October Writing Update

My "Risky Business" episode has come and gone and now I'm back to the grind of writing.

Today I attended a great music industry networking event called "BS Fridays". It was started by Barb Sedun of EMI publishing.  Great turnout today and I was happy to make some excellent contacts.

I'm currently looking for beat programmers with a knowledge of mixing to collaborate with on some new tunes. Please send referrals my way!

And on the note of beat programming, here's something I came across recently.

Singer/songwriter Barry Manilow says that he fears the art of songwriting is being lost to the computers and drum machines of the new music technologies. Admitting that he is very involved in the "machinery and the technical ways of making music these days," he nonetheless urges the younger generation to turn off the machinery and truly commune with the art of crafting a song. "... what I miss are well-written songs with great ideas, wonderful lyrics, beautiful rhymes and wonderful melodies," he told FOX411's Pop Tarts. "I don't hear that anymore; I feel very angry about that. People are making great records because of all the technical abilities... I tell these young people to turn off the drums and all that stuff, and ask themselves is there a melody and lyrics there? Can you just sing it there with a guitar or are you locked into all these machines? I don't think they do."

I agree and disagree. Some current pop songs lack melody and meaningful lyrics but there are also some awesome songs out there right now. The reality is that people will continue to use the newest technology to create new sounds. As songwriters, there will always be a need for amazing musicians, lyrics and melody but I say bring on the drum machines. Lets make it all work together because I think that's what the audience wants.