Writing and singing his songs are foremost in Danny's heart. For several years, he owned Matt's Saloon on Historic Whiskey Row in Prescott, Arizona, where he and his Country Thunder Band played on a regular basis. Danny used this venue to hone his skills as an outstanding performer, country songwriter and Christian songwriter.
All would agree that after more than 3,500 performances at Matt's and other honky-tonks all over the West, Danny certainly has paid his dues in the performance arena.
Like some of our country legends, including Waylon Jennings and Marty Robbins, Danny Griego has a special affinity for Arizona. He was born and raised in a rural environment a few miles north of Phoenix. Danny is the youngest of the three Griego children and is very close to his sister, Linda, and brother, Bob. Danny enjoys hunting, fishing, team roping/cutting, horseback riding, and the great outdoors in general.

Danny firmly believes that his greatest blessing, the gift of song writing, was delivered by The Lord in the form of a lightning bolt while he was camping and fishing at Big Lake in Eastern Arizona. How else could he have survived such a painful ordeal as being struck by lightning? Although, it was a very painful experience for Danny, you might say it was a "lucky strike" for the rest of us. Since that time, country songs and Christian songs with words, melodies, and arrangements find their way into Danny's head. And, carried by his stunning voice, they make their way to us---a gift from The Lord to be shared with everyone.
You need to see Danny on stage to fully appreciate that he is a captivating performer who seems intuitively to know what his audiences want to hear. In addition to his own country and Christian music, Danny's extensive knowledge of many other kinds of music makes his performance one that embraces great variety. He is truly a very gifted country music and Christian singer, songwriter, and performer

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Gina Michaells ~ Somebody's Angel

"click photo for MYSPACE website"

One of the most viewed videos on YouTube

"Click" LINK below to watch on YouTube

Produced by Lonnie Ratliff and written by Lonnie Ratliff & Lindy Gravelle the latest release "Somebody's Angel" by Gina Michaells has been one of the hottest videos on YouTube since it was first posted when it gained over 1/3 of a million views in the first few hour after being made available. As might be suspected this extraordinary performance with the country music listening public has perked up more than one set of ears on Music Row as the movers and shakers try to decide if they can figure out a way to turn it into a radio "Hit"

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"Click Banner Below for Website"

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On The Road With Joni Compretta

"click photo for MYSPACE website"

Mississippi native and Westwood Int'l. recording artist Joni Compretta is a prime example of the fact that if you put the effort into the music business and treat it like you would any other job instead of just sitting back and waiting for the Music Gods to shine down on you you can make things happen for yourself. After recording her debut CD "Out Of Mississippi" with Nashville record producer Lonnie Ratliff Joni made up her mind that instead of waiting around for lady luck to decide her fate she would handle that herself. Because of the success of her music it wasn't long before the shysters and scam artists in the music business were beating a pathway to her door with their hands out wanting money and promising her they could make her dreams come true as soon as her check cleared the bank HA!. Joni caught on real quick and figured out she would just learn everything she needed to know about the business herself and that way not be at the mercy of someone she could not fully trust. With that attitude she put her own band together and just got on the phone and internet and became her own publicist, booking agent and chief cook and bottle washer.

Joni is now working on a speciality CD for Gary Bradshaw and Lonnie Ratliff to be marketed to pet owners and this project has already produced two singles, "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" and "Dogs Don't Care If You're Ugly" that have both done real well at radio.

As far as live performances Joni will be headlining the "Relay For Life Patriot Park" concert in Pigeon Forge (Dollywood) on June 6th. and then it is overseas to Sweden where Joni Compretta will be doing a mini-tour with the Cadillac Band: DJ Fontana, Alicia Helgesson, Tommy Blom, Glenn D Hardin, Janne Schaffer. Check it out at www.tcband.se

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Lonnie's Music Tips:

What are royalties and when do you have to pay them.

Mechanical royalties are the money due to the Publisher and Songwriter when you use one of their songs on your CD or any format where you are selling the song, such as downloads. The statuatory rate now is $91 per 1000 units sold. You can make any kind of deal with the publisher you can get them to agree to. Sometimes a songwriter might even let you use their song royalty free if they think it will be a good promotional tool for them. After a songwriter has had a cut or two they will not be as quick to let you use one of their songs for free. Remember when negoiating royalties you have to talk to the Publisher, not the songwriter unless the songwriter happens to also be the publisher. Keep in mind if you are talking about an Indie cut we are not talking about enough money to buy a decent meal 99 times out of a 100. As for my own catalog I just try to be reasonable and make sure that if one of these artists ever hit the big time they still think of me as that songwriter who treated them nice when they were still struggling. If I have been a jerk to deal with any chance of me getting a cut after they become stars when they could really make me money has gone down the toilet. That ain't worth $5 or $10 bucks to me right now. I have dozens of young singers every year calling me for songs and I try to be realistic with them. If it is one of those deals where the family is paying for the session and I am the producer I don't even charge for my songs just as long as they pay my co-writers. Also if it is someone who does not have a band and only plays at the karaoke bar and is gonna try to sell the CD from their website and I am not the producer I may just charge them $45.50 and let them press a 1000 CD's because the odds are they will be giving a lot of those CD's away and a pretty good chance they could end up with a bunch of boxes of CD's in their closet or stored under their bed. If it turns out they do real well they will be back for more songs for the next CD and if it is a big flop someday they will figure out I gave them a break and they will recommend me to the next singer coming up the road.

As far as the downloads on i-Tunes I never charge any artist for that and for a very simple reason. They are NOT going to sell very many downloads. The only way people buy downloads is by either searching for the Artists name or the song title. If the artist has made themselves popular enough to sell downloads they are getting into a position where they could really make you some real money. If they have made your song title popular enough that total strangers have started searching the internet for a place to buy it then let them keep that 9/10ths of a penny. I have actually heard of songwriters finding a song of theirs on i-Tunes and throwing a hissy fit when the truth is it probably cost the artist more to put it up there than they will ever make from it. For a few pennies they have probably made an enemy out of an artist who more than likely didn't know they were doing anything wrong when they put it up for downloads to begin with. You just have to be realistic about this stuff.

Performance Royalties

This is where BMI, ASCAP, SOCAN and all the other affiliates come in. It covers radio airplay, Internet airplay, inclusion in movies, TV etc.

This don't cost the artist any money. If you want to just cut a song and release it to radio on a compilation or your own single or promo CD all you need is the correct label copy which is the Legal title, Songwriters Names, Publishers Names and performance affilliation. Remember just because you don't have to pay anything you can't take this lightly. If you do not have the correct label copy the copyright owners can issue a cease and decist order and you will have to correct the label copy at your own expense. This is all very fair because you are using this song for free so the least you can do is get the label copy correct so BMI, ASCAP etc. can pay the owners of the copyright. Please keep in mind that these are two different royalties you have to learn to deal with. Easy way to remember is Mechanical License is a Product and Performance is just that, a performance like a song on the radio.

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Western Heart Room (Audio & Video of Independent Country Artists)

Stop in and get to know the DJ's and get them to play your music & YouTube videos

Howdy Folks

Here is the new link to our Stand Alone room

http://www.fantasyltd.com/gary/1.html

Instructions:

1. Click on link above.

2. When it opens up, you will see 2 new links. "Click on first Time Users Link" and then click "Run" in the window that pops up. Only takes a few seconds to do. It will then return to the 2 links page.

3. Click on enter Room next, a box will come up asking for User Name & Password. Type your name in the name box, jack, JUDY, john. Hal, Roy, Beverley, Linda or what ever. "YOU DO NOT NEED A PASSWORD, LEAVE THIS BOX EMPTY' then click login and come into the room.

Be sure to save the link to your favorites as from now on, You never have to do anything but click the link and type your name in the box from here on in. If you have any problem just contact me.

Come and enjoy best sound on the Internet with full Video.

Thank you

Gary gbradshaw3@cox.net

Buying a house in Nashville ?

If you are thinking of moving to Nashville and need to buy a house I recommend you get in touch with my buddy Craig Stahl.

Some of you will know Craig from his 13 years working with Alan Jackson and also as my partner in Okie Acres Music & Studio.

Give him a call when you need property in Nashville or sign up for his Newsletter

I hope you enjoyed our first issue of Roadie Real Estate.com. Please email me your thoughts and suggestions. If you liked it

please hit the forward e-mail button at the bottom of the page. Please visit my website at www.RoadieRealEstate.com I would love t

o help you buy or sell your next home or help you with any of your Real Estate needs. If you are not moving anytime soon,

please keep me in mind to be of service to friends and family. I really appreciate your referals.

Craig Stahl "The Roadie Realtor"

"Gossip Column"

A little Cyber-Songbird told me

Make sure you put GOSSIP in the subject line of your E Mail when you send it so it don't get lost.

E Mail GOSSIP to: NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

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The Swedish countryband Kriztina Åhs & Countryfied have just completed recording 12 of Kriztina's 247 songs for a record that is meant to be released in May. The record is called "Roads" and the songs are about the choices of paths to walk on everyone has to make in life. You can listen to some of the songs at www.myspace.com/kriztinacountryfied

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I'm just listing 2 huge new (independent) CD's with CDBaby, Take the Highway and Moving On..., both recorded in Nashville by Stacy Hogan, with Mike Lusk's silky-smooth, emotional, country vocals. I wrote all the songs on these 2 CD's, so will watch their progress with keen interest!
Cheers
Gary Woods, song-writer, composer www.woodscompositions.com garywoods44@bigpond.com
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Hey Lonnie...thanks for keeping me on your newsletter.and yes, I'm busy singing with the folks at "Rudi's Country Music Cafe"...check us out... www.ruditunes.com . We have just started the website for "Classic Country Music"...great artists, both known and not so well known..but very talented and lots of fun...Come visit us! Both online and in person at the Cafe, Nashville, Tennessee! And, I have a new myspace....

.Thanks ...Connie Lee Turner www.myspace.com/connieleeturner

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G'day all, and greetings from Sydney, Australia! Many of you overseas probably think I have disappeared or given up music due to my long absence. Far from it! After a long recovery from my illness I am pleased to say there is a new album due for release in the next month! It truly depicts the journey of my life of the last 2 years...'Extraordinary Daze'!
I look forward to contacting you all again very soon. Merilyn Steele www.merilynsteele.com

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OLYA just finished taping an interview for the Channel 19 show "SSE" which will be aired during the summer. The exact dates will be posted soon.
Be OLYA's friend at www.myspace.com/olyasongs

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I am planning an event called a night of the arts at limelight on april 23 from 6-12. This event is sponsored by the new magazine American exclusive launching itself here in the states. We are looking for photographers, make-up artists, stylists, producers, fashion designers, small studio owners, artists, local filmmakers and other artistic types to set up booths at the event. It costs you nothing to set up a booth and is a great way to promote your work and network in the community. Those who set up booths will even get five dollars per ticket they presale to the event. We will also have some performers and drink/food specials that night. Please contact me for more information. Mandy Hawley US forthcoming mag (online version) http://www.americanexclusivemagazine.com

Toronto magazine site: http://www.torontoexclusive.com

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J GALE KILGORE www.eyeball-records.com eyeball@crcom.net releasing album this month ,top song,

"I had the right to remain silent,but I didn't have the ability"

We have had five wild fires for last two weeks, please send rain to west texas.thank all yall

ill be in nashville,april 26 27 28 gaylord opryland hotel stay safe

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Hi Lonnie,

Great information and thanks for including me in your newsletter. Connie Smith...wow! what a nice lady.. Wish she could have had more hit records but she is definitely a legend.

We have been having our share of tornadoes lately. Last Thursday night I had all my music and TV going and I thought I heard a train coming. Actually it was the local sirens blarring and a tornado was on it's way headed right for my neighborhood. We were lucky that it never touched down but south of Little Rock was hit pretty hard.

Take care. Roy Cost http://www.rockabillyhall.com/RoyCost1.html

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Hey Lonnie,

Thanks for keeping me in your loop. Sure looks like you're doing good.

I have a new CD, Gypsy Rendezvous, released last month on Brambus...should be getting around a bit over in Europe by now. We're headed over in May for some gigs. But, I'm home until May 12 so if you have anything for me, please let me know...just shaking out the bushes a bit here.

Hope all is well, take it easy buddy,

Brent Moyer http://www.brambus.com/brentmoyer/ http://www.myspace.com/1globalcowboy

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Lonnie,

Hey there! I landed an audition at Tootsie's today and went in and played with their band. I did great and am waiting to hear if my band is in, I had alot of fun today! Now we just have to wait and see if my band is in. Also, Hank didn't come through on the Sweden thing but Ulf Nilsson is booking me on a mini-tour over there June 9-14th to play with the Cadillac Band. Go check it out at www.tcband.se .

Don't know if I told you but we will be Headlining this year's Relay For Life in Pigeon Forge on Friday June 6th from 7-8:30. Lot's of cool stuff starting to happen but I have been hustling my butt off! Lol! Anyway thought you might could use some of this in your next newsletter.

Hope you're doing well Okie! Talk to you soon...

Joni Compretta www.JoniCompretta.com

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Message from Lonnie about the GOSSIP SECTION - You can E Mail me your gossip anytime. (I just save it in a file until I make up the next NEWSLETTER)

Just send me an E Mail with 2 or 3 sentences and you can include your website and E Mail if you like. Try to make it interesting enough people will want to read it. Don't have to be about music just something that is happening to you. If it looks like you may have thought about what you wrote for at least 30 seconds I will probably include it in the next Newsletter which means your website LINK will go out to over 4,300 people that are in the country music business. If it looks like you are obviously just using the gossip section for free advertisment I probably will skip over it. Heck folks most of us claim to be writers so we should be able to write 2 or 3 sentences.

Make sure you put GOSSIP in the subject line of your E Mail when you send it so it don't get lost.

E Mail GOSSIP to: NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

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Lonnie's Work In Progress

I got the idea for this song when a friend gave me an 1878 silver dollar for Christmas. I remember one of the first things I thought was that some young cowboy had probably spent that same silver dollar in an old cowboy saloon or maybe somebody used it to buy a memento from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. The possibilities were pretty much endless as to where all that silver dollar might have been. Especially for a writer.

Many men have a strong tie to their Grandfather and a Grandfather would be cool enough to give you a silver dollar he had carried all his life knowing how much it would mean to you. In this song I try to leave hints that the Grandfather doesn't have a lot of money or material things and may even be living with his Grandson's family. That would also explain them having a lot of time together to form these strong bonds.

The old saying of "Keep it and you'll never be broke" is from the Grandfather's era and him saying that would be his way of trying to avoid the uncomfortable embarrasment they would have both felt when he passed along the coin to his Grandson. This song is just the Grandson's way of saying he fully understood the gravity of the exchange.

I have not thought much about who I will pitch the song to once it is demoed so if you have any ideas as to what artist might like this kind of song just E Mail me and maybe I can pitch it to them. Lonnie Ratliff NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

Grandpa's Silver Dollar

It's just an old silver dollar my grandaddy carried

It's more than a hundred years old

With his last dying breath he said I could have it

Said keep it and you'll never be broke

And I knew he wouldn't talkin' bout money

It's value ran deeper than that

It was a link to the things he was leaving behind

Like the memories that we both had

(Chorus)

Grandpa never bought me a pony

But he taught me how to ride out hard times

He never bought me a coloring book

But he taught me where to draw the line

And he taught me to roll with the punches

How to stand up when I wanted to run

And he gave me this old silver dollar

A reminder of all I had learned

He said I can't always walk right beside you

But I'll map out a pathway that's true

When you're in doubt reach in your pocket

Touch this dollar that I'm givin' you

Then listen to me and your conscience

The road you should choose will be clear

All the answers are in this old silver dollar

Keep it and I'll always be near

(Chorus)

Grandpa never bought me a pony

But he taught me how to ride out hard times

He never bought me a coloring book

But he taught me where to draw the line

And he taught me to roll with the punches

How to stand up when I wanted to run

And he gave me this old silver dollar

A reminder of all I had learned

TAG:
It's just an old silver dollar my grandaddy carried
It's more than a hundred years old

Lonnie Ratliff
Copr. 2008 - Okie Acres Music (BMI)
.

86 Original Songs by Lonnie Ratliff
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=392838

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Artists looking for original songs click on my banner and check out my songwriter website with 2 pages of original songs. If you hear something you like and need more info or a mechanical license to record it just contact me.

Lonnie Ratliff

NashvilleShowcase@comcast.net

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