The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is a non-profit trade association for songwriters. This organization is the “watchdog” for songwriters, in every genre of music. Their mission statement is clear in its purpose to support the amateur and professional songwriters by offering classes, events and as a cohesive force within the music industry and in the local community as well.
The first purpose of NSAI is to protect the rights of the songwriting industry including how artists are paid and taxed (NSAI 2011). Their second purpose is to teach songwriting craft, instruction and leadership during the songwriting procedure. The best part of this organization: They listen to your songs!
With a paid membership of $150/year, you get 12 song evaluations, 2 sessions with a professional songwriter, and workshops as well as access to their archives of recorded classes. You do not have to live in Nashville to take advantage of this organization; they cover the United States and 6 countries. Online services put them squarely in your home or office with access to regional workshops, online classes, a song evaluation service and even discussions.
What I find so amazing about this group, it is a great place to network with other songwriters. Sometimes, you need another set of eyes to get past a writer’s block or just the creative juice to flesh out a song hook.
NSAI does not negotiate the sale of songs but they can introduce you to publishers to discuss contracts by networking, programs and events. Their website pointed out that publishers are focused on finding songs that can create revenue. Most songs will not do that unless it has been recorded by a major artist and has been heard on the radio.
The process for getting a song published has many steps. Publishers cannot accept songs that have not been requested or from writers they do not know because of legal problems. Each publishing company has their own stable of writers and they typically only solicit material from known sources or copyright organizations such as ASCAP/BMI/SESAC.
I had the opportunity to tour BMI and SESAC several years ago and was impressed with their passion for songwriters and their devotion to legal issues surrounding their craft. Because of this, they are able to pitch their member’s songs to major publishers and A&R people from major labels on a quarterly basis.
The most exciting part to a songwriter of NSAI is The Bluebird Café. It acquired the venue in 2008 and seems to be a perfect marriage of a songwriting organization and a “listening room”. When I was in Nashville, the man that wrote “The Grundy County Auction” was performing with 3 other writers. My youngest son had performed that song many times, it was a great opportunity to meet and talk with the songwriter. This venue features 3 or 4 songwriters taking turns performing their original material while singing backup and playing for the others.
NSAI also sponsor a festival called “Tin Pan South”. This is an annual event in Nashville featuring a week of writer’s rounds in virtually every café, bar or listening room. It is an amazing opportunity to hear writers and artists perform their songs acoustically and “up close and personal”. My family and I had the opportunity to see Jeffery Steele, at Douglas Corner, who wrote/co-wrote several songs for Rascal Flatts and other major artists. He is a dynamic, very charismatic singer-songwriter who is an amazing performer.
I highly recommend every songwriter interested in improving their craft and wanting to expand their network and contacts get involved with NSAI. Songwriters are the basis from which the music industry operates. Without them, there are no songs…
References:
Jeffrey Steele. (n.d.). Jeffrey Steele. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from http://www.jeffreysteele.com
NSAI - It All Begins With A Song. (n.d.). NSAI - It All Begins With A Song. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com
The Bluebird Cafe | Nashville, TN. (n.d.). The Bluebird Cafe | Nashville, TN. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from http://www.bluebirdcafe.com
Tin Pan South. (n.d.). Tin Pan South. Retrieved September 15, 2011, from http://www.tinpansouth.com
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