Hey all,

Songsalive is active again in Nashville after a hiatus. 

What this means to you... 

Amazing workshops - showcases and other such awesome stuff all focused to provide the best of the best to the Songsalive member community here in Nashville TN and around the world, because we are around the world!

I'm Deborah Bishop Nashville Co-ordinator and I require help in making this happen.  Community is all about exactly that, us getting together and making things happen, so who would like to join with me in creating a strong, vibrant and happening Songsalive Chapter here in Music City.

What makes us different?  Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that we are all genre friendly.  Yes, I know, Nashville is home to country music and lots of country writers, artists and other such amazing talents, and this is great, we are here for you.  AND... there is also a lot of other types of music happening here, creativity galore and we know that everyone deserves to be represented and supported and we are here for you TOO.  If you are a Jazz artists, a Rap Artist, or the newest genre we have found to be up and coming, Word Rock...  If you are Pop, Eclectic, New Age, etc. and even if you don't know exactly who you are yet.. we are here to you!

Check us out http://www.songsalive.org/nashville.  Take a cruise on our website and see what delights you.

Contact me and let me know if you are up for some amazing creative fun, fabulous support and opportunities and all that sort of great stuff.

In peace and harmony,

Deborah Bishop

A voice on a mission!

Lisa Dotolo was born and raised in Westerly, Rhode Island and is a graduate of Providence College. She has since moved to Nashville, TN from Rochester, N.Y. to pursue her singing career and gift of music. Lisa is working to have an international music career and to share her talent with the world.

Lisa started her singing career at the age of 3 in the church with her mother Sandra, cantoring the Catholic mass as well as singing in the local church folk group. Lisa also started to write songs as a young girl and continues to write many different styles of music.

As a young girl, she acted in several community theatre productions in upstate New York as well as school musicals and dramas both in high school and college. Her love for the stage and acting is as passionate as her love for live musical performance. She hopes to one day pursue her love for the theatre, on Broadway and produce as well as act in a musical she has already begun to write and record.

Currently, Lisa performs in coffee shops both in Nashville and in the northeast as well as area festivals and nursing homes and churches.

Straight-shooting, smart-sexy, and occasionally funny as hell, Lee Quick dishes out Americana, alt. country, new folk, and whatever else she likes.  The ex-New Orleans singer-songwriter-guitarist delivers insightful and well-crafted songs with wit and warmth, and with attitude ranging from wry to wrathful to sentimental. A lifelong musician, Lee is an experienced and compelling performer, able to deliver intensity and nuance in her live shows, and as comfortable on a festival stage as in a living room.

Her original songs show eclectic influences, including the Beatles, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, and Lucinda Williams. Her first album, "Do You Think?", recorded in a shotgun house (now deceased) in the Lower Ninth Ward, was released in February 2004 and is available at Louisiana Music Factory (New Orleans) and online at iTunes and CDbaby.com.

"An intelligent blend of folk, blues, bluegrass and country with occasional flashes of lyrical insight...sassy...heartfelt" 
-- Americana-UK.com

WHAT: Nashville Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop
WHEN: Third Saturday of every month
NEXT: Saturday May 19
WHERE: Caffeine Cafe, 1516 Demonbreun St, Nashville
TIME: 5 to 7 pm
COST: $5 for non-members, free to Songsalive! members. You can join Songsalive! at http://www.songsalive.org
HOSTS: Lee Quick & Deborah Bishop

GUEST SPEAKER - Dave Isaacs (http://daveisaacs.com)

TOPIC: "Guitar Workshop: Think like a rhythm section" -- Whether we want our song to swing, groove, rock, or drive, rhythm is essential to delivering the message. A good studio rhythm section has a wide vocabulary of ways to bring a song to life, and we'll explore how a single guitarist can too.

Dave Isaacs is a busy freelance guitarist and singer-songwriter with twenty years of performing and teaching experience and countless road miles under his belt. A 1993 honors graduate of the Manhattan School of Music in New York with a masters degree in guitar performance, he has resided in Nashville since 2005.

LINK: http://www.songsalive.org/nashville


Come to regular Songsalive! workshops and develop collaborations, meet industry guests, showcase and workshop your music for feedback in a professional and supportive environment. Songsalive! holds workshops where songwriters gather to share their songs, gain feedback and develop relationships within the songwriting communities we have created around the world. The first half is dedicated to an in-the-round workshop where writers present one song each - either on tape, CD or live - followed by a guest speaker/industry discussion in the second half and plenty of time to talk and network. Our workshops often feature guest speakers representing all facets of the industry from A&R, publishers, successful producers, CD production and distribution execs and, of course, writers and composer who share their ideas, tips & techniques on all aspects of the songwriting craft. The workshops are open to all songwriters and music composers of all levels and music genres and you don't have to be a Songsalive! member to attend. It is usually best to register your attendance in advance.

REGISTER: Email nashville@songsalive.org with 'Nashville Chapter Songsalive! Workshop' in subject header. You will be automatically registered to attend unless contacted. (We prefer pre-registrations but you don't have to register to attend)

CONTACT: Lee Quick, Workshop Coordinator - nashville@songsalive.org

RULES & WHAT TO BRING: 1 song either on tape, CD or live (bring own guitar or keyboard) and 15 copies of your typed lyric sheet with contact details clearly displayed.

SET UP AND CRITIQUE RULES at http://www.songsalive.org/workshoprules

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS EVERY MONTH hand picked from publishers to record company A&R, well-known songwriters, authors, artists and music industry reps.

SPEAKERS: Most months we have guest speakers. Check out who has spoken and who will speak at our workshops at http://www.songsalive.org/speakers

UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKERS:

May 19 - Dave Isaacs (http://daveisaacs.com)
June 16 - Andrea Standley (http://songsinc.com)


OUT OF TOWN CRITIQUES: Can't get to one of our workshops? Why not upload your mp3 for a Songsalive! Song Critique - go http://www.songsalive.org/programs for details.

MORE INFO on the event, upcoming events, joining Songsalive! and workshop info at http://www.songsalive.org/nashville

SONGSALIVE! is a non-profit organization dedicated to the nurturing, support and promotion of songwriters and composers worldwide. Founded in 1997, Songsalive! is run by songwriters for songwriters and now has over 18 chapter cities around the world. It acts as an epicentre, a heart of the international songwriting community and music markets, bridging the gaps, tapping songwriters into the pulse of the business and at the same time giving them and their music the support they deserve. Through Songsalive!, songs and songwriters can be accessed by the whole world and when the hunt is on, Songsalive! is a one-stop song shop! Songsalive! gives life to songs, provides opportunities for collaboration, creates awareness about original music, promotes and educates through an amazing network of programs designed especially for songwriters and original music: live events and showcases; songwriter critique workshops, songleads and industry pitches; cd samplers; education seminars and Expos; artist development; studio production; informational source and networking.

For Songsalive! information, media and membership inquiries - call head office at 310-238-0359 or Email Us: usa@songsalive.org

Be reminded of this event: Join Songsalive! Enotes for free, and get Songsalive! event news and other opportunities in your email inbox http://www.songsalive.org/enotes

http://www.songsalive.org
http://www.songsalive.org/nashville

Songsalive! Featured Artist for April:

Rocky Dimmick is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and arranger,
originally from Washington, D.C. who has lived in Nashville for going on
ten years. He has played all of the singer-songwriter venues around
town and has led several Nashville club bands including "The Groove Child
Symphony Orchestra", "Rocky and The Cool Blue Shades" and "The
Rocketers". He has a CD which is his initial release on Cubbyhole Records. Rocky is
currently involved in producing his next release tentatively titled,
"The Key to the Dream box ..... or Something Like It".

WHAT: Nashville Songsalive! Songwriters Workshop
WHEN: Third Saturday of every month
NEXT: Saturday April 21
WHERE: Caffeine Cafe, 1516 Demonbreun St, Nashville
TIME: 5 to 7 pm
COST: $5 for non-members, free to Songsalive! members. You can join Songsalive! at http://www.songsalive.org
HOSTS: Lee Quick & Deborah Bishop

GUEST SPEAKER - Barbara Cloyd (http://barbaracloyd.com)

TOPIC: "Writing For The Row" -- Participants will create a list of some of their favorite hit songs and examine them, using a series of exercises to bring out some of the main qualities a song needs in order to get cut on Music Row.

BIO: Over years of performing and hosting writers nights in Nashville, Barbara Cloyd's energetic personality and genuine love for songwriters has endeared her to the community. She has served as a workshop moderator for the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) and was the creator and host of the long-running Country Song Contest at Gibson Cafe which helped many writers make connections in the music industry. She has hosted popular writers nights at local venues such as Radio Cafe, The French Quarter and The Broken Spoke. Currently she books all the early shows at the Bluebird Cafe, writes a question/answer column for thestagehand.com, is a board member for the Frank Brown International Songwriters' Festival, and a mentor for Just Plain Folks.

LINK: http://www.songsalive.org/nashville


Come to regular Songsalive! workshops and develop collaborations, meet industry guests, showcase and workshop your music for feedback in a professional and supportive environment. Songsalive! holds workshops where songwriters gather to share their songs, gain feedback and develop relationships within the songwriting communities we have created around the world. The first half is dedicated to an in-the-round workshop where writers present one song each - either on tape, CD or live - followed by a guest speaker/industry discussion in the second half and plenty of time to talk and network. Our workshops often feature guest speakers representing all facets of the industry from A&R, publishers, successful producers, CD production and distribution execs and, of course, writers and composer who share their ideas, tips & techniques on all aspects of the songwriting craft. The workshops are open to all songwriters and music composers of all levels and music genres and you don't have to be a Songsalive! member to attend. It is usually best to register your attendance in advance.

REGISTER: Email nashville@songsalive.org with 'Nashville Chapter Songsalive! Workshop' in subject header. You will be automatically registered to attend unless contacted. (We prefer pre-registrations but you don't have to register to attend)

CONTACT: Lee Quick, Workshop Coordinator - nashville@songsalive.org

RULES & WHAT TO BRING: 1 song either on tape, CD or live (bring own guitar or keyboard) and 15 copies of your typed lyric sheet with contact details clearly displayed.

SET UP AND CRITIQUE RULES at http://www.songsalive.org/workshoprules

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS EVERY MONTH hand picked from publishers to record company A&R, well-known songwriters, authors, artists and music industry reps.

SPEAKERS: Most months we have guest speakers. Check out who has spoken and who will speak at our workshops at http://www.songsalive.org/speakers

UPCOMING GUEST SPEAKERS:

May 19 - Dave Isaacs (http://daveisaacs.com)
June 16 - Andrea Standley (http://songsinc.com)


OUT OF TOWN CRITIQUES: Can't get to one of our workshops? Why not upload your mp3 for a Songsalive! Song Critique - go http://www.songsalive.org/programs for details.

MORE INFO on the event, upcoming events, joining Songsalive! and workshop info at http://www.songsalive.org/nashville

SONGSALIVE! is a non-profit organization dedicated to the nurturing, support and promotion of songwriters and composers worldwide. Founded in 1997, Songsalive! is run by songwriters for songwriters and now has over 18 chapter cities around the world. It acts as an epicentre, a heart of the international songwriting community and music markets, bridging the gaps, tapping songwriters into the pulse of the business and at the same time giving them and their music the support they deserve. Through Songsalive!, songs and songwriters can be accessed by the whole world and when the hunt is on, Songsalive! is a one-stop song shop! Songsalive! gives life to songs, provides opportunities for collaboration, creates awareness about original music, promotes and educates through an amazing network of programs designed especially for songwriters and original music: live events and showcases; songwriter critique workshops, songleads and industry pitches; cd samplers; education seminars and Expos; artist development; studio production; informational source and networking.

For Songsalive! information, media and membership inquiries - call head office at 310-238-0359 or Email Us: usa@songsalive.org

Be reminded of this event: Join Songsalive! Enotes for free, and get Songsalive! event news and other opportunities in your email inbox http://www.songsalive.org/enotes

http://www.songsalive.org
http://www.songsalive.org/nashville



Lee Quick
lee@leequick.com
http://leequick.com
http://myspace.com/leequick
http://www.nashvilleim.com/artists/leequick

Websites:
http://www.torisparks.com
http://www.myspace.com/torisparks

Bio:
Tori Sparks is best summed up by the Savannah Morning News as having
"stuck to her muse, and it was exactly what people wanted." A fearless
performer, she is notorious for her blend of quirky humor and fiery
delivery, and has forged a blues-infused sound that is unmistakably her
own. The young road warrior is known for her grueling tour schedule, and
has brought her live show from Nashville to New York to Miami, as well as
to London and Paris. She has played with internationally-known artists
such as John & Mary of the 10,000 Maniacs. Sparks' debut album Rivers +
Roads has been receiving airplay across the U.S. as well as on radio shows
in Belgium, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, and England. The
Village Voice called Rivers + Roads a "knockout." Her music video by the
same title was screened at the Flint Film Festival, and was selected "Best
Pop Video" at the 2006 Indie Gathering. The video was also nominated for
"Best Overall" and "Viewers' Choice." It has received airplay in Los
Angeles, New York, Boston, Dallas, and other cities, including national
on-demand network Music Choice and military reels across the globe. Catch
Tori Sparks online on one of 100+ digital distributors in 25 countries,
including Apple's iTunes, and 20 CD retailers including BestBuy.com and
Target.com. Tori's as-yet unreleased song "The Poster Child" was a
finalist in the 2006 Unisong International Songwriting Contest. Watch for
her upcoming 2007 release with producer David Henry (R.E.M., Ben Folds,
Jill Sobule, Cowboy Junkies.)

SONGSALIVE! SONG WORKSHOP
Guidelines

* The workshop will run from 5 to 7 pm, every third Saturday of the month. Please stay for the entire workshop. Sign-up starts at 4:45 pm.
* Free for Songsalive members, $5 for guests
* Limited to fifteen (15) songs per workshop
* All musical styles welcome! All songs must be written or co-written by the presenter of the song.
* Have your tape or CD ready, guitars tuned, instruments ready where applicable. Mobile devices turned off.
* Have 15 copies of your lyric sheet, with name, address, phone, email and website, and current copyright date. (You never know who is in the audience…)
* If time restricts, only a portion of your song will be presented, so be prepared to play your best 1 or 2 minutes (first verse & chorus).
* Before you present your song, you may introduce it briefly and tell your peers what kind of feedback you are looking for. Please state if this is a song for you as an artist, or if you are pitching it. (Feedback is usually different depending on this)
* Evaluations and critiques by the audience are optional, not compulsory. You may either: a) Write your comments on their lyric sheet and return to songwriter (with your name, or anonymous);
b) Verbalize your comment, if time permits (moderated);
c) Save your comment and speak one-on-one with the songwriter in private after the workshop.
* Keep your comments succinct, specific, non-repetitive, POSITIVE and PROFESSIONAL in manner. Of course, a negative point can be raised so that we can all learn to improve our work, but positive criticism is always appropriate. Give your feedback from your own point of view. Avoid using words like "you should", "you must", "you need."
Use "I think", "I believe," "my concern is", etc.
* Critiques are oriented towards the songwriting (melody, music, lyrics, etc) and not production quality, unless feedback is requested by the presenter.
* Some aspects to consider may include: originality, artistry, style, images/impressions, suitability to a particular genre, marketability.

and don't forget to bring your brain.

thanks! hope to see (and hear) you soon

Want to be our friend?

Songsalive Nashville would prefer to add friends from the greater Nashville area, or any Songsalive members from around the world.

If you want to add us -- and you are far away from Nashville -- please include your Songsalive membership number and we'll be happy to add you as a friend.

thanks!
Songsalive Nashville
http://songsalive.org