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SGA March Events:
ASCAP Expo in LA; pro critiques, peer critiques and performance nights in Nashville and New York

Thursday, March 5, 7 to 9 p.m.
Tunesmithing On Music Row (Nashville)
Edgehill Studios Café (Open to the Public)

Jazz guitarist/composer Denny Jiosa, an artist who has received four Grammy nominations for his work as a producer and engineer, will headline Tunesmithing on Music Row. Show starts at 7-9 p.m. at the Edgehill Studios Cafe, 1201 Villa Place on Music Row.

The evening is dedicated to radio station WMOT Jazz 89, and features performances by Michael Elley, Lindsay George and Tom Shinness & Jasmine. 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 kshaw@songwritersguild.com.

If you are interested in being considered for a future Tunesmithing performance, please email either Kimberly Maiers Shaw at kshaw@songwritersguild.com or Chuck Whiting at chucwhit@usit.net or call (615) 742-9945 for details.

Monday, March 9, 5:30 p.m.
Pro Critique Session
Nashville SGA Office (SGA Members Only)

Join us for our next Pro critique session Monday, March 9 at 5:30 p.m. with hit songwriter Kirsti Manna.

Kirsti Manna's five-week Billboard #1 smash hit, "Austin" introduced Blake Shelton to country radio. She is a professional speaker, writer, producer, singer-songwriter and pianist as well as a multifaceted entertainer. She is also an actress with numerous credits that include creating and starring in her own national children's TV show, "Kirsti's Manor" that was viewed by 34 million children.

The Pro critique is open to current SGA members only. Reservations are required. Call 615-742-9945 on Feb. 23 to make your reservation. 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 CD
· A typed lyric sheet
· Include a copy of the 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 “Pro Critique” with the event date 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, Attention: Kimberly Maiers Shaw, 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 321, Nashville, TN 37203.

Monday, March 30, 6 to 8 p.m.
Peer Critique (Nashville)
Free to SGA members (reservation required)

Unlike our Pro critique sessions, where members generally bring in their songs completed and mixed to be played and critiqued by publishers and other industry professionals, our Peer Critique 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.

There are only 12 slots available in our Peer Critique, so songwriters wishing to attend must call our Nashville office to register at 615-742-9945. You may also e-mail our Central Project Manager Kimberly Shaw at kshaw@songwritersguild.com to reserve a spot for the event. Bring one song, your CD or instrument, and 14 typed lyric sheets. If time allows, a second song may be possible. The Peer critique will be held at our Nashville office, at 209 10th Avenue South, Suite 321. Current SGA members may attend for free. For the Peer critique on March 30, non-members may participate for a fee of $10. Reservations still required.

Tuesday, March 31, 6 to 8 p.m.
Peer Critique (New York)
Free to SGA members (reservation required)

Unlike our Pro critique, where members generally bring in their songs completed and mixed to be played and critiqued by publishers and other industry professionals, our Peer Critique 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 New York office to register at (212) 768-7902. Please call between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to reserve your spot. Bring one song, one CD, and 14 typed lyric sheets. The Peer critique will be held at our New York office, at 1560 Broadway, Suite 408 (entrance on 46th Street). The Peer Critique in New York is open to current SGA members only.

The Songwriters Guild will sponsor a songwriter and artist showcase at the famed Bluebird Café on Wednesday, April 15 at 6 p.m. Get your taxes done early so you can join us! We always feature great talent and writers!

Check back for guests to be announced. For reservations, 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.

Tuesday, April 21 (Entry Deadline is April 14)
Pitch Screen (New York)
Free to SGA members (a mail-in event)

SGA members will get the chance to have an industry executive screen their song and determine whether it is pitch-worth in our East Coast Pitch Screen. Writers whose songs are found "pitch-worthy" will be given two months of access to our pitch catalog which lists those in the music industry who are seeking music for publishing deals, now. Those who have three songs found pitch-worthy, over time, will receive permanent access to the pitch catalog.

The first 25 song entries received by April 14 will be included in this month's Pitch Screen. You must be a current Songwriters Guild member to participate and we strongly recommend that you send your entry without delay, to avoid disappointment.

Send ONE song only, on CD, to the New York 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. CDs will not be returned.

Friday, April 24, 2009
Pitch Screen (Nashville)
SGA Members Only (a mail-in event)

SGA members will get the chance to have an industry executive screen their song and determine whether it is pitch-worth in our Central Region Pitch Screen. Writers whose songs are found "pitch-worthy" will be given two months of access to our pitch catalog which lists those in the music industry who are seeking music for publishing deals, now. Those who have three songs found pitch-worthy, over time, will receive permanent access to the pitch catalog.

Only 25 song entries will be evaluated and screened. Pitch Screen submissions must be received by Friday, April 24 and pre-registration is required. Call 615-742-9945 to secure a reservation. You must be a current SGA member to participate.

This is NOT a song critique, so the expectation is that demos sound polished and professional—NO ROUGH DEMOS ALLOWED.

· Send ONE song only on CD to the SGA Nashville office by April 24
· Write “Pitch Screen” on the envelope
· Include a typed lyric sheet 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 two weeks of the event whether their song passed or failed
· Online access to the pitch page (password) will be sent from our Webmaster
· CDs will not be returned or saved for future events
· Download our Workshop Release Form here and include it with your submission.
· Failure to follow the above instructions may disqualify your submission from being accepted for the pitch screening session. Please follow instructions carefully.

April 23 through 25
ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO (Los Angeles)

Get Connected! The 2009 ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO is set for April 23 to 25 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Get more information on the event, here.

Tuesday, April 28, 6 to 8 p.m.
Workshop: Your Best Voice: Learning to sing your songs with your songwriting voice (New York)
Free to current SGA members (reservation required)

Whether you’re a songwriter or singer/songwriter, the ability to perform your songs- in your own unique voice- is a tremendous asset. No one can share the soul of your music the way you can… and that can make all the difference in the world when a demo singer or recording artist doesn’t quite ‘get it’, or an A&R guy wants to hear, live, what new songs you’ve got in the pipeline. Bring your guitar, bravery and an open mind, and get ready to learn how to liberate your voice and discover your sound, as well as how dramatically these shifts will improve your songwriting.

Jennifer Hamady, voice teacher, singer and writer, has had the privilege of coaching, singing and touring with Grammy, CMA and Emmy-award winners including Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Lee Ann Womack, Jessica Simpson, Smokey Robinson, Kid Rock, Christina Aguilera and Def Leppard, among others. Most recently, Jennifer was the lead singer in Cirque du Soleil’s DELIRIUM, performing for over 1 million people in 16 countries in 2007.

The first 12 current SGA members to call or e-mail for reservations will be accepted into the class. Serious singer-songwriters only, please. The workshop will be given at the Guild's New York office, 1560 Broadway (entrance on 46th Street), suite 408. Class begins promptly at 6 p.m.

To register, call (212) 768 -7902 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or e-mail East Coast Project Manager Mark Saxon at msaxon@songwritersguild.com. Be sure to include all of your information in order to be confirmed, or to receive notice that the class is full. We will need your name (the name you used for your Guild membership), daytime telephone number, and e-mail address. If you have been accepted into the class, you will receive a confirmation.

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 the new performance home for East Coast performance nights… the legendary Kenny’s Castaways in the heart of Greenwich Village. The venue is home to the New York Dolls, Patti Smith and is the place where Bruce Springsteen played his very first New York gig, Kennys 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 11th. 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 should come early to make sure to 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, bring your friends, and enjoy. Kenny’s Castaways is located at 157 Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village in New York City.

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