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New contracts cancelled.
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Posted: Jul 24, 2010
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I've just been informed that Chas is not progressing his publishing venture, and as such has cancelled my contracts, which means I can now pitch 'Paradise', 'People' and 'There's More To Life' once again.
It will be back to the drawing board then . . . . . .
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Back in the studio
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Posted: May 26, 2010
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After a prolonged absence from the studio, I'm pleased to be back. I should now have far more time to concentrate on new songs. Hopefully you will enjoy the results.
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New contracts signed
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Posted: Jan 19, 2010
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Great new, at last. I have just signed contracts for 'People', 'Paradise' and 'There's More To Life' with Chas Ferry of Rock Talk Records in California. Chas is extremely experienced engineer/producer who is now turning his hand to the world of publishing. He has worked with many famous names including David Bowie and Rod Stewart, so let's hope this is a step in the right direction.
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2009 UK Songwriting Competition results
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Posted: Sep 13, 2009
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I entered seven songs, this year, and I am pleased to announce that ALL seven made the semi finals of this years competition. The songs were, Set Me Free, Guardian Angel, 2am, Life Is For Living, There's More To Life, Cloud 9 and Til Sunrise. Most pleasing is that Set Me Free and Cloud 9 received scores that indicate that they were considered for finalist placings (that's the top 2% of over 6000 entries). Looks like that elusive finalist spot will have to wait another year!
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New dance mixes/FREE download
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Posted: Jun 9, 2009
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Just had an electronica period! Two new dance mixes of Cloud 9 and til Sunrise. Cloud 9 (Dance Mix) is now available as a FREE download. There will be special prizes available for anyone who can find a DJ to play the song at a club!
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Hurrah for the BBC!
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Posted: Mar 22, 2009
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Despite writing and recording a song to the specific 80's genre, requested by Richard, (who, as it happens, was very happy with the final product)the BBC have decided that the style is too dated! Surprise, surprise, the BBC have produced their own theme, which will be used. Hmmm . . . . . fishy!
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Commissioned theme tune for BBC
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Posted: Mar 8, 2009
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Answering a request for a songwriter to write a theme tune, I was fortunate enough to be commisioned for the job. The programme is to be aired on the last Sunday in May on BBC2, and relates to a detective agency. To match the request I have re-recorded the basics of song 'Time Machine' in a different genre, and added the pre-written lyrics. Last week, I had the pleasure of welcoming Richard Martinez, the MD of the agency, to my studio to record the voice over. The song is currently being assessed by the BBC, so we will have to wait and see!
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New mixes
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Posted: Feb 13, 2009
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I hope that you have heard a few changes!?
The remixes include, People, Set Me Free, Fantasy, Living In The Spotlight, 2am, Undercover, I Love To Dream About You, Guardian Angel and the instrumentals Obsession and Just Can't Wait.
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Upgrade of studio
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Posted: Oct 4, 2008
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That's the end of all my pocket money! I now have Pro Tools installed in my studio, which I hope is going to improve my recordings and arrangements. It's now time for the steep learning curve, to get steeper! During the winter months, my intention is to revisit all of my work and re-record the songs already on the site. The latest remixes will be added asap.
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UK Competition results
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Posted: Sep 13, 2008
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Just got the results for the UK Songwriting Competition 2008. Five songs, People, Gotta Find Her, Living in the Spotlight, Forces of Nature, and 2am, all made the semi finals. The elusive finalist place will have to be next year!
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New vocalist + competition.
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Posted: Jun 27, 2008
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It gives me great pleasure to, at last, announce the first song (Guardian Angel) featuring the counter-tenor vocals of Paul Kusel-Baum. I have also remixed some tracks and entered them into the 2008 UK Songwriting Competition. The reults of which will be out later this summer. I shall keep you informed.
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Latest news
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Posted: Jun 6, 2008
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Sorry, things appear to have been quiet for the last couple of months, but behind the scenes, a lot has gone on! Firstly, talks are underway with a theatre group, with a view to a musical being based on 12 or so of my songs! Secondly, and as a consequence of the above, I am delighted to now be working with another new vocalist, Paul Kusel-Baum. Paul has a distinctive 'counter-tenor' voice and has performed at the famous Snape Maltings in Suffolk and numerous concert halls in London. I hope to have the fruition of our work, on the site very soon.
I am also studying a Sound Engineering course and a Mixing course, just to take up a little more of my time! At the end of the courses, my intention is to turn some of the 'demos' on the site, into finished pieces.
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New singer and new songs
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Posted: Mar 11, 2008
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I am delighted to report that I have enlisted the vocal talents of Sheila Marrinan. Her first song with me, is 'Guardian Angel'. There are two versions of the same song, one with Sheila as lead vocal, and the other with Rob Good, both of them helping out with the backing vocals. They are recorded in different keys, so each has its own individual feel.
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All part of lifes rich tapestry
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Posted: Feb 17, 2008
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Not sure what sort of game, these 'publishers' are playing, but I think it's called 'sign the contracts and do not ask questions'. There must be an honest publisher out there somewhere . . . . mustn't there?
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Another contract offered!
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Posted: Dec 22, 2007
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Just been offered a contract for Gotta Find Her and Set Me Free, by a new publishing company in Nashville. I will keep you posted of developments.
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Results in UK Songwriting Competition 2007
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Posted: Aug 19, 2007
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I have recently had 6 songs make the semi-final stages of the above competiton. It was a pity that some of the songs had not been 'finished' by the deadline date, however, for them to make the semi's, in their early development stages, is encouraging.
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Success in Unisong Competition
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Posted: Jul 10, 2007
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News is filtering through that my song There's More To Life has made the finals of the 'Broadway/Cabaret' category in the 2007 Unisong Songwriting Competition. This is a major international competition so I am delighted with this result.
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New songs on site
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Posted: May 14, 2007
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Just to let you know that two new songs have been added to the site. One Last Chance (new version) and Can't Forget are both sad and poignant ballads with orchestral backing. Can't imagine what put me in that frame of mind! I am also currently finishing off 2 new upbeat songs, which will be added soon. So watch this space.
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New E.P.'Fascinated' on iTunes
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Posted: Apr 24, 2007
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At last the new EP is available on iTunes. Please have a listen and download your favourite tracks. Or all 4 if you're feeling rash! AND pass on the details to your friends! After last years disappointment with publishers, this is a new way of trying to distribute my music.
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EP to be released on iTunes
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Posted: Mar 8, 2007
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Having dusted myself down after the last disappointing news, I have remixed the following songs:- 2am. Fantasy, Time Machine and Fascinated. They are to be released on iTunes in the next month or so, under the EP name 'Fascinated'. Songs by Dick Groves, featuring Rob Good. Have a listen!
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Contracts. The Truth!
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Posted: Dec 13, 2006
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If you've ever won the lottery and then found out that you've lost your ticket, then you will know how I feel! It turns out that the publishers from the USA were not happy with me having an expert lawyer. One contract made little legal sense, and the other offer was withdrawn when certain questions were asked! Welcome to the music 'industry'.
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Contracts update
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Posted: Oct 15, 2006
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The contract previously mentioned, is now being assessed by lawyers, and I am confident that things will progress well. I have also recently been offered a multi-song contract, covering 11 (eleven) songs by another publisher in the USA.
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First song with Becci Birch
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Posted: Oct 15, 2006
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I have uploaded the first song featuring the vocals of Becci Birch. The song is called Showdown. We are currently working on other songs which will soon follow.
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New vocalist Becci Birch
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Posted: Sep 25, 2006
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I am delighted to report that I am currently working with a great new talent, namely Becci Birch. Becci lives in Colchester, Essex, and has a superb voice, having already spent a number of years performing on stage. All this at the tender age of just 15! I hope to have her first vocals on songs within the next couple of weeks.
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'People' makes Semi Final list in UK competition.
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Posted: Aug 11, 2006
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Results out today, show that the song 'People' has made the semi-final list in the pop category of the UK Songwriting Contest 2006. Also, as part of a songwriters rating system, the song was voted in the top 7% of online submissions by fellow songwriters. Thank you.
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Hollywood breakthrough!
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Posted: Jul 30, 2006
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I have been notified today, by a publishing company in Hollywood, that they will be sending me a draft contract for consideration, over the next few weeks!
I don't like to count my chickens, too much, but it does sound very promising.
Watch this space!
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New song
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Posted: Jun 16, 2006
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My latest song to be added to the site, "2am." has, at it's first listing, been forwarded to a licencing co. in San Francisco. I have entered it in a UK songwriting competition being held this summer, along with 'People'. Please have a listen and let me know your comments.
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Songs forwarded by A&R company
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Posted: May 15, 2006
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After just 2 months of being a member of Taxi (the leading A&R company in the USA) I have had the songs 'People' and 'Paradise' each forwarded to two music companies in the States. Against a background of just 40% of their members having an item forwarded in each year, I have to be encouraged by this latast success. I have to expect to wait up to three months, to find out if any leads are to be published. Watch this space for any further news!
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Song commended in International Competition
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Posted: Apr 8, 2006
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The song 'People' was highly commended in the latest Great American Songwriting Competition. It received 10/10 for originality and was described as a strong idea with good potential.
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Rob Good back on the scene
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Posted: Mar 19, 2006
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He was the singer in our group, all those years ago, and now having made contact again, it is with great thanks that he is helping me out. We are currently working on some new songs, which will be included on the site in the next couple of weeks.
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New songs on site
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Posted: Mar 19, 2006
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A number of new songs have been added to the site, in addition to the original 14 contained on the album 'Life's Too Short'. Let me know if you have any favourites!
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