On the Decline of Virtuosity

Recently I came across a discussion at guitar forum in which people were posing question like "Where is the new Van Halen?", or "Why aren't there guitar heros any  more?" Many were opining what they termed the "decline of virtuosity".

At the time all I could think of to say was "Huh?" Here is a more thoughtful response:

In Defence of Britney Spears

Say what you will about her and her music, but at least one successful songwriter is defending Britney Spears' artistic integrity.

Interestingly, this supportive songwriter is not mentioned by name anywhere in the article. I could make an educated guess as to his/her identity by perusing the writing credits in the liner notes of the new album, but oh ya....I don't own it.

Music in The Cloud

Just a few days after writing my Collaboration in the 21st Century post, I found this: Google's new Audiotool app.

Holy crap...that is way too cool...in a scary way.

Anonymous, open source songwriting is knocking on the door, people. I'm predicting now that copyright laws will not be rewritten fast enough to keep up with this technology.

I can see the album credits now: "All the Ways I've Love You", words and music by 73 people whose names we don't know.

* photo by Fuzzcat

Guitar Hero.....The Final Curtain

Activision announced today that they are discontinuing their popular Guitar Hero series of video games.

Guitar Hero = good, in my book.

It interested a whole new generation in guitar-centric music, and also generated a lot of new guitar students for me. It also introduced me to a lot of modern music my kids liked, but that I hadn't heard. Total win, IMO.

How Many Songs Does it Take to Get Rich?

The answer: one, if it's the right one.

I've heard it, you've heard it, we've all heard it....like a million times. Here is Franke Previte's income from "I Had the Time of My Life".

 Right place, right time, right song = set for life. Franke was definitely on board the Luck Bus that year!

Center Stage With David Norris - Part 2

Welcome back to my epic interview with David Norris, of Norrisong Productions. David knows what it takes to draw the best performance out of an artist, and make a great recording. In part 1 he talked to me in depth about what a producer's job is. Now he focuses on getting the most out of a recording session, and how to increase your chances of getting a song cut.

Center Stage With David Norris - Part 1

David Norris of Norrisong Productions has produced some of the brightest young talent in Nashville. He is also an extremely gifted songwriter, with a laundry list of awards and cuts to his name. Despite these accomplishments he remains a friendly, approachable guy who immediately makes you feel like an old friend. He is a walking Who’s Who of the songwriting world, and his enthusiasm for music is infectious.

Center Stage with Galen Breen of The Gator Hole - Part 2

Galen Breen of The Gator Hole has gained a reputation for producing some of Nashville's finest demos. In Part 1 of my interview with Galen we talked about his studio and the process of recording a demo. Here in part two we focus on the songs themselves, and what it takes to make yours stand out.

Center Stage with Galen Breen of The Gator Hole - Part 1

Songwriters need demos to pitch their songs, and the world (that is...Nashville) is full of studios ready to make them. Being a good demo studio, however, means more than having the ability to make great recordings. It means having the ability to translate a songwriter's rough ideas into a performance that sounds honest and genuine. It takes an experienced demo producer to do that - one who understands how songs tick, and knows how to milk them for all they're worth.

Copyright - Shout if From the Roof Tops

I’ve heard it in classrooms. I’ve seen it posted on songwriting forums. It comes up in workshops, associations, and club meetings. It is the question that never goes away: “How do I copyright my songs?” Let’s stop fiddling around and answer it once and for all.

Song Wars: Revenge of the Demo

Before an independent songwriter can pitch a song they must record a demo of it. The function of the demo is to introduce the song to interested parties – publishers, artists, and producers. It stands to reason that the demo should portray a song in its best light, but now that demos are taking on a life of their own a rebellion has begun...

Publishing in a Nutshell

Confused about the difference between publisher’s rights and songwriter’s share? Still think that someone exploiting your songs is a bad thing? Here’s a quick and dirty post that explains in laymen’s terms what publishing is, and what’s in it for a songwriter.