The Spot; A Gathering Place for Songwriters and Musicians

The Spot's Book of the Month: The Indie Bible

2008-08-02T02:45:00.012-05:00

This truly is a troubadour's guide of biblical proportions! The Indie Bible Crew is at again with, yet again, another amazing compilation of tools and tricks of the trade. This resource guide is an absolute must for any musician who is serious about their career.

The 6th Edition includes:

* 4200 publications that will review your CD!
* 3400 radio stations that will play your songs
* 600 vendors that will help you sell your music
* 330 websites where you can upload your band's MP3 files!
* 500 helpful resources for your band!

Plus: 51 articles that will help your career flourish!

The Essential Guide for Independent Artist!

Gregg Butler's Debut Album, 'Yesteryear"

2008-08-01T11:46:00.002-05:00

Writing Your Truth

2008-08-01T04:02:00.002-05:00

The title of this article is an adaptation of a phrase one of my vocal coaches during my tour with the USAF's Tops in Blue. Tracy Wright, also a prior Tops in Blue member and now professional vocal coach, used to say this to me all the time: "Sing your truth, Gregg. Sing your truth". When she felt I was just going through the motions and not staying true to the contextual meaning of a piece, she would always stop me and remind me of this. The same is true of songwriting. It's not that I wasn't providing the sound she was looking for, or that I had pitch problems or other issues, in fact it sounded just fine, except there was not that element of truth there that would draw anyone in any closer to listen to what I was singing about-Just pleasant sounding music without conviction. Who wants that? I certainly do not.

So how do we get there? It differs from person to person, but you have to, sometimes, just stomp the little monster under your desk that wants to bite at your ankles the whole time while you're writing. Sometimes, when we know we're tackling a subject that is personal and close to our hearts, there is a physically manifestation in our bodies. Pick a subject that you feel would deeply affect you if you were to write in a song, i.e., the birth of your firstborn child, your first kiss, a near death experience, and you will notice that your shoulders may be a little more tense, your breathing may become shallow or you may be holding your breath all together!

Take a deep breath and really feel the air enter your lungs and expel from your nostrils. Allow your body to completely relax. I prefer to sit at your desk and try to create an atmosphere that is soothing, quiet and free of distractions. Lighting a candle on your desk is also very soothing. These simple things well help so much. Focusing on your own body and remaining calm will allow the words to flow so much easier. There are times when apprehension and tension are appropriate for what you are writing about, but that doesn't mean that you have to feel apprehension and tension in your body while you write.

Let the truth of your life spill into your work. Sometimes, we allow our emotions to build dams that block out creativity-we cannot allow this to happen. If you're writing about one thing and your heart and mind is in a totally different place, go to the place where your pain and apprehension lies and express those emotions first. When you feel a release, go back to what you were originally writing about. After a while, you'll notice you are mindful of this things all the time and your private writing sessions are getting easier and easier. Chris and Carol Beaty, professional vocal coaches and owners of Vocal Coach use this quote frequently in their books and rehearsal CD's: "Muscles have memory". Just like the human voice's ability to remind us of how a certain pitch or note "feels" after careful practice and repetition, we also begin, after becoming more mindful of our own bodies, emotional state and environment, to become better at communicating our own truth.

Try this exercise: Use this line to begin the exercise-"The night we first met..."

Gregg Butler-Fells

The McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme

2008-03-10T06:21:00.003-05:00

" I use this program everyday to assist me in bringing forth the best possible lyrics for my music. Mr. McGill and his staff have designed a fantasic product! I highly recommend this product, which is unbelievably, free!" Gregg Butler-Fells

American poet, Bryant H. McGill, has announced the release of a software rhyming dictionary derived from his award-winning McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme, which is used by over one hundred thousand writers, educators, students, aspiring poets, and songwriters from more than 100 countries, and stands as the world's most extensive rhyming reference ever created in the history of the English language.

This essential reference, dedicated by McGill to "fellow poets everywhere," is perfect for poets, songwriters, lyricists, copywriters, advertising agencies, pathologists, speechwriters, advertisers, teachers, students, researchers, linguists, writers, or anyone who enjoys rhyming words. The electronic reference software can even be run from a portable USB thumb/jump drive, which may be carried in the user's pocket, making this reference perfect for students and those on the go."

Our dictionary has been mentioned on the front-page of the prestigious Wall Street Journal newspaper, and by the New York Times! Under development for over 10 years and with thousands of man hours of research and development behind its pages the reference was specifically designed to work with the differing needs of those who use it. The print version is broken into numerous volumes so you can easily buy only the volumes that are needed for your particular project, making it both affordable and practical. With the easiest to use index ever created in a rhyming reference, the words you need are instantly just a fingertip away. The print version is the world's most extensive rhyming reference ever created in the history of the English languageand represents the pinnacle of linguistic achievement of its type.

APPLICATION FEATURES

Designed for Portability / Thumb Drives
Has No Impact on System
Requires no heavy database engines to be installed
Does not harm Windows Performance
Contains no hidden Spy Ware!
Compatibility with Windows
Is 100% FREE with no nags
WHO COULD USE IT?

In many walks of life and professions there is a necessity for the clever manipulation of words and word sounds. The FREE ELECTRONIC VERSION of McGill English Dictionary of Rhyme is a tool for super-creativity and super-productivity. The President's speech writer could use it, CNN news writers, the world's leading news papers and magazines, a fourth grader, college students, the self-employed marketer, internet companies who publish content on the web, teachers, professors, the world's best selling authors, the struggling poet or playwright, advertising agencies, and anyone who is concerned with the rhyming relationships of words, such as: Ad Agencies, Children, College Students, Copywriters, Educators, High School Students, Journalist, Linguist, Lyricist...

Click Below to Download: