My Endeavour to be a Published Songwriter

Peace, love & understanding – Nick Lowe in Variety

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:58:00 +0000

Nick Lowe is featured in this Variety article after being honoured with the American Association of Independent Music’s Icon Award. A fascinating read from the Cruel to Be Kind songwriter/producer. A remembrance of Johnny Cash, working with Elvis Costello and the history of What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding…The song is a standard. Whenever I hear people do it now it’s almost like I had nothing to do with it! As for that song, Mr. Lowe opines: “The song is a standard. Whenever I hear people do it now it’s almost like I had nothing to do with it!”

May the Muse stay with you sir…

More AI Songwriting–but not very good…

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 08:15:00 +0000

Engadget reported on a University of Toronto Artificial Intelligence (AI) project that would write a Christmas tune from a single image… I personally don’t think Irving Berlin, rest in peace, has anything to worry about… But who knows where this will lead?

Here’s the tune, for what it’s worth:

May the Muse, the natural one, be with you…

The Music and Lyrics of Billy Joel

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 12 Oct 2016 20:26:00 +0000

Colorado College hosted a symposium this past weekend. I wish I had known about it before, I would have participated as it was open to the public… as per the symposium’s website:

“It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” is a scholarly symposium on the music and lyrics of Billy Joel, the consummate singer-songwriter whose compositions translate larger cultural concerns into accessible and compelling musical narratives. In the spirit of Joel’s music, this public musicology conference aims to share academically oriented insights on this popular figure and his output in an accessible and approachable manner.

Thankfully, someone (Pianomanross) recorded the keynote event, which was actually a phone call with Billy Joel himself! Here’s the content of the call with Mr. Joel and it adds a heap of colour to the art and craft of songwriting… enjoy the listen and may the muse be with you…

AI “Writes” New Pop Song – Daddy’s Car (With A Little Help From Its Friends)

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 20:42:00 +0000

The Beatles vast repertoire of work was utilized by Artificial Intelligence (AI) developed by Sony CSL Music (with the “assistance” of a real live songwriter, Benoît Carré) to compose the pop song “Daddy’s Car” – described by the Flow Machines AI team as being “in the style of The Beatles”… I have to admit – it’s kind of catchy (and kind of scary that it is so catchy)…

Sony CSL describes the AI as “expanding towards a new generation of tools, the Flow Machines, whose aim is to abstract ‘style’ from concrete corpora (text, music, etc.), and turn it into a malleable substance that acts as a texture. Applications range from music composition to text or drawing generation.” In this case, the malleable structure kind of works in a quirky way, but I’ll let you decide for yourself…

May the Muse be with AI and “friends”…

Petition to have Rush inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:38:00 +0000

So here's a link to a petition that was started by your's truly after years of Rush being ignored for induction into the Performers category in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Please pass it on and let's get the quintessential Canadian prog rock band into the RnR HoF - where they deserve to be... It's 2012 and too late for this year, but let's put some pressure on for next year's induction ceremony... Rush shouldn't have to wait until 2112 when "the meek shall inherit the earth", modest rockers that they are. Let's make it happen in 2013!... May the Muse be with Geddy, Alex and Neil... and no opinions should be divided on Rush getting this recognition!

Juno 2012 Songwriter's Circle Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:48:00 +0000

From the Juno Awards site:

And here's part 2 of the Juno Songwriters' Circle courtesy of the CBC with Terri Clark, Max Kergan and Dan Mangan as host... May the Muse be with you as you listen and enjoy great Canadian (unsung) songsters!

Juno 2012 Songwriter's Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 13:48:00 +0000

From the Juno Awards site:

JUNO Songwriters’ Circle brings together some of today’s most talented Canadian singer/songwriters, sharing songs and stories on stage. Host Dan Mangan hosted the discussion, perform some of his hit songs and got up-close with audiences in this truly unique setting and not-to-be-missed event.

Participating Artists: Host Dan Mangan will be joined on stage by fellow 2012 JUNO Award nominees David Francey, Kiran Ahluwalia, Lindi Ortega, Max Kerman (Arkells) and Terri Clark.

CBC has a great podcast of the circle and here's part 1... May the Muse be with you as you listen and enjoy great Canadian (unsung) songsters!

Barrel of Monkeys and Photographs – Jim Bryson on Kathleen Edwards

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:43:00 +0000

Well, Kathleen Edwards most recent release, Voyageur, is the darling of critics, rightfully so, with its cathartic songs leading to new beginnings from a dissolved past. I just wanted to share a quote from an interview by David McPherson in the latest Canadian Musician magazine (January/February 2012 edition). The quote comes from a fellow Canadian singer-songwriter, Jim Bryson, who contributed to Voyageur via emailing parts and pieces of songs back and forth with Edwards (and is part of Edwards’ touring band and a proud new papa to boot – congrats!):

If Edwards chose not to use one of Bryson’s ideas, he didn’t take it personally. “I know how records work,” says the seasoned songwriter. “It’s like taking photographs. You take 100 and you may only use three of them. If it’s a signature part and you really feel connected to it you can have a discussion, but otherwise, if you are playing on someone else’s record, it’s theirs …at the end of the day, it’s her deal. It’s not like I can throw a barrel of monkeys down the stairs and mic it and expect her to use it.”

Now that’s an image that’s hard to get rid of… hmm… probably a novelty record in that idea… Don’t go calling the SPCA on my… I was only joking… But the lesson is to collaborate with respect for the song’s originator… now that I can work with and may the Muse stay with Kathleen, Jim et al…

ScoreAHit Web App - The Hit Equation

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:34:00 +0000

Well, now we can take the guess-work out of wondering if the songs we write will be hits… The science behind the ScoreAHit web app can be found here. It’s all mathematics and formulae and “I’ve got algorithms”… here’s a very brief overview from the site:

The underlying assumption is that popular songs are similar with respect to a set of features that make them appealing to a majority of people. These features could then be exploited by Machine Learning algorithms in order to predict whether a song will rise to a high peak position in the chart. Machine Learning is a branch of Artificial Intelligence concerned with learning to perform a task based on examples -- in this case learning to predict hit potential based on past hits and non-hits.

And here are the factors measured by the algorithm in a tag picture format:

Kudos to Dr. Tijl De Bie for his work on this… it looks like a lot of fun and I’m going to submit a song or two to the Songometer when I get the link by email invitation…

I’ll report back on whether I’ve got algorithm or not… May the Muse (and Math) be with me…

Daddy-Daughter Science Song

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:47:00 +0000

Check out this article from Real Science about a professional musician helping his 6th grade daughter with a science project by co-writing/producing/mixing a song about the Northern Lights – the good old Aurora Borealis – boy, probably broke the rhyming dictionary with that one!

Here’s a sample lyric:

Blue and purple nitrogen
Aurora, you never know how much I adore yaʼ
My magnetic field of dreams
Making magic out of photon streams
Those endless nights in the northern lights
Aurora

Maggie, the 6th grader, talks about the song here:

I know that there’s math in song, but apparently there’s science too… May the Muse stay with this Daddy-Daughter team!

Geek-Mom’s Songwriting Blog Entries

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 01:34:00 +0000

Just found a nice resource from Geek-Mom’s blog detailing songwriting contests and tips… you can find it here and get to entering the contests Julia “Jules” Sherred (Geek-Mom) sets out…

Love Shines

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 05:19:00 +0000

Just finished watching a beautiful documentary about Ron Sexsmith’s troubles to get a “hit” in the land of radio (a la Bob Rock as Producer). I’ve been inspired lately by many things, some sad, some happy… This film had both… the praise and adulation of his peers and the “wall” that he can’t break through to reach a wider audience – and in the mix, such wonderful works of art, including the title to the film Love Shines. Ron writes some haunting melodies with lyrics to match… watch this film!

Love Shines in our grief… A childhood (and adult) friend of mine passed away recently… a widower himself, he leaves behind a daughter… so much pain…

Love Shines through our happiness. My wife and I saw Paul Simon at Massey Hall recently and, just last week, Elvis Costello and the Impostors at the Sony Centre (nee O’Keefe then Hummingbird). So much talent, so much joy brought to so many.

And to bring it all full circle, there was having Elvis Costello talking about Ron Sexsmith in Love Shines and calling him a “Man Out Of Time” (basically). Beyond belief…

May the Muse be with you all… and trailer below

Canadian Radio Star Competition

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 03:34:00 +0000

Canadian Radio Star, the 18^th annual national songwriting competition, is now accepting entries and online submissions from aspiring and proficient songwriters - published or unpublished - across the country. Sponsored by Astral Radio, and presented in association with Canadian Music Week, the contest offers emerging artists the opportunity to submit their songs for the chance to win thousands worth in music equipment, services and more - including $10,000 in cash.

"Songwriters are at the core of our rich musical heritage," says Rob Braide, Astral Radio. "Their songs define our lives and our landscape. Through initiatives like Canadian Radio Star, we have the opportunity to discover, empower and promote the stars of tomorrow, while contributing to Canada's vastly thriving music scene."

New to the Canadian Radio Star competition this year, songwriters can submit their songs directly online at www.radiostar.ca to the participating radio station in their area. Entries are open now until 5pm EST on December 13, 2010 - the contest's close.

Complete details and contest rules can be found online at www.radiostar.ca.

Songs will be judged by Canadian radio programmers, music publishers, recording industry executives, and successful songwriters. Regional winners will be declared by the participating radio station in each market, with a combined public and industry vote determining the Grand Prize winner.

The 2011 Canadian Radio Star will be announced on Saturday, March 12, 2011, during Canadian Music Week (March 9-13, 2011).

"In many ways, this competition offers a launch pad for the careers' of aspiring Canadian songwriters," says Neill Dixon, President of Canadian Music Week. "It opens doors to new possibilities, provides unrivaled exposure, and puts the songwriters' songs directly in front of a commonly unreachable audience. Astral Radio's dedication to this project is commendable and underscores our mission to develop Canadian talent."

Tunited - Social Network for Songsmiths?

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 03:26:00 +0000

Caught this interview of Midge Ure on the Daily Record’s website that deals with his establishment of an online social network for songwriters, music creators…

The site is called… you guessed it… Tunited… (Tunes+United I presume)… Here’s some of the interview:

A teenage Midge Ure sat - guitar in hand - in his bedroom at his family home in Cambuslang and decided the time had come to write his first pop song.

As he nervously strummed the chords of new composition The Bowie Trilogy, a tribute to his music idol David, he thought, 'This is what I want to do for the rest of my life'. His ambition far outweighed his early ability.

More than 40 years on Midge, 57, laughed: "The song was rubbish. Trouble was, I only had one part. I never got round to writing the other two sections of the track so it didn't turn out to be much of a trilogy.

"I was so passionate about music. I firmly believed I'd be walking home from school and The Beatles would be waiting at my door saying. 'We've sacked John, you're the guy we really want'. I lived in total fantasy land. That was my reality but it was exciting to me."

Midge has been looking back at the origins of his incredible 35-year pop career to coincide with the launch of Tunited, a new online social music network he's developed to help aspiring artists get their first step on the ladder to rock stardom and introduce fans to new music.

Midge spent four years building Tunited from scratch. Its aim is to encourage people to make music and get paid for it - an alien concept in an age of online piracy and free downloading.

Midge said: "Tunited is a DIY onestop shop for aspiring musicians. I've compresssed all the elements you need to make a living as an artist into this site.

"I've opened the door to everybody who wants to have a crack at making music or listen to new music. The cost implications of going into a studio and making a record just aren't there any more. We give you software good enough to make an album in your bedroom and a business pack showing you how to sell it.

"You can press up 1000 singles or just 25 copies to give to your mates. We also arrange gig swaps where a band in Newcastle can invite a band in Glasgow to support them and vice versa.

"You also get 100 per cent profits from songs which are downloaded. The artists all get paid - it might not be an awful lot but on other sites you don't see a penny for your music. The quality of the work by new acts on Tunited has blown me away."

He said: "Today, if The Beatles were a new band and knocked on the door of a major record company or radio station with the Sergeant Pepper album the response would be, 'Thanks but no thanks'. They wouldn't fit the bill of what the industry deems hip and trendy.

"It doesn't take a genius to work out that if 100,000 people turn up for an X Factor audition and only two are chosen that's an awful lot of other people who'd like to have a crack at making music.

"It all comes down to whether you fit the demographic. If you don't look right - if you're too old, too thin or too fat, whatever - you're going to be excluded, not given the opportunity to show what you can do.

"Tunited is saying, if you've got a skill - whether it's singing, songwriting or as a musician - barter that skill. There is talent out there and we'll give it a platform.

"Tunited is saying it's time we did the job ourselves. If you've got the desire to do it have a crack at it, the tools are there."

Wow! Very interesting concept… Best of luck Midge and may the Muse be with all Tunited users… Look for me there…

Going Platinum on Bravo!

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 03:08:00 +0000

Former American Idol judge and music publisher/songwriter Kara DioGuardi and singer-songwriter Jewel will co-host a new show on Bravo titled Going Platinum. The ten-episode reality competition is currently in production and is slated to premiere in 2011.

The program will focus on singer-songwriters as they write their own songs. It will feature 12 musicians competing in songwriting challenges - from dance tracks to love ballads. The winner will receive a $100,000 cash prize, a publishing deal and a recording deal with RCA/Jive.

Said Jewel, "I am excited to be a part of this show because as a songwriter, I understand the dedication and struggle these musicians are going through." She added, "This series will showcase the passion, talent and determination it requires to become a hit songwriter, and in the end we will find the next big music star.”

"Hit songs are the backbone of the music industry, and as a publisher, nothing excites me more than finding new songwriting talent," DioGuardi said in a statement released by Bravo. "I am happy to be a part of a show that helps up and coming songwriters pursue their dreams, while giving the public a look into the creative process."

Elvis Costello – National Ransom

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:45:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Elvis Costello has a new CD out today – National Ransom. The almost-Canuck discussed his songwriting in a QMI interview in our local freebie 24 hours newspaper in Toronto today, with a little snippet as follows:

Q: You’ve remained very prolific at an age when many songwriters lose touch with the muse. What’s your secret?

A: I suppose people would give you different views of whether I was connected with it or not, depending on how much they like my last recording – or my last 12 recordings. (Laughs) I love people telling me how great my early records were, when they were mostly roundly ignored. But I never really have done anything out of routine. And I sort of feel I can do it with much more freedom because I have access to a lot of different music and different techniques.

Yes, the Muse remains with Elvis… and may the Muse be with you…

Juno Awards Adds Electronic Music Category

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 01:15:00 +0000

Canada’s Juno Awards has added an electronic music category for next years awards… and the site is open for submissions now…

If only I could compose an Electronic Album, then maybe I could have a shot at a Juno… NOT! Of course, I’m dating myself but I start thinking of Kraftwerk and Vangelis… I’m sure I’ll be listening for the nominees in this category and learning a few things… why have all these toys with Reaper and VSTs and such if I don’t open my mind to other kinds of music and songwriting… hmm… a side project I guess…

Here’s the category as outlined by the Juno Awards:

The new category is defined as album-length original recordings composed with electronic equipment as the essential songwriting tools and defined by their electronic elements. Musical genres and respective subgenres such as (but not limited to) techno, house, electro, trance, drum’n’bass, dubstep, grime, electro-acoustic, turntablism, sample-based music, ambient and downtempo are eligible for this category.

Well, may the Muse be with you electronic mixers…

Brian Wilson as Songwriter – Upcoming Documentary

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:20:00 +0000

On November 23, 2010, Songwriter 1962 – 1969: Exploring Brian's Music in a Decade of Dreams will be released online. The film is a 3-hour 2-DVD collection that examines Wilson's time writing and recording with the Beach Boys in the 1960s. It also includes many rare and classic live performances, studio footage and archival interviews and photos, as well as discussions with fellow Beach Boys, studio technicians and a variety of other people close to Wilson at the time.

From the distributor’s website:

Brian Wilson Songwriter 1962 - 1969 is a documentary film in which the rich tapestry of music written and produced by this brilliant 20th century composer is investigated and reviewed. With the main feature running at over three hours in length across two discs, the songs Brian wrote for and recorded with The Beach Boys during the 1960s are here re-assessed to quite startling effect. FEATURES INCLUDE - •Historical musical performances and rare and classic recordings re-assessed by a panel of esteemed experts •Obscure footage, rare archive interviews and seldom seen photographs •Exclusive contributions from fellow Beach Boys, Bruce Johnston and David Marks; Wrecking Crew musicians Carol Kaye and Hal Blaine; friend and Beach Boys manager Fred Vail; producers Russ Titelman and Bill Halverson; Wilson family friends Billy Hinsche and Danny Hutton, biographers Peter Ames Carlin and Domenic Priore and many others •Live and studio recordings of many Brian Wilson classics

May the Muse be with you Brian… check out the video clip below…

John Lennon Songwriting Exhibit opens at Grammy Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:04:00 +0000

On October 9, 2010, on what would have been his 70th birthday, visitors to the Grammy Museum were also able to view the new John Lennon exhibit called 'Songwriter' which opened on October 4.

The Exhibit features many items donated by Yoko Ono Lennon. Yoko comments in the Exhibit about Lennon’s songwriting stating that: "in his songs, he was really real, he believed in truth." Ono continues that ideas for songs would come to Lennon at unexpected times and he would be writing down lyrics while they were on airplanes.

The exhibit occupies part of the 4th floor of the museum and showcases many original handwritten lyrics for songs like "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" and "Working Class Hero". Items on display range from Lennon's Beatles days like his Sgt. Pepper jacket from 1967 to a harmonica and a collarless suit from 1963 that John can be seen wearing on the 45 picture sleeve of "I Saw Her Standing There."

At the end of the exhibit is a special white room, in true John and Yoko style, showcasing a large video screen with John performing 'Imagine' and other songs. There is also an interactive wall inviting people to add their thoughts to the phrase "Imagine a world..."

Click on the link for more information on the Grammy Museum, and may the Muse be with you… Ci vedimes…

Tom Waits – Nominee for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 02:14:00 +0000

From the info page at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee page for Tom Waits:

Only one songwriter could be covered by the Ramones (“I Don’t Want to Grow Up”) and the Eagles (“Old 55”). Beginning with his first album in 1973, Tom Waits has carved out a unique place in rock & roll. His music mixes Chicago blues, parlour ballads, beat poetry, pulp fiction parlance and – when you least expected it – heart-breaking tenderness. His enormously influential live shows combine elements of German cabaret, vaudeville and roadhouse rock. After establishing a successful early style as a wry singer-songwriter, Waits went through a dramatic expansion with Swordfishtrombones (1983). Disregarding musical borders and commercial considerations, he set off in wild pursuit of the Muse. Waits has composed film scores, musical theatre and an operetta. He has co-written with Keith Richards and William Burroughs. His songs have been covered by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Solomon Burke, Marianne Faithful, the Neville Brothers, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and the Blind Boys of Alabama. He has recorded with the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, the Replacements and Roy Orbison. A tribute to his great influence is how many of his songs have been recorded by artists who usually write their own – including Bruce Springsteen (“Jersey Girl”), Tim Buckley (“Martha”), Johnny Cash (“Down By the Train”), Bob Seger (“16 Shells from a Thirty-Ought Six”), T-Bone Burnett (“Time”), Tori Amos (“Time”), Steve Earle (“Way Down In The Hole”), Elvis Costello (“Innocent When You Dream”) and Rod Stewart (“Downtown Train”).

The Muse has been with Tom for a long time now… He is certainly deserving of this honour and if he doesn’t get in, something’s very wrong with the world…

What A Tale My Thoughts Could Tell…

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 18:44:00 +0000

Press Release:

On Thursday, October 21, 2010, two of Canada's most celebrated songwriters, Ian Tyson and Jim Cuddy, will be live in performance and in conversation for the second episode of the innovative new master series, “If You Could Read My Mind” created by the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Through conversation and music “If You Could Read My Mind” contemplates the continuation of the Lightfoot lyric, "what a tale my thoughts could tell" and digs deep to unearth why Canada is such a hot bed for songwriting talent. The series got off to a phenomenal start this past February with its inaugural sold-out show, featuring the Canadian legends Gordon Lightfoot and Gord Downie.

Hosted by CBC Radio's Laurie Brown, the October 21st event will also feature emerging Canadian artist Wayne Petti from Cuff The Duke, who will bring his unique blend of alt-country singing-songwriting to the stage for a special performance.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Jim Cuddy and Ian Tyson in an intimate setting at the world class, acoustically spectacular George Weston Recital Hall at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Contact TicketMaster today!

"If You Could Read My Mind" featuring Ian Tyson & Jim Cuddy
Thursday, October 21, 2010 - Showtime 8:00 p.m.
The George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre of the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street
Tickets: $30, $40, $50 - On Sale Now
Available on TicketMaster.com or by calling 416-872-1111.
www.cansong.ca

ECHO Songwriting Prize

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 03:07:00 +0000

Vote now for SOCAN's fifth annual ECHO Songwriting Prize

SOCAN has launched the fifth annual ECHO Songwriting Prize, designed to identify what's next and what's best in current Canadian independent music. This prize will honour some of the most innovative and artistic songs created in the past year by emerging songwriters in Canada. The writer(s) of the winning song will receive a $5,000 CDN cash prize.

The five nominated Canadian songs, as selected through a rigorous process by an independent panel of 10 music community tastemakers, are:

• “Albatross” written by Olga Goreas, Kevin Laing, Jace Lasek and Richard White, performed by The Besnard Lakes
• “Celestica” written by Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, performed by Crystal Castles
• “Destroyer” written by Catherine McCandless and Stephen Ramsay, performed by Young Galaxy
• “Hearts Trompet” written by Edo Van Breeman, Bryan Davies, Richard Saul and John Walsh, performed by Brasstronaut
• “Odessa” written by Dan Snaith, performed by Caribou

SOCAN invites you to listen and vote for your favourite song, up until the deadline of September 30, 2010. One lucky voter will win an Epiphone Ultra II Les Paul electric guitar.

May the Muse be with you…

Songwriting Strategies

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:52:00 +0000

Tom Slatter of Indiesongwriter.net is putting together a series of “songwriting strategy podcasts”. Episode One was delivered by Tom himself and dealt with key changes, while Episode Two covered Nadia Cripps’ process to compose a new piano instrumental in one of her songs.

Check out the Songwriting Strategies podcasts and may the Muse be with you…

NASA Wake-Up Song Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:34:00 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Would-be songwriters will get a chance at fame by penning a wake-up song for NASA's last space shuttle mission, officials said.

Wake-up songs, beamed up to astronauts when designated sleep periods end, are a longstanding space tradition dating back to the Apollo program.

Traditionally, the wake-up songs are selected by friends and family of the crews, but for the last two scheduled missions, NASA is inviting the public to take part in a "Wake-up Song Contest" to select songs from a list of the Top 40 previous wake-up calls for the penultimate mission or to submit original tunes for consideration for the final shuttle flight, a NASA release said Friday.

The two songs receiving the most votes from the Top 40 list will be played as crew wake-up calls on the final scheduled flight of space shuttle Discovery, set to launch November 1, 2010.

"We're looking forward to hearing which songs the public wants played for us," Mission Commander Steve Lindsey said. "It's going to be a difficult choice, because there have been so many great songs played over the years."

Songwriters have until January 10, 2011, to submit an original tune related to or suggesting human spaceflight for consideration for the final shuttle mission by Endeavour, scheduled for February 26, 2011.

After screening by NASA, selections will be posted online for a public vote beginning February 8, 2011.

May the Muse take you to the heavens… literally…

Lennon Letter to Folk Singer

noreply@blogger.com (Renz) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 02:23:00 +0000

John Lennon wrote a letter to calm a folk singer who once complained that success and wealth could ruin his songwriting, the musician has revealed.

Steve Tilston was just 21 in 1971 when the star read the interview he had done with now defunct ZigZag magazine.

In the hand-written letter, now revealed for the first time, Lennon told the young musician not to worry about becoming wealthy because it would not change what he felt inside.

Here are the words of wisdom in his own handwriting:

The Muse stay with you John… 70th anniversary of his birth in just one month from today…

My Endeavour to be a Published Songwriter

Peace, love & understanding – Nick Lowe in Variety

More AI Songwriting–but not very good…

The Music and Lyrics of Billy Joel

AI “Writes” New Pop Song – Daddy’s Car (With A Little Help From Its Friends)

Petition to have Rush inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Juno 2012 Songwriter's Circle Part 2

Juno 2012 Songwriter's Circle

Barrel of Monkeys and Photographs – Jim Bryson on Kathleen Edwards

ScoreAHit Web App - The Hit Equation

Daddy-Daughter Science Song

Geek-Mom’s Songwriting Blog Entries

Love Shines

Canadian Radio Star Competition

Tunited - Social Network for Songsmiths?

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Going Platinum on Bravo!

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Elvis Costello – National Ransom

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Juno Awards Adds Electronic Music Category

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Brian Wilson as Songwriter – Upcoming Documentary

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John Lennon Songwriting Exhibit opens at Grammy Museum

Tom Waits – Nominee for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2011

What A Tale My Thoughts Could Tell…

ECHO Songwriting Prize

Songwriting Strategies

NASA Wake-Up Song Contest

Lennon Letter to Folk Singer