April '07
April is ASCAP EXPO month. You can still register...
check out the ASCAP website (www.ascap.com) - there's
a full schedule of events posted now too. NJ Songwriters
in the Round is an EXPO partner, which means you can
get an additional discount if you select NJ Songwriters
from the pull down menu. Hope to see some of yas
out there.
For new songs & up-to-date news, check out
my myspace page - www.myspace.com/debferrara
February '07
Aah! Has it been that long?! Ok.. here's the scoop...
tonight (2/20) we are celebrating NJ Songwriters in the
Round's 4th anniversary. C'mon out and join the party -
8:30pm - Maxwell's in Hoboken... Free, free, free! For
more info check the NJ Songwriters myspace page
(www.myspace.com/njsongwritersintheround)
December '06
Have a new song is posted on myspace... "SEXY COOL"
check it out when ya can... MYSPACE
We're currently finishing up another new one with/for pop
artist April Start. It's titled "This is Me" and has
Disney written all over it! I'll let yas know when it's up and
ready. Visit April at: April Start
November '06
So, it's been awhile! It's been very busy... lots of writing
and collaborating and schemeing! ;-) I will put a note here
when some new songs are posted on MYSPACE (soon!)
and you can hear what I've been up to. Some pretty cool
stuff in the works!
Let's see if I can jot down a couple of goings-on...
I have a song in the running for an indie flick starring Willa
Holland from the OC. Hopefully it will make the final cut...
There's an article in the Friday (11/17) Daily Record about
Eugene Foley's new book and seminar... I was asked to
contribute. Good article about how the Internet is essential
to the music biz these days. Check it out.. it's probably online
too.
Well.. I'm off and running - much to do. Hopefully I will see
you at the NJ Songwriters showcase this coming Tuesday
(11/21). Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
9/11/06
Written by my daugher, Melody, 13, for a
school assignment describing her feelings about 9/11.
We Will Remember
(c) 2006 Melody Warren
The pain the misery of all who knew
The people who suffered through and through
But I did not know the tragedy well
I was only 8 when the incident fell
Remembering back to that day and that year
Thinking of how I trembled in fear
When the teacher broke the news it seemed
I couldn’t understand. What did it all mean?
I wondered how someone could be so cruel
All I knew at the time was family and school
To kill so many and not even care
To me it seemed senseless and didn’t seem fair
The school day ended the normal way
We took the bus home just the same
But the people on the bus did happen to change
The expressions on their faces rearranged
The bus was filled with quirky noises
Strange conversation and quiet voices
Then when I arrived at my front door
I had no idea what would be in store
My mom explained the events that day
I was speechless and had nothing to say
When I overheard that my aunt was there
I started to cry, I was so scared
But I was relieved, from what I could hear
She ran from the flames and into the clear
My aunt was fine and all seemed well
With the exception of how the Trade Center fell
I was joyous and terrified all at the same time
How could someone commit such a heinous crime?
Doing homework that night was such a dread
With all these thoughts running through my head
It was in the newspaper and all over the news
Something horrible happened, it gave me the blues
Five years later and my feelings have changed
From scared and worried to completely outraged
How dare they come in, the heartless invade
Ruin so many lives and destroy our World Trade
I’ll never forget those who have passed
Those who have suffered in the Twin Tower attacks
I’m thankful for those who came to our aid
Bandaged our wounds, they were not afraid
I always get scared this time of the year
Will it happen again? Are they already here?
Shattered glass, buildings burned
Pieces missing, broken homes
For every mother, daughter, father and son
Who lost their lives in 2001
We’ll never forget you, we’ll always remember
The heart stopping eleventh day of September
News for August 2006
Intro To Songwriting ... Register now if you're
interested in taking this 5 week class at the South
Orange / Maplewood Adult School:
Intro To Songwriting
New song is posted on myspace. Why'd You Kiss Me
(Ferrara, Buk, Watson)
Produced by Askold Buk/Deb Ferrara
I wanted to share the wonderful article written by
Tammy LaGorce of the NY Times about NJ Songwriters
in the Round.... Thanks, Tammy for such a positive article
and for supporting what we all do. :-)
by TAMMY La GORCE
HOBOKEN -- Music lovers have their reasons for
hating “American Idol.” Quibbling judges are part of it, but
more often it’s the starry-eyed artists themselves: instead of
performing their own material, they sing covers. And because
it’s vocals only, what any contestant might be able to bring to
the stage in the way of inspired guitar or piano work is
anybody’s guess.
The better spot for New Jersey’s armchair talent
scouts, then -- and, if a recent installment was an accurate
reflection, a few real ones, too -- may be the back room of
Maxwell’s here on the third Tuesday of every month. Once the
New Jersey Songwriters in the Round banner is hoisted,
whatever gets poured out onstage belongs to the artist alone.
And even if it is barely worth mopping up, it paints a complete
picture, instrument-playing and all.
Sometimes, it even draws the kind of whoops and
wolf whistles normally associated with Maxwell’s storied main
stage: Dana Parish, a gigantic-voiced 26-year-old former
backup singer for Michael Jackson and Usher, earned them
several months ago after performing a first song with
Christina Aguilera-style gusto and announcing that a
second, “Not My Problem,” was recently recorded by the pop
star Shakira. In March, Lina Morgana, a camera-ready, hair-
shaking 17-year-old already signed to Sony, followed in her
footsteps by grabbing the mike and pouting out an original
lament that owed a lot to Gwen Stefani and a little to Jessica
Simpson.
It’s the kind of amateur night, according to the
series’ big-smiling Long Valley-based host, Deb Ferrara,
where regulars arrive not expecting to nudge one another in
the ribs and snicker at the expense of the latest Springsteen
wannabe, but to see who will light up the room with raw talent
next. Consistently, said Ms. Ferrara, who launched the
showcase in 2003, somebody does.
New Jersey Songwriters in the Round is a
misnomer. In March, only two of five performers, Stacy Smith
of Red Bank and John Taglieri of East Rutherford, drove to
Maxwell’s without crossing a bridge or tunnel. Ms. Morgana
lives in Staten Island, and the other performers, Amy Lennard
and Sean Mormelo, a pair of Steve Earle-Ryan Adams-
Lucinda Williams acolytes, arrived from Long Island and
Alaska respectively. Which says a lot about the series’
breadth.
“I would say I used to get around 75 percent of my
submissions from New Jersey,” said Ms. Ferrara, who sifts
through dozens of demos monthly when she is not writing her
own music, currently for the upcoming Hollywood
film “Fashionistas.” Since word of the talent caliber has
spread, though, and since she recently adopted a policy of
accepting submissions only through the online music-
exchange site Sonicbids and the occasional recommendation
from the American Society of Composers, Authors &
Publishers (ASCAP), which sponsors the nonprofit showcase,
that number has dropped to around 40 percent.
No matter how far-flung a songwriter or how
lauded, though, chops alone sway Ms. Ferrara’s selections.
“I don’t want to squash anybody’s hopes, but I
have to turn people away a lot, tell them to submit again later
when their music might be a better fit,” said Ms. Ferrara. “I go
by my ear and pick what sounds to me like the cream of the
crop. If I don’t pick the cream of the crop, then the industry
people won’t pop by, and that’s a major part of this. Does that
sound mean?”
Not to any of the hundred-plus writers who have
earned the nod to play the nonpaying gig, certainly. In addition
to the chance to name-drop Maxwell’s as an outlet for their
music -- “something that’s a big deal at this level,” said Ms.
Ferrara, who typically lines up her talent four months in
advance -- the featured writers get to infiltrate the ears of
audience members such as Seth Saltzman, a senior VP at
ASCAP who stood listening intently near the bar at the
showcase Ms. Parish played.
“There are hundreds of things we can do to help --
everything from getting a songwriter to be a member [of
ASCAP] to finding them collaborators to getting the word out
about a new TV series that has an assignment for a
songwriter,” said Mr. Saltzman, who tries to make the
showcase each month.
More to the point for born-performer types like Ms.
Parish, “we have label people coming out, some scouting
opportunities where deals can be made with major people,”
said Ms. Ferrara. At March’s installment, a representative from
the TV network Oxygen and the major label Epic were
amongst the 75-plus crowd.
Though her discerning ear has not yet facilitated
instant celebrity -- less regional-sounding series such as the
Writer’s Hang, held monthly in Hoboken at the Goldhawk,
have more of a reputation for drawing on-the-brink artists
such as Amos Lee and Amy Correia -- “for some it’s just a
matter of when,” she predicted. “You listen and you wonder,
Why hasn’t somebody kind of grabbed them yet?” For others,
like the maybe too-familiar-sounding Ms. Lennard or Daniel
Zdravkoski, a guy-with-guitar from Wurstboro, N.Y., who
played the earlier showcase, “it can be a matter of being in the
right place at the right time. There are a lot of traditional
songwriters in that mold playing the circuit,” Ms. Ferrara
said. “I thought he had a good voice. Didn’t you?”
News for July 2006
July 4
Just a few odds and ends... working on lots of new
music - hopefully will have a brand new song up by the
end of July.
I'm teaching a songwriting class at the South
Orange/Maplewood Adult School this fall. It will run 5
weeks - Thursday nights from 7-9pm. Registration will
start soon - the URL is: Intro to Songwriting
We have a great NJ Songwriters show lined up this
month - Please join us on 7/18... Annette Farrington,
Daniel Ferrari, Nik Everett and Jo Wymer. 8:30pm - Free -
Maxwell's in Hoboken.
News for May 2006
May 16
TONIGHT! Film/TV Music Panel @
Maxwell's... 8pm - FREE --- Check out the NJ Songwriters
pages for all the details. Great opportunity - don't miss it!
May 10
NEW SONG posted on My Space Check out
On My Way
Deb's News for April 2006
April 25
The NY Times Home Recording article ("Bedroom
Pop") will run on May 21st. Many NJ Songwriters artists
participated in the survey so I thought I'd give y'all a heads up!
Be sure to pick up a copy.
May 16th All finalized! Our film/TV music panel
will be AWESOME!! We have: Dave Hnatiuk (Music Supervisor,
ABC/MTV), Josh Kessler (MasterSource), Brooke Primont
(Cherry Lane Music Group) and Seth Saltzman (ASCAP).
The evening will start off at 8pm with music by Tom Kafafian.
FREE FREE FREE!!!! See the press release posted on
My Space for all the details: NJ Songwriters
April 17
NJ Songwriters show tomorrow night (4/18).. don't miss it!
Our May panel event is shaping up.... Mark your calendar
for May 16th:
"SO YOU WANT TO GET YOUR MUSIC IN PICTURES...
a look at music placement for film/TV and advertising..."
JOSH KESSLER, Executive Producer, MASTERSOURCE
DAVE HNATIUK, Music Supervisor - ABC/MTV
and published author "MUSIC SUPERVISION"
Special musical guest: TOM KAFAFIAN
Additional panelists to be confirmed this week.
Deb's News for March 2006
March 25
So, we had a great time at Maxwell's last night! We were
asked to play low key... there weren't supposed to be ANY
drums in the opening acts for Richard Butler on this tour
(actually, they thought I was doing the show solo) - so we
compromised.... snare instead of full drums, acoustic
guitars instead of electrics, bass and keys -- definitely
lighter versions of the tunes, but it was very cool. Oh yeah...
and Richard Butler was pretty cool too! ;-)
March 24
Check out the brand new ASCAP Playback magazine --
Songs for The Cause is in there. You can see it online,
too... PLAYBACK MAGAZINE
March 10
New addition to schedule... FULL BAND show on Friday,
March 24th... opening for Richard Butler (Psychedelic
Furs)!!! Performing will be Askold Buk, John DeVita,
Jacquie DeVita, John Lengyel, Jerry Palmarozzo (and
yours truly!) Showtime is 10pm -- tix available at
ticketweb. Visit the Maxwell's website for more info:
www.maxwellsnj.com
Hope to see you at the show!
March 1
A few fun things going on....
Songs for the Cause will be in the upcoming
issue of ASCAP's Playback Magazine!! I'm not certain
when it comes out... March or April, I believe....
The film/TV panel event for NJ Songwriters in the
Round is coming along very nicely... check back
periodically - I'll post updates here. We hopefully will
have everything and all panelists confirmed by the April
newsletter. To subscribe - send an email to
swrnj@aol.com
The NJ Songwriters show in March (3/21) features
a fabulous lineup - Amy Lennard, Sean Mormelo, Stacy
Smith and John Taglieri. We are also featuring a special
performance by Lina Morgana. Lina is a recent
Sony/ATV signing and works closely with hit songwriter/
producer Rob Fusari. She'll be debuting a song that she
and I wrote.
I've been doing lotsa writing... I'll be sure to point yas
to the new music when it's ready.
Deb's News for February 2006
February 14
Happy Valentine's Day! Just a quick update..
I've been asked to be part of DISCOVER GIRLS.COM ...
It's really a beautiful website. They will be doing some
great things for charity, too - the first is a CD compilation
due out in March to benefit breast cancer. Please
check it out: DISCOVERGIRLS.COM
Two more of my songs were used on MTV's MADE --
"Stupidly Beautiful" and "No More." The shows repeat
fairly often - The episode is Lose Weight.
February 8, 2006
A few new things... new photos up on the my space
site! They're from a recent session with fab photographer
Tomaz Tomanek.
I'm doing an acoustic set at SXSW as part of the
Invasion of the Go Girls - - Sat., 3/18@7pm...
see the shows page for details. If you're out there, I
hope you'll stop by and say hello..
South Orange / Maplewood Adult School is offering
a songwriting class again this spring and yours truly is
teaching. To register, visit the site:
SOM Adult School
Deb's News for January 2006
January 20, 2006
ASCAP's "I Create Music" EXPO is the first and only
major entertainment industry conference dedicated to
songwriting and composing taking place April 20 – 22,
2006 in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Renaissance Hotel.
It is open to all music creators and industry professionals,
regardless of affiliation.
NJ Songwriters in the Round is pleased to offer a
Partner Discount Rate to our community. To find
out more about the Expo, visit: ASCAP EXPO
Join our mailing list so you don't miss out on our future
special events and discounts: Email
SongwritersInTheRound_NewJersey-request
@debferrara.com with "Subscribe" in the subject line.
January 19, 2006
Hmm... while the general gist of the Star Ledger review
was on the favorable side (I think!)... I couldn't help but
detect a bit of a 'tude towards me and my handling of the
show . (Most of the nitpicky comments were directed
at me.) I wonder if there's another agenda here! ;-)
Since the audience and artists seem to really enjoy our
monthly get-togethers, I'll just let it go. OMMMM! :-) Oh,
but I do need to say -- we didn't have a dozen people in
attendance - there were more like 30-35...... musta been
a typo!
January 18, 2006
Thanks for coming out last night -- we had a great NJ
Songwriters show! Photos are posted on the site.
SWRNJ-January 17, 2006
( You'll have to excuse the overall "red" -- I adjusted something
on the camera and well..... ;-) )
Check out the Star Ledger on Thursday, 1/19 ... we'll be in
there! (And I'm sure their photographer actually knows how
to use his camera!)
MYSPACE -- Be our friend!
NJ Songwriters on MYSPACE
MYSPACE/Deb
Deb's News for December 2005
December 22, 2005
Happy Holidays to all!
My Space has a couple of new tunes, if you'd like to check
it out... (I'm kinda getting the hang of it over there, altho you
don't wanna know what happened when I tried to edit the
design!!) My Space
December 12, 2005
Wow... over $9,000.00 and still counting for Cause '05.
Thanks to everyone for your support! Adding that to
our previous years - we're close to $30,000.00!!!
Pictures are posted on the website. Take a look... it was
a beautiful evening.
Songs for the Cause
TONIGHT - Songs for the Cause. C'mon out - it's
gonna be a great show!
Boxcar Nancy
The Catholic Girls
Dana Parish
Deb Ferrara
The Grip Weeds
Matt Angus
Songs for the Cause
SONGS FOR THE CAUSE TICKETS ON SALE...
For all the info, visit: remembering Lynn
Deb's News for November 2005
November 29, 2005
Three days left before the benefit concert/auction... Please
check out the story in the Courier News (Thurs) and The
Daily Record (Friday).
I'll be on the air with Al B / WNTI on Thursday morning -
tune in 91.9 at 8AM. Also, check out their website:
wnti.org Songs for the Cause is featured on their
homepage. Thanks WNTI!
See you on Friday!
November 22, 2005
Happy Thanksgiving!
Songs for the Cause has a SPOTLIGHT in the current
issue of the Aquarian.... check it out. The show is coming
up - grab your tix, if you haven't already. We have a great
lineup and over 25 items at our auction.
Photos from the November NJ Songwriters show at
Maxwell's are posted.. Please visit SWRNJ November 15
if you'd like to have a look.
November 16, 2005
Thanks to all who came out to Maxwell's last night - great
show! Photos will be posted soon.
I just posted a brand new song on My Space. I forget
sometimes that I put a page up over there - as you can see
by my small number of "my space friends"!! (Thanks to
those who invited me, cuz I'd have none if not for you -- I
still don't have a clue how to do it!) ANYWAY... if you would
like to check out the new tune, Maybe, here's the url:
www.myspace.com/debferrara
November 2, 2005
A big thank you to Madalyn at GoGirls Music for featuring
me on their homepage this month! Check it out!
Deb's News for October 2005
October 20, 2005
NJ Songwriters in the Round - October 18th photos
posted. Visit: SWRNJ October 05
Special thanks to Carl Maiorino for photographing our event
and doing such a fantastic job! Visit Carl at: Carl Maiorino
October 18, 2005
NJ Songwriters - TONIGHT! Please come on down - we
have a great show.
SONGS FOR THE CAUSE - tix on sale now. Visit
remembering Lynn and get your tix now. They'll go fast
this year.
Don't forget to tune in on Thursday morning... 91.9FM
(8AM) - WNTI Fundraiser time. I'll be in the studio with Al B.
October 7, 2005
I'm very pleased to announce that I'm a recipient of an
ASCAP Pop Award for 2005. Thank you, ASCAP!
October 3, 2005
It 's been busy busy busy... the benefit is coming
along. Our lineup is awesome - the auction keeps growing -
we have some very cool sponsors... please check out the
website for all the details: remembering Lynn
TIX go on sale October 15...
I'll be on WNTI on October 20th with Al B - 8AMish...
Please tune in 91.9 FM It's fall fundraiser time, so call in
and have your credit card ready! I'll be giving away a pair
of tix to the benefit and a couple of CDs..
I hope to get a few new songs up on the website
soon... finishing up vocals on a couple & then I'll share.
Actually... there is one new one up on Kelly Daye's site -
have a listen to "Obvious": Kelly Daye
Deb's News for September 2005
September 22, 2005
Songs for the Cause - website up and running!
remembering Lynn
September 13, 2005
There is no NJ Songwriters show this month - we
will resume at Maxwell's on October 18th. Hope you'll
join us.
Songs for the Cause will take place on December
2nd this year at the newly renovated Stanhope House.
It should be an awesome event! So far on board are
The Grip Weeds, Dana Parish, The Catholic Girls,
Boxcar Nancy, The Shining and yours truly. Say tuned
for the final lineup.
Our event also includes a celebrity silent auction with
items autographed by Melissa Etheridge, Gavin DeGraw,
Norah Jones, Pink, George Thorogood, Maroon 5, Bon
Jovi, Hilary Duff... and more...
Tickets will go on sale sometime in October... more
info coming shortly.
Deb's News for August 2005
August 24, 2005
Thank you to Dan Herman, Radio Crystal Blue, for
selecting Anything But Ordinary as one of his
"future stars" for featured radio play during the 9/4 -
10/23 period. To listen: Dan Herman/Radio Crystal Blue
Radio Crystal Blue Sundays 7pm-1am or so EDT
www.live365.com
This weekend... Knowlton Riverfest...
Knowlton Riverfest
August 16, 2005
TONIGHT! .... NJ Songwriters in the Round @
Maxwell's. Featured performers: Alice Marie, Julia
Othmer, Dana Parish, Patrick Suler and Daniel Zdravkoski.
The NY Times is doing a story on the series and will be at
this show... please come on out and join us!
I'm teaching a songwriting class this fall at the South
Orange Maplewood Adult school... Intro to
Songwriting. For more info and to register, visit:
SOM Adult School
Deb's News for July 2005
July 19, 2005
So... it's a very busy month! I've been working on some new
material - one tune for an upcoming Paramount film. My
production partner, Askold Buk, and I finished a clip to be
used in a mock trailer ... with the help of good pal, Deena
Miller - who handles all the vocals (and does such an
incredible job!!) I can't wait until I can share it..... but I can't
just yet! ;-)
Also... I'll be playing Josh Rifkin's Songwriters Showcase
next Tuesday (7/26) with a bunch of very talented area
musicians. The venue is Circa in Rochelle Park.
(375 West Passaic St., Rochell Park NJ)
Please come on out... would love to see yas! My set starts
at around 10pm.
Anything But Ordinary was chosen as a
Kweevak Top 35 Music Project of the year. Yay! To visit
the Kweevak site: Kweevak Thanks to all who
voted! xxoo
NJ Songwriters in the Round - TONIGHT! Please join
us at Maxwell's - 8:30 PM - free admission.
Featuring: Missy Brodrick, Mary Lamont and Jim Testa.
(Theresa Miele is sick and won't be joining us ... but we'll
get her rescheduled soon.)
July 3, 2005
Happy 4th! GMA featured us this past Friday morning as part
of a segment they're doing with Family Fun Magazine - We
were voted one of America's most fun neighborhoods. If
you're a Good Morning America watcher and you didn't blink
at 8:10 - you might have caught us!
I've been asked to teach an adult school class in South
Orange/Maplewood on songwriting this coming fall. I'll post
registration information when we firm things up this week.
Deb's News for June 2005
June 18, 2005
MTV has used "Walk Away" in the Boyfriend Material
episode of MADE. It's already aired, but keep your eyes
open... it's sure to be on again.
June 2, 2005
Please take a minute to sign the petition to stop drive-through
mastectomies: sign here
Deb's News for May 2005
May 14, 2005
Just a little update... not too much booked (show-wise)
because I've been busy with other projects. I'm currently
in the studio working on some new pop material with
Askold Buk.... We'll also be working with an awesome
artist, Kelly Daye, on some new stuff at the end of May.
I'll try to get some of the new music up on the site in a
few weeks.
I'm finalizing an agreement with a film/TV publishing
company in LA... hopefully great things will come from that.
And... just last week I did a workshop for the middle school
on songwriting. It was so much fun to talk to the kids....
there are a lot of young writers out there!
Of course, with the fall right around the corner - we're working
on getting commitments and making plans for the
breast cancer benefit. I will announce the lineup (or at
least the headliner) as soon as I can... Venue will be in
NJ, but we're still choosing between a couple.
I think that's all for now... please try to make it out to
NJ Songwriters on Tuesday, May 17th... we have a really
great show for you!
-Deb
May 10. 2005
Anything But Ordinary was nominated for a Kweevak
Music Award... Please cast your vote:
* When: Voting runs from May 10 through May 31, 2005
* Fans may vote for their favorite CD by going to the
Awards page at: Kweevak
* From there they will be able to select the favorite
artist from a list of this year's nominees.
* Fans will need to select their favorite CD, enter a
valid e-mail address, and add a brief comment.
* Only 1 vote per e-mail address will be counted and you
must include a comment in the body of the email.
Thank you for voting!
-Deb
Deb's News for April 2005
April 23, 2005
Thank you all for a GREAT turnout on Tuesday!! Our
panelists were fabulous ... honest, open and very gracious.
CDs are en route to their offices... please share your
success stories with us!
And yes... we will definitely be presenting more panels,
educational and networking events in the future...
I have a couple of fun shows coming up - could use your
support....
Tuesday, April 26 - come on out to The Bitter End
in NYC -- Chick Singer Night. 7:30.
Thursday, May 19th - Arlene's Grocery.. Mamapalooza!
Full band show.
Hope to see yas out there!
April 8, 2005
NJ Songwriters in the Round - SPECIAL EVENT...
Industry Panel on April 19th @ 8pm - Maxwell's
WHAT MAKES A HIT SONG
ROB FUSARI (Destiny's Child, Jessica Simpson, etc.)
ERIC BEALL (VP A&R Sony Music)
KEN DASHOW (Q104.3)
Music by The Deb Ferrara Band and Bobby Syvarth
Do not miss this!
Check out a preview of the event in The Aquarian on
4/13.
April 2, 2005
Chick Singer Night is this Tuesday, April 5th. Please
join Kathy, Jodelle and I - and the CSN band. Our
guests this month are: Sonya Heller, Larissa Jaye Schultz,
Annie Sidley and Vicky Taytro. 7:30 pm - Mexicali Blues
There was an article in yesterday's Star Ledger (4/1)
about CSN... we'd like to thank Jay Lustig for supporting
us.
WNTI is holding their spring membership drive
April 3 - 9th. Lots of local artists will be stopping by the
studio to help out. I'll be there this Thursday morning with
Todd Langdon . Tune in 91.9 and listen at 8AM... (Al B's
show).... and PLEASE become a member and support
local public radio. wnti.org
Also on Thursday -- I'll be doing an Internet radio interview
with Rich Lynch from Kweevak kweevak.com Listen in at:
rocklandworldradio.com between 2-3PM. The show will
be archived for several weeks, so if you miss it, you can
always check it out later.
Deb's News for March 2005
March 20, 2005
Just a quick update... Austin was incredible!!! I'll get
some pictures up in the gallery as soon as I can. I met
some very interesting people and heard some great music.
It was so exciting to be part of it all!
I also want to congratulate Carter Humphrey for his
Grammy win last month for his work on Rod Stewart's CD.
Carter mixed Anything But Ordinary and did an amazing
job... CONGRATS CARTER!!!!
Next stop - Chick Singer Night in a couple of weeks..
hope to see you there!
March 13, 2005
NJ Songwriters in the Round - TUES., 3/15
@ Maxwell's. Don't miss this great show featuring Meredith
Blis, Jennifer Glass, Redentor and Roark... Celebrate St.
Patty's day a couple of days early with us! The shows page
has all the details. **Also, Jodelle and I will be performing a
few songs that we'll be doing at the SXSW showcase... To
visit Jodelle's website, click here: Jodelle.net
To all those who are Austin-bound... stop by Trophy's
on Thursday, March 17 at 8:40... and again on Friday
at 7:45. Jodelle and I are performing a 25 minute set
on St. Patrick's Day...should be quite a party!!! On Friday
(3/18), I'll be doing a quick 2 songs - same place. We can't
wait!
Our April 19th industry panel event is just about
ready to go. Here are the details:
WHAT MAKES A HIT SONG...
... Join us on Tuesday, April 19th as NJ Songwriters in the
Round and ASCAP present an industry panel event on the
art, craft and business of songwriting.
The evening will start with short musical performances by
Bobby Syvarth bobbysyvarth.com and the Deb Ferrara
Band, followed by presentations by our panel of music
industry experts. Hit songwriter/producer ROB FUSARI,
Q104.3's KEN DASHOW, and a major publisher (TBA),
will each speak on the topic, followed by a Q&A session
and networking. If you'd like to get your music to our expert
panelists, bring your CDs and we will forward them to their
offices. Don't miss this great opportunity!
Date: Tuesday, April 19th
Place: Maxwell's - 1039 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ
Time: 8:00pm
Free admission
That's it for now... hope to see you soon!
Deb's News for February 2005
2/27/05
Radio Crystal Blue is doing an airplay vote. You can
vote for my CD once per day by clicking here:
VOTE DEB! Scroll down to bracket 15 and cast your vote...
Please and thank you! :-)
We are planning a very special event at Maxwell's
on Tuesday, April 19th. The night will start out with music
by Bobby Syvarth and my band - followed by an
industry panel: "WHAT MAKES A HIT SONG"
Our special guests are:
Hit songwriter/producer, Rob Fusari Q104.3's Ken Dashow Major Publisher -
TBA
Each will give a short presentation... we'll open it up to
your questions and then you'll be able to network.
This is a FREE event - bring your questions, bring your
business cards and take advantage of this great opportunity!
2/14/05
Happy Valentine's Day!
NJ Songwriters in the Round @ Maxwell's is
tomorrow - (Tues. Feb. 15th) and we have a great show! ...
Lisa Brigantino, Queen Esther, Shelly Riff and Josh Rifkin
will be there... please come out and join us...
I'll be performing at SXSW on March 17th along with a
very special guest - and very good friend.... Accompanying
me on keyboards will be the incredibly talented
singer/songwriter, Jodelle. We'll be doing a couple of her
songs as a duo as well. We're really looking forward to it!
Also on the schedule is MAMAPALOOZA at Arlene
Grocery in NYC. Full band show! Mark your calendar for
Thursday, May 19th... should be a fun time!
Deb's News for January 2005
1/26/05
Hi all...
First of all.... Chick Singer Night is next Tuesday!!
Please come and check it out... Mexicali Blues is a very
cool venue and this is a very cool show! We have our first
brave guy, Roark, doing ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH!!! Also
appearing - Nicole Napolitano and Jennifer Marks. In
addition - Kathy Phillips, Jodelle and I will each be performing
a couple of songs. Fun, fun, fun!
Lots of great stuff to tell yas about... I was asked to
perform "Everywhere" at The Susan G. Komen Breast
Cancer Foundation's Celebration of Life event at the
Westmont Country Club in Paterson on June 6th. I wrote
Everywhere for my sister, Lynn. The song is on the
Songs For The Cause CD from '04 and also on
Anything But Ordinary. I don't have a clip up on this
site, but you can hear a bit of it on the ASCAP website in
my audio portrait:
ASCAP Audio Portrait/Ferrara
Songs For The Cause 05 plans are in full swing...
It looks like the show will be taking on a different form
this year... more like a traditional concert event. Hopefully
I'll have some confirmations - venue, headliner, etc... within
the next couple of weeks. This is looking like it will be
AWESOME!! BTW... I really will be needing more volunteers
to pull this off - please drop me a note if you want to be
involved...
The band and I will be doing the Mamapalooza festival
this spring. The event was started 4 years ago by one of
the members of Housewives on Prozac... and the 2005
fests will take place in San Francisco, New York, Dallas,
Detroit, Nashville and Washington DC. I'm not sure
which event they're putting us in, but I'll post it on my shows
page when I have details. YAY for all the "Moms who rock"
out there!
And last... (for now!)... We're in the midst of a Women in Music
membership drive. I urge you all to take a look at the website
and consider joining... it's a great organization with members
in all aspects of the business. We have a very special
20th Anniversary Touchstone Awards luncheon planned for
June 21st. Our award recipients so far include ASCAP
President/Chairman, Marilyn Bergman, Donna Hilley
(President/CEO Sony/ATV Music, Nashville), Francesca
Spero (Bad Boy Records) & Dorothy Fields (posthumously).
Visit the website for more info and a membership app-
www.womeninmusic.org
1/16/05
Radio Crystal Blue will be playing a track from Anything
But Ordinary this coming Sunday, January 23... Go to:
http://www.radiocrystalblue.com
and click on the little mic graphic OR... go to the official station
URL at: http://www.live365.com/stations/142950
The show is on from 7PM until 1AM EST.... tune in!
NJ Songwriters in the Round photos are posted from the
November, December and January shows... visit:
http://debferrara.com/swrnj/events.html The photo
pages are under the event calendar... Scroll down ...
(they're a little out of order.. sorry... haven't figured out how to
move those around yet!!)...
1/9/05
Brrrr...! I know it's cold outside, but I hope you'll join us
this Tuesday (1/11) at Maxwell's for our monthly NJ
Songwriters in the Round showcase. We have a great
lineup -- Boxcar Nancy, Edric Debos, John Fucci, Amy Ward...
and I'll do a couple of songs too. 8:30 - no cover
I was asked to submit some pop songs for an artist just
signed to Hollywood Records for her debut CD. Rob Fusari
(Jessica Simpson, Destiny's Child, etc. ) and I submitted 5
strong songs... I'll keep ya posted..
Until next time around...... stay warm! :-)
1/1/05
Happy New Year! I first want to thank you all for your
support - especially over this past year with the new record,
and the new band... It really was an incredible and fun year
for me.
So.... my New Year's Resolution is to concentrate more on
writing songs and less on writing emails! I have the
opportunity to collaborate with some incredible songwriters...
and I'm looking forward to a very productive year. However...
there's no way I'm hanging up my dancing shoes! (I can do it
all, right?!) Some of you met my new (awesome!) bass
player, John Lengyel at the Komen benefit in October - but we
also have a new lead guitar player... (also awesome!) Todd
Langdon. We've been rehearsing and will be ready to go
shortly... I'll keep you posted.
The first newsletter of '05 for NJ Songwriters just went out... if
you're not on the mailing list and you wanna be, please click
on the subscribe link on the NJ Songwriters page. There are
some great things in the works...
Please note that the NJ Songwriters show at Maxwell's
will be on the 2nd Tuesday in January (1/11)...
Hope to see you out there!
Deb's News for December 2004
These are the first of the radio stations playing Christmas
Time (is Near) :
KZST - San Jose, California
WDTS - Wilmington, Delaware
WBUL (AM) - Florida
WFCF - Jacksonville, Florida
KGPR - Great Falls, Montana
WNTI - Hackettstown, NJ
WGMC - Queens, NY
WETD - Rochester, NY
WERW - Syracuse, NY
WNYO - Syracuse, NY
WATC - Watertown, NY
KFGO - Fargo, North Dakota
KEOL - LaGrande, Oregon
WKLC - Portland, Oregon
WDRQ - Erie, Pennsylvania
WSVC - Oreensburo, Pennsylvania
KAOS - Olympia, Washington
Listen to a clip of the song here:
http://www.debferrara.com/songwriting.html
12/17/04
Pictures, pictures and more pictures.... Take a look at the
Chick Singer Night photo album from opening night at:
CSN Jersey Debut
There is also a story in today's Herald News about the show.
Please note... we have rescheduled the January CSN
show due to the holidays... Our next Chick Singer Night
showcase at Mexicali Blues will be TUESDAY, FEB. 1st
and will be every first Tuesday of the month thereafter.
Check the website for details: Chick Singer Night - NJ
12/9/04
So, Chick Singer Night was a blast! The
performances were just unbelievable!! Look for
an article in the Herald News on December 17th...
We'll post some pictures on the CSN website soon:
Chick Singer Night - NJ
I'll be on Artists Up Close with Beth and Jules
tomorrow morning. Tune in -- WNTI - 91.9 FM between
9-10 a.m. For more info, visit: http://www.wnti.org
Deb's News for November 2004
11/30/04
Artists Up Close
I just taped the Beth and Jules "Artists Up Close" radio
show on WNTI ~~ 91.9 FM. The half hour segment will
air on Friday, December 10th between 9-10 am... and
will include an interview and music from "Anything But
Ordinary - and the debut of my new Christmas song.
Thank you Beth and Jules for supporting all us indie
artists/songwriters... You guys rock!
Listen to a clip of Christmas Time (is Near):
http://www.debferrara.com/songwriting.html
Contact me if you'd like a copy of the single.
11/29/04
CBGB's TONIGHT!
NY Singer/Songwriter Sessions
9:15pm ~ $5.00 cover
Live webcast
http://cbgb.com
11/24/04
Thanks for a great night at Maxwell's last night everybody!
Next show is Monday 11/29 at CBGB's Lounge... hope to see
you there!
Happy Turkey Day.
11/15/04
Songs For The Cause '04 photos are now posted!!
visit: http://debferrara.com/swrnj/songs2004a.html
to take a look. Scroll to the bottom for links to each artist's
photo pages.
Thank you, Jen!
11/01/04
Happy November! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday...
No presents, no pressure - just lots of good food and the
parade... gotta love it!
Let's see.. a few new things that'd I'd like to share...
Underneath Your Star is in the (all genre)Top 20 at
Global Dust radio... and #3 on the Alt. Rock charts.
Stupidly Beautiful is in the "Top 10 Tracks of the Week "
at Kweevak for the week of Nov. 1st (at #10) Please visit
both sites and have a listen:
http://www.kweevak.com
http://www.globaldust.com
Anything But Ordinary will be a Hollywood Reporter -
Billboard Film & TV Music Conference goody bag stuffer at
the event in LA on November 16-17. The CD will be part
of Westwood Music's insert.
Christmas Time (is Near) is a song my dad wrote
years ago. I originally recorded it when I was very young (5!),
but a brand new version will be out in time for this holiday
season. Dan Marfisi did a beautiful backing track and I
recorded vocals with the help of my very good friends, Kathy
Phillips, Jodelle and Jacquie DeVita. I just heard a rough
mix of the song and it sounds great! I will let you all know
where and when you can hear the final version.
And the message remains the same ... pray for peace on earth...
VOTE tomorrow..
Deb's News for October 2004
10/24/04
A few Cause photos are in the Sunday Daily Record for
those in the Morris County area. Check it out! Also, our net
cash donation to Komen is currently at $9500.00 - but there
are still a couple of checks outstanding. Adding back CD
donations (the sampler CDs were donated 100% this year!) -
flowers, balloons, food, etc... we're well over $11,000.00!
10/16/04
Thank you Laura, Patrick, Jodelle, Joe, Deena, Rick and
Todd for a WONDERFUL event last night... and thanks also to
the supporting musicians: Nicole, Alan, Dave, Paul, Brian, Al,
Joey, Peter, Craig, John, Anthony, John, Kristin, Jerry, Kathy
and Jacquie... you guys were all just incredible.
I'd also like to thank everybody who came out last night
to support this event. You came through for us once more...
we hope you enjoyed the show.
FYI.... The winning bid for the BB King guitar was $800.00!!
We are still calculating numbers from everywhere and
will let you know the grand total (donation) just as soon
as all the numbers are in.
We do need volunteers for this event for next year. We were
offered a much larger venue and will be booking a head-
liner along with indie artists, but we need a team to pull
it off. Please drop me an email (deb@debferrara.com) if
you would like to be involved.
10/14/04
SONGS FOR THE CAUSE '04
In Memory of Lynn
To benefit The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
~North Jersey Affiliate
Friday, October 15th
The Stanhope House, Stanhope, NJ
Showtime 8:00 - doors 6:45
10/8/04
Thanks to Al B for a fun show on WNTI yesterday! I
also want to thank the Songs for the Cause "team" - who
were up bright and early... and singing....Rick, Laura and
Craig and Jodelle... you rock! I do believe we're on our way
to a sell-out once again this year! There are only a
very few tix left...
We were in yesterday's Daily Record... thank you, Ellen
for a great write-up. There will be another Cause
article in next Thursday's (10/14) Observer Tribune ...
Chick Singer Night - NJ is underway! The shows
will take place at Mexicali Blues in Teaneck... a great venue
with an awesome sound system. Mark your calendars and
plan to join me, with co-hosts Jodelle and Kathy Phillips -
and the incredible CSN band for our debut on Tuesday,
December 7th at 7:30pm.
10/1/04
October is breast cancer awareness month... which
also means it's Songs For The Cause month. We need
you to help us reach our goals... if you haven't purchased
your ticket yet, please do so ASAP @ The Stanhope House
or Fitness 4 Women. FYI...the show starts at 8pm, but
doors will open at 6:45
On Thursday (10/7) the Daily Record is running a story on the
event, and also a few of us will be on 91.9FM, WNTI with Al B
at 8AM (yes... 8AM!!) to promote the show. We'll try to
do some songs live (although 8AM is mighty early to be
singing!) Definitely worth tuning in!
Ok so... other news... I'm very excited cuz I just signed an
agreement for all 12 songs on anything but ordinary
with Westwood Music Group for film/TV music placement.
Westwood's website is:
http://www.westwoodmusicgroup.com if you'd like
to take a look.
Deb's News for September 2004
9/30/04
I posted the 9/25 Billboard article in the SWRNJ
newsletter which will go out tomorrow 10/1, but I thought I'd
put it here too. It was in the Words & Music column, by Jim
Bessman.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WIDENING THE ROUND: New Jersey singer/songwriter
Deb Ferrara, host and coordinator of the ASCAP/BMI-
sponsored showcase, N.J. Songwriters in the Round at
Maxwell's in Hoboken, has partnered with fellow Jersey
singer/songwriter/producer Rob Fusari and his Great
Escape Records to expand the concept beyond the monthly
series.
"Our goals are to bring in accomplished writers, attract new
talent from outside the tri-state area, create songwriter
workshops with guest speakers and establish a songwriters
Web site that will include a wealth of resources," Ferrara says.
Charity events organized by the Round will also be
expanded, Ferrara notes. These include the annual Songs for
the Cause benefit for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer
Foundation (Ferrara lost a sister to the disease), the second
of which is slated for Oct. 15 and will feature eight area
singer/songwriters.
Ferrara, who publishes via More Good Music Publishing,
just released her latest album, "Anything but Ordinary," on
More Good Music Records.
An ASCAP Pop Songwriting Award recipient in 2002 and
2003, her songs have been recorded by artists including
Canada's Vicky Taytro; she is also a New Jersey director for
the long-running series of Chick Singer Night female
songfests.
Fusari co-wrote Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious," Will
Smith's "Wild Wild West" and Jessica Simpson's "In This
Skin." The June -Bug Alley (ASCAP) writer started
collaborating with Ferrara on new material after performing at
one of her showcases.
NJ Songwriters in the Round began at Drumsticks, a little
club in Clifton, in April 2003. "We moved to Maxwell's in
Hoboken last November because I felt we needed a higher-
profile location with a reputation for original music," Ferrara
says.
"I started it because I was frustrated in my own attempts to
get my music out there," she explains. "Speaking with other
songwriter/artists, I realized there wasn't much support for
talented independent artists beyond open mic nights, which
drew varying levels of talent. I wanted to be more
discriminating and create a more professional atmosphere
for serious artists."
The tri-state area, Ferrara adds "has an unbelievably rich
music community. With N.J. Songwriters in the Round I am
hoping to help bring original music and songwriters into the
spotlight here in Jersey, and I sincerely hope we are building
a reputation that encourages fans and the industry to look to
us to find great talent and great music.
9/28/04
Mi2N - Best of the Batch...
Check out http://www.mi2n.com
Editor's pick: "Loving You"
The CD will also be published in Music Dish in the
coming weeks! Thank you, Eric!
9/25/04
SHOW ADDED!
Fellow "Go Girl" Grace Millo asked me to come down and
do a set at Ruby Fruit Bar and Grill on Weds., 9/29.
Showtime is 9:00 - I'll be solo acoustic... hope some of
you can make it out. 531 Hudson Street, NYC
9/17/04
ASCAP Audio Portrait:
Right now I'm featured on the front page!
http://www.ascap.com
The direct link is:
http://www.ascap.com/audioportraits/Ferrara.html
Audio Portraits mix music clips with artist comments on
songwriting and the songs themselves. There are some
great ones on the ASCAP site. Have a listen!
Take a look at the BILLBOARD article (hits newsstands Sept. 20)
on NJ Songwriters in the Round... page 58! Wooohoo!!
The Globaldust charts has Underneath Your Star
at #8. If you're so inclined - go ahead over and have a listen:
http://www.globaldust.com/radio/index.php?gid=
1&start=0&sid=319
Click on Alternative Rock
9/10/04
A bit of news and some updates...
Today I recorded an Audio Portrait for ASCAP, which is a
streaming interview intermingled with clips of songs.
Aside from the interview being featured and then archived
on the ASCAP website, I will also be able to upload clips
here on my website once it's been produced. Very cool!
Anything But Ordinary was chosen as a "Best Of The Batch"
CD by Mi2N. It will be featured for a week there and will also
be featured on the Music Dish Network.
Billboard is doing a piece on NJ Songwriters in the Round.
The article will tell a bit about future plans for the showcase
and announce a partnership that will surely bring the event
to the next level. We've come a LONG way in a very short
period of time.
I've been working feverishly(!) on the Songs For The Cause
benefit. I can't believe it's right around the corner. Tix are
starting to go... please get yours early if you plan on attending.
Please note... the start time is changed to 8:00. We will be
doing a spot with Al B on WNTI - 91.9 on Thursday, Oct. 7th
to promote the show - 8:00AM . Laura Berman, Jodelle,
Rick Norman and I will be in the studio - be sure to tune in!
9/3/04
Thank you all for coming out last night... we had such a great
time!! The band was just AWESOME... how lucky am I to be
playing with such talented musicians!
I was told that we'll have a review in Music Connection
magazine (the next edition -- I think it's out in a week or so)...
check it out... also, the CD is a spotlight in the Aquarian this
week.
Tonight we're at The Stanhope House
(www.stanhopehouse.com) - hope you can make it out...
Please take note that our October Maxwell's show is
canceled... the venue has a lot of national acts coming
through in October, and we had to be moved. Since we
couldn't find an available Tuesday - we decided to skip
October (since October is SONGS FOR THE CAUSE
month).. and resume again in November. I'm very sorry
for any incovenience - and I promise to get those artists
booked again soon...
Deb's News for August 2004
8/27/04
Lots going on... the CD release party is next Thursday
- we are SO ready!!!! I hope you've all received my special
invitation. Pretty slick, eh?!! (OK, in case you haven't.....
cut and paste: http://debferrara.com/invite/CDparty.htm)
Thank you again, Jeff, for being so incredibly talented!
If anybody catches articles/CD reviews over the next week in
any of the following papers: The Hudson Current, The Star-
Ledger, The Aquarian Arts Weekly, The Jersey Journal or The
Pulse ...if you could please drop me a note in case I miss it...
I'd really appreciate it. I've already read some really nice write-
ups... it makes my day when someone says they like what I've
written... www.buzzle.com, www.kweevak.com (spotlight artist),
www.smother.net (editors pick), www.evolvingartist.com,
www.womanrock.com (featured artist). Also a couple of nice
reviews over at CD Baby (www.cdbaby.com/debferrara).
Thank you! The CD is getting some college (and Internet)
radio spins too!
Songs For The Cause... we have some very cool autographed
items for the Oct. 15th concert. CDs and a DVD from Melissa
Etheridge, a CD from Nils Lofgren, a CD from Jackson
Browne... and of course THE guitar - autographed by
BB King. Get your tickets early, so you don't miss
out.. available at the Stanhope House and Fitness 4 Women.
That's all for now... see you at the release party!!
8/18/04
I'm very excited to announce that I was elected VP -
Women in Music. WIM is an organization that recognizes
and supports women in ALL aspects of the industry. If
you're not a member, you're missing out on some great events
and networking opps. Take a look at the website:
www.womeninmusic.org. We have a networking event next
Wednesday night (8/26) at The Cutting Room from 6-8pm
and it's free to all... Come try it out... Contact me if you have
questions...
Details on the Anything But Ordinary CD release party...
Place: Maxwell's
Date: Thursday, September 2nd
Doors open at 8:00 - Tom Kafafian starts at 9:00 and we hit
the stage at 10:00. We're giving away some CDs and T-shirts...
plus filming a video. You need to be there to be part of it all.
Please come early and support Tom, too (he has an incredible
new album which is being released w/i the next couple of days)...
8/7/04
... So, I'm in heaven these days... doing LOTS of writing..
Most recently I'm collaborating with hit songwriter/producer
Rob Fusari. Rob co-wrote "In This Skin" (Jessica Simpson),
"Bootylicious" (Destiny's Child), "Wild Wild West" (Will
Smith) and many, many others. We're working on 3
tracks for outside artists, and I'm having a blast... plus the
songs are sounding incredible!
8/1/04
First of all... how awesome is this website?!! Thank
you, Jeff, for making it so beautiful!
"Anything But Ordinary"
BRAND NEW ALBUM - produced by Dan Marfisi -
Mixed by Carter Humphrey (Rod Stewart). Official
release August 10th ..... but already available at
CD Baby and Woman Rock! (How'd that happen?!)
The CD release bash is Thursday, September 2nd at
Maxwell's in Hoboken.... Please come help us
celebrate! I will have a limited number of tickets
to give away... drop me a note and I'll get one to ya.
I've been playing with some great musicians these
days ... Let me introduce my fantastic band .... Guitar -
Anthony Marino ... Drums - Jerry Palmarozzo ... Bass -
Marty Beck, and on Keys - Kristin Pfeifer. (We have a
special guest the night of the release... my good friend,
the incredible Kathy Phillips will be singing backup
vocals - it's gonna be a great evening - don't miss it!!)
- Ladies Night at The Stanhope House
Thursday, August 19th... full band.
Also appearing Suzanne Carrington
and Chrisie Santori. See shows page for details.
- Songs For The Cause News
BB King is autographing the guitar we will auction for
the "Songs For The Cause" charity concert in October!!
.... Meeting him on August 15th... you might say we'll be
RIDING WITH THE KING! Other great autographs
in the works too... it's gonna be awesome!! All the
details for the event are posted on the show page ...
tickets go on sale AUGUST 1st.
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