Songwriting

This week I meet up with my co-producer / longtime guitarist and friend, Jack Shawde up here in Nashville to review final mixes of the new album.  This is our 3rd project working with John Merchant (Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion and Lenny Kravitz, Mika) and again, John has hit it out of the park. I’m super thrilled & excited about how everything sounds and really looking forward to the next step… mastering!  Announcement soon as to who’s on board for that part of the production. Stay tuned here for updates! Decided to extend my stay up here in Nashville until my show 8-18 at the Luna Star Cafe. Nashville songwriter friends, hit me up for a co-write!  Hmmmm… Hey, I haven’t done an open mic in years. Sounds like fun!

DHMC6 COMP – UNRELEASED
by Dan Hosker Music Continuum
This compilation features bands/artists that are – or have been – part of the South Florida Music Scene. ALL proceeds from the sale of this release will go directly towards the continued funding of the Dan Hosker Music Continuum. The DHMC is a music scholarship started in 2013 in Dan’s Hosker’s name. The scholarship provides cash awards to deserving students of Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody, MA – Dan’s alma mater – who have a passion for music. Diane’s track within the digital compilation is a new song she wrote called “Dodging Bullets” that was performed & recorded by Diane & Jack Shawde. BUY IT HERE: https://danhoskermusiccontinuum.bandcamp.com/album/dhmc6-comp-unreleased

1. Curious Hair – Wings Like A Dove 02:32
2. Charlie Pickett – Too Good To End 03:05
3. Shark Valley Sisters – The Prince & The Punk v2 03:12
4. Viva Le Vox – Meek vs Roches (LIVE) 04:11
5. Jim Wurster – She’s An Artist 02:56
6. Jacuzzi Boys – Easy Motion (Barry Dangerous Remix) 02:26
7. Arlan Feiles – To See You Again 03:11
8. For Squirrels – Pork Barrel Blues 02:32
9. Mr Entertainment & The Pookiesmackers – So Grant Hart 03:12
10. Karen Feldner – Dark Matter 04:28
11. Ian Hammond & The Ugly Truth – House Next Door 03:29
12. Jim & John Camacho – Love Shot 03:49
13. Brady Newbill – Think & Breathe 03:33
14. Los Diablos – Minnesota 04:07
15. Plutonium Pie – Creamy 02:13
16. The Brand – On My Own 04:12
17. Nil Lara – Like A Bomb 05:11
18. Ricky & The Random Strangers – Time. Brian Warner 03:06
19. Gold Dust Lounge – Winnings 03:05
20. The Rat Opera – Lost In Tampa 01:36
21. Dooms de Pop – Plateaus 02:51
22. All The V Words – Viper 02:48
23. Humbert – If I Hadn’t Met You 03:19
24. Javier Caballero – In The Shadow Of Musket Mountain 03:00
25. Riot Agents – The Vindicator 04:54
26. The Goods – Carnival 03:03
27. The Pop Skulls – Don’t Do It With Him 02:13
28. Mary Karlzan – I Can See Now 03:11
29. Monstr Island – Are You Ready? 02:15
30. Barry Dangerous – The Empty Room 01:20
31. Steven Bristol / Nico Cordoba – MEGALIFE 09:17
32. Diane Ward – Dodging Bullets 04:07
33. Rat Bastard – untitled 02:34

Just came back from another fantastic writing trip in Nashville for AbFab Artists!  During my span of 3 weeks in songwriting bliss, I witnessed crazy weather that went from 87 degrees, down to 20 degrees – within 24 hours, and woke up to 3 inches of snow!!  LOL Crazy!!! This pic is one of the writing rooms @ ASCAP.  They saved the day when our other writing room became unavailable at the last minute.  =O I’m so grateful for them because I wrote an awesome song there called, “12 Train” with super-talented, Nashville singer-songwriter, Jamie Kent.  I love that music town & all the wonderful writers I’ve had the joy of writing with so far!  Was really amazing & can’t wait to get back to it!! <3

HELLO 2017 and Happy New Year to all!  First off, I want to thank you for your continued support. I consider myself to be extremely lucky and blessed to have had the life of an independent artist all these years. Music has been the thread of my life experiences and I am profoundly rich in love and friendships because of it.

So what’s coming up? I am REALLY EXCITED and very much looking forward to cultivating the new songwriting path that I have ventured into with AbFab Artists! I’ll be in Nashville as much as possible for music and writing collaborations (Yo, Nashville peeps I’ll be there around 2/22 thru 3/15… let’s schedule a session!! ).

2017 will also bring fourth a new Diane Ward album!! I’ll be announcing plans this upcoming week to record 12 songs with my awesome band that is Jack Shawde (guitars), Debbie Duke (bass), Bob Taylor (keyboards) and John Yarling (drums). The new album tentatively called “SIX” and it will be another team DW and Jack Shawde production! YOU will be able to participate in helping us bring this new album to light and by doing so, you will be able to follow alongside us as we make it. Stay tuned!!!

So to sum up: New music, new shows, & new adventures for  2017! Be sure to sign up on the mailing list to stay up on all the happenings!

Arrived back in South Florida from my latest trip to Nashville.  It was my first time being up there right around when summer hits.  Everyday I was greeted with bright blue skies and vibrant colors, everywhere. Gotta tell ya though, it most certainly gives FL a run for its money in the heat department!  CMA Festival was in full swing… the city was bustling and full of life. Enjoyed spending time with some great company and had some wonderful co-writes.  Nashville songwriter, Molly Bowers & I wrote a beautiful song together called, ‘Sweet Heart.’   I think you all are going to really dig! Love & thanks to Jodi Marr & Ruth for the wonderful hospitality. AbFab Artists, thanks for rocking another successful writing trip. Can’t wait to get back up!

BIG LOVE & THANKS to Jodi Marr & AbFab Artists for another incredible writing trip in Nashville. I got to work with some amazingly talented artists and have made some wonderful new friends!!! Even picked up a drumming gig via the Olsen Brothers from Olympia, Washington. Looking forward to the next trip! #Family #AbFabArtists #hugasongwriter

Been trying get all these new songs sorted out for the new album & more… It’s the best kind of overwhelm! Teaming with my long-time friend and musical partner, Jack Shawde for both pre-production of the new album, and songwriting demos for pitch. My band (Jack Shawde (guitars), Debbie Duke (bass), Bob Taylor (keyboards) John Yarling (drums) are all on-board to record later this fall. Things are really getting exciting!

Just got back from several days working in Nashville… Had a fantastic time! I was very fortunate to meet / work with several wonderful writers thanks to the awesomeness of Jodi Marr & AbFab Artists. While I was there I ran into super talented singer / songwriter Brian Hanlon (that’s him w/ me in the pic) @ Grand Victor Sound Nashville. It was really great to catch up! Jack came up for the Guitar Expo to do his cool endorsement thing and in between his busy schedule, he came to one of our a sessions @ Copperline & was promptly put to work LOL. More on that later. REALLY Looking forward to returning to Music City as much as possible in the coming year! Stay tuned…