SongU.com

www.SongU.com is a site for songwriters that I have been using for about a year now.  In fact, it's how I was connected with Hawaiian composer Matt Glickstein, with whom I've written a number of songs that you can find on this blog.  

SongU provides song writing courses developed by award-winning writers, song feedback, mentoring, one-on-one song coaching, co-writing, un-screened pitching opportunities and more. 

I've learned a lot from taking part in the site and have gotten some helpful feedback on my work. Since I joined, I've had several of my song designated as "The Best of SongU" by the professional coaches who evaluate new material. I've also had a record company contact me about using two songs that I co-wrote with Andy Brown on country artist's upcoming album.

This is a helpful site, and I'd encourage any one interested in the craft and business of songwriting to check it out...

Songs Designated as "Best of SongU":

"Ghosts" (Matt Glickstein/Spraggins)

http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2011/06/ghosts.html

"The Garden" (Spraggins)  

http://www.spragginsmusic.com/spragginsmusic/featured..html

"Two Worlds" (Spraggins)

http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2009/03/two-worlds-verse-we-have-seen-neon.html

"Yours" (Spraggins/Andy Brown)

http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2011/07/yours-vocal-demo.html

"Something True" (Spraggins)
http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/04/something-true-new-demo.html

"Riding With the Prince" (Spraggins)
http://themadmusingsofahopelessdaydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/05/riding-with-prince-new-demo.html

The Desert of God (Instrumental Version) from "Elizabethtown"

www.writerscafe.org

I've been posting my work to an online writing community that has been helpful.  It is a place for writers to share their work.  You can have your work reviewed by other writers and review original works by others.  It's not social media- it's about the craft of writing.  It's open to poems, novels, lyrics, short stories, and just about any other form of writing.  They also have various contests that you can enter.  If you like to write and want some feedback on your stuff, you should check it out...

www.writerscafe.org  

"In the Attic" (Instrumental Version) from "Elizabethtown"

Here is an instrumental version of a song from "Elizabethtown"- the musical that I am working on with Andy Brown...

The Story of "C" by Anjani Thomas

I sat at the piano, learning his song, thinking to myself "this is so ... simple. Its too simple"
And I began to hear the possibilities, the opportunities to embellish his little song and make it something more. Suddenly, he stopped singing and turned to me.

"Anjani" ... spoken quietly, almost apologetically, ... "could you play a "C" cord there?" 

I looked at him hard. "I am playing "C"."

"Um, I mean a straight, plain C." As he said it, he drew a horizontal line in mid-air with his finger.

I paused, not understanding really, what he wanted. "A "C"? "Ah," I thought, "He's never had formal training -- he's a singer-songwriter, not a PLAYER. I'll play what he wants but doesn't know how to ask for. We resumed playing. He stopped again.

"Anjani?"

"Yes?"

"I know it's rather different, but could you keep to plain "C" there?" 

Years of training and road chops disallowed me from holding to a banal triad. I was so sure the major 7, the sus 4, the augmented, the 6/9 were better choices, musical choices. In fact, I spent the tour with him in subtle sabotage of his request. A stab of #5 here, an 11th there ... culled from my superior arsenal of notes, licks, fills -- everything for a lonely, mundane gap. Yet always, in my opinion, tasteful and necessary.
I did not care that he didn't like it. I took it upon myself to educate him by example - refining his rough-cuts into polished gems - technically, musically. And he never asked me to play "C" again, so I figured he was learning and liking it.

Ten years later I got so burned out on the business. I left music altogether and went to live by a lake. I planned a garden and felt the Texas sun on my back as I raked, hoed, planted and harvested, quietly, in silence. One day I looked up and saw a bird on a wire, and immediately, the words to his song came into my mind. And for the first time, I was struck by the power, the simplicity and purity of "C" -- alone, whole, stacked neatly a third apart. Brilliant, clean, no more, no less. Of course it was the chord of Cohen ... And I finally learned to play "like a bird on a wire ..." just as he meant to teach me.

© 1999 Anjani Thomas.

From:  

http://leonardcohenfiles.com/anjani.html

Different Sides (Leonard Cohen)

"Buried Secrets"

I've been working on a musical theater project recently.  Matt Glickstein, with whom I've written some songs over the last several months, had mentioned us working on a theater project together.  I spent a month or two thinking of possible ideas, and then stumbled upon the book "Defending a Monster" by Sam Arimante, John Wayne Gacy's original defense lawyer.   I was frightened and intrigued.  I had my idea!  


The musical is based on the Gacy murders of the late 70's.   John Wayne Gacy was convicted of murdering 33 young men- many of which he buried in the crawl space under his home.  I'm writing the script with and Matt Glickstein is providing the music to my lyrics. The musical is, for now, called "Beneath the Surface" (we may change it to "Buried Secrets" at some point).   The show is centered around a (fictional) interview that takes place one year after between an imprisoned Gacy and a psychologist one year after his arrest.  The defense team is trying to build their case on an insanity plea (Gacy is claiming to suffer from a multiple personality disorder) and have enlisted a psychologist to examine their client.  Through the show, Gacy leads the doctor through his scattered and foggy memories, detailing his childhood, life, and crimes.  The doctor is, at first, interested and intrigued.  However, she becomes more and more disturbed as she digs deeper into the mind of the man who has been called the most infamous serial killer in American history.

I'm really a  bit nervous about working on a musical as the author and lyricist- instead of the composer (which is the role I would normally play). However, I've really enjoyed working as the lyricist with Matt on stand alone songs in the past.  It has given me a chance to challenge myself and to step out of my comfort zone into the other side of the song writing process.  So, I thought I'd give it a try with a musical.   We'll see how it goes.

Below, I am posting a demo of the song "Buried Secrets".  This is only a first draft of the number that will be performed by the Gacy character near the end of the first act.  Matt performs it here...

“BURIED SECRETS” 

Gacy:

(verse)

In those hours of nighttime,

when daylight had been spent,

I would face the darkness
begin the black descent.

Every man has demons,

but mine were growing bold.

Dark and deadly forces

were starting to take hold.

(verse)

All my life they’ve been there
the urges and desires,

eating me from inside

and burning me like fires.

Even as a young man,

I knew I had to hide-
to bury my strange secrets

where daylight is denied.

 (chorus) 

Buried Secrets…

Behind the walls of self-defense,

Beneath the floors of shame.

Buried Secrets…

I hid them each and every one,

but I was not to blame.

Buried Secrets…

(verse) 

Things that once were daydreams

had started to take form.

Printed porn and drug use

helped usher in the storm.

Then there came the hustlers,

the violence, and the sex.

Then there were the bodies

with ropes around their necks.


(repeat chorus)

(bridge) 

Someone else had left them there
other hands had tied the knots.

I was left to hide them all 

where buried secrets rot.

Lyrics by Spraggins/ Music by Glickstein

"Under the Surface" (instrumental version)

'Dear Dead Superstar" by Jon Statham

Here is the new single from the talented singer who does my vocal demos.  He wrote, performed, and produced this track. I helped with video.  Check it out...

"Autumn's Waltz" (for Nina)

My 2011 Progress Report...

As another year races to an end, I have been undertaking a tradition that I started a couple of years back.  Let me explain...

To pay the bills, I work an office job of sorts that takes up 45 plus hours per week;  so any music projects usually take the back burner for me.  I try very hard to not give up creating music, which is something that I love to do.  So, at the end of each year, I like to look back and take inventory of what I've accomplished musically during the past 365 days.   I'm pretty pleased to report that in 2011 I've written or co-written 50 new songs! 

It's been a productive year for me creatively.  I wrote the music to a western musical, ELIZABETHTOWN, with book and lyrics by my long time collaborator, Andy Brown.  The musical is based on a song by the same name that I wrote several years ago.  Also, Andy and I are working together on a children's musical called "ADVENTURES IN THE CLOSET" with book and lyrics by Andy.  I've finished a good portion of the music for that show. 

Besides these theater projects, Andy and I have co-written several stand alone songs- all of which can be found on this blog.  Andy's lyrics are always inspiring, and his work this year has been his best yet.  I look forward to creating more songs with him in 2012!  We also hope to record the music from the two shows this year- that's a major project on my "to do" list.

This past summer, I started a new and productive collaboration with Hawaiian composer/songwriter, Matt Glickstein.  In this situation, I have supplied lyrics and Matt has created the music.  It's been a fun and challenging new experience for me.  Matt is a really wonderful musician and creative melodist.  We have written a dozen stand-alone songs and, along with John Mistric,  have just started a theater project called "Beneath the Surface" that is based on the Gacy murders of the late 70's.  I'll post more about this project on the blog in the coming weeks. 

Besides the new songs I've written this year, I've also had a number of older one's brought to life in demo form by my talented friend, Mr. Jon Statham.  These include: "The Garden", "Yours",  "Don't", "42 Years", and "Casting Pearls".   Mat Glickstein has also provided music to two of my older lyrics that were without melody: "Hope for the Hopeless" and "This Cage".   Also, a couple of months ago, I made semi-finals with two songs ("The Garden" and "Nicholas") in the International Song Contest based in England, and in September, I launched a website for my music: http://www.spragginsmusic.com.

In short, I'm very pleased that, despite working so very many hours, I was able to keep up with a hobby that brings me happiness- creating songs!   I think that I learn more and more about the craft every year, and I am more pleased with my output as time goes by.   Having a passion for creating art and being able to do it everday helps to make the dificult parts of life bearable.  I'm thankful for my collaborators and for all of you who have supported me, listened to my music, and who have shared your thoughts on my work.  Thanks for putting up with me!

I have a number of projects and ideas in the works, and look forward to a productive 2012!

-J.

New Songs/Music written in 2011:
(most are posted on this blog or at http://tindeck.com/users/jasonaspraggins)

“8213 Summerdale" - for piano- (music by Spraggin) nov.
“A Hundred Miles from Boulder” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins) june
“A New Beginning” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (music by Glickstein/ music by Spraggins) dec.
“A Piece of Fiction” (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) jan.
“A Pound of Flesh” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) march
“Blood Money/In Search of a New Life” from E’TOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) april
“Buried Secrets” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“Do What I Want” from ADVENTURES IN THE CLOSET (music by Spraggins/lyrics by Brown) sep.
“Dumb and Stupid” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“Elizabethtown Overture” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music and arrangement by Spraggins) may
“Fluhma, Fluhma, Fluhma” from ADVENTURES IN THE CLOSET (Spraggins/Brown) july
“Garfield County” (music by Spraggins/lyrics by Brown) oct.
“Ghosts” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins) june
“Heart of an Angel” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) march
“Hell on Earth” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) may
“I Don’t Really Know You” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“If I’d Only” from ADVENTURES IN THE CLOSET (Spraggins/ Brown) sep.
“Imaginary Friends” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins)  july
“In Search of a New Life” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown)  april
“It Isn’t Easy” from ADVENTURES IN THE CLOSET (music by Spraggins/lyrics by Brown) july
“John Wayne Gacy (The Yard Party)" from BENEATH THE SURFACE (lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“Kindle the Memory” from ADVENTURES IN THE CLOSET (Spraggins/Brown) july
“Lady Luck” (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) oct.
“Look Beneath” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“Luke 8:24 "(for J.C. Clark)- (music by Spraggins)  june
“Marshall Law” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) march
“Off the Page” (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown)  june
“Pannin’ for Justice” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) feb.
“Peace with the Past” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins)  july
“Pissin’ in the Wind” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) march
“Scratch My Back” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) march
“Shake the Hand of the Devil” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins) june
“The Boys of the Night/On the Hunt” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“The Bus Stop” (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown)  nov.
“The City of Sand” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins)  august
“The Desert of God” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown)  feb.
“The Flickering Flame” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins)  march
“The Jazzman’s Lullaby” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins)  june
“The Mask” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“The Midnight Madam” (music by Glickstein/ lyrics by Spraggins) sep.
“The Victim" from BENEATH THE SURFACE (lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“The Windows Mite” (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) nov.
“Theme Three” (main title) from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins)  march
“Theme Two” (Caroline’s Theme) from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins) jan.
“This Old Feeling” (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) may
“Tighten up the Noose” from BENEATH THE SURFACE (lyrics by Spraggins) dec.
“We’ll Put the Cream in Teamwork” from ADVENTURES IN THE CLOSET Spraggins/Brown) july
“Winter Waltz” for piano (music by Spraggins) dec.
“You Put the Sin in Senatobia” from ELIZABETHTOWN (music by Spraggins/ lyrics by Brown) may
“Yours” (music by Spraggins/lyrics by Brown) jan.

"Show Me the Place" - Leonard Cohen

After a very long wait, Leonard Cohen has released a new song.  It's beautiful and is just what I needed to hear today.  I love this man and his writing.  The world will be a darker place when Leonard Cohen is gone.   He's always calmed my heart like no other.
His new album comes out in January.  Enjoy...

"Hope for the Hopeless" - demo

Music by Matt Glickstein

Lyrics by Jason Spraggins

Performed by Matt Glickstein

8213 Summerdale (Buried Secrets)

After reading a couple of books ("The Last Victim" and "Defending a Monster") on the John Wayne Gacy case, I decided to write an instrumental piano piece inspired by the story of the serial killer and his victims. The story of John Wayne Gacy (The Killer Clown) is a chilling one that reminds us that we must be cautious and must not take everything at face value. My heart goes out to the remaining family of his young victims.

"42 Years"- Vocal Demo

Overture from "Elizabethtown: A Musical Western"

The Midnight Madam

THE MIDNIGHT MADAM  

Verse:

She lives by night near city lights

and stalks the streets 'til morning.

She'll sense your sin, invite you in,

then leave without a warning.

She plays with dreams and owns the scene;

her heart will make you suffer.

She haunts the tortured minds of men

who gave their souls to touch her.

Verse:

Her past has placed within her eyes

vast oceans filled with sorrows.

Her loss of love has led her down

a path you dare not follow.

Beware the beauty of her smile;

don't fall for desire.

Her game of wills is all too real.

She'll trap you in her fire.

Chorus:

Her needs like pins will pierce the skin.

Her kiss will kill you slowly.

She'll weave a web of lies, of lust,

eclipsing all things holy.

You'll be possessed,

a ghost among the living.

You'll curse the Midnight Madam's name,

and time won't be forgiving.

Verse:

We're only here on borrowed time;

the sands are quickly falling.

Don't side-step God and try to be

the answer to her calling.

Temptation lives in many forms-

is drawn to thrist and hunger.

Don't share the midnight madam's cup;

her curse will pull you under.

(repeat chorus)

-J.S. 9/21/11