By Andrew Ellis, Editor
The Midwest CMA Songwriter Forum is back for year two. Taking place on Friday, October 18th and Saturday, October 19th, the weekend’s events will take place at the Moonacy Music Room and Winterland Recording Studio.
This year’s event, made possible thanks in part to member Jan Edwards and the Art and Gail Edwards Donor Advised Fund at the Minneapolis Foundation, will focus on the theme of “It’s All About The Song.”
It will start on Friday evening with a mixer and concert by Nashville songwriters Marty Dodson, Clay Mills, Jason Duke, and Marti Dodson at Edwards’s private listening room the Moonacy Music Room. Members will be able to network with each other and the Nashville professionals.
On Saturday the morning will start with a continental breakfast and some networking. The Nashville songwriters will share some songwriting tips, and discuss what will happen during the day. At this time they’ll introduce the Nashville method of co-writing.
Every artist has their own skills they excel in, whether it’s writing lyrics, coming up with a memorable melody, or creating that hook that will have people singing along for years. Getting artists who excel in those different aspects allows everyone to focus on their strengths. The Nashville method of co-writing provides a structure that allows artists to efficiently create and record the song they write during that session.
Afterwards there will be a very hands-on co-writing workshop at Winterland Recording Studios where members will break off into songwriting groups of 3-4 people to write using the Nashville method.. The Nashville songwriters will go around and help the groups during the 3-hour songwriting session. The main focus of this exercise will be learning how songwriting communities in Nashville and all over the world practice this format.
Members will also have an opportunity to continue using this co-writing format at recording studios the Midwest CMA has partnered with: Winterland Studios and producer Greg Huberty. Both have teamed up with the Midwest CMA to offer members co-writing studio time supported by a tracking specialist at a low introductory cost. The Midwest CMA will also be giving away 2 free session at each studio during the forum.
We will end the day back at the Moonacy Music Room. We’ll hold a brief discussion on the days events, what you learned, liked, and didn’t like. The night will end with an opportunity to play or perform your co-written songs and an open mic concert.
This Years Agenda: (subject to change)
Friday October 18th:
6:30 to 8 PM – Light bites provided, BYO Cocktails or beverage of choice (water and soda provided), networking, meet and greet with the Nashville Pro’s
8 to 10 PM – House concert with Marty, Clay, Jason and Marti
Saturday October 19th:
9 – 10 AM – Continental breakfast provided, networking.
10 – 12 PM – Nashville Pro’s teach and share the days format.
12 – 1:30 – Break for lunch (on your own) and head to Winterland Studios.
1:30 – 2 PM – Songwriting groups get settled in and begin.
2 to 5 PM – Writing sessions
5 – 6:30 PM – Break for dinner and head back to Moonacy Music Room to conclude the evening. There will be an optional “pass the hat/donation” for a pizza dinner back at Moonacy between 5 and 6:30. (BYOB of choice – salads, dessert, water and soda provided along with other light bites later in the evening.)
7 – 11 PM – Your co-written songs performed or played with the open mic to follow.