The S.A.C. Songwriting & Blogging Challenge 2015 got underway unofficially a few days before the official launch, with an e-mail welcome to participants and an invitation to join a special Facebook Group. The Challenge blogging community quickly coalesced online, posting greetings, best wishes, encouragement, and brief introductions about themselves and their songwriting. Many posted links to their song samples, while some have had to set up their blogs and song streaming accounts and make their very first posts. Most are dealing with a new onslaught of social media and learning how to balance life, work, and songwriting with new demands on their time. A few industrious writers are even simultaneously enrolled in Pat Pattison’s Berklee songwriting course on Coursera (the focus of a previous year’s SAC Challenge). Returning Challenge veterans welcomed newcomers and reacquainted themselves with friends from previous Challenges, and initiates jumped in fearlessly—or maybe not so much! The walls of comfort zones are tumbling down, and as brave souls inspire others to step out and step up, there’s been a chain-reaction of empathy. Everyone feels the heightening of the raised bar that a legitimate pitch possibility brings.
With the official Monday morning launch on February 9th, 117 participating songwriters were greeted with an inspiring video by artist Matt Dusk, calling on untapped Canadian songwriting talent to help him expand the musical landscape for his new record. Matt cited several reference songs, and much discussion swirled on the Facebook page as Challengers began analyzing the tracks and charting their approach to writing a song Matt would want to place on the record. Tempo, groove, BPM, chord progressions, arrangements, Matt’s vocal range, subject material for lyrics—all are finding their own way into the task, and many new co-writing relationships are being forged as well.
Canadian songwriters from coast to coast, along with some discerning U.S. music-city songwriters, recognize the value of coming together as a community under the umbrella of the annual SAC Challenge Event. We have guitar and keyboard players, producers and lyricists, vocalists and business-savvy music-pros, all reaching out to each other to lend a hand and make creative partnerships. The degree of support is amazing, ranging from offers of phone calls to help with technical, gear-related issues, to invitations to live regional events where writers can connect face-to-face. My fellow Challenge songwriting coach James Linderman has been instructing and encouraging between the lines of the Facebook communiqués, and has generously posted some much appreciated how-to videos on guitar techniques and on timing, tempo, and groove. He keeps us all laughing, and makes even the most challenging Challenge fun!
As participants engage in the creative process for the next 6 weeks, they are asked to write a weekly blog post about their experiences. Already the blog and Facebook posts bear witness to the benefits of taking part in SAC Challenges of years past. Writers have made contacts they never would’ve made, both locally and long-distance; written songs they never would’ve written, recorded songs for an upcoming record, and received a FACTOR grant for songs that came out of a Challenge. I know I speak for the whole community when I say we are grateful to Lily Cheng and The Songwriters Association of Canada, Barb Sedun and SOCAN, and Matt Dusk for this year’s Challenge. We are all excited to be involved in building a wonderful songwriting community as we develop our songwriting craft and embrace each new assignment.
Please post a link to your blog post for Week 1 in the comments section below. Your song for week 1 will be due at the same time as your song for week 6 is due.
Hi folks, here’s the link to my blog entry for Challenge #1: http://jceej.com/in-the-works/blog/taking-our-time-sac-songwriting-and-blogging-challenge-1
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Nice blog Jeffrey. Enjoyed the part where you started to think about the ballad idea that was already forming before the challenge started…you didn’t have to start from a blank page. Thanks. James
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http://www.davestanleyband.com/songwriting-blog
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That is indeed why he called it a challenge. Great observation. Hope you are having a successful week 2. James
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Permission to land! Here is my Week 1 – SAC Challenge blog entry: http://www.meorimusic.com/we-have-lift-off-s-a-c-songwriting-blogging-challenge-2015/
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I can relate to the part about raising kids while raising a music career, Heather! Hope you are having a brilliant week 2 and finding that balance you wrote about. Namaste.
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Thanks – being a musician or performer or writer just trains us to stay awake at all hours and multitask, I guess 🙂 Always nice to hear the musical parent’s comradery!
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http://astralpoetics.com/journal/week_1_coming_to_a_close…_sac_songwriting__blogging_challenge_2015/
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Hey! Here’s my blog for the week 1 challenge:
http://o-r-remedy.tumblr.com/
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whoops here’s a shortened link (via bit.ly) http://bit.ly/1zYaO4E
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Hi! Here’s mine!
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Hi all. Hope everyone is having as much fun with this as I am. here is my post for Week’s 1 challenge:
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/craigster67
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Here’s my words of the week! *viewer discretion is advised*
http://danielcjames.com/2015/02/15/another-one-bites-the-dusk/
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Here’s my week 1 blog!
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http://www.joestanton.com/blog/
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http://scottanthonyandrews.com/songwriters-sac-challenge-throwing-down-the-gauntlet-or-throwing-down-the-beats/
Here is the link for Week 1…
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week one blog post: https://songwritingchallengeblog.wordpress.com
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Here is Week #1 http://www.angelasaini.com/blog Thanks!
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Check out my week 1 blog! Not to brag or anything but I wrote it myself… http://seanbertram.tumblr.com/
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Hey everyone. Week 1. Here we go. http://marikaonline.com/2015/02/14/s-a-c-songwriting-blogging-challenge-2015/
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http://thekatherinegracejournals.tumblr.com/post/111131731662/feb15
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Hey guys this is week 1 blog 1.
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Here it is – blog #1:
http://teapetrovic.tumblr.com
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bloggage: http://www.staceydowswell.com/happy-art-productive-hamartia/
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Week 1! 😀
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Enter at your own Risk.
http://abeautifulcrash.blogspot.ca/2015/02/enter-at-your-own-risk.html
cheers
north
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https://harttgoldman.wordpress.com/
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Week 1- my video blog!
http://ahimusic.com/#!sac-blog/sac-challenge-week-1/
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Pingback: SAC Challenge – Week 1 of 6 | Robert Campbell
Here is my week 1 blog – enjoy!
http://wigglytoesmusic.com/forget-breathe-sac-challenge-2015-week-1/
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Hi All! Posted this a couple spaces, but seems this is the official place so Ill repost it.. Here is my week one blog, it is a bit freeform and sadly don’t have an audio clip to share as I’m on the road, but will try to put up a W.I.P. clip next week. Have a great weekend songsters!
http://www.liminalmusic.com/s-a-c-2105-challenge-week-1/
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Here’s the link to my blog. Hope it takes you to the right place. I seem to be hopeless in navigating Tumblr. Sigh. Anyway, I do want to say how eloquent this post by Debra is. Really beautifully written, inspirational. Thank you Debra. Although I am starting out lagging behind already, I am wildly inspired and very positive. Just gotta find some time!
http://judiblueyes.tumblr.com/
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Judy, I really appreciate that you read the blog! I know it was rather long, but gosh, I just can’t say enough about how wonderful it is to be surrounded by the songwriting community as we rally around the Challenge. Kinda like a virtual Nashville. Your blog link is working fine! Great Job! 🙂
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http://wp.me/p322GT-7o Hi Everyone – been a very busy week to keep up with week 1 that was a challenge in itself. LOL.
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I hope Debra and James don’t have to read all of these 😉 https://www.tumblr.com/blog/markalex49
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Mark, That made me laugh out loud! I’m still laughing! I’ve actually read a good chunk of them already from the links that were posted on the Facebook page. Sorry I didn’t get to introduce myself to you last night at the Song Studio. James Linderman had me grabbed with a hand on each of my ears!
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Here is my week 1 blog, enjoy & thank you!
amsforartmusicsong.blogspot.com
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The direct link is https://amsforartmusicsong.blogspot.com
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Here is the link to my blog for week #1…
http://kjaberrations.blogspot.ca/2015/02/love-romancing-you-by-kathryn-jean-for.html
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Here is a rough recording of “Love Romancing You”
https://soundcloud.com/kathrynjean/love-romancing-you-by-kathryn-jean
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Week 1 blog: https://sagarecording.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/diving-in/
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Thanks SAC & Matt Dusk for kicking off the songwriting challenge. Blog response to challenge #1: http://www.theopenstageadventure.ca/challenge-1-an-invitation-from-matt-dusk.php
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Here is my week 1 blog entry: https://fredbevan.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/songwriting-and-blogging-week-1/
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Week 1 Blog
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Reposting my Week 1 blog. My daughters boyfriend seems to have been logged into wordpress on my computer so my post above came from him. Whoops!
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Good Morning! Here is the link to my Week #1 Blog. Thanks for everything!
http://kristajanewhite.wordpress.com
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here is my week 1 blog! http://www.bradguldemond.com/blog/blog/s-a-c-6-week-challenge
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Hi, all! The horses are out of the gate, the dust is kicking up, and I love everyone’s excitement! Let’s make some music!
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https://www.facebook.com/notes/angie-ricci-aka-amomnus/week-1-ladies-put-on-your-ar-hats-purses-and-shoes/860980410607668
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Voila… https://kathrynberrymusic.wordpress.com/2015/02/14/week-1-sac-songwriting-challenge/
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http://supertash.com/Blog/Entries/2015/2/14_I_Asked_For_It….html
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Here ’tis.
http://www.davidkeeblemusic.com/Journal/index.htm
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here you go! hmmm… figuring out how to do this bit IS challenging! http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/page_object_blogs/artist_305108?blog_id=13576993
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What a week! http://www.lesliewoodsmeyersofficial.com/#!UNDONE-Week-1-of-SAC-Challenge-2015/czsv/1A5DB65A-970F-4D9F-822A-23116B4E6853
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If it’s a blog you want, then a blog you shall have.
https://uponblocks.wordpress.com
Thanks Debra.
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Week 1 blog
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One down . . . https://theresepatton.wordpress.com/
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https://ballenblog.wordpress.com
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Here it is!
Best of luck everyone on week two!
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Blog 1 entry here 🙂 -> http://www.braedenmitchell.com/?p=584
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Here is my Week 1 Blog :
http://www.goodrockindan.com/blog
Thank you for reading
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Here is the Link to my song on souncloud:
https://soundcloud.com/goodrockindan/around-me/s-8TrRR
Thank you for listening!
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http://robertdudonis.tumblr.com/
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Week one… It is interesting writing from the viewpoint of youth and with a refined voice such as Matt.
I like songs with a strong hooking melody and ones that musically break some rules.
This one is about one young guy telling his friend that his friend is chasing the wrong girls and that he needs to look for beauty in what who they are not just physically. Sometimes the right one is just in front of you.
This song was interesting to compose as all the verses are in D Major while the chorus us in C Major.
The recording needs refinement and some of the lyrics are bound to change.. I am not a performer and had just finished the flu…
Not sure how to add a link…
Soundcloud.com RB Martin Clarke She’s The One -Just Call her Name
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I wrote the song “I Just want to Dance” with a performer like Matt in mind, I think he would do a great job of re-recording this song, it’s on my my website http://www.montygreig.com
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Rough demo for Matt and blog post here!
Soundcloud has been wonky today, so here’s the link to demo just in case:
https://soundcloud.com/edijonyuk/bittersweet-demo
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Hi Edi, I have to say it’s pretty convenient to have the Soundcloud stream right there! Thank You for posting. Keep up the good work!
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Pingback: S.A.C. Songwriting and Blogging Challenge 2015 | dougtaylorband
My problem is this: I write songs for crooners! And Matt doesn’t want to be a crooner anymore. What to do?
https://www.facebook.com/notes/steven-hardy/sac-challenge-2015-week-1-blog-writing-for-matt-dusk/10153108938566000?pnref=lhc
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Hi everyone,here’s the link of my blog entry to SAC challenge week 1
https://arashdimas.wordpress.com/2015/02/14/s-a-c-songwriting-blogging-challenge-2015-first-week-day-5/
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A Slow Brew. My thoughts on the SAC challenge week 1.
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/rosannebakerthornley
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Apparently my link doesn’t get everyone through the gates at Tumblr so my blog post can be found at –
http://www.rbtsong.com/tell/
rbt
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Here’s my entry for the first week. Good luck to all as we continue into week 2.
http://superpapa67.com/2015/02/16/reflecting-on-sac-challenge-week-1/
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Hey all,
Here’s my first S.A.C. themed post.
http://confessionsofasongwriter.com/the-surprise-continues/
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Hi everyone, here’s my blog. Hope everyone does really well in their songwriting. 🙂 Thanks to our coaches for their continued support! https://laurajburnsloveletterstogod.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=8&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
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Hi Laura, The link to your blog doesn’t seem to be working. Can you repost? Thanks.
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Hi Debra, Sorry I just saw this now, thanks for letting me know. Did you end up hearing my song from last week? Maybe it’s too late now, but here’s my soundcloud link. for last week and this week. Thanks for your time. https://soundcloud.com/laura-j-burns/measurements-written-and ://soundcloud.com/laura-j-burns/sac-challenge-week-3-lord-love
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Hi Ms. Alexander, I just saw your message tonight, thanks for letting me know! Sorry that it didn’t work. I shouldn’t have posted so close to the deadline (last Monday around 11:55am or so). Not sure what happened, I guess last week’s link didn’t work? Oh well, maybe it’s too late now, but this is last week’s song and blog. Thanks https://soundcloud.com/laura-j-burns/measurements-written-and https://laurajburnsloveletterstogod.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/sac-challenge-week-2-song-blog/
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This week: Getting inspiration from Jimmy Webb- and how I managed to avoid writing anything. See more at: http://juliemahendran.com/blog/week_1__songwritingblogging_challenge_2015/
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Hello to All SAC Challengers. Week1 at https://larehardmusic.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/sac-challenge-day-7
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Hello everybody! Here is my blog for week #1 🙂 http://scottmackay.ca/2015/02/16/songwriters-association-of-canada-challenge-2015/
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https://megsrathwell.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/week-1-sac-songwriting-and-blogging-challenge-2015/ Here is a link to my blog!
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Hi Megan, Co-writing is not absolutely necessary. You have some good experience with it and that could help you find a partner or two on the Facebook page. Good Luck with the Challenge!
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Thank you Debra!
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My week 1 blog. Happy songwriting! http://melfarrimond.net
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My week 1 blog post – it is a pleasure meeting you all
http://brianasselinmusic.blogspot.ca/2015/02/sac-challenge-2015.html
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First Blog post complete. Now on to the hard stuff completing the songs!
http://millionairemindintensivejourney.blogspot.ca/2015/02/week-1-matt-dusk-sac-challenge-six-song.html
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This is all so new to me…all I wan to do is write lyrics that make people feel alive. I don’t have a website or an account on dropbox and I never wanted to open a facebook account. THIS is the hard stuff for ME…the writing is easy. I have already finished an incredible song for Matt Dusk for week 1 on the 2015 Challenge. Now I have to figure out how to post it to facebook which is, if I understand correctly, the only place where the mentors will see it, right? http://cleasongs.wordpress.com
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Hi Clea, you are posting in the right place. Posting on Facebook is not a requirement. So you’re good! Your Week 1 blog link is actually this, though: https://cleasongs.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/i-think-ive-got-the-perfect-lyrics/ Please post the link that goes directly to the appropriate week’s blog. Thanks!
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I left my blog post in another section (comments below the initial Matt Challenge video) and was just informed of this link from Lily. Sorry if I got lost in the shuffle. I worked most of the weekend on the song and now am ready to do the vocals. Shall I send a rough demo to you Debra Alexander? magnifonic.wordpress.com
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Hi Melanie, You’ve got it right now, and I read your blog. (It would be helpful to make that an actual link–but it works!) Please check my response re: your demo in a post I just made to the entire group on the Facebook page, as this is a popular question. I’ll add here that I’m sure EVERY songwriter has felt uneasy about showing a song in the making (as well as fully-produced songs they consider done!), but “workshopping” is an incredible tool, not only for making you the best writer you can be, but for making connections in your songwriting community. Practice baring your soul a little at a time. Ask for specific feedback. There is no substitute for an outside opinion and the eyes and ears of a trusted editor. All the great literary writers had editors, and I’m sure the vast majority of songwriting pros have certain people they turn to when they know they’re just too “inside” a song they’re working on. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
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February 13th-2015, A Valentine Riff for Matt Dusk
Okay, so it’s been a few days since Matt offered the challenge. I’ve researched the bands Mr. Dusk has mentioned, reviewed the chatter on the SAC Blog (and there’s been a lot of it) introductory messages, encouragement to co write, and various other insights (both musical and otherwise) from motivated participants. You can read the rest of the blog here:
http://jamesmcgeemusic.com
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http://trishevansmusic.blogspot.ca/2015/02/challenge-1-for-sac.html
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Hi everbody! Thank you so much for the invitation. I am so busy @ work I have very little time online. I would love to participate, and feeling overwhelmed. I’ll try my best as I am a little tech challenged. Thanks again. Now how do I post a blog?
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Okay I was sure I posted my week one blog here but don’t see it in the list of all the comments so I’ll try adding it again. I had posted in the FB group as well. https://johnpaulgeorgeringoanddon.wordpress.com/
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Late to the big party as usual, but like the tortoise I’ll never give up.
Here’s a link to my first week’s blog.
http://rogerbeckett.com/blog
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Here is my week 1 blog post.
Cheers!
Bethea
http://baetli.tumblr.com/post/111506439421/s-a-c-challenge-2015
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Week 1 blog link, thanks.
http://briansmythblog.wordpress.com
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Hello Fellow Songwriters. Here I Am:)
https://bernadettesaquibal.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/here-i-am/
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Hi gang. Here’s my week #1 blog.
Cheers, Donny. 🙂
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Hello everybody,
Here my Week 1 Blog — 🙂
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This is the link to one of my finished lullabies –
https://soundcloud.com/skye-weste/prairie-baby-riddles-of-the-prairies
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Here is my blog posting for week 2. I am sorry to say I am not proud of the performance, but then I don’t profess to be a performer let alone a young girl. But perhaps someone with good ears can hear some hint of quality in this. I could not find someone that I wanted to sing this.. as well I couldn’t finish the back up song that I think would have been more appropriate.
In anycase
https://soundcloud.com/rb-martin-clarke/thieves-in-the-night
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Here’s the link to my (short) week one blog post …
http://withaturnofphrase.blogspot.ca/2015/02/sac-songwriting-blogging-challenge-2015.html
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Here’s my post, sorry so close to deadline, tech difficulties. https://wordpress.com/post/84465178/11
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https://ashleyjanemusic.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/challenge-tw/
This is the link for my submission for the week two challenge. I posted it to Facebook by the deadline but not on here, hopefully it will still be included : )
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Here ’tis! My Blog – week 1 challenge for Matt Dusk https://www.reverbnation.com/control_room/artist/305108/blog
and here is the song – very rough, but it gives you the idea –
https://soundcloud.com/jennifer-noble-toronto/dance…..
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Here is a link to my WordPress final Blog entry and a Soundcloud link to my Week 1 – Matt Dusk submission. Thanks.
https://soundcloud.com/kristajanewhite/desire-2015-03-21-104-pm
https://kristajanewhite.wordpress.com/
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Here are the links to my Song for Matt Dusk!
http://withaturnofphrase.blogspot.ca/2015/03/week-one-reprise-song-for-matt-dusk-sac.html
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