NCSC "Coop Scoops"

Presenting... the Live Music Lab!

2008-10-31T09:31:00.000-04:00

NC Songwriters Monthly Jam Circle celebrates its 1st Anniversary with a new title: "Live Music Lab." Since we launched the Jam Circle last October, we've tuned the format based on feedback from participants. It has evolved to a session where you can try out your material on-mic for practice or for feedback, and we're renaming the program to "Live Music Lab". New or old; original or cover; novice or pro; all are welcome.

Live Music Lab meets in Chapel Hill on the second Sunday of every month from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Contact LiveMusicLab@ncsongwriters.org for directions or more information.

Song contest now closed

2008-10-12T10:30:00.000-04:00

Entries for the 11th Annual NC Songwriters Co-op Songwriting Competition are now closed. September 30th was the deadline for submissions. The entries are already in the first of three stages of judging. Winners and Honorable Mentions will be announced by December 1st.

If you entered the contest, best of luck to you in the judging. If not, it might be a good time to start thinking about your entry for next year! SONGWRITERS ROCK! (…and folk and jazz and pop and country and…)

- Dwight Sullivan

SOCIAL MEDIA: Media Part 1

2008-10-12T09:24:00.002-04:00

Social media or social networking is how collaborative communication happens online. But even if you have an idea of what some of the tools are, you may wonder how on earth you will pick a starting point.

Set Goals
You can focus your social media time toward your goals.

BLOGS
If you want to keep up with what’s hot in the industry, check your most-trusted colleagues (your heroes and mentors) and traditional industry resources (like print magazines or newsletters) to see if they publish a blog or are hosting online forums in your field.

Set up your own blog to create participation. Want to keep fans informed about the progression your new song, show, tour? Set up a blog. Ask for feedback so that you can either shift gears or scrap it and try something different.

Your blog can be anything you want, but if you are looking to create community and get lots of visitors, make it informative and interesting.

Eileen Batson
Batson Group Marketing and PR
919.327.5021

NMPA Hails Copyright Board's Rate Decision

2008-10-02T07:38:00.001-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2008

NMPA Hails Copyright Board's Rate Decision
Positive Result for Songwriters and Music Publishers

WASHINGTON - October 2, 2008 - The Copyright Royalty Board announced today,
new mechanical rate terms for physical products (such as CDs), permanent
downloads (such as iTunes) and ringtones. Songwriters and music publishers
will be paid a rate of 9.1 cents for digital downloads. The CRB judges also
ruled that the rate for physical products will remain at 9.1 cents. Each
will be subject to an overtime rate. The CRB judges also established for the
first time a rate of 24 cents for each ringtone subject to the Section 115
mechanical license. Furthermore, music publishers will have the right to
seek a 1.5 percent late fee, calculated monthly.

David Israelite, President and CEO of the National Music Publishers'
Association - which represented songwriters and music publishers before the
Board - hailed the decision as a positive development for all songwriters
and music publishers.

"We are happy that the judges recognize the importance of songwriters and
music publishers to the music industry," said Israelite. "Coupled with the
historic agreement announced two weeks ago, this decision represents an
important milestone for the music industry. These events will bring clarity
and order to an environment that for the past decade has been hampered by
litigation and uncertainty on all sides. In the end, songwriters and music
publishers will have incentive to create and market music, and music fans
will reap the rewards."

The announcement is the culmination of a trial that began in January, and
marks the first time the Board has established mechanical royalty rates for
songs distributed digitally.

The Board also adopted the terms of an historic industry settlement on rates
for two other types of services - interactive streaming (such as some
Napster services) and limited downloads (such as Rhapsody To Go). Details of
that agreement between NMPA, the Nashville Songwriters Association
International (NSAI), the Songwriters Guild of America (SGA). the Recording
Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Digital Media Association
(DIMA) were announced last week.

The music publishers and songwriters were represented in the trial by the
NMPA, along with NSAI and SGA.

Steve Bogard, NSAI President, said, "The Nashville Songwriters Association
International (with the California and Texas Songwriters Associations, ) is
pleased that the Copyright Royalty Board has chosen to recognize the
personal investment and contribution of songwriters to the American music
industry. The United States, the source of so much of the world's great
popular music must lead the way in compensating creators for their work and
making it possible for our publishing partners to continue to invest in the
nurturing and development of great young songwriting talent. NSAI believes
that in the long run this decision is in the very best interests of
consumers, digital media content providers, and the entire music industry."

Rick Carnes, President of SGA, said, "The CRB has confirmed the proposal of
rates for interactive streaming and limited downloads formulated
cooperatively by songwriters, music publishers, the recording industry and
the digital media groups, which will clarify the licensing of this growing
area of digital commerce and provide needed royalty payments to songwriters.
The Songwriters Guild of America is gratified that the CRB has adopted these
rates, which will assist music creators in their quest to make a living from
their profession.

Carnes added, "Today, the CRB also faithfully implemented U.S. copyright law
by giving songwriters the ability to earn a fair return on their works. As
so many songwriters testified during this process, our community has been
struggling to keep our profession alive, and the CRB's decision could not
have come at a more important time."

"Today's announcement is the culmination of months and months of tireless
work by staff and outside counsel on behalf of music publishers and
songwriters, and I want to acknowledge and thank them for their commitment,"
Israelite said.

About the NMPA
Founded in 1917, the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) is a
trade association representing American music publishers. The NMPA's mandate
is to protect and advance the interests of music publishers and their
songwriter partners in matters relating to the domestic and global
protection of music copyrights.

Song Doctor Workshop update

2008-08-17T07:58:00.005-04:00

The Song Doctor Workshop was very successful tonight. Eileen was there to help with the setup and keep things rolling. There was, besides me, one regular, Rua Mordacai, and eight new attendees, Garland, Ian and Gordon. From San Francisco was a mother and her two children, ages 18 and 15 and their uncle. The mom, Debbie, said she was “coming out of retirement” as a songwriter. The kids were in a band back home. The boy, Luke, played the guitar while Lila sang a song she wrote. One of the attendees told me later he had a head cold and so missed a lot of the songs, but he wanted to come back. He is a professional publisher with an office in Nashville and a proven track record. It pleases me that we are starting to attract pros to the workshop. Three songwriters said that they get more out of it when there are more attending. I agree. The next Song Doctor is September 21st. Y'all come!

- Jon Batson

2008-08-10T11:14:00.003-04:00

MARKETING and PR: The Difference
by
Eileen Batson

www.BatsonGroupMarketingandPR.blogspot.com
BatsonGroup (@) yahoo.com

Marketing: (definition)
The moving of a specific product (or service) into public hands. This is accomplished with effective promotion that creates want in your target public so they buy what you are offering. It is vital to know what is needed to create response or demand for your product or service.

Public: (definition)
a type of audience

Public Relations: (definition)
The art of making good works well known. The purpose of PR is to make you, your company, it’s actions, products or services well known, accepted and understood. Effective PR assists the company to exist in a favorable climate so that it can expand, prosper and be viable.

Press Release or News Release or Media Release : (definition)
Newsworthy articles intended to be published in the media for the purpose of showcasing a company's activities to the public or its market.

29th annual Festival for the Eno: July 4-6, 2008

2008-06-26T13:40:00.003-04:00

The 29th annual Festival for the Eno will take place July 4-6, 2008, and will feature over 100 performers on five stages. Organized by the Eno River Association, the Festival for the Eno is a continuation of years of celebrating the nature, history, and culture of the Eno River basin.

The Festival for the Eno is located at West Point on the Eno City Park on Roxboro Road in Durham, North Carolina. (Click here for information on festival admission, parking, directions and map.)

Visit the following NCSC members as they perform on the Chimney Stage:

Friday, July 4, 2008
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Dave Turner
www.daveturnermusic.com

Louise Bendall
www.louisebendall.com

Jon Batson
www.myspace.com/jonbatsonmusic

Saturday, July 5, 2008
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Nick Hagelin
www.myspace.com/nickhagelinmusic

Pete Leary
www.peteleary.com

William Woltz

Sunday, July 6, 2008
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Phyllis Tannerfrye
www.phyllistannerfrye.com

Jeremy Gilchrist
www.myspace.com/jeremygilchrist

James Purnell
www.myspace.com/jamiepurnell

2008 Song Contest entry forms now available

2008-06-19T09:44:00.004-04:00

Official rules and 2008 NCSC Song Contest entry forms are now available via our website. Deadline for entry is September 30, 2008. Winners will be announced December 1.

Visit the NC Songwriters Annual Contest page here to download PDF forms.

Questions about the contest? Email contest(at)ncsongwriters.org.

We look forward to receiving your entries!

Gulf Rim Cafe Photos

2008-06-16T20:37:00.002-04:00

Visit the Summer Songwriters Series at the Gulf Rim Cafe in Hillsborough, NC every Saturday night beginning May 31, 2008!

Gulf Rim Cafe (click for map)
111 North Churton Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-245-0040

More information here...

From the May 31, 2008 showcase:

And the June 7, 2008 showcase:

NCSC 2008 Annual Song Contest

2008-06-01T20:19:00.005-04:00

June 30, 2008 marks the official launch and call for entries for the 2008 North Carolina Songwriters Co-op 11th Annual Song Contest. The contest promises to capture a record number of entries this year from all over the world through Sonicbids.com. The contest is the longest running, non-genre specific song contest in North Carolina.

Official press release and all rules coming soon.

The basics:

Entrants must submit two songs on one CD via the mail or via SonicBids. Lyric sheets must be included.

All entrants must be NCSC members.

Cost for contest entry: $20 for members and $45 for new members.

Entrant must have written or co-written the song, but does not have to perform as there is no finals show.

Entrants may not have earned more than $10,000 in music royalties.

Entrants under 18 must have parental permission.

NCSC Coordinator, judges and screeners are not eligible to enter.

Entries must be received by September 30, 2008, with winners announced in November.

Read more at NCSongwriters.org.

Gulf Rim Showcase, May 31, 2008

2008-05-31T17:00:00.000-04:00

NCSC SHOWCASE at the Gulf Rim Cafe on N. Churton in Hillsborough

When: Saturday, May 31, 8:30-10:00 pm

Who should come: Folks who enjoy good food, good music and making new friends.

Description:
Live Music 8:30-10:00 pm

Hear Jon Batson's witty, wise, and wonderful songs;

Joe Tullos' Louisiana rock guitar and

Nick Hagelin's bluesy riffs and passionate lyrics.

Come early for a great dinner!

Gulf Rim Cafe

RSVP and Learn more here:
http://vocalists.meetup.com/200/calendar/7949561/

NCSC event report

2008-04-23T10:15:00.004-04:00

NAME: Raleigh Song Doctor Workshop

EVENT DATE: April 20, 2008

VENUE: The Royal Bean coffee shop

ARTISTS PERFORMED:
Ken Cleary
Dave Strausfeld
Tom Voaehels
Rob Lytle
Paul Pace
Auttem Foglia
Marlene Woodason
Rua Mordecai
Adam Buntzman
Vanessa Vandola
Louise Bendell
Jon Batson

COOL REVIEW: Tom said it best: "Wide range of talent and plenty of good suggestions. Be ready to hear the truth in a helpful manner with regards to song composition. More on the lyrics than the music. This is a place to learn and to improve songs under construction. It's a good place for beginners and the nervous as well as the more confident among us."

Three came to investigate and didn't have songs. One had a poem set to music. Two were first attempts, one had never sung in front of people before. Eileen suggested (privately) that he get some stuffed animals and practice in front of them. Hmm! Interesting!

Chris Wimberley spoke about preparing a song for the studio and got many questions. There was not time to cover everything, suggesting new topics for the future. Chris said he would be happy to come back and I said I would be happy to have him.

DATE OF NEXT EVENT: May 18, 2008

Sign up to attend this event at our Meetup Group.

- Jon Batson

March 16th Song Doctor Workshop a roaring success.

2008-03-19T19:33:00.001-04:00

The March 16th Song Doctor Workshop was a roaring success. Seven songwriters showed up, me making eight. Six of the attending songwriters heard about it from MeetUp, one from Craig's List. Thanks to Eileen Batson for setting up MeetUp and putting the announcement on Craig's List (and everywhere else she could find).

Six writers presented songs and the positive critiques were lively. Dennis Mikel brought the same song he brought last time, with changes spurred by that previous workshop. Everyone loved the song with minimal comments about what to fix. There was a cowboy-type ballad, a stream-of-conscious pop song and several country and folk songs.

It is very clear that the standard of NC songwriters will be raised by workshops such as this.

Formula songs was the subject of my brief talk. I went over a popular formula, Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus - Bridge - Chorus. We then took a line from here, a line from there and wrote a song called (Ken Cleary's suggestion) My Dog Died. It's not great art, but it's a cute song and it's formula, by golly!

Though there were only six presenting songs, we did run pretty long. The idea is to get everyone home in time for Prime Time television. We're holding the workshop to 10 in the future in order to not run long. If there is a demand for more, we'll come up with a solution.

- Jon Batson

Raleigh Song Doctor Workshop

2008-01-28T19:48:00.001-05:00

Raleigh Song Doctor Workshop with song critique session, followed by an Industry Discussion.

TOPIC: How to set up your set

NCSC in conjunction with Songsalive! holds workshops where songwriters gather to share their songs, gain feedback and develop relationships within the songwriting communities we have created around the world. The first half is solely dedicated to an in-the-round workshop where writers present one song each - either on tape, CD or live - followed by a guest speaker/industry discussion in the second half and plenty of time to talk and network. Moderated by Jon Batson.

DETAILS: For more info: www.songsalive.org/raleigh

WHEN: Sunday February 17, 2008 - Third Sundays of the month.

WHERE: The Royal Bean (click for map)
3801 Hillsborough St Raleigh 27607

TIME: Starts 6:00pm, ends at 7:30pm (more or less)

COST: This is a free event.

Song Doctor Critique Session: 1 song either on tape, CD or live (bring own guitar or keyboard) and 10 copies of your typed lyric sheet with contact details clearly displayed.

Second Half: Industry Discussion
by Jon Batson, author of The Songwriter's Hook Book, an annotated journal for songwriters.

45 Year veteran songwriter Jon Batson lets slip some tips on How to set up your set for maximum impact on the audience. Is your audience beginning to chat during your set? Is attention wandering? Are they beginning to whistle the songs from the previous set? It might be the order of your songs. Learn how to put a set together.

For information on NCSC, go to www.ncsongwriters.org

For Songsalive! information, media and membership inquiries (not Workshop inquiries), email usa@songsalive.org

Join our email list and discussion groups at www.songsalive.org/community.

Be reminded of this event by joining eNotes discussion group on that link or by joining the NC Songwriters list on Yahoo.

Songsalive!
Songsalive! is a non-profit organization dedicated to the nurturing, support and promotion of songwriters and composers worldwide.
www.songsalive.org
www.songsalive.org/raleigh

North Carolina Songwriters Co-op (NCSC) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the support and promotion of songwriters in the state of North Carolina. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. NCSC assists new and established songwriters by providing a supportive environment, including resources for marketing and promotion, the opportunity to network with other songwriters, the chance to assist with and participate in our annual song contest, and to attend our seminars and workshops designed to enhance songwriting and performing skills.

Winners of the 2007 NCSC Song Contest presented by Sam Ash Music.

2007-12-26T16:54:00.004-05:00

We’re proud to announce the 2007 song contest winners:

1st Place - Nick Hagelin, Raleigh
2nd Place - Rupert Wates, New York City
3rd Place - Phyllis Tannerfrye, Myrtle Beach

“It was a hard decision. All the finalists were extremely talented. Stacey Allyn Baker, Kate Graves, Audry Auld Mezera, Adam Middleton and Dave Turner all gave great performances - each brought to the stage a unique style, lyric and presentation.”

Michael Graziano Contest Judge
Blue Moon Imagery and MMG Communications

Honorable Mentions for 2007:

Dana Austin, McGowan Avent, Louise Bendall, Fred Black, Kim Buchanan, Jeremy Gilchrist, Randy Heavin, Russ James, lorenzo, Beth Champion Mason, Kevin McGee, Ken Nance, Nicah-o, Nixon, Blevins & Gage, Jamie Purnell, The ‘Scapes, Lynwood Shag, The Sleepwalkers, Lee & Susan Terry, Jerry Thomas, Lesha Thomas, transzenders, Westbrook, Ken Widis

Many thanks to our Presenting Sponsor:

Sam Ash Music Stores
www.samashmusic.com

And our Platinum Sponsors:

Oasis CD Manufacturing
www.oasiscd.com

Online Gigs
www.onlinegigs.com

Alzheimer's Association
Eastern NC Chapter
www.alznc.org