PLAY FOR PUBLISHERS

For writers with dreams of hearing their songs on the radio, one of the most important things is to get heard by publishers. But since virtually every established publishing company in town has a policy of "We do not accept unsolicited material," this is hard to do. With the Play for Publishers Workshop, Barbara Cloyd has created an opportunity for promising writers to get over this hurdle. 

These three-day workshops are held in Nashville. Any writer with a desire to write for the commercial Country market is invited to apply. Sixteen applicants, carefully selected for their originality, creativity and craftsmanship, will get the chance to present their songs to publishers - established, successful professionals who are actively involved in the day to day business of getting songs recorded. The publishers are not paid for their time - they are there because they are always on the look-out for talented new writers. 

During the workshop there are three different listening sessions, each attended by two publishers.  All of the sixteen writers selected present one song at each listening session and then the group listens to the publishers and Barbara give feedback on the craft and commercial potential of the songs.  This gives every writer who is selected a chance to spark the interest of six different publishers. 

Equally important, listening to the feedback on all the songs gives writers great insight into what qualities a song needs in order to have a chance of getting cut. Because this is such an incredible learning experience, many writers in the past who were not selected to play for the publishers have asked if they could still attend. Therefore, the current workshop will be held in a venue large enough to accommodate any applicant who wants to sit in and audit the workshop even if they are not one of the sixteen selected to present songs.

In addition to the listening sessions with publishers, writers who attend the workshop are given the opportunity to play at a local writers night and to attend a show with hit writers at The Bluebird Cafe. And, of course, every writer who attends gets the opportunity to meet other talented writers who are serious about their careers. 

Sign up for mailing list of future workshops by sending an email to barbara@barbaracloyd.com with "workshops mailing list" in the subject line 

In July 2007 writers who attended past workshops were asked what tangible results they had from attending. Click here to see their replies.

Read spontaneous comments from participants in previous workshops

 Nashville July 2006     Nashville June 2005   Austin, TX April 2005  Bethlehem, PA Sept. 2004   Bristol, TN Sept 2003   Nashville July 2003

REGIONAL WORKSHOPS: Some of the publishers who participate in these workshops enjoy traveling to other parts of the country to listen to new writers. Songwriter organizations interested in bringing a Play for Publishers Workshop to their area can contact Barbara at 615-383-5616 or barbara@barbaracloyd.com 

 APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR

PLAY FOR PUBLISHERS WORKSHOP
 June 19-21, 2008
Nashville, TN
with

Rusty Gaston - This Music
Scott Gunter - Universal Music Publishing 
Jennifer Johnson - Midas Music 
Greg Gallo - Big Loud Shirt
Mike Doyle - Major Bob Music
Freeman Wizer - Universal Publishing

Congratulations to the writers who were invited to attend: Amanda Brown, Audrey Auld Mezera, Carrie Johnson, Chris Tedesco, Chris Yurchuck, Dustin Lynch,  Grant Peeples, Holly Allen, Jamie Nattier, Jill Spencer, Joe Romano, Johnny Rocket, LaTasha Dawn, Liz Miller, Sherri Gough, Shirley Geier, Teresa Russell, Terry Flynn

WORKSHOP DETAILS:

COST:
Cost for participants: $275 (Scholarships available)
Cost to audit: $150
Send check to Barbara Cloyd, PO Box 121497, Nashville TN 37212
or pay on line with Pay Pal.

LOCATION:
Days Inn Vanderbilt,  18th ansd West end near Music Row

LODGING:
Participants secure their own lodging. Days Inn will provide a discount rate. A list of other options will be provided upon request. 

SCHEDULE:
Thurs June 19
9 AM to 3 PM Introduction to Writing for Music Row by Barbara Cloyd
3 PM to 4:30 PM Guest speaker - a hit writer to be determined
7 PM Writers Night at Richard's Cafe - participants who want to will be scheduled to play.

Fri June 20
9 AM Listening session with publishers
12:30 Lunch break
1:30 PM Listening session with publishers
6:30 PM Show with hit writers at The Bluebird Cafe featuring Barbara Cloyd and friends

Sat June 21
12 PM to 3:30 PM Listening session with publishers
7PM Dinner and song swap at Barbara's house

For more information email barbara@barbaracloyd.com or call 615-383-5616.

TO RECEIVE FEEDBACK:
Applicants who did not request it initially but would like to receive feedback on the craft and commercial potential of the songs they sent in with their application can do so now  for an additional $30. Feedback will be sent within 3 weeks of receipt of payment.