Dolly Parton’s Songwriting: the Thing She Loves Most
April 9th, 2012
Dolly Parton is a successful businesswoman, acclaimed actress and possesses one of the music industrys most unique voices, but among all the multi-faceted entertainers talents the one closest to her heart is songwriting.
“Im addicted to my songwriting. Thats my favorite thing I do,” Dolly says. “I write something almost every day. Everything is a rhyme to me. Everything is a song, but there is nothing more sacred and more precious to me then when I can really get in that zone where its just God and me. I really let those juices flow and I still get the same feeling from it as I did when I was young trying to do it for money, or at least hoping I made money. I never did it for money and I would still do it if I wasnt making money.”
via Dolly Parton Songwriting a Source of Gifts and Rifts – The Boot.
‘Hunger Games’ Soundtrack with Taylor Swift, the Civil Wars and Miranda Lambert Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200
March 28th, 2012
By Norm Daniels
It’s a rare moment when a film and its soundtrack debut at no. 1 at the box office and on the Billboard album chart. This time it’s with the help of 3 Nashville artists, 2 of whom not only perform, but provide writing for the track. The singer-songwriters are Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars duo. Miranda Lambert lends her vocal talents to the project.
As reported by Billboard.biz, “The Hunger Games” soundtrack debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, having sold 175,000 copies in its first week according to Nielsen SoundScan.
It’s the first theatrical film soundtrack to top the chart since “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” bowed at No. 1 on the list dated Nov. 14, 2009. “The Hunger Games” is the first multi-artist film soundtrack to reach No. 1 since one week before Jackson, when “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” rose from No. 2 to No. 1 in its second week on the tally.
All told, “The Hunger Games” is only the 16th soundtrack to debut at No. 1 in the history of the Billboard 200 chart. (Those soundtracks include film, TV and straight-to-video efforts.)
“The Hunger Games” set boasts an array of artists, including Taylor Swift, the Civil Wars, Arcade Fire, Maroon 5 and Miranda Lambert. It’s the companion album to the film of the same name, which grossed $152.5 million at the U.S. and Canada box office last weekend (March 23-25).
via ‘Hunger Games’ Soundtrack Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 | Billboard.biz.
Adele Co-writer Dan Wilson Gives Some Great Advice to Emerging Songwriters
March 26th, 2012
By Norm Daniels
There are lots of songwriting tips all over everywhere, mostly from people just passing along what they’ve heard for years, but it’s hard to get a great piece of advice from a songwriter who’s been a main co-writer with a huge award-winning artist like Adele. You might remember this writer being thanked by Adele as she accepted Album of the Year award on this year’s Grammys.
In a self-explanatory post titled “Dear fellow-songwriters-pitching-me-songs-
for-Adele-to-sing,” Minnesotan songwriter Dan Wilson, now based in L.A., is filing an open letter politely requesting that aspiring songwriters stop asking him how they can get their work to Adele.
“I have no idea whether Adele is taking submissions from songwriters these days – and I’m not sending her any song ideas right now,” Wilson writes, setting the record straight.
But the most insightful part of his open letter comes further on, when he does offer up a bit of advice for struggling songwriters aching to be heard.
“I’m not saying to stop trying to get your song to Adele,” he writes. “After all, she’s an amazing singer, and I, of all people, know how powerful it is to collaborate with her. But if I may suggest a parallel strategy, I’d say try to get your work covered by the ‘next’ Adele, someone you think is a brilliant singer with tons of soul, someone whose music you believe in but who hasn’t already become a global superstar. I think that is a better bet for your song.”
Now there’s one of the greatest pieces of advice any aspiring songwriter could get–and hopefully take. It’s one we often give, so it’s nice to see a major songwriter do the same.
Here’s the deal: most every artist starts picking up help and songs from writers they get to know along the way before they get super successful. Then they tend to ask those same writers for songs when they make it. Which makes it difficult for a new writer to get through to the major stars. So take the advice and be happy if you can pitch or get pitched to some new artists hopefully on their way up. It may be your best hope to make it yourself!
“Gambler” Writer, Don Schlitz, to Be Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame
February 22nd, 2012
What do all songwriters hope to achieve? Whether they admit it or not, they all would like to achieve fame and fortune. Like maybe this one:
Don Schlitz, whose songwriting credits include Kenny Rogers “The Gambler,” will be inducted into the national Songwriters Hall of Fame during ceremonies on June 14 in New York City. This years inductees also include Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Seger, Jim Steinman and the songwriting team of Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones. “The Gambler,” Schlitzs first recorded song, won a Grammy for country song of the year in 1978. He and co-writer Paul Overstreet won another Grammy for country song of the year in 1988 for Randy Travis “Forever and Ever, Amen.” Schlitzs other songwriting credits include “On the Other Hand,” “I Feel Lucky,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” “Rockin With the Rhythm of the Rain,” “Deeper Than the Holler” and “When You Say Nothing at All.”
via CMT : News : Don Schlitz to Be Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City.
Country songwriter Danny Morrison dies
February 16th, 2012
Songwriter Danny Morrison, who penned notable country songs including Kenny Rogers’ “Blaze of Glory” and Joe Diffie’s “Is It Cold In Here,” died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack.An industry veteran, Mr. Morrison was raised in Nashville and attended East High School. He produced and managed country star Joe Diffie, and his songs were recorded by artists including Alabama, Lee Greenwood and Johnny Paycheck.
“You were truly one of a kind,” wrote executive, musician, songwriter and producer Tim DuBois, on Mr. Morrison’s Facebook page. “A lover of songs and writers.”
via Country songwriter Danny Morrison dies | The Tennessean | tennessean.com.