Susan's Songs By Design
wedding / anniversary / birthday / Valentine's Day /Mother's or Father's Day / Graduation / promotion / Retirement / Memorial / Seminar / Fundraiser / any occasion...
What is a Custom Song?
A custom song is a totally unique and personalized song, written to fulfill YOUR desired purpose. With the detailed information you provide about the person, the organization, or the event for which the song is to be created, I go to work creating an unforgettable song to capture perfectly what it is you want to say, and to whom you wish to say it.
There are so many occasions for which a custom song can be a truly powerful and memorable way of capturing a moment - and creating one! Maybe you want to give the gift of song to someone special in your life, as an expression of how you feel about them, or honoring who they are and what they mean to you. It can be about a shared experience that you want to capture and re-live through the timeless quality of music. It can be a way of congratulating them on some new endeavor, celebrating some milestone or accomplishment.
Or… perhaps you’re planning a program or event for which you want to create a very special moment, a theme song that captures the essence and purpose of the gathering. A custom song – whether shared as a recording or performed live - will be a highlight of the program that your audience will remember for years to come. Such is the amazing power of music.
How Does It Work?
Contact me via the contact link below to schedule a free consultation via Zoom or phone.
Let me get to know a little bit about you and about the person or event for which the song is to be written. You also have the option to choose whether you prefer a simple acoustic rendition of the song (guitar and vocal), a backing track using high-quality midi and real instruments arranged to fit your song’s unique style, or a full-band recording, using the finest Nashville musicians and studios available.
Once we agree on the terms and timeline, including any additional features (see below), pay only half to begin the process. I'll send you a contract electronically (or in the mail if preferred), detailing receipt of payment and the terms of our agreement as well as a questionnaire to complete and return with more information about the person or event for which the song is to be written. When I receive back the filled-out questionnaire, we'll schedule a follow-up meeting. Once I’ve gotten to know enough about my subject, and how you'd like the song to be recorded and presented, I begin the process of creating your personalized song.
Within an average 2-week turnaround, I submit the initial “draft” song recording to you for approval, and re-write or modify as requested. Finally, I complete a high-quality recording of the song in the form of an mp3 file, downloadable via electronic file share on the platform of your choice. I can also mail you a CD or thumb-drive, if requested.
Other incredibly special features you can add to make the moment even more memorable include a framed, hand-engraved lyric plaque, a live performance or picture collage video, or the option of an actual live performance of the song by me at the event for which it is to be presented.
What Does it Cost?
The Song: The cost for the writing and recording of the song is on a sliding scale, beginning at $750. A full-band, radio-quality recording averages $1500 - $1800.
Additional Features:
Framed, Engraved Gold Lyric Plaque: $300
Performance Video (live acoustic and / or backing track): $300
Picture Collage Video: $450
Live Performance: $500 (plus travel and expenses, if applicable)
100% money-back guarantee on this purchase until you approve 2nd draft of song (to be presented in a meeting or Zoom session following initial draft and any changes requested). Once 2nd draft is approved and recording begins, no refund will be offered.
CHECK OUT SONG SAMPLES AND TESTIMONIALS BELOW!!
(Click "INFO" opposite song title for additional information about each song.)
TESTIMONIALS:
From Kimber and Richard on "My Aloha" , July 2022 (below):
“When it was suggested to us that we should hire Susan to write a song suited just for ourselves with our personal memories for our fifth wedding anniversary, I was surprised to even hear that such a service was available. Upon delivery, Susan provided the most touching song that describes the love my husband and I have for each other to perfection.
She also offers the service of appearing in person to sing the song at your ceremony. It was a moment and a song that we will never forget. And it will always be special… just for us. I highly recommend Susan and her talent. Look no further, book her today!!!”
From Nancy and Steve on “Country Doctor” (below):
"Ms. Susan's lyrical story of Nancy's life work turns the listener's attention to the 'love' channel in the traditions of Holly Near and Kate Wolf. We see, again, that "simple is beautiful” when the intent is to have the listener feel what an artist sees and feels.
"The simple charm of this song was the best birthday present ever, and brought tears to our eyes."
From Adanta and Luis on "Ixaya's Birthday Song" and "Lily of the Valley" (below):
"Susan Shann has brought so much light and joy to my family's life through her music. It is more than just music though. It is her seemingly effortless and abundant way with translating feeling and love into poetry and lyrics that can stand alone, or be put to music. She has recently created two very special pieces of art for my children's birthdays that I know they will cherish forever! My son Ixaya (13) was in tears about his song (Ixayas Birthday Song) and my daughter Alheli aka Lily sings her song almost daily (Lily of the Valley).
I appreciate the artistry that Susan continues to bless our lives with, and look forward to many more years of enjoyment and love!"
From Sheri on "Silversonix (We're all the Rage)" (below):
“I requested a theme song for our band, Silversonix, and in two days time, Susan knocked it out of the park! She captured our spirit and desired message perfectly. All members of the band liked it- which is no small feat as we play all kinds of music and have varied tastes in genres and styles. We plan to open all of our shows with it.”
From Theron on "I See You" (below):
"Okay, I'll admit it - I cried the first time I heard this song. I can't imagine having received a more perfect love song, or one that captured the essence of who I am, or who we are together. I am forever grateful for this beautiful song."
From Arthur P. on “Angelina” (below):
"I wanted to get something really special for my wife Angie, for our 30th wedding anniversary. A friend told me about Susan’s custom songs, and I decided to try it. She walked me through the process with kindness, patience and great attention to detail, and turned our story into an amazing song that captures exactly who we are. I’m into astronomy, Angie is an actress in local theatre. Somehow Susan wove all these different strands of our life together seamlessly. We both fell in love with the song the moment we heard it!"
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Song for Butterfly 3:370:00/3:37
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0:00/4:04
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0:00/3:43
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0:00/3:49
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Lily of the Valley 4:420:00/4:42
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0:00/3:17
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I See You 3:510:00/3:51
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Angelina 3:380:00/3:38
Below are two custom song videos. In the first case, it was for my husband's nephew Ixaya. I found out from his mom on Monday, March 1st that his birthday was Wednesday, March 3rd (yikes!!), so gathered some information and "fun facts" about him, and set to work to get this to him by Wednesday. He LOVED it, and it was so fun to do!!
The second is a live performance of Kimber and Richard's song, "My Aloha", performed at their vow renewal ceremony in Centennial Park on July 17th, 2022. Writing this song for Kimber and Richard was such an honor! They are two of the nicest people I've been blessed to work with, and their love is so strong it even made ME emotional when performing for them live and sharing their unique and beautiful story. I faded the video after the 2nd chorus because a plane flew overhead - LOL! That's pretty much all you heard for the remainder of the song. Ah, the joys of live performance!