The widest read, 'delivered to your Email box', weekly music Ezine on the Music Net.
The Archive - '2'
A service from 'The
Serious Writers Guild' at MAKEHITS.COM
Written by Dec Cluskey with a little bit of help from his friends.
This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on
28 MAY 04
Want to apply to join 'The Serious Writers Guild' and receive the award winning ten month program: "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" now?
"as secure as when you buy in your local shop"
"Where the lil' guy gets the same chance as the big guy" Latest Music News Quality Information TechniquesCutting Edge Advice for TodayRun by real, successful, active, performing and music making human beings - not 'faceless' businessmen. ================================= 'One Minute With Dec' "My Emails Are Written With Good Humour And Should Be Read With A Smile" [-The views of any contributor to 'One Minute with Dec' are not necessarily the views of Dec Cluskey-] "Truth -
Accuracy - with no Flannel....that is our promise here at 'The Serious Writers
Guild'. "You gotta laugh because if you cry you'll only rust yourself.Lawrence Bullock
"Really enjoyed the
probationer info. Last night I ditched Coronation Street and sang some songs
into my microcassette!! John
Hutchison"
============================ The fee i paid you for the $million 10 month course is repaid IN FULL and then some! c'mon - a TEN MONTH COURSE!! I could have surfed the
internet for 10 months and not have found ANY of the info that i got from you
and what would that kind of trawl thru the internet cost me in real terms? And
would i have even half as much for my money?
i doubt it. Mark Brockhurst. ============================
Just wanted to say thanks for the enormous kick up the *ss
your course material is giving me! While I know I'll continue listening to
and writing "grown up" (!) songs, you have given me the push I needed to catch
up on younger trends. I have recently started working with an experienced
pop producer and am really enjoying writing toplines to dance tracks. May my
horizons continue to broaden!...
CR ============================
A gobsmacking week:Sometimes I pinch myself with the thought of being
in the music business. Yep, it is the most tiring business there is....not
a second to spare in the day and constant phone calls, Emails, letters, asking
for my attention....but then......
Along comes a jiffy bag with material for a Demo
Consultation. Wow! this was stunning stuff. And the Member has
only been with us for five months.
I immediately got on to some pals....they were
knocked out. Then on to a production team....boy, were they
impressed. As I always say, when you get the 'product' right this business
moves at 2,000 miles a second.
But the girl who sent the stuff is just in this for
fun....can you believe it?
I do hope she changes her mind and takes this all
seriously. Everyone is hyper with excitement, but she is not? Oh
well!
Check out the demo consultation - where you really
get to know if you are on the right track. And where the proper guys get
to know whether the latest project is going to pull in the dosh.
Production team excitementTwo guys who I have been helping in setting up
their Pro Tools studio, sound proofing, acoustics and general technique are now
hitting gold. Their latest stuff is just blowing me away....and blowing
BMG away. It's nice when they say : "we learned every bit of it from you
Dec" Fair brings a tear to my eye.
I am organising a deal for Members where they can
get their stuff produced by them....but first the demo has got to get past
me! So only potential hits will be considered.
But the competition?Trouble is that I have had to pull my socks
up. I don't like it when pupils bring me round mixes that are so 'in yer
face'..Hmmmmm! They are using the new Yamaha Motif. Stunning sounds
and really would take a lifetime to get the most out of....I feel you may see
one in my studio before long.
Computer Mixing that sounds 'small'?I gave them a lot of advice on mixing within a
computer. A notorious problem that has always ended up with the mix
sounding like it came out of the two tiny stereo plugs in the back of the
computer tower. Yep, their latest stuff is massive. I would suggest
not as 'big' as when it is all mixed on a large sized major studio desk...but
getting there!
I think I have given them too many 'tricks' of the
trade. Call me if you have that 'small sounding' problem.
"Put Your Troubles in a Pocket
That Has A Hole In It"
Song Writing FestivalI was pointed in the direction of this free music writing festival:
http://www.irishfest.com/contests/song_writing_contest.htm
Check it out.
Support 'One Minute' subscribers?
Good news:The band Birdman Rally who couldn't perform
on May 6th due to an accident, are back on track now, playing on Friday 28th May
at the Water Rats, That is the venue belonging to my charity...The
Grand Order Of Water Rats. Many famous faces started there...worth a
visit. They are on stage at 8.30. Well worth checking
out.
spencer w. kimball
Have you got a Potential Number One Hit?I have been in close contact with a major artist in Ireland. Been in the top ten twice lately and needs material for a solo launch:
Please guys, only Potential Number One material. And you must
have the Pin Number: G260504 on the jiffy bag or Email
with MP3...otherwise they will just be binned....too dangerous.
The Serious Writers Guild
Stanton Prior
Darley Road
Meads
Eastbourne BN20 7UH
In the UK
Searching for a Lead / Rhythm GuitarHi there everyone, Karrie Dymond & Controversy here. Just wanted
to let you know that our keyboard / Back up singer Laura Armstrong has
just been accepted to collage in the fall in Hamilton. So I am searching
for a Lead / Rhythm Guitar player that can do back up vocals. We are willing to
work around schedules to make it convenient for everyone. We are heading
back in the studio in the fall so practice is definitely essential. We have
auditions for labels and other big venues coming and only want dedicated
musicians that can work as a team . We are located just 10 mins North East
of Port Perry, Ontario, Canada.
What Makes An A&R Person Want To Sign You?
It's nice to see others agree precisely with what I
say!
Charts:UK1) 'F.U.R.B' ..... Frankee
2) 'F**K IT' ... (I Don't Want You Back) Eamon <G>
3) 'HOTEL' ... CASSIDY FT R KELLY
USA 1) "Burn" Usher 2) "I Don't Wanna Know" Mario Winans
Featuring Enya & P Diddy3) "Yeah!" Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
AUSTRALIA
1) "Black Betty" Spiderbait [don't know that one?]
2) "Left Outside Alone" .... Anastacia 3) "My Band" ..... D-12A chart observation:Can you believe that Eamon and
Frankee are still having their very public spat (or is it?) played out at the
top of the charts? That's two weeks now for Frankee at No.1 but look at the rest
of the Top 5 - all urban acts. This is quite normal in the US but a first for
the British chart.
I'm glad to see Abba in the Top
20. Admittedly it's with an old hit but what party's not complete without
'Waterloo' blasting out from the stereo. Re-released to celebrate 30 years since
the Swedish Eurovision victory, it's in stark contrast to the Nick Drake single
which marks 30 years since the singer songwriter's death.
Talking of Euro artists, what a
surprise that World Idol winner Kurt Nilsen didn't fair better with 'She's So
High'. The song has been a hit all over Europe and was No.1 in Kurt's home
country of Norway.
Not such a bad week for 411 featuring Ghostface Kilah. I just love this funky slice of R&B. If you're wondering where you've heard of Ghostface, he's a former member of Wu Tang Clan After all the hype, I was convinced that former Smith's frontman Morrissey would head the album chart. It's ten years since his last No.1. But with Keane's brilliant album at pole position for the second week running, is it really that much of a surprise? Music/Show Biz News:LaToya London: When this singer was voted off American Idol several weeks ago, her surprise departure shocked the judges and many of her new fans in the viewing audience. Don't worry. Her "Idol" exit doesn't mean that she has a lot of time to be idle. She will be joining seven of the show's finalists this coming Sunday at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, NC. The group is scheduled to perform the National Anthem before the start of the Coca-Cola 600 race. London will be riding in the fast lane even though the voters tried to slow her down. Fox will broadcast the Memorial Day race beginning at 5pm. Subscribers Section:A manager problem:
My Reply:Hi D******
The normal relationship between an
'undiscovered' artist and a manager is that you sign an arrangement with them
for a set amount of time.
The contract would say that if Mrs ****
does not secure a commercial record release for D****** H****** within three
years from the date on this document then D******* H***** will not be bound by
the terms of this contract - unless a further period is agreed in writing by
both parties..
This does a lot of things:
It, most of all, protects your friend.
Since the famous 'Spice Girls' notorious behaviour with their original
management, where they did not have an agreement and just hired a new
management, everyone in the Industry has got very careful. For instance, I have
never had a contract with any artist I have been involved with, relying on
'goodwill'...but since The Spice Girls, no one will lift a finger without a
signed contract.
It also means that she has a limited time
to get some action...therefore she will move fast, if she is going to move at
all.
It also gives her a document that she can
'sell' to major players, should your career take of...so there is more security
for her.
If you do not have a contract with her,
then time will drag on, you will get despondent and she will just drift along
hoping something will magically happen.
Finally, D******, always remember that she
can only 'manage' if there is something to manage...it is YOU that has to
deliver the goods not her! An agent or a manager has no product to sell,
or manage, until the artist creates the product! All the money she has
spent on you so far is totally wasted...because you did not know the 'today'
commercial business and she certainly did not know it.
And, by the way, anyone like Elton, has no
'pull' whatsoever...it is the 'product' that sells ... no amount of friends or
contacts in this business can make a hit out of something that is not 'wanted'
by the public...and that public are 12-18 year olds standing in record shops
looking to buy the Number One this week....
Regards
"Success is all
about luck, ask any failure!"
Regards
Dec
You may use any part of this 'One Minute' in your own
publications...we simply require you to add:
Start ============
'One Minute With Dec' is written each week by Dec Cluskey. Dec's
advice?
Get in touch personally to discuss what you want to achieve in music dec@makehits.com
web: www.makehits.com or call +44
(0)1323.728005
Finish===========
============================================
The gags [A History special from Willy Faux]"The next time you are washing your hands and complain because the water temperature isn't just how you like it, think about how things used to be. Here are some facts about the 1500s: Most people got married in June because they took their yearly bath in May, and still smelled pretty good by June. However, they were starting to smell, so brides carried a bouquet of flowers to hide the body odour. Hence the custom today of carrying a bouquet when getting married. Baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot
water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all
the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children Last of all the
babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it.
Hence the saying, Houses had thatched roofs-thick straw-piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats and other small animals (mice, bugs) lived in the roof. When it rained it became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and off the roof. Hence the saying "It's raining cats and dogs." There was nothing to stop things from falling into the house. This posed a real problem in the bedroom where bugs and other droppings could mess up your nice clean bed. Hence, a bed with big posts and a sheet hung over the top afforded some protection. That's how canopy beds came into existence. The floor was dirt. Only the wealthy had something other than dirt. Hence the saying "dirt poor." The wealthy had slate floors that would get slippery in the winter when wet , so they spread thresh (straw) on floor to help keep their footing. As the winter wore on, they adding more thresh until when you opened the door it would all start slipping outside. A piece of wood was placed in the entranceway. Hence the saying a "thresh hold." (Getting quite an education, aren't
you?) How to set up a Demo consultation
with Dec? The Professional service the Professionals use. Even available for voice and guitar! Simply get in touch by Email - click this link: demo@makehits.co.uk and tell me that you want to send your material for a full critique and appraisal. We will then send you a unique PIN number to put on your letter or Jiffy Bag. This will ensure you get immediate attention. This is also for security reasons. We do not open unsolicited Jiffy Bags. For full details click on this link: www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm Back to the list page for Archive 'One Minute With Dec's'? Click HERE.Heard enough, want to apply to join 'The Serious Writers Guild' and receive the award winning ten month program: "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" now?
"as secure as when you buy in your local shop" [As members of The Data Protection Society your details will never be given to ANYONE] To pay by any other method please check out the payment methods on the secure page. Any queries re payment just contact me directly. I'll get back in touch with you within hours: dec@makehits.com For your further protection, we are recognised by British Actors Equity.
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