A letter from a Nashville musician/songwriter/producer
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안형준
Feb 27, 2009, 12:49:22 AM2/27/09
to PULSE
Vocal training program CD들을 샀더니,
이런 편지가 계속 오더라구.
그런데, 오늘 편지는 정말 도움이 되었어.
함께 읽어보면 좋을 것 같아.
목표를 분명하게 세우고,
끊임없이 노력한다면,
분.명.히. 원하는 것을 얻을 수 있다는 것이,
성경의, 그리스도의 단.순.한. 가르침이라고 믿어.
쉬지말고, 열심히 노력하자.
A Letter from a Nashville musician
Hey Hyung,
Here's a little more of my story for you...
What Happened to Get Me Signed
by Morgan Cryar
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
How did I end up in Nashville, TN, singing at a tiny
coffeehouse just off music row? I was from the backwoods.
I had no contacts.
This is a short story that may encourage you to keep your
head up and your eyes open.
When I first started writing songs, I sang them just because
they existed. I had a GOAL of getting signed to a
publishing company. I was sure I didn't have the talent to
become a "recording artist."
I was writing Christian music, so as my friends heard the
songs, they would invite me to sing in their churches. At
each of these little "gigs" I'd normally have one or more
people approach me to come sing at their churches too.
These were the equivalent of playing at a local Starbucks,
so you should NOT be impressed. However, these gigs began
to grow! Bigger churches began to call. And...while this was
going on, SOMETHING ELSE was happening. People in the
audiences were asking me if I had a recording.
When I got tired of hearing that question...I decided I had
better make one!
The problem was that they were expensive. (My first project
cost me $10,000 to record and another $1500 to get copies
made.) I had some money donated to me and I borrowed some.
Then I went shopping for a good studio. There were many...
but most of them couldn't play me any samples that impressed
me. I finally found one in Houston TX. It belonged to a
small Indie Christian record label called Star Song Records.
I had plenty of songs, so I chose the ones that I liked best
and made the recording. (Just so you know, I would never
have spent that kind of money if I didn't have a consistent
flow of people asking for a recording.)
THE BEST BUSINESS CARD IN THE WORLD
I found out a surprising thing...and some of it had to do
with that little Nashville coffeehouse...
When you write good songs, perform them well on stage, and
offer a very well-produced recording of those songs so people
can take you home with them...you get into people's hearts
and doors begin to open for you!
I found out that having a nice record (back then, CDs were
big and black and we called them "records")...was like having
the best business card in the world.
It got listened to over and over. It had my contact info
right on it. And it could be passed around until it got
into the hands of gatekeepers and decisionmakers. (I hadn't
made a mere "demo" because I needed to be able to sell the
recording to make back my investment. But come to find out,
this was the best demo I could have made.)
BACK TO THE COFFEEHOUSE
At the little coffeehouse in Nashville, I was opening for
another totally unknown artist named Rich Mullins. He had
just found out that Amy Grant was recording one of his songs.
Electricity was in the air.
I got up and sang my set of songs and then listened to his
band, which was from somewhere up in Ohio.
After the gig, I was back at my merchandise table. One fellow
came up and asked if he could take one of my albums to a guy
he knew at Tree Publishing (later became Sony/Tree). I said
"sure." Another guy came up and asked if he could take one
of my albums to a guy he knew at Word Publishing. I said,
"sure."
Within one week, I got a call from both companies!
I didn't sign with either one of them, because by this time,
I didn't just want to be a songwriter. I wanted to be signed
as an artist...which is what I did. I signed with the company
that owned that little recording studio in Texas, Star Song
Records.
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THIS?
I'm sure you're saying, "Whoop-tee-doo for you, Morgan...but
how does that help me?"
You should be asking, "What part of this story can I adapt to
my situation?"
Here are a few points you could transfer easily:
1) Great songs make a way for themselves. A frog could sing
a great song and people would still laugh, cry, and pull out
their wallets when they hear it. The 2 publishing companies
called about my SONGS, not my voice!
2) SOMEONE has to either record a song well, or perform it
well on stage, or both...in order for it to escape the
notebook where it was written! The good news is that there
are people who can help you with this.
I hired a producer for my first recording, because I needed it
to be good enough to compete with what I was hearing on the
radio. (Now I own a studio and produce projects for other
people, but at the time, I didn't have that knowledge.)
3) You should FOCUS on what you do best. If you are a singer/
songwriter, you should be honing your skills at writing,
singing, and stage performing. Sometimes you have to be your
own everything when you first start out (becoming your own
webmaster, designer, record producer, promoter, vocal coach,
songwriting coach, publisher, booking agent, business manager,
publicist, etc.)
But you should find people who do these things better than
you AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to grow beyond yourself.
DON'T forget to focus mostly on your primary musical
relationship...YOU and YOUR AUDIENCE. That means
the songs and your artistry are THE most high-priority items
for you.
You should be on the lookout for other people who can join
your "team." If you find a producer who can take your
artistry to the next level, keep in touch with them. If you
meet someone who is a great networker/promoter, don't just
say "hi" and "bye"...draw them in...especially if they
believe in what you're doing.
4) Never Stop Improving! You should keep yourself "stirred
up" by constantly adding to your skills and value as an artist.
You do this by focusing and studying, then practicing what
you've learned. If you find a great resource that will save
you 6 months of trial and error, (think about what 6 months
of your life is worth), then get it even if you have to save up
for it.
Everything you invest into your own skills and knowledge is
YOURS for life and no one can take them away. (Try saying
that about your 401k nest egg!)
5) Everyone starts out as an "unknown." This is a huge point.
When you see someone successful, you tend to assume that
they've never struggled, never had to deal with discouragement,
and never had anyone reject their talent. Nothing could be
farther from the truth.
One word: Beatles. They were rejected by the first record
company that heard them...and they turned out ok. And they
aren't the only ones. You know that little Texas record label
I signed with. I even got a rejection letter from them...at first.
Don't give up. Make adjustments, work on your craft, but
don't give up.
Keep writing,
Morgan Cryar
ps--We're here to help: StrongSongwriting.com
Strong SongWriting
849 Forest Acres Dr.
Nashville, TN
37220
US
이런 편지가 계속 오더라구.
그런데, 오늘 편지는 정말 도움이 되었어.
함께 읽어보면 좋을 것 같아.
목표를 분명하게 세우고,
끊임없이 노력한다면,
분.명.히. 원하는 것을 얻을 수 있다는 것이,
성경의, 그리스도의 단.순.한. 가르침이라고 믿어.
쉬지말고, 열심히 노력하자.
A Letter from a Nashville musician
Hey Hyung,
Here's a little more of my story for you...
What Happened to Get Me Signed
by Morgan Cryar
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
How did I end up in Nashville, TN, singing at a tiny
coffeehouse just off music row? I was from the backwoods.
I had no contacts.
This is a short story that may encourage you to keep your
head up and your eyes open.
When I first started writing songs, I sang them just because
they existed. I had a GOAL of getting signed to a
publishing company. I was sure I didn't have the talent to
become a "recording artist."
I was writing Christian music, so as my friends heard the
songs, they would invite me to sing in their churches. At
each of these little "gigs" I'd normally have one or more
people approach me to come sing at their churches too.
These were the equivalent of playing at a local Starbucks,
so you should NOT be impressed. However, these gigs began
to grow! Bigger churches began to call. And...while this was
going on, SOMETHING ELSE was happening. People in the
audiences were asking me if I had a recording.
When I got tired of hearing that question...I decided I had
better make one!
The problem was that they were expensive. (My first project
cost me $10,000 to record and another $1500 to get copies
made.) I had some money donated to me and I borrowed some.
Then I went shopping for a good studio. There were many...
but most of them couldn't play me any samples that impressed
me. I finally found one in Houston TX. It belonged to a
small Indie Christian record label called Star Song Records.
I had plenty of songs, so I chose the ones that I liked best
and made the recording. (Just so you know, I would never
have spent that kind of money if I didn't have a consistent
flow of people asking for a recording.)
THE BEST BUSINESS CARD IN THE WORLD
I found out a surprising thing...and some of it had to do
with that little Nashville coffeehouse...
When you write good songs, perform them well on stage, and
offer a very well-produced recording of those songs so people
can take you home with them...you get into people's hearts
and doors begin to open for you!
I found out that having a nice record (back then, CDs were
big and black and we called them "records")...was like having
the best business card in the world.
It got listened to over and over. It had my contact info
right on it. And it could be passed around until it got
into the hands of gatekeepers and decisionmakers. (I hadn't
made a mere "demo" because I needed to be able to sell the
recording to make back my investment. But come to find out,
this was the best demo I could have made.)
BACK TO THE COFFEEHOUSE
At the little coffeehouse in Nashville, I was opening for
another totally unknown artist named Rich Mullins. He had
just found out that Amy Grant was recording one of his songs.
Electricity was in the air.
I got up and sang my set of songs and then listened to his
band, which was from somewhere up in Ohio.
After the gig, I was back at my merchandise table. One fellow
came up and asked if he could take one of my albums to a guy
he knew at Tree Publishing (later became Sony/Tree). I said
"sure." Another guy came up and asked if he could take one
of my albums to a guy he knew at Word Publishing. I said,
"sure."
Within one week, I got a call from both companies!
I didn't sign with either one of them, because by this time,
I didn't just want to be a songwriter. I wanted to be signed
as an artist...which is what I did. I signed with the company
that owned that little recording studio in Texas, Star Song
Records.
WHAT CAN YOU LEARN FROM THIS?
I'm sure you're saying, "Whoop-tee-doo for you, Morgan...but
how does that help me?"
You should be asking, "What part of this story can I adapt to
my situation?"
Here are a few points you could transfer easily:
1) Great songs make a way for themselves. A frog could sing
a great song and people would still laugh, cry, and pull out
their wallets when they hear it. The 2 publishing companies
called about my SONGS, not my voice!
2) SOMEONE has to either record a song well, or perform it
well on stage, or both...in order for it to escape the
notebook where it was written! The good news is that there
are people who can help you with this.
I hired a producer for my first recording, because I needed it
to be good enough to compete with what I was hearing on the
radio. (Now I own a studio and produce projects for other
people, but at the time, I didn't have that knowledge.)
3) You should FOCUS on what you do best. If you are a singer/
songwriter, you should be honing your skills at writing,
singing, and stage performing. Sometimes you have to be your
own everything when you first start out (becoming your own
webmaster, designer, record producer, promoter, vocal coach,
songwriting coach, publisher, booking agent, business manager,
publicist, etc.)
But you should find people who do these things better than
you AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to grow beyond yourself.
DON'T forget to focus mostly on your primary musical
relationship...YOU and YOUR AUDIENCE. That means
the songs and your artistry are THE most high-priority items
for you.
You should be on the lookout for other people who can join
your "team." If you find a producer who can take your
artistry to the next level, keep in touch with them. If you
meet someone who is a great networker/promoter, don't just
say "hi" and "bye"...draw them in...especially if they
believe in what you're doing.
4) Never Stop Improving! You should keep yourself "stirred
up" by constantly adding to your skills and value as an artist.
You do this by focusing and studying, then practicing what
you've learned. If you find a great resource that will save
you 6 months of trial and error, (think about what 6 months
of your life is worth), then get it even if you have to save up
for it.
Everything you invest into your own skills and knowledge is
YOURS for life and no one can take them away. (Try saying
that about your 401k nest egg!)
5) Everyone starts out as an "unknown." This is a huge point.
When you see someone successful, you tend to assume that
they've never struggled, never had to deal with discouragement,
and never had anyone reject their talent. Nothing could be
farther from the truth.
One word: Beatles. They were rejected by the first record
company that heard them...and they turned out ok. And they
aren't the only ones. You know that little Texas record label
I signed with. I even got a rejection letter from them...at first.
Don't give up. Make adjustments, work on your craft, but
don't give up.
Keep writing,
Morgan Cryar
ps--We're here to help: StrongSongwriting.com
Strong SongWriting
849 Forest Acres Dr.
Nashville, TN
37220
US
안형준
Feb 27, 2009, 12:56:20 AM2/27/09
to PULSE
아까 잠깐 이야기했지만,
정부에서 주는 Grant를 알아보려고 해.
정부에서 주는 Grant를 알아보려고 해.
Grant 받아서,
우리도 프로페셔널 스튜디오에서 프로듀서도 고용해서,
'데모'가 아닌,
제대로 된 CD를 한번 만들어 보자구.
틈나는 대로,
Canada grants (http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/)
Ontario grants (http://www.arts.on.ca/Page27.aspx
외에도 다른 grants들 함께 찾아보자구. ^ㄴ^
So Young Min
Feb 27, 2009, 11:40:29 AM2/27/09
to pulse nexus
마음의 산란함이 있을 때는 시간이 많아도 왠지 시간이 없어 보이고, 딱히 할일이 없어도 정신없이 바쁜데...
오늘은 그냥 다 내려놓고 여유롭게 커피 마시면서 전도사님 보내주신 편지 읽어봤어요.
어제 해주신 말씀들과 더불어 큰 힘이 되고 마음을 차분하게 해주네요. 감사합니다.
어제 집에 들어오니 침대 위에 학교에서 보내준 패키지가 있더라구요.
영어 점수 하나 기다리려고 한달을 애썼는데 참, 영어수업 등록하겠다니까 바로 입학허가서를 보내주네요.ㅋ
이제 남은건 확신을 가지고 기도하는 것과 잔고 증명에 필요한 이만불을 잠시 빌릴 곳을 찾는 거예요.
전도사님의 말씀과 장록 형제의 '우리가 있잖아요'하는 능글맞은ㅋㅋ 미소가 정말 많은 힘이 되었답니다.
모두들 감사하구요 함께 기도해주시길 부탁드릴께요. 같이 여기서 하고 싶은 일들이 참 많은데 한국으로 쫓겨(?)가기 시러효!!ㅎㅎ
어제 연습하다가 마음에 확 들어온 말 '채워주소서'.. 하나님께서 채워주실 줄로 믿고 나아가겠습니다. ^^
주일에 뵈요. 저 개인적으로도 은혜의 시간이 될 것 같아 기대가 큽니다. 화이팅!!
> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:56:20 -0800
> Subject: Re: A letter from a Nashville musician/songwriter/producer
> From: tric...@gmail.com
> To: pulset...@googlegroups.com
오늘은 그냥 다 내려놓고 여유롭게 커피 마시면서 전도사님 보내주신 편지 읽어봤어요.
어제 해주신 말씀들과 더불어 큰 힘이 되고 마음을 차분하게 해주네요. 감사합니다.
어제 집에 들어오니 침대 위에 학교에서 보내준 패키지가 있더라구요.
영어 점수 하나 기다리려고 한달을 애썼는데 참, 영어수업 등록하겠다니까 바로 입학허가서를 보내주네요.ㅋ
이제 남은건 확신을 가지고 기도하는 것과 잔고 증명에 필요한 이만불을 잠시 빌릴 곳을 찾는 거예요.
전도사님의 말씀과 장록 형제의 '우리가 있잖아요'하는 능글맞은ㅋㅋ 미소가 정말 많은 힘이 되었답니다.
모두들 감사하구요 함께 기도해주시길 부탁드릴께요. 같이 여기서 하고 싶은 일들이 참 많은데 한국으로 쫓겨(?)가기 시러효!!ㅎㅎ
어제 연습하다가 마음에 확 들어온 말 '채워주소서'.. 하나님께서 채워주실 줄로 믿고 나아가겠습니다. ^^
주일에 뵈요. 저 개인적으로도 은혜의 시간이 될 것 같아 기대가 큽니다. 화이팅!!
> Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:56:20 -0800
> Subject: Re: A letter from a Nashville musician/songwriter/producer
> From: tric...@gmail.com
> To: pulset...@googlegroups.com
장록 최
Feb 27, 2009, 11:42:29 AM2/27/09
to pulset...@googlegroups.com
좋은음악을 만듭시다~
Windows Live Messenger. Multitasking at its finest.
좋은뮤지션,아티스트가 됩시다~
좋은음반과 곡들을 그립시다~
좋은밴드를 만듭시다.
좋은음악을 가르킵시다~
이모든 좋은것들을 주신?
좋으신하나님을 찬양합시다.
Windows Live Messenger. Multitasking at its finest.
So Young Min
Mar 2, 2009, 8:58:22 AM3/2/09
to pulse nexus
어제 모두들 고생하셨습니다. 추운 날씨에 다들 잘 들어가셨죠?
특히나 무척 고단해 보이셨던 전도사님 푹 쉬셨길, 한주 힘차게 시작하셨길 바래요.
새벽 기도 해보라시던 전도사님의 말씀대로 오늘은 6시에 벧엘 교회 가서 기도도 드리고 목사님과 아침도 함께 하고 좋은 시간 가졌습니다.
마음도 많이 편해졌고 기도해주시는 전도사님, 자기일처럼 걱정해주던 상면 형제, 여러분의 염려 덕분에 이제 은행 잔고 문제는 이번 주 안으로 해결 될 것 같아요.
무사히 잔고 증명을 마치기까지 계획된 일에 차질이 없도록, 그리고 학생비자가 무사히 나올 수 있도록 더 열심히 기도 통해서 구해보려고 합니다.
이번 기회를 통해서 제가 기도하는 좋은 습관을 들일 수 있는 것 같아서, 하나님 믿고 맡기는 훈련 할 수 있는 것 같아서,
주위에 저를 걱정해 주시는 많은 분들의 사랑을 느낄 수 있는 것 같아서 이제 저희는 오히려 마음이 부자인 사람이 되었습니다.
역시 새벽기도를 나가니 온전히 기도에만 집중할 수 있어서인지, 그동안은 당장 닥친 제 문제밖에는 보지 못했었는데,
오늘 아침에는 우리 펄스의 한분 한분을 위해서, 넥서스 찬양 학교를 위해서, 제가 사랑하는 많은 사람들을
돌아보고 기도할 수 있는 시간을 가진 것 또한 감사하고 기뻤어요.
제가 이렇게 산람함 속에 흔들리지 않고 기도하고 찬양할 수 있는 사람으로 다듬어지고 있는건
다 여러분들 알게된 덕분입니다. 감사하고 또 감사드려요. 아침부터 무슨 수상소감도 아니고 좀 그렇네요..ㅋㅋ
목요일에 뵈요 ^^
> </html
장록 최
Mar 2, 2009, 4:51:18 PM3/2/09
to pulset...@googlegroups.com
할렐루야~ 쏘영쌤.
Subject: 기도
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 13:58:22 +0000
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2009 13:58:22 +0000
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