ASCAP convention

[nomiyah]

Anyone going to the ASCAP Songwriter Composer Convention?http://www.ascap.com/expo/

[nomiyah]

I haven't been online for awhile. I just got back from the ASCAP Expo in Hollywood. It was my first convention and now I'm hooked. I had nonstop fun, made some great contacts, learned so much I thought I was back in university and, best of all, was surrounded by thousands of songwriters. I've never been around so many people I had something in common with (besides being human).Here are a few paraphrased lines from my notebook (if you don't recognize the names, google them):Find the melodic nugget of genius and repeat it instrumentally. (Eric Bazilian)The listener has to understand the story or what's the point of telling it? It would be like telling a joke to myself. (Tom Petty)Don't think of it as waiting for your big break, think of it as preparing for your big break. (Gary Burr)Listen to the radio to hear what's current. (Damon Thomas)Don't listen to the radio, write what you feel. (Rudy Perez)I got lucky, I snuck into this great party and they haven't kicked me out yet. (Linda Perry)Move to Nashville. (John Rich)Besides the workshops, there were concerts. The best to me was an acoustic set hosted by legendary Don Was. Onstage all at the same time were Ann & Nancy Wilson (Ann's voice was somehow better than it's ever been), John Rich and Obie Bermudez.If you're interested, they filmed some of the workshops and concerts and it will be on www.ascap.com.Oh yeah, I got a guitar pick from Taxi. That was worth the price of admission. Nomi

[nomiyah]

This thread is feeling like what Tom Petty was referring to, like I'm posting to myself. Compare this songwriting-oriented thread to the dating thread, I'm just saying.

[superflux]

We learned of it when we were at last year's Road Rally. It lookedgreat, but expenisive. Their room rates were higher than Taxigot for us. Combined with the fee to attend it was more than wecould afford, paricularly on the heels of the outlay of cash for thetrip to the road rally.Looks like you got a lot out of it!! Did you hear or see anythingof John Shanks? Did you mean Don Was?We'll have to give a closer look at going next time.Thanks for sharing your experience.Steve

[Casey H]

Very true, Nomi.... Human nature... Think about what has happened to TV news. If a network shows hard news like the war in Iraq, world events, politics, etc no one watches and their ratings plummet. So they put on coverage of Laci Peterson, the Duke alleged rape, Natalie Holloway, etc and people can't get enough... Oh well... BTW, I read your post and found it interesting... Casey

[edteja]

Didn't seem to need my comments Lady N. Your post was interesting, but didn't seem to invite discussion. Casey, who is Laci Peterson? Should this be on the music trivia thread?

[nomiyah]

I don't think it was that expensive considering what they put together (check the schedule on their website). I didn't stay at the hotel but reserved a room in advance about a mile down Hollywood Blvd. It was a great environment for exposure to the top songwriters and business executives in the industry. I found it inspiring to meet the people who wrote so many of the songs I admire.Yeah, I meant Don Was. I'll modify the post.I went to a panel with John Shanks (along with Linda Perry, John Rich, Jimmy Jam) and met him very briefly. That was one of my favorite workshops.

[nomiyah]

Here's pics of that concert with Don Was, Heart, John Rich, Obie Burmudez.http://www.ascap.com/expo/jpg/ICMSongwr ... _stage.jpg

[superflux]

I didn't mean to imply it was overpriced, just that our meagerbudget had already incurred the cost of the Road Rally, andeven the plane tickets would have been more than we couldafford, let alone the fee to attend and rooms/meals.Glad you got a lot out of it!!

[edteja]

That's what hurts me too. It isn't that it isn't good value, I would love to go to one, it is just too rich for my blood, and even getting anywhere from this part of New Mexico is a bit of a struggle.