Germain_Brunet: January 2007 Artist of the Month! on SongRamp

Congratulations to Germain_Brunet (Germain Brunet) for winning the January 2007 Artist of the Month! Check out his interview:

Who is 'Germain_Brunet'?
Good question…I'm still finding out or trying to figure it out. I'd say I'm someone who definitely broke a few molds when I was born…lol I'm French Canadian and live in Sudbury, Ontario. I've never been married yet thought I would have been by the age of 30…go figure. I have a 17 year old daughter. When I was small, my mother said I was always playing drums on the kitchen table and on boxes…I guess it was a sign as I became a drummer and played locally in a bar band for about 5 years.

I got interested in music around grade 7. I remember being about one of the only kids who couldn't wait for music class…everyone else said they hated it and many skipped it as they thought it was a bird class. That's where I got interested in the trumpet. Then in high school I took guitar classes (it was an elective course at our school), and I also continued with the trumpet. I also took up the alto sax.

How and when did you get started writing and performing music?
I started writing in high school. Oddly enough I got started by changing lyrics to hit songs by the hollies. It was my older brother's favorite LP at the time and the parodies I composed were always about how big my younger brother's head was…lol (We didn't like each other at all at the time)…that's how it all started. Later on in high school I joined a coffee house band playing guitar and the trumpet.

What inspirations do you draw from in your writing & performing? Who are
some of your influences or musical 'heroes'?
My musical heroes have always been the great lyricists like Cole Porter, Bernie Taupin, Paul Simon and Billy Joel to name but a few. As far as melody was concerned, I loved everything from the Beatles to Elton John to Deep Purple. I love classic rock but can't write it.

What are you currently working on?
I always have a bunch of songs on the go at all times.

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Here in Canada, there's a thing called CANCON (stands for Canadian content). That's where radio stations have to play a certain amount of Canadian songs. I think I'd be great if there was something like that for Indie artist where radio station would have to play a certain amount or percentage of Indie artist songs along with the "big" names…but as long as advertisers run the show, I don't think it will happen.

What would you say is the most important lesson you've learned in the music business that new artists should know?
Well I would say that that depends on what you want to achieve. I don't want to be an artist, I want to write songs for them. From that perspective, I would say that the most important lesson I've learned is to never give up. I say this because I gave it all up back around 1992 and for 9 years I almost didn't write a thing. It just seemed that for all the time, money and especially "effort" that I was putting into my writing, I was seemingly getting me nowhere. What I've learned though is that as long as you're writing, you ARE getting somewhere…if nothing else, you're getting better day by day. In September 2001, something must have happened because all of a sudden I started writing again. Today I know I'll never give it up ever again

Briefly, what are some of your thoughts on the current state of the music world, and where this industry is heading?
Well, from a country songwriter's point of view, these are not the best of times but it could be worse. There were a lot more cuts to be had in the past but that all started to change around the late 90's. Nowadays, there are a lot fewer albums being released which means fewer songwriters getting their songs cut. Of the songs getting cut I would imagine that there's also less royalties to go around (at least mechanical royalties because of illegal downloads and such). The good news though is that no matter what, there will always be a need for good songs…without that is there really a music business.

What do you hope this online community (SongRamp) will do for you and other members? What's your view on the Internet in general as it relates to today's musicians?
Well Songramp has already done lots for me personally. I have met a few co-writer's on here and Songramp has been for lack of a better term, a sort of launch pad for my music…no pun intended. A lot of artists have contacted me through hearing my music on here and I've gotten several cuts this way. Songramp I'm certain means different things to different people but it's a great site for all of us.

The internet, I think, is a godsend for the Independent artist. We now have instant global reach with our little songs and we no longer need a large record company to promote our material. We can do it ourselves. We can set up a website to sell our music, there are music sites that offer digital downloads and ring tones, there's pod casting where artists can create their own mini radio shows and there's no end in sight to what the internet may hold in the future.

Any last thoughts?
I'd like to thank those who nominated me and for all who voted for me. There are so many good writers on this site and so I take this as a great honor to be voted "Artist of the Month". I'd also like to thank all of my co-writer's who have contributed on many of my songs including Rick Keane, Jim Smith and Ryan Hydro. A special thank you to Tina Tufts who's a great lyricist and who has collaborated with me on no less than 24 songs in the past year. Thank you.

Germain

Visit Germain_Brunet's home page.

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Member Opinions:

By: Pickinhotlix on 1/1/07
Finally!!! Germain. I was wondering if I was crazy thinking you were such an incredible writer and the rest of the world just didn't see it. So glad the rest of em came 'round to my way of thinking. I have been a big fan of your songs since I first heard you and have voted for you every time your name was on the list. Such a well deserved award to a great guy. When I saw you had won this, I stood up and applauded and said to myself,,,FINALLY. Doug

By: BGJeff on 1/1/07
Congrats! A terrific way to start the new year, both for you and for Songramp.

By: grahamhenderson on 1/1/07
Congratulations Germain. Not so odd at all. Most of the good writers I know, started out writing parodies. Graham

By: riffgibson on 1/1/07
Congratulations for a well chosen AOM...your songs are a delight, and you represent us well....

By: RonnieG on 1/1/07
Congratulations Germain. Well deserved.
Yep I'm a fan. But you know that!
Well crafted songs, Great lyrics and a professional approach to your output/demos.
I wish you great success for 2007
Ronnie

By: RJC on 1/1/07
Major congratulations Germain!

By: TimWheeler on 1/1/07
Long time coming but well deserved. Congrats, Germain! I agree with Doug! Its only a matter of time before we hear your name on the CMAs, eh?

Enjoy!

Tim

By: havlicek on 1/1/07
Congrats Germain! You're A#1 and I've been sure for a while (well...actually since the first song of yours I heard) you'd be AOM. Enjoy the ride...eh!

-john

By: TWH on 1/1/07
congratulations Germain. you've been a friend on here, and.... you make good music. :-),,,,TwH

By: SISTERS on 1/1/07
congratulations, germain. great way to end the year!
anne

By: sumone on 1/1/07
Congrats on AOM Germain, its good to see your talent recognized with the award... keep up the great songwriting!! Jeff

By: TimothyScott on 1/1/07
Nice accomplishment,Germain...very nice belated Chrismas present to you..;)I enjoyed reading your interview,I wondered about your training because I've heard several on the $ tech. reviews from you...congrats!--ts

By: poorandneedy on 1/1/07
Congrats!! Well deserved and wishing you and your songs the best in '07!!

By: teleman58 on 1/1/07
Way cool Germain. I'm glad to see you get some recognition. You write some great songs. Enjoyed your interview. Congrats my friend.

By: Ivan on 1/1/07
Hey Amigo; Congradulations for an award well deserved by a very talented songwriter. Good Luck in 2007. I'm sure one day I will be listening to one of your songs on radio.

By: gilles on 1/1/07
Germain Félicitation = Congratulations
Thats a nice positive award 2007 is kicking off with good news :)

Once again congratulations

By: Aprilshowers60 on 1/1/07
Congrats Germain....Your writing is one of the best in country music I know. Love it and this honor is very well deserved! ~ Patsy

By: aspenleaf on 1/1/07
Congratulations Germain. Thanks for all the support and encouragement you have given me. I am very glad to see you recognized for your fine songwriting. Charlie

By: mlprat on 1/1/07
Well deserved award my friend. I have some catching up to do on your latest but I'll get there. Let's see ... She was a short wide woman with a big head .. :) Keep the great tunes coming.

Mike

By: iisee on 1/1/07
Long time coming my friend! Some of the best quality country lyrics and always top notch melodies are found on your page! Well done! JS

By: Germain_Brunet on 1/1/07
Thank you all so much for your compliments. Germain

By: lps45s8tracks on 1/1/07
(;AWESOME;)I have voted for you in the past my friend and so glad to see you get the AOM.Well deserving.What a delight to click on Home and see two Canadians Bros.Alex Stangl AOY And Germain Brunet AOM.Now If this don't get some action here nothing will.What a delight EH!!!!!~(;Yrral Mallik;)

By: songman32 on 1/1/07
Congratulations Germain, Glad to see you get this award you're very dissevering of this recognition, Thanks for all the stops.
Jimmy Lee

By: jfvalentine on 1/1/07
I have to say I am a fan of your wonderful songs. Glad to see you representing the ramp as our AOM. Huge CONGRATULATIONS to you Germain this is a well deserved win. Can't wait to hear your songs in this next year. :)-Jeannine

By: glenn_pattison on 1/1/07
Good on ya Germain, you're really doing a lot to get what you do done, and sounding great too! glenn

By: cathead77 on 1/2/07
Germain, I knew it would just be a matter of time until you were in this spotlight. Congratulations on a very well deserved honor.

By: JulesBloeth on 1/2/07
Yes!!!! Congratulations to you, Germain! I am thrilled to see you highlighted here. : )

By: Peenie86 on 1/2/07
Way to go Germain! As many in the past have said talent speaks for itself! Congratulations! May the New Year bring you much success and many new adventures in music! Trudi

By: lps45s8tracks on 1/2/07
Congrats Germain enjoy your month.(;U DA MAN GERMAIN;)~(;Yrral Mallik;)

By: Jimsi on 1/2/07
Congrats man, I am not much a country music fan, but you are one talented writer and singer... to each his own(haha), most dont like my rock...LOL you can put some great country songs together...Jimsi

By: donnavalentine on 1/2/07
I agree with Cathead. It was only a matter of time. You are working the craft and pursuing excellence. Your hard work will get you the things you want. You are writing the calibre of songs that opens those doors- keep on!
Loved the interview. Especially about your writing parodies about your big-headed brother!! Lol!!! I'd have done that to Jeannine, but she would have beat me up!!! Lol!!!

By: Treetown on 1/2/07
Congratulationd Germain.Well deserved. You always give us some good stuff! Peter

By: rathole on 1/2/07
Congrats Germain, you have always been one of my favorites here. your songs are always exceptional. well deserved recognition for a stellar writer. way to go buddy---rathole

By: Beeswing on 1/2/07
felicitations Germain, et Bonne Annee! I admire your writing skills very much! ~ Diane

By: rayf on 1/2/07
Germain nice interview...Congrats on the 1st 2007 AOM....Ray

By: BobWire on 1/2/07
Hey, congratulations, Germain. It's a well-deserved honor from your songwriting peers. And you really bring some class to the joint!

By: pianoman3 on 1/2/07
It's always pleasing to see the cream rise to the top and, at last it's happened on here for you. I feel sure that there are greater rewards in store for your excellent writing....all well deserved. Congratulations, Germain! ~ John

By: EvHankins on 1/2/07
Congratulations, Germain. Hard work really does pay off. Well done. May this new year bring you lots of inspiration. We look forward to many more great tunes. Evan

By: songmanwannabe on 1/3/07
Germain, Congrats. This is very well deserving to you to have been named "January 2007, Artist Of The Month" here on SongRamp. I wish to thank you also for all of your suggestions to me personally. You are a very talented songwriter and the day that I can catch up with you will be a day of joy for me. Again, Congratulation on the accomplishment...Phil (songmanwannabe)....

By: Brad_Miller on 1/3/07
Good......this has been a long time coming! Best of luck to you in the coming year.

By: kclements on 1/3/07
Congrats Germain. As one of your fans I can say that you are well deserving of the AOM title. Way to go! Kev

By: rk8257 on 1/3/07
Excellent Choice! I know you work hard at the craft and invest quite a bit in getting these songs ready to present, in every way. Certainly well deserved. Congrats! Rick

By: AnthonyM on 1/3/07
hey germain, happy to see you recognized for your hard work!...congrats, buddy...keep 'em coming...tony

By: chpastor on 1/3/07
Way to go Germain. Keep cranking them out!!

Mitch

By: jbthegeezer on 1/4/07
Great job, see it pays in one way or another. jb

By: keals on 1/4/07
Germain All i have to say is HELL YEAH!!! Talent is often overlooked.I'm glad yours has been recognized...I'll have to rethink my idea that nothing good ever came out of Canada HAHAHA!!! Congratulations,and happy new year... Sean

By: jjamesyunger on 1/4/07
Congrat's Germain!!! Very deserving to a terrific songwriter and nice guy...really enjoyed reading your interview. Congratulations again and looks like you've started off the new year in a positive direction...Jason (JJ)

By: ande on 1/5/07
congratulations, way to go

ande

By: MyraLeBlanc on 1/5/07
Congrat's Germain! No one needs to convince me you are one of the best! But it's is great to see that others see it too. Having released one of your songs on my album, it makes me very proud to have you recognized as a talented songwriter! It seems 2007 is off to a great start for you already!

By: Germain_Brunet on 1/5/07
Thank you so much everyone for your kind words. Feels good to be recognized by your peers. Germain

By: SmokinJoe on 1/5/07
Germain

Nice to see someone from SongU makin' a dent elsewhere. Congrats!

Smokin Joe

By: Beatles65 on 1/6/07
Congrats on AOM Germain! Keep up the good work!!!! Jeff

By: angie on 1/10/07
Hi Germaine,
Congratulations on being voted Artist Of The Month!!! I found your comments on "the most important lesson you've learned in the music business" to be very encouraging! Great interview!

By: Kikuko on 1/10/07
Well, it's about time!!! You're one of the most deserving songwriters of this award, so I'm really glad to see you get the recognition you so deserve. Keep it up, cause you're the BOMB at what you do! Enjoyed reading the interview too! Good Luck in all your music endeavors. Kim :-)

By: PinkHair on 1/11/07
Congrats Germain ...well deserved

By: Rard on 1/13/07
major kudos to ya Germaine. A Canadian invasion with you and Alex getting the honors. A major treat for all of us. your songs are absolute crisp. Interview reveals a humble, talented spirit with a musical conviction and sensibility that impresses. Congrats and enjoy.

By: Boots on 1/13/07
Congrats my friend

By: poorandneedy on 1/24/07
Here I am draggin' in late...Congrats Germain. The love, talent and skill in your work really comes through! Congrats and wishing you the best--Greg

By: strobicaxe on 1/26/07
Nice Going Germain !!! (Canucks RULE !!!) - ;~) Alex (eh)

By: Germain_Brunet on 1/28/07
Thank you all for your complimnets...I appreciate it. Germain

By: Dreamseeker on 1/30/07
Congrats bud!! I've only been waiting FOREVER for you to be AOM!!! U know I love your music and look forward to more from you. Hugs Jen :)

By: KrissAnn on 1/31/07
Congrats and well deserved!! God Bless you and your family Always and forever!!! Love, Krissa Ann

By: wordman123 on 2/9/07
Germain:

Congratulations on your AOM award. I've always like your stuff. As you can see I don't get much time anymore to get on this site, but hey a month late is better than never. Keep on writing man.

max

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