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Songwriting: Taylor Swift versus Ally McBeal

By no fault of my own, I am on a Taylor Swift kick. The 10-year-old loaned me her “Speak Now” CD, and it has been in my car (and I feel it’s important to establish blame.) But I have also been on a songwriting kick, and I’ve found myself analyzing her songs as I listen. She is, after all, a well-known and successful songwriter. I do realize that her target market is females under the age of 18, and that as a 35-year-old woman with at least five gray hairs and semi-permanent laugh lines, I’m supposed to think she’s too cutesy and bubble-gum for my taste. But whatever the my opinion about an artist, as a fellow songwriter, I would be remiss not to analyze the success of her songs and learn from them.

You know what I noticed in my analysis? Taylor Swift songs remind me of Ally McBeal. Continue reading “Songwriting: Taylor Swift versus Ally McBeal”

Music Summer Camps!

After months of brainstorming, planning, and organizing, MTMS finally has a lineup of music summer camps on the schedule.  Groups of 3-6 students will form bands and musical theatre ensembles, spend the week learning 1-3 songs, and perform them for friends and family at the end of each week, on Saturday afternoon. Our teachers and staff are excited. June can’t come soon enough, and not just because we’re tired of the rain! (Although, we are VERY tired of the rain.) Continue reading “Music Summer Camps!”

End of an Era

As of this Sunday, March 27, 2011, Potbelly Gahanna in Stoneridge Plaza is no more.

Don’t tell the manager at my Easton Potbelly Sandwich Works, but I always liked the Gahanna store better. Easton provides me significantly more visibility as an artist – after all, we get regular conventions and workshops at the nearby Hilton, tourists enjoying a beautiful outdoor day of leisure, and a variety of local shoppers, movie-goers, and business people. Easton Potbelly is busier and has more energy. But Gahanna Potbelly Sandwich Works had that cozy, small-town feel, and I loved the regulars. Continue reading “End of an Era”

Continuing Education

First of all, I am mortified that I haven’t blogged in three months. Second, I can’t believe it’s March. Third, it’s March! Bring on the Girl Scout cookies!

Indeed, although they aren’t good for my waistline, I cannot help but munch on Berry Munches, especially since I’m surround by Girls Scouts at church and the music school. But between Do-Si-Dos and Samoas, I still play five days a week at Potbelly Sandwich Works. And as I have been playing guitar professionally for over a decade, you would think I’m pretty good at it. Continue reading “Continuing Education”