Donna Beasley: News

I've added my version of "Little Drummer Boy" to MySpace, if you want to go check it out. It got a little play in the UK last year. We recorded it for a charity project. But due to miscommunication re: press time, it did not make it on their CD. Eventually, I plan to have a whole Christmas CD recorded - or at least a 5 song EP. Someday.

Work on the new songs for the new record continues. We are set to track bass, drums, and acoustic guitar on Dec. 12th. I have still been writing some of the songs and was finally able, TODAY, to finish the one that had the most holes in it. Yay! I need to rewrite a bridge on one other song. But that one has already been tracked so we can finish that song last, if need be. The pressure has been to get demos made for the drummer and bass player so they can learn the songs we're going to track. I have a little 5 song gig at Family Wash, my favorite place in town to play, on Dec. 2nd. We're going to use that gig for a little practice on some of the new songs. Hopefully, it won't SOUND like practice, to those who come out to the Wash!

There's also the matter of Christmas, about which I have had to be militant this year. I wanted the stress of shopping and spending to be long over by the time I'm needing to fully focus on my studio date. So, most Christmas shopping is done and even wrapped...isn't that insane???

Oh, and as far as the issue of too many songs (the subject of my last blog), I have decided to put no covers on this record -- that would be my version of other people's songs. I'm going with 11 originals, 8 I wrote by myself and 3 I wrote with my left hand man, Tom Spaulding.

At times, I'm excited. At times, I'm panicked. But, as I said on my MySpace blog, its time to put another bullet in the gun and take another shot at this music bid'ness thang.

Ready, aim, fire!

We're seriously deliberating on the next record. We'll be in pre-production the next 2 or 3 weeks, which means working out arrangements, tempos, keys, and recording demos that will, hopefully, capture the right feel for all the songs. We've recorded 4 tracks already (bass, drums, some guitar, scratch vocals) and we're shooting 50/50. Two of them we're happy with. Two of them do not have the right feel. Too funky when it should be straight ahead, too heavy when it should be, say, vibey-er...more pensive.

While we're hoping to make great progress in Nov./Dec., getting the right "feel", it seems, cannot be rushed. You have to live with a recording a while. Either you love it right away, or you don't and you have to figure out WHY you don't. The absolute worst thing is when a song you're proud of doesn't get effectively communicated, shall we say. Its such a "missed opportunity" type of feeling.

The problem I certainly was NOT expecting was too many songs! But, here we go again. My personal preference, as a listener, has always been an 11 song limit on a CD. If all the songs are GREAT, I suppose I can handle 12. Its just too much to digest when you start getting longer than that. Well, ahem, "Good Samaritan" has 13 on it. I broke my own rule. But couldn't part with anything we recorded. And the ones I DID want to cut, I was always outvoted on!!

So, for my 2nd record I SWORE I would have no more than 11 songs. Now, including the cover song I picked, I'm up to 13!!! So, I think we'll record them all and just see which ones work and which ones don't.

I'm disappointed that I was not able to work up two song ideas I've had. I really wanted those to be on this CD!!! But, who knows. Those songs may never get written. And, besides, that would give me 15 songs and that's going in the wrong direction!

I think its time to go with what we have. And its almost time call up some of our fabulous musician friends and say "let's make a record"!!!!!

My AMA showcase. I bought the most expensive pair of shoes I've ever bought in my life! So, I think I'm ready.

Hope to see you there!

I have invited 800 industry people to my AMA Showcase -- 600 by email and 200 by hand-written postcard. I think I have carpel tunnel.

If you're in town during that week, its a great deal. For $35 you get a wristband which allows you into all the showcases at all the venues. Check out the Americana Music Association's website for the lineup. COME SEE ME!!!

By the way, I will be joined by Tom Spaulding on guitar, Tony Paoletta on steel, Dave Jacques on bass, and Paul Griffith on drums. Have you bought that wristband yet???

www.americanamusic.org

If you're planning on being in Nashville next month for the Americana Music Association's annual conference, please come by The Station Inn and catch my showcase on Wed., Sept. 17, 9pm. I will be joined by Tom Spaulding on guitar, Tony Paoletta on pedal steel, Dave Jacques on bass, and Paul Griffith on drums. Promises to be quite an affair and a terrific week of music, discussion panels, award shows, etc. I hope to see you there!

Its not very interesting to report, but I'm still plugging away. Its hard to know when to give up promoting the record you already have and concentrate solely on the next one. And it is a sort of acquiescence, an admittance that you've done all you can do. A cutting of one's losses.

I've had to change my way of thinking. I want things NOW. This kind of career is not built now. This kind of career is built over years.

The first record: we got good press. We played some shows. The second record: we'll get press (hopefully good), we'll play more shows, and we'll try to hit the Americana charts. Nothing is signed at this point, but I should have the opportunity for UK distribution on the next record. I will play shows in the UK, which will be promoted by my distributor. They will also help me get press over there. I have to take this opportunity to thank those in the UK who supported "Good Samaritan". I'm so grateful!

If it sounds like I'm writing my will or something...not the case! But I am -- pretty much -- putting to bed the ole' promo machine on "Good Sam". I am focusing on two things these days: trying to book gigs and working on the next record, which will be released in 2009. Its not that far away!!

What can I say? Dwight kicked it like only Dwight can. This is the first time I've paid money to see someone perform on the Opry. I've been backstage many times -- couldn't get on the list this time around -- but it was well worth the ticket price. I've heard rumors that he might be getting another guitar player, but Eddie Perez was still with him. He needs to hang onto him. It's a great pairing.

Hearing Joe Nichols (a terrific singer) perform one of those run-of-mill boring, soulless songs written by a bunch of Nashville "hit makers" sitting around a table in some 4pm writing session made me appreciate a REAL artist like Dwight even more. And made me wonder if this town will EVER embrace real artists again? They never embraced Dwight. As a result, no one in "Music City" can ever claim credit for this living legend of country music, Dwight Yoakam.

Rock on, Dwight! You're the best thing the Opry and this town has seen in a longggg time. Keep coming back to remind everyone how exciting and fresh country music can be.

Remember?

In February 2008 "Good Samaritan" was #17 on the Freeform American Roots Chart. Yay!!!!! Thank you to those d.j.s for giving me some spins and getting me on the chart!!!

When you are sending out CDs to press and radio, trying to generate attention, it is necessary to Google your name from time to time and scout out any new hits. In my search of Donna Beasley, here are some of the OTHER ones I found:

A Donna Beasley who wrote a book on how to plan your African American family reunion
A realtor
A couple of attorneys
The VP of Operations at Praxis in Brentwood, TN
A minister of music at the First United Methodist Church of Brandon, MS
A teacher at Holy Family Parochial School
Donna Kay Beasley who died on Feb. 22, 2008
The secretary for the Northeast Florida Volleyball Officials Association
The widow of Elvis Dewayne Beasley…"Elvis is survived by his loving wife, Donna Beasley"
A member of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association
Donna Beasley, "a departed senior from North Idaho"
Donna Beasley affiliated with the Center for Social Thinking
Donna Von Beasley
Donna Parnell Beasley
Donna Beasley of Pennsylvania who declares "it’s time for the mudslinging and constant coverage of mudslinging to end"
A body builder
A Donna Beasley who donated computers to the Hallelujah House
Donna Beasley who RAN FOR THE PIES in the open 5k

Keep up the good work, Donna Beasleys of the world. It ain’t easy being Beasley.

Work on my next record has begun. Well, technically, "work" began long ago with the writing of new songs. I mean, Good Lord, that is the hardest part of all! I would say the second hardest part is singing good vocals. But I'm still in that first stage and not yet in the second.

It started out that I wanted to demo a few new songs for a publisher. But given the caliber of talented, caring people I am fortunate enough to call my friends (and my husband), no one would HEAR of doing "demos". In the current world of recording, so much can be done in one's home with the right equipment and knowledgeable people (which we either have, and are, or know people who have and are). What's the point in doing anything less than album quality recordings? That was the general consensus. So, instead of doing a few little demos, as I had planned, I had amazing, world-class musicians playing bass (Steve Mackey) and drums (Marco Giovino) in my living room while I sang scratch vocals in the bedroom. As it turns out, drums sound AMAZING in our living room!!! Who knew? It's all about space and sound bouncing around and what not. It also helps to have Anthony Aquilato as engineer bring his talents and his microphones TO YOUR HOUSE! (So many Italians in such a small space...)

Yesterday, we had Bob Britt put down an amazing guitar part (we didn’t make him, that’s just how he does it), also in the living room.

So, it appears that the second record is in the works. It's very strange. There's SO much more promotion that needs to be done on "Good Samaritan". But I've done almost all I can do on my own...with my own funds. I need help!!!!!

Which brings me to the next phase of promoting the record I already have and that is knocking on doors in Nashville. It may be surprising, but I have not done much of that. I thought it best to see what press and airplay I could get on my own before I shopped my product around to see who might be interested in marketing and distributing it. Or shopping any of the songs to try and get cuts by established artists.

It takes a certain readiness of spirit to enter this phase, because there will be rejection. Hopes will be risen. Then hopes will be dashed. Sometimes immediately, before I leave the office. Sometimes, it will come in the form of "yeah, we love this and want to do something with it and will get right back to you on that" only to never contact me again, never to return my emails or phone calls. Undoubtedly, there will be other forms of rejection which I have not yet imagined at this point.

But much like a romantic relationship that either must move forward or resolve, I have reached my own critical mass. I'm ready for somebody to show me some love.

Bring it on. I can take it.

My friend, Tim Carroll, has a terrific song called "What'll We Do Till Then". We know we're going to find our pot of gold someday, but can we hang on? I have several friends who are singing that song, figuratively, these days. It's very difficult to watch talented people sitting home waiting for the phone call that doesn't seem to come, while they are unable to pay their bills. And the sub-par caliber of musicians/singers/writers who too often ARE getting that phone call these days rubs salt in the wound. God help us all hang on.

Thanks to all those d.j.s reporting to the Freeform American Roots (FAR) charts who are emailing me telling me they're playing my songs. You people make the world go 'round. I mean that. D.J.s and stations like you and yours are the LAST great hope for independent musicians and music lovers.

Hats off, can't thank you enough.

I finally did it. All that fabulous hair on my CD cover...I cut it. It barely touches my collar now. This was shorter than I intended, but I'm not the first woman to leave the hairdresser with that thought! So, why did I do it?

A few years back I did the same thing, and that time it had to do with dating, or actually, not dating. I hadn't had a steady boyfriend in a long time and was caught up in this obsessive thought pattern of "what's wrong with me - why don't I have a boyfriend"? I had to let go of those destructive thoughts. Our popular culture images like to tell us that women are sexiest with long hair. So, that was my statement that "I'm no longer caught up in what may or may not be attractive to a potential mate". I cut it. My first morning at my day job a guy in the elevator declared "YOU CUT YOUR HAIR"!! Yes, I did.

This time it had to do with the music business, oversaturation of pop culture images again and the idea that in order to make music worth hearing you must be under a certain weight, under a certain age, and your hair over a certain length. I had to let go of it, people. So, I cut my hair.

I'm still a little panicked about it. But I think we'll be alright. Here's to letting go of obsession and self doubt, one inch at a time.

February finds me submitting my second round of CDs to radio. This time I focused on the FAR Chart reporters. This is a chart for free-form radio stations -- the d.j.s can play whatever they want and their top spins are reported.

The plan was to submit to the Americana reporting stations for the Americana charts in March. This consists of about 400 stations. However, I have a little problem which is the fact that I will have to reorder CDs before I can do that. So, that's my big dilemma at this point.

And to think that we breathed a sigh of relief when we placed our initial order for CDs -- the BIG project expenses were out of the way (we thought)!! Not so fast. If you're an independent artist, you've only begun to raid your wallet at that point. Promotion, promotion, promotion -- the name of the game -- and it costs money, money, money.

Anyway, hope these FAR reporters give me a little play!!!

Can't thank these guys enough for the oh-so-kind review published in February's Maverick Magazine in the UK. Check your local bookstore (start with Borders or Barnes & Noble) to find a copy of this fabulous magazine in the U.S. These guys are music lovers through and through. They write about what they love and do their best to expose country and roots music lovers in the UK to some independent artists who otherwise might not be heard. Support Alan Cackett and Maverick Magazine -- purchase a copy! If you can't find it, ASK for it. You may order online here:

www.maverick-country.com/

I wanted to say thanks to a couple of people for showing love recently.

First, a very cool blog called Lonesome Music gave me a nice review and posted a couple of my songs. Thanks to Beth!!

Second, Smart Choice Music (out of the UK) is carrying my CD. They put up a page with a short bio and review. Thanks to Ian and James!!

And also thanks to James for giving me a night at the Family Wash coming up this Thursday the 17th at 8pm (ish). I'll be joined by Tom Spaulding and Bob Britt on guitar, Steve Mackey on bass, and Marco Giovino on drums. I've taken to calling them "The Quasi-Pseudos", though they are thoroughly legit.

Check out these cool people.

http://lonesomemusic.blogspot.com/
http://www.smartchoicemusic.com/
http://www.familywash.com/

2007 brought me my first full-length record. So, I'd call that a good year. I submitted to press months back, so I think I've received most of the reviews I'll be getting -- except for one I'm VERY excited about! I'll post that when the magazine comes out.

2008 will find me submitting to radio. I've already done a first pass. But an intensive effort will be made within the next couple of months.

Thanks to everyone who has bought the CD, who has reviewed it, and who has played it on their radio or internet station!

Happy 2008 to your and yours!

Congratulations to Hannah Blaylock & Eden's Edge on winning the Independent Music Award in the category in which I was a finalist, Americana Album, for their CD "Lights Of Home". Best of luck to all the winners! Keep making good music!

Voters can still "rock the jukebox" by voting for their favorites in the IMA Populi Jukebox. VOTE FOR ME!!! (Thanks to those who already have!)

Thanks!

http://www.musiciansatlas.com/pages/IMAFinalist/AlbumFinalist.aspx?yr=2008

Merry Christmas, and all that, to everyone. I've got a couple of things to update you on, as soon as all the hustle and bustle is over.

I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the two Christmas songs we recorded this year. Maybe by next Christmas we can have some kind of EP put together. Don't know what I'll do with it, other than give it away. It will be a just-for-fun project, I suppose. Happy to report that my "Little Drummer Boy" is getting a little play in the UK by Tom Fahey on Americana OK. He's awesome!!!

Happy Holidays, y'all!

Just back from an awesome time at the Family Wash tonight at their campaign to raise money to buy back their beer license, or some such wheeling and dealing. No better way to pack the folks in than a fabulous night of Tom Petty covers. The backing band "The Sons of Zevon", featuring guys like Audley Freed (Black Crowes) and Reeves Gabriels (David Bowie), was joined by numerous vocalists including Chuck Mead and Jesse Alexander. (Two glasses of wine hinder me from remembering the names of the many other fine singers who took the stage.) Classic, killer song after classic, killer song that Tom Petty guy has written and sung. AMAZING body of work. FUN, FUN night. Packed house. Tom and I did acoustic versions of "Damaged by Love" and "Saving Grace" from the "Highway Companion" record.

I will just say that if you are going to play in a room like that in front of musicians like that, you'd better bring it. And that's just to hang. Mike Farris (Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, Steve Ray Vaughn) stopped the room with his acoustic version of "Southern Accents".

Thanks to Jamie for having us, for hosting such a night, and for admirably fronting such a band. Family Wash is the best hang in East Nashville. I'll fight any man who says differently.

I'm in Wisconsin for a few days, the land of cheese, cold weather, and Packers football. Yes to a little cheese, rah-rah to Favre, no thanks to crazy-cold weather. It was 65 degrees when we left Nashville and 25 degrees when we got to WI.

Great thanksgiving with no work whatsoever on my part. I feel a little guilty but mainly just wondering how I got so lucky to have my life.

Please follow the link below to vote for Good Samaritan in the Independent Music Awards' Americana Album of the Year category. Thanks!!!

http://www.musiciansatlas.com/pages/IMAFinalist/AlbumFinalist.aspx?yr=2008

I was happy to be part of Elizabeth Cook's Showcase tonight at the legendary Station Inn. It was a packed house and a truly CRAZY scene! I would say it was standing room only, but there was barely room to do that. Jim Lauderdale followed Elizabeth's performance. I got to catch a few of his songs as well. LOVE Jim and was quite pleased to get a hug and compliment from the man who is such a great singer and songwriter. Did I mention I got a hug? **This is me, blushing.**

Got a ticket to the Americana Awards at the Ryman last night, thanks to Chelle Rose. We turned up to show a little love to Elizabeth Cook who was up for song of the year for "Sometimes It Takes Balls to be a Woman", co-written with Melinda Schneider. Darrell Scott took home the award for "Hank Williams' Ghost". Scott is an amazing songwriter who often makes you want to put down your pen in your feeble attempts at songwriting. He's had cuts by the Dixie Chicks, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and others. So, EC's competition was formidible (not to mention Patty Griffin and Lucinda Williams also nominated in the same category). Nonetheless, she is a TOTAL WINNER for being nominated. And despite nominations and/or awards and what not, she's a winner period.

Among the other performers were Lyle Lovett, Emmy Lou Harris, Patty Griffin, Buddy Milller, Avett Brothers, Ricky Scaggs, and Bruce Hornsby -- several of whom took home awards. All in all, some terrific music was made. Many of the performers took the stage for a closing tribute to Porter Wagoner in his recent passing by doing a BEAUTIFUL version of "Satisfied Mind". The show was hosted by Jim Lauderdale who did a great job...and who ROCKS!!

Great night. If you're in Nashville, come on out to the Station Inn Sat. night 11/3 at 9:30 to see Elizabeth Cook (yours truly adding a few backing vocals) and to confirm my earlier statement about Jim Lauderdale rocking as he plays at 10:30.

Hope to see you there!