Ellie Jacobs - Girl On The Moon album sleeve Randy Bachman Neil Derek and Ellie Jacobs Bachman and Turner

What's the connection between an unknown teenage singer from Devon, UK who's just releasing her debut album, and a Canadian rock legend who's currently touring and gearing up for the release of a comeback album with his old 70's bandmate with whom he hasn't worked for over 20 years?

The connection is Facebook and SongLink tipsheet, whose inclusion of a lead for new pop artist Ellie Jacobs earlier this year has resulted in her debut album "Girl On The Moon" being entirely co-written by rock veteran Randy Bachman of Bachman-Turner Overdrive fame. While 18-year old Ellie, signed to small Exeter-based indie label Splash Sounds, has been recording a dozen songs sent to her by Bachman from his home and studio on Salt Spring Island just off the coast of Vancouver, the rocker has been busy with former partner, guitarist Fred Turner, working on their new Bachman-Turner album for release on September 7th. As well as performing his own material as a solo artist for many years, Bachman, who wrote classic hits for his first band the Guess Who ("American Woman") as well as BTO ("You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet", "Takin' Care Of Business"), is also a prolific songwriter who has been a long-time subscriber to SongLink.

"I've pitched songs to many artists worldwide via SongLink over the years", says Randy Bachman, "but this is the first time that a single artist has chosen enough songs to fill an entire album! Naturally I'm delighted and wish the best of luck to Ellie, she's a great new talent and has a big future ahead of her."

The man who selected the tracks for Ellie's album is her producer and label owner, Neil Derek of Splash Sounds whose Facebook postings about his young artist caught the eye of SongLink editor and publisher David Stark. "Neil had briefly mentioned on Facebook that he was looking for songs for her," explains David, "so I made contact with him and subsequently included a lead in SongLink tipsheet, which every month provides information about scores of artists worldwide who need songs or co-writers."

Neil Derek takes up the story: "I started receiving submissions from songwriters and music publishers in the UK, Europe and USA, many of which were very good, but as soon as I heard Randy's song "Girl On The Moon" (co-written with singer/songwriter Lindsay Ell) I knew we were on to something. I couldn't believe that a rock superstar like Randy Bachman would be taking the time to send songs to a completely unknown artist in England, but when I asked if he had any more, he emailed mp3s of all these great songs which totally suited Ellie's voice. I'm still amazed it's all happened so quickly, and the irony is that although Randy has been in the UK a couple of times over the past few months playing gigs with Bachman-Turner, we still haven't met!

"I have to thank both Randy and David Stark bigtime for helping to get this project together, as without their input we could still be struggling to find the right songs for Ellie. Not only that, but I just asked David to place another lead to find a special Christmas song for Ellie. Within 24 hours I had received an incredible song from writer Gordon Pogoda in Los Angeles, who has written songs for many major artists and had lots of hits via SongLink in the past. I can't praise SongLink enough, and how useful it is to new artists like Ellie and small labels like mine, helping to give us the main ammunition - the songs - with which to take on the world."

In conclusion David Stark commented, "It's great to come into contact with entrepreneurs like Neil, who as well as developing new acts like Ellie and finding songs through [SongLink], is also actively using Facebook, YouTube, Amazon and other online platforms to promote and sell his work. I'm delighted to be the catalyst which has helped bring this all together, and wish him and Ellie the best of luck."

Ellie Jacobs "Girl On The Moon" is available now at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ellie-Jacobs/dp/B003TREQ8S

LINKS:

> Randy Bachman

> Bachman & Turner

> Splash Sounds at Facebook

> Splash Sounds at YouTube