COUNTRY NOTES
The NSAI update for the Los Angeles area Workshop
March 1996
NSAI ANNOUNCES SPRING SYMPOSIUM
The week of April 16-20 will be a busy time in Nashville for songwriters,
with NSAI hosting Tin Pan South and Spring Symposium '96, two of the year's
premier events.
Tin Pan South, a festival of concerts and showcases by top artists and
songwriters in the fields of country and pop, will kick off on April 16
and run through April 20. A number of exciting events are planned, including
the Tin Pan Jam, nightly songwriter showcases, and the Legendary Songwriters
Acoustic Concert with Randy Goodrum ("You Needed Me"), Michael
Masser ("Saving All My Love For You"), Allen Toussaint ("Southern
Nights") and more.
Following Tin Pan South is Spring Symposium '96, a seminar designed
to help participants boost their songwriting careers. In addition to a
series of workshops on song craft and marketing,, each participant will
have a chance to play a song for a Nashville publisher in a one-on-one
meeting! In addition, participants will have a song evaluation by a Nashville
hit songwriter.
Best-selling author Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way) will be a guest
speaker, and will lead a program to stimulate creativity and to overcome
a variety of career and creative blocks such as self-doubt, fear of rejection,
jealously, guilt, and addiction. In addition, hit songwriter Skip Ewing
("Rebecca Lynn", "Love, Me") will lead a series of
songwriting exercises to help participants hone their craft.
From April 14-16, NSAI will present Song Camp 101 in Nashville. Song
Camp is a unique opportunity to study the craft of songwriting from some
of the masters in a three-day intensive retreat. Call (615)256-3354 for
info.
March Workshop Schedule
- Sunday, March 3, 5-8pm at Musician's Institute, Planning a Trip
To Nashville. Attend this workshop if you would like to be part of
a group going to Nashville in April for Tin Pan South and the NSAI Symposium
- Sunday, March 10, 7:30pm, Craig Lackey's STAGE WEST at Grounds
Zero, 7554 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. STAGE WEST is a showcase featuring
some of LA's top up-and-coming country writers backed by Denny Martin's
all-star band Tasty Licks. The March 10 showcase will feature Jan Daley,
Seth Jackson, Craig Lackey, Larry Vail, and a showcase appearance by band
leader Denny Martin. A $3 donation is requested at the door.
- Sunday, March 17, 5-8pm at Musicians Institute, NSAI Group Song
Critiques. Bring one song (on cassette or play it live) and 20 copies
of your lyric sheet. We also do critiques of lyrics only or music only.
- Sunday, March 24, 5-8pm at Musician's Institute, Creative Writing
Exercises. Work on improving your writing with these exercises developed
by Jon Ims ("She's In Love With The Boy"), Rick Beresford ("If
Drinkin' Don't Kill Me"), and other Nashville hit songwriters. Bring
a lined note pad, pencil, a guitar if you have one, and most importantly,
an active imagination.
- Sunday, March 31 at Musicians Institute, Guitar Pull. Back by
popular demand! Here's a chance to share your songs or lyrics with other
members in a non-critique environment. Play songs live or on cassette.
We'll do as many rounds as time allows.
Workshop Location
Unless otherwise noted, workshops are held from 5-8 p.m. at Musician's
Institute, 1655 McCadden Place, just off Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood.
Admission is free for NSAI members and NAS members, $10 for non-members.
For more information, call Bev Nelson at (714)733-2717, or Craig Lackey
at (310)439-4069.
Member News
- Jan Daley had five songs picked up during her November trip
to Nashville. One song is being shopped by three publishers.
- Seth Jackson is now a Pro Member of the National Academy of
Songwriters (NAS).
- Merrily Weeber has been working on new material, and is in the
studio recording a new album for release on cassette.
EVENTS
- Merrily Weeber Presents Jack Tempchin and friends, Friday, March
8, 9-12PM at Rusty's on the Pier, Santa Monica. Jack Tempchin cowrote the
Eagles hits "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Already Gone",
and more. $5 cover, $2 parking. Call 310-393-PIER for more info.
- The Jai Josefs Songwriter Showcase, Friday, March 29, 8:30PM
at Cafe Largo, 432 N. Fairfax Ave, Hollywood. Jai Josefs, author of "Writing
Music For Hit Songs", presents top LA talent who have worked with
Jai to polish their craft. Featuring Sweetwater, Larissa and the Rainmakers,
and special guests. $5 cover.
Los Angeles Area NSAI Members - DO YOU HAVE:
- News about your songwriting career?
- An announcement?
- An event?
- A story of interest to songwriters?
Let us know, so we can tell the world what you're up to! Submit to Country
Notes by sending e-mail to speaker@cinenet.net.
Submissions must be received by 12:00 noon on the 15th of each month for
the following month's issue.
Items will be printed subject to space and editorial limitations.
NSAI Los Angeles Workshop Volunteers
EDITOR:
Seth Jackson
WORKSHOP COORDINATORS:
Craig Lackey
Bev Nelson
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATORS:
Ken Hermes
Vickie Vining
EVENT COORDINATORS:
Denny Martin
Cathy Carlson
Carlene Peterson