Hi Everyone,

I had a great time in Hollywood last week at the ASCAP "I create music" Expo. I got to meet some of the biggest songwriters and producers in the biz today. The first night I was there was just the registration so I hung out in the hotel bar chatting with other songwriters. We're all chasing the same Dragons you know! Anyhow as I was chatting with someone I hear a some what familiar voice next to me...it was Tom Green. Anyone remember him? I think he's slipped a bit out of fame as not to many people noticed. I said hello and continued my conversation with Jack Daniels and my new writer friends (smiles).

The next day I hit some of the master classes on Apple's Logic Pro. Got to chat with Ryan Tedder of One Republic. Ryan's the most sought after pop rock writer out there now. He has 4 songs on Kelly Clarkson's new CD, worked with Daughtry, Timbaland, Natasha Bettingfield, Chris Cornell and many others. I also met Dan Wilson of Semi Sonic. He still lives in Minnesota! Also met Multi-Platinum selling writer/producer, "Spider" Ron Entwistle. That guy knows Logic inside and out and has produced top dance club mixes and produces music for some of the Nickelodeon shows stars. Also met Mark Needham, another producer extraordinair. He's produced great acts like, the Killers, My Chemical Romance, Fleetwood Mac,  and many others.

That evening I got to see an intimate performance by Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart. They talk about the biz and the ups and downs of their 30 year career. Amazing artists! They still kick ass and sound fresh as ever! After the performance the events for the day were over. I trekked my way down Hollywood boulevard and stopped by one of Frank Sinatra's old haunts, Miceli's Italian Restaurant.  I had a couple of Crown & 7s and ordered a pizza. I only ate about 2 pieces of it and I was full. By this time it was dark on the boulevard. I took my pizza box and headed back to my hotel to hook up with my bro Rob aka Mr Phresh from PTD Entertainment. As I was walking down the boulevard I stared to notice some of homeless people hanging out on the boulevard. It must have hit me in a soft spot because I proceed to hand out my leftover pizza to them as I past. I got the biggest smiles from them and it made me feel pretty good to. Image that, me strutting down Hollywood blvd handing out pizza to the homeless? I know there's a song in there somewhere!

The next day was pretty cool too. I got to meet more very cool people including a very nice guy named Woody Moran. He is the CEO of NambaGear.com. They make the coolest bags for musicians! You've got to check them out! I used mine the whole week I was out there. I won one in a song contest last year and I am an endorser of NambaGear products. Check out the pic of me & Woody on my home page.

Regarding pics, we weren't allowed to take pics in the ASCAP events, so I did not get pics of all the artists, producers and events. I was also there by myself so most of my pics are of the Hollywood area that I took.

After it was all over I had gotten to chat with many cool people, got a demo CD into the hands many of the movers and shakers of the biz and have started some cool relationships. Hopefully I'll hear back from some of them and we well perhaps work together in the future. For now it's back to writing tracks for my catalog. I have lots of new recording techniques and ideas to get too and am excited to be back in my studio! Thanks to all of you that asked about my trip to L.A. it was a blast! Can't wait to go again!

Oh yeah, a big shout out to Rob/Mr. Phresh for the iPhone and for our new musical ventures yet to come!

You can check out the Hollywood pics on my photos page.

Troy

This was a really good show. It simply amazes me how we keep getting awesome
guests and Troy was no exception. Amazing guest, amazing musician, we
really had fun on this one.

First let me toss out some web links....
Troy's website is www.troycastellano.com/. While you are there be sure to sign up for his newsletter.

Here's his Myspace here, and he also has a ton of music on his youtube page.

We talked about his songwriting process, some of the things he's been
up to lately and played some of his songs. It literally took my breath
away, this music is totally amazing.

I don't remember ever seeing the chat room so packed. Deb and I thought
it was amazing the amount of support he is getting, especially from his
family. We almost had a riot at one point while I was waiting for some
songs Troy sent me to upload and process. Thankfully the files
processed pretty quickly (which surprised me considering some of the
issues we've been having on blogtalk lately) and we were able to get
the songs played before the live portion of the show ended.

Especially listen to the story behind the song Angelene after we played
it, names changed to protect the guilty of course, and one of many
light hearted moments we had during the show.

We did continue the show after the live stream ended, in fact we ran
close to 3 hours, so the best way to enjoy this one would be to go to
the actual showpage (click here) and listen from here. Blogtalkradio
does have a "pop out" player that does seem to work, well most of the time anyway.

Having said how long the show was, I also have to say that 3 hours
wasn't long enough to talk about the stuff we wanted to talk about.

Guess that means we'll have to have him on again, I'm looking forward to it!

Risky Business

All is good!

Troy

Hi all,

Hope you're staying warm! The winter in Minnesota has be f'n
cold this year! I just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know I've posted a
new track called "What You Want' on my web site (www.troycastellano.com) and myspace page (www.myspace.com/troycastellano).
It's a funky sexy kind of tune. I've also have 3 new tunes that I should have
finished soon. I just have to track the vocals on them. Unfortunately, I have
had a crappy virus for the last 3 weeks that just won't go away. I finally gave
in this week and went to the doc. They gave me some meds to get rid of it but 4
days later it's still hanging on! Oh, well that's how it goes in the winter in
Minnesota. Be sure to check out my new track and leave me a comment. Oh yeah, be
sure to hit www.troycastellano.com. I usually put my new tracks up
there first!

As always, thanks so much for supporting me and my music! It
means a lot to me. I hope this email finds you warm and healthy! Until next
time, all the best to ya!

All the best!
Troy Castellano
www.troycastellano.com
www.myspace.com/troycastellano

Well not just yet, but you can help me get the chance, read on...

I wanted to let you know that I am a participant in Ernie Ball's Play MayerCraft contest. The winner gets to play on the "MayerCraft Carrier 2" and play on the same stage as John Mayer, O.A.R. and others! Help me to win this chance to rock the boat! Please take a minute  to vote for me by clicking the banner below or this link http://www.playmayercraft.com/backstage.php?artist_id=26391. Check out my profile, then click on the yellow "vote for me" button below the video screen!

As always, thanks so much for supporting me and my music! It means a lot to me. I hope this email finds you well on your way to resolving your New Years resolutions! I'm certainly working on mine! Until next time, all the best to ya!

As always, thanks so much for the support!

Troy

Hi Everyone:

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend! I received some great news last week and wanted to let you all know. My song All Torn Up won Broadjam.com's July Song of the month! I submitted my song back in June and received a lot of great reviews. You can check July's winner's list by clicking here http://www.broadjam.com/contests/index.php?fltr=Winners&sessionID=231EF548D1D3492D88C00B58D918DB62&sessionINDEX=23823 If you like the song you can buy the MP3 dowload for $.99! And here's a link to my Broadjam.com profile: www.broadjam.com/troycastellano As always thank you all for the support for my music!

Here's what I've won:

Song of the Month prize package:

• A one year Primo MoB account valued at $199.95
• A CAD GXL2400 condenser microphone valued at $129
• A prize package from ModernBeats.com valued at $130
• A carrying case from Namba Gear valued at $100
• A $10 coupon to Spreadshirt.com
• An Indie Venue Bible Combo package valued at $99.95
• A $50 gift card from Alfred Publishing
• A remix contest for the winning song hosted by Acidplanet.com

Troy Castellano

www.broadjam.com/troycastellano
www.contenocity.com/troycastellano (check out To The Core's live version of Radar Love on the home page video)
www.myspace.com/troycastellano
www.youtube.com/troycastellano
www.taxi.com/troycastellano
www.troycastellano.com