Workshops - Barbara Cloyd - Songwriter, Host of Bluebird Open Mic Writers Night

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Play for Publishers Writers apply for a chance to play for and get feedback from publishers.
Ready for the Row Barbara takes her insights and expertise about songwriting on the road.

To receive announcements of upcoming workshops, send an email with "workshops mailing list" in the subject line.

PLAY FOR PUBLISHERS

Sign up for mailing list of future songwriting workshops by sending an email to barbara@barbaracloyd.com with "workshops mailing list" in the subject line

The next
PLAY FOR PUBLISHERS WORKSHOP
will be
OCTOBER 22 - 24, 2009

Held at the Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN

Click here to read comments by writers who attended previous workshops

THE PURPOSE:
These workshops are for songwriters with a desire to write for the commercial Country market. If you dream of hearing your songs on the radio, one of the most important things is to get heard by publishers. But since virtually every established publishing company has a policy of "We do not accept unsolicited material," this is hard to do. With the Play for Publishers Workshop, Barbara Cloyd has created an opportunity for promising songwriters to get over this hurdle.

Started in 2002, these workshops have led to single-song contracts for several writers and the offer of a staff-writing deal for two. Many participants now have open doors on Music Row with publishers they met at the workshop. Even more have found fruitful cowriting relationships and lasting friendships. And all the writers who attend a Play for Publishers workshop come away with a deeper understanding of what the demands of the market are and how to bring their songwriting to the next level.

Click here to read comments by writers who attended previous workshops

HOW IT WORKS:
The workshop will be attended by six publishers - successful professionals who work with hit writers, get cuts by top artists and sign staff writers. They are not paid for their time - they attend because they are genuinely interested in finding new songwriting talent.

All writers are invited to apply and sixteen are selected based on the originality, creativity and craftsmanship of their songwriting. During the workshop there are three different listening sessions, each attended by two of the publishers. The sixteen writers selected present one song at each session (live or a recording), and then the group listens to the publishers and Barbara give feedback on the craft and commercial potential of the songs.

This gives every writer who is selected 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 valuable insight into what qualities a song needs to have in order to get cut. The workshop also introduces the participants to other talented songwriters who are serious about their careers.

To add to the experience of the workshop, those who want to can play a songwriter's night at R'ichard's Cafe, a popular local music venue, and attend a show with hit songwriters at The Bluebird Cafe.

AUDITING THE WORKSHOP:
Any songwriter who wants to learn about the commercial Country songwriting market is welcome to audit the workshop.. Auditors participate in every way except to play for the publishers. They can perform at the writers night on Thursday, attend the Bluebird show on Friday and the wrap-up party on Saturday night.

In addition, auditors who would like to will get the chance to hear feedback on one of their own songs. On Saturday after the listening session with the publishers, there will be time for each auditor to present a song (live or a recording) to the workshop and the participants will give feedback.

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

COST: (click here to pay with Paypal)
Cost for participants: $275 (Scholarships available)
Cost to audit: $150

LOCATION:
Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Rd, Nashville TN 37215

LODGING:
Participants secure their own lodging. A list of affordable options will be provided to those who request it.

SCHEDULE: (subject to change)
Thurs Oct 22
9 AM to 2:30 PM - Introduction to Writing for Music Row by Barbara Cloyd (lunch break at Noon.)
2:30 PM to 4:00 PM - Guest Songwriter
7:00 PM - Writers Night at R'ichard's Cafe - participants who want to play will be scheduled to perform one or two songs.

Fri Oct 23
8:30 AM - Listening session with two publishers
12:00 PM - Lunch break (lunch provided)
12:30 PM to 4:00 PM - Listening session with two publishers
6:30 PM Show with hit songwriters at The Bluebird Cafe featuring Barbara Cloyd and friends

Sat Oct 24
9:00 AM to 12:30 PM - Listening session with two publishers
1:30 PM to 4:00 PM Auditors present songs for feedback from the workshop participants
7PM Dinner and song swap at Barbara's house.

To receive notice whenever the next application period begins, sign up for the mailing list by sending an email to barbara@barbaracloyd.com with "workshops mailing list" in the subject line

For more information email barbara@barbaracloyd.com or call 615-383-5616.

COMMENTS FROM WRITERS WHO ATTENDED PAST WORKSHOPS:

In July 2007 writers who attended past songwriting workshops were asked what tangible results they had gotten from attending. Click here to see their replies.

Click below to read spontaneous comments from participants in previous songwriting workshops

Nashville February 09 Nashville July 2006 Nashville June 2005 Austin, TX April 2005
Bethlehem, PA Sept. 2004 Bristol, TN Sept 2003 Nashville July 2003

READY FOR
THE ROW

Having learned a lot in over 20 years in Nashville, Barbara has hit the road to share her knowledge and insights with songwriters across the country. She has developed on one-day songwriting workshop that gives writers an overview of what is involved in pursuing a career as a professional songwriter n the Nashville market and she is also available for one-on-one consultations with songwriters when she is in their area.

The workshop begins with Barbara giving an overview of how the Nashville songwriting market works and how to work it. She covers topics like "Where the Money Comes From and How Much You Can Make," "Who You Need to Know and How to Get to Know Them," "Why a Songwriter Needs a Publisher and How to Find One," "What to Do if You Live Out of Town," and "How to Make the Most of a Trip to Nashville." Since she has worked with aspiring songwriters for many years she has a keen understanding of what information they need and she conveys it with clarity, compassion and humor.

The second half of the event focuses on the craft of commercial songwriting. After briefly going over the basic elements of a hit song, Barbara then listens to and gives feedback on songs brought in by the participants. It is always helpful to writers to get an educated opinion about their own songs, but Barbara has found that writers learn the most by listening to critiques of other people's songs. Different aspects of the craft of songwriting are brought up naturally as songs are examined and since the writers aren't so close to them it is much easier to see their strengths and weaknesses. Writers can then apply the insights they gain to their own songwriting. Barbara's critiques are detailed and straight to the point, but as a songwriter herself she honors everyone's creative process and they are always constructive and respectful.

This workshop format works well for groups of any size and is easily adaptable to fit time constraints. Barbara is happy to keep expenses minimal and strives to make the workshop affordable for any songwriting groups who would like to sponsor it. To inquire about bringing a "Ready for the Row" workshop to your area, call her at 615-383-5616 or send her an email.