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Living With A Dream

“Living With A Dream” is a musical journey of Begin with Yes. Here are the artists who contributed their work to make this compilation of inspirational songs happen. Please visit their websites and offer your support!

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Michael Brandmeier – What You’re Looking For

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Michael Brandmeier

Michael Brandmeier is an authentic, acoustic pop artist whose music is being heard around the globe. He has garnered many awards including the Independent Acoustic Music Awards “BEST MALE ARTIST” for 2010, nominated again in 2014, and the Los Angeles Music Awards “MALE SINGER/SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR” in 2006 with another nomination in 2009.

Michael is also a two-time winner of the SONG OF THE YEAR songwriting competition award – first time a winner in the POP category 2005, recently winning, November, 2009 in the AC category with his ballad “IF YOU’RE LEAVING SAY GOODBYE”.

Michael has had over one hundred song placements in Film/TV projects from NBC’s hit series THE VOICE, THE NATE BERKUS SHOW on ABC, VH1’s series TOUGH LOVE, DAWSON’S CREEK, PARTY OF FIVE, JOAN OF ARCADIA, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE and more. His song “RETURNING HOME” was also featured in a Jerry Bruckheimer TV drama on CBS called MIAMI MEDICAL. Visit artist’s website…


Debra Gussin – I’ve Already Won & This is Our Time (Co-Writer)

DebraGussin&StacyHogan

Debra Gussin & Stacy Hogan

After graduating from Syracuse University, Debra enjoyed a successful career as a television producer on programs such as ABC’s Wide World of Sports, Fox Sports News, Daytime Emmy Awards, Wolfgang Puck, and Dr. Phil.

While launching the National Geographic Channel, Debra’s colleague introduced her to multi-platinum lyricist, Marty Panzer. Having never before written a song, she enrolled in his Master Class at UCLA Extension, and the following year, won the first Concord Records & Barry Manilow Scholarship For Writing Lyrics That Succeed & Endure. After winning two more scholarships, Debra was honored with a Lifetime Barry Manilow Scholarship Award.

Taking a sabbatical from her television career, she left the Dr. Phil show to focus on songwriting full time, and proceeded to win both the Grand Prize and the Lennon Award in the John Lennon Song Contest (Country), the UK Song Contest (Pop and Adult Contemporary), SongDoor International (Country), Show Me The Music (Pop), and Unisong International (Broadway). When UCLA Extension chose her song THIS IS OUR TIME as its Official Graduation Song, the World Premiere took place before a sold out crowd at Royce Hall in Los Angeles, performed by Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys).

Debra was commissioned by the Federal Trade Commission to write lyrics for their AnnualCreditReport . com commercials, which won the CINE GOLDEN EAGLE AWARD for Best Public Service Announcement. Visit artists’s website…

Stacy Hogan – I’ve Already Won (Co-Writer)

Stacy Hogan is a producer/songwriter based in Nashville, TN. In the last 2 years, he has written ten major label cuts including two Top 10 Billboard hits. His band, “Lovers and Liars” was signed to Universal/Republic in 2010. Now, he mainly produces and writes for other artists. Stacy’s productions have been featured on many popular TV shows on MTV, NBC, TLC, E!, and more. His writing and productions have also won many awards both in the U.S and internationally. Stacy also runs his own Nashville music production company, A Writer’s Paradise, which helps up and coming songwriters. Visit artist’s website…

Dale Effren – This Is Our Time (Co-Writer)

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Debra Gussin & Dale Effren

After receiving a diploma in contemporary music with a concentration on guitar, Dale decided to focus on love songs, ballads and soft rock for the adult contemporary market.

In 2001, Dale settled in Los Angeles where he performed around town as a sideman for local bands in some of L.A.’s premier clubs, like the Rainbow Room and the Martini Lounge. During this time, he refined his writing skills while still keeping an ear on his musical influences—including Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper and Poison.

With his appreciation for “80’s Glam Rock” and desire to write music with broad-based appeal, he created a distinct style by combining retro feelings with a power ballad. Throw in a little bit of country and you’ve got the essence of Dale Effren’s diverse songwriting prowess. Visit artist’s website…


Matt Commerce – Living With A Dream

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Matt Commerce

Matt Commerce is a Virginia-born singer/songwriter, now based in Southern California. His style blends catchy melodies with heartfelt lyrics and a smooth soulful voice. A student of cello and stand-up bass as a child, Commerce picked up the guitar at age twenty, and within two years became a full-time performer.

In 2005, Matt moved to San Diego, and began playing acoustic shows at restaurants and bars up and down the California coast. He formed a band, and recorded his debut release “Closer Than You Realize”, which was described as “one of the most pleasant aural surprises from a local artist in quite some time…” by the San Diego Troubadour.

Since then Matt and his band have been continuing to play regular gigs around Southern California, gathering fans at every show, and writing new songs. Currently, Matt is gearing up to release his next record, expected in Spring 2014. Visit artist’s website…

 


Musicians Making A Difference – I Believe In You

Musicians Making A Difference

Musicians Making A Difference

Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) Inc. is an Australian charity that exits to change young lives through music. MMAD uses the power of music, dance & mentoring to inspire young people to make their lives remarkable.

We provide creative support to young people, especially those who have suffered emotional abuse, neglect and disadvantage, in overcoming challenges such as homelessness, destructive patterns of behaviour, exclusion from school, family breakdown, drug and alcohol dependency, unemployment and reoffending. Our goal is not only to break negative cycles; we strive to empower our young people to go on and make their own difference within the community.

“I Believe In You” is our theme and speaks to our goal to have every young person have someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential.

Musicians Making A Difference transforms young lives through music, dance & mentoring and runs over 1400 programs a year helping young people find their great potential. To find out more about the MMADness, visit artist’s website…


Daniel Nahmod – Last Song

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Daniel Nahmod

Daniel Nahmod, independent singer-songwriter and producer, has sold over 100,000 CDs and performed for over one million people across the U.S. and Canada.

His music has been heard on The Today Show, Saturday Night Live, The Super Bowl, American Idol, and many other programs. As a committed humanitarian, Daniel has sung for countless schools, hospitals, prisons, senior centers, homeless shelters, and benefit events of all kinds (including the Astrodome after Hurricane Katrina and a 2-year musical residency at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles).

“Last Song” was written during a powerful 3-month sabbatical in the majestic red-rock country of southeastern Utah; the resulting CD, “Water,” has won numerous awards for its thought-provoking lyrical poetry and inspired songcraft. Visit artist’s website…


James Bennett – Right Here

James Bennett

James Bennett

The way a song reaches into a complicated heart/mind and begins to change it is what originally drew me to songwriting when I was young. When I have faced burnout and wanted to quit, it has usually been the message within a song that disarmed my negativity and kept my dreams alive.

Before moving back home to Tulsa, I lived in Nashville, TN where I finished my Master’s Degree in English/Literature from Belmont University. I took a 2 year break from songwriting, but during that time I entered a few song contests to help me make the decision to quit for good or to begin to seriously pursue it again. To my surprise, I won 3 contests that year and was a finalist in a few others. Those successes gave me the encouragement I needed to pick up my guitar and pencil again and keep trying. And I’ve been giving it my best ever since.

About my song – Right Here – Right here is a song about overcoming negativity. A hero of mine named Graham once told me, “Your circumstances aren’t your problem. Your perspective of your circumstances is your problem because you are looking at them through the eyes of fear, not through the eyes of faith. Fear and faith can’t abide in the same place at the same time. Only one gets to stay. And you get to choose which one.”

I wrote “Right Here” with Chris Roberts about making that choice to step out in faith in my own life. It wasn’t easy to get started at first because I had grown comfortable in my passivity and also in my negative outlook on my life. The truth is I was scared to step out in faith because it meant that I would be walking off the only map I had ever known and into the uncharted territory leading me to my destiny. The lyrics in Right Here were to remind myself and others find their courage and take action because Right Here and right now is always where your destiny begins, if you want it too. Visit artist’s website…


Jen Foster – A Hero To Me

Jen Foster

Jen Foster

It all began with the “The Writer’s Share” songwriter series at the Bluebird Cafe, in which Foster brought together high-profile artist/writers such as Richard Marx, Keb’ Mo, Mike Reid, and Chuck Cannon, to raise money and awareness for the TJ Martell Foundation for Cancer, Leukemia, and AIDS. “This event was a turning point for me,” Foster says. “My mom had just died from endometrial cancer, and the healing that came from doing this event in her honor was so powerful, it made me rethink how I wanted to spend my time. I knew I needed to do more projects like this.”

Most recently, Fosterchild Records, along with legendary LGBT director Nicole Conn (“Claire of the Moon”, “A Perfect Ending”) and Melke PR, have created the #SHE4MARRIAGEEQUALITY campaign, which centers around Jen’s song, “She.” Marriage Equality USA quickly jumped on board, as did the renowned Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood, CA, and together, they are rolling out a national promotion.

#SHE4ME looks to be a life-changing step in Foster’s celebrated career. In the coming months, she plans to select more of her songs and align them with relevant causes, and in the process raise money and awareness for organizations dear to her. Visit artist’s website…


Anthony Salari – Out With A Bang

Anthony Salari

Anthony Salari

Anthony Salari (rhymes with canary) is a singer/songwriter from Las Vegas. After competing and eventually taking first place with an original song in the “Say You Wanna Play” contest held on YouTube, Salari was invited to perform at the 2009 NAMM show. Realizing this great opportunity, Salari hit the studio and recorded a four song EP which was then independently released and distributed to industry professionals during his NAMM event.

Following his performance at the NAMM show and subsequent gigs around Las Vegas–including the House of Blues, success soon followed. Salari’s songs have been used on a number of television shows including MTV’s “Realworld” and “Roadrules,” on E Network’s “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim comedy “Children’s Hospital,” on Oxygen’s “Bad Girls Club,” and ABC’s “The Lying Game.” While several of his songs have been selected for television, his song “Stupid Pretty Girl” has received the most exposure, having been featured on NBC’s “Parenthood,” and now on ABC FAMILY’S “Jane by Design.”

Anthony has also presented his talent for a number of charity events: New Arrivals: Vol. 4 the latest in MPress Records’ charity compilation series, conceived by MPress founder Rachael Sage. Culled from over 1,000 submissions, “NAV4” features a wealth of indie talent including: Grammy nominee Dave Eggar; American Idol contestant Caleb Hawley; cult favorite Michelle Malone; MPress artists Seth Glier & Rachael Sage; critically-acclaimed duo The Paper Raincoat. 100% of all funds collected from the sale of this compilation benefited National Network for Youth, an organization devoted to the needs of homeless youth. Visit artist’s website…


Frank Hurd – Light

Frank Hurd

Frank Hurd

“This young man is on his way,” states former A&R executive, Holly Hutchison (Capitol & Atlantic Records). Frank possesses a “beautiful vocal tone” and employs “compelling songwriting.”

Though he didn’t pick up music until just before graduating high school, Frank Hurd has won a number of songwriting competitions in the short time since, including the “Show Me The Music International Songwriting Competition” in December of 2010. A few months later, he signed a publishing deal with Reach Global Music and has since garnered the attention of record labels, renowned producers, and music management personnel.

In October of last year, Frank was recognized as SingerUniverse’s vocalist of the month for his performance of the original song, “By Your Side.” Though his career is still quite young, Frank has performed at countless venues and music festivals, including the Cutting Edge Music Fest (New Orleans), The Block Island Music Festival (Rhode Island), The Carousel Festival (North Carolina) and the Millennium Music Conference (Pennsylvania). He has also opened for Ben Kweller, had his music featured in an independent film, co-written with a Grammy award nominee, and worked with world-renowned producer, Elliot Mazer (Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson).

On September 12, 2012, he released his debut solo album “Pressed For Time – EP,” which cracked the top 10 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts. His follow-up album, “Empty Canvas,” will be released in April, 2014. Visit artist’s website…


Tara Bianco – More To Me

Tara Bianco

Tara Bianco

Born Tara Witherspoon Bianco on July 11, in Hilton Head Island, SC., Tara has had a passion for entertaining since she was a little girl. She loves recording and performing her songs, dancing, appearing in film and tv productions and pursuing musical theatre.

At the age of eight, Tara auditioned for the musical “Annie” and fell in love with musical theatre. She began training with her normal determination in acting and voice to pursue her goals.  She has performed in numerous productions with her stage career. Among her favorites are, “Into the Woods,” “Peter Pan,” and “Hairspray.” For “Into the Woods,” the character of Little Red Riding Hood suited her well. Her nickname with her friends has always been “Lil’ Red.” Playing the lead role of Peter Pan in “Peter Pan” was definitely a highlight for Tara.

She found she had a love for flying and aerial ballet throughout the performances. Trained by ZFX, the same flying company that trained Cathy Rigby for her national tour, she was honored to have been chosen by them as one of their top fliers. Recently, she played her dream role of Penny Lou Pingleton in “Hairspray,” the role of a sweetheart in “Dreamgirls” and Bet in “Oliver.” She was just cast as Jo in “Little Women” and is looking forward to this role!

Through a local agency, she was given the opportunity to audition for a LA talent manager. She auditioned and received an invitation by Jeff Gordon of All Star Music Group to visit Los Angeles and record with a LA music producer. She is currently recording with PJ Bianco, music producer for artists such as Demi Lovato, The Jonas Brothers, LP and more.

She is excited to have her song “More to Me” chosen to be on Paul Boynton’s “Living With A Dream” compilation album and wishes him the best of success! Visit artist’s website…


Claire Ulanoff – Stumble and Rise

Claire Ulanoff

Claire Ulanoff

Claire grew up in Brooklyn, an only child, in a musical family. Her father was an entertainer, her mother had sung at the Metropolitan Opera, her cousin was a classical violinist and her uncle was a well-known drummer. Claire was singing along with the radio when she was a baby, playing the accordion when she was 5, and wrote her first song in fifth grade. After several years of enforced piano lessons, Claire discovered the guitar and folk music, and fell in love. Through artists like Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt and Gordon Lightfoot, she found music that spoke to her.

After college, Claire moved to Miami and for many years just sang and played for herself. The tipping point came after “one heartbreak too many”. A friend of hers suggested she write a song about it and after protesting that she wasn’t a songwriter, Claire wrote her first song. The experience of creating something that hadn’t existed before opened the floodgates and the songs just poured out.

Claire has been blessed with opportunities to collaborate with incredibly creative people at all levels on the songwriting ladder, including her teacher, Jason Blume. Her heart lies in writing story songs, emotional songs, songs that touch people. She is a SESAC writer and publisher, and has built an impressive catalog of quality songs.She has developed relationships with many professionals in the music industry, in part because of her personality, creativity and drive, and in part because nobody forgets the name Ulanoff in Nashville!


JoJo Worthington – Roots

JoJo Worthington

JoJo Worthington

Breakout artist JoJo Worthington, from Waterloo ON Canada, is known for her avid songwriting on the ukulele.

At the age of 14 she began to write songs on the guitar and soon formed a local band named More Than Robots. At 16, she decided to go solo with the ukulele. In February 2012, JoJo released her debut EP, “SOON”. SOON features six original tracks composed by the Alternative-Folk artist herself. The tracks include a variety of different sounds from Jazz, Electro-Pop, Space-Rock, and Ukulele Folk. Each song is a personal memory from JoJo’s life, yet universal in its tone and composition, making her music both reflective and relatable.

JoJo has won many songwriting competitions and continues to compete in global songwriting events. Several of her songs have been playlisted on select Canadian radio stations and internet stations in the U.S. In December 2013, JoJo released a Christmas CD lending her beautiful voice to three traditional holiday favourites. Visit artist’s website…


Janet Steely – I Dream The Dream

Janet Steely

Janet Steely

Janet Steely and Bruce Trent (co-writer) are both award winning song writers. Although “I Dream The Dream” is their first joint work, the vision for the song remains singular! This song is intended to nourish the dream inside of you, the listener. Their desire as writers of this song is to encourage you to be true to the dream planted inside your heart.

Pursue YOUR dream with intentional passion. There is a seed planted within each of our hearts, when nourished it can give birth to legacy! This song speaks to the heart of everyone who has had a dream. The best is yet to come if you will chase your dreams with passion and nurture the seed God has planted in you.