Tin Pan South is the biggest songwriters festival in the world. It just celebrated its twenty-third year, held by the NSAI.
“The
Nashville Songwriters Association International consists of a body of
creative minds, including songwriters from all genres of music,
professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and
future of the profession of songwriting, and to educate and celebrate
the songwriter and to act as a unifying force within the music community
and community-at-large.”
Nashville Songwriters Association International consists of a body of
creative minds, including songwriters from all genres of music,
professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and
future of the profession of songwriting, and to educate and celebrate
the songwriter and to act as a unifying force within the music community
and community-at-large.”
At Tin Pan South, we
were treated to ninety-two shows, made up of three to five songwriters
and special guests where they get to play us their hits and classics and
a few new works as well. We heard their stories about starting off as a
songwriter, most of the hit songs we love were written by that parking
lot attendant or someone who worked for years at Comcast Cable or the
girl who arrived in Nashville with all her stuff in Hefty bags because
she believed in her work. Just about all their stories shared one thing:
that is, when you have those days when you’re just ready to give up,
DON’T, because it “all begins with a song.”
were treated to ninety-two shows, made up of three to five songwriters
and special guests where they get to play us their hits and classics and
a few new works as well. We heard their stories about starting off as a
songwriter, most of the hit songs we love were written by that parking
lot attendant or someone who worked for years at Comcast Cable or the
girl who arrived in Nashville with all her stuff in Hefty bags because
she believed in her work. Just about all their stories shared one thing:
that is, when you have those days when you’re just ready to give up,
DON’T, because it “all begins with a song.”
That is why this is the NSAI motto and why Tin Pan South is one of a kind.
To name just a few hits we heard this week, sung by their creators:
“Concrete Angel” by Rob Crosby,
“Till the Last Shots Fired” by Rob Crosby w/ Doug Johnson,
“Crazy Town” by Brett Jones w/ Rodney Clawson and Jason Aldean,
“Something in Red” by Angela Kasset,
“This Ain’t No Thinkin’ Thing” and “Heads Carolina, Tails California” by Mark D. Sanders w/ Tim Nichols,
“Talledega” by Luke Laird w/ Eric Church,
“American Kids” by Luke Laird w/ Rodney Clausen and Shane McAnally,
“Pontoon” by Natalie Hemby w/ Barry Dean and Luke Laird,
“Automatic” by Natalie Hemby w/ Miranda Lambert and Nicholle Gaylon,
“Riser” by Steve Moakler w/ Travis Meadows,
“Come a Little Closer/My Eyes” by Andrew Dorff w/ Tommy Lee James and Josh Osborne,
“Sure Be Cool if You Did” by Jimmy Robbins w/ Chris Tompkins,
“Real Good Man” by Rivers Rutherford w/ George Teren
“Livin’ in Fast Forward” by Rivers Rutherford w/ David Lee Murphy
“Let’s Make Love” by Chris Lindsey w/ Aimee Mayo and Marv Green
“I Can’t Make You Love Me” by Adam Shamlin
“Change The World” by Gordon Kennedy w/ Tommy Sims and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Others
we saw there were Vince Gill, John Oates of Hall & Oates, and Jim
Peterik from Survivor. Remember “Vehicle” and “Eye of the Tiger”? Kevin
Kadish was there – who co-wrote those little tunes “All About That Bass”
and “Lips are Movin'” with Meghan Trainor! So many great songwriters
participate in this festival every year, way to many to count and you
know all their songs, plus you get a sneak peek at stars’ singles coming
up!
we saw there were Vince Gill, John Oates of Hall & Oates, and Jim
Peterik from Survivor. Remember “Vehicle” and “Eye of the Tiger”? Kevin
Kadish was there – who co-wrote those little tunes “All About That Bass”
and “Lips are Movin'” with Meghan Trainor! So many great songwriters
participate in this festival every year, way to many to count and you
know all their songs, plus you get a sneak peek at stars’ singles coming
up!
Needless to say, for this event is one of the best times to visit
Nashville, Tennesse, USA, and celebrate where “it all begins with a
song!”
Nashville, Tennesse, USA, and celebrate where “it all begins with a
song!”
– Heather Dwyer