20th Annual USA Songwriting Competition Begins
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2015
Email: info@songwriting.net
Website: http://www.songwriting.net
20th Annual USA Songwriting Competition Begins
Song entries are being accepted for the 20th Annual USA Songwriting Competition. Entrants vie for a top prize of $50,000 worth of cash and merchandise. Winning songs will receive radio airplay. 15 different song categories include Pop, Rock/Alt, Folk, R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Instrumental, etc.
USA Songwriting Competition is sponsored by: Sony, D'Addario Strings, Acoustic Guitar Magazine, New Music Weekly, Loggins Promotion, Airplay Access, D'Addario strings, PRS Guitars, Audio-Technica, Full Compass Music Stores, Propellerheads, Presonus, Notion Software, Sonoma Wireworks, IK Multimedia, Alfred Music, Sonicbids and more.
USA Songwriting Competition has a long history of having winners getting recording and publishing contracts, have their songs placed on the charts as well as having their songs placed on film and television. The 2013 top winner "American Authors" hit #1 on the Billboard Charts and went double platinum, selling over 2 million copies. The 2014 top winners Justine and Kerris Dorsey (pictured) had their winning song "Best Worst Day Ever" placed in a Box Office Hit Movie "Alexander the Terrible..." Starring Jennifer Garner and Steve Carrell.
The top two winners of 2011: Nenna Yvonne and Alexander Cardinale were signed to Interscope Records after their win. The 2007 winner hit Top 10 on the Billboard charts with his winning song. The 2005 Winner of the Country category had his winning song cut by Country Superstar Faith Hill. The 2005 winner of the Pop category was signed by Interscope Records; she went on to hit Top 10 on the Billboard 200 Album charts. Our 2008 winner appeared on David Letterman TV show and was signed to a record label.
In it’s landmark 20th year, the 20th Annual USA Songwriting Competition is currently accepting entries from now till May 29, 2015. For more information, visit: http://www.songwriting.net/enter
New Age Instrumental Review: Robin Spielberg-Another Time, Another Place
Release Date: April
28, 2015
Label: playMountain
Music
“First Dance” is the introductory piece on the album.
Like two ribbons winding up from a ballerina’s slipper this song is a whisper
of movement across a dance floor. Steady and methodical, the dancer strives to
perfect her form. With each failure comes opportunity and the gift of hope. The
rich emotive quality of this piece makes it one of my favorites on the album.
“Cherry Blossom” is a breath of fresh air. Spring has
showed its face in the crisp morning hours and the buds on the cherry tree
awaken. Sweeping piano movements drift like a branch swaying in the wind.
Sunlight settles on your face and the sweet promise of a fresh season beckons.
“Whisper in the Wind” at first reminded me of the “Flower
Song” from Delibes’ Lakme. A
beautiful song, it is interpretive in only the best way a performer can hurl
talent into the wind and bring back something artful and dripping with muse.
Textured and thought provoking, the piano sequences invoke images of a
windswept cliff with the possibilities of a lifetime just waiting for you to
make the first leap.
Robin Spielberg is a force to be reckoned with in this
album. Swirling watercolors meet introspection and artfulness as her work
captures the listener’s imagination at every turn. Another Time, Another Place is an album I listened to again and
again not once losing interest. The precision and melodic quality of the work
is one hundred percent. There is nothing better than to sit down after a busy
day and feel yourself unwind to music of this caliber. Robin Spielberg is an
artist I will be watching out for and I may just have to investigate those
sixteen albums…
5/5
Stars
Key
Tracks: First Dance, Cherry Blossom, Whisper in the Wind
Tracks:
01. First Dance
02. Ship to Shore
03. Another Time, Another Place
04. Cherry Blossom
05. The View from Here
06. In My Dreams
07. After All
08. The Time Traveler
09. Candlelight Waltz
10. A Whisper in the Wind
11. O Mio Babbino Caro
Tracks:
01. First Dance
02. Ship to Shore
03. Another Time, Another Place
04. Cherry Blossom
05. The View from Here
06. In My Dreams
07. After All
08. The Time Traveler
09. Candlelight Waltz
10. A Whisper in the Wind
11. O Mio Babbino Caro
Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer
April 29, 2015
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
Music Industry Veteran Launches New Music Pre-Production Service For Indie Artists
To date Hannaleck has been involved in three projects
with more lining up, from beginning to end in helping artists to create their
albums. Tracks are evaluated in their most rudimentary form for the artists.
The input is invaluable at the beginning stages all the way to the final
mastering and sequencing.
The process goes through four stages and can last
anywhere from 1 to 3 months or longer.
Russ
Suereth Commented: Keith
was patient during the initial creation process. I must say that the initial
drafts were not great, because I was still trying to find my place within this
new space. Keith was there to help guide my focus to an area that listeners
were expecting to hear, and once I got on track I was able to take off on my
own. Keith helped with a few final thoughts at the end, and also provided
thoughtful and detailed descriptions of the tracks. They were very helpful in
marketing my music to other people in the industry.
Any artist would benefit from
Keith’s insights, experience, and deep knowledge of music and the greater music
industry.
Hannaleck currently runs 4 different blogs that concentrate
on music, Write A Music Review, Prog Rock Music Talk, New Age Music Reviews and
Rate The Tracks. He has been in the music industry for over 16 years and is the
founder of the website MuzikReviews.com which went offline last year due to an
ownership change. That did not deter the man from carrying on and he continued
to be a relevant part of the online music industry contributing music reviews
with his staff and posting streaming media and news.
Regarding
The Pre-Production Service Hannaleck States-The
goal is to provide each artist with an honest assessment of each individual
track. A further recommendation for additional instruments or removal of the
same helps to make the tracks better in sound and overall texture and
presentation. After several iterations of evaluations and short reviews of each
track the end result should be a complete album ready for final mastering. My
knowledge and connections in the music industry will assist the artist in
taking their music to the next level and making recommendations for mastering
and publicity.
This Pre-Production service is one that is greatly needed
in the highly competitive and at times confusing music industry. Experience,
honesty and a straightforward approach is something that is an invaluable
resource that any artist seeks. Hannaleck hopes to make this service an
integral part of the industry for years to come. All of the sites, social networks
and services are available to access on one page at www.muzikman.net
Contact:
Keith Hannaleck
Email: khannaleck@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.muzikman.net
New Age/Jazz Review: Jeff Oster-Next
Release Date: April
14, 2015
Label: Retso
Records
Ever think of what it would sound like if Pink Floyd
joined forces with Miles Davis? Well that is the sound of Jeff Oster as people described
him over the years. Personally I love both of those artists, they were building
blocks to our musical legacy and idolized by generations of listeners. Jeff
Oster is an acclaimed trumpet and flugelhorn player that has been bestowed many
honors over his career. After giving his new release Next a good listen I can understand why. Somehow he has been able
to take jazz, funk, ambient and new age and make it a unique and compelling
sound all his own.
As the curtain opens with the title track Oster starts
things off in the right way giving the music the direction it needs to capture
a listener. Nile Rodgers (Chic) adds his smooth and funky guitar lines to the
soothing sounds produced by Jeff’s horn. It just could not have started any
better.
As the man says-“If you want to know truly who I am,
listen to my horn.” I think that sums it up in one statement and trust me it
plays out just like that on Next. Jeff’s
flugelhorn and trumpet are brought to the forefront of the music by the
talented production hands of Will Ackerman from Imaginary Road Studios. It was mixed
by the capable hands of Tom Eaton and then mastered by Bob Ludwig.
The combination of smooth jazz and new age is a compatible
marriage of sound and without sounding cliché; it’s like chicken soup for the
soul, musically speaking. It’s quite beautiful and picturesque. This music
allows you to shape and mold the pictures in your mind’s eye and I can
guarantee it will be the most pleasant journey.
“Gardens of Varanasi” invokes a spiritual atmosphere,
like an invite to heaven this track leads you down the path to enlightenment.
With purpose and direction the music sets you at ease and gives you comfort.
What I found interesting was the fact that you don’t have to necessarily be a
fan of new age or jazz to find enjoyment with this release. I think the overall
presentation has something to offer every one. It was a challenge to choose
three key standout tracks because each one was impressive in its own right. My
personal tastes were a perfect fit for getting into this album; I love jazz,
all kinds and new age as well so it was like putting on my pants every day, it
fit.
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” is a delicate and beautiful
outreach to that special someone, an invitation to see the other party as they
truly are and decide if choosing to be by their side would feel right. If the
music has anything to do with that, I am sure the answer would be yes.
Everything about the track, the piano, horn, drums and bass invite you in and
make you feel right at home, like you belong. In essence all of Jeff Oster’s
music is special like that. He has created a masterpiece of instrumental bliss.
Next
slides
down into your soul like your favorite ice cream on a hot summer day. You feel
satisfaction and complete joy. This is relaxation and satisfaction taken to the
next level. I am certain this recording will receive its share of attention
before the year is through.
5/5
Stars
Key Tracks: Next, Gardens of Varanasi, I
Can’t Make You Love Me
Tracks:
01. Next (feat. Nile Rodgers)
02. Night Train to Sofia
03. Gardens of Varanasi
04. Turn Left At San Pancho
05. I Can't Make You Love Me
06. On Mother's Day
07. Half a Cookie
08. Ibiza Sunrise
09. Avenue D
10. The Mystery of B
11. Heroes (feat. Jeff Taboloff)
12. And We Dance
01. Next (feat. Nile Rodgers)
02. Night Train to Sofia
03. Gardens of Varanasi
04. Turn Left At San Pancho
05. I Can't Make You Love Me
06. On Mother's Day
07. Half a Cookie
08. Ibiza Sunrise
09. Avenue D
10. The Mystery of B
11. Heroes (feat. Jeff Taboloff)
12. And We Dance
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews
Founder
April 13, 2015
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
New Age/World Review: Russell Suereth-Spiritual Haven
Release Date: March
14, 2015
Label: Haven
Tone Records
Russell
Suereth is a keyboardist with a focus on New Age and world music. His new album
Spiritual Haven is a combination of
classic Western instruments blended with some more exotic instruments such as a
duduk, guzheng, grand marimba, koto, oud, krin and ethnic frame drums. These
sounds are accentuated by the hang drum and woodwind instruments as well as
many others. Original compositions range from spiritual reflection to
observation of nature in all of its forms.
“Glitter
of Light” is a song based on hope in difficult times. Sometimes I think we are
led to things when we need them most and after losing a family pet of fourteen
years and dealing with the illness of another pet this past week I believe it.
“Glimmer” breathes life via percussive elements, woodwinds, synth and keyboard
action that was peaceful and reflective. The rhythms and soft vocalizations
were both soothing and uplifting, and a nice trip out of my head for a time.
“Notions
Astir” begins with a mellow synth experience blended with clanging that
reminded me of banging silverware and frenzied housework on a weekday night. It
made me smile and be joyful in the basic things of life.
“Red
Moon Rising” compelled me with the title of the song and I was not
disappointed. Electronic keyboards and synth bring to mind a large red moon
rising over the big night sky. Percussive elements add to the anticipation,
along with clanging sounds that reminded me of going sky watching with my
husband at the cemetery in Yorktown, Virginia. The big dark sky, picnic laid
out (clanging silverware sounds again) and a telescope so you don’t miss a
thing.
“The
Village Breathes” is the last song on the album. Sounds of water, birds in
flight, people speaking and a lovely piano sequence make it one of my favorite
tracks on the album. This piece has a more distinct sound that brought to mind
the movie The Medicine Man and the
villagers working and laughing together as they worked. Exotic world music
blends with modern sound to create a visual impression of the South American
jungle.
Russell
Suereth has captured moments in nature and the human psyche with his album Spiritual Haven. The album moves from
one song to the next weaving a spell of modern musical design interspersed with
exotic elements and textures. This was an enjoyable album for both its rhythms
and sentiment.
4/5
Stars
Key Tracks: Glimmer of Light, Notions Astir,
Red Moon Rising, The Village Breathes
Tracks:
01. A Magic Flight
02. Distant Voices
03. Glimmer of Light
04. Night Dances
05. Swirling Spice
06. Nightingale Rushes
07. Notions Astir
08. Sudden Awareness
09. Red Moon Calling
10. Red Moon Rising
11. Realization
12. The Village Breathes
Tracks:
01. A Magic Flight
02. Distant Voices
03. Glimmer of Light
04. Night Dances
05. Swirling Spice
06. Nightingale Rushes
07. Notions Astir
08. Sudden Awareness
09. Red Moon Calling
10. Red Moon Rising
11. Realization
12. The Village Breathes
Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer
April 4, 2015
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
New Age Instrumental/Meditation Review: Peter Kater & Michael Brant DeMaria-Heart of Silence
Release Date: March
31, 2015
Label: Sounds
True
The duo refers to the eight tracks as sound poems.
Kater’s elegant piano coupled with DeMaria’s Native American flutes is a step
into solace and grace found beyond daily life and our surroundings. The tracks
invite your soul to find the peace waiting to be discovered, it’s yours for the
taking if you let this music look inward. Just relax and let it take you over.
This is excellent meditation music however I found it quite enjoyable to listen
to without any particular focus, I just took it all in with the realization
that I could enjoy it for no other reason than letting the vibrations and
sounds soothe my weary mind and give my soul a sense of calm and peace.
DeMaria was inspired to go in this direction after his
mother nearly died in his arms. While that is a very sad event in a person’s
life I am sure he saw the beauty and acceptance of moving on for his beloved
mother and also how blessed he was to be there for her. Life and death is a
process we all go through but it is our choice which road we take and how we
either embrace each phase of our existence or turn away and refuse to
acknowledge the spirit within us all. Most certainly the love a child has for a
mother is something special and a connection like no other for all living
creatures. I think DeMaria opening himself to that experience allowed this
amazing music to be created and has prepared him for when that day arrives when
his mother decides to move on. He decided to use a deep base flute that
provided a drone like sound comparable to a didgeridoo. That sound projects
beautifully and provides a foundation for the rest of the music to gently float
over the top like clouds moving across the sky or a hot spring bubbling beneath
the surface. It was a choice that was initiated by DeMaria’s experience while
his mother was going between the spirit world and her existence her on the
physical plane. When he closed his eyes while holding his mother he could see a
light and a deep oooommmm sound, a drone if you will. That is how this all came
about. He is blessed with the comfort of knowing that his loved one will indeed
pass on to another beautiful existence.
I found “Tender Heart” as the most exceptional track. It
is moving and spacious as a clear night glittering with thousands of stars. The
music is pure like the earth and sky above and the sounds and textures in the
track made me feel closer to Mother Earth. We are all here to honor our place
on this great planet. All eight tracks are beautiful and serve a higher purpose
and all you have to do is listen and find out where it will take you. Each
track blends into the next making it a complete and satisfying journey of sounds
and atmospheres.
This is the kind of music that is for relaxation,
meditation, reflection, recharging yourself and realigning your purpose and
meaning. Life holds many gifts for us all but at times we are pulled away from
what is right in front of us with our busy lives and pressures of work and all
the noise and chatter that can swallow us up if we let it. I choose to survive
the day and then let music from CDs like Heart
of Silence remind me of who I am and what is really important. Without
words music can carry a very powerful message and I am thankful I was able to
hear it and grateful for some insight into the lessons presented to one man.
4.5/5
Stars
Key Tracks: ALL
Tracks:
1. Heart of Silence
2. Radiant Dawn
3. First Breath
4. Holding Space
5. Tender Heart
6. Timeless Echoes
7. Midnight Dreaming
8. Awakening
Tracks:
1. Heart of Silence
2. Radiant Dawn
3. First Breath
4. Holding Space
5. Tender Heart
6. Timeless Echoes
7. Midnight Dreaming
8. Awakening
Keith “MuzikMan”
Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
March 28, 2015
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
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