The Team
Frank Myers
Frank
J Myers is from Dayton, Oh and grew up in a musical family. His Grandmother, Jesse, played old style banjo His
dad, Melvin (Pee Wee) Myers was a champion fiddle player and singer. His brothers Melvin and Doug both play guitar
and sing and his siters Betty and Joyce both sing as well.
It was discovered that Melvin had a Kidney disease when Frank was 3 years old by the time Frank was 12 Melvin had to take a Medical Retirement and start Dialysis. His mother Eva having a 12 year old and one year old sons not only had to take care of Melvin and the kids but also had to take on a part time job at Darlene’s Dry Cleaners to help make ends meet.
At 11 Frank entered and won a contest on a local show called Startrail. After that, through local contacts, Frank began opening F.O.P. shows at Dayton’s Hara Arena and package shows at Memorial Hall. Frank opend for Hank Snow, Crystal Gayle, Little Jimmy Dickens, George Morgan, Nat Stuckey, Lester Flatt, Porter and Dolly, George and Tammy just to name a few. At 14 he was a guest on the Porter Wagoner Television Show. Around that time Frank, his Dad and brother Melvin Jr began playing aorund Dayton at various VFW’s and American Legions with Melvin’s longtime friend Glen Brooks and daughter Cindy. Glen and his wife Cleo were like a second set of parents to Frank. When Frank was three years old and had to have braces for his legs, they were the ones to loan Melvin and Eva the money for them. When Pee Wee and Glen were no longer able to perform, Frank and his brother Melvin Jr formed the group “Country Earth” with drummer Paul Barton and bass guitarist Ted Hartman. They quickly became the local favorites for many years. It was during these years that Frank met his wife Belinda Watkins. She was a bookkeeper at the apartment complex Frank was living in. They were married on June 7, 1980
After discussing the future with his new wife Belinda they decided to give Nashville a shot so Frank could persue his dream of a career in the music business. They moved to Nashville in 1981. It was in July of 1981 that Frank was hired to play guitar with Eddy Raven. Frank quickly became band leader and later on Road Manager as well for Eddy. Frank worked with Eddy for 9 years. It was with Eddy that Frank started writing, playing and co-producing sessions. They had 2 number ones, 5 number twos and 3 top tens. Songs such as I Got Mexico, Bayou Boys, You Should’ve Been Gone By Now, Sometimes A Lady and many others. It was in 1982 though, that Frank had his first single (a song he wrote by himself for his wife) with “You and I” for Eddie Rabbitt and Crystal Gayle which stayed number one: four weeks country, number two for six weeks AC and number 6 for four weeks Pop. It was also in June of 1982 that Frank and Belinda had their first son, Joshua and in October 1985 their second son Nicholas.
During his time with Eddy Raven, Frank met Gary Baker. Gary was working in a band called The Shooters. After Frank left Eddy Raven in 1990 He was hired to play guitar for Marie Osmond. Since the Shooters had disbanded Frank was able to get Gary a job playing bass for Marie. It was with Marie that Gary and Frank’s partnership would blossom. They had their first number one together in 1993 with “Once Upon A Lifetime” by Alabama. Their greatest accomplishment as writers together came when John Michael Montgomery recorded “I Swear” which was number one for 4 weeks on the Country charts. The song was then recorded by All 4 One and went to number one on the pop charts and stayed there for 11 weeks. Since then, I Swear has won these awards:
- American Songwriter Magazine: Pop, AC, R&B,Country and Overall Song of the year.
Pop, R&B,Country and Overall Songwriters of the year. - 1st Annual Country Radio Awards: Single and Song of the year
- C.M.A. AWARDS: Single of the year and Song of the year nomination
- Grammy Awards: Country song of the year, Best R&B Vocal and Song of the year nomination
- A.C.M. Awards: Single and Song of the year
- N.S.A.I. Awards: Award for Country, Pop, and AC Song of the year
- A.S.C.A.P. Awards: Country, Pop and R&B Song of the Year
- Billboard: #1 song of 1994
- JUKEBOX AWARDS: 1994 Song and Songwriters of the Year
- INTERNATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan and China
Gary and Frank recorded one album for MCG/Curb Records and were 3 time nominees for Duo Of The Year at the ACM’s and CMA’s.
He also co-wrote the 7-week number one smash by Lonestar “I’m Already There” which
was nominated for a Grammy and CMA Song and Single of the year. The song also went to number 2 on the AC chart.
It was also named American Songwriter Magazine’s Country Song of the year and Frank was voted Country Songwriter
of the year along with Gary Baker and Richie McDonald. His single “My Front Porch Looking In” by
Lonestar is the first record in R&R history to go to number 1 fall to number 2 for 6 weeks and go back to
number 1.
Frank has had songs recorded by over 70 Country and Pop Artists. He’s had 10 number ones and 25 top tens.
Frank has co-written and produced a song for Kenny Loggins new project and is producing the debut CD for Andy Griggs on newly formed Montage Records. Frank wrote 7 songs and produced Richie McDonald’s Christian/AC project “I Turn To You” and co-produced Richie McDonald’s Christmas CD “If Everyday Could Be Christmas.” He is currently writing with artists & producers for other various projects.
Frank has a list of artist and producer co-writes that includes partner Gary Baker, Clif Magness, Adam Anders, Andy Marvel, Peter Zizzo Richie McDonald, Ronnie Dunn, David Lee Murphy, Travis Tritt, Uncle Kracker, Nick Lachey, Jessica Simpson, Kenny Loggins, Howie & Kevin of BSB, among others. He is also an active alumni of Nashville’s Leadership Music class of “05” as well as The Nashville Songwriter’s Association, BMI, CMA and ACM
Affiliations:
- BMI - Broadcast Music, Inc.
- CMA - Country Music Association
- NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International
- ACM - Academy of Country Music
Additional Links:
Karin Paparelli
Singer/songwriter,
educator and author.
- Co-founder/Outreach Director of Building the Kingdom, a non-profit organization providing education and housing for orphans in developing nations.
- More than 15 years of community education to all ages from preschoolers to senior citizens.
- Articles featured in publications across the United States and the United Kingdom.
- Author of the book "Building the Kingdom" an autobiography published in 2004.
- Playwright for several plays and musicals, which have been, or are currently, in production.
- Three independent CDs and performances all over the world from prisons to cathedrals.
- Home educating five children.
Karin's award winning songs have earned her the respect and admiration of music industry professionals and fans alike. Current projects include: "I Could Try" on rising country star Nathan Lee Jackson's new CD, "American Way" and "Why Don't You Fall" recorded by Christian artist Lesa Hudson and "Black Jezebel Road" on Australian rocker Rick Caballo's latest album.
An in-demand songwriting coach, Karin teaches Nashville's inner city youth at Barefoot Republic Camp as well as private students. She is also the co-author of "A Monkey Manual for Songwriters," an inspirational publication filled with practical information! A must have for every aspiring songwriter. Karin also co-hosts and performs regularly at Nashville's famed Monkey in a Round writer's night.
Affiliations:
- SESAC - Society of European Stage Authors & Composers
- CMA - Country Music Association
- NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International
Additional Links:
Notable Quotes:
"Karin Paparelli has become one of the most recognizable and respected faces in the Nashville songwriting community. She has established a broad and mighty network of peers, and impresses me with her knowledge base with regard to songwriting and the music business as a whole."
- Shane Barrett, Nashville Creative Director, Ole Songs, Inc. Nashville, TN"Karin Paparelli has risen through the ranks of Nashville to become one of the most respected and admired songwriters in our community! Not only is she doing it here but she is now taking her talents abroad! Way to go Karin!"
- Anthony Smith, Songwriter (Lonestar, Donna Summer), Record Producer, Nashville, TN"A Monkey Manual For Songwriter's is the most intelligent yet simple and straight forward book I've ever read on the art of songwriting. It's very descriptive, colorful, thought provoking, funny and informative. This is a must for all songwriters, beginners and pros. One that should be read more than once."
- Frank Myers (Grammy Award Winning Songwriter)
www.frankmyersmusic.com or www.myspace.com/frankmyersmusic"Already a songwriter-composer, Karin, in "LOVE LIFE" also shows her strength as an author. She has woven a personal journey, sage advice, inspiration, humor and an inside look at a songwriter's journey, with her own special spirit, in a way that captures the reader."
- Bart Herbison, NSAI Executive Director - Nashville, TN
Bill DiLuigi
Bill
DiLuigi is a Nashville songwriter with unique vision. He has had several songs recorded internationally. He is
the writer of "Language of the Herd", the theme song for Monty Roberts, the Horse Whisper. He has three
songs on Grammy Nominee Mike Ward's "Whiskey Trains and Lonesome" CD. Bill's songs have been
used by Nissan and Fox Broadcasting. His song "I'm Not Him" was a finalist in the 2007 NSAI/CMT contest. "I
Swung The Hammer" was GMA Nashville Academy Southern Gospel song of 2006. He has also been a prize winner
in Billboard, Great American, ISC, New Song, American Songwriter Magazine and UK International Songwriting contests.
Bill has a diverse musical background. He was part of the Philadelphia folk scene and played at the legendary Main Point. As a part of the NYC hardcore / electronica circuit in the nineties, he did regular shows with two bands at CBGB's and The Living Room. As a performing songwriter, he has been compared to Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen. Like his contemporaries, he writes what is in front of him. "I try to write the truth, sometimes it's ugly, sometimes it's beautiful, most of the time it's both. If it's true, people will relate to it.", Bill says, summarizing his philosophy. He's been a repeat guest at Nashville's Bluebird Café, New York City's Bitter End, Toronto's Tin Pan North and Australia's Tamworth Festival. His first songwriter CD, "Escaped From Nashville" was released in 2008 and is available on CD Baby. He co-hosts Nashville's Monkey In A Round writer's night, one of the most respected song circles in Music City and is co-author of "A Monkey Manual for Songwriters," an inspirational publication filled with practical information! A must have for every aspiring songwriter.
Affiliations:
- BMI - Broadcast Music, Inc.
- NSAI - Nashville Songwriters Association International
- TSAI - Tennessee Songwriters Association International
Additional Links:
Notable Quotes:
"A great writer"
- Jim Femino (Toby Keith, James Otto)"One of the most gifted writers in Nashville"
- Mike Ward (Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley)"A meticulous song craftsman, there's not a false, spare word in his songs"
- Pam Belford (George Strait)"A great person and an even better talent"
- Gary Hannan (Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols)"Not only is Bill a talented songwriter, he is a fine gentleman...I'm proud to call him a friend."
- Carl Jackson (Garth Brooks)"A Monkey Manual For Songwriter's is the most intelligent yet simple and straight forward book I've ever read on the art of songwriting. It's very descriptive, colorful, thought provoking, funny and informative. This is a must for all songwriters, beginners and pros. One that should be read more than once."
- Frank Myers (Grammy Award Winning Songwriter)
www.frankmyersmusic.com or www.myspace.com/frankmyersmusic
