"Songwriting is both inspiration and perspiration. We try to come up with a song idea which is inspired. Then we take this idea which moves us, and try to write the song in a way which could hopefully move a lot of people (and become a hit)."
— Brett James
Here are the posts that have appeared in the New Music Lives™ Group on Facebook this week...
• 10 Mistakes that Peg You as an Amateur Songwriter from SongTown— In this week’s SongTown Songwriting Podcast episode, multi-hit songwriters Clay Mills and Marty Dodson, who've critiqued thousands of songs at SongTown. Correct these 10 simple things and you will be quickly writing your best songs!
• Mistakes that "amateur" songwriters make from Song Talk Radio— Jessica Stuart joins us to talk about the Song Town podcast episode "10 Mistakes that Peg You as an Amateur Songwriter”
• Less Is More: 3 Songs That Have Achieved Legend Status With Sheer Simplicity from americansongwriter .com— Less is often more, and these three artists knew that, as they created iconic songs with just a couple of chords and a message.
• Unchained Melody— Lucy Thomas on YouTube. a Remarkable Cover. In the TrueFans AMP™ Issue 112, we did a feature on 10 of the Greatest Covers of All Time. Missed this one.
• The TrueFans AMP™ the week's issue, a tribute to Brett James...
in partnership with Ted Gioia and the Honest Broker
Ted Gioia is one of the world’s foremost authorities on music, celebrated for his deep understanding, thought-provoking insights, and ability to uncover the stories behind the songs that shape our lives. A prolific writer, historian, and critic, Ted has authored eleven books, including the widely acclaimed The History of Jazz, now in its third edition and considered a definitive work in the field.
His essays and reviews explore a vast array of musical genres, blending scholarship with a storyteller’s flair. Ted’s keen analyses and reflections have appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, and Los Angeles Review of Books, among other prestigious publications. Whether he’s writing about jazz, classical, rock, or folk traditions, Ted’s voice resonates with both seasoned musicians and casual music lovers alike.
Beyond the page, Ted Gioia is a champion of independent music and creative expression. His popular Substack newsletter, The Honest Broker, is a must-read for those seeking fresh perspectives on music and culture, offering an eclectic mix of reviews, commentary, and curated playlists.
In a world where music often risks being reduced to background noise, Ted Gioia reminds us of its transformative power, its ability to inspire, and its role as a central thread in the fabric of human history.
To learn more about Ted Gioia and his work, visit tedgioia.com.
... and here's the more...
• Legendary Photographer Henry Diltz and the Stories Behind the Songwriters He Photographed from americansongwriter .com— "I wasn't a 'real' photographer," says Diltz. "I didn't walk in and say, 'Okay, everybody stand over there and watch the birdie.’"
• Discover how Gyrostream is changing the game for independent artists from MUBUTV— with analytics, human artist support, and tools designed to help you break through globally.
• Yusuf Islam Wants to Explain Himself a Gift Article from nytimes .com— As Cat Stevens, he helped define the singer-songwriter. After converting to Islam, he became a lightning rod. His new memoir explores it all.
• September from Dan Rather’s A Reason To Smile on Substack— The song has been used in television shows and commercials. It’s been added to video games and played at both Republican and Democratic national conventions. Even Taylor Swift has covered it. But nothing compares to the original.
• 26 Moving Lyrics From Beatles Songs from inspiringquotes .com— John, Paul, George, and Ringo brought an emotional wisdom to the lyrics that accompanied their catchy melodies.
• Grammy-winning songwriter Brett James killed in small plane crash near elementary school in Macon County, NC. from WITN-TV
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And PLEASE, if you've got any Singer Songwriter friends, pass the AMP on, because... It’s Time... for a Change. Big Time. Past Time...
