News - February 2010

Happy 2010 Everyone!

Well this newsletter is going to be a little long so if your reading it off your I phone or Blackberry, Sorry.

There 3 files that go with this newsletter.
First is our 2010 meetings calendar.
Please print this out an keep it with your other calendars. Gab made this so everyone could plan their month in advance, to be able to show up at the meetings. I want you all to know that when you email me your excuses on Why your not coming to the meeting, I usually look at it as if I am driving the Ice cream truck an you just missed my stop. If you really want to take your writing to the next level you might want to show up more than twice a year. Just a thought.

The second is a article Bob Regan sent me that he used to end his teaching with when he conducted seminars at Belmont. If you missed his FREE Workshop last month all I can say is that Ice Cream truck ain't coming around again for a long time. YOU DONE MISSED IT! Bob_Regan-THOUGHTS_AT_SEMESTERS_END.pdf

The third is an article that Jason Blume wrote about #1"s on last years country charts. Jason is an expert at breaking down songs. I tried to touch on this last Dec. but Jason does a hell of a better job than I ever could. Larry Singleton sent this to me. Thanks Larry. MUSIC_ROW_FORMULA_ARTICLE_DEC09.pdf and Country_Singles_2009.pdf

This months meeting will be Sunday Feb. 21st. It will be from 1pm to 4pm at our usual spot,the art gallery next to the Coffee Garden. The address of the Coffee Garden is 2904 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento Ca 95818. The gallery is on the corner of the street. You will see a NSAI Meeting Sign on the door.
This month I want to go over what plans we have for this year. There are a few really exciting things we have going for us, that I will be sharing. Show up, an you will find out what they are.
I would also like to try doing an in depth rip of a few songs that are charting right now in the country market. We will take every aspect of the song, lyric, hook melody, groove, an break it down.
We will also have our critique session, so bring in your song along with 10 copies of your lyrics or a transparent sheet. If you just want to play a song for the group you are always welcome to do that to.
Remember NSAI'S Motto "It All Begins with a Song"

Now I would like to touch on something MOST of you know but some of you might have forgotten.

NSAI is a Positive Environment for songwriters on ALL levels. Gab an myself put in more time than we usually have, into this group. Why? Because we believe in ALL OF YOU! We believe that you all can make you musical dreams come true,no matter what they may be,if you all just put in the work. Excuses are easy, Work is hard. Get over IT! DO THE WORK!!!!!!
If you come to these meeting pissed that your career hasn't gone anywhere, that no one understands your songs, that you hate what ever is on the charts, well your not going to get much from these meetings. Matter of fact you are doing nothing but bringing down this group, so if your looking for a COMPLAINT OFFICE, STAY HOME.
I personally don't care for some of of songs that chart, but I Respect the artists, an songwriters who wrote them. They had enough courage to go after there dreams, to put in the WORK!

I got to sit down with Albert King a long time ago an talk with him. For you younger people who aren't familiar with him, Albert was a great blues artist. If their wasn't a Albert, there wouldn't have been, a Stevie Ray Vaugh, or a John Mayer. Anyhow he told me one thing that I hold very dear.
A TRUE ARTIST, AIN'T AFRAID TO SHOW THE WORLD WHATS IN THEIR SOUL.
Albert lived by this saying. I challenge all of you to try to do the same.

I hope to see you all on Feb. 21st.
Kurt Ozdaglar
NSAI Sacramento Coordinator

kboturk@sbcglobal.net 916-548-5540

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