One Horizon Accoustic Version of Fly

Here is a peak at my band One Horizon singing as song I wrote called Fly.  

                     

Quick Update

I am still vacationing with my family for winter break, and will resume my regular blog by next week, but I just wanted to let anyone and everyone know about the upcoming performance of one of my original songs called Fly.  I will be performing it with my band One Horizon at a New Year's Eve concert on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.  One Horizon will be playing from 8-9 PM in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building Lobby.  If you are around, come check it out.  :)

Monday Memoirs: December 21, 2015 "Merry Christmas"

My children are vacationing from school right now, and it is the Christmas holiday, so I will be spending the next two weeks with my family.  I do plan on keeping my mind open and allowing songs to come from my life experiences over the next two weeks, though.  I hope all of you continue to allow music to flow from your creative minds throughout the holiday season too, and please share when you do.

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  I look forward to regularly posting starting the first full week in January.  Until then.... Happy Songwriting!!

“Merry Christmas” by samarttiw from freedigitalphotos.net

WaCkY WeDnEsDaY ChAlLeNgE: Jingle Bells

My husband took some video footage a few weeks ago and really wanted to share it on Facebook.  He asked me if I would record something.  A lot of my recording equipment is out of state right now, in preparation for my New Year's Eve show with my band One Horizon, so I had to use my phone wire and speaker to record the vocals and guitar.  I hope you can enjoy it anyways.  :)  I put this together in less than 12 hours.  Anything that can be thrown together in less than a week and then shared on the internet can qualify for a Wacky Wednesday Challenge, don't you think?

Until next time, Happy Songwriting!!!

Take Note Tuesday: Lindsey Stirling

On Take Note Tuesday posts, I usually make it a point to hi-light family friendly artists who are still building a following.  This week I have made an exception, though.  I would like to share a song that a more well know artist did to celebrate the Christmas Season.  Her name is Lindsey Sterling.  She writes music, plays the violin while dancing and shares videos on youtube on a regular basis.  She has 7,342,493 subscribers to her youtube station.  I am sharing her video because I like the way that she is not seeking to promote herself with this video, but challenging her viewers to think twice about the response we might have to Jesus Christ  during this Christmas season.  How the season is celebrated is going to be different for everyone, but I love the way that this artist has made an effort to make her musical creations about something more than just herself.  I think that this selfless focus is when music becomes the MOST beautiful.  This is what I seek to promote in my Take Note Tuesday Posts. I hope you enjoy her video, until next time, Happy Songwriting.

Monday Memoirs: "Still, Still, Still" Recording

           Click here to listen: "Still Still Still" arranged by David A Zabriskie and Catrina Baum

As my weekday schedule has changed quite a bit, recently (I started homeschooling my 12 year old son), my songwriting opportunities have definitely been less frequent.  I have been preparing to sing in church next week, though, so I thought it would be appropriate to share "my" version of an arrangement that I recorded to help me practice.  Even though it is very minor, I tweaked a few notes here and there to fit my style and liking.  That can be considered songwriting, right?  That is pretty much 'all I got' this week.

Here it is.  The song, "Still, Still, Still" is an Austrian Carol arranged by David A. Zabriskie and myself.

“Wintertime In Sweden” by Poulsen Photo from freedigital photos.net

Click here to listen: "Still Still Still" arranged by David A Zabriskie and Catrina Baum

WaCkY WeDnEsDaY ChAlLeNgE: Twas the Night Before Christmas Youtube video

The Wacky Wednesday challenge: 

See what youtube video or sound cloud recording you can up with in 1 week.  

The project starts on Thursday is due by midnight on Wednesday the following week.  To be considered Wacky Wednesday the project has to begin and end within one weeks time.  

This week has been full of surprises.  In addition to the seasonal, holiday bustle, I had a BIG change to my life.  As of December 1st,  I am now homeschooling my 12-year old son.  It is because of this that my youtube video project began at 9pm tonight and will hopefully be loaded by midnight.  I hope you enjoy it.

Take Note Tuesday: Firefly

I first heard of this band when I was researching artists that would be at a Music and Arts Festival in Utah a few years ago.  Their energy and heart impressed me.  They have continued to create and make beautiful music amid many changes in their life.  Here is a great cover that they did of a One Republic song called "Feel Again".

Monday Memoirs December 7, 2015: "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day"

To hear a sample of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" click HERE.

This past weekend I took some of my equipment from my home in Idaho to a location in Utah so that I would be ready for my band rehearsal on January 30th.  Because of this, I will not be able to do as many projects until after the New Year.  I am SO bummed!!  I still plan on sharing whatever I can, though.
In anticipation of being separated from my equipment, I attempted to see how far I could get on my newest songwriting project.  As part of a request, I began to play around with ideas for the Christmas song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day".  The idea that came to me was actually a mash-up of two different Christmas songs.  I put it together just hours before leaving town on Friday.   It is in a very ROUGH draft format, but I wanted to share it as part of my Monday Songwriting Memoirs anyways. Please let me know what you think so far.  Any guesses as to what the second song is???
How about you?  What kind of projects did you work on this week?  Please share.  Until next time... Happy Songwriting!

“Christmas Tree” by Feelart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

                         To hear a sample of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" click HERE.

WaCkY WeDnEsDaY Challenge: Twas the Night Before Christmas

Click HERE to listen to "Twas the Night Before Christmas" cover by Catrina Baum

Hallmark Channel is my most favorite TV station to watch at Christmas time.  I think I somehow inherited this love from my mom who also watches Hallmark Channel movies on a regular basis.  Last year she watched the movie, "Angels and Ornaments", with her dear friend who has since passed away after a difficult battle with cancer.  There is a beautiful song sung by one of the main characters in this movie.  When my mom heard it she instantly thought of me and requested that I arrange my own version of the song.  Here it is: Twas the Night Before Christmas by Stacy Hersh, Rober Baughn and Brock Walsh cover by Catrina Baum.

“Moon And Tree” by renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Click HERE to listen to "Twas the Night Before Christmas" cover by Catrina Baum

Take Note Tuesday: Us the Duo

Us the Duo is a group I was first introduced to on Facebook through a friend who had posted a cover song video of "Like I'm Gonna Lose You" by Meaghan Trainor.  I really like the music that this husband and wife team create together.  Check out their new single.  Great songwriting!!!

Monday November 30, 2015

Click here to listen to:
Thousand Years by Christina Perri Cover by One Horizon

Today I would like to reflect on a project that I was a part of last year.  It was a youtube video that I worked on with Brenda Duffin and Carolyn Brady from the band One Horizon.  We wanted to recognize that November being National Adoption Month.  We posted pictures of many families with adopted children accompanied by our very own cover of the song "Thousand Years" by Christina Perri.  When I first started working on an arrangement for this song I found myself being uninspired by the movie soundtrack this song came from.  I had no desire to be conjuring up images of Edward and Bella every time I sang this song.  As I searched for my own source of inspiration I found that the lyrics perfectly captured my own experience with adoption.  Here is a sample of the song with updated vocals.  I hope you enjoy it.

Click here to listen to:

Thousand Years by Christina Perri Cover by One Horizon

P.S.  Here is a link to the youtube video we made in 2014 if you would like to check it out again.  Until next time.. Happy Songwriting!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

My children are vacationing from school right now, and it is the Thanksgiving holiday, so I will be spending the next week with my family.  I do plan on keeping my mind open and allowing songs to come from my life experiences over the next few days, though.  I hope all of you continue to allow music to flow from your creative minds throughout the Thanksgiving season too, and please share when you do.

Wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  I look forward to regularly posting starting November 30th.  Until then.... Happy Songwriting!!

Image courtesy of Tina Phillips at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

WaCkY WeDnEsDaY ChAlLeNgE: City Dove by Tori Kelly cover by Catrina Baum

Here it is.  WOW!!  That was a difficult challenge.  I managed to get this out amid the hustle and bustle of home life with my husband getting surgery and all the other busy plans that go along with this time of year.  I hope you like it.

Take Note Tuesday: Sterre Van Boxtel

Exploring a variety of musical genres this week, I wanted to go global and share a video of a girl I came across while surfing music channels on youtube.  Her interpretation and stage presence are top notch.  She is an 11 year old from Europe who has been in different singing competitions and is coming out with her first CD at the end of November.  I know she is not a songwriter, but maybe she will grow into that.  In the mean time, I really like the way she has added her interpretation of the songs she has on her videos.  Check her channel out.

Monday Memoirs: November 15th Thinking of Rebecca Kuhnel

Image courtesy of Mister GC at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I have recently started to meet on a regular basis, with a friend of mine, who likes to write songs.  She has written several piano solos as well as a fully orchestrated piece.  I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her work.  Her name is Rebecca Kuhnel.  It is such a pleasure for me to explore diverse genres of music.  I find myself being inspired to continue with my work as I meet and listen to her work.  I do believe that meeting together on a regular basis with artists who desire to create music or any other form of art is truly inspiring and motivating.  I would like to share with you a sample of her work.  This song is called, "Jayne".  To hear this song click on the link: Jayne by Rebecca Kuhnel

I would love to hear some of the stories you have, of people you might meet with on a regular basis, who help you be motivated to create.  If you have not, as yet, had the opportunity of meeting with other creative artists, I would like to challenge you to give it a try and share your story.  Even if your first attempt is an epic fail, we all have to start somewhere, and I would love to hear about it.  Until next time.... Happy Song Writing.

Wacky Wednesday Challenge: CITY DOVE by Tori Kelly

WOW! This challenge ended up being a lot harder than I thought it would be.  I chose to do a cover of the song City Dove by Tori Kelly in one week.  I hope you enjoy my version of it.  Please, let me know if you decide to accept the Wacky Wednesday Challenge too.  I would love to see what you can come up with in one week.

Next week... part 2 to the Wacky Wednesday Challenge... a youtube video to go with the cover song City Dove.  :)  Until next time.... Happy Songwriting!

“Migrating Wild Geese Of The Country” by Vlado at www.freedigitalphotos.net

Click here to listen to my cover of City Dove by Tori Kelly:

https://soundcloud.com/catrinabaum/city-dove-by-tori-kelly-cover

Take Note Tuesday: Chelsey Stallings

I personally try not to listen to Christmas Music until after Thanksgiving so that I am not sick of it by Christmas day, but I could not help myself here.  Today, I would like to hi-light Chelsey Stallings.  She is a singer/songwritter that I met at the Bit Door Songwriting Conference last month.  One of my favorite songs that she has on her youtube station is an arrangement of "Oh Come, Oh Come Emmanual".  It is hauntingly beautiful.  I hope you get a chance to enjoy all the music on her youtube station.

Do It Yourself Marketing

I realize that I never quite finished up sharing my notes on the songwriting conference.  Today I would like to wrap up with a synopsis of presentation called "Do It Yourself Marketing".   I really only have one more presentation to post on because I only stayed at the conference for about one more hour.   I had to leave early to pick up my child from the babysitter before the conference got over.  There were many ideas that were shared during this portion of the presentation, but the points that stuck with me were:

#1.  Create some sort of a brand.
Decide what you want to accomplish and stick to the plan.  What do I do really well?  What is my niche?  Decide what you want share and move forward.  That Brand keeps you focused.  What are you trying to communicate?  Hone in on the quality and it will push it out itself.  There should be a demand for your product.  When you have a good product it will sell itself.

Here is a logo created by my talented Friend Mishelle Stott for a band I belong to called One Horizon.  I thought of this logo as I learned about the importance of creating "some sort of brand".

#2.  Decide what you want your image to be.
Who is your demographic?  Who do you want your audience to be?  Build off of your demographic.

#3.  Recognize the benefits of Social Media.
Share what you have on youtube.  Realize that followers have expectations.  They want to know when the next video is.  Post at certain times.  If you schedule at certain times people can come back. Find out what they like and deliver it to them.  Recognize that you do have to start somewhere, so be realistic.  Do what you can to bring quality because it DOES matter.

#4. Get your music to as many people as possible.
It takes time.  Put focus on one song at a time.  Post and promote that song.  Put effort into the initial climbing phase until people want to come back to your art.  If there is not a demand for your art re-evaluate and improve the art.

These are all great bits of advice that can help improve a songwriters business.  I look forward to trying to apply these ideas into my own musical life.  Please share any experiences you might have with these ideas by commenting below.  Until next time.... Happy Song writing!!

Wacky Wednesday Challenge

I have decided to try having a theme to my blog each week to give me some direction with my posts.  I am looking forward to Tuesday being my day to hi-light new singer-songwriters with "Take Note Tuseday".  On Wednesday I would like to try an experiment of sorts as well.  I am not sure how long this will last or how well it will go, but I think it will be a fun experiment that might be adjusted as time goes on.

The experiment is this: Today I am going to pick a song to do a cover for and then see if I can come up with my own version in one week and record it so that I can share it with all of you next week.  Sound crazy??

As a follow-up to this experiment, the next consecutive Wednesday I plan to make some kind of music video to go with the chosen song to post on youtube.  In the end Wacky Wednesday will be a flip-flop from recording music to videotaping something to go with the song.  I would like to encourage anyone who is interested to try it.  It is kind of wacky to see what you can do with music in one week, but in the end I think it will be a great way to grow and learn.  I think the scariest part will be that I have to share the song or video in one week no matter what shape it might be in, even if it isn't my favorite.

What do you think?  Any one else up for the challenge??  I hope so.  I want to hear what others can do.  Until next time.... Happy Songwriting!!

“Vintage Microphone Isolated On White” by Just2shutter at freedigitalphotos.net

Take Note Tuesday: Erika Guitron

After returning from attending a "Big Door" Songwriting Conference, 2 weeks ago, I felt a great desire to put forth more effort into my music on social media and the internet.  I found myself setting a goal to write in my songwriting blog on a regular basis.  To help me stay on a schedule I would like to start a regular Tuesday post, called "Take Note Tuesday".  This will be a post where I share some amazing songwriting artists that I have come across in my research of music on youtube and the internet.  I would like to warn you that my love of music expands over all genres so I will be sharing a wide range of artists.  But please, try to keep an open mind and just enjoy the beauty of music.  If you know of anyone you would like me to check out please leave a comment below.  :)

The artist that I would like to hi light today is Erika Guitron.  I came across her amazing cover of Meaghan Trainor's song, "Like I'm Gonna Lose You", last week.  She combined her efforts with Kylan Road, a songwriting duo from Los Angelos.

Erika's voice is flawless.  She also writes her own music.  I especially like her original song, "Nobody".  You can check her out on youtube, sound cloud, Facebook etc.  Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.  Until then... Happy Songwriting!

Erika Guitron and Kylan Road Cover

Great Start

"Piano" courtesy of Salvatore Vuono at freedigitalphotos.net

Last week I shared a recording of the original song, "Moments of Memories" and told you I would let you know what feedback I got after sharing this song with Bobby and Tiffany.   Well, here it is:

After nervously singing the song "Moments of Memories" Bobby said, "Catrina, where did this idea come from?"  I notice that Bobby asks this question a lot and it is usually asked when he feels that the song he is critiquing has not been completely flushed out.  I knew right then that I did not get the point of the song across to him.  The idea for the song came from more than one place and as Bobby continued to share his thoughts I realized that I needed to narrow the source of my inspiration down to one idea.

Tiffany agreed with Bobby.  She said it was a "great start", but that the source of my inspiration did not come across in the song.  I was discouraged as I usually am when I initially get anything but glowing feedback, but I tried my best to get past the emotion of it all as soon as possible and get to a point where I could start making improvements on the song.  It has been an enjoyable challenge.  I look forward to sharing the revised version with you all soon as possible.

Having said that, I am continuing to try to allow what I have learned to help me as I wake up with musical ideas or find myself humming a tune and coming up with catchy lyrics just doing mundane everyday life sorts of things.  I hope you all will never give up on your chance at creating something beautiful.  When you do create something, please leave me a link to your creative projects.  I love to enjoy the work of others while I continue to create myself. Until then.... Happy Songwriting!

Moments of Memories

Image courtesy of varandah at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Out of all the songwriting workshops I have ever been to, I was the least prepared for this one.  I did not even know I was going until about 3 days before the conference.  Originally, a fellow band member had paid for the workshop, but as she was not available to go I went in her place.

The song I chose to get feedback on was one I have been working on for about 1 month.  It was a song that I originally had in my mind as a song accompanied by a guitar, but as I cannot play the guitar and did not have a recording of the whole song I thought it would be best to come up with a piano part.  I did this two days before the conference.  Needless to say, this lack of preparation brought along with it a whole new wave of anxious anticipation.  It showed up in my jittery live performance of the first verse and chorus and affected what kind of feedback I got.  Having said that, I am glad I got raw feedback because I think it will help me turn a "good start" into a great song.

I would like to have you listen to the recording of what I shared during the feedback session and see what you think.   Click here to listen to a sample of Moments and Memories by Catrina Baum!!  What feedback would you give??  Tomorrow I will share what feedback Bobby and Tiffany gave me so you can see if your feedback is the same feedback they gave me.  Until then... Happy Songwriting!

Say Something

As part of the Singer/Song Writer Workshop, at the Big Door, all participants got to participate in a "Song Critique Session".  There were two Sessions to choose from, the session with Jacob Lutrell and  Christ Crabb or the session with Bobby Rymer and Tiffany Alvord.  Today, I want to make my post all about these individuals in the music business.

First, Bobby Rymer.  I have actually been to other Singer/Song Writer Workshops before where Bobby Rymer was a songwriter music critic.  He has a few Workshops he participates in across the country including the Durango Songwriters Expo and the Smoky Mountain Songwriters Festival.  He works for a company called Global Songwriter's Connection where members can sign up to pitch their song ideas to publishers in the music business http://globalsongwriters.com/events/.  This is the second critique session I have been able to have with Bobby Rymer.  I feel like his feedback is extremely helpful and educational.  Not only have I learned more about how to improve my own songs, but I learn from all the feedback he gives to others on their songs as well.

Tiffany Alvord was already introduced in a previous post because she gave a presentation called, "Sining Your Story".  Her feedback was fresh.  I enjoyed hearing her perspective and felt it was worthwhile and helpful too.

Although I did not get to hear from Jacob Lutrell this time, I have received feedback from him before.  He has written songs for big performing artists such as Enrique Iglesias, David Guetta and Flo Rida.  He also writes and performs some of his own music.  Check him out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jacob-Luttrell-108972205801573/.

Chris Crabb is from a band called the Strike.  Check them out on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/wearethestrike or watch this video on youtube where he does an awesome cover of the song "Say Something" by Great Big World featuring Christina Aguilera. 

In case you have not already guessed, I signed up for the Rymer and Alvord session and will report more on that tomorrow.  Until then.... Happy Songwriting!!

Singer-Songwriter Search 5

Before I continue with more of what I learned at the songwriting conference, I would like to take a moment to tell you about an opportunity to get more exposure to your music.  The Guitar Center is currently holding a search for the next great American Songwriter.  The winner will receive some pretty amazing gifts and opportunities.  But even if you do not win, your music is shared on the songwriter search website. What a great opportunity to connect with other musicians as well as get your original music heard.  If you are interested here is the link:  http://songwriter.amplifiertv.com.

Please let me know if you get a chance to check it out and what your thoughts are on the opportunity.

Tomorrow I will be reporting on my nerve wracking "Feedback Session" with professionals in the music industry.  Until then.... Happy Songwriting!

Why We Do What We Do

Yesterday I reported to all of you about Tiffany's presentation, but I wanted to mention something she spoke of before she shared her 5 tips.  She talked about WHY we do what we do as songwriters.  She said something that really changed her focus in her work was when she came up with a vision.  Her vision in creating music is to, "Inspire others to find happiness and purpose".

I agree with Tiffany, having a vision for whatever it is you may be doing can make all the difference. I am apart of a band called One Horizon.  When Tiffany shared her vision I was reminded of the vision we have as a band.  We seek to Enjoy, Uplift and Become as we share our music.  We even got our graphic designer, Michelle Stott, to come up with beautiful word art that captures our vision.

As the author of this blog I find myself asking, "why do I write for this blog?"  The answer comes as another vision or mission statement:

"I want to connect with other songwriters and artists worldwide, encouraging each other to write good music and create good art."

What about you?  What do you do?  Have you ever decided to make a mission statement for what you do?  If so, please share.  I would love to be inspired by you and your vision. 

Here is a video that One Horizon put together to uplift others during the Christmas season.

Passion for Songwriting

When Tiffany Alvord shared her "Sing Your Story" presentation, she gave 5 tips on how to write songs that would be meaningful and relatable to others.

1.  Be Authentic

2.  Write the Truth

3.  Fill your life with joy and gratitude

4.  Follow your intuition

5.  Co-Write

She shared songs from her youtbue station to go with each point as examples.  I have included the song "Authenticty" from her station to go with the first tip.  I LOVE the tip she shared!!  Sharing my inner voice through songwriting is not an easy thing to do, but I want to keep trying and she inspired me to keep going.  One thing she mentioned was how being passionate is one of the most fulfilling parts of writing music.

I am very passionate about music and I have always loved creative writing.  It was not until around 4 years ago that I discovered I could merge the two loves together in the form of songwriting.  Ever since then this has become my passion.  It drives me forward and lifts me to greater heights.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience something in life that is so challenging yet energizing.  I hope all of you will continue writing and soak in the wonderful experience songwriting can be.

So, what are some of the things you are passionate about?  I would love to know.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more songwriting conference detail. Until then... HAPPY SONGWRITING!!!

Singing Your Story

After Nicole, the Event Manager at Big Door, gave the introductions, a super cute girl named Tiffany Alvord started a presentation called "Singing Your Story".  She has 11, 264, 942 youtube subscribers and has put out three albums.  I really enjoyed her presentation and will be reporting on that tomorrow.

Tiffany is a 22 year old girl who started posting her cover songs as well as original songs on youtube when she was 15.  She said a pivotal time in her career came when she decided to define what her vision was for her music.  She seeks to "Inspire others to find happiness and purpose".  What a great goal!  I was so impressed.  Click on the link below to see some of her work.

Minutes to Spare

Traveling from out of state, to go to the "Big Door" songwriting conference, was not easy for me as I really can't stand driving long distance, but I made it to the conference with a few minutes to spare.  Lucky me I had to go to the bathroom once I got there and the bathrooms happened to be directly behind the presentation.  I had to wait behind the MC (who, of course, was being videotaped), and did not make it back to my seat until she had competed the introductions.  I was happy to find a seat next to an amazing, very genuine up and coming young artist named Whitney Lusk.  If you would like to take a look at some of her work click on the link below.  I was so impressed with her artistry as well as her sincere, down-to-earth personality, that I wanted to make her the focus of today's post.

It is late and I really must get to bed, but I plan to write more posts, in the coming days, to fill in the details of the conference so please continue to stay tuned.  :)

"Big Door Weekend"

I just attended another song writing conference this weekend.  This time I went to Provo, Utah to a place called "Big Door"(http://www.bigdoornetwork.com/talent-booking/).  I learned so much from the presenters as well as a personal feedback session from some professionals in the music business.  Songwriting conferences are so incredibly helpful to the art of songwriting!!!  Overall, I am just really excited and motivated about putting more effort into all of the musical opportunities I have dabbled in, including this blog.  Stay tuned for more posts.

Here is to happy songwriting.  :)

Sad Tale

My best friend lost her son in an accident last month.  He was hit by a car while being pushed by his mother in a stroller.  My heart has broken in two for her and her grief.  In my desire to comfort her I arranged this song.  I hope you enjoy it.  The song is called "Lead Kindly Light".

3-year old Austin Strasser

https://soundcloud.com/catrinabaum-yahoo-com/lead-kindly-light

Nearer My God to Thee

I just moved and am still unpacking boxes, but wanted to let you all know of my latest adventures.  One song that I just arranged for a friend to play at her violin recital is on sound cloud if you would like to check it out.  The violinist is Lauren Kettle.  She is a senior in high school.  I had a great time working with her.  She is such a fantastic musician as well as one of the sweetest girls I have ever met.  :)

Nearer My God to Thee

Violin played by Lauren Kettle

Piano played by Catrina Baum

https://soundcloud.com/stream