So You're Coming to Nashville
by Barbara Cloyde
I love this town. I love the songwriting community here. It is open, friendly and incredibly supportive. If you are a songwriter and are able to, I highly encourage you to visit. Here are some hints for getting as much as possible out of your trip.
Before you arrive
1. Call all the contacts you have in town (if any) to let them know you're coming. People are busy, especially people in the music business. If you want to write with, play songs for, or have lunch with someone, book it with them well in advance so you don't miss the chance.
2. If you want to play out at writers nights, contact the hosts as soon as you know when you will be here to schedule times to play. If the hosts are not familiar with you, some will book you from a CD, tape or reference, others will not. The Nashville Songwriters Association has a list of writers nights at www.nashvillesongwriters.com, but since clubs change schedules frequently it is not always current.
3. If you are already a member of ASCAP, BMI or SEASAC (the performance rights organizations - if you don't know what they are you need to) call to make an appointment with a member representative. They will listen to a few songs, help you assess if and where you fit in the market, and can get you in to see publishers if they think you have something of value to offer. If you are not already affiliated with one of them, call all three, let them know you want to find out about their organization, and try to get appointments.
4. Get your songs ready to present. Get feedback on them from people whose judgment you trust, not just the ones who feed your ego and tell you they're perfect. Polish the writing as much as possible. If you can afford it, use a professional critique service such as mine (contact me at barbaracloyd@home.com) or Jason Blume's (www.jasonblume.com). Unless you already have studio demos, keep it simple. For someone still learning the craft a good guitar/vocal or piano/vocal with the vocal out front is sufficient. Try to have as little tape noise as possible. CD's are the most professional way to present your songs, but cassettes are okay if that's what you can manage. Hand written labels and lyric sheets make a bad impression. Be sure your name and contact information is on everything.
When you arrive
1. Get a good map of Nashville. Don't take this suggestion lightly. Time Magazine once did a cover story on the worst cities in the country to find your way around in and Nashville came in second. Get detailed directions to any place you are trying to find. Be prepared for streets that change names for no apparent reason.
2. For current entertainment listings, including writers nights, check out The Scene and Rage (both free weekly, available at most convenience stores, music clubs, hotels and restaurants), The Nashville Music Guide (a free monthly) and the Sunday Tennessean, the daily paper.
3. Visit Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and The Songwriters Guild. Both of these are excellent organizations whose purpose is helping songwriters. Take advantage of any educational or networking events they have scheduled while you are here. The more you can learn and understand about this town, the more effective you can be in furthering your goals. NSAI in particular has a large, very helpful staff of people who truly care about writers. They also have a great resource room where you can learn a lot.
4. Go to as many writers nights as possible. While you are there, talk to people. You will be amazed at how friendly this town is, especially the community of aspiring writers. They are your best source of information and support. But be sure to take in a few shows at places like The Bluebird Cafe that feature successful professionals. That's your real competition if you want to make any money and you need to see how high the bar is set.
After your trip
1. Promptly send a brief thank you note or e-mail to anyone who was helpful to you. Gratitude shows class and helps keep the door open. It also reminds them of your existence so they don't forget who you are.
2. If you made arrangements with anyone to send them a tape or CD, book a future appointment, call a contact they gave you, or anything else, FOLLOW THROUGH. If you don't, you not only fail to get the value from whatever was set up, but you create the impression that you are unprofessional and not serious about your career.
3. Reflect on your experience and use it to assess whether or not to pursue a professional career. It's a tough business and it may be harder than you thought. Be realistic about your chances and don't waste time and energy deluding yourself. Maybe it's not what you want after all, and that's okay. But if it is, then use what you learned and start planning your next trip.
