www.myspace.com/prosongwriter

What I am looking for:

1) Great melody writers specialized in their craft

2) Great track writers/composers specialized in their craft

(note: the genres I am interested in are; pop, pop/rock, R&B, and any mixture of the three)

Must be professional, serious and willing to do what is necessary (ethically) to get the job done.

If you're chosen to be part of my songwriting team, I will expect you to complete the assignment given to you in a timely manner.

This is a non-exclusive arrangement. Meaning, even though you will be a valued member on board, you are free to pursue your own endeavors on your own time. Anything you do on your own will not be the responsibility of myself or others on the team.

Completed works under my umbrella will be split equally between you and those involved with whatever project that is assigned to you. This includes writing and publishing shares.

I am looking for only the highest quality and the best writers that can consistently write potential hits that can be made into actual hits.

I am only looking for writers, I am not looking for producers. However, if you are a producer, that skill will be utilized to ensure project placements. If you are involved on the project as a writer, do not expect to be the producer on the project because whatever artist we are working with may have their own production team in place. I am making this known now so there are no misunderstandings later.

What I am NOT looking for:

1) People who woke up this morning and decided they want to try being a writer. Sorry, but it takes time to develop the skill necessary to qualify for what I need.

2) People who are in this to get rich. If you don't love music first, then you'll never know what it takes to make it onto the playing field. I am not saying it isn't possible to get rich as a writer. What I am saying is you won't get rich if that is your primary motivation.

3) People who procrastinate and make false promises. Treat songwriting like a business. If you want to succeed, then you have to show something of yourself in order for others to believe in you.

4) People who create problems. Sorry, I am not into drama and/or conflict. Leave your BS at the door. I am only looking for professionals.

With that said, if you believe you have what it takes to be part of my songwriting team, then you may message me on myspace (www.myspace.com/prosongwriter) or you may send me an email at gwsongwriter@aol.com

What I need from you is a demo of 3 to 4 songs that you've written. A biography, any credits you may have to your name and whether or not you're attached (exclusively or non-exclusively) to any other publisher, management, production agreement, etc...If you have a website with all of that available, all the better.

If you make the grade, then further correspondence will follow.

Thank you and good luck,

Gregory Watton

ande

------------------
Ande Rasmussen
AndeRasmussen@aol.com
http://www.AndeRasmussen.com
http://songramp.com/ande

http://www.MySpace.com/anders

By the way, I'm just listening to a few of your songs, like "Fly Away", "It Isn't Love" and "Don't Push Me". Wow, awesome writing & production!

I see your preferred genres are:
Pop, Pop/Rock, R&B.

Ok, I'll have to send some talent in your direction. I'm mostly into instrumental, film, composing and melody. My instrument is violin, but I also use piano, keyboard and full orchestra arrangements.

If you don't mind, please check out my site links and let me know if might find anything at all that I have (or am doing) that might interest you in one way or the other!

I've got several of my best songwriting samples up at Praiseworthy Productions not to mention some networking with some other great contempoary Christian music & gospel writers!

Thanks for your post & keep up the great work!

God bless you!
Michael

Thank you for putting my ad in your monthly newsletter. Yes, I've actually become flooded with emails from industry hopefuls looking for an opportunity to write.

I've begun working with a couple people already, one being in Australia, so we'll see how that turns out.

If you're interested in what I've got going on Ande, email me your phone number (gwsongwriter@aol.com) and I will call you.

In the meantime, I've been screening a lot of the emails I've been getting and once I am comfortable with the people I've added to my collaboration team, then I will be keeping things busy for a while.

***************

For everyone reading this, let me re-iterate an important point....I am not looking for any other genre other than what I have already specified. So even if you may be an OUTSTANDING country music writer, I am not looking to write country music at this time. One more point, I am not looking for many lyricists. Maybe one or two OUTSTANDING lyricists, but being that I am one myself, I am especially critical when it comes to lyricists asking to be part of my team. UNLESS those lyricists are also melody writers and composers.

********

Truman,

What exactly do you have in mind? Haha, cheerleading squad? Funny. :-)

***************

Michael,

I haven't read that book you mentioned. Most of what I am doing and have done is based on my own trial and error/experience. I owe a lot of my encouragement to Brian Austin Whitney. He is the one who saw a light in me and guided me here and there when I made a few of my first mistakes. Without Brian and some of the other people I have met growing into the industry, I may not have pursued this as seriously as I have and continue to do. Brian is a rightful mentor and inspiration and he deserves credit where credit is due.

I am glad you like my songs. Thank you. :-)

I will definitely check out your stuff and like Ande, if you want, email me your number and I will give you a call.

Much love and best wishes,

I am a songwriter focusing mainly on the pop/dance genre. Examples of my material can be found on www.karizma-muzik.co.uk. At the moment I have two tracks being worked on by a female artist called Tanya Newkirk who is in the process of finalizing emigration from the Ukraine to the USA. She is being sponsored by her manager Aaron Newkirk.
I quote what Aaron has said about the two tracks:
'Thanks for getting back with me so quickly. Tanya would love to record your
song " fallin ". We both feel that it is just what she is looking for and
that it has great potential. Can you send me everything you have for the
song ( backing tracks, lyric sheets, etc...) ?'

'she does like your song 'Reach Down In My Heart' and that seems to fit well with what she is looking for,'

Look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards

You've laid out a pretty stiff set of criteria. Have you worked up an agreement between all parties involved? I assume you plan to set the songwriting agenda and serve as final judge or referee? I'd be interested in reading your marketing plan.

I'm not a candidate at this juncture but I sure wish you the best. Keep us posted on how this team building effort plays out.

Ya' gotta get up early to get ahead of Truman.

All my best,

You may have forgotten to add in the fun part though. And the love of music! And those that may not seem right at first.

I bring this up because I had one song do incredible major market airings in 48 countries on a major cable TV show with one cowriter that I thought I couldn't write with, and would not make any team with those standards. And he wouldn't want to be a part of a set team in the first place, with it being worded in such ways. (Just to show how sometimes it's the magic of one's gift at a certain time that can come through, if given leeway for his own way of doing things to make for a great effort).

My main point is: I wouldn't block out anybody based on a one time evaluation of strict requirements. Artist sometimes have their own beat that they drum by, (you know the old saying).

You might not have picked a Lennon, or a Dylan, or a lot of artsy folks with magic up their sleeves early on if not meeting some standards. Just maybe leave some room for those that could be great on one song at least, while they might not appear to be right for your team at first glance. I would advise to keep an open mind to ALL "Folks". Just present the needs of the song at the time and see what you get. That way, you will have access to much more creative options, and you being on the last line of the decissions, will have much more to choose from, for your likes and dislikes in that song.

Just trying to help in making your vision a successful one. Do it your way of course in the end.

You have both raised some valid points. So I think i will revise my standard and say that I am looking for great writers to work with on an individual basis. If it works out to writing more songs than just one, then awesome.

All the best to you, and it's nice to see someone with so much dedication and attitude. If it's a commercial scenerio, then it's an exceptionally difficult industry, and if working to a formula, then it just may work, or at least get further than doing things on a casual basis.

I would say though, that music comes in all shapes and forms, and it is more about placing a song in a given market i.e. finding a home for it, than thinking about writing a killer song.

I used to think I was a good songwriter, but hanging out here for awhile, tend to think there are a great bunch of songwriters out there that simply write for passion rather than for any other reward.

To experience life, and then to be able to relate that through song, I think will always succeed over a formula based approach. And because there is no other thought on the matter, those songs will succeed in spite of themselves to prove the point.

I used to be a commercial musician, but now write and listen to what fullfills my soul.
I think I'm the better for it, and hope you pick a team which has passion and is not focused on so-called success.

All the best mate,

cheers, niteshift

quote:

---

Originally posted by niteshift:
Hey Greg,

All the best to you, and it's nice to see someone with so much dedication and attitude. If it's a commercial scenerio, then it's an exceptionally difficult industry, and if working to a formula, then it just may work, or at least get further than doing things on a casual basis.

I would say though, that music comes in all shapes and forms, and it is more about placing a song in a given market i.e. finding a home for it, than thinking about writing a killer song.

I used to think I was a good songwriter, but hanging out here for awhile, tend to think there are a great bunch of songwriters out there that simply write for passion rather than for any other reward.

To experience life, and then to be able to relate that through song, I think will always succeed over a formula based approach. And because there is no other thought on the matter, those songs will succeed in spite of themselves to prove the point.

I used to be a commercial musician, but now write and listen to what fullfills my soul.
I think I'm the better for it, and hope you pick a team which has passion and is not focused on so-called success.

All the best mate,

cheers, niteshift

[This message has been edited by niteshift (edited 10-07-2006).]

---

See if anything interests you here:

Good Luck hope it works out

------------------

http://www.soundclick.com/whichdoctor

I thought I'd "bump" this thread and ask how your project is coming along? Teambuilding is a tough-enough task when "all the players" are available each day. The "long-distance" bit makes it a real challenge.

As I said in my earlier post, "Please keep us informed about the details of this intriguing endeavor."

Good hunting and best wishes for success.

At this point I am still looking for great melody writers/composers who can crank out great commercially marketable material.

Right now, my manager is setting me up with a label under Universal Records and as soon as that is finalized, I will be writing for some of their artists.

A couple of collaborations have failed so far unfortunately, so it didn't go as well as I had hoped.

Maybe a team of writers isn't exactly the right thing to have at this time, but rather, individual collaborations.

A lot of lyricists emailed me, but I really don't need that right now. I am also not interested in anything other than pop/rock and R&B. A lot of people hit me up saying they do country. Just not open to that genre.

So yah, that's where I'm at so far.

Greg

that's a great question, but you may want to post it on the boards as a stand alone question. Might get more response.

And welcome!!!!

Bree

quote:

---

Originally posted by flyhawk:
I'm seeking advice and opinions, so here is my question: Would there be a need for a web site as a clearinghouse for song-pitching? Writers from the wannabes on up could post their songs, including a full audio demo (or audio and video)where industry types could browse and shop. What does anyone think? Thanks.

---

Sorry to hear it isn't shaping up the way you envisioned. My advice, keep plugging away and yes, I think collaboration is a valid way to proceed for you.

Best of luck,

ande

quote:

---

Originally posted by A1CWatton:
Well,

At this point I am still looking for great melody writers/composers who can crank out great commercially marketable material.

Right now, my manager is setting me up with a label under Universal Records and as soon as that is finalized, I will be writing for some of their artists.

A couple of collaborations have failed so far unfortunately, so it didn't go as well as I had hoped.

Maybe a team of writers isn't exactly the right thing to have at this time, but rather, individual collaborations.

A lot of lyricists emailed me, but I really don't need that right now. I am also not interested in anything other than pop/rock and R&B. A lot of people hit me up saying they do country. Just not open to that genre.

So yah, that's where I'm at so far.

Greg

[This message has been edited by A1CWatton (edited 10-26-2006).]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by A1CWatton:

Maybe a team of writers isn't exactly the right thing to have at this time, but rather, individual collaborations.

]

---

That's what I meant as just putting the info out to ALL, any and everywhere, to what you need at that time. That way, the ones who would have been on your team would offer their ideas, "along" with all others! (Wouldn't lose any ideas by those you thought would be good enough for your team). And you never know who, or when someone else would get inspired maybe ONLY at that time, to do what you would then call great, but before they had not much to offer.

Keep it going! Take all positives, even from what you may think are negatives. If you happen to find a solid team in the process to "always" go to the well with, (Like a Bernie Taupin/Elton John team and others like them), then great! I just wouldn't assume some will be that other partner without going through some songs together FIRST. Try everybody!

first the good news-

My brohter and I can churn out at least a couple well written songs every day, at the least a couple per week. my brother ron and I have numerous songs that could be made into hits tomorrow

now the bad news-

Our weakness unfortunately is in the technical/music/arrangement side which is what you said you're looking for mainly.

we've been writing for almost 20 years and between both of us, our genres run the gamut of country, outlaw country, rockabilly, acoustic blues, blues/rock, southern rock, comical/commercial styles and pop/rock

A love song that i just wrote would probably fit someone like John Pizzareli barry Manilow, or Ringo Star very well. it's on the order of a song like "You're Sixteen"

but as i said it's the technical/arrangement and studio techniques we lack. our recordings are basically acoustic guitar and vocal.

if you're interested let me know...

Keep plugging away mate, every avenue is not always a dead end, there's always one door that you will find in slightly ajar. Whatever works, just works.

how's this project going?

Ande

------------------
Ande Rasmussen
AndeRasmussen@aol.com
http://www.AndeRasmussen.com
http://songramp.com/ande

http://www.MySpace.com/anders

I saw this when it first went up and I thought neat concept..

Like the others said, persistence is it and I'm sure you'll find your niche

Maybe it is songwriters who write good lyrics and melodies, but who do not want to market....which you are prepared to do it seems. As a good lyricist and songwriter yourself, you'll know what you feel is good and promotable...any...food for thought.

Thought I'd copy something from ASCAP and Murphy's Laws of Songwriting
http://www.ascap.com/nashville/murphy/index.html
© Copyright 2003 Ralph Murphy

What least motivates a publisher to put out the Welcome Mat

According to our survey, the following were of minimal importance to publishers:

20. Marital status [1.0]
19. Gender [1.5]
18. Living in or near another major music center (such as New York or Los Angeles) [1.6]
17. Being a producer [1.9]
16. Being recommended by non-publishers (such as lawyers, managers, A&R) [2.7]
15. Already writing with a recording artist [2.9]
14. Age [3.0] (good news for older songwriters!)
14. Being pursued by other publishers [3.0]
14. Already writing with the publisher's staff writers [3.0]

(I was quite surprised to find that being a producer, writing with an artist and being able to pitch one's own songs ranked so low.)

What somewhat influences a publisher

The mid-range results of our survey bore these responses:

13. Being recommended by other songwriters [4.0]
12. Appearance [4.5]
11. Demo quality [4.6]
10. Track record [4.9]
9. Persistence pursuing the deal [5.1]
8. Living in or near Nashville [5.3]
7. Record deal/artist potential [6.0]
6. Ability to co-write [6.2]
6. Ability to perform songs live [6.2]
5. Affordability (amount of draw) [6.3]

(I was surprised that track record, affordability and record deal did not score higher.)

The Big Four

According to our survey, the following four were the top deal-maker qualities:

4. Ability to write alone [7.5]
3. Ability to write great melodies [8.7]
2. Personality/compatibility with the company [9.0]
1. Ability to write great lyrics [9.6]

-30