SongU.com Logo

"Success doesn't come to you. You go to it." - Marva Collins

Hi everyone,

This is a special quarterly "Gold Stars" edition of the SongU.com Campus News to celebrate our members recent successes in the past three months (July-Sept 2011) [Editor's note: If you submitted good news in early October 2011, and do not see it here, it will appear in the next Gold Stars issue].

From contest winners to publishing contracts to TV placements, first cuts, radio airplay and more -- there's some great successes in this current quarterly issue. We're proud of you for dreaming big, working hard and making it happen. You will also notice that many of the songs below were co-writes with other SongU.com members or came up through the SongU.com Coaching system or were signed through one of our various pitch listings. That is just awesome. Keep up the great work!

Ok, without further adieu, maestro, please cue the fanfare music (and apologies to anyone whom I've accidentally overlooked. You can email me with any corrections)...

GOLD STARS: July-Sept 2011

High-Fives to our members who won or placed in a songwriting contest recently:

  • George Asithianakis - ,Landed several songs in the semi-finals of the UK Songwriting Contest, including: "If I Could", "With You Around Me", "The Last Tree", "I Will Say Tonight To A Star", "Our Gold Secrets".
  • Fiona Benefield ("Meet My Angel") - Nashville Demo Studio Song Contest. Honorable Mention
  • Marco Guerra ("Not Fade Away") - UK-Songwriting-Contest 2011, made it to the semifinals (Category: Rock).
  • Paul Harper ("LIFE IT'S SO STRANGE") - UK Songwriting Contest. Finalist in the 'Adult Contemporary' category. A big 'thank you' to Coach 3762 who reviewed my conceptual lyrics and kicked me in the teeth for such a poor effort, as previous analysis showed I was better. As I knew I was only being kicked because I was respected, I rose to being challenged to re-write whole sections on the lyric and was then given A's for my efforts. I had the song demoed and entered it to the contest and it got to that narrow bracket of finalists, so I'm delighted with this result and owe so much to you, 3762!!
  • Jamie Hawkins ("A Bloody Good Christmas") - UK Songwriting Contest. I won 1st place in the Folk/Acoustic Category :) I also won a 'commended entry' certificate for another of my songs, "uP/dOWn"
  • Brooke Malouf ("Keep On Riding (Brooke Elizabeth Malouf/ Richard Davis)", cowritten with Richard Davis) - Dallas Songwriters Association contest. First place winner
  • Yvonne Perkins ("You Must Forgive") - www.broadjam.com Top Ten Religious R & B . This song hit the Top Ten Chart for 2 weeks during the month of August.
  • Mitch Townley ("Lovin Up On You", cowritten with Andy Wills ) - Durango Songwriter's: Write With A Hitmaker Contest. 3rd place
  • Graham Turner ("Various") - UK Songwriters. 3 Semi Final placements for the songs "Days of Summer" "That's The Trouble With Email"( co written with Sharyn Cassidy) , "Strings Smoke and Memories (co written with Deannie Richardson and Bill Tannyson.
  • Roy Williams - UK Songwriting Contest. Semi-Finalist in the Jazz/Blues category for "TEN FEET TALL", semi-Finalist in the Adult Contemporary category for "YOUR LIFE MY LOVE" and semi-Finalist in the Lyrics category for "HEAVENS LOST AND FOUND".
  • Bridget A. Krause (whose performance name is Bridget Wolf)  ("Hope") - UK Songwriting Contest 2011. My piano instrumental "Hope" was a semi-finalist in the instrumental category of the UK Songwriting Contest 2011. My song "I Am You" received a commended entry (honorable mention) in the Open (miscellaneous) Category of the same contest this year. So my 3-year tally of songs submitted to the UK Songwriting Contest is now one finalist (instrumental), six semi-finalists and six commended entries! Yahoo!!!
  • Till Zuidema ("Back on Track ") - Song of the Year, Semi-Finalist placement.
Hats off to those members who signed a song with a publisher or had a song licensed:
 
  • Jerry Glidewell ("Home With You") - Signed with Rex Benson Music.
  • Graham Turner ("2 Of A Kind", "How Can You Love Me This Way", "For God's Sake, Let's Try", "Da Da Dada (Days Of Summer)" - Pitchin' Hots Music (Fame and Fotune Entertainment). I have been offered 4 Single Song Contracts. 
  • Ed Williams ("Everything Going On", "White Picket Plan", "You Got Country") - Hot Seat Music. I've made an agreement with Hot Seat Music (owned by Mike Daily, who is George Strait's steel guitar player and one of the original founding members of George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band).
A round of applause to those members who had songs on hold or recorded:
 
  • Benn Cutarelli ("Small Stuff" and "Vitamin U"", cowritten with Dan Robinson) - Marek Bender (Artist). Dan Robinson and I are proud to announce that two of our songs were recently selected as cuts on Mark Benders new CD release.Mark Bender, a Germany based artist will be cutting two of our songs on his next CD to be released in 2012. Mark decided to release this CD with all the songs spoken in English. Were hoping he will break-through and do a US tour. Mark told us he listened to hundreds then narrowed it down to 25-30. He then selected songs for the album. The good news for us is that "Vitamin U" and "Small Stuff" made that final cut. Dan Robinson and I are long-time SongU.commembers. I joined SongU.Com in 2002 and Dan in 2004. We can tell you that without the experience weve gained from our SongU.commemberships, this opportunity would not have presented itself. All of the self-paced courses, feedback courses, faculty coaching, instructor lead courses, and pitching opportunities, all played a major role in the continuous improvement process of songwriting, which lead to these two cuts.
  • Marissa DiBlasio ("Paper and Glue", cowritten with Kathy Miller) - Kathy and I are so excited to say we've signed mechanical licenses with two different indie artists on this song, both versions will be released later this year and we'll announce more then. Felt great to get the paychecks!
  • Matt Dorman ("How Did You Love?" cd title: "Stronger Every Day"") - recording artist: Suzzette Michaels. Publishing company: RDSD/BMI. Thanks Songu.com! This song was pitched on the pitching page to artist Suzzette Michaels (www.suzzette.net) and she chose it to be released this November on her CD, "Stronger Every Day", with digital downloads available. It's been published twice before, but this time it stuck! woo hoo!!
  • Jerry Glidewell ("Roger Miller Time") - Amy Assister on Rutledge Records.
  • Lisa Medill ('Impulsive' and 'Mis'd'") - My Three Kids Music - artist: Heather Brown. I submitted 'Impulsive' and 'Mis'd' for a SongU.com pitch awhile back. Although the songs were not picked up by the artist at that time, the company really liked the songs and offered to pitch them to indie artists. While checking my email tonight, I received a message from Bob that he was contacted by a small indie artist who wanted to cut both of my songs. These are my first cuts through SongU.com. Thank you SongU.com! :-)
  • Yvonne Perkins ("I Don't Know") - Trish Standley. Trish Standly recorded my song "I Don't Know" which was released 8-27-11 on her new CD "Redemption"
  • Andrew Scott Wills ("Pass It Down") - Montgomery Gentry (HOLD). Co-written with Chad Tyler.
Congrats to our our members who have recently gotten airplay:
 
  • Pat Kelley ("The Man My Dog Thinks I Am") - Country Dreams Radio. Co-write with Bucky Jones
  • Bridget A. Krause (two piano instrumentals: "Hope" and "I'll Never Forget You"") - Women of Substance Radio (internet radio show). For 2 years, Women of Substance Radio has selected two of my piano instrumentals--"Hope" and "I'll Never Forget You"--for their September 11 Tribute Show. I feel very grateful that both songs were chosen for this heartfelt program two years in a row!
  • Andrew Scott Wills (""Thank God"") - Recorded by Johnny Jolin. "Thank God" has no climbed to #13 on the Christian Country Top 100 for the month of September and is receiving 500+ spins a week worldwide.
And cheers to those members who have other good news to share:
 
  • Dominique Bollinger ("Insane (10 tracks album)", cowritten with Features co-writes with Barb Murrin, Judith Shue and one song written by Becca Bessinger) - DOM, label: Dumb Dog Records. I've been working this last year on my new album and finally it's ready to be released ... Here's what's featured on my 10 track album called Insane (released on sept. 30 2011 on CD, MP3 and LP collector): - one song written and composed by Becca Bessinger (I'll make you breathe) - one song completely co-written by Barb and me (Rain) - one song I composed with lyrics co-written by Barb and me (From Nowhere To Nowhere) - one song I composed with lyrics co-written by Judith (Shue) and me (Nobody's War). Here's the first video and the link to my website (two songs featured as a preview on the media page) : Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNOem1L0fes Website: www.poprockdom.com Of course, you and the SongU.com community is thanked on the album credits, you really did so much for me :)
  • Jerry Glidewell ("Be Still") - Cable Television. song aired on the Oxygen Network during the reality series "Bad Girls Club"
  • Mitch Townley ("Friend") - American Service Dog Association. In January, 2011, I was contacted by a local service organization to write a theme song for them. The song I wrote called "Friend" was just picked up by the American Service Dog Association for use on their website and in their publicity. It can be heard at: www.americanservicedog.com.
  • Claire Ulanoff ("Some Things You Don't Throw Away", cowritten with Will Hopkins) - Song and Film. Our song "Some Things You Don't Throw Away" was selected by Song and Film through a listing on Broadjam.com and will be forwarded to 20 different music supervisors who work on many cable tv shows that air on MTV, etc., for placement on tv.
SONGU.COM OPEN-DOOR PITCHING CONGRATULATES...
As you probably know, several of the good news items from above were also connected to our pitch listings. It's been another great few months for SongU.com pitching connections. We'd like to extend congratulations to the following members who had some good things happen to one of their songs through our connections (received notes of interest in their songs, contracts, mechanicals or licensing agreements, recordings or more).
#283 - Looking for top notch professionally demoed songs to pitch to artists and Film/TV. Current need: R&B ala Usher "More", Chris Brown "She Ain't You", Ne-Yo "One In A Milion", Jamie Fox "Fall For Your Type". Also accepting quality radio friendly Urban/Hip Hop. As with all Film/TV pitches, you must be the legal copyright holder and authorized to license the song. That means having the ability to get clearances from your demo singers and musicians. The following members received notes of interest in their songs from this publisher.

• Robert Nichols "Come Hell or High Heels"
• Steven Richards "How Do I Get You To Yes"

#445 - Highly COMPETITIVE to be pitched to MAJOR LABEL artists such as George Strait, Jennette McCurdy, Faith Hill, Jewel, David Nail, Carrie Underwood, Brooks and Dunn, etc. He is willing to negotiate publishing percentages with the writer as long as all parties involved are satisfied. The following members received notes of interest in their songs from this publisher.

• Michael Duncan "Hoedown"
• John Green "Too Much To Dream"
• Jesse Holguin "Let Me Buy You A Beer"

#720 - Looking for material for an interesting compilation project supported by major outdoor industry contacts. Submit Americana/Roots/Folk songs about the outdoors (hiking, camping, climbing, swimming, nature, etc). No hunting/fishing please. Need songs with less specifics on location (Everest no, mountain yes) and more about the feeling of being there. We need 1-2 UPTEMPO bluegrassy songs. The following members received notes of interest in their songs.

• Irene Bom "Up to us"

#745 - This experienced independent artist from Nashville is looking for Contemporary; positive; Christian Country songs for current project.

• Matt Dorman "HOW DID YOU LOVE?"

#752 - "THE VOICE". Street Pitch guest, P.D., is an independent songplugger who has several hit songwriters as clients but continues to find some great songs among our members. Currently looking for songs for male artists in the TV show The Voice. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Tricia Burnett "Hold A Little Hope (male version)"
• Matt Dorman "Denver v2"
• Kent Forward "Blown Away"
• Gary Reynolds "Damned If I Do (male demo)"

#753 - SCOTTY MCCREERY. Independent publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members and is looking for songs for American Idol winner, Scotty McCreery who recently signed with Interscope Mercury. Will need hit breakout songs. All tempos ala Garth Brooks, Josh Logan. Male vocal demos only. Scotty's also mentioned wanting to do a duet with Lauren Alaina so if you have an amazing duet song for them, pitch it...it might not be on this album, but it's good to be prepared if the need arises. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• David Dwortzan "The Reunion (Of Johnny & June)"

#756 - HEIDI NEWFIELD. Veteran song plugger and industry pro, S.B, will also listen this month for Curb artist Heidi Newfield. Submit great songs. She's wide open and no subject matter is off limits. She'll sing about anything, provided it's a song she thinks is great for her. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Kent Forward "Hearts Break In Waves"
• Steven Strobel "Could Be- (Pro Female Version)"

#760 - KENNY CHESNEY. Independent publisher who has already generated income for SongU.com members and is looking this month for hit songs for BNA recording artist, Kenny Chesney. Submit GREAT songs, good messages, positive, all tempos. Make sure it's fresh for Kenny - not rehashed. Male vocal demos only. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Lance Carpenter "Just Another Memory"
• Lee Johnson "The Moments In Between (Master)"
• Steven Strobel "Crazy Like That- Pro Band Demo"
• Mark Williams "Roses For No Reason"

#761 - KELLIE PICKLER. Independent publisher is also looking this month for BNA recording artist Kellie Pickler. Submit fun, sassy songs with great lyrics for a 24 yr old. Think Patty Loveless "Blame It On Your Heart" or songs with Womack style/vibe. NO mom or dad songs or wedding songs. NO BALLADS, need mid and uptempo smash hits. Female vocal demos only. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.
• David Dwortzan "How Long (Will This Last Chance Last)"
• Lee Johnson "High Heels (Nashville Demo)"
• Danny Kravitz "That Sweet Song"
• Ed Williams "It's Workin' - demo"

#762 - LAUREN ALAINA. P.D., is an independent songplugger who has several hit songwriters as clients but continues to find some great songs among our members. 16 yr old Lauren Alaina placed 2nd on American Idol this season. Signed to a full deal with ULG Nashville. Please send your very best contemporary country/pop, age appropriate songs that are career makers! The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Jerry Blackburn "Don''t Ask Me"
• Jon DAgostino "KISS U"
• Brad Yunek "LIVING STONES"

#763 - ALAN JACKSON. Currently looking for legendary recording artist, Alan Jackson. Alan is stretching out a bit so hes looking for amazing songs of all types and tempos that are strong lyrically. They dont have to be country but they do have to be strong songs whose message he can believe in. No matter what Alan sings its going to sound country. He loves story songs. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Mitch Townley "Kickin' It Old School "

#769 - JASON ALDEAN. Music industry veteran and publisher is looking for songs to pitch to Big Machine artist, Jason Aldean. Submit UPTEMPO HITS ONLY. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.
• Ray Phillips "Trouble Is"

#770 - JANA KRAMER. Looking this month for WB recording artist (and "One Tree Hill" actress). Submit songs ala Deana Carter's Strawberry Wine. She loves story songs. No songs with male bashing. No poor pitiful me songs. Stay positive, fresh, and commercial. No country/pop. Female vocal demos only. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Lee Johnson "I''ve Already Fallen"
• Claire Ulanoff "Love Don't Care"
• Rita Weyls "Blue Denim Blue"

#774 - MATT MASON. Looking this month for Warner Music Nashville/Electra recording artist, Matt Mason. Matt is CMT "Next Superstar". Submit songs ala Gary Allen vibe. Matt likes songs he can relate to (i.e. songs about struggles/recovery, being a better man, husband, father). Male vocal demos only. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• James (Jim) Smith "Color of a Collar"
• Rita Weyls "BRING YOUR BROKEN HEART TO ME"
• Mark Williams "In The Dirt"

#775 - RE-OPENED! Rodney "HotRod" Parker. Rodney is aggressive, confident, unapologetic in nature. Songs that speak about Individualism, Independence, Freedom, Liberty, Personal Responsibility, Personal Achievement, Self Reliance. NO LOVE SONGS or songs about "the girl". Objectivism. Songs like: Hank Jr's "Country Boy Can Survive", Kid Rock's "Born Free", Josh Thompson's "Way Out Here", Brantley Gilbert's "Dirt Road Anthem"-"Country must be Country Wide", Eric Church's "Drink a Little Drink", Hank Jr's "Sound's Like Justice", "Red White & Pink Slip Blues”.

• Patrick Dodge "Plain And Simple"
• Ryan Hydro "Corporate America"
• Ryan Hydro "Left Of The Law"
• Ryan Hydro "Jack Nicholson"
• james johnson "a little more money to burn"
• Pat Kelley "Guitars 'N Whammy Bars"
• Roger McGee "Chasing Dreams"
• Roger McGee "Song of the Wind"
• Evan McGill "It Don't Get No Better Than This"
• Jason Spraggins "This Burnin'' Heart"
• Jason Spraggins "PokerFace"
• Mitch Townley "On My Family Tree "
• Mitch Townley "How We Roll"
• Mitch Townley "Oorah Up!"
• Claire Ulanoff "Ready To Meet Me"
• Brad Yunek "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' ABOUT (full demo)"
• Brad Yunek "GET 'ER DONE (full demo)"

#777 - DAILEY AND VINCENT. Looking this month for Rounder Records recording artist, Dailey and Vincent. Submit authentic bluegrass for this male duo. They love nostalgic stuff. UPTEMPO preferred, but any tempo ok. Male vocal demos only. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Dakota Jay Moniot "Pennsylvania"
• James Eric Myers "Train Oh Train"
• Russ Pruitt "Glory Land"

#779 - THOMPSON SQUARE: Street Pitch guest, P.D., is an independent songplugger who has several hit songwriters as clients but continues to find some great songs among our members. She is listening this month for songs for Stoney Creek Records recording artist Thompson Square, a husband & wife duo who just came off of a huge single with "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Gary Reynolds "Doin' Just Fine"

#780 - N.P., will be listening on a regular basis at SongU.com for "non-country" major film/TV opportunities for her L.A. music supervisor contacts. PLEASE-Only submit songs that meet the following "media pitch" requirements: the songwriter(s) must own the master recording and publishing; and must get signed clearances from all talent, musicians and vocalists, who perform on your demo. No exceptions. For this Major Feature Film, submit songs that fit the following criteria: Either 1) Alt Rock ala Young, The Giant, or Breathe Carolina; OR 2) Pop/Electro ala LMFAO, 3OH!3, Ke$ha; OR 3) Triple A/Adult Contemporary ala Michael Buble, Colbie Caillat, Feist, Vanessa Carlton. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Fiona Benefield "Krazy Kool"
• Silje Haavet Golden "Please don't say"
• Silje Haavet Golden "Walk Away "
• Elizabeth Milcarek "SMILE IS KILLING ME"
• Marianne Philbin "Then Again"
• Steven Richards "Its Not Me, Its You"

#781 - For this major cable family TV show submit male or female songs that fit this criteria: 1) sweet quirky female pop -NOT pop country; OR 2) punk, fun, party music. Think High School meets fashion world. Lyrics need to be clean. PITCH FOLLOW-UP: If this guest expresses interest in your song you will be asked to sign a an agreement for this project only (non-exclusive); with a 50%/50% split for both the master/synch licenses. They do not take publishing of the song so the publisher/writers will get all the performance income. The following members had their songs selected for this pitch.

• Donna Aylor "Down With That -pop "
• Elizabeth Milcarek "DON'T GET ME WRONG"
• Elizabeth Milcarek "WHAT A KISS MEANS"
Congratulations to all! Remember, we always love hearing your good news. So if you have some good news to share, just look on the right-hand side of the SongU.com member homepage after you login where you can submit your good news for the next Gold Stars. As always, thanks to you for showing the world that talent, dedication and education go a long way. Wishing you all continued success!

See you "on campus" ;-)

Best wishes,

-Danny
------------------------------------------------------------------
Danny Arena
www.SongU.com
Courses, Coaching, Connections
Follow: www.twitter.com/SongUNews
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SongUNews 

Remove me from the campus news | Update my campus news email address