American Songwriting Awards - Offical Nominee, Other Lives 

Category - Country & Western 

Judge Feedback: 

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2016 American Songwriting Awards Score Report and Judge Commentary

Country & Western

(Please rate each attribute on a scale of 1 through 4:

4 = excellent, professionally executed

3 = average

2 = needs improvement

1 = poor)

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Verse 4

Chorus 4
Title 4

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GENERAL COMMENTS:

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Country Western is the realm of broken hearts, broken homes and broken trucks. It’s nice when there’s a song that pops up as original and executed brilliantly like this one.

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Verse

Draws the listener in immediately wanting to hear where the story goes. Builds chronologically preparing the listener for the chorus. Starts out soft and contemplative with lovely accompanying music, then steps right into the chorus. The music is complex but doesn’t upstage the vocalist. I especially liked the music

instrument choices.
Chorus

The chorus is excellent, the definitive emotional high point. The songwriter raises the question “if we chose other lives” and gives the listener an emotional connection. Who hasn’t had this thought? The chorus is the toe tapping part of the song that we expect from a good Country Western song. I really enjoyed everything about this song. The music complemented the vocals perfectly.
Title

 

The title is the focus of the song.

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Hook

The hook “if we chose other lives” is hummable and stays with the listener after the song is over. The phrase is thought provoking and tends make the listener wonder if I had chosen another life.

Bridge
Is the most encouraging part of the lyrics and reinforces the chorus. 

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Other Lives is on the ballot for Grammy consideration in the 58th Grammy Awards. Here's what Recording Academy members are saying: 

 

Good luck with Other Lives. Your music is excellent and, I think really represents what the Grammy Awards, (and music that’s for sale in general), should represent.

 

Thanks so much!

Dale

D. Edward

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OTHER LIVES is awesome! Final Grammy listening underway. Your voice is so warm and charismatic, Jenn, and the bluerass instrumentation is beautifully performed. Love the story as well – very poetic! So great to discover your music this Grammy season!

 

Winifred Phillips

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Thanks for sending Jenn! This is absolutely beautiful. I love the violin and your folk approach....it sounds country and folk, beautiful mix! Your voice is angelic! I have noted your categories! 

 

Kevin Lucas 

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Jenn, this is absolutely gorgeous. You have a major league voice and the band sounds great... I'll be very happy to support this and I look forward to hearing more down the road.

 

Alastair Moock

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Hi Jenn - I love this, what a great voice you have - so expressive and vulnerable. You should do well - you certainly have my consideration! Best of luck with a nomination!

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Gareth Laffely

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Beautifully fluent - This track OTHER LIVES has it all – outstanding vocals, great instrument arrangement, a nice and easy rhythm and an incredible feel to top it all! It just moves along so fluently.

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(Grammy Winner 2015) Wouter Kellerman

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Hey Jenn, What a great song. I think we can all relate to the question of what if we had chosen other lives. Your voice is crystal clear and full of emotion. Love it.

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Sarah Partridge

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I listened to your track on you really beautiful FYC page. I really loved it. First and most compelling is your beautiful voice which I could listen to all day, but then the backing instrumentalist were so fine as well and matched the deftly inflected beauty of your vocal lines with tremendous musicianship and tight, fluent technique. Added to this was the great production values: everything was well recorded and the mix and master are great. A really professional, tremendous track that def has my support, well done!

 

Douglas Knehans

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Listening now...

Yeah! I LOVE mandolin! I play one as well... ; )

Just bought a copy!

 

Bruce Lev 

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Dear Jenn - Other Lives was one of the first songs I listened to this year, and its' still one of my favorites. I love the acoustic sound, the vocals, the musicianship, the engineering and the production!

 

Oscar Autie

 

 

200 ReverbNation listeners reviewed our new Single, Other Lives.

Here's what they're saying: 

 

"This is gold." 

 

"A new favorite, for sure." 

 

"The lyrics capture the imagination and take you into the song." 

 

"The {instrumentation} is perfect... expertly played."

 

"It felt really personal, like she was showing us her heart." 

 

"...I would listen to it everyday to be honest." 

 

"I would recommend this song even though I don't like this kind of music. I give this song my first 10 out of 10." 

 

"Perfect for radio." 

 

"I love the instrumental, the build, her voice, and the story that the music tells." 

 

"The lyrics really hit home with me. I feel like I am not the only one." 

 

"I wish there were more songs like this..."

 

"I think this song could top the country charts." 

 

...and our favorite: "if this song was rap, it would be better."