294

TGIF!  This has felt like a looonnng week.  Probably because last week was Fall break... so this week was extra hard getting back into the grind.  Anyway, I'm looking at a beautiful weekend ahead.  The fall weather is in full effect and I'm loving it here in Nashville.  Come to think of it, a year ago today, I was just finishing up my coursework and leaving Philadelphia for Nashville.  I can't believe it's already been a year!  It's also crazy that I'm staring at DAY - 294 of Chapter 2- Nashville of Making It 365 .  The full 365 is fast approaching.  Looking back, this year has been incredible.  If I can keep this momentum going 2015 could be a killer year! Fingers crossed.

Speaking of keeping the momentum going...I've got some pretty awesome news!  My co-writer, Bill Gue and I have been invited to write with mega hit LA songwriter/producer, Michael Jay!!  Bill sent some songs we've been working on together and he took a BIG interest.  Long story short, he has invited us out to LA for a co-write!  Michael has written hits for artists such as Celine Dion, Eminem, Kylie Minogue, Mandy Moore, to name a few, as well as countless hits for artists around the world.  Incredible news and such an honor.  I'm so pumped!  More to come on that! :)

I also had a great write this week with Jon D'Agostino.  We finished up a really sweet new song.  And by "sweet", I mean it's a truly endearing song.  I can't wait for ya'll to hear it.

PS:  If you're in Nashville next Sunday, .I'll be playing my the Sunday writer's night at Bluebird Cafe.  Let me know because I'd love to see you there.  Cheers!

DAY - 287-290

Crazy,  non-stop, exhausting, but awesome week.  Five new songs written and one house officially moved into.  I can't say it was a relaxing Fall break, but it was pretty damn productive. Who needs to relax anyway?  I can rest when I'm dead.  But seriously,  I've realized I've the become the type of person that if I'm not doing "something" I get anxious.  I can't even watch TV for too long without feeling like I'm wasting precious hours.  Are these signs of being a workaholic??

My writing sessions when great last week.  Friday was a big day for me.  Natalie Harker, the first publisher I ever had a meeting with, set me up on a write with one of her writers, Jesse Walker, at Liz Rose Music.  Like I said earlier, I was anxious about the session because I wanted to bring my A-game and prove myself, blah, blah blah. Well, it went amazingly well.  Not only did Jesse and I write a beautiful song, but we got two other dates on the calendar to write again.  Sweeet!

Sue and I are finally moved in to our new home in East Nashville.  Yesterday, we had lunch at one of favorite spots, (Mitchell's deli) which is now right down the street, and last night, we went to Midtown and 5 Points in East Nashville and it was totally awesome to be able to take a $7 Lyft ride home.  Couldn't be more excited about our new digs!!

This morning, I did some following up.  I also sent Rebekah Gordon at Warner Music an edit of a song she really dug, but had a few suggestions on the lyric.  My co-writers agreed and we made the edits.  Here's the song ONE KISS

Cheers!

DAY - 282-286

My apologies for the long delay between posts.

Last week was another big week of pitching songs.  I made some strong pitches to artists such as Jake Owen and Eli Young Band.  Haven't heard anything back as of yet.  The rest of the week was spent booking writing sessions for this week.

 I am currently on Fall Break and absolutely loving it!  Been writing like crazy as well as slowly beginning the moving process.  Speaking of which, you never know how much "stuff" you have until you move.  I wish we could have had a yard sale prior to moving.  Sorry, got off track.  Anyway, Monday I was on Music Row at Demolition Music Publishing writing with Jason Eustice and Tammy Jacobs.  Tomorrow, I have two Skype sessions, one with Indiana songwriter, Bill Gue and the other with Demolition owner, Jon D'Agostino.  Thursday's a moving day and Friday I'm back on Music Row at Liz Rose Music writing with Jesse Walker and country artist, Brandon Ray.

Ohh!  I have to give a shout out!  I was watching The Voice tonight and all of the sudden I heard a familiar voice.  It was none other than Matt McAndrew from Philadelphia.  Matt and I went to University of the Arts together.  We graduated around the same time.  As I was watching tonight, out walks Matt and gives a STELLAR performance, turning almost everyone's chair.  He ended up choosing Adam Levine.  Definitely tune in and check him out! Truly talented young artist.  I remember hearing him for the first time at school and thinking, this guy is going places.  Check him out...do it!!!

Cheers!

DAY - 281

I always get inside my own head and psych myself out before a big writing session...especially if it's with a new co-writer. What if he/she doesn't like my ideas? What if it doesn't go well and then he/she doesn't want to work again?  What if I totally suck that day and it gets back to the publisher that set up the meeting?   Now granted, it usually turns out fine or even great, however sometimes those insecurities get the best me.   One of my co-writer's Scot Sax (Like We Never Loved At All) said something I'll never forget.  He said, "Every time I pick up the guitar or walk into a writing session I always imagine myself writing the best song I've ever written."  He said, "I actually tell myself...I'm going to write a kick ass song right now."  I've started using that technique as a subtle confidence boost.  I don't know how much of songwriting is technique, practice and skill... and how much is mental.  I'd venture to say that mental aspect plays a BIG part!    Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Which leads in perfectly to today's update.  Last night, I got an email from Natalie at Liz Rose Music letting me know she scheduled me to write at Liz Rose Music next Friday with Jesse Walker and possibly a third writer!  Jesse has written for artists such as Avril Lavigne and Martina McBride.  I'm totally pumped for this opportunity.  It's going to be the perfect way to close out the "writing binge, week off from school" that I have next week.

This morning, I responded yes to session,(of course) and thanked Natalie for the opportunity.  Now it's time to gather some KILLER ideas, melodies, etc to bring to the table!!  Oh...and get out of my own head.

Cheers!