|
|
Just Plain Educational
One of the great thrills of the Los Angeles trip was the wonderful and enlightening time I spent with JoAnn and John Braheny. For those of you not familiar with John, he is the co-founder of the Los Angeles Songwriter Showcase, (Now National Academy of Songwriters) a legendary effort that had all the heart of Just Plain Folks, only 30 years earlier! In addition, many of you may own Johns songwriting bible "The Craft and Business of Songwriting." I got a mini education in one day from John and JoAnn, who herself is an expert on the creative process having done work with Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering, Disney's theme park think-tank, after many years in the music industry. It was clear during my trip to Los Angeles, that these are two of the most well thought of folks in the business, from everyone I met and talked with. Now is your unique chance to share time learning from these fabulous Mentors!
John and JoAnn Braheny will present their combined "GOOSING YOUR MUSE" (Stimulating and Nurturing Your Creative Process) and "CRAFT AND BUSINESS OF SONGWRITING" seminar on Saturday, February 27th, 1999 from 10AM to 5PM for the Las Vegas (NV) Songwriters Assn. The fee is $45 ($25 for members). For Information call LVSA at 702-223-7255.
Can't be in Vegas on the 27th? No problem!
They're also firming up plans for seminars in the Northeast (Boston, N.Y., Connecticut etc.) next Fall and in the Northwest this Summer so if you'd like one in your area, do yourself and the members of your local songwriting community a favor and contact them at 818-509-2996 or e-mail them at nutunes@aol.com.
In other news from Braheny-land, John just completed another in his series of songwriter interviews for the United Airlines In-flight audio Songwriter Channel. This one was with Jeff Trott, co-writer of Sheryl Crow's hits, "Every Day Is a Winding Road," "If it Makes You Happy" and "My Favorite Mistake" among others. It will "air" in May and June. Among the many other writers John has interviewed for the Songwriter Channel are, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil ("You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling," "On Broadway" ) Richard Carpenter, Dean Pitchford ("Fame," "Footloose"), Livingston and Evans ("Mona Lisa," "Whatever Will Be, Will Be") and Wendy Waldman ("Save the Best For Last," "The Sweetest Days"). Tune in next time you fly United.
John's "Anatomy of a Hit" class, focusing on what makes songs a hit (music, lyric, structure, timing, promotion, marketing, etc.) will be open to the public at Musician's Institute (Hollywood, CA) starting in April on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:30. Call M.I at 323-462-1384 for details.
Members John and JoAnn Braheny Email: Braheny@jpfolks.com