NSAI

NSAI stands for "Nashville Songwriters Association International."  Their website is http://www.nashvillesongwriters.com/

Now that that's out of the way...

I was introduced to NSAI in such a weird way that I can only call it divine providence.  I was shopping at Dollar General when a random lady who goes to Zumba class with me came up to me.  Once we were past the small talk, she mentioned an event being held at her church, a songwriting workshop.  Naturally, my ears perked up at this possibility.  She explained that a successful songwriter, Rob Crosby, would be there to share his story along with a few bits of advice.  

I decided to try out the workshop and loved it.  Not only because I was in the presence of someone who had written songs for Martina McBride, Lady Antebellum, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins and more, but because I found a small community of local songwriters that I never knew existed.  Rob Crosby had explained that being part of a professional group such as BMI, or NSAI would be extremely helpful in the business.  One of the songwriters in attendance that day just happened to be part of the west Kentucky chapter of NSAI.  He let me know that they met about 30 minutes away from where I lived, once a month.  The next meeting was just days away.

At that meeting, we worked our creativity with neat little projects, played some of our original music, and just....shared.  With the support and financial blessing of some very dear friends, I was able to begin my membership with NSAI officially.  Membership with NSAI provides all sorts of neat benefits, including having my songs heard and evaluated by professionals in the business, having the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring with professionals in the business in Nashville, and more.  I've already submitted a few of my songs, only to be informed that I'm not as awesome as I thought I was...and that's GREAT!  That's so humbling!  It can be a little unsafe to just write songs in my little office, being my only critique and thinking that I'm the only songwriter in the world.  There are millions with talent and I am one little fish in a vast ocean of creativity.  This has helped me set realistic goals for my songwriting and to see just what is involved, should I make this an eventual career.  

If you are a songwriter, or if you know one, I highly suggest you check that website out that I posted above.