MAB Q&A

I don't see those icons either. maybe it is a paid member thing?

Kevin...great point.

I haven't renewed and need to do that. Just tried and can't seem to find where I pay for membership. I admit, doing this while trying to work so not 100% focused. Can anyone give me quick direction. I went to my profile and membership, but didn't see an option to subscribe????

Stay away from OD!!!! he's trying to love you best!

Good day yesterday with a new client. It was my first one as a result of advertising I am doing on the MUSIC ROW SHOW, my friend Scott Southworth's show on WSM radio. Pretty cool because we have only been doing it about three weeks and that was the first time he had listened to that show. So very cool.

It was him, Robert, with his Father, an older (talking 70's here) who is a musician as well, and Robert's 11 year old son. We set the son up in the spare room to watch TV, but the Grandfather and Robert and I had quite the day.

Robert had been coming to town for many years recording songs, but he was recording in one of the "really older' studios in town. There are a bunch of studios, musicians,etc. that are "very old school" and sound very dated in what they are doing. As terrible as it sounds, when someone tells me they are doing something in certain areas, you can almost tell what the results are going to be. And I was right.

It is not always the fault of the musicians or studio. They can only work on what they are brought. If someone brings dated, out of place songs, they have no choice but to record what they are given. 

In this case, he has never co-written, so there you go. I hate to be so broad brushed, but I have just never heard anyone that only writes alone have anything really worth bringing into the marketplace. Fine for themselves in their own world, but when you are wanting to "get into publishers" or "find out what to bring to the industry" you have to look at songs in a much different way. That is what we had to do.

One of the things that happened very quickly is that he realized how dated his songs sounded and was hesitant to play things. Even before we got started he was apologizing for them. Talking to him and his Father was pretty cool because his Dad has been a musician from the 50's and 60's. So you get that perspective from all over.

We went through about 10 songs, then onto a lunch at Noshville, drive around the town, and then back to the house for the writing session. The song was pretty cool, about LeBron James and the current situation of him going back where he came from. Was a nice song and I think will give Robert a template for what he should be focusing on in the future. He is also from New Jersey, so I hope he will come over here and possibly meet Melissa up there. 

But one thing he needs to do is STOP writing songs, recording them and doing it in a dated studio. I don't like to go through Negative stuff on anyone entity, but sometimes you have to get them to STEP AWAY FROM THE SONG!!! They need to concentrate on WRITING WITH ARTISTS, getting MORE songs, and being judicitious in what they record. Pretty much the same in all cases.

I hope that he will end up over here before too long. But it is nice to hear that my ad has worked. 

Onward and upward. Tonight, Janice has three of the Canadians she works with in town. They are playing the very prestigious BILLY BLOCK showcase, which is a very big deal in town. Hopefully they will get a lot of milage out of it. There are two brothers, the Petric brothers and a female singer as well. Should be a goodie. Tomorrow is a Douglas Corner show. A benefit for lung Cancer, with Allen Shervelle, and some other happening writers. Always good to play Douglas.

All of you take care.

MAB

MAB, Carey Murdock is in town this week. I don't know if you met him at Frank Brown or not. He is a touring singer/songwriter. Has a raspy type voice he likes to compare to Bruce Springsteen.  I told him if he was still in town today to try and catch your show tonight at DC. Hope he shows up and introduces himself. He's a really nice young kid (early 20's I think)

phil g.

Phil our show is tomorrow night. The Canadians show is tonight.

Phil our show is tomorrow night. The Canadians show is tonight.

Sorry MAB. I missread your post. BUT, I went to your website last Sunday to get the Lung Cancer Benifit date, so I'm sure I gave him the correct date.

phil g.

Marc is right about these things, and personally, my biggest downfall for stop-starting my writing has been due to writing alone, hence getting discouraged, feeling blocked, etc. BECAUSE of writing alone and not having someone to bounce off of, or create new ideas with, or just give constructive input to others' song ideas.  The chemistry that exists with the right writer (or set of other writers) is powerful, and even the lack thereof with the wrong set, inspires in its own odd way!  I use to prefer to write alone because co-writing made me nervous, since everyone has their own styles and quirks, etc., but now I find it exciting!!  I even surprise myself writing with others  For me, when two or more are gathered ... better songs result!  Especially if you're writing with Marc-Alan!  

Alright! I changed to Firefox to sign in. Found the membership options and signed up as a PAID member, which I've been meaning to do. So happy to see it will automatically renew now!

Not sure if it was my browser or being a paid member, but I'm seeing the options now to post pictures. So, I'll now add a few from Friday night's show.

Everyone should try to support this community if possible. The paid membership options start at $33. That is for an ENTIRE YEAR. That is less than $3 a month! I'm not in the music business, but certainly do appreciate the talent and efforts of everyone who is. Spread the word.

Now...here come a few pictures.

This is a picture of the ballroom for the event dinner. Does not doe the room justic in the picture...it was very well done and a LOT of people.

Here is Marc on the BIG screen as he began introducing the Songwriting Round for their Nashville Experience.

As Marc introduced each of the artists / songwriters, their pictures and names were prominently displayed on the screen. Obviously, this is Dani Jamerson (who knocked it out of the park!).

Our very own Bonnie Lee Panda singing "This Ain't Gonna Break Me" that she wrote with our very own Becky Monnier (and Alice Bargeron). Awesome job!

At the end of the performances, the audience had a chance to vote for their personal favorite via text. Very cool audience participation idea...although they were ALL winners!

Kelli Pickler presented the trophy to Adam, who won by a hair (or should we say hat)!

Dani and her mom posing "with" Kelli Pickler in the background. Everyone was all smiles!

And, finally, Marc and I at the end of a VERY LONG day. He was a perfect emcee!!

Wow Tina!! Awsome pictures!! Thanks for sharing!!!

phil g.

RiDawn, I understand and sympathize with your frustration about writing alone. I still haven't (exactly) found a co-writer here in Ocala yet. Partly my... well, probably MOSTLY, my fault. The closest I've come to date is one of the local singer/songwriter's is (maybe was. another story) hosting a songwriter circle. At the end of the evening, she would gives us (all 3 of us including her) a "writing challenge". She would randomly think of 4 words and we had to write a song that included all 4 words, or some synonym of the word(s). The first challenge was, "Hotel shower", "Cayenne Pepper", "Two way mirror", and 'Sweat". That one, called, "Ready Or Not", is in open mic, or click on my pcture and go to my wall and click on "open mic songs". The latest one, which I have written but not recorded, included, "Passenger train", "Road side cross", "Snow",  and "Humming bird". If it wasn't for those challenges, I probably wouldn't be writing anything.

Which brings me to a question for MAB. We were "in the same room" when the song idea was suggested, but we went home and wrote our own songs, alone. Since I woud have never written the song without her suggestion/ideas, should I consider her a co-writer? Or should I work on it/ rewrite it with her?.

Which brings me to the rest of the story. Our last songwriter circle was three weeks ago tomorrow night. Last Wednesday I had a dental appointment for tooth extractions (yes, plural), so I told her I would be there, but probably would not be able to sing. She said it was O.K. because she wasn't sure she could do a weekly thing anyway, and would do 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Well, last Wednesdy WAS the third Wednesday, which she cancelled. I guess I'll find out later this week, first of next week if she will host a 1st Wednesday of August. If I don't hear from her (on FB) it's probably over already.

Oh, and one last thing going on here. I'm still an NSAI member and I've been going to Gainesville once a month for the meeting. I got a call from our coordinator yesterday. She is stepping down and asked me if I woud like to be a co-host coordinator with one of the guys that lives in Gainesville. I accepted. Might even be able to start a NSAI chapter here in Ocala. I already know one other NSAI member here. So, as soon as I hear back from her, I will be making a trip to Nashville for NSAI Coordinator training. Not sure if I should be excited, or scared to death!

phil g.

Hey Phil,

Absolutely you should continue on.  Become a co-host or coordinator for the NSAI group. It is just getting like minded people to gather once in a while. Anything to keep you active. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. Unless you are scared to get around people like yourselves. That might be terrifying!

As far as co-writers, you should ask her about that. That sounds like more than an excercise and a teacher or instructor element than really co-writer. I know I talk about 'creative energy in the room" and am one who always gives credit even if they don't really want or deserve it, but that is mostly when I sit down with someone specifically to write songs and as a co-write. I have that one situation where a writer had mentioned a title and I included her just to keep the peace between all participants. But in reality I was kind of blindsided by that since I knew nothing of her until after we had written the song. She had mentioned the title to my co-writers, who also did very little on the song. So I was faced with having to add two people who really didn't write a word or a note on the song. I then had to cut in the artist who is involved in the song. So I share a three way co-write with people who really didn't do anything on it. Oh well.

These are things you do in songwriting. Each situation is going to be different. But something to remember is that people don't always WANT to be on a song. Let's face it, a lot of songs are not that good, or that bad, just average. Some people might throw out something to get a conversation or excercise going and I don't know if they would want to be considered on some songs. I have been in that one before as well. I offered some suggestions on songs that ended up being in there, but the songs were really not that good. So I didn't want to be any where near it. I also have sung demos for people on songs that were very substandard. They wanted to include me as a writer thinking I would want to put it on a CD or be on their CD. I declined.

People don't always do what you wish they would even if it would be good for them. I went to see some singers last night. I had worked with all of them. One of them, I didn't expect to be there. She is one of the writers on "There Was a Guy", which is a killer song, and getting a lot of attention in town. As a matter of fact, a song plugger who is working the song right now was there. That song would have really worked with her in that situation because the other songs she did were pretty non-memorable. With all due humility, that one would have kicked the same amount of butt it did last Friday when Dani did it. But she didn't do it and doesn't do it around town. Too bad, would be nice if she would. But it does make you re-think who you include on songs in the future. If they are not going to do them, why involve them? It affects your "availibility' for future writing appointments. Might just be busy next time.

On that subject, congratulations to Janice, and her three singers, Petric and Riah, from Canada. They played the Billy Block Western Beat showcase last night, and did good jobs all around. That is a very prestigious show to be involved in and they did very well on it. Good to see them continuing their journey in Nashville.

Thanks to Tina for posting those pictures. I don';t post a lot of things here, either songs or pictures or anything. I have computer blind sides and trouble getting things up there, and well... I don't take a whole lot of pictures to begin with. Not a "selfie" kind of guy. I don't post a lot of songs either. For a few reasons, mostly because my songs are usually involved with other people, primarily artists, who don't need a lot of things out there that are not in their finished forms or might be involved in publishing, recording or management deals. This site is mostly for you guys to put your stuff out there. Mine are getting around.

Thanks to Fast Eddie, for changing the name of this thread. I really wanted it to be the simple "MAB Q&A". I put that long silly name on there as a joke because we were changing the forum over and was being silly. But as I am bringing new people over here it gets a little difficult for them to understand my sense of humor or finding where we are on the pages. So thanks for doing that.

Good to hear from all of you and we are getting ready for our trip to Michigan this weekend. Look out Chili Peppers, Dani and Shelagh Brown. Should be a good weekend.

MAB

 

Morning y"all:

Tina, Wonderful pictures ty.

Phil: Big Congrats on Co-ordinator position.

Cowriting, verses writing alone, has always brought a lot of views into play, i have met some hit writers and great writers who write alone, but also co write..I met a few who only write alone, or with an artist, and some who never write alone,, of course I aint on any of those levels,, but.. I love writing,,,always have,, and I do write alone and i love to cowrite.

Some say co writing should be smooth and easy like hanging with a good friend

.MAB touts relationship, relationship, relationship,,, Nothing could be so important.

Its true u can write a song with anybody if you realy wish to, to me its like dating, I can write or go  hang out with or date with anyone,, but sometimes there are those u may not want a 2nd date with..and yes i know that could include how a cowriter sees me,,lol.

Finding or forming a relationship is key..for me it also develops more naturaly if the writer has worked with MAB, or paid attention in these pages, or went to a few NSAI seminars ect.i find they undertsand the basics and language lol  or remind Me of them when its needed ,,,,, hehe,,,on the other hand..sometimes I also like the wild abandon of an artist or writer who never learned all the craft,, it depends lol.....but either way I love songwriting

 Re: someone giving a songwriters circle, NSAI group , seminar , sugestions to write about, or someone giving sugestions in the Songramp writers room..

Its just my humble opinion but generaly that is not a cowrite, unless agreed to in advance.

Its sounded like a typical songwriter excersize, or something just meant to get you going into an idea for a song.

Chances are 5, 10 or 15 writers can use those same group of, words and come up with completly different songs, titles, melodies and so forth.

Many songwriter circles, books and seminars use these kind of excersizes to help stimulate creativity,, with no intent on them being a co write.

I am sure this type of excersize will be something you will learn at a NSAI,co-ordinator seminar.

There are a few times when Pro writers at a seminar may do a group cowrite, but the parameters are clearly explained before it starts.

I still remember very fondly the Songramp "Industry Insider Forum" group cowrite if you will, right here  in MAB's Awesome forum.

I believe there were 10 people included, thanks to the ever Magnificant MAB, we learned tons, just from that song written right in here, in real time, we carried it through to a Pro Demo at Jay's studio on music row,and even followed it through a few publishing/sonplugger pitches.

Not only did we get an amazing song and songwriting lesson,,, and an awsome very picthable song, we got to also learn invaluable info about demos and pitches.

It was one of The absolute best experiences, with an amazing songwriting coach and person(MAB), and the icing on the cake, is instantly got to know 9 other awesome people who also love songwriting, who are life cowriters because of that song itself,,and in most cases friends, songwriter family and cowriters, who have written other songs together. Is and was very very cool..and yet only one cool thing,, in a million wonderful experiences of being around MAB..and because he took time then and ,,,,,still  continues to take the time to be with us here.

Thanks a million for all you do MAB

 

Norman

Norm!! You are still here! Good mornin!

MAB and Norm, thanks for answering my co-writer question. As far as the NSAI coordinator thing, I am still waiting to ear back from the current coordinator as to whether or not the Gainesville guy is going to also be a coordinator.

phil g.

Hey Norm,

Good to hear from you and you are right on with the Co-writing question. It actually IS one of the excercises from the NSAI lesson plans.
NSAI has a complete book of plans for NSAI coordinators to do with their groups. Some like to do them, some don't. To many they are pretty basic, and ways to do critiques and keep a meeting moving. To me, the best groups were always the ones who met regularly, but also had other things going on like special events, writers nights, pot luck dinners, showcases, and special events like pro seminars coming out. That takes the involvment of a lot of people. Phil, you might be a host of a writers circle independent of the bigger group. Usually one or two, even three or four people, are interested in doing something MORE than just the monthly meeting. This can be very informal and "under the radar." You wouldn't have to be an actual coordinator,. just get your own smaller group of people who are interested in getting together more.

Doak Turner used to have a "song finishers" night,where people would pair up and finish songs that some people had already started. The California group had a 'break out" group, of twelve people that met every other Saturday. They turned it into an actual discussion/therapy group and eventually got a song plugger to represent their songs. They ended up ponying up money and people got their demos paid for. Was a really productive group. Julie Moriva, ended up being a part of it and that is part of what led to her publishing deal with Taylor Swift's company.

This all can be turned into "practical application" things. While I adore and support NSAI in all things, often they don't live up to their full potential. They could be a magnet for up and coming artists, they could feature really focused showcases, fundraisers, etc. But one of the negative things about having an "official" orginization, is that there are a lot of rules that come with it. NSAI has to be careful about all kinds of things. They can't have meetings in bars or places that serve alcohol due to possible liability issues. Again, don't get me started on lawsuits and lawyers. I've seen that destroy more things than they ever helped. A situation happened in Boston where a woman slipped on ice going to an NSAI meeting, broke her ankle and SUED NSAI. Was totally bogus but the event was involved with NSAI. So they were involved in the suit.

That is why I suggest people be a part of NSAI and support that, but never let that keeping you from doing additional things for you. NSAI is the ultimate in gathering place. It gets people together who have like minded interests. You can find members of "your tribe" there. But you can do things on your own time and in your own area that can help overall. 

So Phil, yes, please continue. Maybe one day we'll have an "MAB tour" of Fla. They already want me in Naples. Who knows where I'll end up.

MAB

Hi All

Looks like you had a great night MAB!!  Great photos Tina.

Well I am not long back from the sunny, hot south of England - though it wasn't bad here either, I believe.  Usually I get to do some writing on a holiday break but it just didn't turn out that way.

As said above, networking is really important and yesterday I got a call that made me realise that it shouldn't be an issue for me but maybe I just don't go to the right places for music!  A guy that I have worked with over many years (we just recently developed an audio information product together though I have no time to push it at the moment), called me yesterday to thank me for introducing him to a guy developing very high quality amps - Big Ed would be pleased as the product I sent him some time ago wasn't even stereo - his big complaint ;-)

He said to me that he didn't know how I did it.  How did I keep meeting really interesting people with really interesting products needing very interesting design work done?  It has happened a lot and people wander off and work together and often make quite a bit of money and ..

I get nothing!  But then again, that isn't my aim -  though it would be nice.  I would actually love spending a lot of my time doing it, networking, introducing new technology and companies to people who could use it.  So why hasn't it worked on the music side?  Well I think there is a few reasons.  This is just some:

I don't get myself into situations where I would meet like-minded people interested in music.  Some of my friends play guitar but they do not think they can write songs.  I don't go to music clubs and hang around musicians.  I write songs on my own and rarely finish them.  I start to collaborate but at this moment, time just disappears ... a few of my excuses!

I think my problems are clear and I am sure MAB's remedy would be a good, hard kick in the butt 

I mean, two weeks ago I was sitting next to and chatting with someone who was in the same school band as the singer from Manfred Mann - what a chance for a collaboration.  Though I think he would feel his writing / playing days were over as I don't think he played in a band after school.

So my aim is to make time.

Cheers

Nod