Performance of songs from The Whirlwind Chronicles: The Story of The Magic Music Box at Genghis Cohen

Jen performed songs from her middle-grade novel/musical The Magic Music Box at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 26, 2011. Altogether, she wrote 43 lyrics for The Magic Music Box, which carries on the legacy of Madeleine L'Engle's novel A Wrinkle in Time. Jen has been working on the sequels in The Whirlwind Chronicles novel/musical series, including The Horse Gate, Dreams or Dust, and The Harp of Iris. You can watch the songs from the Genghis Cohen performance on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters for The Magic Music Box).

Have You Ever Had a Dream?
The Queen of Darkness
I Want to Write a Fairytale
Would You Like to Dance?
All Things New
Duty
Dream A Dream With Me
Amethyst Dreams
I Wish You Well
Snow in the Summer

The 2011 Durango Songwriters Film & TV Showcase

Jen performed "Somebody Loves You" at the 2011 Durango Songwriters Film & TV Showcase at the Mandalay Bay Beach Resort in Oxnard, California. You can watch the performance on YouTube. She is pictured recording a demo during the event.

Jen also sang "Smile Baby Smile" at Durango Night at Scott and Janis Costalotta's home in Woodland Hills, California. You can see the performance on YouTube.

Performance at Genghis Cohen

Jen performed at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles on April 14, 2011. You can watch the songs from the set on You Tube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

Yellow Roses (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Smile Baby Smile (by Jen Waters and Gene Miller)
When Someone You Love Calls Your Name
Afternoon in Paris
Hey Beautiful
Kisses That Tell (by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Whisper
Saturday's Baby

Tin Pan South Festival in Nashville, Tennessee

Jen visited Nashville for the Tin Pan South songwriting festival in March and April 2011. She is pictured with Elvis Presley at Puckett's 5th and Church in downtown Nashville.

The 2011 Durango Songwriters Expo in Buellton, California

Jen performed twice at the Durango Songwriters Expo in February 2011. You can watch "Act of Faith" and "Reasons" on YouTube.

Act of Faith by Jen Waters
Reasons by Jen Waters

Performance at Genghis Cohen

Jen performed at Genghis Cohen in Los Angeles on February 17, 2011. You can watch a few of the songs from the set on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

Yellow Roses (written by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Shelter
Me & You
Running Out of Time
Little Bit of Faith

 

Sundance Koffeehouse Chateau Showcase in Park City, Utah

Jen performed "Vanishing Point" at the Sundance Koffeehouse Chateau in Park City, Utah, on January 23, 2011. You can watch the performance on YouTube. She is pictured here on Main Street in Park City, Utah.

Durango Songwriters Meet-n-Greet in West Hollywood

Jen performed "Little Bit of Faith" at Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood for the Durango Songwriters Meet-n-Greet on January 19, 2011. You can watch the performance on YouTube. She is pictured here with her guitar in Bar Lubitsch.

Performance at Hallenbeck's General Store and Cafe

Jen Waters performed at Hallenbeck's General Store and Cafe in North Hollywood on December 10, 2010. She is pictured here with guitarist Don Cruz.

You can watch the performance on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

A Little Bit of Faith
Smile Baby Smile (written by Gene Miller and Jen Waters)
The Eight Ball
When Someone You Love Calls Your Name
The In-Between
Bridge of Sighs
I See You
One Night in December (written by Jill Krachmer and Jen Waters)
Nowhere to Go But Up
Vanishing Point
Yellow Roses (written by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
Safe Love
Running Out of Time
Free, Free Butterfly (written by Jen Waters and Bob Farrell)
  

Koffeehouse/BMI Showcase

Jen performed "Yellow Roses" and "Vanishing Point" at the Koffeehouse/BMI Showcase at Harvelle's in Santa Monica in November 2010. Her friend Don Cruz accompanied her on the guitar (watch on YouTube).

The 2010 Durango Songwriters Expo in Denver, Colorado

Jen performed twice at the Durango Songwriters Expo in October 2010, including "When Someone You Love Calls Your Name" (watch on YouTube).

Nashville, Tennessee, "Music City USA"

Jen spent time in Nashville, Tennessee, working on her music in the fall of 2010.

Festival of New American Musicals

Jen attended the Festival of New American Musicals closing party in Pacific Palisades in August 2010.

Performance at Hotel Cafe

Jen Waters performed at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles on March 2, 2010. She is pictured here with guitarist Peter Fox.

You can watch the performance on YouTube (all songs written by Jen Waters except where noted):

Afternoon in Paris
When Someone You Love Calls Your Name
Saturday's Baby
Vanishing Point
The In-Between
I Said It First
Free Butterfly (written by Jen Waters & Bob Farrell)
Souvenirs
Me & You
Yellow Roses (written by Jen Waters & Bob Farrell)
All of My Life

ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop

Jen recently attended the ASCAP Foundation/Disney Musical Theatre Workshop in February 2010 at the Disney Feature Animation Studio Lot in Burbank, California. Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz is the leader of the event. She observed with the intentions of adapting her musical feature-film screenplays/book series, The Whirlwind Chronicles, into stage musicals.

"Where There Are Dreams" Awarded Honorable Mention in the 2009 USA Songwriting Competition

In December 2009, "Where There Are Dreams" received an honorable mention in the 2009 USA Songwriting Competition. The USA Songwriting Competition is one of the world's leading international songwriting events. The contest honors songwriters, composers, bands, and recording artists.

The 2009 Durango Songwriters Expo in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Jim Attebery, founder and president of the Durango Songwriters Expo, invited Jen to sing at the October event. Jen performed three songs, including "Yellow Roses" (watch on YouTube).


The Whirlwind Chronicles Completed

Jen recently finished writing the first three novels in her middle-grade fantasy book series, titled The Whirlwind Chronicles. The first novel in the series is called The Magic Music Box, followed by The Horse Gate and Dreams or Dust. The target audience of the books is 8- to 10-year-old girls. Adults can also appreciate the inspiring themes in the series. Each of the novels has music interwoven into its plot. She is currently looking for a publisher. She has adapted the novels into musical feature-film screenplays with original songs. She hopes they will be stage musicals one day.

"Where There Are Dreams" Awarded Honorable Mention in Billboard World Song Contest

In July 2009, "Where There Are Dreams" received honorable mention in the 16th annual Billboard World Song Contest. This is an impressive feat! According to the contest director, with thousands of entries coming in each year exemplifying top-notch-quality songs, there seems to be a trend promoting an ever-increasing level of songwriting.

Commentary Video From the John Lennon Songwriting Contest

A video has been posted with commentary from winners of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Watch Jen talk about her song (follow the link and click on the image that says "The John Lennon Songwriting Contest").

"Yellow Roses" Awarded Honorable Mention in "Unisong" Contest

In October 2007, "Yellow Roses" was awarded an honorable mention in the 11th annual (2006-2007) "Unisong" International Song Contest. Songs were submitted from more than 90 countries around the world.

"Yellow Roses" Recorded by Karly Mitchiner

In September 2007, Karly Mitchiner of Alvin, Texas, recorded "Yellow Roses" at Omnisound Recording Studios in Nashville, Tenn. She is recording her first CD.

Karly's recording can be heard on her Web site at www.myspace.com/karlyskindofcountry.

Two Honorable Mentions in 2007 Billboard World Contest

In May 2007, the songs "Yellow Roses" and "Bridge of Sighs" received honorable mentions in the 14th annual Billboard World Songwriting Contest. An honorable mention is given in recognition of having an original composition among the top 1,500 entries. The honor demonstrates the talent and dedication it takes to write a "hit song." Only the highest quality songs make it to the top!

"Yellow Roses" at 2007 ASCAP EXPO

In April 2007, "Yellow Roses" was chosen for the country song listening panel at the ASCAP "I Create Music" EXPO in Los Angeles, Calif. Ralph Murphy, vice president for ASCAP Nashville, moderated the session.

Virginia Showcases in January 2007

In January 2007, Jen participated in a Songwriter's Association of Washington showcase at Bangkok Blues in Falls Church, Va., and a Folk Club of Reston/Herndon showcase at the Tortilla Factory in Herndon, Va.
  

The 2006 SongDoor International Songwriting Competition

In January 2007, "Yellow Roses" won an honorable mention in the country category of the 2006 SongDoor International Songwriting Competition. LeAnn Zotta, Executive Vice-President of SongDoor, said that Jen has "considerable talent."

http://www.songdoor.com/finalists.htm

Jen at the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C.

In October 2006, Jen performed at the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington D.C. (pictured to the right). She took part in "Through the Eyes of Hope," an exhibit of Linda Smith's photography. Rwandan singer Jean Paul Samputu also performed.

Jen at the 219 Restaurant

In August 2006, Jen peformed a showcase of her music at The 219 Restaurant in Old Town Alexandria, Va. Guitarist Michael Yugo accompanied her.

ASCAP Writer's Showcase

On May 1, 2006, Jen performed "Yellow Roses" at the ASCAP Writer's Showcase at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Her song was one of 12 winning songs submitted by songwriters from the Mid-Atlantic region. The showcase followed a one-hour interview, where Michael Kerker, vice president for musical theatre at ASCAP, spoke with Stephen Schwartz, the host for the event. Mr. Schwartz is best known for composing the Broadway shows Godspell, Pippin, and Wicked. He also won Academy Awards for his musical contributions to the movies Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt.

"Yellow Roses" at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest

"My vote is 'Yellow Roses.' I think it's the all-around best country song. Hooky, simple, well-constructed and clever."

--Kevin Bacon, actor
and musician,
John Lennon Songwriting Contest Judge

"Yellow Roses," a song Jen co-wrote with Nashville songwriter Bob Farrell, recently became the Grand Prize Winner in the country category of the 2005 Session-I John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The prizes included $5,500 worth of musical equipment. 

Watch Jen on the commentary video (follow the link and click the picture)

Jen at the Iota

In 2006, Jen regularly performed at the Wednesday-night open mike at the Iota Club and Café in Arlington, Va.

Visit Jen at her MySpace page: www.myspace.com/jenwaterssongs