You know what you mean when you’re writing a song, but are you truly conveying to your listeners what you want want to say? Are you just “dancing on top of the lyrics” and not conveying enough or the right the content/words/images to get your message across? Or do you find yourself trying to tell too much of a story in one song, confused as to what details to include or what may be too confining to the song? Learn ways to make your songs the best they can be by with a songwriting discussion led by experts in the field.
Panelists:
- Kari Estrin (moderating)
- Tom Paxton
- Beth Nielsen Chapman
- Jim Photoglo
Kari Estrin will moderate this conversation, who regularly helps artists she works with edit their own songs, helping them to go beyond “dancing on top of the lyrics.” Known for her integrative, strategic & holistic approach to artist career consulting, Kari celebrates over 50 years in artist management, tour management, concert/festival production, CD production/A & R, as well as being a publisher/writer. Holding a track record as a respected acoustic music/roots radio promoter for the past 22 plus years, Kari doesn’t just promote releases, she builds careers.
Tom Paxton needs no introduction. A prolific legend, whose oeuvre of music and children’s books spans decades and many, many awards including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the man who wrote and lives the words, “Peace will come, and let it begin with me.” He is one of the great songwriters of the last century and will be reckoned as one of the greats in this century, as well.
Singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman has written fifteen albums and seven #1 hits, some recorded by the likes of Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, the Indigo Girls, and Keb Mo’. The Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama, The Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, and the Berklee School of Music are just a few of the universities that have hosted her master classes on songwriting and creativity.
His songs have appeared on Pop, Country, Jazz, R&B, and Adult-Contemporary charts – as well as film and television – since 1980. Jim Photoglo has recorded nine solo albums, five as a band member, and he’s also written songs for Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, The Everly Brothers, Dusty Springfield, Leroy Parnell, Patty Loveless, and more.