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Princeton Songwriters: News!

6-3-08 Meeting / Workshop! - May 15, 2008

Hello songsters!

As you may have read in the last newsletter, the Princeton Songwriters are hosting a Craig Bickhardt workshop: "Songs In The Spotlight," at our June 3rd meeting at the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, 9 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ. You may remember Craig as a featured speaker at our Song Day back in November. Craig's BIO is at the very end of this email.

We are offering registration to NSAI members first until May 18 (This Sunday). Then, if there is still room, we will open it up to one and all. More details below..

++++++++++++++++++

Songs in the Spotlight Workshop with Craig Bickhardt

Tuesday, JUNE 3rd. 7:30PM networking; Workshop starts 8 PM SHARP! At our regular meeting place, The First Reformed Church, 9 Bayard Street, New Brunswick. LIMITED SEATING. NSAI Members are being offered the first opportunity for a spot at this special meeting/workshop.

INSTRUCTIONS:

NSAI MEMBERS, email your RSVP to Arlon@princetonsongwriters.org with the email address you would like to use to send you the Paypal invoice for the amount of $15.75 (.75 Paypal transaction fee).
Remember that we request NSAI members ONLY until May 18th. Afterwards, registration will be open to one and all if there is room.

* NON-NSAI members: We will open registration if there is still room by May 18th. It will be $20.75 (.75 Paypal transaction fee), and we will accept requests via email beginning Monday, May 19th. Stay tuned!
It will be on a first come, first served basis.

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Writing for mainstream commercial artists requires an understanding of how it feels and what it means to be a popular artist. As a successful major label recording artist himself, Craig is uniquely qualified to offer this unusual and practical seminar to teach you how a song fits into the artist-fan relationship in concert, and why this is important for a writer to understand. He'll discuss how the spotlight of the concert stage exposes the weaknesses, deficiencies, and unrefined aspects of songs, and why certain songs are, or aren't, effective in front of the large diverse audiences of superstars.

You'll learn simple ways to approach songwriting from the perspective of a successful artist rather than a struggling songwriter. You'll also learn how the fan-image affects the process when it comes time for an artist to select songs for a CD.

* * *
Craig Bickhardt Bio

Craig Bickhardt's songs have been recorded by over 150 artists worldwide including Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, B. B. King, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill and Allison Krauss. He is the recipient of 9 ASCAP Awards for his hits, which include four number one songs. His work is also featured in the Academy Award winning film "Tender Mercies", as well as TV shows such as "Hidden Palms" and "Wildfire".
Craig currently performs nationally, often sharing the bill with artists as diverse as America, Billy Joe Shaver and Maura O'Connell.
He has taught songwriting workshops for the NSAI and for the prestigious Mountain Stage Newsong Academy.


Past workshop attendee quotes:

"This is the best course I have taken so far at SongU. Craig offers incredible insights into songwriting." - Jeff Bennett

"I really wish this course could have lasted another hour! Great information! " - David Stewart

"Craig provided a critical frame of reference here for the commercial writer. Great." --Gary Reynolds

"Excellent information, thoughtfully prepared and presented." - Barb Murrin

Monthly Meeting Tue., April 1st., 7:30 PM - March 28, 2008

Hello Songwriters!

Remember - Princeton Songwriters Monthly Meeting:

Tuesday, April 1st, 7:30 PM
The First Reformed Church
9 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ

Bring ~ 12 copies of your song if you want a critique.


CONTENTS:

* New NSAI Chapter Opens in North New Jersey!

* Anne Freeman Announcement
Aspire 2 Music LLC

* Beth Neilsen Chapman Songwriting & Creativity Stargaze Workshop

* A note from Frank Glaz - An Opportunity to Get radio airplay!

* Non Member Attendance Fee

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We have new neighbors!

NSAI member Gil LeDuc has opened new NSAI chapter in Randolph, NJ (Morris County)! The meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month, starting at 7pm. The location is Bethlehem Church in Randolph. (across from County College of Morris on RT.10, Randolph.)

Feel free to contact Gil directly for the latest information. He can be reached via email: gleduc@willisgillis.com

------------------------------------------------------------
Anne Freeman, President
Aspire 2 Music LLC

Important Major Label Pitch Opportunity

I have four important Major Label pitch opportunities for those of you who write Pop, Rock, Contemporary County, and Americana. Please review the following pitches and then follow the instructions if you would like me to consider your songs:

Artist #1: J-Records. Female, Pop/Rock. Looking for 3-4 minute radio song, edgy pop/rock with attitude and anthemic hooks for radio. Must either have lots of attitude or haunting and moody.

Artist #2: Mercury Records. Female, soul vocal melody on top of up-tempo beat. Strong alto.

Artist #3: Def Jam Records. Female, contemporary Pop/Country with attitude, along the lines of “Before He Cheats” by Carrie Underwood.

Artist #4: Atlantic Records. Male, Rock/Americana sounding, aka Bob Segar, Mellencamp, Wallflowers.

I will only consider professionally-demoed songs that fit the criteria identified above. If you have material, e-mail me and put the artist number that you are pitching to in the subject line. I will contact you with instructions. Do not send ballads. Do not send MP3s without first receiving my permission. If I select your song(s), I must receive them by April 5.

Good luck!

Anne Freeman, President
Aspire 2 Music LLC
PO Box 5306
Clinton, NJ 08809
info@aspire2music.com
"Quality Cuts for Your Projects"
The Aspire 2 Music Song Pitch Page: Where indie country songwriters and artists make music together. www.myspace.com/aspire2music

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Beth Nielsen Chapman songwriting workshop at the Dyer Observatory in Brentwood, TN from April 25-27th. For more information, go to:
http://bethnielsenchapman.com

BNC Songwriting & Creativity Stargaze 2008! <http://www.bethnielsenchapman.com/stargazeworkshop.php>
Come to the Stargaze <http://www.bethnielsenchapman.com/stargazeworkshop.php> and re-align your creative power. Two and a half days and evenings of incredible hands-on classes in songwriting, creativity boosting, and performance at the historic Dyer Observatory in Brentwood, Tennessee. Bonfires, guitar/piano pulls, incredible organic lunches, powerful instruction, Drive-By Hit Songwriters, a free Concert for PeaceJam, critiques, and tons of inspiration all for $325! If you are a member of NSAI(Nashville Songwriter’s Association International) you can knock off fifty bucks and get in for $275!

Are you stuck in a creative rut? Find the thread that leads to your deepest expression. Sit with legendary songwriters and learn about their creative process.

Take Beth’s magical mystery tour through the creative process where you will come to unlock the powerful creative spirit within you. Acquire new tools and learn to step fully into the mastery of your skills. Through critique of student’s songs and lecture, Beth will also address how to protect your creative flow in the face of letting your songs “cross the street” from art to commerce without getting hit by the mack truck of the music business. This adventure includes tips, tools, song critiques, guitar-pulling, (and keyboard pulling!) bonfires, story swapping, and spontaneous “Drive-By-Hit-Songwriters.”

-------------------------------------

A note from Frank Glaz:

I host a radio program called "Showcase" on a non-profit radio station on Eastern Long Island, but you are able to listen to it worldwide on the internet at www.wjfn997.com <http://www.wjfn997.com/> . I feature lots of artists that I feel people need to be exposed to. It airs every other Sunday night from
9-10. If anyone would like to get played, please send me 2 of your best original tracks as MP3 attachments to me at lowtekman5@aol.com.
Please include title, CD, and website. The show is pre-recorded and repeated so I cannot plug gigs. Hope to hear from you.
Frank Glaz
aka "Frank Todd"

----------------------------------------------------
Non-Member Policy

Non members of NSAI are welcome to attend our meetings.

Two complimentary meetings are available to you. This includes having your song critiqued. Please note that we start with members first than if time allows we critique non members.

Non Member fee is $10. Collected from individuals who have exceeded the two complimentary meetings but wish to continue attending.

* Advantages of being a member can be found on: NSAI's web site:
www.nashvillesongwriters.com
<http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/>
----------------------------------------------------
Write on!

Arlon Bennett
Volunteer Co-coordinator

John Sonntag
Volunteer Co-coordinator

Cindy Gordon
Volunteer Newsletter Coordinator

* Submit your news and announcements to:
news@princetonsongwriters.org.

March newsletter - March 2, 2008

Hello Songwriters!

Remember - Princeton Songwriters Monthly Meeting:

Tuesday, March 4th, 7:30 PM
The First Reformed Church
9 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ

Bring ~12 copies of lyrics for critiques!

CONTENTS:

* New NSAI chapter coming to North New Jersey!

* NYC NSAI Chapter Presents Luboff Workshop - WOW!

* Princeton Songwriter Member Al Tepperman Releases New CD for Charities.

* Submit your news and announcements to:
news@princetonsongwriters.org.

---------------------------------------

We have new neighbors!

NSAI member Gil LeDuc is opening a new NSAI chapter in Randolph, NJ (Morris County) this month! The meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month, starting at 7pm. The location will be at Bethlehem Church in Randolph. (across from County College of Morris on RT.10, Randolph.)

Feel free to contact Gil directly for the latest information. He can be reached via email: gleduc@willisgillis.com

------------------------------------------------------------

On Sunday, March 16, 2008, from noon to 5:30 PM, the NYC NSAI Chapter will be presenting a workshop with Pat and Pete Luboff, whose songs have been recorded by Snoop Dogg, Patti LaBelle, Bobby Womack, Michael Peterson, Miko Marks and others--and who've been teaching songwriting workshops together since 1979. They lead The Sounding Board weekly songwriting think tank in Nashville and are the authors of "101 Songwriting Wrongs and How to Right Them" and "12 Steps to Building Better Songs." www.writesongs.com

This will be an audience participation workshop in which the Luboffs will lead the entire group in a collaboration on a new song. In the process of this spontaneous creation, not only will the technical aspects of songwriting be addressed but also the skills and legal aspects of collaboration. There will also be a limited period of time devoted to collaborative feedback on the songs of the first twelve people to RSVP and prepay (see below). (NSAI members' songs will be heard first and, although we will make our best efforts, we do not guarantee that all twelve songs will be heard.)

$25 NSAI, ASCAP, Songwriters Hall of Fame and Songwriters Guild members; $35 all others.

To register, please RSVP by replying to this e-mail address and send your check, payable to "NSAI," along with your full name, e-mail address, telephone number and organization affiliation (if any), to Randi Drucker, 17 Wayne Drive, Plainview, NY 11803.

Workshop will take place at 520 Eighth Ave., Room 16-I. For more information, please e-mail stonepulse@aol.com.

---------------------------------------------------------

Princeton Songwriter member Al Tepperman releases New CD for charities!

The DHK Project was released October 25, 2007.
This record sells for $18 with all proceeds going to help kids in the U.S., Dominica, Honduras and Kenya.

It has 12 original tracks of inspirational music by Al Stevens and includes some Nashville talent; Scott Joyce on piano and Bob Harris on acoustic guitar. [Bob appears courtesy of Ampersand Records U.S.A.] Mr. Harris also co-produced, engineered and played on "Johnny Cash:The Great Lost Performance," released July, 2007.

To buy this record, contact Al at
1-888-354-2755 OR alt123abc@yahoo.com OR T.E.P.S., Int'l.
P.O. Box 191
Franklin Park, N.J. 08823

Additional donations will be accepted and distributed per your desire.

---------------------------------------------------------

If you have a news item, please forward it to News@Princetonsongwriters.org.

Yes! YOU can submit your news or announcement for this newsletter.
just write it and forward it to news@princetonsongwriters.org.
Remember that you need to send it in each time you want it to appear.
Thanks!

------------------------------------------------------

Write on!

Arlon Bennett
Volunteer Co-coordinator

John Sonntag
Volunteer Co-coordinator

Cindy Gordon
Volunteer Newsletter Coordinator

---------------------------------
If you have a news item, please forward it to:
News@Princetonsongwriters.org.

Latest News Email - February 2008 - February 2, 2008

Hello Songwriters!

Remember - Princeton Songwriters Monthly Meeting:

Tuesday, February 5th, 7:30 PM
The First Reformed Church
9 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ

Bring ~ 10-12 copies of your song if you want a critique.


CONTENTS:

* New NSAI chapter coming to North New Jersey!

* Princeton Songwriters Co-coordinator Arlon Bennett has a few milestones to report!

*A note from Frank Glaz - An Opportunity to Get radio airplay!

* Song Pitch Request from Aspire 2 Music

* Non Member attendance donation increase
---------------------------------------

A new NSAI chapter coming to North New Jersey!

NSAI member Gil LeDuc is about to open a new NSAI chapter in Randolph, NJ this coming March. The meeting date is still under consideration. They should have a date after the 1st of February. The location will be at Bethlehem Church in Randolph. (across from County College of Morris on RT.10, Randolph.)

Feel free to contact Gil directly for the latest information. He can be reached via email: gleduc@willisgillis.com
------------------------------------------------------------

Princeton Songwriters Co-coordinator Arlon Bennett has a few milestones to report!

- Arlon's new record "Summer's Voice" was reviewed in the current Winter issue of "Sing Out!" magazine.

- AcousticMusic.com reviewed "Summer's Voice" (See
http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p04187.htm)

- His song 'Be the Change' made the top ten in airplay by Folk-DJs for all of 2007. An MP3 of the band version is downloadable FREE from his website at www.arlonbennett.com.

- Hal Selzer of Aquarian Weekly named "Summer's Voice" a top 10 album release of 2007 (Bon Jovi and The Boss are also on the list!)

- WXOU Auburn Hills, Michigan named 'Summer's Voice' a top 5 album of 2007.

---------------------------------------------------

Song Pitch Requests from Aspire 2 Music Anne Freeman, President of Aspire 2 Music:

I have a country artist who is looking for duets, male/female, and in particular some that are uptempo. If you have duets or songs that can easily be reworked as a duet, please e-mail me with duet in the subject. If my e-mail box gets full, just try later. Thanks!

Also, I have a request for uptempo female country, country/rock songs for a CD project. I've already pitched her everything I have in that order, so I am looking for new material. Please e-mail me first, with the subject line Song Pitch 1-21-08 Female Uptempo. Thanks!

Contact:
Anne Freeman, President
Aspire 2 Music LLC
PO Box 5306, Clinton, NJ 08809
info@aspire2music.com
Song Pitch Page: www.myspace.com/aspire2music http://www.myspace.com/aspire2music

---------------------------------------------------------

A note from Frank Glaz:

I host a radio program called "Showcase" on a non-profit radio station

on Eastern Long Island, but you are able to listen to it worldwide on the internet at www.wjfn997.com. I feature lots of artists that I feel people need to be exposed to. It airs every other Sunday night from 9-10. If anyone would like to get played, please send me 2 of your best original tracks as MP3 attachments to me at lowtekman5@aol.com.
Please include title, CD, and website. The show is pre-recorded and repeated so I cannot plug gigs. Hope to hear from you.
Frank Glaz
aka "Frank Todd"

----------------------------------------------------

Non-Member Donation increase
As you know the home office has encouraged us to enforce the non-member fee at our meetings. They suggest a $15 non member fee. We have only charged $5. Starting in Jan. 2008, the Princeton Songwriters will be asking for a $10 non-member attendance fee (Still below the suggested donation of $15). The funds go into OUR Princeton Songwriters bank account which go back to us songwriters anyway! (The website is not free and neither was Song Day.) We will use the honor system with our non-member guests. This means that non-NSAI members can attend our meetings twice free of charge. After that it's $10 to sit in with us. Thanks for your understanding!

* Remember, guests can still check us out twice for free!
*Advantages of being a member can be found on: NSAI's web site:

www.nashvillesongwriters.com
http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com
-------------------------------------------------

Write on!

Arlon Bennett
Volunteer Co-coordinator

John Sonntag
Volunteer Co-coordinator

Cindy Gordon
Volunteer Newsletter Coordinator

---------------------------------
If you have a news item, please forward it to:
News@Princetonsongwriters.org.