PAYMENT
LOCATION
Hampton Inn
1919 West End Ave..
Nashville, TN 37203
615-921-8138
The meeting room is on the lower level.
PARKING
Hampton Inn will give us a discount rate for parking. We will get a code to use when we arrive.
SCHEDULE
The workshop is designed to give you a total experience, so I hope you will plan to be there for all of it.
THURSDAY JUNE 25
8:30 to 11:30 am – study hit songs to see what makes them hits
1 to 4 pm – feedback session with Eric Olson and Sherrill Blackman
FRIDAY JUNE 26
8:30 to noon – feedback session with and Todd Wilkes and Steve Bloch
1:30 to 4 pm – performance and Q&A with pro songwriters
SATURDAY JUNE 27
8:30 to 1 – feedback session with Madison Policastri plus one publisher TBA
1 to 4 pm – auditors get feedback from the group
7 pm to ? – wrap party. Feel free to invite family, friends and co-writers.
LUNCH
There will be an hour-and-a-half for lunch each day. There are a variety of restaurants in walking distance or a short drive away. The meeting room will be locked 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 songs.
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 need to know which song you plan to play each day by the time you leave the previous day so I can get the lyrics printed out.
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 angry or 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.