Since most of us get stymied at the same place in trying to get our music heard by folks who actually MIGHT be able to get it into the "right" hands...I wanted to pass along info on Barbara Cloyd's next Play for Publisher's Workshop. These folks are the REAL DEAL...the publishers who actually have access to the A&R folks and the artists who need material. I don't have any hesitation about recommending this workshop. The reason that these folks do this for her is because there is no one in Nashville who does more for indie songwriters than Barbara. Those of you who came to Pineyfest lsst summer got to hear her do a set the very last evening..and you KNOW the talent this lady has! Hope you'll give this workshop some serious consideration...and IF you can get in...let the rest of us know how great it is!

Hugs
Bobbie

Applications are now open for
PLAY FOR PUBLISHERS
a Barbara Cloyd Songwriting Workshop
THURS FEB 22 through SAT FEB 24
with
Scott Gunter, Universal Music Publishing
Rusty Gaston, This Music
Kos Weaver, Warner-Chappell
Mike Sistad, ASCAP
Amanda Blackard Scott, Flyback Music
Mike Molinar, Cal IV Entertainment

(for more information, including bios of publishers, visit www.barbaracloyd.com )

This three-day event will be held in Nashville and applications are open to any writer with a desire to write for the commercial Country market. Fifteen applicants, carefully selected for their originality, creativity and craftsmanship, will be selected to attend the three day event.
During the workshop there are three different listening sessions, each attended by two established publishers or professionals who are actively involved in the day to day business of getting songs recorded. Each participant presents one song at each listening session and the group listens to the publishers and Barbara give feedback on the craft and commercial potential of the songs.

This gives every writer who attends a chance to spark the interest of six different publishers, and, equally important, by listening to the feedback on all the songs, it gives them incredible insight into what qualities a song needs to have in order to get cut. The workshop also introduces the participants to other talented writers who are serious about their careers.

In addition, the workshop participants are given the opportunity to play at a local writers night and attend a show with hit writers at The Bluebird Cafe.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Deadline is Friday Jan 19. All applications received by 5 PM will be considered.
To apply send:
1. Three songs
2. Lyric sheets
3. Contact information including phone numbers and email address if possible.
4. A $10 non-refundable application fee.

IF APPLYING BY MAIL:
Send the songs on CD or cassette and check or money order to:
Barbara Cloyd's Songwriting Workshop
PO Box 121497
Nashville, TN 37212
Please make checks payable to Barbara Cloyd

IF APPLYING ON LINE:
Email an mp3 of each song to barbara@barbaracloyd.com. Please send each one in a separate email.
Attach the lyrics as a Word document or type the lyrics into the body of the email. (If you are using a Mac please put them into the body of the email due to possible problems opening attachments on a PC.)
Be sure to include your phone numbers. You can pay with Pay Pal buttons on the workshops page of www.barbaracloyd.com .

All applicants will be notified whether or not they have been accepted. Notice will be sent by email no later than 5 PM on Tues Jan 23. Applicants without email will be sent a letter by Tues Jan 23.

TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK:
Applicants who would like to receive some feedback on the craft and commercial potential of their songs, rather than just a yes or no, can pay an additional $20 along with the $10 application fee for a total of $30. Feedback will be sent within 3 weeks of the close of the application process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT APPLYING:
It's okay to submit co-written songs.
The demos can be fully produced studio demos, home recordings sung into a hand-held cassette recorder or anything in-between. Applications will be judged on the quality of the writing, not the quality of the recording. Just be sure the vocals and chords can be heard.
Lyricists may apply with lyrics only but they will have to demonstrate an exceptional level of lyric writing ability to compensate for their inability to produce finished songs.
Submitted materials will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope already stamped with enough postage.
The goal of the workshop is to connect publishers with talented writers who are interested in writing for the major label, commercial Country market. Feel free to submit your very best songs in any genre, even if they may not fit the Country market - we are looking for writers with personality, creativity and originality who want to apply their talents to the Nashville market - not just those who already write Country songs.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:
Location: Days Inn - Vanderbilt, 1800 West End near Music Row

Cost: $150 (does not include lodging)

Rooms: $60/night single or double. (Applicants may secure their own lodging.)

SCHEDULE (subject to revision):
Thurs Feb 22
9 AM Introduction to Writing for Music Row by Barbara Cloyd
7:30 PM Writers Night at Lyrix Music Bar and Cafe - participants can get a taste of the local songwriter scene and those who wish to can be scheduled to perform beginning at 9 PM.

Fri Feb 23

9 AM Listening session with Mike Sistad and Amanda Scott
2 PM Listening session with Mike Molinar and Kos Weaver
6:30 PM Round of hit writers at The Bluebird Cafe

Sat Feb 24
10 AM Listening session with Scott Gunter and Rusty Gaston
7 PM Dinner and song swap at Barbara's house

For more information, including bios of publishers, visit www.barbaracloyd.com . If you have questions, contact Barbara at 615-383-5616 or barbara@barbaracloyd.com .

Thanks Bobby, This is either good timing or you are answering my question in a new post. I am on an email list that sends me this information every few months. At the very least, the participants get to sing at the Blue Bird Cafe and the cost seem reasonable so I was inclined to submit a CD and pay the fee.
I heard Barbara do a very funny song at the Bluebird open mic session that she host (saw it at bluebird.com archives) but being naturally skeptical of the music business, I couldn't be sure she is honestly trying to match writers, publishers and artist. Thanks for the information.

PS I believe for a small fee, the songs submitted for consideration (which determine who is selected) can also be professionally critiqued even if you are not selected.

Howdy Cat,

I did see your comment/question about Barbara on the Pineyfest thread but she and I had already talked about my putting the notice up here...so I was sort of killing two birds with one stone. Barbara is, without any doubt in my mind...probably the one person in Nashville who does more for indie songwriters than anyone else I know. She has been the "gatekeeper" for the Bluebird for at least 13 years...so she has heard EVERYTHING that has come through those doors. She is an exceptional critiquer...and tells it like it is when it comes to whether or not a song is ready for Music Row. Not only does she work for the Bluebird...but she also hosts one of THE BEST Songwriters Nights at the new performance venue called LYRIX every Wednesday. Though it means a 140 mile round trip for me...I go nearly every week. She works very closely with not only song WRITERS but also publishers and A&R folks. They respect her and that is why they are willing to participate in her writing workshops. She doesn't let just anyone into her workshops..which is why she requires that folks submit their songs for consideration.

I have submitted some of my songs to her for critiquing and paid her for that. It is always a good thing to have somebody who has heard as much as she has review our material.

She has also provided FREE critiques every year at Pineyfest for anyone present...for the past 5 years. She has never asked me for a dime of compensation for her generosity. This past year, I hired her to run the sound board for all of Pineyfest, however...and she treated us to a set of her own material the very last night which blew people away. As someone put it..."for this whole week she has been telling us HOW to do it right...tonight she SHOWED us how it's done." Folks were totally impressed. Barbara is a classy lady. You may not always agree with everything she says...but she is honest and direct..and in this business, that counts for a lot!!

Hugs,
Bobbie

Well we just got to see her live in Chicago. She opened a women with guitars show run by Kimchar Meredith. There were only about 30 of us there. Barbara was good and the headliner was AMAZING.
www.jocelyncelaya.com. She plays classical (radical classical they call it) she can play with both hand ON TOP of the fretboard, not under,but on top. She taps the strings from above. She blew us away. We got Barbara AND her for $10. Barbara's critiques at pineyfest were SO on the money it wasn't funny.

Herbie

Howdy Herbie,

That gal is the one Kim-Char has been talking so highly about!! I sure wish I could have seen/heard her. She must be incredible. Yeah...Barbara does some mighty fine critiquing doesn't she!! Cuts right through the crap.

Hugs,
Bobbie

Bobbie,

Thanks for this info. Even those of us who are sooo not ready to compete for one of the 15 slots can benefit from this information and keep it filed away for a time when maybe we ARE ready. And as Cat pointed out, sometimes you aren't sure what is legit & what isn't. It's always good to hear something from someone you know you can trust (that'd be you ).

I for one (& I'm sure I'm not the only one) truly appreciate all the extra information you share with us here. Thank you so much!!

Bree

Is this what Kimchar is working so hard on the demos for Bobbie? I heard the redo today of "sunshine through the rain"...it's awesome...she put in all these harmonies and even some bass...you girls are gonna make it.

Herbie

Sounds like a wonderful opportunity ....Bobbie. Barbara was so super at Pineyfest....and so straight shooting.... Hope all of ya folks who submit get accepted and come back and share it with us....

Hugs...
kk

Bobbie and Herbie,
I so wish I could have scene Barbara Cloyd and Jocelyn Celaya on Women with Guitars. "Radical Classical" sounds right up my ally and Barbara Cloyd is a great lyricist...
I'm recently working with a new demo singer and if it works out I'll be submitting to the Play for Publishers workshop this week. Kinda last minute demo sessions with everyone's schedules. I think it will be a great opportunity if I can get in, one of these times. She liked my one song at Pineyfest but must have not been fond of my the other two when I submitted for Play for Publishers in the fall. I think my demo quality may have also been an issue. Hence my hiring of a great vocalist and writing several new songs more "in tune" with the market. (No pun intended)

Bobbie: Good luck with your submissions!... Maybe your colab with Kim Char will be the key!
Herbie: You lucky dog! You got to see crazy classical and B. Cloyd... Nice!

Talk to ya Later! Nate

Hi Bree,

Thanks for letting me know you enjoy and appreciate the extra "stuff" I sometimes post on here. Though not always a song lyric...I know that many folks only check this forum so if I think the info is relevant to other lyric only folks (like me) I tend to put it here to be sure they see it. I know it probably torques off a few folks but hey...I figure they have independent fingers...don't HAVE to read anything they don't want to!

I hope someday to be deemed worthy to participate in one of Barbara's Pitch workshops. Actually, I am pretty sure I know why she hasn't accepted me yet. I think she prefers folks who sing and who can play enough to accompany themselves so they can actually perform at the Bluebird shows...because she has offered to let me "audit" the workshop anytime I choose. As a non-performer, I'd merely be taking up space...and listening.

Maybe someday..

Hugs,
Bobbie