SongWritersNotes 35 Years Supporting San Diego January 2017

The San Diego SDSG’s 25th Annual Songwriters Guild

SDSongwriters.org Song Contest [email protected] If you are a , or a producer or artist looking for some new materi- 3952 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, D413 al, please join us for SDSG’s 25th Annual Song Contest on Monday, February San Diego, CA 92117 13, 2017 at K ‘n B in Del Cerro. A popular tradition for San Diego writers, this 2017 SDSG Board of Directors event offers a unique opportunity to hear a tremendous cross section of local President Sierra West work. Songs will be heard, winners announced, and prizes awarded on one Vice President Mike Wojniak jam-packed night. Secretary Stacy Kim Johnston Webmaster Treasurer John Pape Board Members Jeff Caldwell The contest has traditionally been held in the month of November, at the start Cliff Keller of a very busy season; we’ve moved it to the beginning of the year to avoid hol- Tolan Shaw iday conflicts. We’ll be giving away great prizes donated by Guild sponsors to Advisors Diane Waters Mark Charles Hattersley the writers of the top three songs plus honorable mentions, too. Prizes include generous recording packages, music equipment, a Taylor guitar, annual SDSG Memberships and more. In this edition... SDSG 2017 Prize winners will be selected by a panel of industry professionals in this event, Annual Song Contest during which recorded song entries are played in the presence of both judges Page One and audience. This year’s group of judges is stellar, with Lindsay White, Craig President’s Message Goldy, Peter Dyson, Steven Ybarra, Mookie Kaczor, and Tod Howarth on Page Two board.

Marc Ferrari March 5 The contest is open to local San Diego writers, who must be present to win. You Page Three may join the Guild or renew your membership simultaneously with your entry Durango Expo Feb 16 to take advantage of member discounts, but the contest is open to non-mem- Page Three bers, too. Check the Guild website for details and on-line song registration.

Song Contest Judges Submit your entries in on-line by 3:00 PM February 11, or in-person on the Page Four night of the contest. A maximum of 70 recorded songs will be judged; if you 2017 Contest Rules want to be sure your song is heard, on-line registration is recommended. Page Five Contest Rules can be found on Page Five of this newsletter or at SDSongwriters.org/events/annual-song-contest where you can also find prize Collaborators’ Secrets Tracey & Vance Marino - Page Six list updates. We look forward to seeing you!

2017 Board of Directors Page Eight Monday, February 13, 2017 2016 Events Review Registration 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM Page Eight K ‘n B Del Cerro Gallery, 6380 Del Cerro Blvd, San Diego 92120 SDSG Sponsors Page Nine From the President SDSG President Sierra West

Joining the San Diego Songwriters Guild and having the chance to work with Guild members at numerous SDSG’s events, I was extremely honored and ex- cited to be nominated to fill in as Vice President not long before the 2015 SDSG Songwriting Contest. Working as Vice President under 2015 President Mike Wo- jniak was a true learning experience; I am beyond grateful to have gotten to know him and the SDSG team and to have had the chance to see SDSG in action.

When I ventured into 2016 as the SDSG President, I knew I had an important role to fill. The Guild has provid- ed so many of us with an amazing wealth of opportunities to network as songwriters, learn about the music business and, more importantly, to grow and work together as part of an incredibly dedicated, talented, and humble local community of creative minds. I am proud of the continued support we have received from our industry. SDSG events in 2016 allowed us to meet with experts from different backgrounds, each of whom was not only willing to share their experience, but also provide in-person feedback to our members, which I consider a very special gift. I am honored to have been a part of the many workshops, pitch sessions and, most of all, creative discussions that took place over the year. Profoundly cinematic, intensely intimate: the art- As the 25th Annual Song Contest approaches, I recall istry of SDSG President Sierra West reveals itself that the SDSG contest was the first event I attended in in essential melodies, vivid visuals and absorbing San Diego when I moved here about four years ago. At emotions. Deep vibe tracks and sparkling acoustic the time, I was not familiar with the concept of “pitch guitars frame the confiding voice of a singer-song- writer completely committed to the sincerity of her sessions,” but had dreamed of having my songs placed songs. Embracing change, she checked out possi- in film and TV since I was a kid growing up on the East bilities for relocation. “San Diego had the most Coast. Because of the open arms I received in the SDSG musical communities,” she remembers. “They all (while I was new and terrified to be in the same room seemed fun and happy.” Sierra has made substan- while peers listened and industry professionals judged tial in-roads: Winning “Best Singer-Songwriter” songs written from my own experience), my songwriting at the San Diego Music Awards and topping the grew stronger; I grew stronger. Even as I write this letter, winners’ list for the San Diego Songwriters Guild’s I am amazed to be able to say that my dreams of film/TV 21st and 22nd Annual Song Contests. With nom- placements have come true, and then some! And while inations including the International Songwrit- I have had several placements, publishing deals, and a ing Competition, the Hollywood Music in Media Awards and OUTMUSIC, she was named one of local record deal (kudos to Big West Music), it is the con- the nation’s Hot 100 Live Unsigned Artists & Bands nections I have made in our local community that contin- by Music Connection Magazine. ue to drive my passion for songwriting.

2016 was a major stepping-stone for me on many levels, but helping others helped me turn a personally challenging year from what could have been a permanent tragedy into a gift. We have an extremely unique community here in San Diego and I am still in awe of the accomplishments that many of my peers have achieved, that I have made myself, and that I hope to witness for all our members. The New Year will continues to challenge us and help us grow as songwriters. I look forward to a great 2017 and the opportunities and con- nections the San Diego Songwriters Guild will bring. Please contact me any time; let me hear your ideas, sug- gestions, and comments. The best way to connect is in person at our events, but email is always an option at [email protected]. And if you aren’t receiving our emails or newsletter, please request to be added to the mailing list by contacting us at [email protected] Keep in the loop so you hear about what’s going on.

Let’s make 2017 a year where more of our songwriting dreams come true!

Visit http://sdsongwriters.org/about/sdsg-board-of-directors to meet the entire SDSG board Guest Speaker Marc Ferrari Founder of MasterSource visits with SDSG March 5, 2017

“Marc’s ties to the industry are incredible. He knows almost every major music supervisor and every studio”

- Gary Gross, Worldwide President Production Music Group at Universal Music

The San Diego Songwriter’s Guild is pleased to welcome musician, actor, author, entrepreneur and investor Marc Ferrari as a special guest speaker. The focus of this Sunday afternoon event will be the business of music libraries as it applies to strategies for composers and songwriters. Marc will also share his authoritative insight on the current and future direction of the industry including advice for musicians and songwriters on the rise in developing an under- standing of the business and legal elements, techniques for working with industry insiders (music supervisors/pro- ducers), negotiations, contracts, publishing, merchandising, en- dorsements, money manage- Expo 2017 ment and more. Durango In terms of breadth and influ- ence, few musicians have been A few days after SDSG’s 2017 Song Contest, faces old and new will able to match Mr. Ferrari’s ca- gather in every nook and cranny of the Crown Plaza Hotel in Ventura reer achievements in the music California, where jam sessions, sing-alongs and guitar pulls will go industry. Please visit the SDSG on late into the evenings throughout the February 16-18 weekend. website for his extensive resume Welcome to the opening session of Durango Songwriters’ Expo 2017! and to pre-register.

The Expo is held twice a year, first in Ventura, California and later, in We are honored and grateful to October, in Colorado. With over 40 music industry pros and hit song- have Marc share his experiences writers present and very limited attendee registration, the Expo is an and wisdom with us and look for- unparalleled networking opportunity and one of the few songwriters’ ward to this important event. events where participants get their music heard extensively by estab- lished industry vets. Jeff The talent level at Durango is always incredible, and attendees have Jeff Caldwell, SDSG Board Member the opportunity to have songs listened to by professionals represent- ing multiple genres. Industry guests include A&R pros, Publishers, hit Location: writers, Managers, Film and TV Music Supervisors and Performance Legend Condominiums Rights Organizations reps to name a few categories. 7th Floor Social Lounge 325 7th Ave, San Diego 92101 Durango organizer Jim Attebery is a songwriter, producer, and studio owner who has worked with a variety of bands and artists and has Check in: written music for film and TV for many years. Says Jim, “We all need to 3:30-4:00 PM be inspired to create. Few things are more inspiring than spending quality Sunday March 5, 2017 time with smart, talented, like-minded people who understand what you do... and are passionate about it, in fact.” Preregistration is required. Please be sure to sign up Find out more about this fantastic songwriters’ event at on-line no later than www.durango-songwriters-expo.com February 24, 2017

This is not a pitch session; Diane it is an opportunity to listen, SDSG Advisor Diane Waters question and learn in person. 2017 SDSG Song Contest Judges

Marc “Mookie” Kaczor is currently the Music Director at 88.5 KCSN in Los Angeles, a radio sta- tion with the mission of supporting the community of artists. Mookie has also had stops at San Diego stations KPRI, 91X, Radio Sophie and is still heard on FM 94/9 on weekends. Mookie also helped launch a non-commercial station in Laguna Beach called KXRN. He’s currently host of the semi-syndicated Unsigned Sunday radio show as well. Mookie gets music submissions from major labels, indie labels and independent artists by the pound.

A native of England, Peter Dyson came to San Diego from Austin, Texas in 2004. The third owner in Studio West’s forty year history, Peter spearheaded the studio expansion and remodeling project in 2005, determined to bring to fruition his vision of a world-class, fully integrated San Diego-based recording studio, comparable to the top facilities in Los Angeles. His thirteen years of professional ex- pertise in strategic business planning, leadership training and human resources for Motorola’s Semi- conductor Group in Austin and his passion for music have uniquely equipped Peter to assemble a top notch team of engineers and producers at Studio West, and to identify and develop services to better meet the needs of clients. As a drummer, Peter has played and recorded with bands in both England and Austin, and has a musical taste that is as diverse as the artists who have recorded at Studio West.

Craig Goldy is best known for serving as DIO’s guitarist for several different stints from 1986 through 2010, appearing on several records and touring the world. This San Diego native cur- rently counts songwriting and performance contributions to four Gold Records and one Plat- inum Record with DIO, David Lee Roth, and Giuffria. He recently appeared on an album that went to the top 20 on the Billboard charts, with two Grammy nominations and one Grammy award with Jack Black. In addition to continuing to record and perform with the bands Resur- rection Kings, Endangered Species, as well as other projects, Craig is active with Destiny Bridge, a program which enables unsigned artists to fast track their material to music industry executives.

Point Loma native and resident Tod Howarth was the vocalist/keyboardist/guitarist for Kiss spinoff Frehley’s Comet featuring original guitarist . Tod’s music career began in the early 1980’s with hard rockers 707. He spent nearly 20 years as the touring keyboard player for , released 5 solo albums, and provided background vocals, keyboards, and guitar on sever- al major recordings. 2016 saw Tod’s new supergroup Four by Fate release their debut al- bum Relentless to critical acclaim. Tod remains extremely active in the San Diego com- munity, performing at charity events such as Stand Down for veterans and their families.

Lindsay White is an award-winning songwriter based in San Di- ego. With influences ranging from Dylan to Difranco, Lindsay’s songwriting has earned recognition from San Diego Songwriters Guild, Kerrville Folk Festival, Guitar World, and American Songwrit- er Magazine. Curve Magazine describes her sound as “the lovechild of Hope Sandoval and Regina Spektor.” Known for her work with former nationally touring folk/pop duo The Lovebirds, Lindsay is now pursuing her solo project with an album release and tour slated for July 2017.

Houston-born country singer and songwriter Steven Ybarra has captivated and energized crowds across North America with his signature country pop sound. Ybarra’s new single, “Why Would I Do That” has put him on the ballot for multiple GRAMMY considerations in 2017. His latest album, What I Really Want To Say, earned two GRAMMY considerations and debuted in the iTunes Top 100 Country Chart. Ybarra won the Durango Songwriter’s Expo (country category) for the song “Sum of Two Hearts,” his song “Stand” reached the Top 10 on Best Country Radio, and he has been awarded four San Diego Music Awards. Steven tours nationally and has been featured with Eric Church, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, Gavin DeGraw, and many others. San Diego Songwriters Guild • 2017 SONG CONTEST RULES

• Song entries will be judged by a committee consisting submit written permission from his or her parent or legal of industry professionals, songwriters and/or SDSG staff. guardian to participate in the contest. Parental Consent Judges will score entries on five criteria: lyrics, melody, Form can be Downloaded at www.sdsongwriters.org/ form, originality and presentation. All styles of music are song-contest/pdf/SongContestParentalConsentForm.pdf eligible, but instrumentals will receive no lyric score. • Songs that placed in the top 4 prize categories (Platinum, • Each entry must be the contestant’s original work. By Gold, Silver or Bronze) from previous year’s song contest entering this contest you are confirming that the song sub- cannot be resubmitted and will be disqualified. mitted is original and you hold rights to the song. Failure • Prizes for this year’s contest have yet to be determined. to comply will result in immediate disqualification and an Check out prizes from prior years at our website Note: alternative winner will be selected. many of the prizes are “San Diego” based and can only be • Songwriter must be present at the time of the awards redeemed in San Diego stores, offices, and studios. presentation to receive prize. Songwriters who are not • Winners are responsible for division of prizes and taxes. present at the awards presentation will be disqualified • No more than 70 entries will be accepted; SDSG reserves from consideration for prizes and awards. the right to limit submissions further. • Contestants and their collaborators retain all rights to • A maximum of two of entries will be accepted per writer. works submitted, but entries will not be returned by SDSG. Co-writes count proportionately toward this total. (For ex- • Contest is open to amateur songwriters, meaning one who ample: an entry with two writers counts as 1/2 of one entry has not been employed as a staff writer for a publishing for each writer.) San Diego Songwriter’s Guild reserves the company, who is not being paid for such services, and/ right to limit entries further. or who has not received more than $5,000 in song royalty • San Diego Songwriter’s Guild is not responsible for late, income within the past year. lost, damaged, misdirected, postage due, stolen, or misap- • No song previously recorded and released through major propriated entries. national distribution in any country is eligible. • Entry constitutes permission to use winner’s names, • Grand Prize (Platinum) winning songwriter from the previ- likeness and voices for future publicity and advertising ous two song contest (2014, 2015) is not eligible to enter purposes without additional compensation. the contest. All other previous entrants from years not • This contest is limited to local songwriters only. You must indicated above can make a song submission. be a current resident living in San Diego County, California. • The contest is open to songwriters who are 18 years of age • Entries that violate these rules may be disqualified, and or older on the date of entry submission. Any entrant who submitted fees will not be returned. All judges’ decisions is a minor in his or her jurisdiction of legal residence must are final.

A few important points worthy of emphasis...

• Participants can no longer submit by mail. You can enter either by 1) submitting your songs online or 2) bringing your song on CD with lyric sheets on the day of the contest. Online submission is preferred; since there is a limit to the number of entries, all slots may be filled by the day of the contest. If all slots are filled you will not be able to enter the day of the contest. • We believe that it is important to honor those who write winning songs. It is really a let down when someone wins and the songwriter is not present. As such, the actual songwriter must be present to accept any prizes or awards. If the writer is not there, the song will be automatically disqualified. • We want to make sure that this is a local song contest. We are the San Diego Songwriter’s Guild and we want to serve the people of San Diego. Therefore all participants must be current resident of San Diego County. We are not looking for people out of Los Angeles, Austin or Nashville. We want to keep the contest local. We have plenty of great talent right here in our own town. • Previously any Platinum winner was not allowed to enter the contest. We have modified the rules where any Plati- num winner only needs to sit out two consecutive contests before they can again participate in the contest. Once two contest have passed Platinum winners can again submit songs. • Due to the need to fit everyone’s entry within the contest time wndow, approximately two minutes is allotted for listening to each song. Judges may request additonal time for any song they wish to review further.

Cut off for on-line registration is 3:00 PM February 11, 2017. Visit SDSongwriters.org for more info The Six Secrets of Great Song Collaborators By Tracey & Vance Marino

“Most important, start by becoming a great song collaborator yourself”

An article published by Robert Half Technology titled “The 6 Secrets of Great Team Members” said that most workers, “regardless of their industry, have probably been asked to join a project team at some point in time.” It went on to say that “working with a group of colleagues can be fun, as teams become infused with camaraderie and a shared sense of mission. But being a group partic- ipant can also be challenging.” This is very much like doing a song collaboration!

Being a great collaborator is very much a team effort. In fact, the same six ideas in this article about being a “great team member” are completely interchangeable with how to be a “great song collaborator.” So, what are the secrets of great song collaborators?

1. They check their ego at the door. A great song collaborator is humble and open minded. This is one of the biggest obstacles for songwriters just starting out. It’s great to have confidence, but bragging is not attractive. Being stubborn doesn’t work. The great song collaborator will be honest but won’t put down a co-writer or shred their ideas just for an ego stroke.

2. They’re flexible. Great song collaborators know when to “let it go.” If you offer an interest- ing line but it doesn’t quite gel with your co-writer, write it down (or record it) and move on. Co-writing isn’t about getting your way or counting how many lines or notes you wrote. It’s about bending. (By the way, when we write lyrics, we type the lyric that’s not working on the second page of the lyric sheet. We call this the “LYRIC GRAVEYARD.” Sometimes, some of those dead ideas will be “resurrected” and make their way back in that song or a new song. Never erase or throw out any of your ideas!)

3. They’re good listeners. The great song collaborator observes everything: the surroundings, how people are talking, the tone of someone’s voice, body language, stories being told (even if they’re silly or mundane). They pick up on emotions and facial expressions. There is nothing worse than a co-writer who isn’t listening to you. Ideally, you “get” each other in some musical way. You complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. You might have completely dif- ferent viewpoints regarding politics, religion, Coldplay, or where to get the best tacos, but you need to listen to each other. One of the best things about doing a collaboration is you have another person to bounce ideas off of. But, if that person isn’t respectful and doesn’t listen to you, the collaboration will certainly fail. Six Secrets - continued

4. They accept constructive criticism. A great song collaborator appreciates the value of useful critiques and feedback. They know not to take it personally. Any criticism can be tough, even for professional songwriters! But, it’s easier when you realize that the ultimate mission of writ- ing a song is to communicate with the audience. The song’s goal is to make the listener feel something. If a lyric line doesn’t make sense, or a chord sounds weird, or the melody is tough to sing, a great collaborator will consider the feedback (especially if the same comments are being repeated from other reliable sources) and change the song if necessary. Pro songwrit- ers don’t call it “songwriting.” They call it “song re-writing.”

5. They’re all in. The great song collaborator isn’t a passive participant. Instead, they come to the writing session prepared with lyric lines, titles, melodies, a groove, a chord pattern – what- ever it takes to get a song started. They leave problems outside and bring a professional work ethic and a good attitude. When great collaborators are in a writing session or recording in the studio, they don’t answer phone calls, check texts and email, etc. They’re completely and fully there, mentally and physically.

6. They go with the flow. Great song collaborators know that sometimes the song just doesn’t work. Sometimes, they can’t see eye-to-eye with their co-writer. Sometimes, the lyrics go in a completely different direction than what was originally mapped out. Sometimes, a genius title will have to be dumbed down to accommodate a better hook in the chorus. Sometimes, a demo from an expensive studio didn’t quite get the overall sound everyone was hoping for. It happens. The great song collaborator goes with the flow then moves on.

Some people are just not meant to co-write with each other. The chemistry isn’t there. Some people are more comfortable writing alone. That’s great! But, for the very brave who try it, col- laboration can have many advantages and perks.

Finding a great collaborator can be difficult. It may take years, decades even, but eventually a great song collaborator comes along who is helpful, educational, inspiring, plays a mean guitar, makes you laugh, makes you relive a favorite memory, makes you write better.

Where can you find a great song collaborator? Go to open mics. Attend songwriter meetings and events. Enter song contests and listen to the entries. You might have to kiss a lot of frogs to find them, but the great song collaborators are out there! Most important, start by becoming a great song collaborator yourself. Like attracts like. Great song collaborators need each other.

Vance Marino and Tracey Marino are full-time film & TV composers and songwriters with hundreds of placements in TV shows such as “The Voice,” “New Girl,” “The Tonight Show,” “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Oprah Winfrey,” “Dr. Oz,” “Access Hollywood,” and many others. Their song “Carnival Lights” was placed in the Disney film “The Last Song” starring Miley Cyrus, and their song “No Snow In Mexico” was placed in the film “Goats” starring Ty Burrell, David Duchovny, and Keri Russell. They are the Coordi- nators for the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) San Diego Chapter. NSAI owns and operates The Bluebird Café SDSG Board of Directors 2017 President Sierra West Board Members Jeff Caldwell Vice President Cliff Keller Mike Wojniak Tolan Shaw

Secretary Stacy Kim Johnston Advisors to the Board Mark Charles Hattersley Website / Treasurer Diane Waters John Pape SDSG welcomes you! This organization is run entirely by unpaid volunteers, and your help in mak- ing us stronger and better will be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to approach a Board Member anytime, or contact us via our website, sdsongwriters.org, if you would like to become involved. Membership dues allow the Guild to conduct our meetings... Please keep yours current. The Year in SDSG Events October 20 Pitch Session with Brian Lucy January 13 Jim Attebery Durango!

February 2 Writing for Money with Jeff Paris

April 10 Mark Mazetti Pitch Session

June 18 Pop Music that Works Nolan Sipe

June 24 Richard Harris & Robert Tepper Listening Session

August 28 Music Biz 101 with Jerimaya Grabher

November 4 Erin McKeown on Musicals S. O. S. Please Support Our Sponsors!

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25th Annual SDSG SONG CONTEST Register in Now On-Line! Monday, February 13

Mastersource Founder Mark Ferrari Special Guest Speaker March 5

From the President SDSG’s Sierra West

Secrets of Collaboration Tracey & Vance Marino

Here Comes Durango Durango Expo February 16

SDSongwriters.org [email protected]

SongWritersNotes The San Diego Songwriters Guild 3952 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Suite D413 San Diego, CA 92117 Address Correction Requested