COUNTRY NOTES

Back by popular demand, the NSAI Los Angeles Regional Workshop is proud to present an all-day hit songwriting seminar
with Steve Seskin. Steve won the 1998 CMA Song of the Year award for “Don’t Laugh at Me” (recorded by Mark Wills), and has had many other top hits such as “Life’s a Dance” (John Michael Montgomery), “Daddy’s Money” (Ricochet), “I Think About You” (Collin Raye), and "Grown Men Don't Cry" (Tim McGraw).  Steve has co-written over 400 songs with such writers as Gary Burr, John Bonjovi, Allen Shamblin, and Pam Tillis.

Come hear Steve share his extensive knowledge about the craft and business of songwriting. In particular, hewill talk about inspiration and where song ideas come from, including ways to empower you to write about more than just your own life and to use emotional moments as catalysts to inspire you.

Steve will also discuss song collaboration.  The discussion will include the different aspects of co-writing; how to pick a co-writer that might be good for you, what to expect if you never tried it before, and the protocol involved in approaching someone about co-wrting. He also cover how to make yourself and your co-writer feel comfortable so both of you can do your best work.  Legal issues and royality splits are also discussed in this workshop.

In addition, Steve will do song evaluations. Priority will be given to the first 20 people who sign up. The order will be determined based on when payment is received.

The seminar will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2005 from 9:30AM to 5:00PM at Hill-Harbison House, 1841 Alhambra Rd in San Marino.  Directions can be found at www.sethjackson.net under Country Notes. Admission is $50 for NSAI members and $60 for non-members when paid in advance. Song critiques are guaranteed for the first 20 people to register.  Registration is official when payment is received. To register, send your payment to 2540 Cumberland Rd, San Marino, CA 91105. Checks must be made out to NSAI Los Angeles, CA Workshop.  Be sure to include your phone number.

I am very pleased to introduce Brad Parker as the new Adopt-a-Shop pro for the NSAI Los Angeles Workshop. Brad lives right here in the LA area and has many connections in Nashville. He is very enthusiastic about NSAI and the Adopt-a-Shop program.

Brad Parker has topped the charts as an artist, songwriter, producer and musician. Parker’s music has earned him numerous gold and platinum awards in countries around the world with sales in the millions. In America his #1 Country song "Nobody’s Gonna Rain On Our Parade", recorded by Kathy Mattea, earned him BMI awards in 1996 as a songwriter and a publisher as well as a BMI "Million-airs" citation for over one million broadcast performances. Parker’s recordings as an artist with "the NOBS", produced by David Kahne, earned two hits on college radio. Cher has recorded his songs as well as Richard Page, Edgar Winter, Eric Gales, Karla Bonoff, K.T. Oslin, Hurricane and Bill Miller.  Most recently Parker launched Riozen records with the release of "moonology" as well as "Christmas Card", a single performed with acclaimed Irish singer/songwriter Eleanor McEvoy and recorded in Dublin, Ireland.

Brad will be joining us as a guest at our November 14 meeting.  This is a great opportunity to come and meet him.

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