Cheryl

Hi, Ferry, If I were a fast talker I would have been successful long before this...! And what do you determine to be "success"?! Success is in the eye of the beholder. I make a decent living from music, but I'm not rich. However, that's still a success story; since I'm surviving nicely doing something I love! To begin with; if you ain't got a product, you ain't got a chance. It isn't like some great producer is gonna walk by your apartment, hear your music and get you signed. Sure: I've had lots of exposure; and lots of fans, now. But this is the digital age, and sadly, other than a FEW (like Katy Perry, Michael Buble, and Adele), I know very few rich and famous folks right now in the field of music... SORRY. However, since you ASKED; here are some of my "minor" wins (yes; in my book, a nomination is a "win"): 2012: Nominated for Best Roots & Blues Artist, Kootenay Music Awards; top 10 Latin Beat Mag. 2011: Nominated for Best Blues Song, Hollywood Music In Media Awards; top 10 Latin Beat Mag. 2010: Nominated for Best Jazz Song, Hollywood Music In Media Awards; top 10 Latin Beat Mag. 2009: Featured Artist; Coast to Coast AM with George Noory How do I do it? I wake up every morning and immediately go to the internet. I make tons of connections. I use ONE source (Reverbnation.com) to send ONE daily message to most of my sites (Facebook, twitter, etc.), simultaneously. Takes a whopping 5 minutes. Then I check emails and immediately get back to the important ones (bookings, etc.) I market thru the following sites: My own 2 websites (http://cherylhodge.com; http://jazzboulevard.com Reverbnation (I do daily postings; mail-outs and enter contests from there) Facebook (5,500 followers) CD Baby (check sales; this aggregator sells to about 20 others; including iTunes) Just to maintain, I spend about 2 hours a day on the web. It's all about killing several birds with one stone.... Hey, good luck; hope this helps! - Cher

Hey, my friends over at Songstuff.com - what's shakin'?? Wow; Hollywood; just like I pictured it! No, no kidding... I'm actually nominated for BEST BLUES SONG, "THAT'S WHY I'M HERE" . Guess songwriting has it's occasional rewards! Last year I was nominated for Best Jazz Song (Indigo). Didn't win. Who cares? It's great just beingaround all that talent and energy. Y'all should think about entering a contest, now and again... or going to a songwriter's seminar.This year at te HMMAs (Hollywood Music In Media Awards) they are honoring Smokey Robinson. So excited just to be in the same room. John Moxey, wish you were coming, too. Cheers, y'all... see you when I see you, Cheryl Hodge; Jazz, Blues Singer; Songwriter

1. Do you sing, play an instrument or instruments? Yup. What instruments? Pno, Voice, Guit. When did you start playing? 3 1/2 yrs. old Did you teach yourself? In the beginning; yes. 2. Are you in a band or bands? Several What is the name of the band? The Cheryl Hodge Group; The Cheryl Hodge R&B Band What do you play? vox/piano What other instruments are in the band? guit./bs./drums Do you have a band website? 3. Do you write songs? Uh-huh. Do you write lyrics, music or both? Both Do you have a writing partner? Sometimes 4. Do you record your music? Yes Do you use a home studio? If so what gear do you use? Protools Do you use a recording studio? Yes Do you have music available on the web? if so where? Everywhere (cherylhodge.com, itunes, CDbaby, etc. - lots of aggregators) 5. What other roles do you perform in the music business? Teacher, player, producer Management? Label owner? Publishing? Promotion? Other? My own label: jazzboulevard.com 6. Are you a tech head? Slight. 7. What country do you live in? US/Can 8. What are your ambitions? None; I'm already doin' it. 9. Do you draw/paint/write stories/computer art/dance or other creative pursuit? Sometimes. What are your pastimes? Walking, exercise bike, reading, movies 10. What would you like to get out of Songstuff? Already gettin' it! Communication with other writers; networking.

Hi, Baloo, There are two ways to hear your voice - and only one when you are singing WITH a group. You have to cup your hand over your ear and sing into the middle of your lower half of your arm (like an early days radio deejay). At home sing into a corner, and your voice will come back directly at you. To work on your intonation, use an audio recording device. Hit notes on the piano, match them with your voice; then listen back to the recording... do the pitches match? Finally, please visit my article: "CAN PITCH BE LEARNED AND/OR CORRECTED?" Good luck, Cheryl

Hmmmmm - tried to listen - went to the link and just got "This video is Private." Then, when I tried to subscribe (to hear it) I was still unable to. Is it on youtube? What is the youtube link? Thanks, Cheryl

Dear Gazebo, Wow; before you even told me about the acid reflux, the thought crossed my mind that this was the cause. You need to go on a strict alkaline diet, to re-stabilize. Acid reflux is horrible. I have suffered from it, too (still am). The acid suppressants aren't great, because after a while you stomach is unable to function by itself, without the pills. I'm trying to kick the stomach pills, as I write. More on that, later... But first, here are the answers to your questions (and thanks for asking!) So my questions are: 1) Is there a risk I have damaged my voice permanently? NO; if it's acid-reflux the larynx area can and will regenerate itself in 6-8 weeks - but STEER CLEAR of all acidic foods for that amount of time! 2) What can I do to help things get better? See above; and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Do NOT vocalize; but rather practice soft sighs. Speak above your larynx, if possilble; in the cheek bone area. Don't talk very much... and once again: hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! 3) Should I take some lessons? YES, by all means. PLEASE do take lessons - but not from an amateur teacher; find an extremely knowledgeable one. GOOD LUCK! - Cher

Hi, Laurence. When you play the melody, what emotions do you get??? That's the place to start when it comes to adding lyrics. It's a tried and true method. Start by picking the highest point in the melody, and then try to add a lyrical HOOK, which focusses primarily on the emotion you got when you heard the melody. If that doesn't work, read on.... In my experiences I found that before going solo on writing songs, it's a good idea to co-write, first! Try finding someone who's keen on it, and has the opposite strengths of yours, musicially and/or lyrically. It's a great, highly enjoyable process. When it's done, copyright the song, and perhaps perform it at a coffee house or club, on an open mic night. All the best, Cheryl

Well stated, John!! I've learned not to invest too much of my faith in shows with weak premises.... I've learned that I'd rather spend that time in my recording studio playing music, or playing gigs, or reading a damn fine book.

Personally, I think it's a travesty that people audition accapella. At the very least they should sing with an accompaniest. It's very easy to fake good tone, and not have a clue about pitch. This becomes evident later on, when the singer is added to a band and they can't sing in key!!! Off key stuff REALLY bugs me. Jus' sayin'......

I checked this out.... I like the production! One thing, though - the vocals are well-done, but there is distortion on the track. I think more people will take this seriously without the distortion. It's because of a few possiblitlies: 1. Voice too close to the mic (maybe it was mic-ed too high to begin with, OR 2. Voice mixed too high in the mixing process OR 3. Too much compression can cause this effect. I hate to say the dreaded "Re-mix" word, but.... This IS great writing and performance!! All the best, Cheryl

Have you posted samples of your writing anywhere on this site, yet? Do you have a link? Good luck, Asaf.

Hmmmm. I can't tell very much about you or your style at all from this video. I can't say I recommend you joining anything, until I see a better production. This is breaking up like crazy in my speakers, and there is a problem with the way it is saved. Sorry!