Soundcheck Series Expo: April 2011 in Sundance

I know a first blog post should be about who I am and why I’m writing… but there are too many other things to write about.

I went to the Soundcheck Series last Saturday.  What an amazing event!  I met and talked with Tim Fagan, his wife Yvonne, Kari Kimmel, Gayle Day, Craig Poole, and many other emerging artists and music industry professionals.

WOW!  There are so many things to share.  Here’s a quick walk through of the Expo:

1. Tim Fagan, Grammy award winner of ‘Lucky’ by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat, kicked off the day.  He told his story woven with nuggets of songwriting and musicianship gold, including:
   • Make your own recipe of musician success. There is no proverbial ‘WAY’ to do it.
   • Find your thing and own it.  Whatever you’re doing, dig deep and explore it to the fullest.  Don’t worry what ‘THEY’ think.
   • Don’t overlook the athletic work of playing often, and playing outside of your usual stuff.
   • Be a song finisher.  He said, “I’d rather see you have one great song finished and nine terds than one almost great song that is never finished.”
   • If you have a big idea it can be good to keep it quiet.  Don’t get almost done before you advertise because you may not make it there.
   • Co-writing is like speed dating.
   • You will always be a mystery to friends, family and neighbors.  Enjoy the things you have in common and nurture what’s most important with them.
   • Learn music law.
2. Next was the listening session.  Thanks to the amazing Richard Parkinson of OneRichSong Productions and Hope Charissa singer/songwriter, I had a song ready to present.  It was my fourth co-write where I had the opportunity to write with two professional singer/songwriters (MsBrown of Las Vegas and Hope Charissa of Salt Lake City).  What an honor!  I was in the session with Gayle Day of LaLa Music in L.A. and Craig Poole, one of the top producers in Utah.  They were  insightful and really helpful in their critiques.  It was cool to see their emotions and their professionalism.
3. The Artist showcase was next.  It was very cool to see Utah and surrounding area talent, some were moms (shameless plug for moms…we still got it even after kids!!).  Dyer Highway was fantastic.  Charlie Jenkins song, “Hell or Mexico”…gave me chills and of course my favs…Eric Michels and Hope Charissa, my co-writing pals.
4. Kari Kimmel, people!  You know the one who sang the theme song for ‘Ella Enchanted’  It’s Not Just Make Believe (one of my fav. Disney movies) and has 100 songs placed on other TV shows and movies!  She was incredible.  She is a DIY girl and that was after being signed right out of High School with Atlanta Records and later Virgin Records.  She helped shine light on my goal to have Disney pick up one of my songs for their future projects.Kari broke down the business of placing your songs on TV and in movies:
   • the diff between a sync fee and a master fee
   • how to begin and nurture relationships with music supervisors
   • 3 lists to keep:  music supervisors that get back to her and place her music regularly (around 40), ones who get back to her and place her music occasionally and ones who she wants to know, but doesn’t yet
   • being ready for pilot season
   • knowing the questions:  Is it for just one scene?  Will it be on DVDs?  Will it be used in other episodes? What are the networks?  What upcoming projects do they have?  Will it be played during prime time?  ‘IT’ being YOUR SONG!!
   • promo and trailer companies
   • ad agencies for commercials
5. Soundcheck had the main guests of honor (aka industry rock stars) sit on a panel for audience questions.  You just had to be there…make sure you’re at the next workshop (monthly) or Expo (Oct 22)!
6. Last but not least was the concert.  AMAZING!  Local artists performed first, followed by Tim Fagan.  I think the favorite was his ‘Woodshop’ song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRaaSuU2eSI.  He shared a song he wrote about his mom and dad that was beautiful and of course we got to sing along with his Grammy winning co-write, ‘Lucky’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A77jT7M2_ho!!

There you go – my first post!