Pam Lack and Bobby Kropp – 700K Streams

Pam Lack and Bobby Kropp score big with over 700,000 streams of their song ” Find My Faith”

recorded by Christian Artist Ben Fuller

And Irish artist Ed Holland from the group

Pam and Bobby“Bobby Kropp, my partner in life and love, and I got on this crazy musical journey in Nashville in 2015, and a great piece of advice we got was to write with unsigned young artists. How did our story with rising Sony Provident artist Ben Fuller begin? In 2019, we got a call from our dear friend, Sandy Ramos, saying she had written a song with Ben Fuller, a new writer in town, and asked us to record the demo so she could pitch it. We were so impressed with Ben during that short recording session that we asked if he’d like to come on as a co-writer and write the melody on some song lyrics we had just written. That song was called “Catcher In The Rye.” Ben agreed, and we formed a powerful bond that day. Bobby and I truly believe that God brought Ben to us.

Realizing that Ben didn’t have much in the way of recordings, we all agreed that we’d co-write with him and produce an independent album. It was a huge commitment, but we were all in 100%. Ben was just finding his faith and becoming a Christian, and the whole theme of the album was to chronicle his journey from addiction to redemption, and our title track was called “Witness.”  The first line in the chorus was all about finding God… “You’ve been waiting on a witness; I’ve been waiting on a sign.”   Working with Ben was a true joy and a labor of love, and the 12-song album took an intensive 10 months to write and record. It was our honor to help his voice be heard.

We really learned through that album; it was a crash course in how to write for an artist.  The focus was always on Ben’s voice being heard. Bobby and I dug deep to find our shared experiences in every song we wrote with him. To me, the mark of a great artist and writer is someone who can make a deeply personal experience become universal.

Towards the end of working on ‘Witness’, Ben met Krystal Polychronis, an excellent Nashville songwriter who felt deeply moved to become his manager.  She had never been a manager before, but Krystal dove right in.  It was a huge undertaking, but she eventually mentored with Nashville manager Neil Speilberg last December, and together, they got Ben signed to Sony’s Christian label, Provident.   Fast forward, Ben has been touring with Cain, and playing Christian Festivals and churches all over the country.  He is gearing up for a 54-city tour with Zach Williams this fall.  In July, he was asked to perform at The Ryman Auditorium with Sidewalk Prophets and perform his first Sony Provident single, “Who I Am.”   As of 8/2/22 it stands at #11 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Christian Chart.  It is such a joy to watch someone soar in their gifts in this town!

“Find My Faith”, one of our songs from ‘Witness’, has almost 700,000 streams and is still consistently rising by about 1,000 streams per day.  Another song on the album called “Other Plans”, chronicles a very dark point in Ben’s life when he was 16, and how “the Hand Of God” led him back to the light. Writing those two songs, Bobby and I tapped into our own dark places, and together we all shed a lot of tears and laughter on these deeply personal songs.  Nicole Lewis was a co-writer on both, as well, and they have been pivotal in Ben’s ministries.  

Another important point we witnessed watching Ben’s journey was that, as incredible of an artist as he is, I think that Ben’s heart is a huge part of his success.  When he is not opening for major Christian Artists, Ben regularly performs and uplifts inmates and those struggling with addiction at Christian Festivals, Recovery Centers, and prisons all over the country.  Because he is so transparent about his own addiction recovery issues, people can relate to him on an intimate level.  We are so honored that those two songs have raised up so many souls.  There are hardly words to express it.  

Honestly, sometimes you never know who is going to walk into your life and be that next special relationship or opportunity.  Even if you are at a low point, and everything looks dark, your life can still change in a moment.  My best advice…never stop doing what feeds your soul.   

One of the people who has been the most important to us on this journey is Sheree Spoltore.  I don’t know where we would be without her encouragement and helping us to connect with artists and publishers.  She continues to be one of our biggest blessings.   Such an incredible connector, I honestly don’t know where we’d be if not for being members of Global Songwriters Connection, and we are eternally grateful.”

 

 

A Meant-to-Be Connection – between GSC Members and Publisher

A very special “meant to be” connection and cut via a GSC POP Event

Briana Dallas and Steve

Steve Peters from Louisiana is fairly new to the GSC family and has just started pitching his songs on our GSC Publisher Online Pitch event.  Steve recently pitched a song to Dallas Gregory of Song Rocket Music Publishing.   During the process, Steve shared a very personal song with Dallas regarding the very recent loss of his son.  Little did Steve know that Dallas manages and represents artist and GSC member Briana Dominica whose mission and message is to reach people who are considering suicide with a message of hope.  Steve’s song is a great expression of love and hope.

Briana has been very open to the fact that she has lost a brother and several close family relatives to suicide.  Steve’s song regarding the loss of his son perfectly fits the work and message of HOPE that Briana is sharing through her Suicide Awareness program called “Warrior in Me” program.

Dallas was kind enough to play the song Steve pitched with his artist Briana Dominica. Briana loved the song and has committed to recording this song, putting this song on her next project, and there is a possibility that it will be her next single.  At GSC, we sometimes sit back and marvel at how the pieces and people come together and the incredible, nearly magical journey a song takes to reach its just right destination.

Over the past couple of years of Covid, there are a lot of people suffering anxiety from loss of jobs, fear, loss of family to Covid, and they are hurting more than they have ever known.  Suicide seems to be the only way out of their unbearable pain.  If you know of someone who may be experiencing these types of feelings, please connect them to Briana’s website and/or her social media pages.  Her website contains helpful video’s, tips, tools and resource materials that may save a life! Learn more about Briana at https://www.brianadomenica.com/ .

Steve, your GSC family thanks you for your courage to share this very special song.  We trust that millions will hear its message of hope and compassion and we thank you for including us on this special journey.  ~Your GSC Family

All Time Favourite – a Hurricane Highway Cut

West Ireland Band, Hurricane Highway, cuts GSC members song, “All Time Favourite”

Kevin Matt and Nancy

Global Songwriters Connection congratulates GSC members and songwriters Nancy Moser, and Kevin Rowe and their co-writer Kelly McKay on the single release of their recent cut of their song “ALL TIME FAVOURITE” and Publisher Matt Lindsey! The song “ALL TIME FAVOURITE” has been recorded and released by the West Ireland band Hurricane Highway.

Matt Lindsey is a wonderful, legitimate, hardworking, Nashville Publisher and Song Representative, or Plugger, as we say here in Nashville. Sheree is fortunate to have known Kevin and Nancy for some time as GSC members and hear their great catalog of pitchable songs.

Kevin and Nancy were writers with a handful of really strong songs, a growing catalog and lots of determination and discipline. Sheree felt they had a couple of treasures and made the “connection” to Matt and he agreed, took on the challenge and now they all three have another cut!

GSC congratulates ALL of the team on their efforts. Enjoy the song and the video and may there be many more to come! Click below to watch the video of Nancy and Kevin’s song and be sure to SHARE!

Hurricane Highway Video – “All Time Favourite”  

Breaking Through – Patrick Dodge

Breaking Through – Artist Cuts, Publisher Calls and Meetings

Patrick DodgeGSC Member Patrick Dodge from New York had an amazing 2021 year via GSC events such as our GSC FOCUS Retreats working with GSC artists and our exclusive POP Event Publishers!  Here is his story in his own words.

From Patrick Dodge: “COVID aside,2021 has been pretty darn good to me in the GSC music world: an incredible February FOCUS event , a cut written with Briana Domenica one her “Warrior In Me” EP called “Every time”, a cut on Sarah Taylor Young’s “Step Into Freedom” called “Love One Another” written with Sarah, Brian White and Matt Houston, many songs taken by publishers at the POP events, 2 cuts on Katilyn Pulcher’s Rock album “Feminengine” written with Katilyn, a co-write with Alexa Valentino called “Happy For You” that landed on her POP EP “A Guide To Moving On”, 5 publisher meetings and the restart of the Home Free “Dive Bar Saints” tour where I had a cut written with Jeffrey East called “Why Not” with a video that has over 450,000 views! 

But just when the year is coming to a close… one of GSC’s favorite publishers, Woody Bomar, calls me to let me know that he landed a cut with Kathryn Shipley with “Rise Above” written with GSC members Michaela Clark and Mary Haller. Then Dallas Gregory, another GSC favorite publisher, reaches out to let me know that “Why Not” is being licensed and cut on a limited release CD called “Songs of Joy”, being released December 28 with a compilation of pre-released songs recorded by “Various Legendary Artists”… I wonder who will be doing “Why Not”?!! ” 

But wait…. there’s more! Then Dallas emails me like the very next day to let me know that a FOCUS event song called “Must Be Love” written with Avrim Topel and Jeffrey East has been picked up by up-and-coming Country-R&B artist Tylar Bryant and that they’re putting the finishing touches on it this week!!!! What a way to end 2021 – woo hoo!!!

My GSC Journey – Avrim Topel

The Long Winding Road – to Song Cuts and Signed!

 

Avrim TopelI first sought out Sheree Spoltore and joined GSC back in 2015 after several years of frustration and desperation from having my songs repeatedly rejected. In my first meetings, I brought Sheree 30 songs and asked her to listen to them, identify my strengths and weaknesses, and chart me a path to become a better songwriter. Since then, it’s been a long and winding road.

Shortly thereafter, I also joined Songtown and participated in their many wonderful services. With time I became more and more active with both organizations eventually leveling off around 2018 by attending every GSC FOCUS Retreat and every Songtown Pro-Writer Retreat offered.  In addition, I started writing with Artists on my journey.

My consistency in “showing up” and willingness to be coachable…. started to make a difference!  Looking back, I see that clearly as I have extensive working relationships with pro songwriters and publishers that I never would have had.

Since that first meeting with Sheree’ and my many efforts, my songs have been picked up by top publishers and song pluggers in Nashville and LA including holds by major artists.  More recently my songs have been cut and signed through GSC events and relationships!  Read on….

I could go on and on about the many and various efforts I have made to become a better writer. My efforts have even been recognized with music industry awards!!  However, what is important in what I’ve done is this; by continuously showing up, working hard, and being coachable….. I’ve grown into a better songwriting.

A few years back, a major songwriting publisher contacted Sheree and volunteered to mentor me. He recognized something in me and my songwriting and work ethic that he thought was promising. As you can imagine, this meant the world to me! With all of the rejection in this business, every affirmation and attaboy is worth its weight in gold.

About a year and a half ago I received a phone call from another major music publisher I met through GSC, who told me he had pitched one of his writer’s songs to an artist who was going to cut it, and that I was a co-writer on. When he asked me if he could represent my publishing, I was ecstatic. This same publisher was someone who had selected another one of my songs at a Publisher Pitch event 6 months prior, so I was definitely getting his attention.

From this call, I kept our relationship alive by staying in touch and sending him occasional songs. Lo and behold, in November he wrote me saying a Grammy-nominated artist who he had pitched another song of mine to was putting it on her new album.

Two weeks later, the publisher who had offered to mentor me wrote asking for my new mailing address…he was sending me a single-song contract for a song I had sent him last year!

And just last week, a GSC member/co-writer friend of mine wrote me and another GSC member letting us know that a label had written him revealing that a new rising star Country artist was cutting our song!  All at once, it seems, my songs are seeing success, but really…it has been a long and winding road.

Until last June I had pretty much ignored writing for the sync/film/tv market. Then Sheree called me and told me she really wanted me to give it a shot by attending a special “invite only” retreat learning from top sync songwriters and industry professionals.  She felt I had the talent for the sync market as she heard that market in the chords and styling of my music. I confess, I reluctantly agreed.

Long story short, I fell in love with this part of the songwriting universe. I felt it gave my songwriting a newfound freedom. I dove in, and a few months later wound up with two single-song contracts for two solo written sync songs with one of the top LA sync publishing companies in the business that I connected with at the GSC FOCUS Retreat.

My most important takeaway from my GSC experience today is this; a few years back my songwriting was not what it is today, and I knew very few pro writers, artists, music publishers and industry professionals. Today I have dozens of these folks I consider my peers and close friends.  My writing has greatly improved simply by showing up, remaining open and teachable. More importantly, I am doing what I love to do and having fun. AND…my songs are getting cut by artist and signed!

For calendar year 2022, I’m taking my songwriting commitment to the next level by meeting with Sheree two times a month as she helps me focus to continue to grow. How could I not take this opportunity when the first 6 or 7 years with GSC have exceeded my expectations.

I’m a lucky guy!  There’s nothing more, I’d rather be doing than songwriting. I’m grateful every day for having the GSC family in my life.

Making Connections with a “Music City” TV Placement

Music City TV Placement
GSC Member Patrick Dodge has been writing via Skype and Facetime and traveling back and forth to Nashville for potential writing opportunities for several years now. More and more these days, Patrick is in Nashville almost as much as he is in New York since he has family who now live in town.

On Patrick’s many trips to Nashville, GSC has been connecting him to various co-writes through our services such as Coach Writes and Peer-to-Peer writes through our one-on-one mentoring sessions. At one recent Coach Write Session featuring artist/writer Jeffrey East, Sheree encouraged Patrick to bring an artist into the co-write. Patrick chose the amazing talents of Jessica Mack who is a featured artist on the CMT original show “Music City.” Watch the video and we will let Patrick tell you…”The Rest of The Story!” Congrats to Patrick, Jessica and Jeffrey!


GSC Member Brenna Beatty Named Talent Grand Champion

Brenna Beatty

Path to Fame

17-Year-Old Singer/Songwriter Named Pigeon Forge Path to Fame Talent Competition Grand Champion

 Springfield, Tennessee’s Brenna Beatty will begin a 12-month career development program with Nashville-based talent executive as well as perform at Pigeon Forge theaters.

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (June 18, 2018) — A 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Springfield, Tennessee, was named grand champion of the Pigeon Forge Path to Fame Talent Competition on Saturday (June 16) at the Smoky Mountain Opry. Brenna Beatty was selected from 12 contestants all vying for the title.

Beatty will spend the next year working with John Alexander on career development. Alexander was instrumental in the careers of Patty Loveless and platinum-selling country star Kelsea Ballerini. Alexander, who was one of four judges for the finals, will work with Beatty, a prolific songwriter, and establish instrumental industry meetings with top executives, songwriters and more.

Approximately 450 contestants registered to compete in the Pigeon Forge Path to Fame. A three-month auditions tour visited Cincinnati, Nashville and Atlanta and produced four finalists from each city, all of whom competed in Saturday’s finals. Contestants competed for a grand prize package that includes a 12-month career mentorship with Alexander and a consultation with Ballerini.

Read more

Frank Brown Songwriters Contest Winners Named

Frank Brown Festival LogoGSC was a proud sponsor and facilitator for the Frank Brown Songwriter Festival Song Contest!

These songs were reviewed by industry professionals for excellence and some amazing songs were submitted.

CONGRATULATIONS to the winners and the Honorable Mentions (songs that either had high scores, a high level of artistic merit or were considered to show exceptional promise)! Check out these talented songwriters and their songs!

 

 

 

Top Ten

  1. Diann Hammer: All I Know
  2. Bonnie Warren: Paint the Grey Away
  3. Diana Kelley: A Woman’s Heart
  4. Mark Stuart: Remote Control
  5. Anne Sterry: If I Had Loved You More
  6. David Snowden: Nothin’ You Do is Gonna Make Me Cry
  7. Chad Hamilton: Best Mistake
  8. Debbie Pascarella: The Fire I Can’t Put Out
  9. Jayne Sachs: You Key Still Works
  10. Ty Greiner: Bring on the Rain

Honorable Mentions

  • Debbie Pascarella: Tryin’ Not To Die
  • David Snowden: A Whole Lot Farther
  • Cayd Greiner: Loved For Being You 
  • Toni Wortherly: In the Hallway
  • Kristie Gondzar: Sugar Cube
  • Diann Hammer: Bottle or the Bible
  • Michael Rhodes: Good to You

For those of you who are entering song contests nationwide, you may be aware that GSC members continue to WIN or PLACE in these contests.  Our GSC team is  very proud of your recognition.

GSC is only a facilitator for this event.  The GSC staff does not take place in any of the judging.  We say that because GSC members have 1st, 2nd and 3rd places in this contest! As you can imagine we are thrilled.

2018 Member Success Stories Continued

More Cuts, Pub Deals, Artist Deals, Song Contracts and More

Our GSC members are working with everything they have inside to create success. They are working when they don’t “feel” like it. They are showing up and pitching their songs even when they are tired of being turned down. And just when some may be thinking that nothing will ever happen–BOOM! They get a cut, a call, or a contract! Please reach out to each GSC member and congratulate them on their success! It would mean so much to each of them to hear from you! We announced a few GSC member successes in January and now here are some more great reports that have come in over the past few weeks!

Read more

2017 GSC Member Success Stories

GSC Members…Label Signings, CMT TV, Winning Nearly Every Song Contest!

With every hour spent in a GSC Career Mentoring Session, our goal is to Encourage, Equip and Empower you to create the career of your dreams. GSC is different from other songwriting communities in that we are all about one-on-one mentoring/career building and meeting your specific needs. That is how GSC feels we can best create results for you. We can mentor, teach, and give guidance, but we can’t live your dream for you and make it come true. We want your dreams to come true as much as you do! Our team believes in the fact that you have been given these gifts and talents to be used and to be shared with others.

Over time, some of you are applying the tips and tools we teach, you are following up, you are stepping out and you are DOING IT! Needless to say, we are very proud of each of you and honored to be a small part of your journey. As you are moving up, from level to level, we will continue to do everything we can to maximize and amplify your efforts. Please take a moment to review some of our recent member success stories. Hopefully, we haven’t missed anyone’s successes as there are so many of them–good problem! Thank you for reaching out to each person on Facebook, let them know you are a GSC member and CONGRATULATE THEM! YOU…are NEXT!

Dave Quirk

Dave Quirk, OR – Dave has diligently and relentlessly been investing in himself and his songwriting gifts and talents with the goal of writing his personal best songs.  He has attended several GSC FOCUS events, taken advantage of our GSC POP Events and our career mentoring services.  Dave is a songwriter on the rise and we are thrilled that his efforts are starting to bring him some recognition!  And, this how “it” happens.  Dave co-write a song “One Less Regret” with GSC member Carrie Cunningham and it is her first single on her album! Read more about this album in the next success story about Carrie! Thank you for congratulating your fellow GSC member Dave Quirk on his facebook page. All of you know firsthand just how hard you have to work to create success.

 

 

GSC Member Label Signings, Top Ten Artists to Watch, CMT TV STARS!

Our GSC members are absolutely EVERYWHERE and RISING!  It takes years to achieve success in this industry, but they are working it one step at a time.

Carrie CunninghamCarrie Cunningham, CA – Carrie is a stunningly gorgeous songstress by night and a smart, hard-working business woman by day.  GSC congratulates Carrie as her album made the TOP TEN LIST for Women in Country.  Carrie has attended GSC FOCUS Events and we have supported and encouraged her efforts as an artist for many years.  It has been a JOY for us to see her overcome the life challenges that we all face and to see her succeed.  WELL-DESERVED SUCCESS!  You can congratulate Carrie and learn more about her and her album on her facebook page or read the article here. Even better, buy her album!  Let’s support our up and coming GSC talent!

 

 

Lance CarpenterLance Carpenter, TN – Not only did Lance Carpenter sign a record deal with Show Dog Nashville Records (Toby Keith’s label), he also recently released a single with Krystal Keith titled, “Anyone Else” and as if that wasn’t enough, Lance was named by Huffington Post as one of the top 10 Country Artists to Watch in 2018! Some of you have written with Lance at our GSC FOCUS events and created a relationship with him. Reach out and congratulate him on his facebook page.  Man, wish we would have gotten his autograph while we still could! Here he goes, folks…

 

 

 

Jessica MackJessica Mack, TN – Jessica Mack become a TV star on CMT!  You may have remembered reading her interview as a GSC Featured Member.  If you have been on our GSC POP Events, you’ve heard the lovely and amazing voice of Jessica Mack for the past two years as she faithfully, faithfully pitched her music.  Several of you were wise enough to hire her to sing a few demo’s for you and now…. she is a featured up and coming Nashville Star on the CMT original show that is replacing the show Nashville. Congratulate her on her facebook page and be sure to tell her that you are a GSC member. Learn more about the show here and become a fan! This is just the beginning for Jessica Mack.

 

 

John Cirillo John Cirillo, TN – John Cirillo signs Nashville Publisher catalog rep deal!  John has been hard at work on the craft of songwriting for many, many years now in Nashville.  John has remained true to his talents and stayed working with his head up while there were times that his heart was down.  We are so thrilled to announce that John has signed a catalog representation deal with one of Nashville top publishers!  As a writer, it is so great to have a home for your music and a great working relationship with someone you can trust to represent your catalog.  If you are a new artist in town and looking for a writer who has been down the road before you for years…look up John and get to writing!  Read on further under the Song Contest section for even more incredible news about John and give John a shout out on his facebook page.

 

 

Believe it or not…over the Christmas Holidays there was ONE MORE of our artist/writer members who was signed to an artist development deal and a publishing deal.  We can’t talk about it until the official press release publishes but here’s a hint–read through your old newsletters as she was recently a GSC Featured member.  Stay tuned for more on this rising star!  In the meantime, keep READING!!

 GSC MEMBERS ARE WINNING SONG CONTESTS!

Did you know that recently GSC received calls from two different song contests asking about GSC and what we do as our GSC members songs were overall THE winning songs in their contents??  Their judges noticed the QUALITY of the GSC member songs were simply better songs!  So, thank you to those of you who sent in your branded lyric or listed GSC as your member affiliation. We really appreciate it. Also, thanks to those of you who have signed up for mentoring sessions to have Sheree or Bruce Michael Miller review your songs. Now kick back and get ready to meet some WINNERS!

Diann HammerDiann Hammer, MD – Diann Hammer entered songs she had been co-writing with GSC Members into the 34th Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest sponsored by her local and regional Songwriter’s Association of Washington and guess what?  She and her co-writers had a TON of great success!

 

 

 

 

 

Mike RhodesMike Rhodes, CO – Diann Hammer co-wrote “Bottle Or The Bible” with Victoria Banks and Mike Rhodes at our last GSC FOCUS event. The song took the first place Gold award for the Gospel/Christian/Inspirational category.  Michael is a performing, singer/songwriter/artist in the Denver, CO area. The best is yet to come for Michael Rhodes.  Check out his amazing talents at on his facebook page.

 

 

 

 

Clayton JonesClayton Jones, TN – Terms And Conditions” co-written by Diann and Mitch Hammer with Clayton Jones placed as  a Finalist in the Open Category.  Clayton Jones is an amazing artist, creator, performer, and most of all, person.  Clayton is an artist of artists, a vocalist of vocalist!  You will hear the production work and voice of Clayton Jones nearly every week on our POP Events.  This is one great artist you want to know! Check him out on facebook.

 

 

 

 

Mitch HammerMitch Hammer, MD – “Let You Go” co-written by Diann and Mitch Hammer along with Victoria Banks, received Honorable Mention in the Adult Contemporary category.  Both Diann and Mitch have attended our GSC FOCUS events and have been working diligently at their craft for the past 3 years.  We are so excited for all of their success and their co-writing connections.

 

 

 

 

Tedd SwormstedtTedd Swormstedt, OH – Tedd’s songs are not only winning contests, but he just received his first official Nashville single song contract offer the first of this year!  You all know that we count and celebrate every contract as they represent a working relationship with a top industry professional and those are NOT easy to come by!  In addition, Tedd’s song  “Blood” received the Gold Award in the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest!  This is a solo written and a powerful song.

 

 

 

 

John CirilloJohn Cirillo, TN – John won first place for Best Country Song “If You Drink” in the USA Songwriting Competition Award!  John is the kind of guy who always wants to be sure that his co-writers are always recognized right there with him, so kudo’s to GSC member and field reporter, Daniel Reifsynder, and former GSC member, Sarah Spencer, for helping him pen an award-winning song!

 

 

 

 

(If we missed your success story – please email [email protected] and put MY SUCCESS in the subject matter to be recognized in our next newsletter.)