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Fest Day By Day at the Top of Music Row. Map

It's part festival, part music teaching conference, Open house, part business networking opportunity and part gathering of old friends held in Nashville, TN June 3-5, 2011. The live original performances, education and Open House are concurrently running events.

From Friday morning and continuing on till Sunday midnight. Lets imagine you're at the fest........ The Fest is what you make!

Day 1, Friday, June 3, 2011
It's Friday 9 AM and we like to start with some Pro Instruction

Friday afternoon @ 5:30 PM we begin firing off the stagesStarting at the main stage, it's time to begin the non stop original tunes till Sunday midnight! There are scheduled featured writer segments intermingled with regular writers. About 6:30 the writers start finding their place in the mix at the various stages. Around 8pm the Festival Grand master appears to accept the keys to Music Row and anoint the "Blessing of the Songwriters." At 9pm we announce Part 1 of the "Song Challenge" winners and check out selected performances of their song. Unscheduled Create-A-Rounds that you instigate pop up throughout the evening here and there. Some writers browse a Booth or drop off their CDs to display at the Writer's Table. The stages hum till about 1 AM. As the evening winds down about midnight, the hard core gather and play unplugged at the after hours Open Sing Ring where you're welcome to jam while someone else plays and wait your turn. Thus begins a life changing weekend, so pace yourself. :)


Day 2, Saturday, June 4th, 2011
It's Saturday morning @ 10 AM, the Writers who got some rest are up-and-about. The second day of the Pro Instructors Classes start.

Also at 10 AM on Saturday the Open House begins. Registered writers are getting first hand experience of the Row. Fest Heads are dropping by participating recording studios, producers, publishers, publicists, consultants, managers, duplicators, and other trade related music businesses on or near the Row. These businesses have an "Open Door Policy" from 10 AM-6 PM June 4th and 5th. They will offer tours of their facilities and answer questions about "What part they play in the biz?" Writers are encouraged to drop off and pick up samples of each others works.  These are unscheduled "Meets and Greets!"  Also stop by the Fest Info booth and drop off a copy of your songs in the specially marked "Drop Box". We will forward your materials to interested parties at the fest. Again, unscheduled Create-A-Rounds that you instigate pop up here and there throughout the day. Writers are browsing a Booth or drop off their CDs to display at the Writer's Table.

Around noon, live music begins filling the Row again and the booths are open for traffic. Little clusters of writers develop, each sharing stories and talking shop. Everyone is laid back and having a meaningful experience thanks to the relaxing and creative atmosphere.  At 8 pm we present the Life Time Achievement award. At 9pm we announce Part 2 of the "Song Challenge" winners and check out selected performances of their song.   The stages close down again about 1 AM and the really late niters head for the after hours Open Sing Ring and watch the sun rise. By the end of the second day, Fest Heads have been effectively scattered from one end of the Row to the other.


Day 3, Sunday, June 5th, 2011 10 AM, Survivors from Friday and Saturday hit the Row again! The Sunday session of the Open House begins. Fest Heads loaded down with business cards, CD's and goodie bags take advantage of the "Open Door Policy" till 6 PM.  

 10:30 AM, The 3rd day of Pro Instruction kicks off again and runs till about 6 PM

 At Noon all the stages begin firing back up, booths are open and everything hums along as usual. Some of the late-niter's begin straggling in and the party continues. Go with the flow, 12 more hours to go.

 It's 11AM and we begin a special Christian Music Segment at a designated stage till 2PM. At 6PM, if anyone wants to get married at the Fest then this is the time we do it. The bride and groom read a poem or play a special tune to each other on stage, kiss and then head off to a reception nearby. Don't worry. I think there will be plenty of live entertainment.

8 Year Fest Head, "Coconut" Harley Lameraux, Harmonica Master, Hall of Famer and man of God. Email him here

 

In the evening about 8 PM we start winding down the other stages and Southern Fried Fest Heads start gravitating toward the main stage as we get ready to Jam till midnight.

Songs and laughter pierce the final hours on the Row as it has been for history. Having gotten our musical fill, we yearn no more. Little elves clear the row of gear, stages, and by the next day it's like we never existed.


The week following the Fest some writers are still hanging around the Row, following up on leads and cementing plans for the future. For better or worse, at least you know your way around now.

Places To Stay

Questions? Email or call 615-424-1491 or 931-296-4067  Sign Me Up   Keep Me Posted

www.songwritersfestival.com