Our Song Did Well on Day One of the 2012 Songwriters Conference

Posted on September 9, 2012 by russtowne


I am a lucky and very grateful man. Songwriters fly in from around the world to come to this annual conference that just happens to be about 20 minutes away from my home.

It started off on Friday night with a Meet & Greet that included a bunch of talented songwriters performing their songs for the group.

Then four of us had a “Pickin’ Party” (as in guitar picking) in a hotel room. The other three had over 60 years of songwriting experience between them. I had less than 3, but was graciously accepted as a full member of the group. We had a ton of fun telling stories about our songwriting experiences, the genesis of the song ideas and how they morphed over time, and of course, we played and commented on many songs that we’d written. It was a most enjoyable evening.

Then today, the first day of the conference, was amazing. We got to hear many exceptional songs as music industry execs screened and critiqued songs. And we presented ours.

I only had one song to present this year but it fared well. One industry exec suggested a minor (probably a 2-line lyric change) and asked my collaborator Denis Loiseau and me to send the revised version to her. That’s considered a “pick-up.”

That pick-up means that all 6 of the songs that Denis and I co-wrote and pitched in the 3 conferences I’ve been to have been picked up by one or more music industry execs. I love that our record stayed intact again this year. I know that it is bragging, but I think that is quite a rare feat and as a newbie I’m quite proud of it.

But the news got even better. During the last session of the day, a Film and TV exec said he is actively looking for the types of songs that we presented to him. He enthusiastically picked up three songs including the one Denis and I worked on together. He plans to pitch them for possible inclusion on a TV music show for which he’s been asked to send possible songs in the next week or so, and said that if the show people are interested he would get back to us regarding terms sometime in the next two weeks.

So, our songs are going to be pitched for possible inclusion in a TV show. That’s a first for me. I’m very pleased that he liked them that much. And I’m quite realistic that every step of the way has a very high attrition rate, but I’ve got to admit that it would be cool to hear our song on TV and to see our names on the show’s song credits. Getting paid for it wouldn’t break my heart either, but it is the least of the reasons that I write songs.

Day one of the conference ended with a Sunset Concert where we got to hear 10 or 12 incredibly talented performers and songwriters put on a terrific show.

I’m looking forward to Day 2 of the 2 day conference tomorrow.

Thank you for your support and feedback regarding my latest song.

Russ

Posted in Adventure, Dreams, Passion, Patience & Persistence, Song Updates, Songs I've Written or Co-Written, Songwriting Adventure, Songwriting Conferences & Trip Updates | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

Forgotten Story of 9/11: World’s Biggest Boat Lift

Posted on September 9, 2012 by russtowne

Many people don’t know that on 9/11 500,000 people who were trapped in the chaos and devastation of new York City escaped via the world’s biggest boat lift. It was bigger than what occurred at Dunkirk. Attached is an inspiring 12 minute documentary which is narrated by Tom Hanks that described how so many people were rescued by oridinary people who did extraordinary things that day.

http://www.newser.com/story/127460/documentary-boatlift-recounts-rescue-of-500000-new-yorkers-by-water-on-911.html

Russ

Posted in Generosity, Inspiring, Making the World a Better Place, Vids & Stories That Touched Me | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

In the Recording Studio

Posted on September 7, 2012 by russtowne

Before I share my experience in the recording studio, I want to thank those of you who trusted me with your email address so that I could share my newest song with you, and for the wonderful feedback I’ve received about the song itself. You are amazing!

Just a reminder: I don’t plan to share your email address with anyone. I need it to be able to send a free copy of “No More Secrets/No More Lies” to you.

As for my adventure in the recording studio:

I LOVED it! The music tracks had already been laid and I got to watch the producer and vocalist work together to bring my song to life. It was clear that they both gave it everything they had to make the song as good as possible. I was impressed at their professionalism and talent.

Three vocal tracks were laid. The first is the main woman’s voice you hear, then two more of her singing differently to add texture, depth, and richness to certain parts of the song. The recording session lasted about ninety minutes.

When the vocal tracks were laid and the vocalist left, the producer then worked his magic for another ninety minutes or so. It is incredible to see all the work that goes into a modern recording.

I’m pleased with the end result, and now have this song in various formats so it can be presented to various music industry execs representing film, TV, and Nashville over the next two days, and in the future.

I also have received prior permission to send my songs to 4 or 5 other industry execs without needing to get specific permission prior to each submittal. The latter of which is the industry norm. Execs have told me that unsolicited submittals automatically get thrown out without listening to them unless they have given a blanket ok to a songwriter.

They get so many submittals–both solicited and otherwise–that most execs are understandably quite reluctant to add to the flow by granting blanket OK’s to send songs to them. I’m grateful for their trust not to abuse that privilege and for their generosity in granting it to me.

Hopefully in receiving my songs they believe they are getting something of value in return.

Russ

Posted in Adventure, Creativity | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

My New Song: “No More Secrets/No More Lies”

Posted on September 7, 2012 by russtowne

I can’t get the Media Uploader to work to post my latest song. I apologize. I’d be happy to send a free copy of it to you via email if you’d be willing to send your email address to me at russtowne@yahoo.com. I plan to only use your email address to send my new songs to you. (Probably only 0-2 per quarter.)

Russ

Posted in Creativity, Song Updates, Songs I've Written or Co-Written, Songwriting Adventure, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What a Difference an Hour Makes!

Posted on September 5, 2012 by russtowne

I’m so jazzed! In the last hour:

I’ve made plans to go to the music studio while the vocalist Allyson Paige allysonpaige.com sings the song “No More Secrets/No More Lies” that Denis Loiseau and I co-wrote. We’re having a demo of the song created professionally. I’ve been in music studios before, but never while one of our songs is being produced. That’s because our prior songs were produced in Nashville studios about 3,000 miles from where I live and this one is being produced in a Bay Area studio. The music tracks have already been laid, but as a lyricist my primary focus is on the vocalist so I’m really looking forward to hearing her bring the song to life.

I also made plans to go to the West Coast Songwriters conference that is happening this weekend. At it we’ll have the opportunity to present our song to music industry execs from television, Hollywood, Nashville, and around the country. We’ll get their feedback and suggestions for possible improvements. If they like it enough, one or more of them might “pick it up” (take it back to their companies to see if they might be able to use it on current or future projects or shows.) It is quite a compliment for an exec to pick up a song and most or all of the songs on which Denis and I have collaborated have been picked up by one or more music industry execs.

In general, relatively few songs get picked up, and while having one picked up is a critical first step, it is only the first of many steps in a very long process. Very few picked up songs are ever “cut” (produced and distributed by the bigger names in the music industry). “Cut” usually equals $$. The odds are daunting for even the most accomplished songwriters, but for me it’s all about the adventure, so I win every time.

If we like how the song demo turns out enough, Denis and I may even release it on our own via the song sale sites on the internet. That will be a whole new experience and adventure for us.

Russ

Posted in Creativity, Dreams, Following Your Passion, Joy & Happiness, Song Updates, Songs I've Written or Co-Written, Songwriting Adventure, Songwriting Conferences & Trip Updates, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Nature’s Reminder

Posted on September 4, 2012 by russtowne

I believe that it is no accident that the most favored flower of love in many cultures–the rose–often has big thorns along with the beauty of their exquisitely designed shape, vibrant colors, soft sensuous petals, and perfume-like scents.

I believe those thorns are a gift to remind us that even the truest loves and most joyful lives sometimes experience heartaches, disappointments, and challenges, so that we will remember to appreciate all the blessings that life has to offer while we can.

Russ

Posted in Abundance, Beauty, Challenges, Love, Nature, Observations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

A Proposal Disney Flash Mob Style

Posted on September 4, 2012 by russtowne

There is something magical about young people in love surrounded by friends all working together to make a moment unique, special, and memorable. Add enthusiastic dancing that clearly took a lot of time and effort to synchronize to vibrant or romantic music and something amazing is created.

Russ

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments

A World As Big As Your Heart

Posted on September 3, 2012 by russtowne

“A person’s world is only as big as his heart.”
–Tanya A. Moore
(Source: Tiny Buddha)

I believe that saying is true and wise. As my heart has grown so has my world.

Russ

Posted in Growth/Learning, Love, Quotes I Love, Truth, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

The Worst Kind Of Loneliness

Posted on September 2, 2012 by russtowne

Most people have been touched by the tragedy of suicide. That saddens me for the person and for the world that is deprived of their gifts.

I don’t know what the total answer to that tragedy is, but I’ll bet it involves kindness and reaching out to those whose desperation and loneliness eat away at their spirit like a corrosive acid until there is so little left of their spirit that they can no longer even feel it.

That has got to be the worst kind of loneliness, when even hope and faith feel like false friends.

But kindness is an acid remover. It helps the spirit to shine and grow and to reveal itself to the person to whom kindness is shown and to the person being kind.

Kindness offers to each of us the incredibly powerful ability to help to transform lives and perhaps even save them.

We may not be able to save every life, but every life saved offers greater hope for humanity.

Thank you dear readers for being kind and for the other gifts you share. You make my world better for being in it.

Russ

Posted in Dealing with Pain & Grief, Healing, Loneliness, Making the World a Better Place, Observations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Every Gift Has People Who Would Appreciate It

Posted on September 2, 2012 by russtowne

One rarely accomplishes anything worthwhile by hiding in a crowd. If we aren’t sticking out then we are hiding the gifts that we could be giving to the world.

We all have something to share and sometime ago I decided that I was no longer willing to keep hiding mine, and who and what I am.

I used to fear rejection, but I came to realize that for every gift (no matter what it is or who is offering them) there will be some who will appreciate it and some who won’t.

Hiding or sharing my gifts won’t change that.

Hiding them just says I’m ashamed of them and of myself, and fear what others will think about my gifts.

Sharing them says I’m proud of who I am, and of the gifts I have to offer to those who will enjoy them. I like this way of being and am never going back to the person who was afraid to share my gifts.

It is my hope that those of us who share our messages and gifts may be able to inspire much younger people–and those of all ages, races, cultures, and genders–to find and share their gifts and to be proud of them.

Russ

Posted in Choices, Communicating, Following Your Passion, LIfe Lessons, Making the World a Better Place | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments