JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum When is the Nashville Songwriters Festival?

I went on the website for the Nashville Songwriters Festival, and I am confused. Some of the dates say the festival is June 4-6 and others say 17-19. Also, when I click on the JPF link to the writers retreat, I get the Pro Courses page. Can someone straighten me out? I would really like to come this year, and I want to make reservations early.
Thanks in advance
--Pam Bowen

Hi Pam

that is indeed confusing-so I emailed the organizer and asked for clarification........will let you know when he gets back to me......

Tom

The Web Site I have bookmarked says June 4-6. 2010. I may see if I can attend this year.

http://songwritersfestival.com/index.htm June 4, 5 & 6th 2010

Must be an old link. June 17-19 was 2009

See you there?

www.waynelongtin.com

yes Wayne

guess that answers the question-old link.......well Pam-get yourself a reservation and a place to stay and you will be all set......might wander down there myself when its happening........

Tom

here's a link for another place to stay not mentioned on the festival webpage......its not convienient as far as location-but it is owned by a songwriter and many have enjoyed it while doing music business and pleasure in Nashville.....close to a nice lake....and the airport.......you might like it.....reasonable rates-especially compared to Nashville hotels in June.........its called Hit Song Casa......you will be staying with other songwriters in a place owned by a songwriter so that should be extra good for contacts and info.......check it out......

http://www.joycembaker.com/

Tom

Thanks for checking for me and straightening this out. Thanks, Tom, for the other info on lodging.
---Pam Bowen

oh I wish I'd live closer. I may go to the states but in august, not confirmed yet, late june i'll be roaming uk hopefully

I just received this email. Has anybody been before? Any opinions/reviews?


SongWriters Fest on Music Row Ramps Up Again For June 4-6 Registrations
Nashville, TN January 11, 2010

Songwriters of every genre, from the novice to the professional will converge for The 8th Annual Nashville SongWriters Festival held June 4-6. The 2010 Song Fest is many happenings in one. It's part live original music festival, part teaching conference, part business networking opportunity and part gathering of old friends. Tune smiths share their songs on multiple stages and Open Sing Rings located directly on Music Row. The jamboree is hosted by SongWritersFestival.com and registration to attend is now officially open.

There will be featured writers strumming their hits and undiscovered songwriters playing new ones. The fest represents the past, present and future of songwriting. We welcome all forms of music. Composers are encouraged to come as they are and find their place in the mix.

There are several stages with scheduled performances and impromptu areas for unscheduled Sing Rings. Everyone who comes to the fest has an opportunity to share their original lyrics, song or music.

Running concurrently with the live performances the festival also has classes hosted by hit writers to Grammy winners. Writers can attend all or parts of the Pro Instruction while at the fest. The
tutoring was held outdoors last year between Crystal Gayle's Building and SESAC on the grass near a shady oak tree. Pros who have "been there done that" gathered to impart their secrets, personal experiences and other tidbits of the music biz.

The celebration also host an Open House on Music Row where participating music related businesses have an "open door" policy to take questions, exchange samples and discuss what part they play in
the industry. Recording Studios, Publishers, Song Pluggers, Duplicators, Distributors, Instrument Makers and many other aspects of the music business will be represented. The Open House is a
whirlwind of unscheduled meet and greets and an opportunity to run the Row.

Non Performing songwriters are also encouraged to come to collaborate with other writers. Networking and Co-writing is a crucial key to getting cuts. There will be a writer table where registered attendees can display their CD's. There will also be informational booths and a
collaboration tent hosted by "Keeli".

"There are no set pre qualifications to attend all or parts of the Fest." says festival founder Cornelius "Popcorn" Robertson. "The event is put on by songwriters, for songwriters which makes for a more relaxing atmosphere. The efforts of caring volunteers and many "Fest Heads" makes this event different. We have feel! The pros were once novices and one day some novices will be pros. Together we inspire and grow in the business of music. "

"Popcorn" Robertson continues, "This year, due to popular demand, the festival has added a "Song Challenge & Critiques". So... with these thoughts in mind we have designed a "Song Challenge". We want to recognize great songs and get then in the hands of publishers and recording artist. There are 5 Grand Prizes with cash awards and working tours of Music Row along with other prizes. Funds generated by the "Song Challenge" will go to helping host the 2010 Nashville Song Fest on Music Row. We can't all get there on our own but we can all help each other get there together. We're all the different words that make up the whole song."

Registration is now officially open. Performing and Non performing songwriters, music related business, volunteers and the public wishing to participate in the June 4-6. 2010 activities can visit the web site at www.SongWritersFestival.com , Email: Popcorn@SongWritersFestival.com or call 615-424-1491 or 931-296-4067 for more info.

If you have received this email in error, please reply email and type "Remove" in the subject.
Please insure you respond from the email address the email was received from. Thank you.

Colin,

I do know of this and was involved in one of the early ones. Basically it is a big weekend of playing for a bunch of other songwriters. There is limited interaction with the industry, but it is not altogether a bad thing. Everyone needs to network as much as possible and that is a good thing. For the more professional side of the music industry, a trip during Tin Pan south which happens in April, is a better bet. Those are the shows that feature the more successful writers and being around the movers and shakers in the industry.

I am glad when anyone comes into town and think everyone should do it. Just remember the surrounding issues. This is more for out of towners to meet other out of towners. So keep that in mind and you should be just fine. Come down, hear a lot of songs, meet a lot of songwriters, and hear some interesting perspectives on various elements of the industry. Getting a lot of imput is never a bad thing.

MAB

Marc,

Thanks for the tips. I was tempted by the fall festival they put on last year at Loretta Lynn's ranch, but ultimately had a conflict and did not go. Looks like there is another one this year. I need to decide what I want to get out of one of these meets and then decide which one would be best.

Colin

Colin,

You might alternate. Go to one one year and the other one the next. Most of the people who do these kinds of events try many of them out. So you get a cross section of new people and those you might have already met. Put yourself out there.

If people focus on the journey,meeting other people, collecting imput from other people, learning about various other styles, approaches, and artistry face to face instead of just online or second or third hand, they would do much better in balancing out their approach. Too many get wrapped up in trying to see publishers, pluggers or trying to "blow some doors off" which never happens.

If you could come back with five or six potential co-writers, a few local or regional contacts, and some different ideas about using your music you didn't think of before, you will have succeeded tremendously.

MAB