Songsalive! supporting, promoting and educating songwriters and composers worldwide

Upcoming Songsalive! Event

CHICAGO SONGSALIVE! SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE

Stick out your tongue and taste the talent!

Listen to original music by our amazing singer/songwriters.

WHEN: FOURTH THURSDAYS OF EVERY OTHER MONTH

NEXT: Thursday, September 27, 2012

TIME: Starts 8:00PM.

WHERE: HEARTLAND CAFE
7000 N. Glenwood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60626
http://www.heartlandcafe.com

COST: $5 suggested Donation. Open to the public. Come support original music in an intimate setting!

 

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ARTISTS PERFORMING:


ERICH MCMANN

In 1961 Eric was born in Chicago, IL.  He came from a musical family and started playing guitar in 1972.  His first band played at local talent shows and block parties.  In 1980 he started a band called “The Crickle” a tribute to the 1960’s “British Invasion.”  The band played at clubs and colleges throughout the Midwest.   In the late 80’s he started a recording studio called “The Farm” and recorded several original CD’s as well as releases for other Chicago area bands.   “Crickle’s” albums charted nationally and were part of the “Paisley Underground” alternative music scene.  In 1992 McMann helped form “Underwater People” at the time one of Chicago’s top acts, playing at some of the most prestigious venues and fundraising events in the city.  Erich helped write and record two albums with the band.  In 1998 Erich joined “American English” the internationally acclaimed tribute to “The Beatles.”  While portraying George Harrison in the band he got the opportunity to travel around the world and during a tour of England recorded at Abbey Road Studios and played at the legendary “Cavern Club.”  In 2001 he relocated to rural Florida where he played with several classic rock bands and solo acoustic shows at area waterfront restaurants, bars and private events.  His shows focused on 1970’s acoustic rock singers and traditional country artists.  In 2011 McMann moved back to Chicago to work full-time as a musician and has been gigging with several local bands including “The Shreds Of Evidence,” “Slow Hand,” “Just Enuff,” “The Everly Hillbillies,” “The Rockets,” and an original Country/Folk/Bluegrass side project with his sister and a few old High School friends called “Smith & McMann.”  As a songwriter Erich has had his material recorded and performed by emerging country artist “Brian Clayton,” “The R&B Brothers,” and “The Phil Angotti Band.”  Now McMann is completely focused on songwriting and recording.  He see’s amazing opportunities with the advent of the “Digital Age” where artists can have their own pro quality studios and record labels.  He is eager to write, record and perform with other artists as well as his own solo material.  “The Last American Songbook” is his first solo album.  erichmcmann.com


LAURA JOY

Chicago-based singer-songwriter Laura Joy has been known to quell dark, angry bars full of ornery old Irishmen. Drawing comparisons that range from Joni Mitchell to Alison Krauss, Laura’s percussive finger picking and buoyant voice have graced audiences from as far as the Sun Belt to the streets of Manhattan.  Laura’s adventures in “Folk Sustainability” (a new endeavor for 2012) are regularly documented in her blog (www.laurajoymusic.com). Join her as she attempts to simultaneously minimize her carbon footprint while increasing musical output.  http://laurajoymusic.com


DANNY HICKEY

This is my reunion and re-introduction to the Chicago music community. Over the years I have been involved in many aspects of the music industry—always as a musician, but for a time in the less-artistic avenue of retail records and then in the marketing department at Warner- Electra- Atlantic- Records. As a record company employee, I experienced a great deal of inner-conflict, as I quickly learned that the “business of music has very little to do with the music.” So in 1978, at the ripe age of twenty three, I retired from Warner and moved to Los Angeles to enter the life of Rock and Roll. Well, by the time I arrived in L.A., my style and form of music was becoming unmarketable. The world was being introduced to Guns and Roses and the city was full of that period’s Hair Bands. Regardless, I continued to write material and formed a band with another singer- songwriter, Angela Riggio. (Angela has since become a veteran in the Los Angeles music community, and currently plays with the “Michelle Mangione Band” and co- fronts the band “Superlark”). A sudden and extreme illness, however, forced me to move back to Chicago to recover; so ended my time in Los Angeles. Here in Chicago, I played with a few bands, but the need for money led me into the restaurant business. I worked in that industry for years, and eventually lost my focus on the one thing in life that really mattered to me—music. My epiphany was unemployment. I had nothing to turn to but my music. I started writing again, and then I started singing and playing every day again. Music (along with my dog Marko) has saved my life. The foundation of my music hasn't moved much over the years; what has changed is my approach to the craft of songwriting and the artists who influence me. I write songs of personal and life experiences. My influences include Bob Dylan, Elmore James, Hank Williams, John Prine, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt and Eric Clapton. I only want to get better at my craft and to have the opportunity play and sing as much as I can to make up for lost time.


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ABOUT THE SONGSALIVE! SHOWCASES

Featuring talented songwriters from around the globe, theSongsalive! Showcases are the best industry secret, a great happening all around the world. Songsalive! Showcases are a very cozy, intimate and acoustic environment where media and music industry representatives often drop by to check out the latest talent.

Showcase your music and support our national and international live events and showcases presenting songwriters and artists of original music. Showcases are quality entertainment songwriter performances around the country. All members are eligible to perform at a Songsalive! showcase based on availability, schedule and of course, your talent!

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APPLY TO PERFORM AT A FUTURE SHOWCASE

SEEKING SINGER/SONGWRITERS TO PERFORM:
* You must be able to guarantee a min. of 3-5 guests.
* Minimum 3 song acoustic or electric set
* You must be a Songsalive! Pro member. Join on our website.* Existing Pro Members log into BACKSTAGE from our website and click "Apply To Showcase"

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LINKS

More info and RSVP for this event: http://www.songsalive.org/events.htm

Alternate RSVP for event at http://www.meetup.com/songsalivechicago

More info on this chapter: http://www.songsalive.org/chapters.htm
http://www.songsalive.org/group/chicago

More about Songsalive! Workshops, Showcases and programs
http://www.songsalive.org/programs.htm

The Songsalive! website http://www.songsalive.org


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CONTACT SONGSALIVE!
 
 
CONTACT SONGSALIVE! CHICAGO

Mary Lemanski
Songsalive! Chicago Workshop Coordinator
(630) 810-1466  chicago@songsalive.org
http://www.songsalive.org/group/chicago
 

CONTACT SONGSALIVE! MAIN OFFICE
usa@songsalive.org - all general inquiries
membership@songsalive.org - membership only questions
1-866-JAM-6565    (That's, 866-526-6565)

http://www.songsalive.org go Contact