Workshop Information

PAYMENT

The fee for the workshop is $495. Payment is due by Feb. 8th.

Payment options:




Use this button to pay with PayPal. Please note there is a 4% service charge added to PayPal payments

 


@Barbara-Cloyd-2
 


Make checks payable to Barbara Cloyd and mail to Barbara Cloyd, PO Box 121497, Nashville TN 37212.

 

LOCATION

Home 2 Suites Nashville Vanderbilt
1800 Division St.
Nashville, TN 37203
615-921-8138
The meeting room is on the first floor. The fee to park in the garage is $5 for workshop attendees. After you pay at the desk inside, tell the valet you are with Play for Publishers and you will be given the code to self park.

SCHEDULE

The workshop is designed to give you a total experience, so please plan to be there for all of it.

THURSDAY FEB 29
8:30 to 11:30 am – study hit songs to see what makes them hits
1 to 4 pm – feedback session with Nate Lowery and Julia Keefe

FRIDAY MARCH 1
8:30 to noon – feedback session with Kennedy Murphy and Steve Bloch
1:30 to 4 pm – performance and Q&A with pro writers Adam James and one writer TBA

SATURDAY MARCH 2
8:30 to 1 – feedback session with Jamie Dryburgh and Emily Dryburgh
1 to 4 pm – auditors get feedback from the group
7 pm to ? – wrap party

LUNCH
There will be an hour-and-a-half for lunch each day. There is a variety of restaurants in walking distance or a short drive away. There will be someone staying in the meeting room so it will be safe to leave your stuff.

PLAYING FOR THE PUBLISHERS

Which songs to play:

You will play one song each day. You can play a different song at each session or repeat a song once or twice.

The songs you present at the workshop should be ones you sent with your application. I will be in touch with each of you to go over which ones will be most likely to impress the publishers. If you want to play songs you did not send with your application, please send them to me for approval.

How to present them:

You can play them live or play a recording. The publishers seem to like both equally. If you’re trying to decide which way to go, remember that using a demo – even a simple guitar/vocal – gives you complete control over how your song is presented. You may be nervous and if your timing is off or your vocals are even a little off-key it can be a distraction and work against you as you try to make a good impression. We will not have a PA to play through but the room is small so there should be no problem hearing you. I will bring the recordings to play so be sure you have sent me the final version of any you want to present.

Lyric sheets:

You can get more out of listening to the publishers’ feedback if you have a lyric sheet to look at. I will print them out for each session but I need your help laying them out in the way the publishers want them.

  • Put your name and contact info on them
  • Include the names of any co-writers
  • Don’t include the chords
  • Be sure the lyrics on the page match the demo EXACTLY (it’s very distracting when they don’t)
  • Get the whole song on ONE PAGE. You do not have to double space. You don’t need to break up a 4 measure line into 2 lines. That is easier to follow than making 2 columns.
  • Lay it out so that the song form is readily apparent

This is the standard format people in the industry expect.

I will use a random number generator to determine the order in which you will present your songs. I will need to know which song you plan to play by 6 pm the previous day.

Responding to feedback:

Please keep in mind that any feedback you receive is given to help you achieve your goals. Arguing, defending or disagreeing will damage your relationship with all publishers present. If you are crushed, try not to show it or the publishers may feel uncomfortable next time they see you.

WRAP PARTY

You are invited to my house Sat at 7 pm. Co-writers, friends and family welcome. I will provide pizza and some soft drinks. Bring anything else you’d like to eat or drink. And bring guitars! Sharing songs is one of the best parts.