Excerpt from The Songwriters Connection FREE Weekly E-Tip
write to songconnection@aol.com to join
Ok guys - this is something you'd better read!
I was speaking with Kim Copeland and a couple other music business folks last week and we were discussing how hard it is to get great demos of your songs when you don't live in Nashville - I know, I'm partial, but there are so many great musicians, singers, producers and studios here.
I remember what my demos used to sound like before I moved here. I had great fun working in the studios back home, but I can see now, how my demos were never going to compete with the pros. Those demos were a million trillion miles away from what they needed to be to fly open doors.
The other thing we talked about was how great it is now that there are so many organizations and groups for songwriters. Nashville Songwriters Assoc., Western California Songwriters, Conneticut, Oklahoma - the list goes on and on.
If you do not yet belong to a group - you need to do that SOON. So much information is shared, lessons learn and you get to commiserate with other folks that are going through the same trials that you are.
Long story short - Kim came up with an idea and I think it's fabulous!!! I think you will too.
Here's what she's going to do. Every 6-8 weeks, we'll have a new "contest" searching for the best song from a songwriters group AND KIM WILL DEMO IT FOR FREE!!!! Yes, that's what I said. Demo it for FREE. Isn't that a fantastic opportunity? Way to go Kim!
So - have your group "leader" contact us here at The Songwriters Connection and send us a short bio of the group. Number of members, years together, successes, etc. We'll choose a new group each 6 weeks. Everyone in the group will get to send us what they feel is their best song and we'll get some of our music biz friends to help with the judging. Best song wins. Any genre.
That's it. No strings attached, no cost to you - all you have to let us do is post your song on the Songwriters Connection and Kim Copeland Productions MySpace pages after it's demoed, and include your bio and the "bio" of your group along with it.
We're doing this to encourage you to get your songs all tweaked and ready to compete AND encourage you to become a member of a group if you aren't already.
I know a lot of you belong to a regional workshop group of Nashville Songwriters Assoc. That counts as a group.
And if you don't belong to a group, find one, join and have them contact us. Group leaders - send us your info to songconnection@aol.com, and lets get some demos happening!
Questions? songconnection@aol.com
One of the cool things about working with Kim is that she loves for you to be at the session so you can learn more about how to produce your own demos. So if the timing works out and you'd like to be there, DO IT. But - it's not necessary. She will talk over all your ideas and hers via phone and email.
This is really pretty informal and only intended to help some of you get a great, competitive demo and also to join in a group of fellow songwriters. You'll grow and leran much faster.
Kim will probably only do this through the end of the year, so GET BUSY!!!
Check out Kim's work at
kimcopelandproductions.com
myspace.com/kimcopeland
I think you'll enjoy these great articles on the Kim Copeland Website
1. A View From The Other Side: How A Pitch Becomes A Cut (http://kimcopelandproductions.com/articles.htmlaview)
2. Three Important Points About Opening Lines
(http://kimcopelandproductions.com/articles.htmlthree)
3. Condense It!
(http://kimcopelandproductions.com/articles.htmlcondense)
4. Building Better Songs
(http://kimcopelandproductions.com/articles.htmlbuilding)
IF YOU ARE A SONGWRITER OR AN ARTIST----
AND WANT GET THE BEST QUALITY RECORDINGS AVAILABLE, GO TO www.kimcopelandproductions.com
*NEW**NEW**NEW** Get the star treatment. We are now offering you the option to have us handle the whole process for you. Everything! Our team of professionals can help you find songs, write your bio & press release, do the photo shoot, mastering, all the graphics and have the finished CD delivered to your door. Check This OUT at kimcopelandproductions.com
CHECK OUT www.songwritersconnection.com. Kim is a contributing columnist for the Free Weekly E-Tips for songwriters. Drop a line to songconnection@aol.com to sign up for the E-Tips
Generous of spirit and time, Kim Copeland and associates brought A list players to help this songwriters realize his dream. The group works quickly, effectively, & produces a very marketable product.
What’s this worth? It’s priceless to me.. If you want to be proud of the final product, you need look no further. You have arrived at the right spot.
Kevin ”Agent” Mooney
If you are interested in contacting Kim Copeland for professional song demos or artists projects, email her at kcprod@aol.com. Check out her website at kimcopelandproductions.com for more info and to read some of Kim's great articles on songwriting and the music business.
More about Kim Copeland:
Kim Copeland is a respected songwriter/producer working out of Nashville Tennessee. As a mentor for The Songwriters Connection (songwritersconnection.com), TAXI (taxi.com) and The Nashville Songwriters Association International (nashvillesongwriters.com), she has helped further the careers of hundreds of songwriters around the world.
As a producer she has produced thousands of demos for songwriters. Bringing their songs to a professional level, she has been an integral part of contest winners and publishing contracts for her clients.
Kim produces artists projects that compete with the major labels. She produced the CD, First Day of the Truth for Rachel Williams (of Nashville Star fame) and has just finished Rachel’s second album.
@Music Row 5/3/05
Album Review: Rachel Williams
First Day Of The Truth
Larry Wayne Clark
(Regaltone Records)
Producer: Kim Copeland
Prime cuts: “So Good For So Long,” “The First Day Of The Truth,” “As Far As You Know,” “On The Leaving Side,” “Goin’ Through Hell”
Critique: When spunky Michigan native Rachel Williams was sent packing in the early weeks of Nashville Star 2, there were a lot of disgruntled viewers, including this one. Clearly the 18-year-old had a daunting set of pipes combined with stage confidence well beyond her years. The good news is that talent as substantial as this is not easily swept under the rug. Now 19, living in Nashville and singing better than ever, Williams has released an indie CD that should stand proudly beside anything coming out of Nashville this year. It’s no less than joyous to hear someone so young discovering the thing she loves to do and shouting hallelujah about it, right before our ears. The title track shows that Williams can hold her own with Martina when it comes to raw, lung-popping balladry. “As Far As You Know,” one of several offerings from the pen of the mighty Bekka Bramlett, finds Williams channeling her “inner Aretha” in a way that would make that soul empress grin approvingly. The dark, soulful “Welcome To Love,” co-written with producer Copeland, shows Williams is also a budding songsmith. Throughout, the musicianship is stellar and the ambiance almost live—you can just see these Music Row pickers shrugging off the paint-by-numbers country-isms to whip out their greasiest Sax/Muscle Shoals chops with happy abandon. An excellent debut from someone who’s already a “Nashville star” in my book.
Kim Copeland produced the award winning CD, Deuce on Texas Top Ten artist Keith Norris.
Roots Music Report review:
“When you hear a CD (Deuce) this good you have got to wonder why Keith Norris isn’t already one of the biggest stars in country music. Keith Norris has it goin on. Young , good looks, and can sing his hat off. Deuce is just fantastic country music the way it all should be. This album features 15 country songs from swing to ballads to Texas two step.
This CD is as good as anything on country radio today.”
And "First Glance" for Barbara Harley, New Jersey CMA Female Vocalist of the Year.
CD REVIEW: Barbara Harley – “First Glance”
By Stacey Board - 12/11/02 - 10:21 PM EST
I have an unpleasant confession to make. I’ve become just cynical enough about the music industry to have half a second of worry when I first saw Barbara Harley’s CD. “Uh oh… a very pretty woman in multiple attractive poses”… But never fear! She’s got the goods and “First Glance” is a very good CD.
I can think of another pretty brunette contemporary country artist that writes lots of uplifting songs… Shania. But Barbara keeps her production much closer to planet earth than Ms. Twain’s latest releases. “First Glance” has very professional sounding production quality without leaning anywhere near overproduced gloss.
Hi Kim--Thanks for the great demo!! I've been listening to it over(and over and over.) The production quality is definitely a step up from any of my past demos, with lots of cool touches. Well worth the extra dollars. Mike
Here's a couple of comments from my Song U "coach"--a Nashville pro writer:
."
This is a beautiful song and a great demo. Possibly the best thing I've heard from you. It's a flawless presentation, very nicely produced. The song develops continuously from start to finish. This could almost be a record as is. I think you're going to get some nibbles, and hopefully a bite on this one eventually... I think this sounds very fresh and pro caliber. "
Some of the players and singers Kim uses on sessions include: Ronnie Kimball, Tim Buppert, Ron Wallace, Rachel Williams, Marcia Ramirez, Buddy Hyatt, Larry Paxton, Owen Hale, Brian Fullen, Jim Hyatt, Joe Spivey, Hoot Hester, Danny Parks, Jim Brown, Donnie Skaggs, Kerry Marks, Derek Wells, Mike Johnson, Eddie Bayers and Dow Tomlin. A few of her favorite engineers are: Kelly Shoenfeld, John Mills and George Clinton.
Everyone speaks so highly of you Kim. If your artists are ever in need of my services, please call! I do press kits, cd covers, video, and all A&R needs. Cheers!
I just love ya and the tracks are coming out great. I am super excited about it. Thanks for your help in making my songs perfect. I'm living the dream, here and now. You're my lucky #23!
I would like to personally and sincerely thank you for your help and support during the Brevard Idol Competition.
Vote totals for the final round were: Melissa Nadeau 27,852 JoAmber Dezonno 25,891 Ginnette Ward 19,481
As you can see I was able to win the competition and become the “Brevard Idol”. I could not have done this without all the help and support that I received from my friends and family. Thank you for helping to make a dream come true for me.
May your day be filled with the promises of your heart's desire to aspire to obtain all those things you've worked so hard in life to achieve. May the subliminal forever ready presence of GOD make himself known during your time of need. May your 2008 over flow with many blessing from our Heavenly Father. May this day be filled with lots of love, joy, laughter and all that you imagine it to be and more
Hi, Kim - Your songwriting video tip is great! You really communicate well and I think you should do more. Plus, Mattie looks like a fine friend and assistant. All the best, Les
Hey I love the sound your producing!! :) Sounds great!! xactly what I would want to hear from my music! :) Thanks for the friend request! Hope to talk to ya soon!
