Kevin,

I would love to hear from those guys. The last time I was up there,that was what they told me. If it is going back great that is wonderful and what should be happening. What happens in almost all groups is "coordinator burn out" which happens at about five years. They get overwhelmed by trying to keep events going on, people motivated, etc. and trying to keep their own music going.

Since the coordinators set the tone, if they drop out, it takes a period of re-organization to come in. That usually takes a couple of years.

I see these same people every year at the NSAI coordinators training at Tin Pan south week and NSAI's Spring Training. Actually there are several of the Pro writers who are the "Adopt a shop" members. That is generally when we all check in with each other and catch up.

That is when members will tell what is going on and that is what a couple of them told me. When I was up there for the Taste of Clermont festival two years ago, I had heard the same thing. "Limped along' is probably not the right choice of words,more just trying to find it's footing.

If there are continuous things that keeps the group motivated, shows, meetings, critiques, special events, and they are doing things then they are doing fine. I am glad to hear it. It is always the hardest thing to keep motivation going.

So like everything I am happy to admit when I am wrong and thanks for letting me know. I can only go on what I am told.

Then you can tell people what is going on with the group up there. What activities, what progress people are making individually and as a group.

The point of this whole thread is about getting into other things in your community, and as songwriters, getting together to share ideas, experiences as songs, shows, etc. I am trying to show that by building local communities, it can deliver larger benefits for everyone. And it is not just NSAI groups, it is songwriting circles, where people play songs, do critiques, offer suggestions. Writer's shows, bringing special guests, doing workshops.

My point of all of this is that writers can only do so good in the living room. They need to step out and get around other writers. And when there are so many conversations about pitch services, ASCAP, BMI, Reverbnation, TAXI, etc. I think a lot of people miss that. When it comes to music, this is a one on one experience, and the only real way to do that is getting out there and do it.

The songwriter groups provide opportunitites for that. In my opinion that is the only way to really get it done.

Glad the group is doing well. Tell them I said hi.

MAB