Tuesday, July 29, 2014

DAY - 235+236

Took a BIG swing and pitched Carrie Underwood's team!  Yesterday, I pitched her producer and this morning I pitched her A&R.  I got word that she's starting to look for her next project.  Obviously, Carrie and her team have the pick of the litter.  They probably get thousands of songs.  There is STRONG potential my emails will go straight in the trash.

However!! You never know who might be in a particularly good mood one day and decide to say, "Hey, why not?  I'll take a listen to what this Michael August character sent."   As always, we shall see.  Fingers crossed, and prayers said.

I sent over Break (written with J Fred Knobloch) and Happily Ever Over (written with Jon D'Agostino and Adam Searan)


FYI - Tip Sheets
If you're interested in finding out artists who are looking for music, check out RowFax.  RowFax will give you all up to date info on who is looking and the names of their team.  Sometimes it will offer contact info but most of the time you'll have to do some digging!

Saturday, July 26, 2014

DAY - 233+234

Beautiful Saturday morning here in Music City and I'm looking back at a great week.  

The demo session on Wednesday at Jason Garner Productions went fantastic!  The song sounds amazing and Jason Eustice did a phenomenal job with the vocals.  I'll be posting next week!

Speaking of new music!  Here's #3 of the 5 new demos.  I'm really proud of the way this one came out. It's honestly one of my favorites since moving Nashville. Hope you enjoy.

 "Happily Ever Over"
Written with Jon D'Agostino and Adam Searan from Demolition Music Publishing.  Track produced by Jason Garner.  Adam Searan on the vocals.  

Oh btw...This is one of the songs we wrote while literally riding mopeds around the island of Key West during the BMI songwriter's festival.  :)

Yesterday, I had a great writing session with a bright, young artist/songwriter by the name of Madi White.  Jon from Demolition Music set it up because he thought it'd be a cool collaboration.  He was right!  Madi is only 16 years old, but she has the professionalism of a 25 year old!  She also happens to have an amazing voice.  We wrote an idea that Madi brought to the table and it came out really cool!  Looking forward to working with her again.  If you want to hear some of Madi's music you can check out her album HERE

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

DAY - 230-232

New Music:  Here's #2 of the 5 new demos I promised!  Brand New Love Song

Written with Jon D'Agostino and Jason Eustice.  Track produced by Jason Garner.  That's Jason Eustice on the lead vocals and Taryn Papa on the backgrounds. 
____________

I think I may have posted earlier that my wife, Susan and I have begun house hunting for our first home.  As exciting as it is, it is equally frustrating!  The housing market in Nashville is booming. Yes, that is a great thing. However, it makes it extremely hard to actually ink a deal.  So much competition.  If the house doesn't sell before it hits the market then it's gone the first day!  I find myself saying, "oh well, on to the next!" Way more than I'd I'd like.

The past few days have been a blast.  Monday night, I had a skype session with co-writer, Bill Gue. We finished up a killer new song and started discussing demo options.

My student from NJ has been in town to record her first official Nashville demo!   Her name is Samantha Chambers. (write that down because you might be hearing it all over one day)  We've been working together for a couple years now and she is truly coming into her own.  Her dream (ever since she was a little kid) is to become a country music star.  I have to say, in that recording studio yesterday, she proved she has what it takes!  Only 16 years old, she worked the microphone like a seasoned pro!  Can't wait to post the song.

Last night, Sue and I went to The Building to see our friend, Brandon Alan.  Great show!  Brandon is an awesome country singer as well as an insane guitarist.  Very cool stuff.  Look out for his song "Different Way" playing on 80+ radio stations around the country!

Today, it's back to Jason Garner Productions.  I'm demoing a new song with Jason Eustice and Tammy Jacobs.  Jason's publishing company, Demolition Music loved the song when Jason submitted it and decided to demo it with Jason Garner Productions.  Sweeettt!  Looking forward to another music filled day!




Friday, July 18, 2014

DAY 228+229

Yesterday, I had back to back writing sessions that resulted in 2 brand new songs!!

Looonnnggg Day....
In the morning, I got together again with grammy winning songwriter, Scot Sax for our weekly write and cranked out yet another tune.  I think we're 4 for 4! (knock on wood)   Scot and I wrapped up around 1pm. From Scot's studio it was off to Music Row for a writing session at Demolition Music Publishing with Jon D'Agostino and Jason Eustice.  After a quick 2 hour writer, I taught some lessons at School Of Rock.  After teaching, Sue met me for dinner with the Demolition Music Publishing team as well as their family and significant others.  Amazing night with great friends.  What a day!

As promised, here's the first of 5 new demos...  BREAK

"Break" was written with J Fred Knobloch.  We recorded the song at Fred's studio.  The drums we're recorded by the AMAZING Rob Griffith at his studio in CT.  Rob is the drummer for Bronze Radio Return. (If you haven't heard their music on TV yet check them out!!)  He also happens to do amazing studio drum work and we've begun working together on some songs.  Rob also had his friend Adam Clark lay down some bass.  The vocals we're recorded by none other than the fabulous Molly Hunt! Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

DAY - 226+227

Checked out a brand new place on 12 South yesterday with some friends called, The Flipside.  The owner is the same guy that started all the Tin Roof venues around the country!  Wide-open atmosphere, big windows, great view, and killer food.  Check it out!

What an awesome couple of days!! Got a email from co-writer, Bill Gue that Washington Street Publishing wants to sign our song "IM4U" to a single-song publishing deal.  Fantastic news!  Then less than 12 hours later I got an email from Crucial Music Publishing letting me know they also want to sign the same song!!!  Crazy coincidence!  Since both agreements are "non-exclusive" we're going to be able to sign with both companies.  Rock n'roll!!  Fingers crossed, they secure us some placements.

If you haven't heard "IM4U" you can take a listen HERE.  (written with Bill Gue, Liv Devine. Molly Hunt singing the lead vocals)

Tonight, after teaching at School of Rock, I'm going to meet my wife, Sue and some friends at the Listening Room to check out a writer's night.  Some great writer's playing tonight.  Looking forward to hanging and hopefully meeting some new people.

Tomorrow I'll be posting some new music so stay tuned!!




Monday, July 14, 2014

DAY - 223-225

This past weekend my wife and I celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary.  Crazy how time flies!  It's hard to believe it's already been a year since we moved to Nashville and got married.  This past year has been incredibly busy and every month that passes brings new stresses and more run-around.  Such is life... and it's all great stuff!  But, I never thought I'd say it but, spending true quality time is a challenge.  This anniversary reminded me how lucky I am to have such a beautiful, smart, funny and supportive wife.  I couldn't being doing any of this without her.

Last Thursday and Friday are a blur.  Thursday, I spent time following up with other writers, a few publishers, and an A&R rep.  I heard back from Warner Bros A&R rep, Rebekah Gordon regarding the Blake Shelton pitch. (refer to Day - 223)  Unfortunately, Blake is totally done cutting for his upcoming project.  Oh well.  We'll get him next round!!

Friday, I spent literally 5 hours in the studio at Jason Garner Productions.  First, I laid down harmonies on a song,  then Taryn Papa came in and recorded a female harmony part on another song and finally my co-writer, Adam Searan came in and sang vocals for another song.  All 3 songs written with the fantastic team at Demolition Music Publishing.  (Jon D'Agostino, Jason Eustice, Adam Searan)  Can't wait for you to hear this new batch of tunes.  A lot of time and energy went into making these songs happen.  I'm really proud of each one!

Today, I reached out to John Ozier from Ole Music Publishing to follow up on the songs I sent about a week ago (refer to Day - 218).  Hoping he dug them!  We shall see.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

DAY - 221-223

The past three days have been killer.  Kicked off the week with two back to back writing sessions, resulting in 2 new songs!  Monday, I wrote with Jason Eustice and Tammy Jacobs.  The last song we wrote went over great with Jason and Tammy's publishers. (Actually demoing it in 2 weeks!)  Our first writing session was fantastic and this was no different.  What an awesome team!!  Jason came in with some inside info.  He heard from a little birdie that a HUGE artist (who has to remain nameless...for now) is looking for one more song to close out the record.  Soooo... we decided to take a crack at writing something for the project.  Whether we make the record or not, we came out with a great new song!

Tuesday, I wrote with Nashville hit songwriter, Scot Sax.  We're 3 for 3!  Three writes, three fully finished new songs.  Scot actually began demoing the last one a few weeks ago and we started demoing this one right after we wrote it.  Very cool new stuff.  Look forward to posting.

Other than writing, I've been working on scheduling demo sessions.  I have one this Friday, one next week, and another the following week for a total of 6 brand new songs! This has totally been the summer of new music.  I've been working harder than ever, writing tons of new music and I'm so excited to be demoing as much music as I am.  Feeling so blessed to be working with such amazing people!  

Today, I pitched a song to Rebekah Gordon for consideration on Blake Shelton's new project.  Fingers crossed, prayers being said.  Stay tuned!

Friday, July 4, 2014

DAY - 219+220

Happy 4th of July!  Hope you're enjoying a day off and some beautiful weather where ever you are.  The sun is shining and there's a cool breeze blowing here in Music City.  We couldn't ask for a better 4th.  Can't wait to catch some fireworks tonight with the wife and mother-in-law.

I had a great week.  On Wednesday, I spent the afternoon at Jason Garner Productions demoing 2 out of 3 new songs.  I met a fantastic singer by the name of Daniel from the band Amber's Drive.  Check them out...they sound really cool.  Daniel sang the vocals for one of my new tunes!  I'm pumped to get everything done so I can post and start pitching!  Later that night, I met my wife and some friends out at a really sweet spot called Pinewood Social.  As the night progressed, we were joined by an A&R rep, a manager, David Nail's tour manager, someone who works at Atlantic Records, someone who works at BMI and an up and coming country artist. (all friends of friends) I know I've said it before but seriously...ONLY in Nashville!!  Great drinks, delicious food, amazing views, and awesome people.  Here's a pic from the outdoor patio....

Sunday night I'm playing my 3rd Sunday Writer's Night at Bluebird Cafe!  If you're in town come hang!!  Hoping to get a night of my own soon :) 

Stay tuned! 





Tuesday, July 1, 2014

DAY - 217+218

I'm back!  What a relaxing break.  The wife and I took off for the Outer Banks on Friday morning for a week of sun, sand and great seafood!  Mission accomplished.  We stayed in a beautiful beach cottage (thanks to my amazing aunt and uncle) in the quite town of Salvo, NC. One of the highlights of the getaway was a day trip to Ocracoke Island. Beautiful!  If you ever get the chance, check it out!  



After a week of relaxing and filling our stomach's with fresh tuna and mahi mahi, I woke up this morning recharged and ready to rock!

I reached out to the GM of Creative at Ole Music Publishing, John Ozier.  Ole is a very successful music publisher with offices around the globe.  They handle all genres of music.  I've been trying to get a foot in the door for a while now.  John was so kind to get right back to me and asked me to send over some songs.  Needless to say, I did.  Fingers crossed he digs what I sent! :)

Let me back up a little bit... before we left for the OBX, Sue and I went to killer writer's night at The Basement.  We saw Brett Tyler, Maren Morris and Chase McGill perform their songs with a full band backing them up.  Killer show!  Great songs!  I was totally impressed. Afterwards, we ended up hanging out at the Tin Roof with our friends and the writer's.  Not only awesome writer's but great folks as well!



Looking ahead... BIG week of demos!! 4 new songs on the press this week!!  Can't wait to post.

Stay tuned!