Music News 9/9/2010

The ASCAP Foundation is seeking submissions for its 2010 Nashville Pop Songwriters Workshop, which is part of an ongoing series of workshops designed to focus on the development and education of promising new pop songwriters.

Writers interested in applying for participation in the ASCAP Foundation Nashville Pop Songwriters Workshop should submit the following:
• A CD containing two (2) original songs with typed or neatly written lyric sheets.
• A brief biography/resume including address/phone number/e-mail.

Send complete submission package to:
ASCAP
Attention: Pop Songwriters Workshop
Two Music Square West
Nashville, TN 37203

Submissions must be received by Friday, September 24 by 5:00 PM. Those accepted will be notified by Wednesday, September 29, 2010. Please note that materials submitted to ASCAP for consideration will not be returned. For more information, call the Nashville ASCAP office at 615.742.5000.

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SESAC, working in conjunction with Nashville Area Red Cross, Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, will host a “Give + Love” event on Monday, September 20 
from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM to raise supplies for Nashville Area Red Cross and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Middle Tennessee residents were hit hard by the massive flooding on May 1. The Nashville Area Red Cross and Second Harvest were quick and effective in meeting the immediate needs of Tennesseans thousands. Because of the prompt response of the Nashville Area Red Cross and Second Harvest Middle Tennessee, both charitable organizations are experiencing critical shortages of food and monetary donations.

In an effort to assist the Nashville Area Red Cross & Second Harvest,SESAC is encouraging Middle Tennesseans to make blood donations and contribute spare change and canned goods. The event will take place at SESAC’s Music Row headquarters at 55 Music Square East.

For more information contact Shawn Williams at swilliams@sesac.com or call 615-320-0055.

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Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Chairman Roger Murrah (l) and CMA board member Bob DiPiero (r) present Sir Paul McCartney with the honor.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has given an Honorary Induction to Sir Paul McCartney, noting his indelible influence on Music City’s creative community.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame chairman Roger Murrah and CMA board member/hit songwriter Bob DiPiero presented McCartney with a plaque prior to his performance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on July 26. “Paul was warm, gracious and visibly moved by the honor,” said Murrah.

Painted and etched into glass, the plaque reads, “In celebration of the art of songwriting and the creative spirit shared by you and our members to which you have so richly contributed, we the board of directors do hereby present to you Sir Paul McCartney an Honorary Induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, July 26th, 2010.”

“Creative exchanges constantly occur between music genres from around the world,” explained Murrah. “In this way, Nashville songwriters have influenced Paul and, with his amazing body of work, Paul has certainly influenced Nashville songwriters.” Click here to see just a few of the Nashville artists who have recorded McCartney’s songs.

“Paul’s songs have always been an inspiration to me,” said Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Kye Fleming. “I still have my original Meet The Beatles LP. It is in my office right now. I bought it when I was 13…coincidence that I started writing songs when I was 14? I don’t think so!”

Fellow inductee Gary Burr noted, “What I learned from Paul McCartney: every time I write a song and get to the bridge I try to make the bridge strong enough and different enough that it could have been another song’s chorus. That’s what Paul always seemed to be able to do. Whether it’s going to a minor chord unexpectedly or changing the rhythm, he always pushed that extra mile in his writing. When you are writing a song in G and go to the E minor for the bridge…you are not trying very hard…and you are NOT channeling Paul McCartney.”

For a more details about McCartney’s induction, read tomorrow’s @MusicRow for paid subscribers.