Shelley Jacobson ("Mama Jake")
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Shelley Jacobson ("Mama Jake")

Band Country Singer/Songwriter

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"Writing Up: Interview With Shelley Jacobson"

Shelley Jacobson is a Canadian-based songwriter who has also been a lead singer with successful touring bands in Canada as well as a successful solo artist in her home region. She’s just been signed to Full Court Press Music Group in Nashville (Hyland Hills Music) as a staff writer, at a time when people claim that you can’t get a publishing deal if you live outside of Music City. I caught up with Shelley recently as she’s preparing for yet another trip down to Tennessee.



[Doak Turner] Shelley, you just got a publishing deal in Nashville and yet you’re based not just outside of Nashville, but outside of the USA! How did that come about – especially when the famous saying in Nashville is “must be present to win” ?

Shelly Jacobson I've been making trips back and forth to Nashville for the last five years. For the first few years I kept a low profile ... learning as much as I could with my craft from the song camps at the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and other music conferences. I was like a sponge soaking up as much as I could. I just kept my head down and concentrated on building my writing chops.

I didn't start making appointments with publishers until other industry pros told me that I was where I needed to be to hook up with publishers. One of those people was Sara Light from www.Songu.com . I joined up with Songu and took every lyric writing course they offered. Sara Light (SONGU) told me that she wanted to hook me up with Pat Rolfe from ASCAP. A meeting was made with Pat and it was amazing! She listened to every song that I had on a 10 track CD and when the last song finished, she looked at me and said, "You're ready to shop around ... let me make some calls." I almost fell out of my chair!! I was trying to play it cool ... but I was so excited I felt like jumping up and down.

Pat made some calls on my behalf and I was set up for my next trip back. That also gave me the confidence to go out there and make other appointments on my own. I met up with the publishers Pat had set me up with, and the meetings went well. Two of them wanted me to keep sending them everything I wrote after that and the other companies set me up with their staff writers ... so again, I was set up for my next trip back.

When I came back into town I met up with another publisher and played them my material. They listened all the way through and said that six of the songs on the CD were ready to fly out the door. Then they asked what I was looking for in a staff deal ... I had to stop myself from looking over my shoulder to see where the reality cameras were set up ... It was an incredible feeling.

After that meeting, I met up with another publisher that has a co-venture with Warner Chappell. He listened to my catalog and asked me not to sign with the previous publisher until he spoke with Warner. I was so excited after that meeting I could barely speak!!! A couple of weeks after that I was informed that he would like to sign me, but Warner only had one slot for him to sign a writer/artist. It was very disappointing, but I really appreciated him going to bat for me.

The deal that I just signed came from Mike Hyland at Full Court Music Press. I was introduced to Mike through my co-writer, Lorna Flowers. Mike was pitching Lorna's catalog on the Row and Lorna asked him to take a listen to some of my stuff. He agreed to take a listen and I guess he liked what he heard.

[Doak Turner] How do you think your publishing deal will work on a daily basis, given that you’re still going to be based outside of Nashville, at least for now ?

Shelly Jacobson It would be pretty difficult for me to get my material to the right people without a staff deal. My publisher is based out of Nashville, which means he will be able to get my material to the A&R reps and producers that he knows are looking for material for their artists. Mike has also emailed me to set up co-writing appointments with other writers when I am back in town. So that's a big help.

Eventually we (my family and I) will end up moving to Nashville, but for now I'm making frequent trips back and forth. Again ... I'm just keeping my head down and trying to come up with fresh ideas for my co-write sessions when I'm back in town. My daily schedule consists of writing and demoing my material in my studio.

[Doak Turner] Can you describe a typical day for you, for your songwriting ? Do you write every day?

Shelly Jacobson I have to write everyday otherwise I get cranky. I usually wake up early and write for a few hours before my family gets up. I'd say a typical day consists of me writing 3-5 hours a day. In the evenings I record the demos in my home studio. So it pretty much fills the day. When I’m not writing, I’m checking out material from other writers and trying to find new music that inspires me.

[Doak Turner] If there have been days when you’ve felt discouraged, how have you managed to work through those? W - Music Dish


"Hyland Hills Music"

Full Court Press Announces Mike Hyland's New Venture " Full Court Press Music Group" Based In Nashville, TN With The Signings Of Lorna Flowers, Shelley Jacobson And Daylon Wear

August 10, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: 615/599-9706


HYLAND FORMS FULL COURT PRESS MUSIC GROUP
Establishes Three Publishing Companies, Signs Three Writers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Music industry veteran Mike Hyland has established Full Court Press Music Group, Inc., which is the parent company to three music publishing companies: Hyland Hills Music (ASCAP), Radio Too Music (BMI) and Yellow Jersey Music (SESAC). Three songwriters have been signed to the firm: Shelley Jacobson to Hyland Hills Music, Daylon Wear to Radio Too Music and Lorna Flowers to Yellow Jersey Music.

“Throughout my career I have been involved with some incredible songwriters,” says Mike Hyland. “I’ve also been fortunate to work with some amazing music publishing companies such as Acuff-Rose, House of Gold, Almo/Irving and MCA, even though it was in a public relations capacity. The creativity that was generated at those companies was inspiring. I have known Lorna, Shelley and Daylon for many years. They bring a fresh perspective and years of talent to our new company. I am thrilled to be working with them.”

British born Lorna Flowers worked towards relocating to Nashville since “discovering” country music on vacation in the USA in 1993. Since 1996 Lorna has made numerous trips to Nashville each year and has had the opportunity to write with such great names as Roger Cook, Bob Welch, Benita Hill, Joie Scott, Steven McClintock, Dwight Liles, Daylon Wear, Bonnie Bramlett and Mary Francis, among others. She has had three No. 1 European Country hits as well as many other cuts, awards and chart placements. She moved to Nashville in July 2004.

Canadian-based singer/songwriter Shelley Jacobson has performed across Canada as the lead singer of popular touring bands before establishing her own band and opening shows for rock legends such as Foreigner and Joe Cocker. In 2004 she released her first European country single that peaked at No. 3. Her focus has been on songwriting, which garnered her cuts and recognition in her native Canada. Shelley’s frequent trips to Nashville over the last few years have resulted in writing with (in addition to Lorna Flowers), Roger Cook, Benita Hill, Kevin Stokes, Joie Scott, Dwight Liles, Sally Barris and others.

Daylon Wear is an East Texas native that plays, sings and writes a little bit of everything from blues to rock to country. Moving to Nashville in the early ‘90s, he signed with the Pride Music Group that was later sold to Warner Chappell. He also wrote for High Seas Music. Daylon has written with Don Schlitz, Bob DiPiero, Charley Pride, Bill LaBounty, John Jarrard, Van Stephenson, Tony Mullins, Gary Burr, Steve Seskin and Johnny Cash, among others. In 2001, Daylon’s CD Texas Twister was released on Freefalls/Navarre along with a single titled “What’s She Doing In Denver.”

Mike Hyland’s music career began in New York City in 1968 working for the Gifford/ Wallace and Gershman & Gibson public relations firms as well as in the publicity department of Atlantic Records. During those years, he worked with numerous clients including Procol Harum, Bill Graham’s Fillmore East concert venue, The Rascals, The New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, Humble Pie, Cat Stevens, Traffic and Free. In December 1970 he relocated to Macon, Georgia to become director of publicity at Capricorn Records working with the Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, Livingston Taylor, Alex Taylor, Jonathan Edwards and eventually the Marshall Tucker Band, Sea Level, Bonnie Bramlett, Delbert McClinton, Dixie Dregs, Stillwater and Elvin Bishop. He was promoted to Vice President, Public Relations for the label in 1975.

In 1979 Hyland moved to Nashville and Elektra/Asylum Records working with Hank Williams Jr., Eddie Rabbitt, Stella Parton, Bobby Braddock, Rock Killough and others. He co-founded Network Ink public relations and later became Director of Creative Services at Monument Records. He later founded The Hyland Company Public Relations in 1984 representing Waylon Jennings, Keith Whitley, House of Gold Music, Lacy J. Dalton, Leon Russell, the Burrito Brothers, Minnie Pearl, and Ralph Emery among others. In 1989 he joined Gaylord Entertainment working with Acuff-Rose Music, 16th Avenue Records as well as the Wildhorse Saloon, the Ryman Auditorium and the Nashville On Stage concert series.

Full Court Press Public Relations was created with his wife Phyllis Hyland in 1997 and currently represents Madacy Entertainment, Ivey Music International (IMI), Hart Media/Bullseye Marketing Research, Bonnie Bramlett, and The Skeeters. Additionally, Phyllis and Mike Hyland operate Full Court Press Events, a special event company that is currently producing the fifth annual Wine Down Main Street wine tasting event in Franklin, Tennessee, a benefit for the Boys - Mi2n


"Full Court Press Launch"

Full Court Press
Music industry veteran Mike Hyland recently launched Full Court Press Music Group, Inc. the parent company to three music publishing companies: Radio Too Music (BMI), Hyland Hills Music (ASCAP) and Yellow Jersey Music (SESAC). Pictured (L-R): Lorna Flowers, signed to Yellow Jersey Music, Hyland, and Shelley Jacobson signed to Hyland Hills Music. Standing is attorney John Rolfe. Not pictured is Radio Too Music songwriter Daylon Wear.
- MusicRow Magazine


"European Radio Reviews"

2004 Radio Reviews: (Get Gone)
Frank Hambleton - Edge FM Radio, UK
• “Brilliant, excellent, will do very well!”


Gerry Ford - Country Music & Dance Mag, UK “
• “Good song, singer, vocal and arrangement!”


Ray Needham - Linedance DJ, UK
• “Excellent song - well performed”
Philippe Caux - RCF Pays D'Aude Radio, France


• “What a good surprise!”
Len Ford - Oban FM Radio, UK
• “Good Honky Tonk feel - sexy voice!”


Ted Clark - Grensland Int. Radio, Denmark
• “Very gutsy vocal style knocks you down!”


Doc Schulze - Radio Eurohertz, Germany
• “She's got a voice you love to listen to - well done”


Ray Grundy - Metro Country, Europe
• “Good well written country rocker - good voice!”


Al Field - Triple U FM Radio, Australia
• “Shelley has a powerful delivery!”


2004 Magazine Reviews:
Jan 08/04 U.K Journalist “Brian Ahern”

• “How Long is a deep and moody power ballad well performed & written that raises the question
of why this talented lady isn’t a major star already!”


Jan 08/04 Cross Country Magazine (U.K)
• “Do I Ever, with its drum led earthiness and hot rhythm patterns is hit material waiting in the
wings to be discovered! - European Radio Stations


Discography

"A Little Painted Stone"

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Shelley is an award winning (CMT/NSAI) singer/songwriter that resides in Canada, but frequently performs, co-writes and records out of Nashville. She is a staff writer with Nashville's "Hyland Hills Music".

In 2004, Shelley’s “Get Gone” charted at #3 on the European Charts. The track was included on her new CD “A Little Painted Stone,” released in June/04. A distribution deal was signed with "Indie Pool" making her product accessible with Canadian Music Retailers. Tracks can also be purchased individually from www.puretracks.com

With songs that draw comparisons to Cheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, and Allison Moorer, her energetic performing edge is tempered by warm vocals and emotional arrangements. Her songs reflect an innate knack of turning feelings into notes, memories into chords and dreams into rhythms.

Shelley has opened for rock legends "Foreigner" in 2003 with The Bonnaroo Band, and was also invited to open for Joe Cocker. She recently (Jun 2005) opened as a solo performer for Lee Aaron at the Thundering Womens' Festival, and facilitated songwriting and publishing ("How To Get A Staff Deal") workshops. She performs solo to audiences in Canada and at Nashville’s famous Bluebird Café where she performed with Fleetwood Macs' guitarist "Bob Welch" during the Full Court Press Music showcase Aug/05.

Shelley has earned the respect of her peers in the songwriting community of Nashville where she has co-written with top name writers including: Roger Cook (Hall of Fame Writer with hits such as “Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress”, “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing”) Benita Hill (writer of Garth Brooks’ hits “It’s Your Song” and “Two Pina Colodas”; She also appeared as a guest on Shelley’s new CD), Joie Scott (wrote the #1 song for Collin Raye “Not That Different” and Shania Twains' new single "Shoes"), Sandy Ramos (Wrote "Loving Arms" on the Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces Cd) Steven Sheehan (staff writer at Murrah Music) Sally Barris (writer of Leann Womacks' "Some Things I Know", Martina McBrides' "Reluctant Daughter") Dwight Liles (has had over 300 cuts in country and CCM and is a Dove Award Winner) and some truly gifted Canadian writers which include Omar T. Ales and Dave Woods.

Shelley signed a staff writing deal in Aug 2005 with "Hyland Hills Music". "Full Court Press Music Group" is the parent company of "Hyland Hills Music" run by the legendary Mike Hyland. During his long career, which included 24 years in Nashville, Hyland worked for Capricorn Records, Elektra/Asylum Records, Monument Records, and Opryland USA, in addition to several public-relations firms. His recent clients included Audium Rec- ords, Madacy Entertainment, and the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Among the acts he's worked with over the years are the Allman Brothers Band, the Rascals, Sonny & Cher, Cat Stevens, Traffic, Humble Pie, Minnie Pearl, Hank Williams Jr., Keith Whitley, and Waylon Jennings.