Durin' My Formative Period in the '80's I think they were just NSA..Nashville Songwriters Ass'n. We had a very active Local Chapter here in Tampa, headed by Vicki & Richard McGuinness..a Kid-Song Writing Lawyer & his quite-talented at Organizing Wife.

The Group made Several Trips to Nashville..to attend CMA Shows..& I still remember a Learning Session they'd arranged for ASCAP to tell us What They Knew...(Met Tom Long through that, years ago.)

But, eventually, Richard's Practice had serious Slumping, Vicki took over with an Antiques Business, & the Chapter had to disband due to lacka Leadership..which was sad. I also took a Decade's Hiatus..later re-joined the Newer Version for a Year or two...Directly thru Nashville. Made several trips to NashCity to pitch Demos...their HQ kindly-provided a Critique of a few Songs, kept one for further-aid (Tho no later call-back), helped me with a list of places-to-pitch, AND a list of Places to Play (Which I don't, but it's nice knowing they got your back). They also had FREE Lyrics Xeroxing and helped me Run off a Batch of Labels (Those were the Cassette Days)..& I met a lot of The Local "Fellow Writers" while I did my Pre-Pitchin' Chores in their HQ.

Did I place any Songs? Nah...but I DID have a much more Positive Experience while Pitching Away in NashCity. I truly believe they are there to HELP you, in whatever way possible..and earn their Loot.

I no longer have the funds..or drive..to keep zoomin' up to Nashville to personally-pitch my stuff. IF I did, I'd again join NSA-with-an-I after it...they were ALL Good Folks..some Further-Along than Others at The Game..but ALL were very Helpful AND saved me a Lotta Time perfecting my Learning Curve up there.

Think the Last Time I visited their HQ they had an office of CMT just Down-the-Hall from 'em. Ya can't make TOO Many "Connections" in NashCity..& every door-opened is prolly worth lots more than NSAI's dues, long-term.

Just one guy's opinion,
Big Guy-Hugs,
Stan