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8th Annual Nashville SongWriters Festival June 4-6, 2010

The 8th Annual Nashville SongWriters Festival features live original music performances of all genres on multiple stages, Classes hosted by professional instructors, an Open House, Song Contest and more….This networking opportunity and gathering represent the past, present and future of songwriting. It’s several music happenings in one! It’s part live original music festival, part music conference, part networking opportunity, part Song Challenge and part gathering of friends. The live performances, education and Open House are concurrently running events. Attendees can take in all or parts of the fest and "Play it by ear!"

Live Original Music Performances: Songwriters of all genres converge Tunesmiths share their music on multiple stages and open Sing Rings. From the novice to the pro, There are no pre qualifications to play or attend. Everyone is encouraged to come as they are. All attendees will have the opportunity to share their words or music and find their place in the mix.

Pro Instruction Classes: While at the fest, writers can also attend three days of Pro Instruction Classes, Q & A sessions, workshops and hear first hand the personal experiences of what it takes to be successful in the business of songwriting. Music pros who have “Been there, Done that“ will speak all about the craft. You can take in all the classes or parts between jam sessions.

Open House: An Open House is also held at the fest by participating recording studios, publishers, song pluggers and other music related businesses where writers can drop by without an appointment to ask questions, exchange samples or discuss what part we all play in the business of music. Stop by and check out some of the industry.

Writers Table: For performing and non performing writers there will be a "Writer's Area" provided by the Fest near the information booth near the main stage. At the display table, attendees can deposit their CD'S and the fest staff will take inquiries or make sales for participants. Also drop off a copy of your songs in the Fest Drop Box where your materials will be forwarded to those interested.

Song Challenge & Critiques: If you think you have something that is potentially a commercial success... Enter the "Song Contest & Critiques". We want to recognize songwriter efforts, highlight talent and make others better writers who are informed on what the industry is looking for... great commercial songs. There will be prizes plus entrants will also get their songs critiqued and commercial feed back. Entrants do not have to attend the Festival to enter the "Song Challenge & Critiques."

Historical Gathering: Another historical gathering begins to take shape as we celebrate the spirit of the songwriter. Many special guest and surprises await but as always, the real featured writer is you!

Registration is now officially open: Come to share your music and have fun playing the songs that you have written. We hope you get inspired, reinvigorated, find co- writers, network and pen some new tunes. Most of all, have fun! Music is not all business all of the time. 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 931-296-4067

Song Fest on Music Row News and Updates

The Fest will be held at the top of Nashville's Music Row near the traffic circle across from BMI and ASCAP, this June 4-6, the weekend before CMA Fest. From Picks Hall of Fame Lounge to the Tin Roof, all around and in-between. This will bring us in more main stream with the city's scheme of things. You'll have more locals and tourist in the crowd than just playing to songwriters and other music people. After eight years of practice it's time to come out of hiding. Their will be outdoor and indoor stages. should be a little cooler weather too. Map http://www.songwritersfestival.com/new_page_1.htm


Big Vinny Mac (Trailer Choir http://www.trailerchoir.com/, big guy in the middle), signed with Toby Keith's record label Show Dog Records. At our fest was the first time he ever got up to play on a stage in public. You can watch him on CMT. They are currently on tour. We catch a little hell now and then when someone ask, Why did you let that one or this one get up and play? Well, I figure we all have to start somewhere. The novices need the pros and the pros need the novices. The fest is for all. We have many success stories and some failures too.

SongwriterDemo.com donates a basic demo package, 5 instrumentation w/ singer to be given away to a registered performing or non performing writer while at the fest. Billy has a "Thumbs Up" by American Songwriter Magazine.

Fest is now a Non Profit Corporation. Next is going thru the process of getting the 501(c)3 designation so y'all can write off your registrations, volunteer work and other contributions, etc. In the process of building a new modern web site. Please refresh your browsers each time you visit in the future.

The IndieMusicAssociation.org becomes a stage sponsor. The Independent Music Association is presenting 1 year Honorary Memberships to all registered Performing and Non Performing Writers at this years fest. Honorary Membership includes Music Crisis Chats, Free Admission to IMA Events, Periodic E Letter with Tips, Test & Challenges to make you do better in pursuit of your craft, Membership Card and more. The IMA has an excellent 7 Step/15 Level "Full Cycle" Action Plan & Benefit Success Program designed to help keep members focused, provide a measuring stick to monitor progress, maintain product/project confidence and work toward long term solutions to Indies needs. The IMA is a working organization that works for you.

We're finally having that Song Challenge that many of you had been asking for. Sonic Bids is our online submissions provider for the Festival Song Challenge. SonicBids.com is offering a two week trial membership with your song submission.

Mel McDaniel to speak at the Pro Instructors Classes at this years festival. Mel was last years Festival Grand Master. Still working on a few last minute changes and surprises in the 3 days of music knowledge on all faucets of the biz. Hear personal stories about experiences on the ups and downs of being a writer, gain technical knowledge and free song critiques. Attend all or part.

Register you music related business in the Open House. Participation is free and so are most booths to music related people.

Ric Sandler and Arti Portilla sign up to play as Featured Writers. Look them up while at the fest and get their opinions, feed back and current take on the biz. Yes, it's Nashville and yes, it's Music Row.... so hit writers and other music people will naturally be there. But as always the real featured writer is you.

Visit the website to sign up to play for this years fest... http://www.songwritersfestival.com/registration.htm

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Collect one bunch of humans,
Let stand individually and defrost.
Rinse lightly with honesty, careful to retain creative juices.
Blend well with others, sharing form the same stock.
Marinate with tenderness.
Combine all ingredients freely.
Sprinkle with concern and garnish generously with appreciation.
Serve at room temperature.
Sample results and dish out praise in equal amounts.
Make enough for all. ~ Popcorn
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Spread the word and please pass this onto your friends. The songwriters are coming.

Nashville SongWriters Festival June 4-6, 2010
popcorn@songwritersfestival.com
http://www.SongWritersFestival.com
931-296-4067

Song Fest on Music Row News and Updates for March

Play Slots Available! This years stages include a mix of indoor and outdoor venues. Outdoors, we have Country International Records and Dale Allens Miracle on Music Row Super Stage. Indoors we have, Picks Nashville, Tin Roof, Dan McGuinness Irish Pub and Red Rooster! World Music Nashville & the Nashville Music Guide will be there helping. Dale Allen is pulling out all the stops to make sure this years songwriters festival is the most memorable yet with some special guest appearances. Surprises are in the making so keep posted. http://www.songwritersfestival.com/stages.htm

Remember, June 4-6 at the Top of the Row this year, near the traffic circle across from ASCAP and BMI, the weekend before CMA fest! Out of townies are already reserving their general admissions and there will be copious amounts of public foot traffic and gawkers for you guys to play to and maybe sell a CD here and there. Either way, the Top of the Row means more visibility to the city as a whole with the 8th Annual Fest coming out of the obscure back alleys of Music Row and up to the top. www.SongWritersFestival.com

Entertainment Law expert Bill Whitacre will give the next 20 Full Class registrants a free consult. See Bill at the Fest on Saturday talking about Show Biz Law and fielding your questions. Bobby Keel has also been added to class line up. Attend all or parts. Single classes are $10 each. Check out the full class line up and take your pick here. www.songwritersfestival.com/writers_retreat.htm

Register your music related music business for the Open House for FREE! Also music related businesses can get free booth spaces at the fest. If you are a festival attendee, stop by and check out some of the industry. The Open House on Music Row is held by participating recording studios, publishers, song pluggers and other music businesses where writers can drop by their offices without an appointment to ask questions, exchange samples or discuss what part they play in the business. The Open House is free to all registered festival attendees. http://www.songwritersfestival.com/open_house.htm

This year we have partnered with Sonicbids and added a Song Challenge. There will be prizes plus entrants will get their songs critiqued. Entrants do not have to attend the Festival to enter. Submissions are $20 per song. Enter thru Sonicbids or by the Festival Email Entry process here... http://www.songwritersfestival.com/song_challenge.htm

Another historical gathering begins to take shape up as we throw down at this years congregation to celebrate the spirit of the songwriter. Many special guest and surprises await but as always, the real featured writer is you! Come to share your music and have fun playing the songs that you have written. While at the fest we hope you get inspired, reinvigorated, find co writers, network and write some new tunes. Most of all have fun. Music is not all business all of the time. http://www.songwritersfestival.com/big_weekend_fest.htm

Registration is OPEN! Play slots are available on 6 stages! Performing and Non performing songwriters and General Admissions wishing to participate in the June 4-6, 2010 activities can sign up here at http://www.songwritersfestival.com/registration.htm

Volunteers can visit the web site at http://www.songwritersfestival.com/volunteering.htm

Visit www.SongWritersFestival.com or Email: Popcorn@SongWritersFestival.com for more info.

Please pass this email onto your music friends and lets make this years festival a massive Music Family Reunion and rally to show Music City what we are about! The songwriters festival where EVERYONE has the opportunity to play and express their music all in one spot! http://www.songwritersfestival.com/create_a_round.htm

Thanks!

Cornelius Popcorn Robertson
Popcorn@SongWritersFestival.com
www.SongWritersFestival.com