| News and Tidbits of Reality |
| 2005 WINNERS ANNOUNCED, By: Jessica Brandon Artists Relations USA Songwriting Competition *World's Leading International Songwriting Competition* http://www.songwriting.net info@songwriting.net |
| 11th USA SONGWRITING COMPETITION BEGINS By: Jessica Brandon Artists Relations USA Songwriting Competition *World's Leading International Songwriting Competition* http://www.songwriting.net info@songwriting.net |
The winners of the 2005 songwriting competition have been
announced and the winners are:
Hakim Young (New Jersey) won the Overall Grand Prize
as well as the first prize in the R&B category of the 10th
Annual USA Songwriting Competition. The song has now
been cut by Columbia Records artist "St. Juste". Although
this is Hakim's very first music award/prize, Hakim is one half
of the music production team of Pitch Black (with J. Mobley).
He has worked with Musiq Soulchild (Def Jam Records),
Anthony Hamilton (Zomba), Carl Thomas (Bad Boy Records),
Blu Cantrell (Columbia) and Amerie (Columbia).
Overall Second prize winner went to Randy Klein
(New York), who also who the first Prize in the Jazz category.
He has won an Emmy award in the past and has written for
Millie Jackson (BMG)
Overall Third prize went Nial Djuliarso (Jakarta, INDONESIA),
who also won the first prize in the instrumental category. He is
also the first indonesian to ever win first prize and the only
winner from Asia this year. Other winners this year came from
Scotland, Serbia & Montenegro, Denmark, Canada, England,
Australia, Belgium and Spain.
announced and the winners are:
Hakim Young (New Jersey) won the Overall Grand Prize
as well as the first prize in the R&B category of the 10th
Annual USA Songwriting Competition. The song has now
been cut by Columbia Records artist "St. Juste". Although
this is Hakim's very first music award/prize, Hakim is one half
of the music production team of Pitch Black (with J. Mobley).
He has worked with Musiq Soulchild (Def Jam Records),
Anthony Hamilton (Zomba), Carl Thomas (Bad Boy Records),
Blu Cantrell (Columbia) and Amerie (Columbia).
Overall Second prize winner went to Randy Klein
(New York), who also who the first Prize in the Jazz category.
He has won an Emmy award in the past and has written for
Millie Jackson (BMG)
Overall Third prize went Nial Djuliarso (Jakarta, INDONESIA),
who also won the first prize in the instrumental category. He is
also the first indonesian to ever win first prize and the only
winner from Asia this year. Other winners this year came from
Scotland, Serbia & Montenegro, Denmark, Canada, England,
Australia, Belgium and Spain.
| Entries for the 11th Annual USA Songwriting Competition are currently being accepted. Winning songs of the 2005 USA Songwriting Competition will receive airplay on a nationally syndicatedradio program “Acoustic Café” as well as XM Satellite Radio. This is the first Songwriting Competition that gives airplay to the winning songs, giving deserving bands, songwriters the recognition and exposure they deserve. Sponsors include: Keyboard magazine, New Music Weekly, Sony, Audio-Technica, Ibanez Guitars, D'Addario Strings, Peavey, Sam Ash Music Stores, IK Multimedia, Hear Techologies, MixDownMedia. com, Indie Bible, Garritan Music Software, Acoustic Cafe, LivewireMusician.com, Loggins Promotion and Superdups.com. For more information, please go to: http://www.songwriting.net |
| All Hail The Dixie Chicks! By: D. E. Keith |
Congratulations to the Dixie Chicks for their stellar release of
Taking The Long Way Home.
It's nice to see that this release went skyrocketing to # 1 in its
first week. It's a solid mainstream release for the Chicks and
it's full of attitude and social relevance. It takes balls to stand
your ground against the hard right and remind regular people
that having an opinion and speaking out is part of being an
American. Indietude will review Taking The Long Way Home
next month. Remember - The Dixie Chicks are hitting the road.
Check 'em out.
Taking The Long Way Home.
It's nice to see that this release went skyrocketing to # 1 in its
first week. It's a solid mainstream release for the Chicks and
it's full of attitude and social relevance. It takes balls to stand
your ground against the hard right and remind regular people
that having an opinion and speaking out is part of being an
American. Indietude will review Taking The Long Way Home
next month. Remember - The Dixie Chicks are hitting the road.
Check 'em out.
Enough of Lydon ! Please!!!!!!!!!
By: D. E. Keith
After viewing the John Lydon (PIL – Public Image Limited)
interview circa: 1981 with Tom Snyder) and recently reading
about the surviving Sex Pistols refusal over their Rock’n Roll
Hall of Fame induction – I have just one question. Is anyone
as sick of this media whore as much as I am?
Jesus, this guy’s the biggest no talent asshole on the planet
and the same is true of the Sex Pistols. What stood them
apart really? It wasn’t the music honey. It was the hype. The
only thing the Sex Pistols were famous for is crass behavior,
dirty words and a "we hate everyone" attitude. It was all flash
and no substance.
I defy anyone to go back and listen to “Never Mind The
Bollocks” and say it was great then and is still great now.
You can do it with the Ramones and with The Clash, but
not with the Sex Pistols. They were a mere blip on the rock’n
roll radar screen. It does a dis-service to other talented
musicians of that period who really do deserve induction
into the Hall of Fame.
Lydon is like clockwork. Every time we've just about forgotten
him, he springs forth once more to spew forth his apathetic
anti-everything diatribe. He prances around with his tired old
adolescent angst, desperately wanting us ‘stupid people’ to
pay attention to him.
To steal a quote from one of my favorite films – Performance
is the scene when Chas tells the retired rock star Turner.
“You’ll look funny when your fifty.” This quote applies
equally to Mr. Lydon.
Someone should tell Lydon his 15 minutes of fame are waay
beyond over. At least Sid Vicious knew when and how to
execute a memorable exit.
By: D. E. Keith
After viewing the John Lydon (PIL – Public Image Limited)
interview circa: 1981 with Tom Snyder) and recently reading
about the surviving Sex Pistols refusal over their Rock’n Roll
Hall of Fame induction – I have just one question. Is anyone
as sick of this media whore as much as I am?
Jesus, this guy’s the biggest no talent asshole on the planet
and the same is true of the Sex Pistols. What stood them
apart really? It wasn’t the music honey. It was the hype. The
only thing the Sex Pistols were famous for is crass behavior,
dirty words and a "we hate everyone" attitude. It was all flash
and no substance.
I defy anyone to go back and listen to “Never Mind The
Bollocks” and say it was great then and is still great now.
You can do it with the Ramones and with The Clash, but
not with the Sex Pistols. They were a mere blip on the rock’n
roll radar screen. It does a dis-service to other talented
musicians of that period who really do deserve induction
into the Hall of Fame.
Lydon is like clockwork. Every time we've just about forgotten
him, he springs forth once more to spew forth his apathetic
anti-everything diatribe. He prances around with his tired old
adolescent angst, desperately wanting us ‘stupid people’ to
pay attention to him.
To steal a quote from one of my favorite films – Performance
is the scene when Chas tells the retired rock star Turner.
“You’ll look funny when your fifty.” This quote applies
equally to Mr. Lydon.
Someone should tell Lydon his 15 minutes of fame are waay
beyond over. At least Sid Vicious knew when and how to
execute a memorable exit.
Sanity Tips For The Indie Musician
By: D. E. Keith
As someone who plays a bad guitar and someone who has attended
enough indie shows, I’d like to share a bit of wisdom.
For indie musicians - young, old and otherwise. When playing a gig
be sure to have back-up supplies (i.e. strings, tuner, batteries, capo,
tools, etc.) You can go from zero to major suckage if you break
down - either right before, or during a gig. You spend all your time
trying
to solve your problem or begging other musicians to help you get
through your set. Either way - it doesn't impress an audience or
club managers.
I'll give you a perfect example, I attended a show a few years ago
to see a friend play. One of the musicians on the bill realized -
on stage that her battery powered pick-up was dead. After asking
the audience if they just happened to have a 9-volt battery on them
the only solution was to ask to use another musicians guitar during
her set - which ended up being my friend's. And naturally the tuning
wasn't the same, so the audience got to listen to endless re-tunings
through the evening. Enough said.
For those learning to play, or just enjoying to play, invest in a couple
of additional supplies after buying your guitar. Trust me, these items
will make your life easier.
- Buy yourself an electronic tuner – Medium price will do fine
- Buy a music stand. It will save both in neck, back and eye strain
- Purchase a case to put all your supplies in. (i.e. makeup case)
- Buy a good capo
- Buy a good guitar strap
- Buy a good guitar case. Protect your investment and treat it
like a child. Instruments are designed to last a lifetime if you
store and care for it properly.
By: D. E. Keith
As someone who plays a bad guitar and someone who has attended
enough indie shows, I’d like to share a bit of wisdom.
For indie musicians - young, old and otherwise. When playing a gig
be sure to have back-up supplies (i.e. strings, tuner, batteries, capo,
tools, etc.) You can go from zero to major suckage if you break
down - either right before, or during a gig. You spend all your time
trying
to solve your problem or begging other musicians to help you get
through your set. Either way - it doesn't impress an audience or
club managers.
I'll give you a perfect example, I attended a show a few years ago
to see a friend play. One of the musicians on the bill realized -
on stage that her battery powered pick-up was dead. After asking
the audience if they just happened to have a 9-volt battery on them
the only solution was to ask to use another musicians guitar during
her set - which ended up being my friend's. And naturally the tuning
wasn't the same, so the audience got to listen to endless re-tunings
through the evening. Enough said.
For those learning to play, or just enjoying to play, invest in a couple
of additional supplies after buying your guitar. Trust me, these items
will make your life easier.
- Buy yourself an electronic tuner – Medium price will do fine
- Buy a music stand. It will save both in neck, back and eye strain
- Purchase a case to put all your supplies in. (i.e. makeup case)
- Buy a good capo
- Buy a good guitar strap
- Buy a good guitar case. Protect your investment and treat it
like a child. Instruments are designed to last a lifetime if you
store and care for it properly.
And speaking of the Rock’n Roll Hall of Fame
By: D. E. Keith
I’d like to know what moronic idiots decide who gets in? Which
lead me to my next question. Who do you have to blow to be
inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame?
But I’ll leave that for the next issue.
By: D. E. Keith
I’d like to know what moronic idiots decide who gets in? Which
lead me to my next question. Who do you have to blow to be
inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame?
But I’ll leave that for the next issue.
| ©Indietude.com 2006 |
| Guitar Man By: D. E. Keith |
There is an incredible secret in the Los Angeles
area that all good indie musicians should know. It’
s having a great guitar repair man. Unless your
wealthy or don't give a shit about your equipment
then you need to know who to call when
something bad happens to your moneymaker.
His name is Randy Hill and he’s works for Sam Ash, although I won't
tell you which one. He is a musician and has years of experience
doing the magic that he does repairing, restoring and caring for
instruments.
I hope to continue to showcase Randy’s words of wisdom regarding
instrument care in the coming months. In the meantime, Randy’s
tips for this month include:
- Never ever use furniture polish on any guitar or instrument!
Use only Guitar polish. There is a difference. Also, use only a
soft cloth on your guitar (e.g. cloth diaper).
- Invest in a humidifier.
- Invest in a good guitar case.
- Invest in a good guitar stand - Guitars drop and fall easily when
leaning up furniture, walls etc. or drunken idiots that stumble
upon them - causing major damage.
- Never expose your instrument to any extremes either liquids or
temperatures.
- Never try to repair a guitar unless you really, really, really know
what you are doing, and even then - seek a professional.
- Change your strings often depending on frequency of use.
area that all good indie musicians should know. It’
s having a great guitar repair man. Unless your
wealthy or don't give a shit about your equipment
then you need to know who to call when
something bad happens to your moneymaker.
His name is Randy Hill and he’s works for Sam Ash, although I won't
tell you which one. He is a musician and has years of experience
doing the magic that he does repairing, restoring and caring for
instruments.
I hope to continue to showcase Randy’s words of wisdom regarding
instrument care in the coming months. In the meantime, Randy’s
tips for this month include:
- Never ever use furniture polish on any guitar or instrument!
Use only Guitar polish. There is a difference. Also, use only a
soft cloth on your guitar (e.g. cloth diaper).
- Invest in a humidifier.
- Invest in a good guitar case.
- Invest in a good guitar stand - Guitars drop and fall easily when
leaning up furniture, walls etc. or drunken idiots that stumble
upon them - causing major damage.
- Never expose your instrument to any extremes either liquids or
temperatures.
- Never try to repair a guitar unless you really, really, really know
what you are doing, and even then - seek a professional.
- Change your strings often depending on frequency of use.
Photo used via www.ananova.com