In the bad times, there is always someplace that is sanctuary… A safe harbor and often it is found within our creativity.

My marriage was in the toilet, and I was very intimidated by the Arizona Songwriters Association. Someway, somehow someone pointed me to NSAI and in a small room in Phoenix I found a safe place where my words could be heard, accepted and encouraged. Shelly was the coordinator, and one of the things she was most excited about was going to Tin Pan South in Nashville. She invited me to go with her but the money just wasn’t there to go across the country. It was an incredible opportunity and I dreamed about it from that point on.

2023 was my year. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the seminar was beyond my expectation. I was exposed to the top professionals in Nashville, and learned so much about writing and marketing my words. The air is rarified in those ballrooms and auditorium. Within the lessons and wisdom, music theory, marketing, and publicity words became titles, phrases became ideas. I learned the business of songwriting from some of the best in the business, and came away with incomparable inspiration. Best of all I made a couple of really great contacts that I hope will turn into co-writes..

The week is filled with music both in seminar and in town. Tin Pan South is not just education, but also one of Nashville‘s music festivals and there’s always a surprise or two. This year a couple of musicians pulled out of a show at the last minute. A favor was called in and a very lucky very small audience spent the evening with Garth Brooks. My only regret? Budgetary concerns had me delay buying my festival pass. Right before I dropped the money for the pass the fur kid screwed up bad. An hour later we were down in Nashville visiting the emergency vet in the middle of the night. $550 later he was nauseous but OK and my festival money went to the hospital.

​ but next year…