For The Craft of Song Writing and Hit Songwriters Advice
Posted by GreggB on July 9, 2011 under New Blog Posts | 
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We Are Looking for Articles on Songwriting
Are you in the music business? The Song Blog.com is looking for writers for this new blog. As long as it is related to the craft of song writing. If you would like to be a contributing writer please submit your article to greggblasingame@gmail.com
Thank you!
Gregg Steven Blasingame
Posted by GreggB on June 22, 2011 under New Blog Posts | Be the First to Comment
Over the last few months Dewayne Blackwell has been very active in finishing his new book on his life as a hit songwriter. He started this book before I ever knew anything about it. I was curious if he had plans to write such a book and he had already begun. He has sent me several chapters to read. My feedback has been nothing less than 100% positive and requests for more! Keep writing and send me more Dewayne I tell him. It is awesome and cannot be improved on in my opinion. I keep telling him he has another hit on his hands. I can’t tell you how excited I am about this new book. It has inspired me and will inspire every songwriter out there I promise. Dewayne shares stories behind the hits in a way that keeps you riveted to every word. He not only is a great hit songwriter but a great writer period. I asked him if I could post a sneak peek preview of his new book “Word-man Of Nashcatraz” so I could share it with you on this blog. He said yes and allowed me to post one of my favorite parts showing his great humor and his interaction with one of my favorite actors, Clint Eastwood!
From “Word-man Of Nashcatraz”
“Clint was about to go into production of HONKYTONK MAN and I was once again at his bungalow at Warner Brothers Movie lot, he was to play a guitar and wanted some basic lessons so that he wouldn’t look like the amateur guitarist that he was. I was happy to do it, since he was using some of my material in his film, but of course I would’ve done it anyway, Clint Eastwood was the best ‘boss’ I’d ever worked for; a nice man and a gentleman and a brilliant inventor of different ways to produce a movie from the ground up. He also played a hot honky-tonk piano in a southern blues bar in the movie. He’s pretty good too. Anyway, to give you some of his personality, we were walking toward the editing room where he was editing Firefox, the one where he goes to Russia to steal back a plane that flies by thought.
As we walked toward the editing room, four great looking young women came out of a building and started toward us. I was watching askance to see their reaction when they realized that they were about to pass by the biggest star on the lot, the biggest ever. Clint just kept his eyes to the ground and didn’t look at them. As we neared them the girls couldn’t help it. As they passed by us on our left, they started with the nervous giggles. We walked on in silence and I finally said, “Clint, it’s getting so I can’t get out in public anymore.”
I loved making him laugh. He has a great sense of humor and he was a lot of fun to be around. I was privileged to have worked for and with him. I miss those days.”
© 2011 By Dewayne Blackwell / All Rights Reserved
MORE ABOUT HONKYTONK MAN…. From the book, “Word-man Of Nashcatraz” coming soon!
Posted by GreggB on June 11, 2011 under New Blog Posts | Be the First to Comment
Have you ever had a great idea for a song hit you in the middle of nowhere right out of the blue? A great moment of inspiration that suddenly comes to your mind? You look for paper and pen but can’t find anything. You keep singing it to yourself so you won’t forget trying to memorize it. Then suddenly you think, I know, I will call my answering machine at home and record it. You call and your wife picks up the phone. You say, “honey please hang up the phone and I am going to call back to record a song.” She hangs up and then, oooops, you forget everything. You try and try to remember but it is gone. You knew it was awesome too but the quick change in thought made you loose it.
These days small digital recorders are very cheap and work great for recording those moments instantly. A small note pad and pen should always be with the songwriter. I like to cary a small Moleskine journal pad in my pocket. Many times I get ideas driving down the road and I don’t want to pull over or can’t. This is where a small recorder really comes in handy. Some cell phones like the iphone will record great. I like the Olympus digital voice recorders. I have had three of them. I used the mini Sony tape recorders years back and before that the cassette recorders. They all worked real good. However, nothing is like these sleek little digital pocket recorders. They are very small, easy to cary and do not get in your way. Seventy-two people gave this one a five star ratings on Amazon: Click Here
For recording voice and melody you do not need the best recorder out there. The sky is the limit. Any cheap digital recorder will more than likely work. The main thing is to get one and carry spare batteries. Radio Shack, Walmart and most Drug stores have these. Here is a cheap Olympus from Radio Shack that will work: Click Here It is not top rated but you don’t need CD quality. Believe it or not, some of these little recorders can record at CD quality. To save your song idea or any idea for that matter, these little recorders are a lifesaver! Every songwriter should carry one.
Yours truly,
Gregg Steven Blasingame
greggstevens.com
Posted by GreggB on April 19, 2011 under New Blog Posts | Read the First Comment
I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear from my good friend, Dewayne Blackwell about the new book he is writing! I personally had the joy of reading two screen plays that he wrote and know how great he is at writing. This new book is about his life as a songwriter. I should say, number ONE HIT SONGWRITER. ”Friends in Low Places” recorded by Garth Brooks, being one of those number one hits. Dewayne has had many hits including, “I’m Going Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home” and “Mr Blue” to name a few. I had the honor of reading the first three chapters of this new book a few days ago and I was very excited to say the least. Believe me, This book will inspire every songwriter out there. Not only that but he shares many of his song writing techniques and stories behind each song. My friendship alone with Dewayne and his life story has inspired me over the years and now all can share in this wonderful new book and be inspired as well. He is currently in the process of finishing it and it will be available for all through this web site. We will keep you posted so stay tuned!
Sincerely yours,
Gregg Steven Blasingame
Posted by GreggB on April 15, 2011 under New Blog Posts | Be the First to Comment
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a system where the craft of song writing is elevated to a higher level and a great song cannot be overlooked. It can be voted on and rise to the top on it’s own where recording artists and A&R people can see through this new online community.
Welcome to The Song Blog.com! This web blog has been created in association with The Song Forum.com created for the advancement of the craft of song writing. Co-founded by one of the world’s top number one hit song writers, Dewayne Blackwell. Hi, my name is Gregg Blasingame, I am a singer songwriter who had the pleasure of meeting Dewayne Blackwell several years back when he was teaching a songwriters seminar. I can’t tell you what an honor it was to be in the presence of such a great song writer and learn from the best. Dewayne and I have been friends ever since and have kept in contact over the years. Not long ago, I presented the idea to Dewayne about creating this web site and asked him if he would like to be a part of it. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when he told me he liked the idea and wanted to join me on this project.
Our goal is to share information and help the aspiring songwriter. We are not here to give legal information however we can offer suggestions and tell you what we do. What you do with your music is all up to you. Please do not share your music with anyone you do not trust unless you can prove you wrote it and it is protected by copyright. There are many sources of information on how to do this and we can point you to those.
We believe that over the years the craft of song writing has deteriorated. Great songs are becoming harder and harder to find everyday. Some songs don’t even have lyrics that rhyme and they make it on the radio. Why is that? What can we do to encourage all songwriters to aspire to a higher standard and write great songs? With the power of the internet anyone with a great song can reach out and touch the world. It has become easier and easier for the independent recording artist to reach the world through digital distribution. Sad to say, because of these new technologies the music industry has been flooded with bad material. Most music executives won’t even listen to unsolicited material and who can blame them with all the poorly written songs these days? Please join us in our goal to set a higher standard in the craft of song writing.
The trend these days has been for the recording artist to write all the material on their album. We encourage each and every recording artist to consider including great songs from other talented song writers to bring the quality of music to a higher level.
Please tell your band members and song writing friends about this site. Let’s all help in making the world of music a better place through the craft of song writing. Please read the rules and guidelines for posting on our forums and blogs.
Sincerely yours,
Gregg Steven Blasingame
Posted by GreggB on under New Blog Posts | Be the First to Comment
Posted by GreggB on under New Blog Posts | Be the First to Comment
Dewayne is the guy with the curly hair. No wait, they both have curly hair. He is the one with his hand in his pocket. No wait, they both have their hands in their pockets. He is the guy who has friends in low places. No wait, they are both have friends in low places. He is the guy who looks like Jimmy Buffett. Yeah, that’s him.
