Review: JoAnn Braheny Describes Career Paths in the Music Industry at Orange County Songsalive! March Workshop

Ten music enthusiasts gathered at a diner in Westminster, California for the March 2017 edition of the Songsalive! Orange County Monthly Songwriting Workshop. Our Guest Speaker was the incomparable JoAnn Braheny, who brought her years of experience in many aspects of the music industry to share with us. Six songwriters presented their works for discussion tonight. Bob Winter started things off with a heart-tugging song about how simple projects can bring families together in trying times. Joyce Melton turned things around with a whole different kind of love: A boot-scootin' country song of dancing and desire! Gail Wasserman kept things in a country vein with a song (written with Paul Rasmusson) about the craziness that can come with a bad break-up. Kate Albright had a literally brand-new song about the underprivileged who finally raise their voice. On the other hand, Kip Corley's song of love and mortality was one that he has presented before and since re-worked -- and it nearly had everyone in the room in tears. Finally, Gil Mosard presented what he called "his first protest song", and it was a stirring reflection on life in America that many people present said had some of his best word-play to date.
​After the song critiques (and dinner, thanks to the Goldenwest Diner), JoAnn Braheny had a chance to get up and speak. Her subject was Career Paths In The Music Industry, and interestingly she was able to tie that idea together with the story of her own varied career in music! The first female DJ on pop radio in Atlanta, Georgia, she was able to dovetail that into working in A & R, music publishing, music supervision, and many other aspects of the industry which have given her an impressive and large group of contacts -- plus a wealth of resources that she uses herself in her consulting and other musical activities. Add to it her friendly and helpful personality and you have an evening that left everyone feeling great about their future in music! -Rod O’Riley

NAME OF NEXT EVENT: Songsalive! Orange County Songwriter Showcase
DATE OF NEXT EVENT: April 11th, 2017
TIME: 7:30 pm
LOCATION: Sam Ash Music Store, 14200 Beach Blvd, Westminster, CA 92683
COST: FREE!
SHOWCASE ARTISTS: Tim Griffin
More information at www.songsalive.org/calendar