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.  :)