Industry Roundup: ASCAP, NSAI, Songwriters Hall Of Fame

ASCAP’s Nashville office was recently elevated to a regional office to reflect the burgeoning music scene in Music City. Tim DuBois, a jack-of-all-trades known for his Grammy award winning work as a producer, five No. 1 singles as a songwriter, and two turns as record label president at Arista Nashville and Universal South Records, was tapped to lead the Nashville office as vice president and managing executive. Connie Bradley, senior vice president of Nashville, will continue her 34-year relationship with the company in her new role as senior advisor.

As part of Tin Pan South 2010, NSAI will again host its longest-running event, Spring Training. The two-day event, held April 1 and 2 at the Millenium Maxwell House, is an intensive seminar designed to help up and coming songwriters connect with co-writers, pitch songs to prominent publishing companies and solicit advice from successful songwriters in the industry.

This year’s panel of songwriters includes Brett James (“Jesus Take the Wheel”, “Cowboy Casanova”- Carrie Underwood), Jessi Alexander (“The Climb”-Miley Cyrus), Dave Berg (“Moments”-Emerson Drive), “Stupid Boy”-Keith Urban), Tia Sellers (“I Hope You Dance”-Lee Ann Womack), and Jonathan Cain of Journey (“Open Arms”, “Faithfully”- Journey). Attendees of Spring Training will also receive discounts on Fast Access Passes and pre-sale codes for the entire week of Tin Pan South performances. For more information on Tin Pan South and Spring Training, visit www.tinpansouth.com

The Songwriters Hall of Fame is offering two 8-week writer workshops as well a one-day intensive on March 13 to strengthen aspiring songwriters’ skill sets, while also introducing them to industry professionals in publishing, music licensing and A&R.

SongHall Workshop A will be led by songwriter Peter Bliss (Barbara Streisand, N*Sync, Jennifer Love Hewitt) and will run every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm from February 10 through March 31. An additional Spring Session will be offered for those who cannot make the aforementioned dates. The Spring Session will run every Wednesday at 6:30pm April 28 through June 16.

Additionally, on March 13 a one day intensive titled The Hit Factory: Making You Music Make Money will be offered. The intensive will be led by Eric Beall, author of Making Music Make Money (An Insider’s Guide To Becoming Your Own Music Publisher) and The Billboard Guide To Writing and Producing Songs That Sell. This intensive will focus on the business side of the music industry, touching on questions such as ‘What makes a song a hit?’ and ‘How do I market my music?’ Participants are encouraged to bring their original songs for the interactive portion of the day when they split into groups to listen and critique one another.

Songwriters interested in either Workshop A or the Spring Sessions may enter two original songs (may be co-written) for judging and if selected may attend the workshop. Songwriters interested in the one day intensive The Hit Factory must be Songwriter Hall of Fame members, but not contest is needed for entry. For information on the events as well as applications for entry, applications for Songwriter Hall of Fame membership, and guidelines please click here.