#jon vezner

[ksbeditor]

RETRO: Quick Q and A with Amy Speace

RETRO: Quick Q and A with Amy Speace

I took the wayback machine to 2008 to when I interviewed Amy Speace.  I had just discovered her music back then and I can say with all sincerity that my admiration for this woman has increased tenfold since then. Not only has she recorded some outstanding records but she has become a mom and has come face to face with past traumas and she is not afraid to tell the world about it. Amy Speace is a…

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[loveboatinsanity]

[fullaccessmagazine]

Music Icon Rodney Crowell To Lead 2nd Annual “Heal The Music Day”

Music Icon Rodney Crowell To Lead 2nd Annual “Heal The Music Day”

Music icons Rodney Crowell and Jon Vezner are joining forces with Music Health Alliance to help Heal The Music. The 2nd annual “Heal The Music Day” will take place on Friday, October 19, 2018 as a day of nationwide music industry fundraising and awareness to support the critical and life-saving free services provided by Music Health Alliance.

Since founding in 2013, Nashville-based non-profit…

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[fullaccessdetroit]

Music Icon Rodney Crowell To Lead 2nd Annual “Heal The Music Day”

Music Icon Rodney Crowell To Lead 2nd Annual “Heal The Music Day”

Music icons Rodney Crowell and Jon Vezner are joining forces with Music Health Alliance to help Heal The Music. The 2nd annual “Heal The Music Day” will take place on Friday, October 19, 2018 as a day of nationwide music industry fundraising and awareness to support the critical and life-saving free services provided by Music Health Alliance.

Since founding in 2013, Nashville-based non-profit…

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A concert I hate to miss

I couldn't go to all the great benefit concerts in Nashville even if I wanted to. And I really want to the Concert for Friendship House Saturday at World Music here in Nashville.

First of all, it's a great bill — John Hiatt, one of Nashville's great rock songwriters; Mary Gauthier, whose had her songs cut by Blake Shelton and Jimmy Buffett, but whose recordings I admire even more; and Jon Vezner, who co-wrote Where've You Been for his wife, Kathy Mattea, and also has written singles for Steve Wariner, Clay Walker and Diamond Rio. And the room's small — only about 100 people — so I know it'll be an intimate, wonderful songwriter experience, the kind might be common in Nashville but is so rare anywhere else.

Second, World Music is only about three miles from my house. Bellevue doesn't have many live-music venues of note. Other than the time I walked into a Mexican restaurant one Friday night and saw Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns fronting a house band, I don't think I've been to a show in this neighborhood since in more than 25 years, when I went to a showcase for this new kid in town named Garth Brooks but was so exhausted I fell asleep at my table as he sang. Usually, I've got to drive a half hour or more to get to a show.

Third, 202 – The Friendship House is a great cause. For almost 50 years, Friendship House has offered the Nashville community a recovery house without cost. "Friendship House serves the Nashville community as a gateway to recovery from Alcoholism, centrally located in midtown and accessible to business people as well as the city's homeless population," says its website. "Friendship House is committed to continuing the longstanding tradition of being a lighthouse of hope for those suffering from alcoholism." When she invited me, Amy Kurland called Friendship House "a great place to find recovery from alcoholism, in a location that helps people without jobs, without homes as well as many old timers and out of town people."

Fourth, um, Amy Kurland. When the woman who started the Bluebird Café invites you to a songwriters show — and this is not something she often does for me — you know that's a show you should go to.

Unfortunately, I'm going to be out of town Saturday, on a quick spring break trip with one of my daughters before she starts back to school next week. But Friendship House gets today's donation. And if you're in Nashville and know what's good for you, you'll find a way to get to this concert.

March 26: 202 – The Friendship House

Why I started this blog

[stilettos-n-steel]

Songwriting Mode Madness ... In Full Effect!

So last night, Jason and I had the pleasure of attending an inspiring NSAI event at Five Towns College with Grammy Award Winning Songwriter, Jon Vezner , as the Guest Speaker.

Jason Waters, Jon Vezner & Jennifer Vazquez 

What a pure joy it was to listen to Jon's well constructed and heartfelt tunes. There is nothing that gets me higher than experiencing a GREAT songwriter, up, close and personal. And, sitting in on that Master Class provided both Jason and myself with key reminders for what tools and rules allow for the creation of a GREAT SONG! (Be sure to check out Jon Vezner when you get a chance. He is not only a great songwriter, artist and musician, but a solid person all around. And while you're at it, check out his musical partner, Jeff Gilkinson, Wow, what a player and songwriter!)

Here's some reminders for ALL you songwriters out there:

 ~ TO BE EFFECTIVE as a songwriter, CREATE TENSION in the song, either in the Melody, the Tempo or the Lyric.

 ~ EVERY LINE of your song must act as an ACCELERATER for the next one.

 ~ SHOW IT! DON’T TELL IT!

~ BE SIMPLE: Say EXACTLY what you mean.

~ FIND the POCKET of the SONG. This will MAKE or BREAK the tune!

~ GIVE the BRIDGE a REASON TO BE THERE or LEAVE IT OUT!

~ STAY IN THE MOMENT OF THE SONG and STEAR CLEAR OF THE RESULTS.

Anyway, last night was just what the doctor ordered! And, the timing couldn’t have been any better. As we forge forward after completing our first East Coast Summer Tour, we will continue to be in songwriting mode madness until further notice. Our goal? Well, to create a handful of GREAT TUNES for our debut EP to come!

You know, it’s such a gift to find a songwriting partner who is on the same page with you, as well as one who brings something new and fresh to the table, allowing the other to do the same, without hesitation. That allows for authentic solid creations to occur. From all Jason and I have experienced thus far on our journey, we are seeing how the songs we are writing are beginning to define who “Stilettos-n-Steel” truly is! We can’t wait to share these tunes with you all on this continued adventure into the musical unknown! 

Ahhhhhh... Life is gooood!

Love & Light, 

Jen 

(50% of Stilettos-n-Steel)