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SGA May Events:
pro critiques, peer critiques and performance nights in Nashville and New York

Thursday, May 7, 7 to 9 p.m.
Tunesmithing On Music Row (Nashville)
Edgehill Studios Café (Open to the Public)

Hit singer-songwriter Barbara Cloyd will headline Tunesmithing on Music Row from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Edgehill Studios Cafe, 1201 Villa Place on Music Row. The event also will feature performances by Donna Frost, Traci Root and Vee Lasher. Admission is free. Tunesmithing on Music Row is sponsored by Whiting Publicity & Promotions and the Nashville office of the Songwriters Guild of America. For more information about Tunesmithing on Music Row, call (615) 242-9857 or (615) 742-9945, or write Arts@WhitingPublicity.com or Nash@SongwritersGuild.com.

Monday, May 11
Come join us at our very first OPEN MIC NIGHT of the year (New York)
At Kenny’s Castaways! (one drink minimum, no cover charge)

The Songwriters Guild of America is proud to announce our new performance home….the legendary Kenny’s Castaways in the heart of Greenwich Village! Home to the New York Dolls, Patti Smith, and the place where Bruce Springsteen played his very first NY gig, Kenny’s is now boasting a new sound system, great food and drinks, as well as a superb staff. The Songwriters Guild will host our brand new Songwriters Open Mic Night on Monday, May 11. We’ll have a sign-up sheet ready at 7 p.m., and the show will run from approximately 8 to 10 p.m. Songwriters Guild members: come early to make sure you get a spot on the sign-up sheet. Depending on how many people sign up, you will be able to perform one or two songs if you make the list.

This is a great way to be heard for future SGA performance nights, where we will be highlighting some of the great talent we have. There is a one-drink minimum at Kenny’s, but Kenny’s has graciously allowed us to do this show with no cover charge. So please come to play or watch, eat and drink, bring your friends, and enjoy! Kenny’s Castaways is located at 157 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village in New York City.

Monday, June 1, 6 to 8 p.m.
PeerCritique (Nashville)
Nashville SGA Office
SGA Members-Free and Non-members $10
Reservations Required
Special guest Lorna Flowers

Unlike our ProCritique sessions, where members generally bring in their songs completed and mixed to be played and critiqued by publishers and other industry professionals, our PeerCritique gives the writer a chance to bring in unfinished material, in rough form, to get evaluations by other songwriters before they spend a lot of time and money to produce their demos. Often, after someone has spent their resources completing a demo of a song they’ve written, they are naturally not as open to making changes in their songs, which can be costly and time-consuming. In an unfinished state, members can get opinions from other members on what might be done to improve a song lyrically, musically, production-wise, etc., before they’ve committed it to final mastering.

On June 1, songwriter Lorna Flowers will be joining us to also offer her feedback on songs, too! Lorna has had success with cuts in Europe, runs her own production company, and writes with a lot of other big Nashville songwriters and is securing cuts! Lorna will be able to bring a professional and advanced perspective to this evening’s peer session! Thanks, Lorna!

There are only 10 slots available, so songwriters wishing to participate must call our Nashville office as soon as possible at 615-742-9945 or email Kimberly at nash@songwritersguild.com to reserve a spot for the event. Bring one song, your CD or instrument, and 10 typed lyric sheets. The PeerCritique will be held at our Nashville office, at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 321. Current SGA members may attend for free. For the PeerCritique on June 1, non-members may participate for a fee of $10. Reservations required.

Monday, June 8, 5:30 p.m.
ProCritique Session (Nashville)
Nashville SGA Office (SGA Members Only)

Join us for our next ProCritique session Monday, June 8 at 5:30 p.m. Pro guest to be announced!

The ProCritique is open to current SGA members only. Reservations are required. Call 615-742-9945. Limited space is available. Reservations begin on May 26. The critique session will be held at the Nashville SGA office, located on the third floor of Cummins Station in suite 321.

Members not attending in person may submit a song to the Nashville SGA office no later than noon on the day of the session. Reservations are still required!

The submission must include:
· A single song on a CD
· A typed lyric sheet
· Workshop release form (if one hasn’t already been submitted for 2009)
· Name, phone number, email address and MEMBER NUMBER must be included on both the CD and the lyric sheet (please note that the member number is a new requirement)
· Write “June ProCritque” on the outside of the envelope so it is filed correctly

Critique evaluations will only be returned via email. CDs will NOT be returned or saved. Submitted songs will not be critiqued if a workshop release form is not on file and submission instructions are not followed.

Mail your song submission to: SGA, Attn: Kimberly Maiers Shaw, 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 321, Nashville, TN 37203. Email nash@songwritersguild.com for a release form or if you have any additional questions.

Tuesday, June 9, 6 to 8 p.m.
Peer Critique (New York)
Free to SGA members (reservation required)

Unlike our ProCritique, where members generally bring in their songs completed and mixed to be played and critique’d by publishers and other industry professionals, our PeerCritique gives the writer a chance to bring in unfinished material, in rough form, to get evaluations by other Guild members before they spend a lot of time and money to produce their demos. Often, after someone has spent their resources completing a demo of a song they’ve written, they are naturally not as open to making changes in their songs, which can be costly and time-consuming. In an unfinished state, members can get opinions from other members on what might be done to improve a song lyrically, musically, production-wise, etc., before they’ve committed it to final mastering.

There are only 12 slots available for each meeting, so songwriters wishing to attend must call our NY office ASAP at (212) 768-7902 to reserve a spot for the event. Please call between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m to reserve your spot. Bring one song, on CD, and 14 typed lyric sheets. The PeerCritique will be held at our NY office, at 1560 Broadway, Suite 408 (entrance on 46th Street). The PeerCritique is open to current SGA members only.

Wednesday, June 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
SGA Bluebird Showcase (Nashville)
Bluebird Café, Nashville (Open to the Public)

The Songwriters Guild will sponsor a fabulous showcase at the famed Bluebird Café, 4104 Hillsboro Pike, on Wednesday, April 17 at 6 p.m. Special guests to be announced soon! Watch for updates at www.myspace.com/thesga.

Reservations begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, June 10. To reserve your seat, please go to www.bluebirdcafe.com. There is a minimum $7 drink/meal fee for the early show and $1.50 reservation fee (per person) if you make a reservation. First come-first-served seating is available at the bar and on the back benches.

July 16-17 (Thursday-Friday)
Publicizing Your Dream:
The Nuts & Bolts of Writing, Editing and Media Exposure
A Workshop Led by Publicist & Educator Chuck Whiting
Hosted by the Songwriters Guild of America Foundation
SGA Nashville office

The “big stars” and “large companies” know the value of good publicity, so why shouldn’t you? In today’s highly competitive artistic and business environments, news media exposure has become more important than ever. Are you ready to land the big story? Can you write a press release in Associated Press style? Do you know what the editors and producers are looking for? Are you prepared to pitch your one-of-a-kind story to newspapers and magazines? Are you ready for Oprah?

If you answered “no” to one or more of the above questions, then you should consider taking the two-day workshop, Publicizing Your Dream: The Nuts & Bolts of Writing, Editing and Media Exposure. Award-winning Nashville, Tenn., publicist and educator Chuck Whiting will show you how to land news coverage for your career, business or organization. You’ll learn how to write and edit a press release in Associated Press style, make an effective pitch to the news media, and prepare for that all-important interview. You’ll also receive invaluable tips on PR etiquette, developing news media mailing lists, finding the perfect hook, assembling a press kit, and meeting media deadlines.

Publicity isn’t easy... it takes skill, creativity and determination. The more you know, the better chance you’ll have to land the news coverage you deserve. And, you’ll save time and money in the process.

SESSION ONE: PUBLICITY BASICS
9 a.m.-noon Thursday, July 16
* Introduction (What is Publicity?)
* Publicity Components
* The Tools of the Trade
* Who’s Who in the News Media
* Developing Mailing Lists

SESSION TWO: HANDS-ON TRAINING
1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16
* Developing Your Hook
* Writing & Editing a Press Release
* Pitching a Press Release
* Preparing for an Interview

SESSION THREE: Q&A AND CLASS CRITIQUES
9 a.m.-noon Friday, July 17

Reserve Your Seat!
Seating for the Publicizing Your Dream workshop is limited. Tuition is $45 for the first session, $75 for the first two sessions, and $95 for all three sessions ($30 deposit required to register). A 5% discount is available to SGA Gold members and a 10% discount available to SGA Platinum/Diamond members. Tuition increases $5 per session after July 1.

To reserve your seat call (615) 742-9945. A $30 deposit is required to secure your reservation. The balance will be due the day of the class. You may pay by cash, check or credit card. Send checks to: Songwriters Guild of America Foundation, 209 Tenth Ave. South, Suite 321, Nashville, TN 37203.

For other inquiries, you may also email Kimberly at nash@SongwritersGuild.com or Chuck Whiting at Arts@WhitingPublicity.com.

About the Workshop Leader
Chuck Whiting is an award-winning publicist, educator, songwriter and author. A former newspaper reporter, he founded Whiting Publicity & Promotions in 1993. His customers include songwriters, musicians, authors, visual artists, speakers, art galleries, hotels, organizations and businesses of all kinds.

Also an educator, Chuck serves as an adjunct professor for Middle Tennessee State University. Chuck began his career as a newspaper reporter for The Birmingham (Ala.) News and The Mobile (Ala.) Press Register. After that, he served as the employee newsletter editor for the 11,000-employee Alabama Power Co. He handled public relations for the 3,000-room Opryland Hotel for seven years. His PR firm, Whiting Publicity & Promotions, is celebrating its 16th year in Nashville.

He partners with the Songwriters Guild of America on Tunesmithing on Music Row, an event he created in 2003 to help foster the careers of emerging songwriters. He also stages Arts on the Row, an event that spotlights artists of all kinds. His publishing arm, Shine Time Books, recently released the book, Wordabulous!, by singer-songwriter-author Debbie Watts. He publishes an arts e-newsletter called Music City Arts Update. Chuck also is the author and co-songwriter of The Littlest Star, a book and music CD featuring performances by Margo Smith, Denny Jiosa and Conni Ellisor.

He has received awards from the Public Relations Society of America, the International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Sigma Delta Chi, and the Songwriters Guild of America.

Friday, July 24, 2009
Pitch Screening Entry Deadline to the Nashville office
Friday, July 24, 2009
(SGA Members Only)
A Mail-in Event

A pitch screen means that an industry professional will listen to your song and determine whether or not the song is “pitch-ready.” "Pitch-ready" songwriters will be granted access to our online tip sheets for two months, providing “tips” about who is looking for songs and where to pitch your material directly to artists, labels, etc. Members who pass three screenings will have permanent access to our pitch page! This is NOT a song critique, so the expectation is that demos sound polished and professional—NO ROUGH-SOUNDING DEMOS.

Reservation required! See below for details. Pitch Screen submissions must be received by Friday, July 24. Please note you will NOT receive notification on the deadline date. You will receive notification by email within ONE week (July 31st) of the deadline date as to whether or not your song has passed.

Instructions and Information:
· Call 615-742-9945 to secure a reservation.
· Send ONE song only on CD to the SGA Nashville office by the deadline (209 10th Ave. South, Suite 321, Nashville, TN 37203)
· Write “July Pitch Screen” on the envelope.
· Include a typed lyric sheet and a workshop release form with your CD. Make sure to include all of your contact information, including your e-mail address on both your lyric sheet and your CD.
· Participants will be notified within one week (by July31st) whether song passed or failed
· Online access to the pitch page (password) will be sent from webmaster
· CDs will not be returned or saved for future events.
· Email nash@songwritersguild.com with questions or to request a workshop release form (if one has not been submitted in 2009).
· You must be a current SGA member to participate.
· Failure to follow the above instructions may disqualify your submission from being accepted for the pitch screening session. Please follow instructions carefully.

Tuesday, July 28 (Entry Deadline is July 21 )
Pitch Screen (New York)
Free to SGA members
A Mail-in Event

The first 25 song entries received by the NY office by July 21 will get a chance to have their song heard by an industry executive. A pitch screen means that an industry executive will listen to your song and determine whether or not they feel that the song is “pitch-ready”. "Pitch-ready" songwriters will be granted access to our online pitch page to pitch your material directly to artists, labels, etc. If you pass three screenings, you will have permanent access to our pitch page! You must be a current Songwriters Guild member to participate. We strongly recommend that you send your entry in without delay, to avoid disappointment.

Send ONE song only, on CD, to the NY Office (Songwriters Guild of America 1560 Broadway, Suite 408, NY, NY, 10036). Besides the CD, include a typed lyric sheet, and indicate on the envelope that the song is for the April pitch screen. Make sure to include all of your contact information, including your e-mail address on both your lyric sheet and your CD in order to be notified of the results. CD’s will not be returned.

Tuesdays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29 from 6 to 8 PM.
Workshop:
Songwriting...From Page to Stage (New York)
A 4 week course (8 hours total)
taught by Tommy Faragher with Mark Saxon.

Gold members and NSAI members $170, Platinum $150 ,
Diamond $130, Non-Members $230
Reservation and $50 Deposit Required.

Take your song ideas from the lyric page to the performance stage in this 4 week (2 hours per session) intensive workshop. Songwriters bring their best song ideas to the workshop and with the technical/creative direction of veteran music industry professional Tommy Faragher, develop these seeds into performance-ready songs culminating in a live songwriters showcase at a local NYC venue.

This workshop will focus on creating and completing your song ideas to their fullest hit potential with the guidance of music industry professionals. By the end of the workshop you will learn to prepare your song for a live presentation, where you will have the opportunity to work with your peers and professional musicians and singers on a stage.

Grammy-nominated Tommy Faragher (of the Faragher Bros.) is an artist, engineer and producer, and has written, played on and/or produced songs and albums for Peter Criss (Kiss), Dusty Springfield, The Pointer Sisters, Taylor Dayne, the O'Jays, Al Green, Melissa Manchester and a host of others. Lately, he has been in Los Angeles, working on music for major TV projects. He has also been working on album projects with several Songwriters Guild members.

Mark Saxon has produced, engineered, done A&R or project consulted for Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton, Juice Newton, Melanie, Charles Mingus, Shania Twain, Catholic Girls, Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and others. He has played with or written with hit writers Jack Keller, Toni Wine and Bob Feldman, and is currently the East Coast Project Manager for the Songwriters Guild of America.

Don't miss this opportunity to realize the potential of your songs and work with top industry professionals in an intimate, very limited seating class, which will be invaluable to anyone seriously interested in getting to the next step in your career. The class will take place on Tuesdays, September 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the NY Office. 1560 Broadway, Suite 408. To register, call or E-mail East Coast Project Manager Mark Saxon (212) 768 7902 or NY@Songwritersguild.com. Seating is limited to allow everyone attending a hands-on experience. Call or e-mail now to register.

Deposit….$50.00 prior to start of workshop. This deposit is your reservation for the class. Enrollment will be dependent on a first come, first served deposit received by the NY office.

With their expert knowledge and guidance, Tommy Faragher and Mark Saxon will help bring your song ideas to fruition in this four week course, spending the first part of the workshop on the development and nurturing of your song idea. Throughout the workshop we will be refining and polishing your song to bring it to its ultimate potential. The last part of the workshop will be learning to prepare for a live presentation of your material.

After final preparation, a live showcase night at a local club will take place, where we will all have a chance to hear the results of our hard work. Your peers or other musicians may accompany you as you perform your own song. If singing isn't your forte, we will provide a vocalist to perform your song.

Every songwriter needs to get to this point, and through this workshop we cut to the chase.

All in all, this is an action-packed workshop that should not be missed! Registration has already

Each Wednesday, 6 to 8 p.m.
ProShop (New York)

Songwriter Ann Ruckert presents her ProShop at the New York SGA office. At every session, twenty of the area's most talented up-and-coming songwriters play one track, each, for distinguished industry professionals from all walks of the music industry. Over 60 Pro Shop participants have signed recording and/or publishing deals within the last three years. Attendees must earn space in this class based on songwriting skills. To be authorized, e-mail ruckmusic@aol.com

Last Monday of every month, 7 p.m. (open to the public)
Songwriters Circle (New York)

Ann Ruckert, in conjunction with the Songwriters Guild of America, the Johnny Mercer Fund Songwriter Circle and 13 Stories Records, Inc., presents a fabulous FREE songwriters circle, attended by industry professionals, on the last Monday of every month. Listen to top quality songwriters and artists perform their original material in a great atmosphere. Event begins at 7 p.m. at the Red Lion, in the heart of Greenwich Village (151 Bleecker Street, NYC). For further information, e-mail ruckmusic@aol.com.