The sun shines on a dog's behind!

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Czar of Cheese
Member Since: Jun 09, 2004

Just thought I'd share the good news:

I have entered some of my songs into various songwriting contests, and I've had some moderate success with a few of them. Most recently, I won second place in the SongPrize.com contest with a song called "Rock Me, Sweet Jesus".

www.songprize.com/

The point isn't so much to brag as it is to say that the quality of work I hear from many of you is FAR superior to the stuff I write. You people should think about entering your stuff in contests...you never know what might happen. All you have to lose is your hard earned $$$. :-)

Keep on rockin'

Jim

PS The Cutaways have a gig tonight at one of the local hot spots. It's an outdoor affair, and the weather here is absolutely perfect today. (We've been rained out the last two times we were sceduled to play there.) I'm psyched...

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Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 04, 2004 01:27 pm

Hey Jim

Well done man! That sounds pretty cool - only problem is, I dinny like paying to enter comps!!

Tho, if its fair and a good prize, I'd mibbe give it a whirl for some fun. How much does it cost man??

Good luck wi the gig bud..keep on rockin!

Coco.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Sep 04, 2004 02:56 pm

that's great man. that must feel wonderful. congratulations to you!

i also dont like to pay to enter contests so much, but i would almost pay for this:

www.hitsongscience.com/

for some reason my curiosity is piqued with this analysis service.

i know, most people don't believe in quantifying art. but i just find it fascinating, like theory.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 04, 2004 03:12 pm

Hey Forty

I thinks this looks dodgy dude. I never say never but I sure as hell wouldnae pay them a bolt to tell me if ma songs a hit...sometimes, the feelin in the gut will let ya know.

I do subscribe to musical theory of course like yourself (tho am nowhere near as knowledgeable as you in that dept) but I dont think I'd go with some dude whacking oot a calculator etc and mathematically analysin ma songs.

Hell, I mind reading how some jackass told The Beatles guitar music was "done...no need for that now" hmmmm, think he made a mess o that one methinks!!

Would be very curious to see if you could con em to see if their system worked. Take a hit from a less well known artist from a different country and see what their system comes up with - that'd be fun.

All the best man...

Coco.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Sep 04, 2004 07:25 pm

they predicted that nora jones would be a hitmaker before her record was widely distributed. it's actually kind of cool. the program has analyzed over 3 million bona fide hit songs. they assigned numerical values to things like tempo, chord progressions, and melody. then, they plotted the results. they found that hits tended to cluster into 'constellations' in the 'musical universe.' the data is there, man! the program does seem to be pointing the way to the characteristics that make a hit song!

i dont think its worth paying for, either, though. especially since they dont tell you how to make your song into a hit; just whether or not it's likely to be one, based on whether it falls into a major constellation or not. plus i wouldn't want a program telling me that anyway. that would truly kill the art.

i just found it pretty interesting. and yet...i remember seeing a show on the discovery channel about it, and they used a horrible songwriter with a horrible song to demonstrate a song that set the program's hit alarms a-ringing. it was a piece of sentimental garbage, and very very annoying.

so i'm kind of with ya on that. not worth the money. seems to ferret out 'best-sellers' and not necessarily quality. but, then again, that's all it's designed to do.

now, if they could just design a program that would automatically compress and mix my &^~!%^$ guitars!


grrrrrrr
Member
Since: Mar 29, 2004


Sep 04, 2004 10:41 pm

sounds scary...

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 05, 2004 02:39 am

Hehehehe Forty - you really get hacked off with compression dont ya!!

Aye, well if thats so which I obviously believe ya, then it is quite cool but as you say, I wouldnt wanna use it maself for commerical purposes.

I didnt realise this thing was well known !! OK, whilst I disagree with payin for anything like this, I may, one day, stick in one of ma songs just for fun to see where it scores :-D !!

Coco.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Sep 05, 2004 01:08 pm

hahaha. compression! the bane of ma existence!

it's cool coco, i'm not tryin' ta covert yi!


Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 05, 2004 03:23 pm

Compression is a pain to understand for me tae but I just kinda plod on and try to get some tunes down...I'lll try to improve on ma compression with the final mixes of my 2nd EP...

I am hopin by then I'll be better!! If no - well, thats just life!

Forty, its cool bud - I actually think the idea itself is cool...I'll just bet some folk go 100% by these things when often, a good ear can say - thats a hit dude! BUt hey, if this system works, its another step forward for science which I am all for. And, all this has also improved yer Scottish Forty - I am most impressed dude!! :-) hehehe!

Take it easy bud

Coco.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Sep 05, 2004 04:50 pm

lol

Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Sep 05, 2004 08:37 pm

Hey congrats there Jim, must feel good. :)

Dan

Member
Since: Sep 29, 2004


Sep 29, 2004 02:28 am

Jim,
Congrats on your win. Your songs sounds great. I've been watching SongPrize.com for quite some time and look forward to getting involved. The site from what I can tell recently underwent a major overhaul since I saw it last. I heard on the website that SongPrize helped an artist get a former winner onto a CMT compilation and the artist are currently in the Country Music Today magazine. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself in the magazine (full page ad no less). Man that's cool. Well better scoot for now. Jim keep up the good work.

By the way, does anyone no of a good website builder? My site needs some major work. Thanks in advance.

Mike

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Sep 29, 2004 06:42 am

Quote:
By the way, does anyone no of a good website builder?


That's what I do for a living. If you need help hit me up at www.dbmasters.net

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Sep 29, 2004 12:51 pm

dans a good web designer too...he did the very forum youre posting on and mine amongst others

give him a try...

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Sep 29, 2004 12:52 pm

(and im not on commission either btw)

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Sep 29, 2004 06:45 pm

[start of rant]

You know, my whole feeling toward songwriting contests is beginning to sour. I'm beginning to agree with the notion that most contests are nothing more than money-making schemes for the people running them. I have had some success with a few of my songs, but I never really got anything out of the deal. For example, the Songprize.com contest, in which I was awarded 2nd place, didn't get me anything! "Exposure through web sites and press releases." and "Potential pitching of my song to publishers and labels." Or nothing at all. And who is the wiser for the wear?

I found out a few days ago that I received "Honorable Mention" in the Billboard Songwriting contest. Me and 1500 other people one a set of guitar strings. That set of strings cost me over $50.00!

But what do you expect, everybody is out there tryin' to make a buck. I guess I'm glad to have a great day job, one that let's me spend time writin' and recordin' my own music.

[end of rant]

Jim

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Sep 29, 2004 06:47 pm

[continuation of rant]

Oh, yeah, and the Packers suck this year, so it looks like I'll be changing my avatar...

[absolutely the end of the rant]

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Sep 29, 2004 07:01 pm

I agree, the packers are looking really bad this year so far, but they'll pull it together. They have MacKenzie back, he's awesome, they have put together some great drives, just haven't pulled out a good complete game yet. Give 'em time, Bret always comes thru.

I have never, and will never, enter any contest that costs anything. If it's not free to enter, it's a scam. I amy not be 100% accurate there, but I bet I'm close. Sorry you got took, that really sucks, the lure is hard to resist sometimes.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 29, 2004 07:52 pm

Aye...I tend to go wi dB on this one.

If its costing to enter...sure as hell the prizes come from this, and they'll be makin a profit along the way.

Still, for what tis worth, I LIKE yer songs Jim and I reckon they are worthy of any genuine comp any time.

So, I guess, its still good to win the comp ya won - and I reckon loads more folk on here like yer songs tae so that in itself, is probs worth a lot tae.

Anyways, dunno aboot yer American fitba tho..if its any consolation, my fitba team (soccer) is similar to yer NFL team....no too good! :-( .. still, its no the winnin..its the followin yer ain club that coonts.

Coco.

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Sep 30, 2004 08:02 am

Now on top of it all...I am typing this message with one hand because I broke a bone in my left hand last evening. (Right after I typed the above rant...talk about shrouding yourself in bad karma!) I'll never criticize the Packers again!

Guess who won't be playing any geetar for several weeks! It's time for me to finally explore the wonderful world of MIDI. What's a good program that will allow me to create MIDI tracks (using software synth, since I have no outboard synth) and audio and use plug-ins on individual tracks? I have Cakewalk Home Studio v 9, and that won't git-r-done.

My hand is tired from typing...later

Jim

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Sep 30, 2004 08:23 am

Kinetic from cakewalk is a cool loop/midi sequencer and comes with some groovy synths (Roland stuff), one of which you can ONLY get with Kinetic homerecordingconnection.c...tory&id=394

Member
Since: Sep 29, 2004


Sep 30, 2004 04:48 pm

Thanks for the input fellows. I found one at www.AwardWinningWebs.com

Sorry to hear about your hand Jim. I agree with you on the Packers. In regards to your SongPrize.com win, it could still up some doors for ya as now you have that to put on your bio. The internet is a huge vast market and if targeted right could help your career in ways you may not have expected. I personally have some friends who market exclusively via the internet and are doing awesome on the charts in places like Australia and the U.K. Hope your hand heals up so you can get back to playing and writing.


Mike

Czar of Cheese
Member
Since: Jun 09, 2004


Oct 01, 2004 07:00 pm

A fellow bandmate sent me this in light of my current condition...thought you might get a chuckle...


http://www.thecutaways.us/play%20fingers.jpg



Jim

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Oct 01, 2004 07:41 pm

hehehe

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Oct 02, 2004 02:48 am

Sorry to hear that Jim..thats a real pain in the but.

I guess it gives ya some time to write some new material (tho not literarly!) as you wont be able to play anything for a while. Get a wee dictaphone...ideal for catching yer thoughts.

I wrote some good lyrics last time I couldnt pick up the guitar..then lost the tune in my heid cause I couldnae jam it oot...still, words were good!

Hope the hand gets better soon man.

Coco.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 05, 2004 09:41 pm

coco, I usually hum it out. My new phone can record a good bit of audio so it is what I use now instead of carrying a micro cassette.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Oct 06, 2004 06:33 am

Aye - thats another option which you will most always have I guess Noize - after all - most folks usually have their mobile all the time.

Good idea man.

My phone takes 15 secs of audio - its an older Sony. I had the same model before and blew the speaker by recording from my HIFI into the silly thing...it never rung again!! Or anything else musical for that matter! DOh!

Still...modern technology eh - handy !

Coco.

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Oct 06, 2004 07:58 am

Quote:
My new phone can record a good bit of audio so it is what I use now instead of carrying a micro cassette.


which one'd ya get noize...the motorola?

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 06, 2004 06:15 pm

flame, yep the Motorola V710 is the one I got. It will do 15 second video clips with audio, takes and emails pix. I still gotta figure out how to get the pix and flix out without emailing them as they charge for that. And it will record unlimited audio clips instead of 15 seconds. But I am impressed as it seems to get as good a reception as my Kyocera did. I just hope it is as bullet proof. He did throw in the office connection kit but I havent tried that yet to access the photo's and such. It hooks up via USB. I guess it also does BlueTooth so maybe their is a way to send em out that way as well. So far I know it plays music and I can dump my own midi tunes into it via email to the phone. Otherwise I am still learning what all it can do.

And ya coco, modern tech is the kats hiney!

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Oct 06, 2004 06:19 pm

cant go far wrong with them noize. the connection kit'll be handy, itll basically save ya having to buy the bluetooth kit


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Oct 09, 2004 09:34 pm

I am hoping so, I havent installed the software yet but I'll let ya know how much it lets me do after I get it runnin.

But I did notice the blue tooth does have a hands free ear piece/mic thing and they also have a wireless car speaker/mic thing as well that would rock as well.

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