Tallahassee NSAI Chapter

 
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Ring the bell that rings.
Forget your perfect offering.
There's a crack in everything.
That's how the light gets in.

L. Cohen--from the bathroom wall of a Nashville backalley bar.

   

THURSDAY, 7 PM, DECEMBER 17.
MILLER'S ALE HOUSE ON THE PARKWAY!
Tallahassee NSAI Chapter social get-together for the holidays!

Tallahassee has an active songwriters NSAI chapter available to provide songwriters with the opportunity to improve their skills, learn more about the music industry, evaluate songs, and network with one another on a regular basis.  The chapter supports NSAI  (Nashville Songwriters Association International) educational programs and services for songwriter members.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is a not-for-profit trade association devoted to the service of songwriters.  Established in 1967 by professional songwriters in Nashville, NSAI now numbers more than 120 local chapters with 5,000 members worldwide.  NSAI exists to provide information and guidance on the songwriting process, to provide opportunities for aspiring songwriters to learn from music industry professionals, and to lobby for songwriter rights in Washington, DC.

The local Tallahassee NSAI chapter is in its 13th year of operation.  Meetings are open to current active members, past members, and guests interested in joining NSAI.  Guests may attend two meetings free to see if they want to join and then are required by NSAI policy to either join NSAI or pay $15 per meeting to attend additional meetings.

CHAPTER MEETINGS

The chapter  usually meets once a month on the SECOND THURSDAY of each month but is subject to change; the dates and location of 2010 meetings will be announced.   

Chapter meetings consist of  

  • networking opportunities,
  • songwriting lessons,
  • creative exercises,
  • music biz-related current events,
  • participant song evaluation,
  • hit song analysis/discussion,
  • social events, and
  • song circles. 

For song evaluation, participants should bring 10 lyric sheets, your song on cd/tape or perform live.  NSAI members and out-of-towners priority.

Download  directions to the meeting-TBD  Download File

MEETING EXCEPTIONS -- meeting dates, locations, and times may change to accomodate guest speakers or special meetings, such as dinner meetings, song circles, or for other reasons.  Notices will be sent out.

NSAI PRO TEACHER WEBCASTS
at a glance

Some chapter lesson plans may be structured in conjunction with the NSAI Pro Teacher webcasts.  These lessons are connected to an NSAI webcast previously recorded at the NSAI auditorium in Nashville.  Each webcast is taught "virtually" by the teacher who wrote the lesson.

Prior to a scheduled webcast lesson, members may log-on to www.nashvillesongwriters.com to view the webcast prior to the announced workshop meeting date.  The live webcasts will be archived for later access.

Scheduled Lessons

AUGUST 14 - NEW LOCATION!
NEW NIGHT!  Second Thursday

At the 4th Qtr Grill on North Monroe (across from Hooters)

Download directions at link above.

6:30-7:15 menu available
7:30-9:30 Workshop

 

PROGRAM: "Write-A-Song", Phase 1, idea selection and story palette brainstorming and clustering.  Relavent hit song analysis.  Song evaluation, TIME PERMITTING!  10 lyric sheets, cd/tape/live, NSAI members and out-of-towners priority TIME PERMITTING!

 

SEPTEMBER 11 - NEW LOCATION!
NEW NIGHT!  Second Thursday

At the 4th Qtr Grill on North Monroe (across from Hooters)

6:30-7:15 menu available
7:30-9:30 Workshop

Download  directions to the 4th QTR Grill -  
Download File Click the "Star".

 

PROGRAM: "Write-A-Song", Phase 2, song development (not lyric writing, not melody writing, not groves, not chords).  Phase 2 will build upon the song title selected in Phase 1 by determining what our song will be about, such as: what is the subject, theme, situation, conflict, setting, focus, angle, perspective, location, etc.  Song evaluation? Doubtful but TIME PERMITTING!  10 lyric sheets, cd/tape/live, NSAI members and out-of-towners priority TIME PERMITTING!

 

OCTOBER 9
Second Thursday

4th Qtr Grill on North Monroe (across from Hooters)

6:30-7:15 menu available
7:30-9:30 Workshop

Download  directions to the 4th QTR Grill -  
Download File Click the "Star".

 

PROGRAM: "Write-A-Song, Phase 3, Story Development" (not lyric writing).  Phase 3 will build upon the song title and song idea selected in Phases 1 and 2.  In Phase 3 we will  determine situation, characters,  conflict, setting/location, focus, angle, perspective.  Song evaluation? Doubtful but TIME PERMITTING!  10 lyric sheets, cd/tape/live, NSAI members and out-of-towners priority TIME PERMITTING!

 

NOVEMBER 13
Second Thursday

4th Qtr Grill on North Monroe (across from Hooters)

6:30-7:15 menu available
7:30-9:30 Workshop

Download  directions to the 4th QTR Grill -  
Download File Click the "Star".

 

PROGRAM: "Write-A-Song, Phase 3 Continued, Story Development" (not lyric writing).  This will build upon the song story developed in the October meeting. We will  continue determining situation, characters,  conflict, setting/location, focus, angle, perspective.   Song evaluation?  Doubtful, but TIME PERMITTING!  10 lyric sheets, cd/tape/live, NSAI members and out-of-towners priority TIME PERMITTING!

 

DECEMBER 11-CANCELLED

Second Thursday
4th Qtr Grill on North Monroe (across from Hooters)

6:30-7:15 menu available
7:30-9:30 Workshop


NSAI  Lesson  9           
“The Well Executed, Well Received Demo” – by Tom Manche

The basic steps for a successful demo session covering pre-session preparation, in the studio, and pitching.  3-page lesson. Prior to workshop members please view the Web cast dated February 14, 2008.  Song evaluation! 10 lyric sheets, cd/tape/live, NSAI members and out-of-towners priority!

 

JANUARY 2009 Workshop Meeting

Date: Thursday, Jan. 15; 7 pm

La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, 2329 Apalachee Parkway

Assess workshop and individual goals from 2008 and set new goals for 2009. 
Click the "Star" to download directions to La Fiesta --  Download File 

 

     

Song Evaluation by Mail or Email.

NSAI MEMBERS MAY MAIL SONGS OR LYRICS FOR EVALUATION TO THE NSAI SONG EVALUATION SERVICE IN NASHVILLE AS A PART OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP.   ON-LINE SONG EVALUATION IS AVAILABLE FOR FASTER TURN AROUND.

LOG ON TO
www.nashvillesongwriters.com for song evaluation submission instructions and information when sending to the Nashville NSAI office.

JOIN NSAI...AND ATTEND THE SONGWRITER EVENTS IN NASHVILLE...SYMPOSIUM, TINPAN SOUTH, SONG CAMP, AND MANY OTHER EVENTS AT DEEP DISCOUNTS TO NSAI MEMBERS!   YOU CAN LOOK AROUND, BUT YOU WON'T FIND THE VALUE FOR YOUR DOLLAR EQUAL TO THE SERVICES OFFERED BY NSAI.  YOU CAN JOIN ON-LINE AT WWW.NASHVILLESONGWRITERS.COM.

About the Tallahassee NSAI Chapter---

The Tallahassee NSAI workshop is one of over 100 workshops located around the world sponsored by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), based in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Ron is originally from Mobile, Alabama and later Augusta, Georgia where he learned to play guitar.  He was lead singer in a 7-piece rock and roll band, The Tempests, in Augusta.  Ron lived for a few years in Nashville and began seriously writing songs in the 1980's.  Ron continues to write, play guitar and perform at venues such as Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, as well as in and around Tallahassee and North Florida, including the first annual Yellow Fever Music Festival in Port St. Joe, the Sopchoppy "Worm Gruntin' Festival", the monthly White Springs "Songwriter Cracker Cafe", and other venues. 

Ron recently placed in the 2007 Will McLean New Florida Song Contest's Top Ten with his composition, "The Mighty St. John's".  Ron also scored songwriting recognition with "I Can't Write A Lovesong" which placed in the top 10% of the 1975-1977 American Song Festival, and he has had two songs, "Pale Blue Cadillac" and "She Closed Her Eyes In Memphis" regularly played on local country radio.  Ron is co-founder of Greater Big Bend Music, a digital music format providing support for Florida songwriters.

Ron is a second-time member of NSAI and had put writing and performing on the backburner for over 15 years before starting the Tallahassee NSAI Chapter in 1997.

    • Carmen Taylor--2009 to present; email to be provided
Information to be provided.

Dave retired as workshop co-coordinator effective August 31, 2006.  Many thanks to Dave, a talented and published songwriter, for his service as coordinator since 2003.  We are appreciative of the knowledge and support Dave has imparted to the local workshop over these three years.  Please join in wishing Dave all the best in his future musical endeavors.  Best wishes to you, Dave, from the Tallahassee NSAI Workshop!

  • Tallahassee Chapter Established 1997
  • Meetings every month
  • Guest speakers have included

Carla Ulbrich (The Professional Smart Aleck)

Linda Hargrove (Tennessee Whisky)

Marc-Alan Barnette (Rescued Me)

Paul Harbin (Hero at Home)

Robin Branda (Daddy Won't Sell the Farm)

Sir Charles Atkins, Florida State University

Tom Hutchison, Phd.  Middle Tennessee State University Recording Industry Director

Performance opportunities

  • Songwriters showcases
  • Festivals
  • Song circles
  • Living room concerts
  • Open mics

Monthly Meetings

    • Songwriting lessons
    • Song evaluations by peer group-- priority NSAI members
    • Music industry developments
    • Networking opportunities
    • Co-writing opportunities

National/Worldwide  NSAI Membership Benefits

 

Regional Workshops

One-on-one Phone Counseling

Mail-in Song Evaluation--professional songwriters critique

"Lyrics Only" Evaluation

"Ready-to-Pitch" Service

"Best of NSAI" Compilation CD

Free Website Design

Online and Mail-order Bookstore

Online Chats with Pro Writers and Industry Reps

Online Chat Room

NSAI Newswire

NSAI Guide

Bluebird Cafe Auditions

Performing Songwriter Magazine

Insurance Plans

Active Legislative Involvement

 

In-Nashville Membership Benefits

 

Weekly Thursday Night Workshops-EVERY Thursday

  • Guest Speaker Night
  • Critique Night
  • Pitch-to-Publisher Night
  • Pro Teaching Series
  • Christian/Gospel Crituque Night

One-on-One Counseling

NSAI Bookstore

NSAI Office Songwriter Business Resources, writing rooms

Special Events and Symposiums/Tin Pan South/more

Song Camps--will inspire and change your songwriting forever

 

How SERIOUS are you?  Interested in joining?

 

Log onto the NSAI website for membership information and more about NSAI benefits and discounts.  Check out the Regional Workshops section for workshop locations worldwide.  You can even join on-line! 

 

If you are an aspiring songwriter wanting to further your craft, then NSAI is tailor made for you.  You are NSAI's mission.  Check out NSAI at  www.nashvillesongwriters.com.  Do something for your songwriting!  JOIN NSAI TODAY!

 

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