The SongWriter's Studio
P.O.Box 210902
Nashville, Tennessee 37221
Phone:(615) 952-2138
STUDIO NEWS AND EVENTS
· Hit Songwriter Ron Hellard has been
spending time at the Songwriter’s Studio lately.
Ron has written many successful and fabulous songs. His biggest hit was the 1989 CMA Single of
the Year “I’m No Stranger
to the Rain”, recorded by Keith Whitley. He also wrote the Number One Songs “Tell
It Like It Used To Be” recorded by T. Graham Brown and “If There Hadn’t
Been You” for Billy Dean. Hopefully some of the many songs he’s recently
recorded will also end up at the top of the charts. Ron recently went to Washington as
part of NSAI’s efforts to lobby Congress in regards to Internet downloading.
· Last month, vocalist and songwriter Mim Jackson and her husband Jerry stopped by to visit us. We all went to lunch at Montgomery Bell State Park, which is where the NSAI Song Camps are held. Mim has an active singing career, and has had all of the songs we’ve produced for her published. Her latest songs were sent out to six weeks after her visit. She e-mailed us:
HI
STEVE, JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW I RECEIVED THE DEMOS AND JERRY AND I ARE REAL EXCITED. TELL
THE GIRLS THEY DID A FANTASTIC JOB ON ALL OF THEM AND THE MUSIC WAS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
I TALKED TO HOLLY ROSE AND SHE TOLD ME TO SEND ALL OF THEM TO HER AS SHE REALLY HAS A
LARGE DEMAND FOR FEMALE SONGS. SENT THEM OUT YESTERDAY AND SHE TOLD ME THIS MORNING SHE
WOULD LET ME KNOW SOMETHING AS SOON AS SHE RECEIVED THEM AND LISTENED TO THEM. SHE WAS
JUST AS EXCITED AS WE ARE.SHE DISCOVERED A 16 YR. OLD GIRL AND SHE IS GOING TO BE PROMOTED
ON MUSIC ROW IN NASHVILLE, SO SHE IS PRESENTING ALL MY SONGS TO HER AND HER MANAGER. WILL
LET YOU KNOW WHEN I HEAR SOMETHING. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED AND A LITTLE PRAYER WOULDN’T
HURT. THANKS AGAIN, STEVE, FOR THE GREAT WORK. IN LOVE WITH COUNTRY MUSIC, MIM
· We’re pleased to announce the addition of the Alesis HDR 24 track digital hard drive recorder to our studio. We’ve also acquired the options to be able to transfer the tracks to our computer for editing. Our plans for 2004 are to make available via the INTERNET our finished productions to those who need and want their song immediately.
· Marcia Ramirez , who has sung many demos at our studio, has been appearing with the Great Rodney Crowell, as part of his band. They’ve performed on CBS Late Night last month, and will be on The Tonight Show in October, as well as filming a segment for Austin City Limits that will air in early 2004. Marcia also wrote a song that is on Jo Dee Messina’s latest release GREATEST HITS entitled “You Belong In The Sun”. Go out and buy the CD and support her. Marcia has her own website: www.marciaramirez.com You can also buy her CD there and see photos and more.
· Brian Glenn, who also has sung many demos for us, is currently touring with Marty Stuart. Brian is a great bass player as well as a superb vocalist. He also sang harmony on many of the songs on Marty’s new album COUNTRY MUSIC. Go to www.martyparty.com for tour dates and more. Brian told me one of the biggest thrills of his life was playing dates with Merle Haggard this past summer.
· Buddy Jewell, has become an overnight success since winning the Nashville Stars contest. His album, produced by Clint Black, has gone to Number One as well as his first single. I’ve heard from several clients who have seen him live that his shows have been exceptional. Buddy, though enjoying overnight success, is a seasoned performer and vocalist. He used to sing at writers nights around Nashville as well as on the “Broadway Dinner Train”. FACT: Buddy sang his FIRST DEMO ever at our studio. My friend and HIT Songwriter Richard Ross saw him perform at the a place close by - Papa’s Pizza. Richard had him in two days later to sing on a incredible ballad of his, “The Last Song”. Shortly afterwards, Richard called many of his friends at BMG Publishing and started promoting him. Soon thereafter, another writer friend of mine, Vipp Vipperman called and asked who I knew would be perfect to sing some of his material. Vipp wrote hits for Randy Travis, John Michael Montgomery and more. I recommended Buddy, and soon Buddy became so busy he was able to give up his job at American Eagle Airlines and go to singing full time. The studio pouch, Tipper, became his favorite dog, and he soon acquired a Jack Russell for himself ( If you have a back issue of Country Weekly you see a picture of Buddy and his family. His Jack Russell can’t stay out of the picture either !
·
Trace Adkins
who recorded demos for his first album here has recently been inducted into the Grand Ole
Opry. Presenting him was Ronnie Milsap. Adkins made his Opry debut on Nov. 23, 1996. Jimmy
Dickens brought out Adkins’ guitar after his first song. Adkins had stated earlier in
the day to the Tennessean newspaper that he’d be happy to do anything the Opry asked
him to do, even if it meant carrying Dickens’ guitar or cleaning Porter Wagoner’s
dressing room. Adkins remarked about his special night, “sometimes things happen to
us that are just so good, that you can’t explain, so you just have to accept it and
be thankful.” Adkins claims that becoming a member of the Opry has been the highest
honor he’s received-- not only in his professional career, but in his entire life so
far. The songs Trace recorded here still remain unreleased, though one, titled “Just
a Trace” was recorded for two different albums but never included on them. Trace
wrote these songs with writer Vipp Vipperman.