The songwriter’s festival, #tinpansouth is a menagerie of familiar hit songs with known and lesser-known writers who created the masterpieces we now tap our toes too in the morning on the way to work. (When I mean lesser-known, I mean to the general audiences, not the music community of Nashville). This event is by writers, for writers. NSAI (Nashville Songwriter’s Association International) puts on this wonderful event to bring these amazing talents to town. Most of them already live in Nashville, such as Chris Wallin, a man who had a 6-week number one hit with Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink.” He also wrote “Love Me if You Can” by Toby Keith. Chris was kind enough to chat with me about his career. When asked about why he moved to Nashville, he said that “I was inspired by my mother’s(Joyce Hayes Wallin) own journey as a Nashville singer/songwriter.” Aren’t we glad his mother inspired him! His songs reflect great truisms in life through the amazing medium of country radio. Chris is a super nice guy and was obliged to tell me that day (March 28th), he had two cuts recorded by good friend & a radio stalwart, Trace Adkins. His publishing team at Ole’ was enthusiastic and complimentary of his recent success which shows the small town community flare that is pervasive in this town. Although, Chris will be the first to tell you that even though he has had several #1 hits, it had been two years since his songs have had any type of spotlight. He said, “There are many peaks and valleys.” and it seems that no matter how many there are, you keep writing. As they say in sales, “you have to keep your pipeline full.” Keeping the pipeline full allows a writer to be ready when the publishers, artists and producers come calling. Like in the movie, “Door to Door” with William H. Macy, you must have “Patience and Persistence.” Reminds me of this quote by Abraham Lincoln:
“Good things come to those who wait, Great Things come to those who Hustle!”
(Me and Chris at the Region’s Bank Tin Pan South Kick-Off Party) Picture by Moments by Moser)
The whole week was amazing but it was more than just rubbing shoulders with well-known songwriters and hearing their great melodies in person. Tin Pan South was also about the networking potential between current solo writers and potential co-writing partners. Exchanging business cards, CDs, promo packs and playing songs live and in person was the M.O. all week… this was fun, this was exciting, this had teeth! This was the true beauty of Nashville, this was the fragrance of Tin Pan South. Whether it was at the NSAI headquarters off Roy Acuff drive, an address my hotel shuttle driver began to know well, or at Douglas Corner on the outskirts of downtown or at the fresh new event, Whiskey Jam at Winner’s bar…it all blossomed that week. It was as if song’s were just waiting to be written with that much new talent in town, but who are we kidding, someone said that there are over 800 hit songwriters in Nashville alone! How could an out-of-town-unaffiliated-newcomer stand a chance? Seriously? Enter Spring Training. Spring Training is the two-day conference held at the historic Millenium Maxwell hotel that boasted of halls of mingling, networking and learning. Learning taught by top music professionals such as songwriter/producer/educator Cliff Goldmacher or industry executive, Tim DuBois (‘Bluest Eyes in Texas’, ‘Love in the First Degree, ‘When I call Your Name’) Mr. DuBois is the guy that helped sign Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn and Brad Paisley to Arista Nashville. (btw-Chris DuBois, Tim’s son, has multiple #1 hits, many with Mr. Paisley) Tim spoke of the changing industry with emerging technology such as Thunderbolt , (in the wrong hands) could threaten the recording industry and movie industry to a stand still. He spoke of encouraging things too and personally gave something to the audience that rarely gets passed out in Nashville. He said, “my email address is …” What a terrific individual with tenure, talent and vision. Tim and the others such as Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr and others shared and performed to encourage songwriters in their pursuit of dreams.
Dreams are so important when it comes to fulfilling your passion and if your dream is to write songs, then write songs. Having a passion for something despite recognition, fame or monetary affirmation doesn’t take away from your passion and shouldn’t diminish your goals. I tell people, “I would write songs even if I never got a dime for my music.” Many people are sooo desperate to be famous, have hit songs, and make money; but desperate people are usually not the ones that attract followers. You must have an unwavering confidence in your eyes and fire in your belly. Nashville, they say, is a ten year town and sometimes patience is a virtue. You definitely want your song to be picked up by a developing star that will be a brand for 20 years, not just one-hit wonder. (Those are good too, though!) Therefore, be patient and don’t be desperate. You must hustle and develop relationships. There is plenty of steep competition and having a realistic strategy trumps “pie in the sky” fairy-tale aspirations.
Events like #tinpansouth and NSAI Spring Training are wonderful tools for networking, learning and fostering your craft. Use these mediums to get better and one day, if you have listened, the quality you produce… will be the quality that we ALL hear.
Continued Success fellow writers!
Matthew A. Butter
www.thebutterlife.com
For more information on Chris Wallin:
http://www.chriswallin.com/The_Official_Chris_Wallin_Website/Chris_Wallin.html
NSAI
www.nashvillesongwriters.com
Tin Pan South
www.tinpansouth.com
