MAB Q&A

Hey pal - we are working on the default font even now - it's too small for me, too.  That will get resolved this week.  There is a great deal of new "stuff" on this platform - I posted a blog about it today .  FYI - your external link doesn't open a new window in here because I set it up that way - it's a security thing and helps weed out the spammers.

That's it for now!

Eddie

Kevin,  Meantime when you select "Post A Reply," a panel will come up and there will be a thing at the top that says "font size"

Highlight your message, click on font size and pick one. I like 14 point size. Points are a printing measure. That should do it till Fast Eddie gets the default size set to a slightly larger font than the automatic default now being used.

Eddie R

Hi All

You are probably aware that in a couple of months or so Scotland is voting for Yes or No for independence.  I was thinking about writing a song about it but think that it is going to be hard not to be corny: 700 years ago when we destroyed an English army 10 times the size of ours, 300 years ago and the lords sold Scotland to the English for land and gold, 1967 we showed the world champions how to play football (soccer) ... 

I'd like to write something like this:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wP8A9rtg0iI

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rmxqjzCxNEE

Is it a daft idea?  I'm voting Yes and have my reasons!

Cheers

Nod

 

Yes Norman, you can get Drafted into the new Scottish volunteer draft army if you post these songs.

MAB

Norman,

Tell us about yourself, where your from and what you are doing in music. We all like to know each other here.

MAB

Norman, I am confused. I thought Mel Gibson cleared up all that Scottish stuff in 1997 with BRAVEHEART. Does Scottland still exist? 

Let us know. And do you know Nod? He is a Scottish Lord or something over there as well. Are you a Lord?

MAB

Hi MAB

You do realise it's your old, whisky swilling, sporran-shaking Nod!!!  Cousin of OD - I knew I shouldn't change the avatar!  Also, Songramp 2 provides your full name too, which will be confusing as there are a few Norman's around.

Or do you know all this and are simply starting fresh on the site and it will help the newbies? 

Cheers

Nod

That is so sad that the Scottish have multiple personality disorder and don't even know who they really are. We feel your pain. Maybe you AND Nod can get together in a round room with soft food and the men in the white jackets will take care of you. Tuesday is Jello day!

M

Hi MAB

Blame the new site and my new avatar!  There is only one Nod.

Sorry for the confusion.

Cheers

Nod

And you also go by the stage name if Dougie MacLean? Wow, you have more identity problems than we do over here. Maybe a few years in therapy can help you. Do they still use the rack over there?

MAB

As long as you can give us one name to address. I've dealt with some of you "possessed people." I have watched a lot of those excorsim things on the telly, as you call it. I am sure we can help you get through all your identity problems. 

MAB

LOL,  I knew changing the avatar would be a problem.  I wish I was Dougie MacLean.  Time yet.

Must dash and pick up the boss.  Will call in later.

Cheers

Nod

 

I had a Scottish friend that bought me a bottle of Scotch once. He said he wanted, if he died before me, for me to pour it over his grave. I asked him if he would mind me running it through me kidneys first. . .

just  chiming in.

gary

Brilliant!

I haven't had the pleasure of conversing with the others you mentioned, but MAB is definitely a hoot!  MABnificant!!  Glad to be a part of this group!

 

Hi RiDawn,  welcome

 

 John -Melbourne Australia

Soooo, she FINALLY SPEAKS!!

Ladies and Gentleman, our newest member of the Nashville contingent, singer, songwriter, cruise director, MISSSS

RIDAWWWWWWWWNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN RAEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

I'm very happy she has chosen to join us.  RiDawn and I have been friends for about fifteen years, and have just recently reconnected. She has been one of my favorite people, and I am very proud of her for wanting to get back in the saddle musically. We have been writing songs regularly over the past month or so, and are going to perform a few this Thus. She's one of those people that I know that really should have gotten a lot more attention than she did. As I have oft explained here, one of the things about Nashville is that you constantly get to know writers, artists, songs, labels, publishers, producers, etc. that you go, "man, if the world could see what I see.." 
She is very much like that. So I am having a great time trying to reconnect her with her music.

Great to see you hear kid! Welcome to the zoo!

MAB 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HI THERE RiDawn Rae!!!! Good to have you join the family here!

phil g.

RiDawn Rae,  Great to see you on here!,Welcome to the Songramp family.

*The kid cautiously steps into the new forum Songramp 2.095:e>^ 4xpi and looks around*

Am I in the right place? The kid isn't good with change... *sees subscribe button at the bottom of the first reply he's ever made* What would I be subscribing too? Confused but I think i'll get used to this...

Well... as you all know the kids been kind of "ghost" lately, as I'd discussed I've been out of work and that has taken precedent over everything else in my life for the past couple months, but good news... I GOT A OFFERED JOB TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With the City 0f Tomball!!!! I'll be in the Public Works Department, getting my initial certifications for drinking water, and waste water, followed by natural gas pipelines. As some of you know I had been entertaining a job as an oil operator which I was offered two days ago but turned down due to this JUST BEING TO GOOD TO PASS UP. While the pay is quite a bit less, the benefits are INCREDIBLE with vacation time, comp time, everything... plus a solid m-f job that ends at 3:45 on fridays with every other friday being an off day automatically. A three day weekend every other week!!! I know quite a few folks there all of whom know and LOVE country and Texas country music, by the end of my first interview it came to light that I co-wrote with a guy who the guy who was hiring had known since he was a little kid who grew up on his block! The money offered by the other job just did not offset the gas, with this job it's 242 miles round trip a month, with the oil job it was shift work which meant i'd miss my kids four days a week liiterally NOT seeing them at all, and it was 1097 miles round trip a month not including EZ tag money for toll roads where and tear etc.

I'm turning in my exceptance letter tomorrow, and should be getting down to business Monday. But THE KID IS BACK... i'm gonna have vacation days, out the whazoo so Nashville (MAB's house) will be seeing me soon!!!! (Only bummer is a 2nd cousin I have who works there said they may not allow you to take vacation until you've been there six months but he has seen people do it before, i told my wife the second I'm allowed I'm heading to  MAB's for a 3 hour tour and to see Miss Tina Dee's smiling face, and harass MAB with my long winded stories of tall tales of Texas music, and blare some rap music in his driveway!!! LOL j/k

The kids on cloud nine right now, the job is vested after five years and retirement after only 20 years, with like MAB said the oil and gas industry is one that is always "under attack" for lack of a better word by someone with some cause... plus this is my HOMETOWN where I was born and raised, and most folks keep working there after retirement just cause it's an extra check. All the calculations of OT, and everything make this the best choice. I'm sooooo happy, no mom and pops can retire if they want, I've got a job with retirement which they never had, I'm just really happy God is good. And now I can stop stressing!!!! which i've been doing, the kid slept walked 2 nights ago which i hadn't done in years and is for me a sign when i'm really stressed, but now I know my family will be good, we got all benefits, med, dental, vision, they match 2-1 where the oil company matched 1-1 just so many reasons to be thankful, most of all it's back to the music!!!!!!!!!!!! finally I can get back in a ROUTINE!!!!! So happy...

I scanned most of the posts and I heard someone ask about OD... i've been speaking to him at least once a week about my job, etc, and so well I don't think OD would mind me telling you this, he was a bit heavy into the beer a couple weeks back laying around in his undies with half his mind on songwriting, and the other half on the ladies, and in his words "Kid, i pretty much fell for something like the Nigerian general scam" long story short these scammers caught OD a few too many brews into his senses... they claimed to be from "Microsoft" and "Were there to help him" however in order to "help" it required his passwords to all his stuff... and you guessed, the Old Dawg was happy to oblige, lovingly, and friendly passing them out loads of his personal data... he knows he mucked up, but by dawns early light he realized it was too late and the damage had been done, he'd went so far as allowing them take access of his computer on a 3way remote conversation and "go over all of his accounts" He knows he screwed up, luckily no financial stuff was taken I DON"T THINK, but it did cost him access to his internet and email, and quite a bit of money, long story short you haven't heard from OD cause his computer is on the fritz in the shop.... Gotta love the Old Dawg. He said if I post to tell y'all hi, and he'd be on as soon as he could, back in touch.

To Brother EddieR,

The place i get my best jerky from is called Ainsworth Meat Market in Magnolia, TX... Now it is VERY funny you ask me because for the past two days I've been drawing up plans to build my own custom smoker, and am going to start making my own jerky... It'll take some time but I'm going to perfect my recipe. In fact my wife's friends husband they are coming to our house to give me a lesson to get me started, his has a bit too much soy sauce for my liking but it'll be a start to perfect a recipe for my own taste. When I told my sister about my job today, i told her i didn't call cause I was pouring sweat from starting work on my own custom smoker just for jerky made of all wood. I've attached a pic... very rough but here's kind of the beginnings, funny you asked though cause I just finished it about 3 hours ago but with twin two year hands pulling on the tape measure, stealing your carpenters pencil, it's hard to get much done, the oven grate is just for measure it will be up hire but i'm going to have process where I hang it for half the time and lay it on the grate for half the time, where the great is in the picture was just for measurement that will be the base for the charcoal/wood chips, with a drip pan, and the grates will be built upward.

So there's where I've been, Yrall glad you're feeling better, and RiDawn Rae, sorry you've had to know mab so long LOL just teasin! WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!!!

 

 

Justin, glad to see  you made it. I have been wondering about  you and OD as well. Hope he can join us soon!

Ok, since we have been lacking anyone asking questions, I guess I will be the first one.

When someone wants to record one of  your songs, is all  you do is sign a contract? You don't get money and it doesn't cost  you money either for them to record your song? I think I know the answer, but would love to hear MAB's report on the question.

So at that point, if  you are not a member of ASCAP or BMI you would join so that if there are any royalities to collect you would get them? Which is better to be a member of? ASCAP or BMI?

Looking forward for  MAB's answer or anyone else that has some input. I will save my other questions for later.

Thanks in advance PeggyB

Welcome to the forum Ridawn and any other newbie I may have missed.Looking forward to hearing your songs Ridawn.                                       

(-;LRRYBOY-

Hey everybody! Just got back from the first ever songwriter circle, here in Ocala. Very excited! I would like to point out to everyone, the reason I found out about it and got invited was because of that "R" thing MAB keeps preaching about. I became FB friends with a local singer/sogwriter and a couple days ago she posted she would like to start a songwriter circle at a little juice bar an caffee that is about 15 min. from my house. So I posted back, "Count me in!!" Today she posted she would be there giving the owner's daughter guitar lessons, and if anyone wanted to come by, she would be there late. So, I showed up, and one other guy showed up. It was AWSOME! Michelle writes Americana style, close to country. Brian writes mostly rock/pop. Then there was me, writing a form of contemporary country. Michelle has some really great lyrics with lots of emotion and visuals in them. Brian has some cool grooves. Both are really good singers too. We are going to be doing this every Wednesday from 6-9pm. Michelle also has decided to gives us "assignments" each week. This week the song had to include; Kentucky fired chicken, tin cans, road trip, and Mexico. It was interesting to see what Michelle, Brian and I had come up with. All three songs included a form of newley weds going to Mexico. Our next assignment is a song that includes Cheyene Pepper, two way mirror, hotel shower, and sweat.

It is a really small place. The three of us took turns playing original songs. No amps. All acoustic. It is not a bar setting, no big audiences. Just songwriters sitting around taking turns. There may have been 3 or 4 other customers there, and one of them also had an original song she played for us. It was just such a great, relaxing, fun evening!! I think I've found a new family here in Ocala!! Hoping this group will give me some inspiration to find new song ideas.

phil g.

 

Hey Peggy,

I'll give you my two cents: of course "money" is nill these days but it's still fun to make a few bucks on your work. Obviously that's not the driving factor, I learned that soon after I was properly Mabbed lol. If someone wants to really "RECORD" one of your songs... and put it on wax, than yes you need to have them and you and any cowriters sign a very simple piece of paper. Very cut and dried. As a general rule I only issue non-exclusive license agreements to those who want to put my songs on records. $91 per 1,000 copies printed. If you have a co-writer, $45.50 a piece. If publishers are involved there are more splits, but as "Peggy the Standalone Writer" you are your own publisher until you sign with one. I don't have a publisher, so I am my own. It's writers splits only. If you should ever be blessed with the day a Martina McBride, Carrie Underwood, etc. wants to "cut" one of your songs MY two cents as to what I would do is not bat an eye and sign an EXCLUSIVE license to someoe like them.

Keep in mind I am in a very different horse of a market here in Texas, getting a "cut" here in Texas in not like getting a "cut" in Nashville, now don't get me wrong I am honored as all get out someone likes my song but no disrespect to my state, we are just SUCH a big market, SATURATED with so MUCH music people WILL "cut" it's alot easier than shooting for the Nashville stars. But again know your market first.

Granted, I let more of my songs be played for free long before I ever started signed contracts. For a number of reasons number one, i didn't feel worthy of "charging" but more so you gotta make friends and not be someone who comes across as just "out for a cut" so I let alot of people play my songs out in public in venues where PRO's were reported, and just counted it as "getting my foot in the door" i.e. if you are new in an area be nice to people, do favors, let them play your stuff, don't be a penny pincher, I didn't start "charging" if you will and signing dotted lines until people I DID NOT know began to approach me... I let enough friends play my stuff, and people I liked play my stuff out just for the great feeling of having a meal with my wife at a restaurant and hearing my song being played and the look of her being proud of me was my reward. After all that's what songwriting is about, making friends, hearing your stuff, is payment enough.

Just remember odds of any of us getting rich on our songs, well like getting struck by lightning, nothing wrong with dreaming though. Just keep your expectations low like mab says so you won't be disappointed. But yes if someone wants to record your song, you can make a bit of pocket change.

As for your PRO, ASCAP, BMI, whatever... you'll find people arguing them all, my opinion. I think MAB would agree. You could close you eyes spin around and pick one and roll with the one you land on. No difference really. But you seem to have a good problem on your hands. Keep on writing!

BTW... HAVE ANY OF YOU FREQUENT PERFORMERS REGISTERED WITH SOUNDEXCHANGE???

 

And the floodgates open!!

Well, well well, the kid makes it back. That is GREAT NEWS JUSTIN! I think you are making the EXACT right choices. As I told you, I see unending problems on the horizon for the oil and gas business, and regardless of how much we need it and how impossible it is to get off of it, my friend's experience in the coal business, and my own Father's losing involvement in the Solar Energy business, Oil and gas are going to be targeted for a long time to come. Public opinion is turned against them and so it is not a business I would willingly go into at this point. Sounds like you have found quite the home there and I hope it all comes together. 

Thanks for the OD update. I had not heard from him, but was afraid something of that nature had happened. That guy is a victim of his own good and trusting nature and people take advantage of him far too often. And that stuff happens EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY. It drives me crazy that there are people out there that spend their entire lives trying to figure out how to steal from other people. If it is not music or entertainment it is identity thieves. Luckily, Tina's business at Diebold is partially as active as it is due to identity thieves and how fast technology changes. The Diebold company is the foremost makers of ATM machines in the world and make a great product. And working with WALMART is a perfect fit. Helping them avoid the multi billion dollar Fiasco Target went through over the Christmas Holidays. Tina and her team are working hard to ensure that people don't lose their identities due to ATM theft.

Phil, that is so cool. Plays to my belief that there are ALWAYS people around us that think like we do, and can be active partners in our musical journey. But we have to go find it. Sounds like you have gotten the beginning of your group. Now you have to talk all of them making a trip to MAB's to do a tour. LOL! Stay with it, and keep us aprised of how it goes. And.....WRITE MORE DAMN SONGS!!!!

Peggy, GREAT TO HEAR FROM YOU and I will answer you on the next post. Thank you for the question and it is time for YOU to feel SPECIAL!!!! By the way, are you OUR PEGGY, from a while back. Everyone is using new names and pictures, which is what I have wanted all along. We like to use REAL names, pictures and situations when we can. Helps us all get to know each other PAST the Ramp. We can learn a lot and help each other a lot if we do that. 

I was approached by a woman tonight at The Commodore. She came up and had this really odd look on her face. She said "Are you THE MAB?" That was so funny. Turns out she is a member of NSAI and has been reading my posts on that site. She lives in New Jersey and is looking for co-writers. I hope to introduce her to Melissa and possibly bring her over here. but she has to contact me first. She got my card. Didn't give me hers' But they have to contact me to get things kicked off.

Peggy, your post coming up, 

WELCOME EVERYONE!!!!!!