We are dropping like flies. Today had about a third of our students (and a couple of tutors) plagued with various health related issues (some too ikky to describe). With our bodies being drained, some people are struggling to keep a smile on their face … but they are. Stay strong team. Remember … Vitamins are your friend.
To kick the day off today, we had Dianne Bean give us a wee talk about the CMAA Facebook page, and tell us about the newsletter, as well as the strong number of fans. This makes this page a fantastic avenue to inform country music lovers about upcoming EP/CD releases, as well as other exciting prospects like tour dates/venues etc. We will all make the most out of this I’m sure.
The Facebook discussion was followed up by an honest look at our biography writing. Bios are an important aspect to Press Releases, and most if not all of our cohort had things to improve on. It wasn’t done in a nasty way; however it was an eye opener to think about all of the things that are not clear within my bio. We all reworked these (as we rework them often anyway), but this time covering all the essentials that a prospective Media representative, Tour Promoter, Festival Operator (plus many others I’m sure) would need to know.
Matt Fell. What can I say about Matt Fell? There’s a reason why students at the academy hold him in high esteem. Matt’s work as a Producer has given him several accolades, including a number of Australian Gold Guitar Awards. I wrote down 4 full pages worth of notes from his talk (more than anyone else in one session during the course thus far), plain and simply because he was a wealth of knowledge when it came to tips in the recording process, and what role the Producer often takes on. Although he comes across as just a chilled guy next door, he has the ability to listen to a simple guitar/vocal track and produce a completely unique sound for various musicians (not just country). It was a pleasure to hear some of this recent work, which included all the build-up of instruments in Shane Nicholson’s “Secondhand Man”. It was also the first time I got to hear an artist can Sara Storer … whom I will be following more in the future as a result.
The rest of the day was group time. KB’s group (the only group not to be struck down with illness … “touch wood”) worked very hard on choosing appropriate for the Academy Of Country Music Senior Concert 8pm this Thursday at Blazes Auditorium, Wests League Club, Tamworth. We made our choices, which meant that I had to decide between a couple of original songs of mine, and Randy Houser’s “Like A Cowboy”. After looking at the type of songs the rest of the group were doing, KB suggested Like A Cowboy, which I though would also complement our set list. Our talented family were able to fatten the song with everyone harmonising over my lead. I can’t wait to work with the band on this one.
To finish the night up, all those students who weren’t plagued with some form of illness performed a demonstration of their songs for Thursday’s show. It was great to hear the variety within everyone’s work. There were emotional moments, as one of the gifted and talented singers from my group Tanya Cornish, who sung the most amazing dedication to Nathaniel O’Brien (a CMAA Academy student last year, who died recently). I know that the performance touched my heart (like everyone else I’m sure). I know that all of the songs will be incredible, as this country music family is so supportive of each other.
Tomorrow … yet’s see what music business has in store for us.
To kick the day off today, we had Dianne Bean give us a wee talk about the CMAA Facebook page, and tell us about the newsletter, as well as the strong number of fans. This makes this page a fantastic avenue to inform country music lovers about upcoming EP/CD releases, as well as other exciting prospects like tour dates/venues etc. We will all make the most out of this I’m sure.
The Facebook discussion was followed up by an honest look at our biography writing. Bios are an important aspect to Press Releases, and most if not all of our cohort had things to improve on. It wasn’t done in a nasty way; however it was an eye opener to think about all of the things that are not clear within my bio. We all reworked these (as we rework them often anyway), but this time covering all the essentials that a prospective Media representative, Tour Promoter, Festival Operator (plus many others I’m sure) would need to know.
Matt Fell. What can I say about Matt Fell? There’s a reason why students at the academy hold him in high esteem. Matt’s work as a Producer has given him several accolades, including a number of Australian Gold Guitar Awards. I wrote down 4 full pages worth of notes from his talk (more than anyone else in one session during the course thus far), plain and simply because he was a wealth of knowledge when it came to tips in the recording process, and what role the Producer often takes on. Although he comes across as just a chilled guy next door, he has the ability to listen to a simple guitar/vocal track and produce a completely unique sound for various musicians (not just country). It was a pleasure to hear some of this recent work, which included all the build-up of instruments in Shane Nicholson’s “Secondhand Man”. It was also the first time I got to hear an artist can Sara Storer … whom I will be following more in the future as a result.
The rest of the day was group time. KB’s group (the only group not to be struck down with illness … “touch wood”) worked very hard on choosing appropriate for the Academy Of Country Music Senior Concert 8pm this Thursday at Blazes Auditorium, Wests League Club, Tamworth. We made our choices, which meant that I had to decide between a couple of original songs of mine, and Randy Houser’s “Like A Cowboy”. After looking at the type of songs the rest of the group were doing, KB suggested Like A Cowboy, which I though would also complement our set list. Our talented family were able to fatten the song with everyone harmonising over my lead. I can’t wait to work with the band on this one.
To finish the night up, all those students who weren’t plagued with some form of illness performed a demonstration of their songs for Thursday’s show. It was great to hear the variety within everyone’s work. There were emotional moments, as one of the gifted and talented singers from my group Tanya Cornish, who sung the most amazing dedication to Nathaniel O’Brien (a CMAA Academy student last year, who died recently). I know that the performance touched my heart (like everyone else I’m sure). I know that all of the songs will be incredible, as this country music family is so supportive of each other.
Tomorrow … yet’s see what music business has in store for us.
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