Hey everyone. I'm just getting this page started for Song Seminar @ WinterFest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. I plan to keep you informed on the panelists and keynote speaker as they are confirmed.
For those who aren't familiar with Song Seminar, 2008 will be its eighth year. The first few years it was sponsored by American Songwriter magazine, where I was editor. When the new owners took over they decided not to sponsor it any longer so I volunteered to coordinate it with the City of Pigeon Forge.
We've had some great panelists over the years and 2008 is shaping up to be a great one as well. I try to bring in folks from a variety of backgrounds, from songwriters to publishers, producers and managers, in order to give you a variety of opinions about this business of music.
While the seminar is free, I do ask that you register so I'll know how many people to expect. You can email me at songseminaratpf@bellsouth.net. If you'll put in the subject line Pigeon Forge Seminar then I'll know how to direct the email. I'll post a basic schedule below so you'll have an idea of what the day will be like -- just know it is subject to change as I sign on folks who will be there. I'll keep this site updated but after you register you will also get seperate emails from me about the seminar. Just wanted you to be aware of that.
The seminar is free but we do try to provide lunch at a nominal cost. We found in the beginning that by the time we break for lunch and folks leave and come back, it takes more than an hour. Also if we keep everyone there then you can mix and mingle with the panelists and get a little one-on-one time with them. I'm not sure of the cost yet but I'm guessing it will be no more than $15 per person. In the past we've had either sandwiches or burgers. If you need vegetarian we will try to accommodate if you let us know a couple weeks out.
I'll have some names to announce within a few days so check back. Feel free to tell your friends about the website and check back often for more news and information.
I'm also open to suggestions for topics you would like to see us discuss. Drop me an email and let me know what you'd like to hear our panelists talk about.
Here's a very tentative schedule:
2008 Seminar Schedule
Friday Night
Get-together and Mystery Theatre. We did this last year and I think those who came had a good time. It's a "your on your own" dinner at Ruby Tuesday's and a good mystery to solve. Attendees take part as actors and in the end we figure out "who dun it.' Keep in mind you're all suspects! This year we have "The Ghost of Abbey Road" which takes us over to jolly ol' England and a mysterious apparition at world famous Abbey Road Studios. Joey Molland from Badfinger and Mark Hudson of The Hudson Brothers fame have agreed to let us use their names in the play. More on the plot later. I'd like your input as to whether you want to do this again this year.
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Saturday
8:30 a.m. Registration and panelist/moderator meeting
9:00 – 10:15 –Panel TBA
10:15 – 11:30 –Panel TBA
11:30 = 12:30 – Panel TBA
12:30 – 1:30 = Lunch and Mingle with Registrants (Lunch provided at nominal cost)
1:30 – 3:00 – Song Critique One
3:00 – 4:30 – Song Critique Two
4:30 – Dismiss with Thanks to all and possible ITR with songwriters
The song critiques are done by some of the panelists (and moderators if they are also songwriters). We break the attendees up into groups and let them go to two different sessions. In order to participate in the critique sessions you must bring a CD and lyric sheet of the two songs you would like to submit. We try very hard to make sure everyone has at least one critique. If time permits each attendee will have two songs critiqued.