Applications being accepted NOW for Writer’s Block Showcases At 2009 Indiegrrl Music Conference-Hotel Preston, 733 Briley Pkwy, Nashville, TN, August 2-23, 2009.

Applications are now being accepted for the Writer’s Block hosted showcases at the 2009 Indiegrrl Conference in Nashville, TN, Aug 21 & 22 at the Hotel Preston.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MAY 30th.

Showcase consideration is open to SOLO AND DUOS ONLY PLEASE. NO BANDS. All artists must be independent and perform original material. Primary vocalist MUST be the songwriter. Male artists are welcome to apply if performing in a duo with a female who also sings. Applicants may request a showcase application and complete information sheet by emailing writersblockinfo@aol.com.

A $15, non-refundable application fee applys when application is submitted. Selected artists will be notified via email on or before June 30th.

Some of the perks of showcasing with WB:
Discounted conference pass of $65 (regular pass $150) 
Discounted room rate at host hotel of $99 (for up to 4 people. Reg rates, $139 for one)
You do NOT have to be a paid member of Indiegrrl to showcase with WB.
Free space at the WB exihibition booth to sell cds and give away swag. (Conference offers a limited amount of Artist spaces at $50 each)
WB showcase artists get a full set...no 'short' sets. 
Selected artists will be heavily promoted leading up to and during the conference including Writer's Block broadcast announcements and air play, an ad in the conference brochure announcing the showcases, press releases to Nashville industry and more.

ADD’L CONFERENCE INFO: Karen E. Reynolds To Be Featured Speaker, Mainstage Performer and Panelist/Seminar Instructor at the 2009 Indiegrrl, Women In The Arts Conference!

The 2009 Indiegrrl Conference will feature 3 days of panels, clinics, workshops, mentoring, demo listening sessions and vendor trade show. This is an opportunity for independent artists, booking agencies, venues, industry professionals and businesses supporting the arts to gather together, network, showcase, exhibit and conduct business. While both men and women are welcome, the event celebrates "Women in the Arts" with 2 days/nights of showcases of established and emerging talent.

Showcase opportunities are available in various categories, including the WRITER’S BLOCK, All Original Showcase (Showcase slots still open. For information contact Writer’s Block at writersblockinfo@aol.com). The conference will kick off on Thurs, Aug 20th, with a banquet featuring industry professionals, Karen E. Reynolds and David Llewellyn as guest speakers and will recognize the newly inducted Indiegrrl Honorary members. Indiegrrl supports and showcases all Independent Women in the Arts regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. Women and men are welcome. For additional information visit www.indiegrrl.com.

We've long since known that this region has great media support for the music scene and they've all been generous to Writer's Block by writing articles, working with us on promotions, listings, etc. (make sure to read the previous blog, written by 'Block Aficionado', Jack Rentfro!). Here's another example of that support from one of Knoxville's finest media folk, Debra Dylan.

Eva Magazine- Local Music

Catching Up with Karen Reynolds

By: Debra Dylan

   "Karen is the greatest and most selfless supporter of live, local, original and independent music in all of Knoxville," says admirer, Bryan Smith, of Pine Ridge House Concerts.  It's true. In addition to being an award winning singer-songwriter, Karen Reynolds is also a recording artist, consultant, mentor, radio show host, promoter, concert organizer, vocal coach, teacher and a passionate supporter of independent songwriters.  Many times you'll find her toiling for free in her enthusiastic pursuit of helping others enjoy, understand and make original music.

     "I've always had a very philanthropic personality. This business, while a hard one, provides opportunities to use and share your gifts. You should do that when you have a chance."

   At the end of this year, Reynolds will begin cutting back on one of her beloved "pro bono" projects, the Writer's Block Live Concert series.  This monthly series has offered music lovers a unique opportunity to meet and listen to notable local and national independent singer-songwriters share their personal stories and music in the comfortable confines of the Knoxville Museum of Art's auditorium. Local musician and poet RB Morris calls these concerts "a gift and a blessing Karen has given to Knoxville."

   "This concert series gave performers passing through East Tennessee, a place to stop and perform in a real listening room. This was a way to listen to music in its truest form," says Reynolds. 

  The November 5th Writer's Block concert will feature C.J. Watson, Jeff Gilkinson and Steve Peavey from the prestigious Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival. The December 3^rd concert will be a fundraiser for the local branch of the Free Medical Clinic of America. This "Homecookin'" show will include performances from Hudson K, Dave Landeo, Emily Shane, Draper, Reynolds & Rogers, and Nashville artist Robert K. Wolfe.

   Recent Writer's Block Live performer, Sarah Pirkle, says of Karen, "She's a fierce songwriter, a natural born talent. She has a collaborative spirit, in all the time I've known her, she has been supportive to other artists in an otherwise competitive field."

   Reynolds will continue supporting original troubadours by hosting an occasional special concert, and through her popular ten-year old radio program on WDVX, also called "Writer's Block." Reynolds recently added friend and music fanatic, Dennis Double, as her co-host.  Double says, "Karen is a very important part of the Knoxville singer-songwriter scene. I look for great things to come from her in the near future now that she may have some time for her own career." At the start of 2009, Reynolds and Double will be busy marketing her show to stations around the globe in efforts to syndicate "Writer's Block."

   Reynolds will also be focusing more attention on her work with Wolf Publishing in Nashville. While a Knoxville Girl to the bone, Reynolds is also an established writer and entertainer in Nashville. Her goal is to pitch more of her songs to her publisher and other recording artists. She also plans to establish a new entity for her own self-published recordings.

   While it was a tough decision to taper off her popular concert series, she looks forward to having more time to further her career path while continuing to donate her time and talent to efforts like "Musicians on Call" and the Country Music Hall of Fame's Music in the Schools Project.  "I am so blessed," says Reynolds. "I love giving back to the community."    

By Matthew Everett, Jack Rentfro

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

One of Knoxville's unsung heroes has announced the conclusion of the treasured little secret that was the Writer's Block Live monthly concert series at Knoxville Museum of Art's intimate, acoustically perfect 170-seat auditorium.

December's installment of Writer's Block Live will be the last show for the nearly five-year-old series, created by host Karen E. Reynolds to showcase touring songwriters such as Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart, Kate Campbell, and Malcolm Holcombe and numerous local artists.

Writer's Block originated at WDVX, which is where the radio version of the show with Reynolds and co-host Dennis Double will continue on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. The two hope to syndicate Writer's Block early next year.

"I simply needed to let something go in order to have the time to spend on my own career," Reynolds says. "I've never made any money off the concert series because I set it up too philanthropically. The artists have done quite well. But whenever there were less than 70 people in the audience, I've had to pay expenses for the series out of my own pocket. But I've loved every minute of it, even when I knew I had to write a check to pay for it."

Reynolds says the change is partly to help her take advantage of some opportunities coming her way as a songwriter. But "syndication of the radio show means a wider audience for musicians. Writer's Block also is set to become a 'presenter' of sorts for shows at other venues."

Reynolds urges fans to come to the two remaining concerts: C.J. Watson, Steve Peavey, and Jeff Gilkinson perform on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The special final show on Wednesday, Dec. 3, will raise money for the Free Medical Clinic of America in South Knoxville and will feature Dave Landeo, Emily Shane, Hudson K, Robert K. Wolf, and Reynolds' old trio Draper, Reynolds & Rodgers. Says Reynolds: "Gotta go out giving something back, you know?" (Jack Rentfro)

ARTIST-CD TITLE-SONG TITLE

BETH WOOD-BEACHCOMER'S DAUGHTER-TRAVELIN JOHN

JASON HARROD-BRIGHT AS YOU-WHEN I FLY

DENICE FRANKE-GULF COAST BLUE-GIBRALTER

CANDACE CORRIGAN-THE LOVE I'M IN-WALKIN DOWN THAT LONELY TRACK ALONE

ED SNODDERLY-BRIER VISIONS-WORKIN IN THE NEW MINE

MARTHA'S TROUBLE-EP-WRITER

LANI NASH-I'M ONLY HERE FOR THE MUSIC-WHAT'S TI GONNA BE

ERIC TAYLOR-HOLLYWOOD POCKETKNIFE-OLNEY'S POISON AND THE HOUSTON BLUES

ROGER FERRIS-COFFEE FOR ONE-TITLE TRACK

ELIZA GILKYSON-BEAUTIFUL WORLD-EMERALD STREET

STEVE WILLIAMS-SELF TITLED-DO ANGELS HAVE WINGS

INTERLUDE/BED MUSIC PLAYED-Select tracks played from the following cds:

TIM THOMPSON-REVVED UP

KRAIG KENNING-MAKTUB