RIFFRUMBLE V SONG CONTEST
In December 2006, Sonoma Wire Works hosted RiffRumble V, a battle of songs created with RiffWorks fun recording software! This round was sponsored by Line 6, CD Baby, Disc Makers, Submersible Music, and Recording Magazine.
This contest celebrated the launch of the free RiffWorks Demo!
3 CATEGORIES TO WIN
One winner chosen for each of the following three categories:
- Popularity - song that received the most cheers from the public
- Contestants' Choice - song that received the most cheers from RiffRumble V contestants
- Submersible Music's Choice - their favorite song from the entire list of contestants
POPULAR CATEGORY WINNER: "THROUGH THE NEEDLE'S EYE"
Jim Golden got the most overall public votes for his song "Through The Needle's Eye".
Jim sez: "It was an incredibly gratifying experience to learn that my tune, "Through The Needle's Eye", had won the popular vote category in RiffRumble V. While I realize a competition like this largely depends on who can rally the vote the best, I am acquainted with only a very few of the people who cast votes for the song. I hope it says something for the strength of the song itself and the willingness of people to listen to and appreciate different types and styles of music. The votes from overseas were particularly gratifying."
"As I am no doubt older than most submitters, I have a much more diverse musical background. I was a radio air personality/disc jockey/music director for over 20 years, working in Panama City, Fl, Pensacola, Fl (WBSR), Memphis, Tn (WHBQ, the first station to play an Elvis Presley record), Louisville, Ky (WKJJ, Magic 100 FM) and Mobile, Al (G-100) whose formats ranged from Top 40 rock to Soft Rock Adult Contemporary. I made many friends in the music business. I have played guitar practically all my life and started writing songs, both vocals and instrumentals, at about age 14. Like many Southern boys I learned to play guitar in church, as the Pentacostal churches I grew up attending always had great musicians. I neither read music nor tabs but play by "ear", meaning, if I can hear it I can play it. I currently play lead guitar in my church's Worship band. As far as my own personal music, I have trended much more toward Jazz and Progressive Rock over the past few years, as I am intrigued by the intricacy and chord progressions in those styles of music."
"While learning to play when I was young I never tried to copy anyone's style or learn to play the popular songs of the day. I preferred to work on my own licks and write my own songs. Through the years I have admired guitarists such as Steve Howe from YES, jazz great Wes Montgomery, Lee Ritenour, Craig Chaquico, particularly his material after he departed Jefferson Starship, and Jerry Reed, who has the most unique style of playing rhythm I have ever heard."
"Through The Needle's Eye" was born out of an evening of just playing guitar, by myself, for relaxation, when I inadvertently went to a B minor chord as opposed to whatever it was I was searching for. Liking the sound of the chord, as it was in a different position on the neck of the guitar than where I normally play it, I began working on various rhythms and progressions around the chord. A lot of Jazz guitarists include Latin rhythms in their music and I soon found the tune going in that direction. I basically had the entire tune together in my head, including all the instruments and the horn arrangement, before I ever started recording. Initially, I had not planned on entering the song in RiffRumble V as I thought it too radically different from what the other entries were likely to be and it would not have an audience. My wife persuaded me to enter the song."
"I play a variety of guitars depending on the style of music I am playing and the sound I want to achieve. They include an Ibanez Artwood AJ-200CE acoustic, a Fender Muddy Waters Signature Edition Telecaster, a Hondo strat UFS-3W, a 1969 model Kent hollow body electric 12-string (model number is obliterated), a Conn T-30 acoustic 12-string, a Martin Backpacker, a 6-string Classical, a custom built Diddley Bow similar to the one played by Derek Trucks, and a Multi-Kord 6-string pedal steel. The Hondo is a very inexpensive guitar which was given to me a number of years ago but produces a great big sound and is easy to play. I used the Hondo for the rhythm track on "Through The Needle's Eye" and the Ibanez for the lead track. I used a Danelectro FAB chorus pedal, with just a slight setting, on the lead track to distinguish it from the horn arrangement. Percussion effects, the horn section, the organ track which is underneath the rhythm, and other fills were played on a Yamaha DGX-500 Portable Grand keyboard. All of these I run through my GuitarPort."
"RiffWorks was recommended to me by an acquaintance a couple of years ago as an economical alternative to some of the high end and higher priced programs. I still use the original program and have devised methods to get, perhaps, more out of the program than for which it was designed. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I would only caution potential users to make certain you have a computer with a good strong processor and a lot of RAM, as the tracks may have a tendency to drag on playback once you get multiple layers recorded."
"I have a lot of music recorded, all using RiffWorks and the GuitarPort. I hope to release my own independent CD in the near future. I appreciate Sonoma Wire Works and extend thanks to them and to all the participating sponsors for their contributions to the RiffRumbles. It provides a great forum for musicians and songwriters of all skill levels to share their music and learn from each other."
CONTESTANTS CHOICE CATEGORY: "FLYIN"
Congratulations to Kevin Groce! The RiffRumble V Contestants, chose Kevin's song, "Flyin", as the best overall song in RiffRumble V. An honorable mention goes to Rick West, who came in a close second in this category for his song, "Traffic Jam"!
Kevin's MySpace page sez: "I've been Rock-n everyday for as long as I can remember ... Most people give up on their Dreams whatever they may be. Well not me !!!! Approach your dreams intelligently, and if there are limits, don't deny them. Work within your restrictions...I cant read 1 single note of music LOL and play 8 different instruments, been in 7 Rock N Roll bands...and WON the Stephen Foster Piano Recital!"
Flyin is an unbelievable song! He told us that he recorded this entry with RiffWorks & Reason in his basement studio - he is undoubtedly a wiz with both of those programs. Kevin told us he did the drums using Reason, not with his band's drummer. Amazing! Great song Kevin.
SUBMERSIBLE MUSIC CHOICE WINNER: "TRAFFIC JAM"
Submersible Music chose Richard West's song "Traffic Jam" as their favorite from the entire list of RiffRumble V songs. This is Rick's 2nd RiffRumble win! He also won the Drums on Demand Choice Category in the last contest, RiffRumble IV. What a fantastic 'rumbler!
Rick had this to say: "The inspiration was all the great music I hear on Riffcaster. For the song "TRAFFICJAM" I used my trusty and beloved 1976 LesPaul standard A Taylor acoustic, a Fender P-bass, and my Line 6 PODxt.I recorded, mixed, and mastered all within RiffWorks. No other programs were used. The drums were a combination of Bipolar Express by Discrete Drums and Snappy Shuffle by Drums on Demand. The CD project I'm working on is coming slowly but surely. I am hoping to have it done sometimeÊthis summer. I would also like to give a huge cheers to everyone who submitted. There were some really outstanding entries and it took me a long time to make my pick. Thank you so much!!!!! Have a safe and happy holiday all."
Check out all the great songs on the submissions page.
THANKS TO THE SPONSORS
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Line 6 - Music products that inspire creativity in both recording and live environments. |
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Disc Makers - CD duplication and manufacturing made easy for independent musicians - and special freebies for Sonoma Wire Works users. |
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CD Baby - A little CD store with the best new independent music. |
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Recording Magazine - The magazine for the recording musician. |
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Submersible Music - Legendary drummers. Signature grooves. Submersible Music sells their DrumCore InstantDrummer Sessions for RiffWorks users here. |
 
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RIFFCASTER
Share music created with RiffWorks using Sonoma Wire Works RiffCaster internet broadcast service. Get feedback from other RiffWorks users and the world in a non competitive atmosphere. File storage is free, the RiffCaster system is a breeze to use, and there's plenty of room for content.
In order to protect your music, songs submitted to RiffRumble are placed under the Creative Commons Music Sharing License.
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