 cliff’s note |
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Now that we're well into the new year, I hope that you're all hard at work on some interesting musical endeavor. Lately, I've been busy rounding up my talented friends for another edition of the newsletter. Our guest columnist is master songwriter Tom Kimmel. Along with a successful career as an artist in his own right, Tom has had his songs recorded by artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Joe Cocker and from Emmylou Harris to Shawn Colvin. His insights into the songwriting process, specifically lyric editing and rewriting, are invaluable. This issue's featured artist, Crystal Monee Hall, is in the process of bridging the gap between a Broadway career and recording her first album as a singer/songwriter. As for me, I'll be hitting the road at the end of the month teaching workshops in both Los Angeles and Nashville, so if you're in the neighborhood, drop in!
Best of luck with your music and stay in touch,
-Cliff
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guest columnist |
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Tips on Editing Your Lyric
TOM KIMMEL:
 For some of us, a lyric rushes out into the world before we can think much about it and sometimes it's a fine lyric, just as it is. Other times, even if we feel a strong personal connection with the lyric, it could be strengthened with a little work.
On the other hand, often a lyric comes in dribs and drabs, and once we have a complete draft we might be so relieved that we declare it finished prematurely.
In both cases, a lyric might benefit from a fresh perspective and a willingness to tinker a little.
read more...
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events |
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BMI Los Angeles
Cliff Goldmacher presents "Stripping Down Your Demos & Getting Them Cut"
When: Tuesday, February 23rd, 6pm-7:30pm
Where: 8730 Sunset Blvd. 3rd Floor West, Los Angeles, CA
RSVP to larsvp@bmi.com
Click here to see the workshop flyer
Durango Songwriter's Expo
Cliff Goldmacher presents "Stripping Down Your Demos & Getting Them Cut"
When: Friday, February 26th, 1:30pm-3pm
Where: Santa Ynez Wine Country (Santa Barbara, CA)
To find out more/register, click here.
Nashville Recording Workshop Panel: Working Together Virtually: Distance Collaboration: Cliff Goldmacher & Dan Rudin
When: Saturday, March 6th, 2pm-3pm
Where: The Curb Event Center at Belmont University, Nashville, TN
To find out more/attend, click here.
BMI Events Calendar
ASCAP Events Calendar
SESAC Events Calendar
Nashville Songwriter’s Association (NSAI) Events Calendar
Songwriter’s Guild of America (SGA) Events Calendar
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music biz tips |
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Stripping Down Your Demos
By Cliff Goldmacher
So You've Got A New Song
Let's begin at the beginning. You've written a song and, hopefully, you're thrilled with it. So thrilled, in fact, that you want to record it right away and use every instrument in both the Western and Eastern musical traditions on the demo. I don't blame you one bit. There's nothing more fun than dressing up your songs to go to town. But it might make sense to stop and ask yourself what your goals are for your demo.
Why Are You Demoing Your Song?
If the answer is that you're a recording artist in your own right and you're putting together a collection of demos that represent you and your sound, then, by all means, create a full-blown demo and best of luck. But if the answer is that you're hoping to represent your song in a way that highlights what is unique in your melody and lyric and you're planning to pitch it to publishers or recording artists in order to get a cut, you might want to put on the brakes before doing a full-blown demo.
Read More...
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featured artist |
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CRYSTAL MONEE HALL
 Crystal Monee Hall spends her days living in several musical worlds at the same time. As a member of the Broadway cast of the Tony-Award winning musical RENT, Crystal has seen what it's like to be at the top of your game in one musical genre. In the pop world, Crystal has worked as a background vocalist and session singer for artists including Spencer Day, Jason Mraz and Elton John.
However, it's now Crystal's time to shine as a songwriter and artist interpreting her own music. Working at the world famous Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California with accomplished producer, Ben Yonas, Crystal is putting the finishing touches on her debut album. The album is shaping up to be a stunning blend of Crystal's influences from gospel and jazz to folk and blues. As her bio states, "Ms. Hall's music recalls the sepia-toned memories of her southern childhood."
Stay tuned to hear what this gracious and exceptional talent has in store for us...
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studio promotions |
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Contest Rules:
Every studio session you book in either New York or Nashville will count as an entry in the drawing for a Shure SM27 microphone. No limit to the number of entries.
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February 2, 2010 
