Songwriter Associations for Tennessee

Tennessee

Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). 1-800-321-6008. E-mail: nsai@nashvillesongwriters.com. 1710 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN, 37203. Executive Director: Bart Herbison. Membership Director: Dave Thomas. Workshops Director: Grace Hollombe. NSAI is a large, non-profit, songwriters trade organization. Established in 1967, it has a membership of nearly 5,000. They host continuing workshops across the country through their Regional Workshops program. Website

Songwriters Guild Of America (SGA), Nashville office. Rundi Ream, Southern Regional Director. The Songwriters Guild of America (SGA) founded in 1931, is a voluntary songwriter association run by and for songwriters. It is devoted exclusively to providing songwriters with the services and activities they need to succeed in the business of music. The preamble to the SGA constitution charges the board to take such lawful actions as will advance, promote and benefit the profession. Services of SGA cover every aspect of songwriting including the creative, administrative and financial. SGA's non-profit educational foundation was created to aid and educate writers through university scholarship grants and various Guild programs which are offered at the lowest possible cost. Songwriting workshops are taught by leading professional writers in New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles. Classes run for varying lengths and are offered on different levels for beginning or more advanced writers. Song Critique sessions are conducted regularly presenting members with the opportunity to play their songs and receive constructive criticism from peers and professionals. Guests include some of the industry's most prominent writers, artists, publishers, producers, managers, and attorneys. For more information go to their Website or contact the Nashville office at 615-329-1782, or e-mail: SGANash@aol.com.

Knoxville Songwriters Association. Contact Dana Correll (Membership Director) at 865-977-7538. P.O. Box 603, Knoxville, TN, 37901. e-mail: greatsongs@yahoo.com. This non-profit organizations meets once per week to critique songs, exchange feedback, and to discuss local music events. The meetings are held Tuesday evenings at The Candy Factory in Knoxville. This association has about 40 members, who write a wide variety of music styles. Twice a year the group hosts more elaborate seminars, featuring guest songwriter and industry speakers. Website

Memphis Songwriters Association. President: Phillip Beasley, (voicemail) 901-577-0906, 4728 Spottswood, #191, Memphis, TN 38117. e-mail: admin@memphissongwriters.org. Memphis Songwriters Association (MSA) has served the Memphis music and songwriting community for 30 years. The group hosts two meetings per month, including an open mic and a regular meeting. Due to its proximity to Nashville, there are main country writer members, but also Christian, blues and rock songwriters. For more information about MSA, visit their website or call the number above. MSA annual dues are $50 with a discounted rate of $35 per year for students and senior citizens. Website

Tennessee Songwriters Association. Contact Jim Sylvis (Executive Director) at 615-969-5967. P.O. Box 2664, Hendersonville, TN, 37077-2664. e-mail: asktsai@aol.com. Founded in 1982, this large association has about 600 members. The members mostly write country songs, but all styles of music are welcome. The group holds meetings four times per month, on Wednesday evenings. The first Wednesday of the month features general song critiques, where members can play demos (including works-in-progress) or perform their songs live. The second Wednesday features workshops covering a wide range of topics. The third week is "Pitch-a-Pro," where the writers can pitch their songs to top publishers, producers and A&R execs. The fourth week is "Pro-Rap," where the business side is the focus, with guest attorneys, publishers and execs speaking and answering questions.

World Wide Songwriters Association (WWSWA). Based in Nashville, TN.. e-mail: contact@wwswa.com. The WWSWA is an ever evolving community of songwriters around the world striving to further educate, evaluate and encourage the profession of songwriting. It's a worldwide organization with members in nearly every state of the U.S., Canada, and over 18 other countries. Website

United Songwriters Association. President: Mickey McBride. P.O. Box 3451, Crossville, TN, 38557-3451. e-mail: unitedsongwriters@hotmail.com. This group, which has about 30 members, was established in 1993. The members mostly write country music, but all styles are welcome. Website