Lonnie Ratliff Country Music Newsletter
March 15th, 2009
Number of Newsletter Subscribers: 7,284
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Spotlight Artist
Gene Watson
"Click" Photos & Logos below for Gene Watson Websites
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Watson was born in Palestine, Texas, in 1943 and began his music career in the early 1970s, performing in local clubs at night while working in a Houston auto body shop during the day. He only recorded for a few small, regional record labels until 1974, when Capitol Records picked up his album Love in the Hot Afternoon and released it nationally. The title track, a mid-tempo ballad in 3/4 time, was released in June 1975 and it quickly reached Number 3 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart.
Watson's national success continued throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, as he recorded several Billboard top-40 hits, including "Where Love Begins," "Paper Rosie," "Should I Go Home (or Should I Go Crazy)," "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You." and "Farewell Party" which was released in 1979 and quickly became Watson's signature song and soon allowed Watson to name his band after the tragic ballad.
In 1982, after switching to the MCA label, he recorded the #1 Billboard hit, "Fourteen Carat Mind." He followed up with several more hits in the early 1980s, including "Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart)," "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without" and "Got No Reason Now for Going Home." By the mid-1980s, he was recording for Epic Records, where his most notable hit was 1985's "Memories to Burn."
Watson never gave up his classical country style, even as he continued to record music throughout the 1980s. He signed with Warner Bros. and released two new albums in 1989 and 1991. He recorded From the Heart, under the Row Music Group label in 2001.
In 2005, Watson released his album, "Then & Now."
In May 2007, Gene Watson signed with the independent Shanachie Records & began work on his first album for the label, which includes new material, along with 3 covers of some of Gene's favourite classic country tunes such Merle Haggard's classic "Today I started Loving You Again", a duet with Lee Ann Womack. Also featured on this album are Vince Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Rhonda Vincent, Connie Smith and Joe Nichols. The new album, 'In a Perfect World', was officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007. The duet with Vince Gill "Let Me Be The First To Go" reached #1 on the HotDisc European chart. The US released single "I Buried Our Love" reached #59 on the Music Row charts while "A Good Place To Turn Around" (featuring Connie Smith) placed #4 on the Gospel Radio Active chart.
It was also in May 2007 (Saturday 5 May 2007) that the (all new) Gene Watson Site went 'live'. The site, which is owned & maintained by Sean Brady, is based in the Republic of Ireland & receives full support from Lytle Management in Nashville (Gene Watson's management team) & Gene Watson himself.
In September 2007 "In A Perfect World" was released to great critical acclaim. The album was received by the country music industry as being one of the best recordings of the year. The Associated Press noted "Like a well-aged whiskey, Gene Watson has gained smoothness yet maintained his visceral bite...Watson can make contemporary songs sound like timeless classics. He's never sounded better, which is saying something." The Philadelphia Inquirer stated 'In A Perfect World' is a stunning reminder of why the Texan is considered one of country's all time great balladeers."
In 2009, Gene Watson has opened for Brad Paisley on his "Paisley Party" tour and is working on the follow up album to the much lauded 2007 release.
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If you missed the NEWSLETTER where your favorite country artist was featured just click on their names below where that particular Newsletter is archived.
Ernie Ashworth, Gina Michaells, Heather Myles, Inger Nordstrom, Jack Greene, Jann Browne, Joe Sun, Joni Compretta, Lance Miller, LeRoy Van Dyke, Mel McDaniel, Mike Anderson, Moe Bandy, Perley Curtis, Red Jenkins, Rustie Blue, Shawn Camp, Shane Worley, Stonewall Jackson, Sunny Sweeney
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"Click Banners Below"
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"Click" PHOTOS DOWNLOAD i-Tunes Legal .99 cent Erin Hay songs from all 4 CD's
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Note to anyone who is running any MUSIC SCAMS. I have worked real hard getting this NEWSLETTER as well as this SONG PLUGGING service together so if you approach any of these artists or songwriters with anything that is not 100% legitimate I'll make you FAMOUS in the next NEWSLETTER along with all the details of what you are trying to pull. Lonnie
This service is here for Songwriters, Publishers and Artists convenience and hopefully it will help everyone get together. If you don't read anything else make sure you understand the following. I (Lonnie Ratliff) have nothing to do with anything that happens from this point forward. I get paid to get the artist and the song together. If an artist hears a song they are interested in they "click" the E Mail link beside the song they are interested in and send an E Mail to the copyright owner (Songwriter or Publisher). It don't go to me. You work out your own deal.
I will advise you to keep in mind that every song below is probably from a different songwriter and they are all at different levels of knowledge as to how the business side of things work. The same goes for the artists that may be interested in the songs. This may be the first time or one hundred times either the songwriter or artist has gone through the process. We all need to remember to respect each other and keep in mind you may need each other 20 years down the road. Let's treat each other like professionals.
Don't be afraid to e mail each other and ask questions. They may have different demos of the song, music tracks you can lease or use for free or maybe they will help you with the promotion or have some more songs they have written similar to the one you like. Every songwriter will probably be different as to how they handle cuts. Some will want you to pay the standard mechanical royalty and some may let you cut their songs for free. There is no one way it is done.
Songwriters you need to keep in mind that the artist is cutting a record for themselves, not another demo for you. If you happen to not like the way they sung your song just be professional and say thanks for the cut. You can make a big stink about it now and burn enough bridges that you will never get another cut. Artists talk and have long memories. Remember you are wearing the songwriter hat, not the producer hat. You already cut the demo the way you hear the song but not everyone is going to hear it your way. There is not a right and wrong way to record a song just different opinions. As for the artists if you want to change a lyric ASK PERMISSION FIRST. Believe it or not there's a lot of songwriters, me included, who would rather NOT GET THE CUT than have someone change their lyrics. Usually most songwriters will not have a problem with a small change in lyrics that makes sense but you need to respect them enough to ask first. If they wrote one song you like they will probably write others you like but if you make unauthorized changes to their lyrics they won't be pitching them to you. It is all about respecting each other so keep that in mind.
"Click" the "PLAY" logos below to hear these 10 original songs. For artists this is a great way to get acquainted with the songwriter who could end up writing the song that makes you a star. Don't wait until 2 weeks before you go to the studio to find the songs for your next CD. Start looking now. If you are not looking for songs right now it don't hurt to get to know the songwriters who write the style of songs you like. In 7 days these song links will stop playing the songs so don't wait around and lose a great song. Contact the writer by sending them an E Mail. If you are just a fan of original songs it's OK to send the songwriters an E Mail and let them know if you hear a song you like as a fan.
Next week we will feature 10 more original songs. - Lonnie
Title Suitable for singer Click to Play Contact copyright owner
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9. The Bible On The Table (Male/Female)
ANEWCRY4FREEDOM@aol.com =============================================================================
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Dial-Up customers "Click Titles" below to play songs.
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ATTENTION SONGWRITERS - Have your song featured above
Above is a SAMPLE of what I am offering for songwriters or publishers looking to get someone to cut one of their songs.
The cost will be $10 and you can have exactly what you see with your song replacing one of the songs above.
There will be a maximum of 10 original songs featured in each NEWSLETTER and a maximum of 2 songs per NEWSLETTER for
each songwriter or publisher.
The songs will be playable for a minimum of 7 days and then the link will stop working so I can upload new songs for the next newsletter.
Just send me an mp3 or CD of the song and $10. You can pay by PayPal or just mail me a check.
I have no idea how successful you will be and will not make any predictions but at $10 it has to be a good deal I believe.
You get your song title listed - People can "click" and listen to your song - Artists can E Mail you if they want to cut it. I can buy breakfast with your $10 at Cracker Barrel so this is a winner for everyone.
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Artists make your music available to radio stations around the world for free downloads through Airplay Direct. Only radio stations are allowed to download from this website so it does not hurt your paid downloads. Contact Gary Bradshaw for setting up a website for your music (Reasonably priced).
Radio Stations "Click" on these artist names to see what music
they have available to radio free.
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Picking Songs For Your CD
By
Lonnie Ratliff
This is a hard subject to tackle so I will just start out by telling you how I find songs for the artist I produce. First off I get all the politics out of the process. My job as a producer is to make the very best CD or demo for the artist who is paying me as I possibly can. It is not to talk the artist into cutting mine and my buddies songs just so we will have another demo. I have about 400 songs that I have collected over the years that I have a lot of faith in and about 30 Nashville songwriters that I put the word out to when I need material so I have a pretty deep catalog to work from to begin with.
The first thing I do is ask the artist to E Mail me a list of about a dozen or so songs they have heard in their lifetime that they wish they had been the first one to record. This gives me a starting place and I will then go through my pitch catalog and make up a CD of about 20 songs and send to them. On this first “Pitch” CD I do not send them lyrics or tell them who wrote what. Not only do I take my politics out in the beginning by sending them this blind CD they cannot be influenced by anything other than the songs they hear. Artist tend to want to cut songs by songwriters they have heard of and I have also noticed they will tend to want to cut a song that I wrote sometimes. They seem to think I may try harder on my own songs. I just make sure they are not influenced by this by not telling them who wrote what. This way they only listen for the best song.
As far as cutting songs by famous writers go the truth is, you as an unknown artist, are NOT going to get the next “Hit” written by whoever it was that wrote “Jesus Take The Wheel” . That writer whoever it is can take his or her songs to the biggest artists in town and get “cuts” by someone they know will make them a lot of money so they can’t afford to tie up a song with an unknown artist. The trick is that you have to find the songs and recognize them as “hits” before some artist on music row does. One trick that is good to learn is how to hear beyond the demo. Just because a girl is singing the demo don’t mean a guy can’t record the song. If you can just learn to hear beyond this it will give you a lot more songs to choose from. You can also go back to the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s and find some great songs that are album cuts on albums that had one or two hits and eight other album cuts no one ever heard or if they did they have long forgotten. You need to remember that Nashville was going through their “We think we are “Pop” producers” during this period so they will be soaked down with “Strings” and the “Thousand Screaming Angels” background vocals. All you have to do on your recording is drop all that trendy bells and whistles production and replace the “A” Strings with one steel guitar track and you can come up with a great new recording.
The one thing when it comes to songs, you will learn, is that the better the song is to begin with the easier and cheaper it will be to promote the record. Keep this in mind when looking for songs.
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A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED NONCONFORMIST.
The moment you accept the proposition that success is impossible,
it becomes impossible.
Success in creative areas is more difficult to achieve than it was twenty years ago,
but not impossible.
Here, I think, are some of the reasons...
THE MARKET.
As time passes, the market gains control of more of our lives.
It has always been a factor, but more so now.
.
Misty and I had to find backers to invest in our career,
the rough equivalent of $50,000 of today’s dollars.
We did this by creating something marketable, and waving it in their faces.
MORE GOOD ARTISTS.
If you have ten people, one of them may be a genius at something.
If you have a million people, you jump the creative people up to 100,000.
If you have billions... well, you get the point.
You also get more idiots,
but that’s another article.
TRAINING.
In school and beyond today’s young minds are steered away from real creativity.
The artist or inventor is by nature an outsider but was once admired for his differences.
Today the goal is to be a “team player”... a corporate person.
BUSINESS.
There was more to Ray Stevens’ song “Mr. Businessman” than we realized at the time.
Businessmen don’t get emotionally involved in art unless it looks like a potential profit.
Music, Literature, and Theater have all suffered.
If you’re reading a book you’re not buying anything.
"People spend more on crap than on good stuff,
so let's give them more crap."
By “businessmen” I also mean women.
Being politically correct all the time is a pain.
PROPAGANDA.
The guys on top don’t want you to make it.
They spread discouraging propaganda like this:
“It’s impossible now. If only you’d been here in the old days.
Blah. Blah. Blah. Go away and stop threatening us.”
I know the music business has been screwed up by Mr. Businessman,
and today’s aspiring artists face a much harder challenge,
but it’s not impossible to have a career.
Don’t give up hope.
Boxcar Willie bypassed the entire radio and record industry,
and made himself a legend through creative TV ads.
He didn’t need major labels, or even hit records.
He found a new way.
Willie was a good old-fashioned nonconformist.
© 2009.
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Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan...
Grammy Nominees... Billboard's Duet of the Year.
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Home page: http://jackandmisty.com
Myspace: http://myspace.com/jackandmisty
SoundClick: http://tinyurl.com/755b4w
CD catalog: http://elvinsystems.com/jm/catalog.htm
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Do these 7,284 people in the country music business know about you ?
How many times have you said to yourself "If the right people knew about me and what I am doing I bet I could get signed to a record deal or maybe get one of my songs recorded by someone"
Nashville is full of stories of how artists and songwriters have lost thousands of dollars trying to find a shortcut into the business. There ain't no easy answers but there are a lot cheaper ways to get your name out there. Here is a way you can at least let people in the business know you are trying.m Just write a simple update about yourself and what you are doing and I will include it in the next Newsletter I send out. Now that alone will probably not be the answer to all your dreams of stardom but I can guarantee it will do you more good than sitting on the couch watching Oprah and wishing. And it COSTS YOU NOTHING.
All you need to do is to put some thought into it and realize that 7,284 people in the music business are going to be reading it. If it looks boring no one will remember it and you are back to watching TV and wishing. If it stands out from the crowd a little bit a few people will probably "click" on your website URL and go check you out a little closer. You don't have to write like John Steinbeck or Mark Twain you just have to make your half a dozen sentences more interesting than the rest of the artists that submit an Update for the Newsletter. You can do this every issue and never spend a dime. Remember it is real easy to make your Update so lackluster no one will read it but that kind of defeats the purpose. Spend a few minutes working on it. You may not have thousands of dollars to spend on hiring a promotion firm but you have access to a lot of people in the music business who could help you out. It is up to you if you take advantage or not.
To submit your Artist Update send to E Mail below (Don't Hit Reply)
Include you website URL if you want me to include it
E Mail me your Update to
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Here's the Artist Updates for this NEWSLETTER
Be sure to submit yours for the next one.
It is OK to send an Artist Update every week if you have anything newsworthy. Send in at anytime. Just put UPDATE in the Subject Line of your E Mail and send to
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Bill Littleton
A Farmer's Perspective
I get asked if I consider myself a writer, a painter, a musician, or an actor; actually, I consider myself a farmer who tells stories, some of which are best told with words or pictures, while others play out best in song or make-believe. I've never depended on the land for a livelihood, but I've never been far from those who do, and I've grubbed my share of new potatoes without disturbing the roots full of even new-er ones to grub out later. It takes a bit of practice.
My farmer's soul embraces relationships that may be quite urban, yet I take comfort in the fact that, once upon a time,
Everybody lived in the country. So it's easy for me to imagine the area between you and me as "new ground," space no one has occupied, let alone worked, so nobody knows just what will grow there. Ah, the mystery that awaits, as we dig and plow and pull, sharing the sweat and joy of opening space conducive to moving freely, back and forth, bringing new possibilities in new combinations, growing the best "us" the "land" and our efforts will produce.
© Bill Littleton 2008
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Dixon DeVore
Now have 132 Music Videos up on YouTube. As a Songwriter, I find it pretty cool to see my lyrics come---ALIVE----"Visually."
I also have 13 Albums out and listed with CDBaby.
Dixon DeVore, Songwriter, Producer, Perfomer, Publsher, Indie Label Owner
Cricket Power Records Internatinal/CPRi
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Gordon Ellis
Hey Lonnie, Everyone,
In addition to a new banner and page layouts, the Music Page now has clips of 45 original songs that I have recorded over the past 25 years (With of course, the opportunity for people to purchase the whole song, if they want to).??
Unlike some websites that only play 30 second clips of a song (Which is often not enough to know if you are going to like it), these clips range from about a minute to as much as 3 minutes, so people can really get a sense of the song. ?It was a lot of work editing them, but I'm really proud of it. ?I hope you and others will check it out, and sign the guest book. ?
Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Gordon Ellis
www.gordonellismusic.com
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The Ricky Earl Band
Good Morning,
Just an update. The Ricky Earl Band just finished recording their first
album. The album was done at the famous Rosewood Studios in Tyler,
Texas. We are looking at a release date of mid April 2009. We have
already been booked to appear at the Iron Horse Sports Bar, and the
famous "Peanut Festival in Grapeland, Texas in Ocotber". We have just
added one of our songs from the album onto our myspace at
www.myspace.com/rickyfarmer. Go check it out.
Jeanna L. Farmer
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Barry P. Foley
Thanks Lonnie.
In August 2008, I left 35 years of Government Service and began to pursue my life long ambition of performing music full time. After moving from beautiful Stuttgart to beautiful Franconia I've logged nearly 200 hours at the computer to get myself established in this side of Germany (where I'm basically unknown).
My goal for 2009 to continue to work hard promoting my music through live engagements and on international radio. As my gig commitments start to slowly fill up and fall in place I hope to set up some mini-tours rather than just driving to and from a show 400 miles away.
I released "Airport Love Story" to radio in October 2008 and it has done respectfully well. I've hooked up with the great Mike McClain's Studio in Garland Texas for producing my songs. My bud, Paul Mateki has been with McClain for a number of years and I've always been impressed with the sound Paul gets on record. My second song "Radio On Trial" was released to radio in February, with follow-up releases every 2-3 months. At this rate, I should have a new CD out in 2010!!
Barry P. Foley
American Singer, Songwriter & Entertainer
Burgunderweg 22
95233 Helmbrechts, Germany
Tel: 49-9252-25-1866
Fax: 49-9252-25-1867
Mobil: 49-173-361-5310
"From Deep In The Heart Of The Franconian Forest"
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John Maines Jr.
Hello Lonnie,Im getting ready to release a new single out to usa country radio at the end of march.The single is called I CAN'T STAND off of my CD (OUTLAW RUNNIN WILD).I am working on a new CD which will be out around may 1st of this year.John Maines Jr Website is http://www.johnmainesjr.com
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Howdy Lonnie,
Mike Anderson Country Drifter here just dropping a line or two to let you know how much I appreciate your newsletter and all of the efforts you put forth for your artists. I really enjoyed making my first CD with you and look forward to my next. Not only were you great but your musicians also! Anyway, your news letter is just the tip of the iceberg as to what you do for your clients.
Been busy with the "Day Job" as usual and the crazy weather here in the NW has kept me hopping. I've been busy also getting ready for one of my favorite gigs each year. It's put on by Partners for Parks and our band plays at a great park where a local fellow displays his antique car collection. Thousands of people pass by and we always get a great reaction to our music. This year we'll be playing a mix of Country (my favorite), and 50's and 60's Rock and Roll. It's definitely a highlight for me each year.
Till next time,
Mike
"It's Never Too Late To Follow Your Dream."
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On the trail of Hank Williams, Billy Joe Shaver, Tom T. Hall & Harlan Howard
Demo Singer: Perley Curtis
Title: Skinny Dipping With Paris Hilton
Writer: (Lonnie Ratliff)
Okie Acres Music (BMI)
"Click" PHOTO to watch YouTube
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I have always loved writing novelty and timely songs like most songwriters. The trick seems to be making sure you write about something or someone who will have a shelf life long enough to justify all the work you put into writing and recording the song. I felt I was pretty safe writing about "Paris" because I just knew she was the type of person I could trust to always do something goofy enough to keep her in the "News" and she has proven to be just what the songwriter ordered.
I set the song in rural America playing off the TV show "Simple Life" that she and Nicole Richie starred in. The biggest problem I had with writing the song was to keep it from turning out to be soft porn which would have limited the outlets for it. I finally came up with the idea of it all just being a dream. In this setting as a dream it just became funny which was always my intention.
Now, every time Paris Hilton does something outrageous and makes the "News" I keep thinking Toby Keith or some other artist is gonna "cut" "Skinny Dipping With Paris Hilton" and my wildest dreams will come true just like the ole country boy in the song.
If you are a band out there playing the Honky Tonks I have included the lyrics below so you can learn it and include it in your set list if you like. If you decide to record it for your next CD just contact me and I will fix you up with a mechanical license. NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net
"Click" Link Below to play - SKINNY DIPPING WITH PARIS HILTON
Skinny Dipping With Paris Hilton
I was raised in hillbilly country
On cornbread and buttermilk
She was born with a silver spoon
Wearing clothes of the finest silk
Who'd of thought we'd get together
But opposites attract they say
When Paris Hilton went slummin'
It made this ole country boy's day
Now she was raised on fine French wine
White Lightnin' was a big surprise
When she tipped back that Mason jar
It took her breath and crossed her eyes
Then Paris got a little frisky
And a gentleman don't kiss & tell
What happened there on that river bank
You'll have to figure out yourself
I went skinny dipping with Paris
We jumped in the river nude
I was living ever redneck's fantasy
As my wildest dreams came true
Just me & Paris Hilton
Buck naked and soakin' wet
I went skinny dipping with Paris
Just how good can it get
(Bridge)
Well ever story has a moral every story has an end
Outside a rooster is crowing and .... I've been dreamin' again
I went skinny dipping with Paris
We jumped in the river nude
I was living ever redneck's fantasy
As my wildest dreams came true
Just me & Paris Hilton
Buck naked and soakin' wet
I went skinny dipping with Paris
Just how good can it get
I went skinny dipping with Paris
How lucky can one man get
Songwriter: Lonnie C. Ratliff
Copr. Okie Acres Music (BMI)
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Great store - Traditional Country - Steel Guitar CD's - Original Western Swing CD's
"click bannder below"

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"Click" BANNER below

Listen to Nashville Nightlife
Internet Radio Station while
you read the NEWSLETTER
I do not program this station
so I can't put your song on it.
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NOTE from Lonnie - I always feel a little guilty because I never have time to listen to mp3's new artists and songwriters send me, unsolicited I might add. I hate it but I just delete them because I finally figured out I could try to be a nice guy or I could try to work and pay my bills. My banker had a very stern suggestion that I needed to keep working and be a nice guy on my own time after all my bills were paid. Turns out that spare time does not exist so I just had to give up on listening to unsolicited mp3's, CD's and giving my opinions and suggestions. Now I just concentrate on my music business out of necessity but I figure I can give you some links that will answer your questions better than I could anyway.
Here's some books available this week on EBAY
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Click Link to read old NEWSLETTERS
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Featured Song
Artist: Stonewall Jackson
Title: Standing Invitation
Writers: (R. Hellard/B. Jones/C. Putnam)
Publisher: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI)
Cross Keys Publishing Co. Inc.(ASCAP)
From the Album: Stonewall Jackson & Super Friends - A Tribute
Record Label: ETRS Records
click Links below to play "Standing Invitation"
Phone to buy CD 1 - 800 - 229 - 4288
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Lonnie Ratliff ~ Record Production~ 5 Songs
1. Cost for 5 songs is $3,750 (Three Thousand Seven Hundred & Fifty Dollars). This includes Studio, Musicians, Etc! and you end up with a mixed CD of your project. There are not a lot of hidden costs that will be tacked on. The only additional costs I can think of would be $150 if you want us to Master it for you before it goes to your pressing plant. (Call me and I can explain Mastering to you) The other thing that could cost you later is that you might have to pay songwriter royalties if you have recorded someone elses songs and are gonna include it on your CD to sell. (Example = If you want to record a George Strait song or a Taylor Swift song then you will have to pay a royalty to use that song) I can help point you in the right direction to obtain a license from the Harry Fox Agency.
2. For those artist who are new at this, Production is just about getting your songs recorded and ready to be made into CD's that you can sell. I don't press up the 500 or 1000 CD's for you but I can recommend Karen Bruno at Amazon Audio who can take care of everything for you. I believe it costs about $1500 for a 1000 CD's. A lot of the artists I produce will cut a couple of 5 song sessions with me and then put them together and press up a CD they can sell and get their money back.
3. First thing we need to do is figure out if we can work together and come up with something we can both be proud of. You can listen to the artists I have produced (Click Here) and get an idea of what I do. If you are a decent singer and I believe we can make a respectable recording then I will probably be glad to work with you.
4. Deposits & Payments: The first thing required is a $200 deposit and once that is paid we can start putting together your session. I will help you find the songs if needed and will arrange them for you using any ideas you may have. Once we find the songs and have picked a date you send me the balance of $3,550 at least 2 weeks before the session date and I book your session at a studio on Music Row. I normally use Dixiana Studio. We will cut the basic tracks and overdubs there and then cut the final vocals, harmonies and mix at Smokehouse studio.
5. The Band normally will consist of Bass, Drums, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Steel Guitar, Fiddle, Dobro, Electric Guitar & Mandolin. If I believe a particular song calls for a specialty instrument I will use it and there is no additional charge. I do not try to cut corners by taking short cuts on the musicians we use.
6. Original songs. I have about 200 songs in my Music Publishing Company that you are welcome to use (Royalty Free) if you are using them on any project I produce.
7. Time it will take to record. Figure that it will take about 3 days in the studio. If you are on a tight schedule you're part will be over in two days. First day we cut the tracks with a scratch vocal and the second day you will sing your final vocals. I figure you will have up to 45 minutes to sing each song.
8. Practice Guitar tracks if needed. If you think you may have trouble singing any of the songs you pick and do not play an instrument I can record and send you an acoustic guitar track of the song so you can practice it before you come to Nashville.
9. Final thoughts. Keep in mind that you are hiring me to make you sound good and I take my job very seriously. I will do my best to see that you have a good time in the studio. I work with some of the best studio musicians in Nashville and they will do everything in their power to make the best recording of your music as possible. Feel free to E Mail any of the artists I have worked with (Click Here) before and ask them any questions you may have about working with me. Once you have paid your deposit I am on your team and you can call (615) 742 0666 and ask me any questions you have and I will try my best to give you an answer. Probably half of the artist I work with are recording their first CD and have a lot of questions so don't be embarrassed to ask about anything you don't understand.
I look forward to working with you and hope I can be a part of your musical future.
Lonnie Ratliff
http://www.NashvilleCDStore.com
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Buying a house in Nashville ?
If you are thinking of moving to Nashville and need to buy a house I recommend you get in touch with my buddy Craig Stahl.
Some of you will know Craig from his 13 years working with Alan Jackson and also as my partner in Okie Acres Music & Studio.
Give him a call when you need property in Nashville or sign up for his Newsletter
I hope you enjoyed our first issue of Roadie Real Estate.com. Please email me your thoughts and suggestions. If you liked it
please hit the forward e-mail button at the bottom of the page. Please visit my website at www.RoadieRealEstate.com I would love t
o help you buy or sell your next home or help you with any of your Real Estate needs. If you are not moving anytime soon,
please keep me in mind to be of service to friends and family. I really appreciate your referals.
Craig Stahl "The Roadie Realtor"
615-578-9175
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Dixon DeVore http://cdbaby.com/all/devore Imprinters To The Stars Since 1985 Since 1985, we have been imprinting and/or embroidering apparel, pens, cups, keytags, mugs, Tote Bags, Equipment Stickers, CD Carrying cases and thousands of other products for Bands, Artists DJs and Promoters. We have our own in-house art department and can take the simplest idea and morph it into aneffective, multi-color design. You'll wow 'em in Vegas!
We know The Music Business.
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Artists release your songs worldwide on
Gary Bradshaw's WHP Compilation.
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Artists if you need a little help getting your latest record off the DJ's desk and
on to their turntable you might want to contact Sherry.
She speaks the DJ's language fluently.

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Artists looking for someone to help you with your CD Cover artwork, printing and pressing your CD ? Check with Karen Bruno at Amazon Audio
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