DAY - 320

Last day before Thanksgiving break!  I'm excited for a good 5 days of relaxation.  Of course it won't all be relaxing.  I've got some co-writes scheduled as well as plans to re-set up my studio gear and work on a few demos.  Can't wait for Turkey Day!

Last night, I had a great session with Bill Gue.  Bill and I worked hard peeling back layers of the song onion.  We fleshed out a killer idea that Bill sent a few weeks ago and tossed around a couple new ideas. All was done with the purpose of preparing for our Dec. 22nd write with LA hit songwriter/producer, Michael Jay.  Our goal is to be more than prepared to knock one out of the park and we are definitely giving this experience our due diligence.

This morning, was spent following up with Nashville publishers that I've met with in the past year as well as setting up co-writes for December and January.  I can't believe it's already day 320.  45 more business days before the close of Chapter 2: Nashville.  Can't wait to see where this goes.  Stay tuned!

DAY - 318+319

Fantastic write last Thursday!  Jesse, Adam, and I wrote a song for a new movie that is in production. The best part is, Adam happens to be doing the music for the movie.  It was such a cool experience, reading through a script, checking out a look book, and angling a song specifically for a certain scene.  We had a blast writing the song.  It's quirky, sarcastic and totally outside-the-box.  After the session, we set up a few more writes in the upcoming months.  I'm totally pumped to be working with such talented people.

Tonight, I have a co-write with Bill Gue.  Bill and I are working on ideas to bring to our session with Michael Jay in LA.  The trip is less than a month away and I still can't believe it's happening.  Such an honor! (refer to Day 291-294)

Speaking of Bill Gue,  he forwarded me an email he received from another LA producer about potentially cutting IM4U!! (song I wrote with Bill Gue and Liv Devine)  The producer wants to re-produce the song for an up-and-coming female artist he's working with.  Can't disclose any specific details at the moment, but I can say the producer is very successful and the artist is the total package...so, as always,  fingers crossed and prayers being said!

DAY - 314-317

My apologies for the long stretch in between posts.  I started writing a post yesterday morning, but then realized I was set to be observed at school and needed to put a bunch of "finishing touches" on my lesson plans.  Ahhh the challenges of living a double life.  Speaking of living a double life, this week has been fantastic for writing and I couldn't be more excited for what's in store today.

First off, I made a handful of song pitches this week including one to country artist, Tyler Farr.  His recent success with songs like "Redneck Crazy" and "Whiskey In My Water" has really gained the attention of country radio.  After listening to a good bit of his material, I thought "Rebound" would be a strong pitch.  I pitched his A&R team at Sony Music Nashville.  As always, we shall see.

Tuesday night, I had a great co-write with Kirk Penney.  Kirk sent me a killer idea that he'd been working on and Tuesday night we knocked it out of the park.  VERY cool song we decided we're going to demo.  Can't wait for you to hear it!

So what am I so excited about doing today you ask?  I have my second co-write with the super-talented, Jesse Walker from Liz Rose Music. (refer to DAY - 287) Last month, Jesse and I wrote a beautiful song in our first session.  Today, we're working in East Nashville with a 3rd writer, Adam Ollendorff.  Adam, besides being an awesome songwriter, happens to play guitar, pedal steel, and lap steel for two of my FAVORITE artists in Nashville...Will Hoge and Kacey Musgraves..among many others.  I'm am excited and honored to be working with two amazingly talented people later today.

More to come.  Cheers!

DAY - 313

Happy Friday!  I'll make this short and sweet...

This morning, I pitched another song to Demi Lovato's camp at Disney Music.  After the great response my co-writer, Bill Gue received on "IM4U" I wanted to send a follow up.  Obviously, it's a long shot, but I heard she's still looking.

In about 10min, I have a quick Skype writing session with Jon D'Agostino to try and put the finishing touches on our latest song.  Really cool tune.  I played it, as is, at Bluebird a few weekends ago and got some great response.

Hope you have a great weekend!  Stay warm.

DAY - 310-312

Good morning Nashville!  It's cold and cloudy outside, the car is warming up and I'm finishing off a pot of coffee.  The past few days have been good...

On Monday and Tuesday, I pitched Love & Theft's whole team, (producer, A&R, management) a few songs.  I ended up hearing back this morning from their producer, Josh Leo.  He liked the songs I sent over, but let me know they are finished up recording the record.  You'd think I'd be depressed.  I was actually excited to get the response, even though it was technically a "no".

If you're in the business world you "climb the ladder" of success, working your way to the top.  Well, in the songwriting business we are constantly climbing the ladder of rejection.  A week ago, I had a song turned down by Joe Nichols' producer, a few weeks before that, I had a song turned down by The Band Perry.  Again, you'd think I'd be upset.   But honestly, my initial reaction was, "The Band Perry listened to my song!? That's awesome!"  As songwriters and artists, rejection is part of the game.  We are constantly striving to get our songs up the ladder to the real decision makers but often hear "no" before they get past the first or second step.  The higher up the ladder of rejection we get, the more doors open.  Eventually, if we're lucky, we will get to hear that one word that can change our careers, "yes".

Last night, I met with a great songwriter named Chris Yurchuck.  Chris and I met for a beer at The Tin Roof.  Instead of writing a song right off the bat, we got together and hung out.  Chris is an awesome guy and a hard working songwriter.  We're going to be getting together in January for our first write.

Tonight, I working with Alex Seier for the second time.  Alex and I started a song over the summer but our schedules have been pretty crazy.  Alex has been touring a lot.  We're getting together tonight to finish up the song and maybe start something new.  Looking forward to it!

DAY - 309

FRIDAY!  And a beautiful Friday it is.  Sue and I just got back from our favorite little taco joint, Mas Tacos Por Favor... bellies full and ready to park ourselves on the couch for some much needed relaxation time.  Next time you're in Nashville, you have to try Mas Tacos.  It's a local favorite.  It was also on Diner's, Drives, and Dives and is seriously the best tacos I've ever had!

Down to biz...
I'll keep this short and sweet.  This morning, I pitched a song to Thompson Square's team.  I reached out their producers, New Voice Entertainment as well as their manager, Shawn Pennington.  As always...we shall see.

Hope you have a great weekend!  

DAY - 307+308

Yesterday, was an all around great day for music!  It started off in school.  My 8th Chorus performed for a group of 25 Chinese Principles who are in town visiting American schools.  Considering that my group has only been a Chorus (some have never even sang) for about 3 months they knocked it out of the park!  It was the first time they performed in front of anyone. I was definitely proud.

After school, it was straight to Music Row for a writing session with the amazing Tammy Jacobs and Jason Eustice.  We met up at Demolition Music Publishing (Jason's Publisher) and did a ton of work editing two of our past songs and finishing a brand new one!   Tammy, Jason and I have written about five songs so far and honestly they just keep getting better...and I still think the first one is a hit! Great songwriting and success in the business of songwriting has A  LOT to do with great teamwork. I'm grateful to be working with such talented people.

Yesterday, I also sent an email to John Ettinger owner of TTA.  The Talent Associates is a progressive and innovative management company representing groups such as Emerson Drive and new comers Black Jack Billy to name a few.  I reached out to John to meet and play him some songs.  To my surprise he got back to me and took me up on the offer!!  More to come.

Cheers!

DAY - 305-306

My sister's wedding was beautiful!  We had blast catching up with family and old friends!  Cape May, NJ in the fall is gorgeous.  So many colors on the trees and the town is decorated to tee for Halloween.  Wish my sister and new brother an amazing first year of marriage and a lifetime of happiness.  For them, it's off to Saint Lucia for the honeymoon!

I am currently enjoying a beautiful day off from school.  Nashville teachers got off of school for voting day. Sweet!  I had a writing session lined up at Demolition Music Pub tonight but it looks like we're postponing until tomorrow.  So technically, I have off the entire day.  It's been great.  Slept in a little, caught up on paying bills, took the dog for a nice long walk, and did a TON of networking! Between yesterday morning and today, I did about a week's worth of emailing.  It feels good to be productive.

One of the biggest things I did this morning was email the head of A&R at Universal Music Nashville, Joe Fisher and ask for a meeting.  Joe wrote back to me about a song I pitched for Billy Currington a while ago asking if I had any more material.  At the time, I sent him what I had.  Now, I have a lot more in the catalog so I figured I'd ask for a meeting.   We shall see.

I reached out to long time family friend and successful NY songwriter, Dana Parish to keep in touch and send an update.  I also asked for some useful advice on a new song.  I wrote a song with Bill Gue called, "When I Am In Your Arms".  It's a Popera song (Pop/Opera) in the style of Josh Groban. I love how the song turned out, however I am very unfamiliar with the players in that market so I'm getting advice and ideas about pitching.  Dana has written for adult contemporary artists such as Celine Dion so I was thinking she might have some ideas.   If you've never heard Dana's music check her out...she's awesome! http://www.danaparish.com/

I made a connection with an LA publisher,  Katie Jelen from Secret Road Publishing,  through one of my co-writer's Matt Santry.  Secret Road is a publisher, as well as management company who's biggest client is Ingrid Michaelson.  

Lastly, I pitched "When I Am In Your Arms" to Mascioli Entertainment in consideration for their artists.

Those are the highlights.  More to come this week!