SONGWRITER - Joe Burns of Lake Jackson, Texas

Joe Burns of Lake Jackson, Texas released his first songwriter album, "Road Runner" in 2003. Joe totally produced the album himself. Prior to living in Lake Jackson, he was on the road - on-stage with bands like Molly Hatchet and Kansas. The Road Runner album includes blues and rock tunes. It showcases his guitar playing.

In 2004, Joe released his second album, Things Ain't What They Seem." It is available at CD Baby.

Listen to great new burns of Burns at his main website: JoeBurnsMusic.com. This is a fine example of a songwriter's website.

- Glenn Nelson McBride

SONGWRITER MEETING - SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2005

SARA PAVLISCAK presents a review of Band-In-A-Box.
Start Time: 3pm.
Place: 202 River Oaks Drive, Lake Jackson
Sara Pavliscak is giving us a presentation on Band in a Box on Sunday, Feb 20th. Since we need to see what she is talking about, we are meeting at her house in Lake Jackson at 3:00 p.m.

REPORT - From the Traveling Robertson Duo

Jack and Joan Robertson are our traveling stars of the road. They're in Florida spreading some starlight in the Stephen Foster State Park. The world is becoming a better place due to the Robertsons and their unrelenting efforts.

Our "studio" is currently a little yellow barn, open on three sides, in Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida. When we are there we play around with a variety of music. When park guests come by, we may play some Stephen Foster tunes, talk about music, instruments, or whatever is on their minds, demonstrate how bagpipes work, and give 5 minute dulcimer lessons. They like to try the musical saw too. On Sunday a local dulcimer/harp/bowed-psaltery (sp?) maker came to show his wares, so we were able to jam a little with him for fun. Other folk artisans work from time to time in other little yellow buildings there -- a blacksmith, quilters, potter, and stained-glass worker currently. We also played at a park coffee house event and plan to greet about 3,000 school children coming to the Battle of Olustee with bagpipes and fiddle next week.

Singer-Songwriter Tips

Our Singer-Songwriters are a special group. We non-singers always feel a little jealous ripple when they perform!! In our Texas group, we've listened to Sara Pavliscak, Chuck Elliot, Crystal Sunshine, Gene McFatter, Carl Synder, Ginni Leathers, Chuck Jones, Desmond Broomfield, Renee King and others. They can tear at our heart from a matched pair of treasures: their voice and their instrument.

Christine Lavin offers some tips for singer-songwriters.

Christine has won ... "one NAIRD award, two New York Music Awards, five ASCAP composer awards, the Kate Wolf Memorial Award, and her songs have been performed by such diverse artists as Tony Award winning actress (star of "Thoroughly Modern Millie") Sutton Foster, the Dartmouth Decibelles, the Washington D.C. Gay Men’s Chorus, and in 2001 Backstage Magazine named her "Outstanding New York Singer/Songwriter Of The Year."

MICHAEL IS COMING AGAIN

MICHAEL LUMMUS WILL BE DOING PRODUCTIONS IN BRAZORIA COUNTY in mid-February according to his recent message to the Texas Songwriters:

"I hope this finds you well. Things are great up here. We’re gearing up for a trip to Lake Jackson in two weeks. I’ll be bringing a band in from Nashville to the Brazosport area February 16th-20th. We will be playing at FBC Brazoria on Wednesday the 16th at 6:30pm; Brazosport Christian School on Thursday the 17th at 1:30pm; FBC Lake Jackson Disciple Now on Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th, both at 6:00pm; and FBC Lake Jackson morning services on Sunday the 20th and 10:30am. Let me know if you are interested in coming out to any of the dates. We will also be producing a live recording on Friday and Saturday that will be available for $10. It should be a great time and I look forward to seeing you all."

Songwriter's Instruments Directory

Many of our songwriters use guitar and voice. New songwriters are always wanting to learn how to play guitar. On slick way is to buy the Optik FretLiner. It connects up with MIDI on your computer and "lights the way" to quick learning.
Another writer-friendly instrument was first suggested by Carl Snyder to Ede Weems in 2004, the poet-songwriter. This is the AutoHarp. AutoHarp.Org is a full source of information for you. Ede got one early in January. We'll be hearing reports about this!!