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Lonnie's Work In Progress

Some of you subscribers that have been getting the Newsletter for a while will know I have been working on this song "Shadows" for a long time. I believe I have a handle on it now and I can tell you that the lyrics have been quite the challenge and also fun I might add. Vaughn has come up with a melody that seems to deliver the story well and we have started working on the demo as we live with the lyrics for a little while and make sure no big mistakes rear their ugly head. I get the feeling that this could be an important song and well worth the time invested in it. As always your comments are welcome. Lonnie Ratliff NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

"Click" Links below to play Shadows (An Alzheimer Story)

lo-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=6493568&q=lo

hi-fi URL: http://www.soundclick.com/util/streamm3u.m3u?id=6493568&q=hi

Another LINK to Play Song Song page: http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6493568

Shadows (An Alzheimer Story)

These should be her golden years but something out of place is here

When the shadows come and her mind slips away

She'll speak of things that happened back in 57

And then can't recall what happened yesterday

Tonight she looks around her at strangers that surround her

One lady calls her Mom then starts to cry

The shadows keep returning and as she nears her final journey

She drifts away and relives a young girl's life ...

Daddy won't you saddle up my little Shetland pony

I'll ride across the field and visit Grandma Ida Mae

All my chores are done and Mama says she doesn't need me

She's canning wild plum jelly and I'd just be in her way

(Inst.)

Not a battle of her choosing but It's one that she's losing

They know she'll never make It through the night

Her loved ones gather round her that's how the angel's found her

She went smiling as she walked into the light

Daddy won't you saddle up my little Shetland pony

I'll ride across the field and visit Grandma Ida Mae

Daddy did you see the poster down at Wilson's grocery

Bob Will's is playing for a dance at the schoolhouse Saturday

These should have been her golden years but something out of place was there

The shadows came and there was no escape

Lonnie Ratliff / Vaughn Lofstead

Copr. Okie Acres Music (BMI)

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"Click Banner Below for Website"

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On The Road With Joni Compretta

"click photo for MYSPACE website"

Mississippi native and Westwood Int'l. recording artist Joni Compretta is a prime example of the fact that if you put the effort into the music business and treat it like you would any other job instead of just sitting back and waiting for the Music Gods to shine down on you you can make things happen for yourself. After recording her debut CD "Out Of Mississippi" with Nashville record producer Lonnie Ratliff Joni made up her mind that instead of waiting around for lady luck to decide her fate she would handle that herself. Because of the success of her music it wasn't long before the shysters and scam artists in the music business were beating a pathway to her door with their hands out wanting money and promising her they could make her dreams come true as soon as her check cleared the bank HA!. Joni caught on real quick and figured out she would just learn everything she needed to know about the business herself and that way not be at the mercy of someone she could not fully trust. With that attitude she put her own band together and just got on the phone and internet and became her own publicist, booking agent and chief cook and bottle washer.

Joni is now working on a speciality CD for Gary Bradshaw and Lonnie Ratliff to be marketed to pet owners and this project has already produced two singles, "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" and "Dogs Don't Care If You're Ugly" that have both done real well at radio.

As far as live performances Joni will be headlining the "Relay For Life Patriot Park" concert in Pigeon Forge (Dollywood) on June 6th. and then it is overseas to Sweden where Joni Compretta will be doing a mini-tour with the Cadillac Band: DJ Fontana, Alicia Helgesson, Tommy Blom, Glenn D Hardin, Janne Schaffer. Check it out at www.tcband.se

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Tips for Songwriter Demos
By
Lonnie Ratliff

I am sure that all of your life you have heard people say "Don't put all of your eggs in one basket" and most of the time this is good advice but then we come to "songwriting" and in my opinion you need to throw away that advice and "Bet the farm" as they say, on a few songs you have written that you can afford to really demo well and that you have the most confidence in. If you think all of your songs are great and you can't decide which ones are the best then you need to admit to yourself that you are still learning. A few years from now you will look back and be able to tell which ones were good and which ones were just OK. Sometimes you have a great idea and just have not learned the craft well enough to sell it but most of the time it will turn out that it just wasn't that original an idea to begin with.

One of the best tools for learning is to invest your own money in a song you believe in and then not be able to find even one artist that will cut it. Once that happens a few times you will start to get a handle

on what will work. Later on if you are lucky you will figure out why.
The reason I believe in a songwriter taking their best one or two songs and just doing them up to almost "Master" quality is because being on the production side I know what kind of demos are being pitched and what kind of songs the artists are choosing. Remember just because a singer can sing don't mean they can hear a "Hit" unless you show them with your demo. It is pretty common knowledge that one of the top selling artist in Nashville can't hear a song unless it is demoed exactly the way they record and the demo singer even sounds like them. This is an exception but not a real big streatch. In the last year I have only cut 2 songs where the artist was a male but the demo was sung by a female demo singer or vice versa. You also run across artists that cannot hear past the demo. An example being if the demo has electric guitars and piano they cannot imagine what it would sound like with twin fiddles and steel guitar instead. This is not to blame anyone but just to let you know what you are up against as a songwriter trying to get a "cut"

I believe you are better off by cutting one or two great demos a year that can compete with Warner Chappel, EMI, and the songwriters that are pitching "Masters" from Independent Artists that cut the song a few years back or even album cuts from Major Artists who lost their deal. Sometimes you can get by with a simple guitar or piano vocal but you better have a great demo singer on that demo who can sell the song. "Click" on link below so you can go check out these first 3 songs of mine and get an idea of what I personally pitch to artists and what the demo singers sound like.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=392838
These 3 songs are about average demos for what is being pitched around town so at least you can tell what else may be on the CD of original songs an artist is listening to when they are looking for songs to record. Just make sure your demo quality fits in and your demo singers are selling your song so your chances of getting a "cut" will go up. I know there are exceptions to everything I have said but it is better to make sure you are competitive at every stage of the game, Lyrics, Music, Demo, Singer etc! than just setting around waiting to beat the odds by being that one exception to the rules.

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Western Heart Room (Audio & Video of Independent Country Artists)

Stop in and get to know the DJ's and get them to play your music & YouTube videos

Howdy Folks

Here is the new link to our Stand Alone room

http://www.fantasyltd.com/gary/1.html

Instructions:

1. Click on link above.

2. When it opens up, you will see 2 new links. "Click on first Time Users Link" and then click "Run" in the window that pops up. Only takes a few seconds to do. It will then return to the 2 links page.

3. Click on enter Room next, a box will come up asking for User Name & Password. Type your name in the name box, jack, JUDY, john. Hal, Roy, Beverley, Linda or what ever. "YOU DO NOT NEED A PASSWORD, LEAVE THIS BOX EMPTY' then click login and come into the room.

Be sure to save the link to your favorites as from now on, You never have to do anything but click the link and type your name in the box from here on in. If you have any problem just contact me.

Come and enjoy best sound on the Internet with full Video.

Thank you

Gary gbradshaw3@cox.net

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"

"Gossip Column"

A little Cyber-Songbird told me

Make sure you put GOSSIP in the subject line of your E Mail when you send it so it don't get lost.

E Mail GOSSIP to: NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

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Hey Lonnie,

Thanks for the opportunity to share. First piece of news: I will be
doing a one hour set of my material at the Co-Creators' Coffeehouse
on Friday, May 2nd at 9 P.M. I will have a 4 piece band behind me
and a couple of backup singers on several songs. It's the 9th
anniversary of the Coffeehouse, and is held at the Nashville Center
For Spiritual Living, 6705 Charlotte Pike--if you can tear yourself
away from the studio, come on out and bring a friend or ten.
Second:   My website has been re-designed due to problems with the
host server. In the process, I lost all the comments in my guest
book, so I need people to visit and sign it.

I appreciate your articles and tips--even when it's something I know,
it's good to be reminded.

Take care,

Gordon Ellis       http://gordonellismusic.com/

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J Gale Kilgore put together a song called "Grand Old Opry". Hmmmm! He's heading to Nashville this week. I wonder if he's got that Opry stage in mind ???

Spud Martin

http://www.soundclick.com/spudmartinsample

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Swiss label brings songwriters together at Bluebird

Tuesday, May 6 will be a reunion of sorts for songwriters Bucky Halker, Hunter Moore, and Brent Moyer, American songwriters who have each released recording projects and made several tours of Europe for the Swiss label Brambus Records.

Brambus owner Paul Rostetter began promoting American singer/songwriters starting with a popular concert series he ran in the Swiss city of Chur in the 1990’s. “I met Paul through (former Nashville songwriter) Hugh Moffatt who had put out a couple of projects on Brambus and toured in Europe,” says Moore. “Brambus has given each of us a lot of support in taking our music overseas.” Nashville residents Moore and Moyer and Chicago based Halker each travel slightly different musical routes. Moyer, an excellent guitarist and frequent sideman for others, explores an eclectic assortment of styles, but remains grounded in traditional country music. His songs have been recorded by Gary Allan and Wayne Carson. Moore’s folk inflected material, recorded by Kathy Mattea and Ricky Skaggs is lyric driven and often explores the lives of small town characters. Chicago based Bucky Halker’s songs draw on folk, blues, and rockabilly and reflect his long running interest in labor and working class protest music from the past century. Halker holds a PhD in American History and produced the recent Folksongs of Illinois CDs (U of Illinois Press).

The three will be joined in the round by Michael Johnson, well known for his popular hits “Bluer than Blue” and “Give Me Wings.” Johnson is a master musician equally comfortable with jazz, folk, and country. A high resolution picture of Michael Johnson is available at:http://www.mjblue.com/mjhighres.html

Tues, May 6, 9 PM, $7 cover charge. Bluebird Café, 4104 Hillsboro Road, 383-1461, www.bluebirdcafe.com

Individual photos available at web sites

Brent Moyer: Michael Johnson

www.myspace.com/1globalcowboy www.mjblue.com

www.BrentMoyer.com photo: http://www.mjblue.com/mjhighres.html

Hunter Moore

www.huntermoore.com

Bucky Halker

www.buckyhalker.com

Brambus Records

www.brambus.com

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“Hometown Hero” Tom Salisbury Dies at 50
Written by Jennifer Osborn
Thursday, April 17, 2008
ELLSWORTH — There are a million people out there who say they want to leave the world a better place.

Tom Salisbury was the one in a million who did.

A generous soul whose kindness was contagious, Salisbury whose on-air handle was Tommy Dean, died unexpectedly Sunday at age 50.
Salisbury, who hosted the “Independent Country” radio show on WERU, combined his passions for helping others and country music into the annual Christmas is for Families charity event. Last year’s event raised $7,200 and helped 130 families have a merry Christmas.
“Hometown hero” was how WNSX DJ Stu Marckoon described Salisbury when announcing his passing on the air.
Matt Murphy, general manager of WERU, said Salisbury was a real champion of independent country musicians — those who haven’t signed with a major music label or aren’t trying to, who aren’t guaranteed airtime every time they cut an album.
“His love for the music and the performers and the audience and knowledge of that music was unsurpassed,” Murphy said. “He was just a wonderful community radio DJ, very accessible and enthusiastic, very engaging for his listeners.”
Deb Cee, wife of country music singer Stevie Cee said in an email, “Tommy was a simple man, believed in God and his family … loved his community and had a passion for good country music and the independent artist. He was the biggest Johnny Cash fan I ever met.
“He, from the time we met him, has always been such a loving and giving soul, his passion carried him on wings. He never walked, it seemed,” said Cee.
“Now and again a soul is put here on earth to guide, love and teach everyone they come in contact with and I believe Tommy did his job very well,” said Cee. “Tommy was a one of a kind soul that will never be replaced and we’re sure that he will take his place next to Johnny and June Cash in heaven.”
Salisbury was a songwriter as well.
Murphy said musician Jose Daniel recorded last week a song that Salisbury had written, “She Took My Cash and Left Me with the Blues,” about a woman who left a man, taking the Johnny Cash albums and leaving the B.B. King.
Salisbury was especially proud of a CD that he put together in memory of his late sister Carole Salisbury. All proceeds from the CD were given to the Special Olympics of Maine.
Salisbury was co-owner of the seasonal Cottage Street Bakery and Deli in Bar Harbor.
Among his survivors are his wife, Agnes, two daughters and a son, as well as his parents, Leverett and Alice Salisbury.
In an interview with The American last November, Salisbury said, “I love people to be happy.”
DJ/SONGWRITER/HUMANITARIAN TOMMY DEAN SALISBURTY was loved by many in music industry, and his death was a tremendous shock , and he is truly VERY missed. Rhon
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Hello! Some have asked about EMM Radio's progress, so I thought I would use this venue to spread the word to those of you here that are also interested. EMM Radio went online 12-06-07. Since then, it continues to grow at a rapid pace. Much faster than I expected. The first two weeks of April is already showing that April's listener numbers will more than double March's numbers! I want to invite ALL country Indie artists to make contact with me so I can tell you how to submit your music for airplay consideration on EMM Radio. I give ALL artists an equal playing field on EMM Radio. Because of this, I have been called the 'Wolfman Jack of country music!" recently by Homer Joy! *LOL* Thanks to everyone in the industry that has embraced EMM Radio. I foresee many great things in the near future for the station and look forward to working with many of you! You can find me on the web at http://www.myspace.com/emmdj or you can email me at emmradio@live.com. Thanks! Rick @ EMM Radio - "It's A Country Thang!"
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Hey Lonnie. I thought some folks may be interested in what's happening out here in California. I am pleased to observe that there is quite a "scene" developing around what some are calling "Americana" music and those of us in and near Los Angeles refer to as the "Bakersfield sound". Even my humble ensemble is kept busy playing 3-4 nights each week. Much of the music is original, penned by one of our band members as is most of the music being presented in this circle of performers we've fallen in with. You can check out the scene starting with our MySpace site ( http://Myspace.com/westoftexas )and visiting all our friends there. You may even recognize some of the performers as a few are determined to make it in Nashville. The rest of us are just grateful to be playing on a regular basis. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Bruce Bremer
drummer, West of Texas

Regards,
Bruce Bremer
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Hi To All,

Looking for aspiring Singers and Songwriters to be a guest on my call in radio interview show. This show has unlimited ptential for YOU as your songs will be played VIA internet radio at worldtalkradio.com Studio A. The show airs every Wednesday at 1:00pm CDT. So what are YOU waiting for, here's the place to be for new and upcoming artists. Write me at popgoesthepoetry.com and let's talk on air soon. We use the mp3 format for airplay.

Ralph Watley
501-90-9539
It's the LOVE that counts Not the thought before Or the future everafter Ralph 2-1-2001 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2007 XLIBRIS PUBLISHING http://community.webtv.net/RADARMAN2002/ANALBUMOFLOVE
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The Swedish countryband Kriztina Åhs & Countryfied have just completed recording 12 of Kriztina's 247 songs for a record that is meant to be released in May. The record is called "Roads" and the songs are about the choices of paths to walk on everyone has to make in life. You can listen to some of the songs at www.myspace.com/kriztinacountryfied

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I'm just listing 2 huge new (independent) CD's with CDBaby, Take the Highway and Moving On..., both recorded in Nashville by Stacy Hogan, with Mike Lusk's silky-smooth, emotional, country vocals. I wrote all the songs on these 2 CD's, so will watch their progress with keen interest!
Cheers
Gary Woods, song-writer, composer www.woodscompositions.com garywoods44@bigpond.com
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Hey Lonnie...thanks for keeping me on your newsletter.and yes, I'm busy singing with the folks at "Rudi's Country Music Cafe"...check us out... www.ruditunes.com . We have just started the website for "Classic Country Music"...great artists, both known and not so well known..but very talented and lots of fun...Come visit us! Both online and in person at the Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee! And, I have a new myspace....

.Thanks ...Connie Lee Turner www.myspace.com/connieleeturner

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G'day all, and greetings from Sydney, Australia! Many of you overseas probably think I have disappeared or given up music due to my long absence. Far from it! After a long recovery from my illness I am pleased to say there is a new album due for release in the next month! It truly depicts the journey of my life of the last 2 years...'Extraordinary Daze'!
I look forward to contacting you all again very soon. Merilyn Steele www.merilynsteele.com

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OLYA just finished taping an interview for the Channel 19 show "SSE" which will be aired during the summer. The exact dates will be posted soon.
Be OLYA's friend at www.myspace.com/olyasongs

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I am planning an event called a night of the arts at limelight on april 23 from 6-12. This event is sponsored by the new magazine American exclusive launching itself here in the states. We are looking for photographers, make-up artists, stylists, producers, fashion designers, small studio owners, artists, local filmmakers and other artistic types to set up booths at the event. It costs you nothing to set up a booth and is a great way to promote your work and network in the community. Those who set up booths will even get five dollars per ticket they presale to the event. We will also have some performers and drink/food specials that night. Please contact me for more information. Mandy Hawley US forthcoming mag (online version) http://www.americanexclusivemagazine.com

Toronto magazine site: http://www.torontoexclusive.com

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Great information and thanks for including me in your newsletter. Connie Smith...wow! what a nice lady.. Wish she could have had more hit records but she is definitely a legend.

We have been having our share of tornadoes lately. Last Thursday night I had all my music and TV going and I thought I heard a train coming. Actually it was the local sirens blarring and a tornado was on it's way headed right for my neighborhood. We were lucky that it never touched down but south of Little Rock was hit pretty hard.

Take care. Roy Cost http://www.rockabillyhall.com/RoyCost1.html

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Hey there! I landed an audition at Tootsie's today and went in and played with their band. I did great and am waiting to hear if my band is in, I had alot of fun today! Now we just have to wait and see if my band is in. Also, Hank didn't come through on the Sweden thing but Ulf Nilsson is booking me on a mini-tour over there June 9-14th to play with the Cadillac Band. Go check it out at www.tcband.se .

Don't know if I told you but we will be Headlining this year's Relay For Life in Pigeon Forge on Friday June 6th from 7-8:30. Lot's of cool stuff starting to happen but I have been hustling my butt off! Lol! Anyway thought you might could use some of this in your next newsletter.

Hope you're doing well Okie! Talk to you soon...

Joni Compretta www.JoniCompretta.com

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Message from Lonnie about the GOSSIP SECTION - You can E Mail me your gossip anytime. (I just save it in a file until I make up the next NEWSLETTER)

Just send me an E Mail with 2 or 3 sentences and you can include your website and E Mail if you like. Try to make it interesting enough people will want to read it. Don't have to be about music just something that is happening to you. If it looks like you may have thought about what you wrote for at least 30 seconds I will probably include it in the next Newsletter which means your website LINK will go out to over 4,300 people that are in the country music business. If it looks like you are obviously just using the gossip section for free advertisment I probably will skip over it. Heck folks most of us claim to be writers so we should be able to write 2 or 3 sentences.

Make sure you put GOSSIP in the subject line of your E Mail when you send it so it don't get lost.

E Mail GOSSIP to: NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

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Lonnie's Music Tips:

What are royalties and when do you have to pay them.

Mechanical royalties are the money due to the Publisher and Songwriter when you use one of their songs on your CD or any format where you are selling the song, such as downloads. The statuatory rate now is $91 per 1000 units sold. You can make any kind of deal with the publisher you can get them to agree to. Sometimes a songwriter might even let you use their song royalty free if they think it will be a good promotional tool for them. After a songwriter has had a cut or two they will not be as quick to let you use one of their songs for free. Remember when negoiating royalties you have to talk to the Publisher, not the songwriter unless the songwriter happens to also be the publisher. Keep in mind if you are talking about an Indie cut we are not talking about enough money to buy a decent meal 99 times out of a 100. As for my own catalog I just try to be reasonable and make sure that if one of these artists ever hit the big time they still think of me as that songwriter who treated them nice when they were still struggling. If I have been a jerk to deal with any chance of me getting a cut after they become stars when they could really make me money has gone down the toilet. That ain't worth $5 or $10 bucks to me right now. I have dozens of young singers every year calling me for songs and I try to be realistic with them. If it is one of those deals where the family is paying for the session and I am the producer I don't even charge for my songs just as long as they pay my co-writers. Also if it is someone who does not have a band and only plays at the karaoke bar and is gonna try to sell the CD from their website and I am not the producer I may just charge them $45.50 and let them press a 1000 CD's because the odds are they will be giving a lot of those CD's away and a pretty good chance they could end up with a bunch of boxes of CD's in their closet or stored under their bed. If it turns out they do real well they will be back for more songs for the next CD and if it is a big flop someday they will figure out I gave them a break and they will recommend me to the next singer coming up the road.

As far as the downloads on i-Tunes I never charge any artist for that and for a very simple reason. They are NOT going to sell very many downloads. The only way people buy downloads is by either searching for the Artists name or the song title. If the artist has made themselves popular enough to sell downloads they are getting into a position where they could really make you some real money. If they have made your song title popular enough that total strangers have started searching the internet for a place to buy it then let them keep that 9/10ths of a penny. I have actually heard of songwriters finding a song of theirs on i-Tunes and throwing a hissy fit when the truth is it probably cost the artist more to put it up there than they will ever make from it. For a few pennies they have probably made an enemy out of an artist who more than likely didn't know they were doing anything wrong when they put it up for downloads to begin with. You just have to be realistic about this stuff.

Performance Royalties

This is where BMI, ASCAP, SOCAN and all the other affiliates come in. It covers radio airplay, Internet airplay, inclusion in movies, TV etc.

This don't cost the artist any money. If you want to just cut a song and release it to radio on a compilation or your own single or promo CD all you need is the correct label copy which is the Legal title, Songwriters Names, Publishers Names and performance affilliation. Remember just because you don't have to pay anything you can't take this lightly. If you do not have the correct label copy the copyright owners can issue a cease and decist order and you will have to correct the label copy at your own expense. This is all very fair because you are using this song for free so the least you can do is get the label copy correct so BMI, ASCAP etc. can pay the owners of the copyright. Please keep in mind that these are two different royalties you have to learn to deal with. Easy way to remember is Mechanical License is a Product and Performance is just that, a performance like a song on the radio.

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Artists shopping for a record deal.

I guess one of the most asked guestions in the world has to be "How do I go about getting a record deal". Well that is pretty easy to answer. No one knows. Every deal is different. I do know that you have to do a few things to increase the odds of a label paying any attention to you. You need a photo, a demo and a bio. Once you have those if you start to get some interest you will have something that represents you and your little package can get passed around to people who might be able to help you.

Photos are simple enough. There's lots of people out there in the world that can take a decent photo so find one. Just use common sense and make sure the photo represents you.

The demo can be a simple clean version of you singing the Star Spangled Banner or Amazing Grace but if you can't sing it better than it has ever been sung before you may want to spend a few bucks on a little more advanced demo. If you can find you an original song that sounds like it could be the next "Jesus Take The Wheel" you will have moved yourself to the front of the line when it comes to getting a record deal.

The last thing is a one page bio. Show some creativity here in the one phase of getting a record deal that don't cost you a dime. If you are going to try to tell some label you think you can write songs remember they are going to read your bio and if it sounds like 99% of the bios on MYSPACE and starts out with how you started singing 72 hours BEFORE you were conceived and you have always dreamed of singing your songs for the world don't be surprised if they don't believe you are gonna be the next Kris Kristofferson. Last but not least don't bother people in the business until you have these 3 basic things a photo, a demo and a bio.

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Artists looking for original songs click on my banner and check out my songwriter website with 2 pages of original songs. If you hear something you like and need more info or a mechanical license to record it just contact me.

Lonnie Ratliff

NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

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