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In July 2007 past workshop participants were
asked, what results they experienced from attending a Play for
Publishers workshop. Here are their replies. The
tangible results are highlighted in red.
Diane
Waters, June 2007
Thanks so much for the workshop opportunity. I really benefited from so
many aspects of the weekend. One of the songs
I played is being actively pitched by a publisher who heard it at your
workshop! I'm continuing the enthusiasm in my writing and
rewriting, with some new insights from the experience. I’ve also met
other writers who want to stay in contact for encouragement and writing
opportunities. To
consolidate this sentiment into ONE SENTENCE: Thank you for
bringing us together to meet, learn and grow!
Liz
Miller, June 2007
Something in my gut told me to go back and attend my second Barbara
Cloyd workshop. It's not that the information was so much different, but
rather- I was so much different. I was armed with less ego and better
material, having learned what wasn't working in the first go round.
While publishers didn't pick up my songs then and there, one
publisher said she was open to hear changes once they were made
and a HIT WRITER liked my songs enough to give me
his cell phone number and an invitation to look him up the next time I'm
in town. As an outside writer, these opportunities are worth more
than gold!
Also, the caliber of writers at the workshop is so high, that I
am now working with three awesome writers and have plans to work with
three more when I have time. I am more than grateful to Barbara
for the encouragement and support she showed this outsider and mostly
because she has connected so many people who might otherwise never have
found each other.
Armand
Mele, June 2007
I
just wanted to let you know how important and valuable the
Play for Publishers Workshop was for me.
While
there, I made a
contact with a major publisher who is now willing to listen to my songs.
That alone was worth the price of admission.
In
addition, because you made sure that the quality of the those
accepted into the program was so high,
I now have appointments to write with some of the best up and coming
talented writers in Nashville.
I
really believe the program took years off my learning curve, and I
can't imagine continuing on this path without it.
Dave
Smith, June 2007
I audited this class. I wish I could provide testimony to any one of
(the specific results) you listed. I can say the workshop was
outstanding, the publisher/writer insights invaluable, and the
auditing-only fee was well worth the money. I took notes on everyone's
songs that were reviewed and that info was an education unto itself. My
to-do list includes continuing education no matter where my song
writer path leads or how long I'm on it (it's a life sentence); and
excellent workshops like yours are nothing short of a gift to the needy.
Eric Dove, June 2007
"Not only was Barbara's workshop conduced efficiently and
professionally, but the panelists were true Nashville
"heavy-hitters" and their feedback and advice regarding not
only my songs, but the other writers' songs as well, has already helped
me hone my craft. As a result of the workshop, I
also had material requested by two of the publishers and was given an
open door to submit material to all the others. It's truly
a chance to build your knowledge and your network all at the same
time."
Jabe Beyer, June 2007
Did a co-write with Kelleigh Bannen who I met at
the workshop - came out well too!
LaTasha Kersh, June 2007
I'd love to give you some feedback on Play for Publishers. Of course,
mine would be from the perspective of an auditor. I was absolutely blown
away by how much I learned. Even though I wasn't able to present my own
songs to the publishers, just hearing all the feedback on other's songs
impacted me in a way I didn't expect. I started a rewrite on one of
(what I had considered) my best songs between the first session and the
second session! It was so clear to me what they would say about my
songs, just from hearing their thoughts on other songs. I'm glad I got
the chance to audit before I ever presented a song to a publisher. It
has truly changed my songwriting thought process. I came away inspired
and writing more prolifically than I had in a while. The "icing on
the cake" was meeting all the talented people. I realized I had
been living in my own little songwriting bubble and there were others
out there like me who were eager to collaborate and encourage. There
are several of my "classmates" I will be co-writing with in
the coming weeks. It was an invaluable experience and I look
forward to doing it again...perhaps as a participant.
Trey Ward, June 2007
Although I did not get to present a song, I learned a lot about
the business. The biggest thing I got out of the workshop
was that I should not be afraid of Nashville. Those of us
who do not live in Nashville somehow think that Nashville is
like the Vatican City-a place where only the Saints of the Music
business live and work, and ordinary mortals like me are not worthy of
Music City. After sitting in a room for three days with some of
the biggest people in the business, I see that there is room at the
table for ordinary people like me. Your workshop has inspired me
to work for my place at the table.
Connie Mims, Feb 2007
Attending Barbara’s Play For
Publishers workshop not only helped me hone my songwriting,
pitching and performing skills, but also introduced
me to a talented pool of songwriters who I now call “co-writers”
as well as good friends. I no longer feel I’m on this journey
alone; I’ve got a wealth of knowledge and experience I can tap into as
a result of making some great friends of some great writers, whom I’m
convinced will be the next successful generation of hit writers in
Nashville.
Olivia West, Feb 2007, Oct 2006
Through the Play for Publishers workshops I
have gotten my foot in the door with 2 publishers, co-written with 6
other workshop writers, and written with 1 staff-writer at one of the
publishers' offices. The
repercussions of those relationships have given me even more
opportunities, but it all started at Play for Publishers.
Annette LaMontaigne
Dawson. Feb 2007
I attended Barbara Cloyds Publisher workshop last October and I
cannot even begin to tell you what a wonderful experience it was.
Barbara's does such a great job and had our group feeling like
one big family by the end of the first day. I can honestly say I learned
more about what publisher's are looking for, and
made more friends and co-writers in one weekend, than in my last 6 years
of travelling to Nashville.
Being able to listen to the critique's of not just my songs,
but the songs of 15 other talented writers gave me so much
valuable information on what I needed to do to get my writing to
the next level. I left feeling totally confident they had given
me everything I needed to make it...and what makes it even
better is knowing all the talented new friends I made
will be there right along side me as we cheer each other on!!
Leslie
Wright, Oct 2006
I don't really have
any concrete info for ya, but I have an entire page devoted to this
workshop on my studio site! You're welcome to use any of it for
testimony! http://www.songwritersrecordingstudio.com/workshops.htm
Dave Zobl, Oct 2006
I
found Barbara’s worksop to be extremely beneficial on many levels.
First off, as an independent singer-songwriter I got a much a broader
insight and appreciation into the craft (and that is the right word)
that goes into writing a commercial hit song for the country radio
market. Barbara’s years of experience in
Nashville
and the excellent representatives she had from the publishing community
really provided an enormous amount of tangible, common sense advice to
not only improving as a songwriter but also garnering a much better
understanding of how the business works.
The
workshop lead me to develop a strong co-writing relationship with one of
the other participants and also opened a door to a publishing company in
Nashville that not
only listens to whatever I send but also offers concrete insight and
advice as to how to improve and tailor my songs to meet Nashville
standards.
I
highly recommend the workshop and hope to do it again myself.
Parker
Welling, Oct 2006
Attending your workshop was one of the most beneficial things I've
done since I moved to Nashville. The feedback I received both
challenged and inspired me and I'm a much better writer because of it.
I met some truly wonderful people and have
written, played rounds, and kept in touch with many of the people that
attended.
Dave
Stewart July 2006
As a direct result of your workshop (last summer), I
met Steve Bloch, who
agreed to meet with me on my next trip to Nashville. He fell in
love with one of the songs I played him, and signed
it to a single-song deal. I also have an open door to present to
him any time.
Kevin
Van Paay, Oct 2006
The great thing about the Play for Publishers workshop, is that I
got to meet some great publishers who told me what I was doing well, and
also told me where I could make some improvements. It was a very
educational experience. I also got the chance to meet
some very talented writers, and developed some great relationships.
Currently I have
written with 6 different members from the workshop,
and have some great new songs to show for it. In addition, many
of these new songs are being heard by the same publishers who were part
of the workshop.
I highly recommend the Play for Publishers workshop for anybody
serious about their songwriting.
Tom
Stipe July 2006
I have told lots of writers....that by far the best...most useful
Nashville seminar I have attended is yours... Not only do you meet
publishers who have a genuine interest in working with up and coming
writers...but you also get a great snapshot of how the Music Row scene
works. Most importantly you get unvarnished advice that you can count
on!
Of course....the primary thing I learned in your seminar is the
importance of building relationships...hanging out...and getting to know
people..... Nashville is a big ole small town ...it moves slow...and as
things have turned out... many
of the key relationships I have now.....at some level go back to my
attending your seminar...
First and foremost... it
was you that gave me my referal into ASCAP...
after several years of frustration in dealing with BMI....One call from
you and they welcomed me with open arms... Now my ASCAP rep (John
Briggs) is a good friend who has helped me tremendously...
The following sories offer good insight into how Nashville works...
I met Nate
Lowery.... at your sessions...
I told him at the time that I knew his brother in Alabama. Nate's dad
Donnie Lowery writes for Extreme Writer's Group...
I actually met Donnie through Nate's brother ...but it was obvious that
a good word from Nate
helped facilitate our relationship.... Donnie and I have just finished
one song together that
is being demoed by Extreme in a couple of weeks and plan to write
together regularly...BTW...Donnie is writing regularly with Barry
Dean... who I have loved ever since I met him ...of course...at your
seminar...
I also met Martha
Irwin at your seminar...
I ran into her again at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas... I was there due
to being chosen by ACM as one of the five top writers on the indie
music website Broadjam....... The ACM set up publisher meetings for the
winners while we were out there...and lo and behold...there was
Martha... She
remembered me from your workshop ...loved a couple of songs....and is
interested in hearing new stuff from me...etc...
As a result of my experience at your seminar... my main co-writer Liz
Miller has also attended ...twice... last time meeting hit writer Walt
Aldridge... Liz told me that Walt loved several of our co-written
songs.... I know Walt through John Briggs and another friend Gary
Baker......sOf course after hearing from Liz...I
immediately contacted Walt to complete the circle.... and we are meeting
in the next couple of weeks...
Barbara...to sum it up... while I haven't gotten the first big cut yet
(two small ones) ...no doubt when I do... it will be someone I
know either directly or indirectly through you.....I could keep going
with stories like this....but I couldn't keep it under 3:30! LOL
Charlie
Brown, Jan 2006
I met some of my best
co-writers and friends at your workshops.
Vann
Brown, Jan 2006
Your workshop was my first introduction to Nashville publishers. This
gave me an open door to several publishers that I met at that workshop
that I still send songs to on a regular basis.
They have really helped my writing progress. I also met an ASCAP
Rep. that has critiqued my songs.
Rachel
Bringer, Texas 2005
I attended your play for
publisher workshop in Austin. It was wonderful. I learned so
much--I met amazing fellow songwriters, and the critiques of the
publishers were very useful. I realized my writing was not up to
commercial standards and that I needed to invest a lot more time and
effort in songwriting to be competitive. Since the workshop, I
have joined SongU this March to work on the craft of
songwriting. One of the publishers who heard one of my songs on
SongU asked me to forward it to him. I am still trying to
improve my skills and am planning a trip to Nashville in August to demo
a couple of songs that have received positive feedback from peers and
song coaches. Your workshop forced me to start thinking of songwriting
as a profession and a craft, rather than just a hobby or a
moment of inspiration. That wake-up call saved
me a lot of money and unrealistic expectations in demo-ing
songs that weren't ready
and weren't competitive.
Bill
Passalaqua, Texas 2005
I was fascinated at Barbara Cloyd's Play for Publisher workshop to learn
about how Nashville Publishers
percieve songs that are pitched to them. I also met a number of other
songwriters, some of whom I remain in contact with. The most valuable
asset though has been Barbara
Cloyd's ongoing willingness to introduce me to people in Nashville when
I want to play their showcases.
Janet Goodman, Florida 2004
I have
co-written with an artist/writer I met at your workshop in south
Florida a couple of years ago. He is currently pursuing a
record deal in Nashville. I recommend your
workshop to all songwriters interested in seeking new networking
opportunities!
Bob Duffy, Florida
2004
I benefited greatly as a songwriter from attending Barbara Cloyd’s
Play for Publishers Workshop in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
As a result of this workshop
I gained important insights from hearing the feedback from the
Publishers on over (50) songs from (25) writers like me.
These insights really helped me gain a whole new understanding
of what Publishers are looking for and how they listen to songs.
I got many opportunities to talk with the Publishers, and
as a result, have an open door to send my songs to (2) of the
Publishers from the event. I
can heartily recommend these workshops for Songwriters who are serious
about achieving commercial success with their songs.
Judy Klass, Florida 2004
I'm really glad I attended the Play for Publisher workshop in Florida.
The critiques helped me synch up with what Nashville is looking for.
I met several people who became my friends and
co-writers, some then and there, and others when I bumped into
them again later on. I developed a
relationship with a publisher on Music Row who now lets me stop
by and play him my latest demos, every few months.
Scott Ross, Bethlehem PA 2004,
Nashville 2005
I attended 2 workshops. I was
fortunate enough to land meetings with 2 publishers and Ralph
Murphy at ASCAP. I
have co-written with 2 of my fellow workshop attendees and keep
in touch with many others.
I also had the opportunity to
co-write with Barbara. As someone who
lives in Ohio, the workshops gave me an "anchor" in
Nashville - that's the best way I can describe it. Before, I had
little direction, knowledge and purpose in my visits. But once I
attended the first workshop, I had instant contacts, friends,
knowledge and homework assignments that furthered my mission to be a
songwriter.
Julianne Buccaro, Bethlehem PA 2004
I have cowritten with 4 writers I met at your
workshop in Bethlehem. Also, we wound up forming a private
writers group that spun directly out of your workshop. And I
became a publisher myself as a direct offshoot of your
workshop - I now represent approx. 50 artists in multiple genres.
Tim Riordan, Bethlehem PA 2004
I don't know if I have much in the way of the specific "my song is
getting pitched" type of compliment to toss your way. However
I found the weekend invaluable in terms of showing me exactly what the
competition is like out in the big bad Nashville song writing world.
Tough, tough, tough. On the one hand that's a bit daunting,
on the other I can start down the path to getting to where I need to be
if I want to jump into the ring and go a few rounds with the big boys.
There are folks I still keep loose touch with from the workshop
here and there of course too
Richard Gsottschneider, Bethlehem PA 2004
I have come to realize that I am a good
songwriter, just not a
Nashville
writer, which was an interesting realization for me. This is not
to say I may never apply again, it is just that my focus is elsewhere.
I am doing my own thing so to speak. |
